Looking For A Specific Archive?
Primaries 2012: Primary Polls
Election 2008: Articles | Presidential Contest Polls | Congressional House Polls | Congessional Senate Polls | Governor Polls
Primaries 2008: Candidates | Blogs | Democratic Primary Exit Polls | Primary Polls
Primaries 2004: Primary Polls
Who gets your vote in 2012?
Democrat Polls
Quinnipiac University
Date: 8/17-24
Ohio
Added: 8/26/08
Quote: The is the ninth straight Ohio poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports this year and McCain has held at least a slight advantage in all nine. However, the shifting margins are indicative of how volatile the race is in the state that sealed President Bush�s reelection in 2004. Last week�s numbers matched McCain�s largest lead of the year while this week�s result are more in line with the smaller lead he has maintained in the state since July. McCain has the backing of 90% of Republicans while Obama is supported by 78% of Democrats. This week, Obama has the edge among unaffiliated voters. Men give the edge to McCain 55% to 41%, but women favor Obama 48% to 41%. Ohio voters trust McCain over Obama by a 48% to 42% margin, but 30% say they would be extremely comfortable with the Democrat as president versus 24% who feel that way about his Republican opponent. Factor in those who say they would be very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with either man as president, though, and McCain comes out on top 62% to 55%. But 41% say they would not be comfortable at all with Obama as president, while 36% say that of McCain. McCain, 7 Weeks Out, Positioned to Hold Ohio's 20 Electoral Votes for GOP: In an election for President of the United States in Ohio today, 09/15/08, Republican John McCain defeats Barack Obama by 4 points, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WCMH-TV Columbus, WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WDIO-TV Dayton. Today, it's McCain 49%, Obama 45%. McCain leads 5:4 in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. Obama leads 5:4 in greater Cleveland. McCain leads by 16 points among whites; Obama leads by 82 points among blacks.6 in 10 voters say the president should focus on the economy ahead of all other issues, and among that group, Obama leads 5:4. But the smaller group of voters who say terrorism is most important backs McCain 32:1. 3 times as many Democrats crossover to vote Republican as Republicans who crossover to vote Democrat. Among men, McCain leads by 13 points; among women, Obama leads by 4 -- a 17 point gender gap. Among voters who are younger than Barack Obama, Obama and McCain are tied. Among voters older than John McCain and those who are in-between the two candidates' ages, McCain leads by 10. McCain leads 5:4 among those who earn more than $50,000 a year. Obama leads 4:3 among those who earn less than $50,000 a year. The GOP �maverick� ticket of McCain and Alaska Gov. Palin led Democrat Obama and his vice president pick, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden 46 percent to 42 percent in the general election - just 56 days away, according to a poll of likely Buckeye state voters. Likely voters told pollsters they trust McCain more than Obama - 49 percent to 41 percent. David Paleologos, director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk University in Boston, said Ohio voters are likely more trusting of McCain because of the popularity of his �Straight Talk Express,� and because Obama is still suffering from the smearing slugfest during Democratic primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Eric W. Rademacher, The Ohio Poll�s Co-Director, said, �Both campaigns have many hours of work ahead if they want to secure a path to the presidency through Ohio.� Two findings of the Poll suggest the presidential race in Ohio may have a long way to go: First, a large portion of likely voters (23%) may still be �up for grabs�: nineteen percent say they might change their mind and switch candidates before Election Day, and four percent are undecided as to which candidate they will choose. Second, more Democrats than Republicans currently express intent to cross party lines on November 4. While 11 percent of Democratic likely voters currently say they will vote for McCain, just five percent of Republican likely voters currently intend to vote for Obama. While this bears watching, early partisan �defectors� often �come home� to support their party�s candidate by Election Day. Rademacher noted, �After a relatively quiet summer, Ohio voters are becoming more engaged with the presidential campaigns. The dynamics of this race may change as voters make final decisions based on candidate performances in Ohio and on the national stage.� *We ask users to properly attribute this copyrighted information to the �Ohio Poll,� sponsored by the University of Cincinnati. The name, �Ohio Poll,� is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. . Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama? Favorable 48% Unfavorable 39% Undecided 13% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Joseph Biden? Favorable 46% Unfavorable 34% Undecided 20% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of John McCain? Favorable 49% Unfavorable 36% Undecided 15% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin? Favorable 53% Unfavorable 33% Undecided 14% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the economy, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 49% Barack Obama 43% Undecided 8% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the war in Iraq, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 52% Barack Obama 38% Undecided 10% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance? Approve 25% Disapprove 68% Undecided 7% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy? Approve 21% Disapprove 68% Undecided 11% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq? Approve 37% Disapprove 56% Undecided 7% Obama leads 52 - 42 percent among Ohio women, compared to 51 - 37 percent August 26. Men split 47 - 47 percent. Obama leads 64 - 33 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split with 48 percent for McCain and 46 percent for Obama. Voters over 55 back McCain 48 - 44 percent. Independent voters back McCain 47 - 43 percent, compared to a 42 - 38 percent Obama lead August 26, and 28 percent of former Clinton supporters now back McCain, compared to 23 percent last time. McCain gets a 53 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio, identical to Obama's 53 - 33 percent. Palin's favorability is 41 - 22 percent, compared to 36 - 22 percent for Biden. For 52 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 11 percent cite health care; 10 percent say the war in Iraq; 9 percent list energy policy and 8 percent say terrorism. The choice of a running mate will have little impact on their vote, 61 percent of Ohio likely voters say. "Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama are getting the same level of party loyalty and the Republican is even winning slightly among independents. But Obama is ahead because there are so many more people who identify as Democrats - a legacy of the 2006 election and scandals involving former Gov. Robert Taft's administration," Brown said. The latest numbers, which are the first to be released since the conclusion of both parties� conventions, mark an improvement for the Republican nominee. In August, McCain had a slightly more modest advantage over the Democrat. In fact, the GOP hopeful has held a modest lead since July in the swing state that finally decided the 2004 election. McCain is viewed favorably by 63% of Ohio voters and unfavorably by 35%. Obama�s ratings are 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable. Rasmussen Reports and Fox News Channel will jointly release a series battleground state polls every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. See overview of all polling released this week. Rasmussen Reports will release other state polling on the Presidential race weeknights at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, follows the race on a national basis and is updated every morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern This month, McCain enjoys a solid 58% to 32% among unaffiliated voters in Ohio. That is a major improvement from the five-point deficit the Republican received from this demographic a month ago. Among men, McCain leads 59% to 36%, but the Republican trails among women 50% to 45%. It looks like a very different story in Ohio, which has 20 electoral votes up for grabs. President Bush's narrow victory in Ohio four years ago clinched his re-election. It looks like it could be just as tight this time around in Ohio. The poll suggests that Obama has a 2-point lead over McCain, 47 percent to 45 percent, which is a virtual tie when taking into account the survey's 3.5-percentage-point sampling error. Obama leads 51 - 37 percent among Ohio women, while McCain leads 50 - 37 percent with men. White voters back McCain 49 - 38 percent, but Obama sweeps black voters 89 - 3 percent. The Democrat also leads 51 - 41 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split 43 - 43 percent and voters over 55 go 44 percent for McCain and 42 percent for Obama. Independent voters back Obama 42 - 38 percent. McCain gets a 50 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio to Obama's 49 - 32 percent. For 53 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 16 percent cite the war in Iraq; 12 percent list health care and 8 percent say terrorism. "The big question in Ohio is how much the gender gap will decide the election. Gender support for each candidate is a virtual mirror of the other. McCain is winning men by the same margin that Obama is carrying women. Something has to give one way or the other," Brown said.
