The most recent Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger leading Democrat Phil Angelides 49% to 40% (see crosstabs). That’s a single-point improvement in the incumbent’s favor since last month’s poll.

The current results reflect Gov. Schwarzenegger’s best performance since April. Angelides peaked in early July when he briefly took the lead 46% to 44%. Schwarzenegger rebounded a few weeks later and hasn’t looked back since. It’s worth noting, though, that the governor has yet to hit the 50% mark among likely voters.

Nearly one-quarter of voters (24%) report “very favorable” opinions of the governor, while only 10% say they feel the same about Angelides. At the other end of the continuum, 25% have “very unfavorable” opinions of Angelides. Eighteen percent (18%) say the same of Schwarzenegger.

Twenty-three percent (23%) of voters say they “strongly approve” of both Gov. Schwarzenegger and President Bush’s job performances. The similarities end, though, when it comes to the numbers of those dissatisfied with their respective administrations: 47% “strongly disapprove” of the president and 22% say the same of Schwarzenegger.

Angelides was on the attack again this week, this time crying foul over Schwarzenegger’s appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on October 11. After trying unsuccessfully to book himself on the program, Angelides claimed that the governor’s appearance violated equal time provisions as dictated by federal election law. His campaign demanded that California’s NBC affiliates either drop the broadcast or offer him an equal time slot.

NBC responded that since Schwarzenegger’s appearance was considered an “official governor’s visit,” the segment was a news event and, therefore, not subject to equal time provisions. The broadcast aired as planned.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.