The campaign of Congressman Ron Paul, the Texas libertarian and Republican, continues to generate prolific media coverage about its prolific fundraising, enthusiastic supporters, innovative Internet and other strategies, and its candidate's willingness to sharply differentiate himself from the GOP mainstream. But Paul remains uncompetitive in state primary polls, the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, and general election match-ups.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows Senator Hillary Clinton leading Congressman Paul 49% to 37%. Senator Barack Obama leads Paul by almost twenty points, 50% to 31%. Both Democrats have gained a couple points since an October poll, when Clinton led by ten points, Obama by 17.

It is likely that Paul appears more competitive against Clinton than Obama primarily because more voters are currently committed to voting against the former First Lady.

Another Rasmussen Reports general election survey found Paul attracting 8% support as a Libertarian candidate.

In the current survey, Paul attracts fewer women when pitted against Obama. But defecting voters tend to prefer another candidate or to be undecided rather than throw their support to Obama. Still, the result is that Obama gains a four-point-greater lead among female voters than Clinton. Obama also does better with male voters, leading Paul 46% to 40% among that group. Clinton trails 43% to 46% among male voters.

Senator Clinton attracts more younger voters in the 18-29 age group than does Obama (64% versus 51%), and more Democrats, moderates and even conservatives. Obama draws more Republicans, trailing Paul 23% to 55% among GOP voters while Clinton trails 14% to 65%.

In almost every demographic subdivision in the poll, many more voters are either Not Sure or prefer another candidate when Obama is Paul's opponent. Overall, Clinton's support is only one point lower than Obama's. His bigger lead comes from the higher uncertainty about the Obama-Paul alternative.

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