Initial reaction to John Edwards shows that 46% of Likely Voters have a favorable opinion of the Democrat's Vice-Presidential candidate. A Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 25% have an unfavorable opinion and 29% are not sure.

Among voters not affiliated with either major party, Edwards numbers are 48% favorable, 17% unfavorable, and 35% not sure.

Dick Cheney, the man whose job Edwards hopes to take, is viewed favorably by 41% and unfavorably by 45%. Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans have a favorable opinion of Cheney while 67% of Democrats have an unfavorable opinion of him.

While Republicans are presenting the Democratic team of Kerry and Edwards as the most liberal ticket ever, most Americans (54%) say that Edwards is politically moderate. Just 6% view him as conservative while 39% say liberal.

The Rasmussen Reports poll found that Cheney is viewed by 70% of voters as a political conservative. Twenty-one percent (21%) say he's a moderate.

The announcement of Edwards as the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate has given his party more confidence in the campaign. Voters are now evenly divided as to who they think will win in November. Earlier surveys had found that most voters thought Bush would be re-elected.

We have recently updated our polling results for Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina and California. Results for a total of more than 20 states will be released this week. Our Electoral College projections will be updated as appropriate.