Monday, July 21, 2008

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John McCain continues to enjoy a solid lead over Barack Obama in Georgia. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the state shows McCain attracting 48% of the vote while Obama earns 39%. When leaners are included, McCain’s lead expands to eleven percentage points, 53% to 42%. These figures show little change in the race since late June.

In fact, this race has changed little all year. McCain has led by eight to fourteen points in each of the four previous surveys conducted by Rasmussen Reports in Georgia this year.

Libertarian candidate Bob Barr who served in Congress as part of Georgia’s Congressional delegation picks up 5% of the vote initially, but only 1% when “leaners” are included. This means that up to 5% of voters now say they would vote for Barr but when asked a follow-up question only 1% remain committed to the man some view as a potential spoiler for McCain’s hopes.

George W. Bush won the Georgia twice by double digits. Bill Clinton narrowly carried the state in 1992 but lost it to Bob Dole in 1996. Rasmussen Markets data shows that McCain is currently given a % chance of winning Georgia’s fifteen Electoral College votes this fall. At the time this poll was released, Georgia was rated as “Likely Republican” in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. NOTE: Factors other than the latest Rasmussen Reports poll impact the Balance of Power ratings. The current status is indicated on the table in the upper right hand corner of this article.

McCain is viewed favorably by 65% of Georgia voters, up from 60% a month ago. Obama is viewed favorably by 47%, unchanged over the past month.

Forty-three percent (43%) of Georgia voters say that economic issues are most important this year while 25% say national security topics are the highest priority.

Fifty-one percent (51%) say the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror while only 20% say the terrorists are winning. Those figures are similar to the national average, which reflect a growing optimism.

Forty-one percent (41%) in Georgia see Afghanistan as the central front in the War on Terror while 30% say the central front is in Iraq. Those figures are also close to the national average. A plurality also sees Afghanistan as the greater threat to the United States. Nationally, voters trust McCain more than Obama on national security issues in general and Iraq in particular.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters say that reducing the price of gas and oil is more important than protecting the environment. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree and take the opposite view. Like voters throughout the nation, half of Georgia’s voters believe reporters are trying to make the economy seem worse than it is.

George W. Bush won 58% of the Georgia vote in Election 2004 but today just 41% say he is doing a good or an excellent job as President. That’s up a single point since last month.

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This survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations Inc.

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