National polling for the seven days ending February 17 shows that Barack Obama is viewed favorably by 55% of American voters. John McCain is viewed favorably by 51% and Hillary Clinton by 45%.

Thirty percent (30%) have a Very Favorable opinion of Obama while 25% have a Very Unfavorable opinion of the Democratic frontrunner. For Clinton, the comparable numbers are 24% Very Favorable and 35% Very Unfavorable.

Opinions about McCain are less firmly established—16% Very Favorable and 19% Very Unfavorable.

The data highlights a significant gender gap concerning both Clinton and McCain. Clinton is viewed favorably by 50% of women and 38% of men. McCain earns positive reviews from 57% of men and 47% of women. The gap is smaller for Obama who receives favorable ratings from 52% of men and 57% of women.

McCain’s struggles with conservatives are highlighted by the fact that just 61% have a favorable opinion of him. Just 20% say they have a Very Favorable opinion of the presumptive Republican nominee. That doesn’t come close to matching the reaction liberals have to the two Democratic candidate—79% of liberal voters have a favorable opinion of Obama and 75% say the same about Clinton. Those figures include 51% with a Very Favorable opinion of Obama and 44% of those with a Very Favorable opinion of Clinton.

Among political moderates, Obama is viewed favorably by 65%, McCain by 57%, and Clinton by 52%.

Among independent voters not affiliated with either major political party, Obama is viewed favorably by 61%, McCain by 55%, and Clinton by 39%.

McCain earns the best reviews of all three candidates among voters over 65. Obama is the strongest among voters under 40. The two men earn generally similar ratings from voters aged 40-64.

Last week, Rasmussen Reports noted that it’s not a question of which Democrat is more electable. Hillary Clinton is the safer bet with less upside potential. Barack Obama is the higher risk option with a better possibility of a victory that could reshape American politics.

Rasmussen Reports conducts national telephone surveys on the Presidential race every night and releases updated data from our Presidential Tracking Poll by 11:00 a.m. Eastern each day. These updates include daily match-up numbers for races between McCain and Obama as well as between McCain and Clinton.

For the seven days ending February 17, Barack Obama earned 48% of the vote, Hillary Clinton attracted 42% and 11% remained undecided (review history of weekly results).

Among Republicans, for the seven days ending February 17, John McCain earns 51% of the vote, Mike Huckabee attracts 28%, and Ron Paul picks up 8%. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided (review history of weekly results). Among conservatives, McCain leads 47% to 35%.

In general election match-ups, results for the seven days ending February 17 show McCain leading Clinton 49% to 42% and Obama leading McCain 47% to 43%.

Rasmussen Reports continuously updates general election match-ups and other measures for all Republican and Democratic Presidential candidates.