John McCain now leads Barack Obama in the Volunteer State by twenty-four percentage points in Tennessee. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the Volunteer State shows McCain with a 56% to 32% margin. That’s essentially where the race stood in April although Obama managed to close the gap to fifteen points in June, shortly after wrapping up the Democratic nomination.

When “leaners” are included, McCain now leads Obama 60% to 35%. Leaners are survey participants who initially indicate no preference for either major candidate but indicate that they are leaning towards either McCain or Obama.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) say that most reporters are trying to help Obama win the election while just 9% believe the media is trying to help McCain. These figures are similar to the national average. Another recent survey found that most voters see media bias as a bigger problem than large campaign contributions.

Nationally, Obama enjoyed a five-point lead in June that has closed to essentially an even race in August as measured by the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. Premium Members can review full crosstabs and see results by gender, age, ideology, party, income, and other demographics for all state and national polling. Time is running out to save on Premium Memberships. Sign up now and save. Learn More.

The Republican nominee is viewed favorably by 63% of Tennessee voters and unfavorably by 36%.

Obama’s ratings are 39% favorable, 60% unfavorable.

Rasmussen Markets data shows that Republicans are currently given a % chance of winning Tennessee this November. Tennessee has cast its eleven Electoral College votes for the Republican candidate in four out of the last six presidential elections and is rated as “Safely Republican” in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. NOTE: Factors other than the latest Rasmussen Reports poll impact the Balance of Power ratings. The current status is indicated on the table in the upper right hand corner of this article.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Tennessee voters say that finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing the amount of energy Americans consume. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree and say reducing consumption is the higher priority. These figures are similar to the national average.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) in Tennessee say the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror. That’s a bit more optimistic than the nation-at-large. Nationally, however, confidence is at the highest levels of the past four years.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen earns good or excellent ratings from 52% of Tennessee voters, while 10% think he is doing a poor job.

Presdent Bush earns positive reviews from 40% while 43% say he is doing a poor job.

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