Columbus Dispatch
Date: 8/12-21
Ohio
Added: 8/25/08
Quote: The is the ninth straight Ohio poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports this year and McCain has held at least a slight advantage in all nine. However, the shifting margins are indicative of how volatile the race is in the state that sealed President Bush�s reelection in 2004. Last week�s numbers matched McCain�s largest lead of the year while this week�s result are more in line with the smaller lead he has maintained in the state since July. McCain has the backing of 90% of Republicans while Obama is supported by 78% of Democrats. This week, Obama has the edge among unaffiliated voters. Men give the edge to McCain 55% to 41%, but women favor Obama 48% to 41%. Ohio voters trust McCain over Obama by a 48% to 42% margin, but 30% say they would be extremely comfortable with the Democrat as president versus 24% who feel that way about his Republican opponent. Factor in those who say they would be very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with either man as president, though, and McCain comes out on top 62% to 55%. But 41% say they would not be comfortable at all with Obama as president, while 36% say that of McCain. McCain, 7 Weeks Out, Positioned to Hold Ohio's 20 Electoral Votes for GOP: In an election for President of the United States in Ohio today, 09/15/08, Republican John McCain defeats Barack Obama by 4 points, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WCMH-TV Columbus, WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WDIO-TV Dayton. Today, it's McCain 49%, Obama 45%. McCain leads 5:4 in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. Obama leads 5:4 in greater Cleveland. McCain leads by 16 points among whites; Obama leads by 82 points among blacks.6 in 10 voters say the president should focus on the economy ahead of all other issues, and among that group, Obama leads 5:4. But the smaller group of voters who say terrorism is most important backs McCain 32:1. 3 times as many Democrats crossover to vote Republican as Republicans who crossover to vote Democrat. Among men, McCain leads by 13 points; among women, Obama leads by 4 -- a 17 point gender gap. Among voters who are younger than Barack Obama, Obama and McCain are tied. Among voters older than John McCain and those who are in-between the two candidates' ages, McCain leads by 10. McCain leads 5:4 among those who earn more than $50,000 a year. Obama leads 4:3 among those who earn less than $50,000 a year. The GOP �maverick� ticket of McCain and Alaska Gov. Palin led Democrat Obama and his vice president pick, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden 46 percent to 42 percent in the general election - just 56 days away, according to a poll of likely Buckeye state voters. Likely voters told pollsters they trust McCain more than Obama - 49 percent to 41 percent. David Paleologos, director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk University in Boston, said Ohio voters are likely more trusting of McCain because of the popularity of his �Straight Talk Express,� and because Obama is still suffering from the smearing slugfest during Democratic primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Eric W. Rademacher, The Ohio Poll�s Co-Director, said, �Both campaigns have many hours of work ahead if they want to secure a path to the presidency through Ohio.� Two findings of the Poll suggest the presidential race in Ohio may have a long way to go: First, a large portion of likely voters (23%) may still be �up for grabs�: nineteen percent say they might change their mind and switch candidates before Election Day, and four percent are undecided as to which candidate they will choose. Second, more Democrats than Republicans currently express intent to cross party lines on November 4. While 11 percent of Democratic likely voters currently say they will vote for McCain, just five percent of Republican likely voters currently intend to vote for Obama. While this bears watching, early partisan �defectors� often �come home� to support their party�s candidate by Election Day. Rademacher noted, �After a relatively quiet summer, Ohio voters are becoming more engaged with the presidential campaigns. The dynamics of this race may change as voters make final decisions based on candidate performances in Ohio and on the national stage.� *We ask users to properly attribute this copyrighted information to the �Ohio Poll,� sponsored by the University of Cincinnati. The name, �Ohio Poll,� is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. . Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama? Favorable 48% Unfavorable 39% Undecided 13% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Joseph Biden? Favorable 46% Unfavorable 34% Undecided 20% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of John McCain? Favorable 49% Unfavorable 36% Undecided 15% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin? Favorable 53% Unfavorable 33% Undecided 14% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the economy, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 49% Barack Obama 43% Undecided 8% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the war in Iraq, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 52% Barack Obama 38% Undecided 10% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance? Approve 25% Disapprove 68% Undecided 7% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy? Approve 21% Disapprove 68% Undecided 11% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq? Approve 37% Disapprove 56% Undecided 7% Obama leads 52 - 42 percent among Ohio women, compared to 51 - 37 percent August 26. Men split 47 - 47 percent. Obama leads 64 - 33 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split with 48 percent for McCain and 46 percent for Obama. Voters over 55 back McCain 48 - 44 percent. Independent voters back McCain 47 - 43 percent, compared to a 42 - 38 percent Obama lead August 26, and 28 percent of former Clinton supporters now back McCain, compared to 23 percent last time. McCain gets a 53 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio, identical to Obama's 53 - 33 percent. Palin's favorability is 41 - 22 percent, compared to 36 - 22 percent for Biden. For 52 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 11 percent cite health care; 10 percent say the war in Iraq; 9 percent list energy policy and 8 percent say terrorism. The choice of a running mate will have little impact on their vote, 61 percent of Ohio likely voters say. "Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama are getting the same level of party loyalty and the Republican is even winning slightly among independents. But Obama is ahead because there are so many more people who identify as Democrats - a legacy of the 2006 election and scandals involving former Gov. Robert Taft's administration," Brown said. The latest numbers, which are the first to be released since the conclusion of both parties� conventions, mark an improvement for the Republican nominee. In August, McCain had a slightly more modest advantage over the Democrat. In fact, the GOP hopeful has held a modest lead since July in the swing state that finally decided the 2004 election. McCain is viewed favorably by 63% of Ohio voters and unfavorably by 35%. Obama�s ratings are 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable. Rasmussen Reports and Fox News Channel will jointly release a series battleground state polls every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. See overview of all polling released this week. Rasmussen Reports will release other state polling on the Presidential race weeknights at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, follows the race on a national basis and is updated every morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern This month, McCain enjoys a solid 58% to 32% among unaffiliated voters in Ohio. That is a major improvement from the five-point deficit the Republican received from this demographic a month ago. Among men, McCain leads 59% to 36%, but the Republican trails among women 50% to 45%. It looks like a very different story in Ohio, which has 20 electoral votes up for grabs. President Bush's narrow victory in Ohio four years ago clinched his re-election. It looks like it could be just as tight this time around in Ohio. The poll suggests that Obama has a 2-point lead over McCain, 47 percent to 45 percent, which is a virtual tie when taking into account the survey's 3.5-percentage-point sampling error. Obama leads 51 - 37 percent among Ohio women, while McCain leads 50 - 37 percent with men. White voters back McCain 49 - 38 percent, but Obama sweeps black voters 89 - 3 percent. The Democrat also leads 51 - 41 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split 43 - 43 percent and voters over 55 go 44 percent for McCain and 42 percent for Obama. Independent voters back Obama 42 - 38 percent. McCain gets a 50 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio to Obama's 49 - 32 percent. For 53 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 16 percent cite the war in Iraq; 12 percent list health care and 8 percent say terrorism. "The big question in Ohio is how much the gender gap will decide the election. Gender support for each candidate is a virtual mirror of the other. McCain is winning men by the same margin that Obama is carrying women. Something has to give one way or the other," Brown said. .
Rasmussen Reports
Date: 8/18
Ohio
Added: 8/20/08
Quote: The is the ninth straight Ohio poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports this year and McCain has held at least a slight advantage in all nine. However, the shifting margins are indicative of how volatile the race is in the state that sealed President Bush�s reelection in 2004. Last week�s numbers matched McCain�s largest lead of the year while this week�s result are more in line with the smaller lead he has maintained in the state since July. McCain has the backing of 90% of Republicans while Obama is supported by 78% of Democrats. This week, Obama has the edge among unaffiliated voters. Men give the edge to McCain 55% to 41%, but women favor Obama 48% to 41%. Ohio voters trust McCain over Obama by a 48% to 42% margin, but 30% say they would be extremely comfortable with the Democrat as president versus 24% who feel that way about his Republican opponent. Factor in those who say they would be very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with either man as president, though, and McCain comes out on top 62% to 55%. But 41% say they would not be comfortable at all with Obama as