John McCain has expanded his lead over Barack Obama in Georgia. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the state finds the Republican on top 54% to 43% (see crosstabs).
Last month, McCain held a seven-point lead in the Peach State. The race in Georgia has remained relatively steady since tracking began in March.
Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, who served in Congress as part of Georgia’s Congressional delegation, receives very little support from voters in the state.
While McCain and Obama earn identical support from their own parties, McCain leads 59% to 31% among unaffiliated voters. McCain earns equal support from both men and women.
McCain is viewed favorably by 67% of Georgia voters, and unfavorably by 32%. Obama’s numbers are 50% favorable, 49% unfavorable.
As for the candidates’ running mates, Sarah Palin is viewed favorably by 62% and unfavorably by 37%. Joe Biden’s ratings are less flattering; 43% have a favorable view of the Senator, while 51% view him unfavorably.
While just 34% of voters say Biden was a good VP choice for Obama, 62% say Palin was a good choice for McCain. However, 50% of voters do not think Palin is ready to be president if the situation arises. Thirty-nine percent (39%) think the Alaskan Governor is ready to take over the White House. Voters are evenly divided on Biden--42% think Biden would be prepared for the presidency, 43% disagree.
Nationally, the race remains close in both the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll and the Electoral College projections. Just 23% of voters say that this year’s campaign is more negative than most and all four candidates get relatively high marks for ethics.
Most voters in Georgia (70%) favor oil drilling off the coast of Georgia, while just 18% are opposed.
The survey also found that just 34% of voters believe former Georgia politician and President Jimmy Carter should have been given the chance to speak at the Democratic National Convention, while 38% disagree.
President George W. Bush earns good or excellent ratings from 37% of Georgia voters, while 46% say he is doing a poor job.
See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.
This telephone survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on August 14, 2008. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
See Methodology.
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Georgia Trends: McCain vs. Obama |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Date |
McCain |
Obama |
|
10/30/2008 |
52% |
47% |
|
51% |
46% |
|
|
54% |
45% |
|
|
54% |
43% |
|
|
50% |
43% |
|
|
48% |
39% |
|
|
53% |
43% |
|
|
51% |
41% |
|
|
53% |
39% |
|
|
53% |
40% |
|
|
Favorable Ratings for Presidential Candidates in Georgia |
||
|---|---|---|
|
McCain |
Obama |
|
|
Very Favorable |
41% |
42% |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
16% |
8% |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
17% |
10% |
|
Very Unfavorable |
26% |
39% |
|
Not Sure |
0% |
1% |
|
Rasmussen Reports - Electoral College Balance of Power Summary |
|
|---|---|
|
160 |
|
|
260 |
|
|
118 |
|
Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.
The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge™ Premium Service for Election 2008 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a Presidential election.
Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.
