In Iowa, a Rasmussen Reports survey finds Senator John F. Kerry leading President George W. Bush 49% to 41%.

Four years ago, Al Gore narrowly carried Iowa by a 49% to 48% margin. Kerry became the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination by winning the Iowa caucuses. Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack is reportedly on the short-list that Kerry is considering for his Vice-Presidential running mate.

Most states polled so far this year are showing similar results to four years ago. However, Iowa is one of a few states in which the the President is behind his pace from four years ago. Others include Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

There are, of course, other states in which Bush is doing better than he did four years ago. Most notable in this category is Pennsylvania.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Iowa voters Approve of the way Bush is performing his job as President. That figure is below the President's national Job Approval rating.

Data for Iowa will updated again early next month. Rasmussen Reports has also recently released polling data for the states of Arkansas, Michigan, Maine, South Carolina, Alabama, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon, Missouri, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas, California and Ohio. Other state polling data will be released each day this week.