president, while 36% say that of McCain. McCain, 7 Weeks Out, Positioned to Hold Ohio's 20 Electoral Votes for GOP: In an election for President of the United States in Ohio today, 09/15/08, Republican John McCain defeats Barack Obama by 4 points, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WCMH-TV Columbus, WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WDIO-TV Dayton. Today, it's McCain 49%, Obama 45%. McCain leads 5:4 in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. Obama leads 5:4 in greater Cleveland. McCain leads by 16 points among whites; Obama leads by 82 points among blacks.6 in 10 voters say the president should focus on the economy ahead of all other issues, and among that group, Obama leads 5:4. But the smaller group of voters who say terrorism is most important backs McCain 32:1. 3 times as many Democrats crossover to vote Republican as Republicans who crossover to vote Democrat. Among men, McCain leads by 13 points; among women, Obama leads by 4 -- a 17 point gender gap. Among voters who are younger than Barack Obama, Obama and McCain are tied. Among voters older than John McCain and those who are in-between the two candidates' ages, McCain leads by 10. McCain leads 5:4 among those who earn more than $50,000 a year. Obama leads 4:3 among those who earn less than $50,000 a year. The GOP �maverick� ticket of McCain and Alaska Gov. Palin led Democrat Obama and his vice president pick, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden 46 percent to 42 percent in the general election - just 56 days away, according to a poll of likely Buckeye state voters. Likely voters told pollsters they trust McCain more than Obama - 49 percent to 41 percent. David Paleologos, director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk University in Boston, said Ohio voters are likely more trusting of McCain because of the popularity of his �Straight Talk Express,� and because Obama is still suffering from the smearing slugfest during Democratic primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Eric W. Rademacher, The Ohio Poll�s Co-Director, said, �Both campaigns have many hours of work ahead if they want to secure a path to the presidency through Ohio.� Two findings of the Poll suggest the presidential race in Ohio may have a long way to go: First, a large portion of likely voters (23%) may still be �up for grabs�: nineteen percent say they might change their mind and switch candidates before Election Day, and four percent are undecided as to which candidate they will choose. Second, more Democrats than Republicans currently express intent to cross party lines on November 4. While 11 percent of Democratic likely voters currently say they will vote for McCain, just five percent of Republican likely voters currently intend to vote for Obama. While this bears watching, early partisan �defectors� often �come home� to support their party�s candidate by Election Day. Rademacher noted, �After a relatively quiet summer, Ohio voters are becoming more engaged with the presidential campaigns. The dynamics of this race may change as voters make final decisions based on candidate performances in Ohio and on the national stage.� *We ask users to properly attribute this copyrighted information to the �Ohio Poll,� sponsored by the University of Cincinnati. The name, �Ohio Poll,� is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. . Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama? Favorable 48% Unfavorable 39% Undecided 13% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Joseph Biden? Favorable 46% Unfavorable 34% Undecided 20% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of John McCain? Favorable 49% Unfavorable 36% Undecided 15% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin? Favorable 53% Unfavorable 33% Undecided 14% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the economy, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 49% Barack Obama 43% Undecided 8% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the war in Iraq, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 52% Barack Obama 38% Undecided 10% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance? Approve 25% Disapprove 68% Undecided 7% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy? Approve 21% Disapprove 68% Undecided 11% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq? Approve 37% Disapprove 56% Undecided 7% Obama leads 52 - 42 percent among Ohio women, compared to 51 - 37 percent August 26. Men split 47 - 47 percent. Obama leads 64 - 33 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split with 48 percent for McCain and 46 percent for Obama. Voters over 55 back McCain 48 - 44 percent. Independent voters back McCain 47 - 43 percent, compared to a 42 - 38 percent Obama lead August 26, and 28 percent of former Clinton supporters now back McCain, compared to 23 percent last time. McCain gets a 53 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio, identical to Obama's 53 - 33 percent. Palin's favorability is 41 - 22 percent, compared to 36 - 22 percent for Biden. For 52 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 11 percent cite health care; 10 percent say the war in Iraq; 9 percent list energy policy and 8 percent say terrorism. The choice of a running mate will have little impact on their vote, 