After trailing earlier in the campaign season, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) now leads Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka by 11-points in his bid for re-election. The latest Rasmussen
Reports poll shows Blagojevich with 45% of the vote to 34% for Topinka.

The Blagojevich campaign has run an advertising campaign raising the question "What is She Thinking?" about Topinka and touching on issues ranging from the state budget to Iraq. The Blagojevich campaign has also raised complaints about lease payments by Topinka to a developer who is also a contributor. A better job performance in the state may also have something to do with the turnabout.
The governor, too, has had to contend with charges of impropriety, but that's old news and he has more money to spend on campaign ads.

Many Republicans in the state concede that he has managed to put Topinka on the defensive lately.

Governor Blagojevich is viewed favorably by 48%, unfavorably by 49%.

Topinka is viewed favorably by 40%, unfavorably by 50%. Forty-three percent (43%) approve of the job the governor is doing, 56% disapprove. As in other states, when asked about which party they'd like to see in the White House in 2008, a plurality (48%) say they prefer a Democrat; 26% say a Republican, 22% say "other."

Nevertheless, Republicans are more competitive when voters consider match-ups of particular presidential prospects: Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani. Details about the match-ups are available to Premium Members. In Massachusetts, it's McCain 44% Clinton 43%.

Also consistent with the trend, we find that Illinois voters tend to view the two Republicans more favorably than the Democrats, even as the Democrats are disliked more intensely. McCain and Giuliani are each viewed favorably by more than 60% of likely Illinois voters.

Both Clinton and Gore can claim higher "very" favorable ratings than the Republicans, however.

Crosstabs are available to Premium Members. For the latest State Election results and issues of the day see our Elections Page and Politics Page.