RASMUSSEN REPORTS: Arizona: McCain Takes 16-point Lead over Obama; 46% Support Anti-Affirmative Action Initiative

John McCain has now stretched his lead over Barack Obama to 16 points -- 52% to 36% -- in his home state of Arizona, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.

Counting “leaners,” the gap is even wider, with McCain ahead 57% to 38%.

In late

June, McCain led Obama 49% to 40%. That was the first Arizona survey since Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The Republican presidential candidate has won Arizona in every election but one since 1952.

Nationally the Rasmussen Reports daily

Presidential Tracking Poll continues to show a very close race for the White House. On Monday, McCain had a statistically insignificant single point edge, but it’s the first time McCain has enjoyed even a statistically insignificant advantage since Obama clinched the Democratic nomination on June 3.

McCain is now viewed favorably by 71% of Arizona voters (Looks like the Peeing Red Racist Deadbeat Society is in the "minority" as always), up from 60% in late June, while 26% see him unfavorably. Forty-three percent (43%) rate their opinion of Obama as favorable, down slightly from 47% in the last survey. Over half (55%) regard the Democrat unfavorably.

The Republican has expanded his lead over Obama among male voters from 27 points last month to 33 points now. He was behind among women voters by six points but now leads his Democratic opponent by two points with this group, too.

McCain is supported by 86% of Republicans, Obama by 72% of Democrats. Among unaffiliated voters, McCain leads 45% to 32%, roughly the same as in late June.