The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone poll finds that Barack Obama enjoys an eight-percentage point advantage over John McCain in an early look at the general election campaign. Obama attracts 47% of the vote while McCain earns 39%. Seven percent (7%) said they would vote for some other candidate while 7% are undecided. Obama leads McCain leads by twelve points among women and three points among men. Following his victory in the Wisconsin Presidential Primary, Obama is now seen as the overwhelming favorite to win the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

If Hillary Clinton pulls off a comeback, she and McCain are tied in Michigan, 44% to 44%. McCain leads Clinton by four points among men and trails by two among women.

McCain wins 84% of the Republican vote if Clinton is the nominee, 75% if Obama is the nominee. McCain and Clinton are essentially even among unaffiliated voters while Obama holds an eleven point advantage over McCain among those independent voters. Overall, in most states surveyed recently, Obama performs significantly better against McCain than Clinton. The same dynamic is found nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

In Michigan, Obama is viewed favorably by 61% of Likely Voters, McCain by 55% and Clinton by 51%.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of Michigan voters name the economy as the top voting issue of 2008. Sixteen percent (16%) name the War in Iraq as the top issue while another 11% name national security as the highest priority. Nationally, Democrats are trusted more than Republicans on most key issues at this time.

Michigan is currently rated as “Likely Democrat” in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. This Calculator provides a daily update of Electoral College projections by aggregating data from a variety of sources including the latest Rasmussen Reports poll in a state, an average of the latest polling from other firms, Rasmussen Markets data, Intrade market data, analyst ratings and more.

Rasmussen Markets data just prior to the release of this poll showed that Democrats are favored to carry Michigan in the general election (current prices: Republican % Democrat %). Overall, among Democrats, the Markets give Obama a % chance to win the nomination while expectations for a Clinton victory are at %. Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll. Using a trading format where traders "buy and sell" candidates, issues, and news features, the Rasmussen Markets harness competitive passions to provide a reliable leading indicator of upcoming events. We invite you to participate in the Rasmussen Markets. It costs nothing to join and add your voice to the collective wisdom of the market.