In New Jersey, Senator John F. Kerry leads President George W. Bush 51% to 39%. Four years ago, Bush lost the state by sixteen points to Al Gore, 56% to 40%.

When it comes to issues of national defense and the War on Terror, Garden State voters are evenly divided as to who would do a better job--45% say Bush and another 45% say Kerry. Nationally, Bush has a significant edge on this issue.

Voters prefer Kerry on the economy by a 48% to 41% margin. Nationally, Bush has a modest edge when it comes to managing the economy.

A third of New Jersey voters (34%) rate the economy as good or excellent. Another 34% say fair and 33% poor. Those numbers are very close to the national average at this time. Rasmussen Reports

While most New Jersey voters say they'll vote for Kerry, 44% believe that Bush will be re-elected in November. Just 35% believe Kerry will win.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of New Jersey voters have a favorable opinion of the President compared to 52% for Senator Kerry.

Additionally, 48% of New Jersey voters approve of the way that Bush is performing his role as President. This is a bit lower than the President's national Job Approval ratings.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of New Jersey voters see the President as politically conservative. Twenty-six percent (26%) say moderate.

Forty-seven percent (47%) say Kerry is politically liberal while just 41% label the Massachusetts Senator as moderate.

Rasmussen Reports will take its first look at the New Jersey Governor's race tomorrow (Thursday).

Rasmussen Reports has recently released state polling data for the Presidential race in West Virginia, Florida, and Colorado. Earlier surveys were conducted in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Ohio, and Missouri.

On a national basis this time around, the Rasmussen Reports Presidential Election Tracking Poll has found Bush and Kerry virtually even for weeks.