John McCain continues to hold a strong lead over Barack Obama in Louisiana. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Bayou State finds the Republican on top 55% to 38%.

When “leaners” are included, McCain has a 57% to 39% lead. Full demographic crosstabs are available for Premium Members. Time is running out to save on Premium Memberships. Sign up now and save. Learn More.

McCain had a twenty-point lead over the democrat in July.

The Republican is viewed favorably by 60% of voters and unfavorably by 34%. Meanwhile, Obama is viewed favorably by just 43% of voters and unfavorably by 56%.

This month, McCain is backed by 92% of Republicans while Obama is supported by 72% of Democrats. Among unaffiliated voters, McCain leads by more than a two-to-one margin.

McCain leads 59% to 32% among men and 52% to 42% among women.

Nationally, the two candidates are very competitive in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

Rasmussen Markets data shows that McCain is currently given a % chance of winning Louisiana’s nine Electoral College votes this November. George W. Bush handedly won the state in 2004 by a 57% to 42% margin. At the time this poll was released, Louisiana is ranked as “likely Republican” in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. NOTE: Factors other than the latest Rasmussen Reports poll impact the Balance of Power ratings. The current status is indicated on the table in the upper right hand corner of this article.

When it comes to energy issues, voters in Louisiana are more enthusiastic about finding new sources of energy than conserving it. While 84% of voters think finding new sources is an urgent national need, 61% say that of reducing consumption. When asked which is more important, 70% of voters said finding new sources is more important than reducing the amount of energy Americans use at this time. Just under a quarter (23%) take the opposite view. These views are very similar to the national average.

The majority of voters in Louisiana (58%) think media bias is a bigger problem than big campaign contributions in terms of the election, while just over a third (34%) says the latter is a bigger problem. Those results are on par with national numbers. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of voters also say that most politicians break rules to help people who contribute to their campaigns. Slightly more voters in Louisiana (43%) think Obama is influenced by lobbyists and contributors than McCain (29%).

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