The Missouri Senate race remains one of the closest in the nation. The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll shows Senator Jim Talent (R) with 46% of the vote and Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) at 44% (see crosstabs). A month ago, it was McCaskill’s turn to hold a statistically insignificant edge, 45% to 42%.

During this cycle, Rasmussen Reports has conducted ten election polls in Missouri. In nine of the ten polls, the candidates have been within three points of each other nine times. The state remains solidly in the “Toss-Up” category in our Senate Balance of Power summary.

Pollster Scott Rasmussen says that “Missouri will be one of the most important states to watch on election night. If Talent keeps his job, the Republicans keep control of the Senate. A McCaskill victory could signal a long night for the GOP.”

Other Republican incumbents in competitive or challenging races include Santorum in Pennsylvania, Chafee in Rhode Island, Burns in Montana, and DeWine in Ohio.

State fairs and political candidates go hand-in-hand during campaign season and Talent and McCaskill recently made their respective rounds at the Missouri State Fair. In the contest to see who’s more in touch with everyday voters, Talent, touting his rural base, greeted his constituents in casual summer attire. McCaskill, who has been faulted for ignoring Missouri’s rural communities and concentrating her campaign efforts in the state’s more populous cities, came to campaign wearing a business suit.

Thirty percent (30%) of voters surveyed say they have a very favorable opinion of Talent versus 23% who say the same of McCaskill. Talent also tops the challenger with very unfavorable ratings 20% to 14%.

Looking at how the candidates are viewed along ideological lines, 52% of voters say Talent is politically conservative while 31% see him as moderate.

McCaskill is seen as liberal by 38% and moderate by 37%.

President Bush is seen as conservative by 60% and moderate by 20%. Governor Blunt is considered conservative by 54%; and moderate by 28%.

McCaskill continues to link Talent to President Bush at every opportunity. Just 27% of Missouri voters strongly approve of the President’s job performance while 43% strongly disapprove.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.