John McCain has opened a substantial lead over Mike Huckabee in the Texas Republican Presidential Primary. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that McCain attracts 52% of the vote while Huckabee earns 31%. Ron Paul is a distant third with 8% while 10% are not sure.

That twenty-one point lead is a huge improvement for McCain whose advantage was just nine percentage points last week.

The Democratic Primary is heading in the opposite direction. Hillary Clinton began with a large lead and it has been slipping away.

McCain is viewed favorably by 72% of Likely Republican Primary Voters, up from 67% a week ago. Huckabee earns positive reviews from 62%. Paul is viewed favorably by 30% and unfavorably by 62%.

Eighty-two percent (82%) believe McCain is at least somewhat likely to win the White House if nominated. That figure includes 44% who believe he is Very Likely to win it all in November. A week ago, 39% thought he was Very Likely to win.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) say the economy is the top issue in the race while 24% name immigration and 18% say it’s national security. McCain and Huckabee are even among those who consider immigration the top issue. McCain leads handily among all others.

The Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator shows that the GOP starts out the general election cycle trailing the Democrats in the Electoral College. As for the popular vote, Obama leads McCain and McCain leads Clinton in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

Rasmussen Markets data now shows McCain with a % chance to win the nomination and Huckabee has a % chance. On the Democratic side, 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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