Friday, August 15, 2008

Rasmussen Reports: MCCAIN Edges Ahead in Colorado for the 1st time!





Election 2008: Colorado Presidential Election
Colorado’s a Toss-Up: McCain Edges Ahead for First Time


Thursday, August 14, 2008

The race for Colorado’s Electoral College votes is about as close as it can be on the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Colorado voters shows John McCain attracting 47% of the vote while Barack Obama earns 45%. When “leaners” are included, it’s McCain by a single percentage point, 49% to 48%.

While McCain’s advantage is statistically insignificant, it is the first time he has been ahead in Colorado in seven monthly polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports this year. It’s also the first time that McCain has reached the 47% level of support. Only once before this month had Obama’s support fallen below 46%. (Demographic crosstabs are available for Premium Members.)

A month ago, Obama led by seven points overall but by just three points when leaners were included. Two months ago, the race was a toss-up.

The new findings are consistent with a nationwide trend showing statewide results becoming more consistent with recent electoral patterns. George W. Bush won Colorado by five points in Election 2004 and John McCain is running about four or five points behind Bush’s 2004 numbers overall in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. As a result, you’d expect Colorado to be a toss-up and that’s what the current numbers suggest.

If either candidate improves their position in the national polling, it is likely that the trend will carry to Colorado as well.



McCain currently attracts 90% of the vote from Republicans in Colorado while Obama is supported by 83% of Democrats. Obama
has a modest lead among unaffiliated voters while McCain picks up more votes from Democrats than Obama does from Republicans.

McCain is viewed favorably by 56% of Colorado voters, Obama by 54%.

No comments: