In the race for the governor's mansion in Pennsylvania, Democratic Governor Ed Rendell now leads Republican Lynn Swann 50% to 36%. Last month, the governor opened up a sizeable lead over the former football star and the lead seems to be holding.

In January, soon after Swann formally announced his bid, the Rasmussen Reports election poll showed him narrowly leading the governor 45% to 43%. Through April, the two were more or less tied in our polls.

The incumbent is now viewed favorably by 62%, unfavorably by 35%. Fifty-eight percent (58%) approve of the job he's doing. In January Rendell was viewed favorably by just 47%. Swann is viewed favorably by 55%, unfavorably by 32%. In January he was viewed favorably by 54%. The only big change for Swann is an increase in his unfavorable numbers, more voters having made up their minds about him.

Swann continues to attract lower support among Republican voters (58%) than Rendell attracts from Democrats (69%).

Pundits in the state have attributed Swann's slackening pace to early overconfidence, several political missteps, and inadequate fundraising. It doesn't help the challenger that last year's attempt by state legislators to raise their pay, which angered many voters, is closely associated with the GOP.

Given a generic choice, many more respondents (48%) prefer to see a Democrat in the Oval Office in 2009 than prefer to see a Republican (29%). When we asked about several politicians considering a presidential run, though, voters still look on Republicans a bit more kindly than Democrats.

Hillary Clinton is viewed favorably by 53%, Al Gore by 57%, John McCain by 59%, Rudy Giuliani by 64%. This range is somewhat narrower than we've seen in other states.

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