2008 State Polls

Democrat Polls

CNN/TIME
Date: 9/28-30
Minnesota
Added: 10/1/08

Quote:

"Obama has gained ground among moderates in all five states," said CNN polling director Keating Holland. "That may have something to do with the first presidential debate. Some commentators knocked Obama for agreeing with McCain as often as he did, but moderates tend to like it when candidates appear willing to see the other side's point of view."

Quinnipiac University
Date: 9/14-21
Minnesota
Added: 9/23/08

Quote:

Obama leads McCain 49 - 43 percent with women, while men go 47 percent for McCain and 45 percent for Obama. White voters go with McCain 48 - 44 percent. Voters 18 to 34 years go 51 - 43 percent for Obama. Voters 35 to 54 go 51 - 43 percent for McCain, with the Democrat up 50 - 40 percent among voters over 55.

Obama rather than McCain is the candidate of change, voters say 43 - 24 percent.

Palin is a good choice, voters say 56 - 35 percent and Biden is a good choice, these voters say 52 - 31 percent. They would rather see Biden step up as President, voters say 50 - 41 percent, including women 49 - 39 percent and men 50 - 43 percent.

The economy is the biggest issue, 55 percent of voters say. Voters tie 45 - 45 percent on who better understands the economy, but say 66 - 24 percent that McCain understands foreign policy better.

In the Minnesota U.S. Senate race, Republican incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman tops Democrat Al Franken 49 - 42 percent, compared to 53 - 38 percent July 24.

"Sen. John McCain is within striking distance in Minnesota for two reasons: Republicans held their convention in the state and the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin brought a new wave of independent women to the GOP ticket, offsetting a big swing by independent men to Obama," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Al Franken now trails Sen. Norman Coleman by seven points, down from 15, mainly because Democratic support for Coleman has dropped eight points from 19 points in the last poll."

Rasmussen Reports
Date: 9/18
Minnesota
Added: 9/22/08

Quote:

Obama is now supported by 95% of Democrats, up from 89% in August. The Democrat also holds a modest lead among unaffiliated voters after splitting that vote with McCain last month. McCain gets the vote from 93% of Republicans, up two points from a month ago and fourteen points since July.

Obama is now viewed favorably by 64% of Minnesota voters, McCain by 52%. That�s quite a change from August when McCain drew the higher ratings. In August, many in Minnesota thought their Governor was a likely Vice Presidential running mate for McCain.

As for the running mates, Delaware Senator Joe Biden is viewed favorably by 55% and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin earns such positive reviews from 47%.

Forty-six percent (46%) say that McCain made the right choice when selecting Palin to be his running mate. Forty-four percent (44%) say the same about Obama�s choice of Biden.

Eighty-three percent (83%) of voters believe Palin is politically conservative while 50% believe Biden is politically liberal.

Minnesota has gone for the Democratic presidential candidates in the last eight elections. John Kerry won the state 51% to 48% over President Bush in 2004.

American Research Group
Date: 9/18-20
Minnesota
Added: 9/22/08

Quote:

Independents (23%): McCain 45, Obama 48.

Big Ten Battleground Poll
Date: 9/14-17
Minnesota
Added: 9/19/08

Star Tribune PSRA
Date: 9/10-12
Minnesota
Added: 9/15/08

Quote:

The new poll likely will stoke both sides' efforts during the final 51 days until the election, triggering a barrage of advertising, grass-roots politicking and, potentially, stepped-up visits by the candidates.

The poll found that McCain has made gains across the board since a May Minnesota Poll that showed him trailing by 13 points. He has picked up considerable support among men and to a lesser degree among women. He also has boosted his standing with whites, young voters and all levels of household income and education.

Conducted a week after the Republican National Convention was held in St. Paul, the poll likely reflects -- at least in part -- the traditional bounce candidates enjoy after being in the spotlight.

Part of the rise in McCain's fortunes nationally has been attributed to his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, a move that has energized his party's conservative base.

Survey USA
Date: 9/10-11
Minnesota
Added: 9/15/08

Quote:

One Month, Two Conventions, and Two VP Picks Later, Presidential Race Unchanged in Minnesota: In an election for President of the United States in Minnesota today, 09/12/08, 53 days to Election Day, Barack Obama and John McCain finish effectively even, according to this exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, WDIO-TV in Duluth, KAAL-TV in Rochester, and KSAX-TV in Alexandria. Today, it's Obama 49%, McCain 47%, within the survey's 3.7 percentage point margin of sampling error. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll released one month ago, Obama and McCain are each up two points overall. Little has changed, and what changes have occurred appear to have offset one another. Among men, McCain had led by 3, now leads by 5. Among women, Obama had led by 9, still leads by 9. Among voters who are younger than Barack Obama, Obama had led by 4, now leads by 5. Among voters who are older than John McCain, a flip: McCain had led by 4, now trails by 4. Among voters who are in-between the two candidates' ages, a flip in the opposite direction; Obama had led by 3, now trails by 3. 1 in 10 Republicans cross over to vote for Obama; 1 in 10 Democrats cross over to vote for McCain; Independents favor McCain by 9 points, up from 2 points last month -- but at the same time, the percentage of Minnesota's likely voters who identify themselves as Independents has fallen from 24% last month to 16% today, blunting the impact and increasing the margin of error associated with this 7 point McCain climb. In NE Minnesota, McCain today leads by 14 points, a flip from last month, when Obama led by 8. In Western MN, Obama had led by 5, now leads by 3, an effective tie. In Southern Minnesota, the two candidates remain tied. In the Twin Cities area, Obama moves from a tie to a 6-point lead.

CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corp
Date: 8/31-9/2
Minnesota
Added: 9/4/08

Quote:

It appears to be a similar story in Minnesota, where the Republicans are holding their national convention this week.

The poll indicates that Obama has a 12-point lead over McCain, 53 percent to 41 percent.

That's up slightly from a 10-point lead Obama held in a Humphrey Institute survey taken last month.

"It's important to note that today's polls don't reflect any boost McCain might get from the GOP convention, because nearly all the interviews were done before the festivities started in St. Paul," Holland said. "This could be Obama's high-water mark in those states."

This is a monthly synopsis of many more 2008 Minnesota polls.

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