Rasmussen, 8/24: Obama 46%, McCain 43% (with leaners, Obama 48%, McCain 45%)

[highplainsdem]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

Sunday, August 24, 2008

On Sunday—the day before the Democratic National Convention begins--the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows Barack Obama attracting 46% of the vote while John McCain earns 43%. When "leaners" are included, it’s Obama 48% and McCain 45%. This is the first time Obama has been up by more than two percentage points with leaners since his “Berlin bounce” began to fade on July 28 (see recent daily results). Tracking Polls are released at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time each day.

Yesterday, Obama announced that Joe Biden will be his running mate and the initial reviews are mixed. Polling yesterday found that 39% believe Obama made the right choice while 25% disagreed. Women are less enthusiastic about the choice than men and the McCain campaign was ready with their first ad showing Biden in his own words.

Data from Rasmussen Markets currently gives Obama a 62.1% chance of winning the White House.

McCain is viewed favorably by 57% of the nation’s voters, Obama by 55% (see trends). Biden is now viewed favorably by 48% of voters, up a few points since being selected as Obama’s running mate.

The Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator currently shows Obama leading in states with 193 Electoral College votes while McCain leads in states with 183 votes. When leaners are included, it’s Obama 264, McCain 247. Only three states remain in the toss-up category—Virginia, Colorado, and Nevada. New polling data has been released for Indiana, California, Tennessee, and Mississippi (see 50-State Summary).

-snip-

Looking good at the moment, except for McCain's favorable rating continuing to go up and now 2 points above Obama's.

[glowing]

1. Are people seriously this fickle with their choices? Or are polls just pop

shots of what may happen?

[maseman]

2. I'd like to see this poll with Bob Barr added in

McSame will be three or four points lower.

[glowing]

3. I think so too.. esp. in GA.. that's how Obama could win that state.

[Vinca]

4. I think all the polls are BS because they don't poll cell phone users.

They're calling people not necessarily in Obama's crowds of tens of thousands. If his younger supporters actually vote, this is more likely going to be a landslide.

[mvd]

5. Tomorrow will be the really interesting polls

McCain's favorability is probably a blip. Usually there hasn't been much difference.