McCain overtakes Obama in new NM poll

The Sarah Palin factor is proving to be as good for John McCain’s presidential campaign in New Mexico as it has been in other states.

A new Rasmussen Reports poll released Wednesday has Barack Obama trailing McCain by two points in New Mexico, 47 percent to McCain’s 49 percent. The survey of 700 likely voters was conducted Monday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

That’s a significant gain for McCain, who trailed Obama by six points in the group’s Aug. 20 survey, 5 points in its July 24 survey and eight points in its June 19 survey.

It’s also in line with national polling and surveys in other states that show McCain gaining significant ground and, in some polls, overtaking Obama because of excitement surrounding Palin.

While most polls have shown Obama leading in New Mexico, this is the second poll to say that McCain leads here. An August Mason Dixon poll had McCain leading by four points.

About its new poll, Rasmussen Reports notes that McCain’s lead is within the margin of error, but “it’s quite an improvement for McCain.” The Republican candidate leads in the new poll among voters over 40, while Obama has the lead among younger voters. McCain leads among men but Obama leads among women.

Palin earned higher “very favorable” views in the poll than McCain, Obama or Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden. Some 41 percent said they have a “very favorable” view of her.