Monday, October 13, 2008

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Barack Obama continues to lead John McCain in Virginia, which this year has shaped up to be a critical battleground state. The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone poll in the state finds Obama leading 50% to 47%.

A week ago, Obama had a 50% to 48% edge. His lead is identical to that two weeks ago.

McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin are scheduled to campaign in Virginia today. Obama and his vice presidential partner, Joseph Biden, campaigned in the state two weeks ago.

George W. Bush won Virginia by eight percentage points in both 2000 and 2004, but Democrats have focused on Virginia this year as a red state they hope to peel away from Republicans. No Democrat has won the state since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

The candidates are tied at 48% among unaffiliated voters in Virginia. McCain leads 50% to 49% among men, while Obama has a 51% to 46% advantage among women.

McCain leads among white voters in Virginia 59% to 38%. Obama leads 83% to 14% among non-white voters.

Obama is viewed favorably by 54% and unfavorably by 45%. McCain’s reviews are 56% favorable, 43% unfavorable.

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Rasmussen Markets data currently gives Obama a % chance of carrying Virginia this fall. At the time this poll was released, Virginia was ranked as a “Toss Up” 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.

Voters in Virginia trust Obama more overall by a 48% to 47% margin, representing little change from last week, when the candidates were tied at 48% each.

On the top issue of the economy, voters in Virginia trust Obama more by a 49% to 46% margin. Last week, Obama led 50% to 46% on this issue.

On national security and the War on Terror, voters trust McCain more than Obama, 52% to 44%.

Sixty-five percent (65%) say they would be at least somewhat comfortable with McCain in the White House, while just 58% say that of Obama. However, while 37% say they would be extremely comfortable with an Obama presidency, just 25% say the same of McCain. Forty percent (40%) would not be comfortable at all with Obama in office, while 35% would not be comfortable at all with McCain as president.

Voters are most comfortable with Biden as vice president. Sixty-nine percent (69%) say they would be at least somewhat comfortable with Biden in the number two job. Just over half (52%) of voters say they would be at least somewhat comfortable with Palin in the role. While 30% of voters say they would not be comfortable at all with Biden as vice president, 46% say that about Palin.

Governor Tim Kaine earns good or excellent job approval ratings from 45% of voters, while 21% say he is doing a poor job.

President Bush receives good or excellent reviews from 31%, while 49% give the president poor ratings.

New polling on the presidential race is also being released today from Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Missouri. See an overview of all five state polls and the latest Electoral College projections. A total of 270 Electoral Votes are needed to win the White House (see 50-State Summary).
Recent statewide presidential polls have been released for Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Demographic crosstabs for all state polling are available for Premium Members. Learn More.

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