Before the Democrats settled on a candidate from the state next door, Maine was thought to be a battleground state for Election 2004. However, the latest Rasmussen Reports survey finds Senator John F. Kerry with a huge 54% to 35% lead in that state over President George W. Bush.

Four years ago, Al Gore defeated Bush to carry Maine by a 49% to 44% margin. While Maine looks like it may be a little more Democratic this year than it was four years ago, the national picture looks a lot like the way things ended four years ago--in a dead heat.

Maine is one of several states in which John Kerry is polling better than the actual vote totals earned by Al Gore in 2000. Other states in this category include Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Just 43% of Maine voters Approve of the way Bush is performing his job as President. That figure is well below the President's national Job Approval rating.

Data for Maine will updated again early next month. Rasmussen Reports has also recently released polling data for the states of 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.