In Pennsylvania, John McCain has pulled back within single digits of Barack Obama.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of voters in the state shows Obama with 53% of the vote while McCain picks up 46%. That seven-point margin is half the 13-point advantage Obama enjoyed early in October.

Not coincidentally, Obama’s current lead is matched by a seven-point advantage on the question of which candidate is trusted more on the economy.

However, while McCain has closed the gap, virtually all the movement comes from an increase in his support rather than a loss of support for Obama. This is the third straight poll showing Obama’s support at or above the 50% level.

Still, the tightening poll results help explain why the Obama campaign has been paying so much attention to the Keystone State this week. Obama and Biden are both campaigning there along with major campaign surrogates.

Obama is now viewed favorably by 56% of Pennsylvania voters, down three points from earlier in the month.

McCain’s favorability ratings have been moving in the opposite direction, up four points to 54%.

Presidential Tracking Poll and in the Electoral College projections.

Governor Ed Rendell, a Democrat, is given good or excellent grades for his job performance by 46%, but 24% rate his performance as poor.

Thirty percent (30%) say President Bush is doing a good or excellent job, while 50% say his performance is poor.

Battleground state polls released yesterday showed Obama leading in Colorado, Florida,Ohio and Virginia. With these latest results, Rasmussen Reports has moved Florida from “Toss-Up” to “Leans Democratic.”

In Missouri and North Carolina, the race remains a toss-up while McCain leads by five in his home state of Arizona. Rasmussen Reports Electoral College projections now show Obama leading 260-163. When “leaners” are included, Obama leads 313-174.

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