Wednesday, September 17, 2008

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Repeating a pattern seen across the country, John McCain has gained ground on Barack Obama in Oregon. In August, before the running mates were selected and the conventions held, the Democrat enjoyed a ten-point lead in this traditionally “Blue” state. Now, however, McCain has pulled to within four points with results that are virtually identical to the actual Oregon vote in Election 2004.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Oregon voters shows Obama attracting 51% of the vote while McCain earns 47% (see crosstabs). This is the seventh Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Oregon for Election 2008, and it’s the closest that McCain has ever been. Four times, Obama has enjoyed an eight-to-10 point lead, and once he was up by 14.

As in other states, Obama leads among women but trails among men. The Democratic nominee leads among voters under 40 while McCain leads among older voters.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Obama voters say they’re voting with enthusiasm for him while just 18% are primarily voting against McCain.

Only 66% of McCain’s voters are voting with enthusiasm for him, while 30% are primarily voting against Obama.

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Obama is now viewed favorably by 58% of Oregon voters, McCain by 56%. Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden, is viewed favorably by 54% while the Republican Vice Presidential nominee—Sarah Palin—earns positive reviews from 52%.

Forty-eight percent (48%) say that McCain made the right decision in selecting his running mate while 44% say the same about Obama.

Eighty-three percent (83%) view Palin as politically conservative while 53% see Biden as politically liberal.

Nationally, the race remains close in both the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll and the Electoral College projections. Just 23% of voters say that this year’s campaign is more negative than most and all four candidates get relatively high marks for ethics.

Oregon has gone for the Democratic candidate in the last five presidential contests. Rasmussen Markets data gives the Democrats a % chance of carrying the state once again this fall. At the time this poll was released, Oregon is a “Leans Democratic” state 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.

Other state polling has already been released this week for Colorado, Florida, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Demographic crosstabs for state polling data is available for Premium Members. Learn More. Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free)… let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

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See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.