Barack Obama’s running mate, longtime Delaware Senator Joseph Biden, is now viewed more favorably than Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, primarily because the latter just can’t close the deal with women.

But Palin continues to be an emotional lightning rod for voters.

Fifty-six percent (56%) now have a favorable view of Biden, including 25% who say that view is Very Favorable, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-three percent (53%) view Palin favorably, but 35% say their opinion of her is Very Favorable.

Forty-seven percent (47%) have an unfavorable view of the first-term Alaska governor, compared to 41% who say that of Biden, a member of the Senate since 1973. Yet while just 21% have a Very Unfavorable opinion of Biden, 33% say that of Palin (see full demographic crosstabs).

Forty-nine percent (49%) say Biden is prepared to be president, but only 32% believe that of Palin. Over half of voters (56%) say Palin is not ready to be president, while just 34% say Biden is not prepared.

However, Palin still does slightly better than Biden when voters are asked to pick among all four candidates – Obama, McCain, Biden and Palin – for president.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).

While 56% of men have a favorable view of Palin, just 49% of women feel that way. Sixty-two percent (62%) of women see Biden in a favorable light, compared to 51% of men.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of women have a Very Unfavorable opinion of Palin, but only 16% say the same of Biden.

In a survey released September 24, nearly a month after they were named the vice presidential candidates of their respective parties, Palin was still viewed more favorably by voters than Biden, 54% to 49%. She also drew stronger feelings - pro and con.

After the October 2 debate between the two, the numbers began to change. Forty-five percent (45%) of voters thought Biden won the debate 37% thought Palin emerged victorious. Following the debate, 59% had a favorable opinion of Biden while 53% said the same about Palin. But opinions about Palin remained stronger.

Nationally, Obama has opened a stable lead over McCain in both the Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll and the Electoral College projections.

Asked who they would vote for for president among the two presidential candidates and their running mates, 44% say Obama, 34% McCain, 12% Palin and seven percent (7%) Biden. Fifteen percent (15%) of men chose Palin for the first woman president, compared to nine percent (9%) of women voters.

Nearly one-out-of-five Republicans (19%) picked Palin, with 64% of GOP voters choosing McCain. Eighty percent (80%) of Democrats opted for Obama, with just seven percent (7%) picking Biden. Unaffiliated voters gave Palin the edge over Biden by six points.

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