Since wrapping up the Republican nomination, John McCain’s general election prospects have improved against Barack Obama in New Hampshire. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Granite States shows McCain with 46% of the vote, three points more than Obama’s 43%. McCain leads Clinton 47% to 41%.

A month ago, at the height of Obamamania, Obama led McCain here by thirteen points. However, Obama’s national numbers have fallen significantly since that time. McCain is clearly benefitting from the ongoing struggle for the Democratic nomination and the March numbers from New Hampshire reflect a trend that has been seen in state-after-state (see Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

In New Hampshire, McCain leads Obama by nine among men and trails by two among women. Clinton leads McCain by eight among women but trails McCain by nineteen points among men.

McCain is viewed favorably by 63% of New Hampshire voters, up from 58% a month ago.

Obama is now viewed favorably by 58%, down from 62% in the previous poll.

Clinton is viewed favorably by 50%, little changed from a month ago.

Fifty percent (50%) of New Hampshire voters name the economy as the top voting issue for Election 2008. That’s up from 34% a month ago. McCain is essentially even with both Democrats among voters who consider this the most important issue. Nationally, consumer confidence has fallen to the lowest levels since the 9/11 terrorist attacks nearly seven years ago. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Americans now believe a Depression is somewhat likely in the near future.

Just 10% of New Hampshire voters rate the economy as good or excellent. Thirty-five percent (35%) say fair and 54% poor. Just 6% say the economy is getting better while 80% say it is getting worse.

Forty-six percent (46%) say the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror while 24% believe the terrorists are winning. Those figures are similar to the national average. New Hampshire voters are evenly divided as to whether things will get better or worse in Iraq over the coming months.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Granite State voters say that American society is generally fair and decent. Twenty percent (20%) disagree and believe it is unfair and discriminatory.

John Kerry won the state by a single percentage point (50% to 49%) in Election 2004 while George Bush won the state by an equally slim margin (48% to 47%) four years earlier.

With the results of this poll, New Hampshire shifts from the Likely Democratic column to Leans Democratic in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. This Calculator aggregates data from a variety of sources to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state-by-state race for the White House. Data inputs include the latest Rasmussen Reports poll in a state, an average of the latest polling from other firms, Rasmussen Markets data, Intrade market data, the aggregated rankings of selected analysts, the state’s voting history, and national party identification trends.

Rasmussen Markets data immediately prior to release of this poll showed that Democrats were heavily favored to win New Hampshire (current pricing: Democrats % Republicans %). Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll. Using a trading format where traders "buy and sell" candidates, issues, and news features, the Rasmussen Markets harness competitive passions to provide a reliable leading indicator of upcoming events. We invite you to participate in the Rasmussen Markets. It costs nothing to join and add your voice to the collective wisdom of the market.

Last fall, Clinton and McCain were tied in New Hampshire. Obama was not included in that round of polling.

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