61 percent of Ohio likely voters say. "Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama are getting the same level of party loyalty and the Republican is even winning slightly among independents. But Obama is ahead because there are so many more people who identify as Democrats - a legacy of the 2006 election and scandals involving former Gov. Robert Taft's administration," Brown said. The latest numbers, which are the first to be released since the conclusion of both parties� conventions, mark an improvement for the Republican nominee. In August, McCain had a slightly more modest advantage over the Democrat. In fact, the GOP hopeful has held a modest lead since July in the swing state that finally decided the 2004 election. McCain is viewed favorably by 63% of Ohio voters and unfavorably by 35%. Obama�s ratings are 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable. Rasmussen Reports and Fox News Channel will jointly release a series battleground state polls every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. See overview of all polling released this week. Rasmussen Reports will release other state polling on the Presidential race weeknights at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, follows the race on a national basis and is updated every morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern This month, McCain enjoys a solid 58% to 32% among unaffiliated voters in Ohio. That is a major improvement from the five-point deficit the Republican received from this demographic a month ago. Among men, McCain leads 59% to 36%, but the Republican trails among women 50% to 45%. It looks like a very different story in Ohio, which has 20 electoral votes up for grabs. President Bush's narrow victory in Ohio four years ago clinched his re-election. It looks like it could be just as tight this time around in Ohio. The poll suggests that Obama has a 2-point lead over McCain, 47 percent to 45 percent, which is a virtual tie when taking into account the survey's 3.5-percentage-point sampling error. Obama leads 51 - 37 percent among Ohio women, while McCain leads 50 - 37 percent with men. White voters back McCain 49 - 38 percent, but Obama sweeps black voters 89 - 3 percent. The Democrat also leads 51 - 41 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split 43 - 43 percent and voters over 55 go 44 percent for McCain and 42 percent for Obama. Independent voters back Obama 42 - 38 percent. McCain gets a 50 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio to Obama's 49 - 32 percent. For 53 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 16 percent cite the war in Iraq; 12 percent list health care and 8 percent say terrorism. "The big question in Ohio is how much the gender gap will decide the election. Gender support for each candidate is a virtual mirror of the other. McCain is winning men by the same margin that Obama is carrying women. Something has to give one way or the other," Brown said. . Overall, 47% of Buckeye State voters offer a positive opinion of Obama. That�s fifteen points below the 62% with a favorable opinion of McCain. In Ohio, McCain is supported by 87% of Republicans while 77% of Democrats say they�ll vote for Obama. The two men split the unaffiliated voters, but McCain wins more crossover vote: 15% of Democrats say they�ll vote for the Republican while just 7% of GOP faithful plan to vote for his opponent. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Ohio voters say it�s Very Likely their state will be the decisive state in the battle for the White House once again. Another 47% say it�s Somewhat Likely. Twelve percent (12%) say this unique role in the Electoral College improves the quality of life in the Buckeye State. Twenty-two percent (22%) say it detracts from the quality of life while 59% say it has no impact. Just 11% say it�s more important for the state's Democratic governor Ted Strickland to help Obama win Ohio, but 84% believe it�s more important that for him to work to improve Ohio�s economy. Approval ratings for Strickland have slipped in the last couple of months-42% good or excellent and just 16% poor. Two months ago, 47% rated Strickland�s performance as good or excellent. Last month, that figure was 44%.
Public Policy Polling
Date: 8/12-14
Ohio
Added: 8/18/08
Quote: The is the ninth straight Ohio poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports this year and McCain has held at least a slight advantage in all nine. However, the shifting margins are indicative of how volatile the race is in the state that sealed President Bush�s reelection in 2004. Last week�s numbers matched McCain�s largest lead of the year while this week�s result are more in line with the smaller lead he has maintained in the state since July. McCain has the backing of 90% of Republicans while Obama is supported by 78% of Democrats. This week, Obama has the edge among unaffiliated voters. Men give the edge to McCain 55% to 41%, but women favor Obama 48% to 41%. Ohio voters trust McCain over Obama by a 48% to 42% margin, but 30% say they would be extremely comfortable with the Democrat as president versus 24% who feel that way about his Republican opponent. Factor in those who say they would be very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with either man as president, though, and