With a week to go until Pennsylvania voters render their final verdict, Hillary Clinton has opened a nine-percentage point lead over Barack Obama in the Keystone State. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey shows Clinton now attracts 50% of the vote while Obama earns 41%.

That’s a slight improvement for Clinton who led by five percentage points a week ago.

Among voters from households where someone owns a gun, Clinton leads by seventeen points. Voters from other households are more evenly divided.

Clinton leads among voters who say faith and religion are Somewhat or Very Important. Obama leads among those who say such topics are Not Very Important or Not at All Important.

Sixty percent (60%) of Likely Democratic Primary voters in Pennsylvania say that it is Very Important for the government to enforce the borders and reduce illegal immigration. Among these voters, Clinton leads by sixteen.

Looking at the other aspect of the immigration debate, 30% say it’s Very Important to legalize the status of those who have come to the country illegally. Among these voters, Clinton and Obama are essentially even.

Twenty-three percent (23%) of Likely Primary Voters rate their personal finances as poor. Among these voters, the candidates are even—Obama wins 46% of their votes, Clinton 44%.

Nationally, 56% of all voters disagree with controversial statements made by Barack Obama on why cling to religion, guns, and “anti-immigrant” attitudes.

In Pennsylvania, 75% of Likely Primary Voters have heard of the remarks. Thirty-five percent (35%) agree and 51% disagree. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Obama supporters agree with the comments while 25% disagree. Among Clinton supporters, 73% disagree.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) say that the comments reflect an elitist view of small town America. Forty-eight percent (48%) disagree. Most Clinton voters (57%) believe Obama’s comments reflect an elitist view while Obama voters overwhelmingly reject that notion.

In the Keystone State, Clinton is now viewed favorably by 74% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters, Obama by 72%. Those figures are little changed from a week ago.

Clinton leads by twenty-seven points among White Voters while Obama attracts 78% of the African-American vote.

A separate survey found that both Democrats lead McCain in Pennsylvania. Nationally, McCain currently leads both Democrats in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. Looking at the Electoral College, the race is essentially a Toss-Up.

Rasmussen Markets data just prior to release of this poll shows that Clinton is favored to end up victorious in Pennsylvania (current prices: Clinton % Obama %). Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll. 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.

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