John McCain Inches Up in the Polls

According to the latest poll from Rasmussen Reports, Senator John McCain may be in better shape than anyone thought, at least as far as the poll numbers go. He is still in deep financial trouble and his staff has, for the most part, abandoned ship and he dipped to single numbers in the Republican polls, but, when he is put head to head with his Democratic counterparts, his figures are up.

When he is put head to head with Senator Clinton, he is now trailing by 2%, 45% to 43%. Last month Senator Clinton led by 9%. There was a time back in the beginning of the year as well as last year, when he was actually in the lead.

Matching him up with the second place Democrat, Senator Barack Obama, Obama leads him by a margin of 46% to 40%. Last month, the figures were Obama 47% and Mc Cain 38%. Back at the beginning of the year, they were in a virtual tie.

Looking at the men verses women equation, McCain is behind both of the Democrats among the women, but he leads Clinton by 7% and it comes out about 50-50 with Obama.

During the same period of time, McCain also made up some ground in the Republican race. Right now, his favorability rating among all likely voters is 48% and almost the same amount, 44% give him an unfavorable rating. Back last December, his favorability rating was an impressive 59%. In July it was 44%, so this month's numbers show an increase of 4%.

Among Republicans, 54% give him a favorable rating and 40% an unfavorable one. With the Democrats, 43% view him favorably while 47% have an unfavorable view. The unaffiliated voters have 46% who say favorable and 43% who say unfavorable. Those numbers are very close.

When you look at the Democratic candidates, Senator Clinton gets a favorable from 49% and unfavorable from 48%. Now when you look at it from the views of the individual parties, she has a favorable rating from 82% of the Democrats, but only 11% of the Republicans. The negative numbers are 16% of the Democrats and 11% of the Republicans. The unaffiliated voters are split 46% saying favorable and 48% unfavorable.