watching the polls

McCain Up 8 in Montana, Poll Shows

By Matthew Frank, 10-02-08

A new poll released Thursday by Rasmussen Reports has John McCain up 8 points over Barack Obama in Montana, 52 percent to 44 percent, a narrower advantage than the few polls conducted in recent weeks have suggested.

Last week’s Research 2000 and CNN/Time Opinion Research polls showed McCain up by 13 points and 11 points, respectively. A September 9 Rasmussen poll also had McCain by 11.

From Rasmussen:

McCain is now viewed favorably by 56% of Montana voters, down four points from a month ago. Obama earns positive reviews from 50% of Montana voters, unchanged since September.

McCain leads by 23 percentage points among men but trails by five among women.

As for the running mates, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is viewed favorably by 56% of Montana voters while 48% say the same of Delaware Senator Joseph Biden.

The economy is the top issue in Montana as it is throughout the nation. Just 14% believe the economy is in good or excellent shape while 52% rate the nation’s economy as poor. 6% of Montana voters say the economy is getting better while 77% say it is getting worse.

48% of Montana voters say they trust McCain more than Obama on economic issues while 43% hold the opposite view. McCain has a larger advantage on national security issues.

Rasmussen also surveyed Montana voters on the gubernatorial race: Governor Brian Schweitzer leads his Republican challenger Roy Brown by 15 percentage points. 

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