Monday, September 08, 2008

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The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Ohio, finds John McCain out in front of Barack Obama 51% to 44% (crosstabs available for Premium Members).

The latest numbers, which are the first to be released since the conclusion of both parties’ conventions, mark an improvement for the Republican nominee. In August, McCain had a slightly more modest advantage over the Democrat. In fact, the GOP hopeful has held a modest lead since July in the swing state that finally decided the 2004 election.

McCain is viewed favorably by 63% of Ohio voters and unfavorably by 35%. Obama’s ratings are 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable.

Rasmussen Reports and Fox News Channel will jointly release a series battleground state polls every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. See overview of all polling released this week.

Rasmussen Reports will release other state polling on the Presidential race weeknights at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, follows the race on a national basis and is updated every morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern

This month, McCain enjoys a solid 58% to 32% among unaffiliated voters in Ohio. That is a major improvement from the five-point deficit the Republican received from this demographic a month ago. Among men, McCain leads 59% to 36%, but the Republican trails among women 50% to 45%.

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Ohio was key to President Bush’s reelection in 2004, going narrowly for him over John Kerry. Bush also carried the state in 2000, but Ohio is a classic swing state that also voted for Democrat Bill Clinton twice in the 1990s. No third party candidates currently poll above 1% in the Buckeye State.

As for the Vice Presidential nominees, Sarah Palin is more popular than Joe Biden. The GOP running mate is viewed favorably by 59% and unfavorably by 36% in Ohio. The numbers for the Democratic running mate are 50% favorable, 46% unfavorable. Nationally, Palin is viewed more favorably than her Democratic counterpart.

The latest numbers also show that overall, McCain is trusted more than Obama by a 54% to 41% margin. In addition, the plurality of voters (42%) say they would not be comfortable at all with Obama as president. Just 25% say that about McCain. If voters were faced with the toughest decision of their lives, 54% say they would rather ask McCain for advice, while 38% would choose Obama.

Rasmussen Markets data shows that McCain is currently given a % chance of carrying Ohio this November. At the time this poll was released, Ohio was rated as a “Toss-Up” 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 righthand corner of this article.

Nearly half of Ohio voters (48%) say President Bush is doing a poor job, while 35% give him good or excellent marks. Both figures have changed little over the past month.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D) earns good or excellent ratings from 49% of likely voters. Just 14% say he is doing a poor job as governor.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.