McCain comes out on top 62% to 55%. But 41% say they would not be comfortable at all with Obama as president, while 36% say that of McCain. McCain, 7 Weeks Out, Positioned to Hold Ohio's 20 Electoral Votes for GOP: In an election for President of the United States in Ohio today, 09/15/08, Republican John McCain defeats Barack Obama by 4 points, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WCMH-TV Columbus, WCPO-TV Cincinnati, WKYC-TV Cleveland, and WDIO-TV Dayton. Today, it's McCain 49%, Obama 45%. McCain leads 5:4 in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. Obama leads 5:4 in greater Cleveland. McCain leads by 16 points among whites; Obama leads by 82 points among blacks.6 in 10 voters say the president should focus on the economy ahead of all other issues, and among that group, Obama leads 5:4. But the smaller group of voters who say terrorism is most important backs McCain 32:1. 3 times as many Democrats crossover to vote Republican as Republicans who crossover to vote Democrat. Among men, McCain leads by 13 points; among women, Obama leads by 4 -- a 17 point gender gap. Among voters who are younger than Barack Obama, Obama and McCain are tied. Among voters older than John McCain and those who are in-between the two candidates' ages, McCain leads by 10. McCain leads 5:4 among those who earn more than $50,000 a year. Obama leads 4:3 among those who earn less than $50,000 a year. The GOP �maverick� ticket of McCain and Alaska Gov. Palin led Democrat Obama and his vice president pick, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden 46 percent to 42 percent in the general election - just 56 days away, according to a poll of likely Buckeye state voters. Likely voters told pollsters they trust McCain more than Obama - 49 percent to 41 percent. David Paleologos, director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk University in Boston, said Ohio voters are likely more trusting of McCain because of the popularity of his �Straight Talk Express,� and because Obama is still suffering from the smearing slugfest during Democratic primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Eric W. Rademacher, The Ohio Poll�s Co-Director, said, �Both campaigns have many hours of work ahead if they want to secure a path to the presidency through Ohio.� Two findings of the Poll suggest the presidential race in Ohio may have a long way to go: First, a large portion of likely voters (23%) may still be �up for grabs�: nineteen percent say they might change their mind and switch candidates before Election Day, and four percent are undecided as to which candidate they will choose. Second, more Democrats than Republicans currently express intent to cross party lines on November 4. While 11 percent of Democratic likely voters currently say they will vote for McCain, just five percent of Republican likely voters currently intend to vote for Obama. While this bears watching, early partisan �defectors� often �come home� to support their party�s candidate by Election Day. Rademacher noted, �After a relatively quiet summer, Ohio voters are becoming more engaged with the presidential campaigns. The dynamics of this race may change as voters make final decisions based on candidate performances in Ohio and on the national stage.� *We ask users to properly attribute this copyrighted information to the �Ohio Poll,� sponsored by the University of Cincinnati. The name, �Ohio Poll,� is registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. . Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama? Favorable 48% Unfavorable 39% Undecided 13% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Joseph Biden? Favorable 46% Unfavorable 34% Undecided 20% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of John McCain? Favorable 49% Unfavorable 36% Undecided 15% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin? Favorable 53% Unfavorable 33% Undecided 14% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the economy, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 49% Barack Obama 43% Undecided 8% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the war in Iraq, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 52% Barack Obama 38% Undecided 10% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance? Approve 25% Disapprove 68% Undecided 7% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy? Approve 21% Disapprove 68% Undecided 11% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq? Approve 37% Disapprove 56% Undecided 7% Obama leads 52 - 42 percent among Ohio women, compared to 51 - 37 percent August 26. Men split 47 - 47 percent. Obama leads 64 - 33 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split with 48 percent for McCain and 46 percent for Obama. Voters over 55 back McCain 48 - 44 percent. Independent voters back McCain 47 - 43 percent, compared to a 42 - 38 percent Obama lead August 26, and 28 percent of former Clinton supporters now back McCain, compared to 23 percent last time. McCain gets a 53 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio, identical to Obama's 53 - 33 percent. Palin's favorability is 41 - 22 percent, compared to 36 - 22 percent for Biden. For 52 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 11 percent cite health care; 10 percent say the war in Iraq; 9 percent list energy policy