In addition to the Virginia poll that I wrote about earlier, there are also new polls out from Rasmussen in four other states likely to be crucial in deciding the Presidential Election this year.
In Colorado, the first post-convention poll shows Barack Obama with a slight lead over McCain:
John McCain gained a little ground nationally during the convention season this year, but in the state that hosted the Democratic National Convention Barack Obama inched ahead. The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Colorado shows Obama attracting 49% of the vote while McCain earns 46%
In Florida, which recently had seemed to be drifting away from swing state status toward leaning in McCain’s favor, the race is once again tied:
The Presidential race in Florida is now tied. The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Sunshine State finds John McCain and Barack Obama each earning support from 48% of voters
(…)
The Republican nominee is viewed favorably by 61% of Floridian voters and unfavorably by 37%. Obama’s numbers are 55% favorable, 45% unfavorable. As for the Vice Presidential nominees, the ratings are similar. Sarah Palin is viewed favorably by 54% and unfavorably by 42%. Biden receives favorable ratings from 51% and unfavorable ratings from 43%.
Meanwhile, in Ohio, John McCain has opened up a 6 point lead over Obama:
The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Ohio, finds John McCain out in front of Barack Obama 51% to 44%
McCain is viewed favorably by 63% of Ohio voters and unfavorably by 35%. Obama’s ratings are 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable.
And, finally, Pennsylvania, which had seemed to be solidly in Obama’s corner, is now a dead heat:
The Presidential race in Pennsylvania has tightened since the conclusion of the party conventions last week. The latest Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds Barack Obama leading John McCain 47% to 45% in the Keystone state
Prior to the latest poll, Obama held five percentage-point leads in August and July.
The latest poll finds the Republican candidate is viewed more favorably among voters. McCain is viewed favorably by 57% of voters and unfavorably by 40%. Obama’s ratings are 55% favorable, 44% unfavorable.
Similarly, Sarah Palin is viewed slightly better than Joe Biden. The Republican Vice Presidential nominee is viewed favorably by 59% and unfavorably by 37%. Biden’s numbers are 54% favorable, 42% unfavorable.
Perhaps undercutting the idea that Scranton native Joe Biden would help Obama among Pennsylvania’s working class voters. In any case, it now appears that Pennsylvania, is in play once again.
Together with Virginia, these five battleground states represent 90 Electoral Votes, 1/3 of amount needed to win the Presidential election and it’s hard to see how either of these candidates can win the election without winning at least three out of these five states.
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[...] states, including Virginia, where Obama, McCain, and Palin are all campaigning today, and Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Colorado — all of which remain incredibly [...]