The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Pennsylvania shows Hillary Clinton with a very narrow advantage over Barack Obama in the Democratic Presidential Primary. Clinton earns 46% of the vote while Obama earns 42%. Earlier polling by other firms had shown Clinton with a much larger lead in a state that was once considered favorable to her.

Clinton leads by fifteen points among women but trails by fourteen among men.

The Pennsylvania Primary is scheduled for April 22 and could be very significant if Clinton win the Primaries in Texas and Ohio on March 4. On the other hand, if Obama wins either of those states, he is likely to be the Democratic nominee and the Pennsylvania voting will have little impact on the outcome.

Nationally, Obama leads Clinton in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

In the Keystone State, Clinton is viewed favorably by 74% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters. That figure includes favorable reviews from 80% of women and 65% of men.

Obama is viewed favorably by 71% overall.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of those likely to vote in the Primary view the economy as the most important voting issue for Election 2008. Twenty percent (20%) say it’s the War in Iraq while 15% name Health Care.

Among voters who consider the economy as the highest priority, 47% will vote for Clinton and 42% for Obama.

Obama leads by twenty-one points among voters who consider the War in Iraq as the top priority. Clinton leads by twenty-three among those who see Health Care as the most important issue.

Rasmussen Markets data just prior to release of this poll shows that Obama is overwhelming favored to end up victorious in Pennsylvania (current prices: Obama % Clinton %). Overall, the Markets give Obama a % chance to win the Democratic nomination while expectations for a Clinton victory are at %. 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.

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