Obama Expands Michigan Lead

A new survey released moments ago by Rasmussen Reports shows that Democrat Barack Obama has expanded his lead in the critical battleground state of Michigan to 8% points.

Barack Obama:  47%

John McCain:    39%

The last Rasmussen Reports survey, nearly a month ago, showed Obama with his first lead in Michigan by a margin of 3%, 45% to 42%.

The ‘male voter’ mythical problems for Obama seems to be dissipating in many newer state polls.  This one is no different.

McCain enjoys only a 46% to 41% lead over Obama among male voters now, down from a 19-percentage point lead in May

Obama also leads among Michigan women by a margin if 51% to 35% .  This is not a surprise to me.  Regardless of Hillary Clinton being on the ticket or not, the myth that there would be a women backlash was nothing more than a media derived myth fueled by heat of the moment primary feelings.  Michigan voting trends are typical of states like Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio.  Obama seems to be polling very well with the women vote.

Also fueling the Obama increased lead is the strength Obama is getting for independent voters.

While party regulars overwhelmingly support their respective candidates, Obama has turned it around with unaffiliated voters. Last month McCain had a five-point lead, down from 13 points a month earlier. Now Obama leads among unaffiliated voters 42% to 35%.

More on State Polls, Polls, and the 2008 Election