Friday, August 15, 2008

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Barack Obama has marginally expanded his lead over John McCain in Maine. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds the Democrat ahead 49% to 36%.

When “leaners” are included, Obama leads 53% to 39%.

Last month, Obama had a ten point lead over McCain, representing a much tighter race than the 20-point margin the Democrat enjoyed in June.

A noticeable change this month comes from voters not affiliated with either major party. This month, Obama now leads among unaffiliated voters 48% to 32%. In July, the candidates were nearly tied among this demographic.

While Obama dominates among women, 52% to 31%, he now leads 47% to 41% among men in Maine. The Democrat also fares much better among single voters than married voters.

McCain is viewed favorably by 53% and unfavorably by 44%. Obama’s ratings in Maine are 61% favorable, 36% unfavorable.

Maine has cast its four Electoral College votes for the Democratic candidate in the last four presidential elections. In 2004, John Kerry won the state over George W. Bush by nine percentage points. The state is classified as “Likely Democratic” 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.

Rasmussen Markets data gives Obama a % chance of winning Maine’s four Electoral College votes this fall. These results are updated on a 24/7 basis by market participants. It costs nothing to join, so add your voice to the collective wisdom.

Most voters in Maine (87%) think finding new sources of energy is an urgent national need. That number is even higher than the national average. The overwhelming majority (80%) also believe reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume is an urgent national need. More voters in Maine (56%) think finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing consumption. Just over a third (35%) of voters say the opposite is more important.

Most voters in Maine (63%) agree with voters nationwide that most politicians will break rules to help those who contribute large amounts of money to their campaigns. Voters are split, however, on whether campaign contributions or media bias poses a bigger problem in elections today. While 46% say big campaign contributions are the bigger problem, 43% say that of media bias. Slightly more voters (44%) think John McCain is more influenced by contributions than Barack Obama (38%).

Nationally, 55% say media bias is a bigger problem than large campaign contributions.

Just 24% of voters in Maine give President George W. Bush good or excellent ratings. A solid majority (59%) rate his job performance as poor.

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