Monday, June 09, 2008

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The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Wisconsin shows John McCain holding identical leads over both potential democratic candidates. McCain tops both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama by a 47% to 43% margin.

In late March, McCain and Obama were in a toss-up Clinton trailed the GOP hopeful by eleven points.

McCain enjoys double-digit leads over both candidates among men, but trails both candidates among women in the Badger State. The GOP candidate also leads both candidates by double-digits among voters not affiliated with either major political party.

Nationally, while the fundamentals of Election 2008 favor the Democrats, McCain remains competitive in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

Overall, McCain is viewed favorably by 58% of Wisconsin voters and unfavorably by 40%. Obama’s ratings are 51% favorable, 48% unfavorable. Clinton earns more negative feedback, with 46% who view her favorably and 52% who do unfavorably.

Like all other states, the economy is viewed as the most important electoral issue by a plurality (46%) of Wisconsin voters. Nationally, voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on the economy. At the same time, however, they trust McCain more than either Democrat.

A huge concern among consumers today is the price of gas. With the rapid increase in gas prices in recent months, McCain and Clinton openly favor a gas tax holiday during the summer, while Obama is opposed. Nearly half (47%) of Wisconsin voters favor a gas tax holiday, while 38% are opposed to the idea. These figures are similar to the national average.

The survey also found that more voters are worried about the next president raising taxes, rather than cutting them. Sixty-one percent (61%) of Wisconsin voters are at least somewhat worried that the next president will raise taxes too much and harm the economy. Meanwhile, just 35% are concerned that the next president will cut taxes too much and harm important government programs.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Wisconsin voters believe the government needs more tax revenue to fund important national programs. Forty-three percent (43%) disagree.

Both democratic candidates have stated that they would consider raising the capital gains tax. Obama has voiced that he would consider raising the tax from 15% to 28%. In Wisconsin, 59% of voters oppose a raise in the capital gains tax. Nearly half (49%) of voters believe a raise in the tax would hurt the economy. Nationally, 65% of voters are opposed to a raise in the capital gains tax.

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