and 8 percent say terrorism. The choice of a running mate will have little impact on their vote, 61 percent of Ohio likely voters say. "Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama are getting the same level of party loyalty and the Republican is even winning slightly among independents. But Obama is ahead because there are so many more people who identify as Democrats - a legacy of the 2006 election and scandals involving former Gov. Robert Taft's administration," Brown said. The latest numbers, which are the first to be released since the conclusion of both parties� conventions, mark an improvement for the Republican nominee. In August, McCain had a slightly more modest advantage over the Democrat. In fact, the GOP hopeful has held a modest lead since July in the swing state that finally decided the 2004 election. McCain is viewed favorably by 63% of Ohio voters and unfavorably by 35%. Obama�s ratings are 50% favorable, 48% unfavorable. Rasmussen Reports and Fox News Channel will jointly release a series battleground state polls every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. See overview of all polling released this week. Rasmussen Reports will release other state polling on the Presidential race weeknights at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, follows the race on a national basis and is updated every morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern This month, McCain enjoys a solid 58% to 32% among unaffiliated voters in Ohio. That is a major improvement from the five-point deficit the Republican received from this demographic a month ago. Among men, McCain leads 59% to 36%, but the Republican trails among women 50% to 45%. It looks like a very different story in Ohio, which has 20 electoral votes up for grabs. President Bush's narrow victory in Ohio four years ago clinched his re-election. It looks like it could be just as tight this time around in Ohio. The poll suggests that Obama has a 2-point lead over McCain, 47 percent to 45 percent, which is a virtual tie when taking into account the survey's 3.5-percentage-point sampling error. Obama leads 51 - 37 percent among Ohio women, while McCain leads 50 - 37 percent with men. White voters back McCain 49 - 38 percent, but Obama sweeps black voters 89 - 3 percent. The Democrat also leads 51 - 41 percent among voters 18 to 34, while voters 35 to 54 split 43 - 43 percent and voters over 55 go 44 percent for McCain and 42 percent for Obama. Independent voters back Obama 42 - 38 percent. McCain gets a 50 - 34 percent favorability in Ohio to Obama's 49 - 32 percent. For 53 percent of Ohio voters, the economy is the biggest issue, while 16 percent cite the war in Iraq; 12 percent list health care and 8 percent say terrorism. "The big question in Ohio is how much the gender gap will decide the election. Gender support for each candidate is a virtual mirror of the other. McCain is winning men by the same margin that Obama is carrying women. Something has to give one way or the other," Brown said. . Overall, 47% of Buckeye State voters offer a positive opinion of Obama. That�s fifteen points below the 62% with a favorable opinion of McCain. In Ohio, McCain is supported by 87% of Republicans while 77% of Democrats say they�ll vote for Obama. The two men split the unaffiliated voters, but McCain wins more crossover vote: 15% of Democrats say they�ll vote for the Republican while just 7% of GOP faithful plan to vote for his opponent. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Ohio voters say it�s Very Likely their state will be the decisive state in the battle for the White House once again. Another 47% say it�s Somewhat Likely. Twelve percent (12%) say this unique role in the Electoral College improves the quality of life in the Buckeye State. Twenty-two percent (22%) say it detracts from the quality of life while 59% say it has no impact. Just 11% say it�s more important for the state's Democratic governor Ted Strickland to help Obama win Ohio, but 84% believe it�s more important that for him to work to improve Ohio�s economy. Approval ratings for Strickland have slipped in the last couple of months-42% good or excellent and just 16% poor. Two months ago, 47% rated Strickland�s performance as good or excellent. Last month, that figure was 44%. One factor causing Obama problems is that he�s not doing as good a job as McCain of getting folks in his party to vote for him. While McCain leads 89-7 among Republicans, Obama�s lead is a narrower 75-17 among Democrats. Obama has the 45-28 edge with independent voters. The Democrats neglecting to choose Obama are disproportionately white, female, and middle aged, an indication that it could be former supporters of Hillary Clinton who are holding out. �Ohio is one state, along with Pennsylvania and Michigan, where Barack Obama would probably be well served by some joint appearances with the Clintons,� said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. �Democrats have a party id advantage in Ohio but that won�t do much for them unless the voters in their party actually vote for their nominee.� Obama leads with women and voters under 45 while McCain leads with men and older voters. McCain is up 49-38 with white voters and Obama is up 80-18 with blacks.
This is a monthly synopsis of many more 2008 Ohio polls.
| 
