Tuesday, September 23, 2008

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Republican Senator Pat Roberts remains far ahead of challenger Jim Slattery in Kansas. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds Roberts ahead 58% to 38%.

The latest numbers represent the highest level of support for the incumbent in the race so far. Roberts’ support fell below 50% just one time -- in June. Last month, he enjoyed a 55% to 36% advantage.

Roberts is currently seeking his third six-year term in the Senate. Slattery served in the House for 12 years but has been in the real estate business since the mid-1990s.

This month, Roberts leads his opponent 50% to 43% among unaffiliated voters. He also leads 61% to 33% among men and 55% to 42% among women.

Favorable ratings for the incumbent have improved since August. He is now viewed favorably by 63% of voters, up from 59% a month ago. Just 31% of voters have an unfavorable view of the senator, down from 36% in August.

Ratings for the challenger moved slightly in the opposite direction. Slattery is now viewed favorably by 43%, down from 45% in August. He’s viewed unfavorably by 45%, down from 46% last month.

Rasmussen Markets data suggests that Roberts has a % chance of winning re-election in November. These results are updated on a 24/7 basis by market participants. It costs nothing to join, so add your voice to the collective wisdom.

Roberts is one of the few Republican senators who can look towards maintaining his seat in November. Many GOP Senate seats are potentially in play for Democrats including seats in Alaska, New Hampshire, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Mississippi, Minnesota and Virginia.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius, who was among the finalists as a possible running mate for Barack Obama, earns good or excellent ratings from 52% of voters. Twenty-six percent (26%) say she is doing a poor job as governor.

John McCain is way ahead of Obama in Kansas’ presidential race. Those numbers will be released today at 5 p.m. Eastern, along with new numbers from California.

Rasmussen Reports and Fox News Channel jointly released a series of battleground state polls Monday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. See overview of all polling released this week with results from Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Nationally, the race between Obama and McCain is very close in the Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll which is updated every day at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.

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