Rasmussen comes out with flurry of state polls

We brought you the Rasmussen poll from North Carolina this morning that had Hillary Clinton tied with Republicans in a traditionally safe GOP state. Since then, Rasmussen has released three other state general election polls that have mixed news for Democrats.

In Illinois, the Democrats have seen better days. The poll matched up Barack Obama and Clinton against the top Republicans:

• Obama has no trouble in his home-state. He leads Giuliani 56-34 and Thompson 57-32.
• Clinton, on the other hand, is ahead by only 3% against Giuliani: 45-42, within the margin of error. She leads Thompson by a more decent 47-40%.
  

Illinois is certainly a must-win state for Democrats. The difference between Obama and Clinton is certainly explained by the fact that this is Obama's home-state: Obama's favorable rating here is much higher than his national average 66%, while Clinton's is pretty much what it is nationally at 53%.

In Ohio, the numbers are plainly disappointing. Ohio is supposed to be ripe for pick-up and very much down on Republicans. But poll after poll of Ohio show that is has shifted blue much less than other swing states. Republicans are now typically running better here than in Missouri or even Virginia. Any lead is always within the margin of error, but that alone has to be frustrating for Democrats. In this poll:

• John McCain and Rudy Giuliani both have small leads against Hillary, respectively 44-42 and 45-43.
  
• Clinton and Fred Thompson are tied at 44%.
• Hillary leads Mitt Romney 46% to 39%.

Clinton was basically similarly tied with all GOPers in last week's SUSA poll. In Quinnipiac's, however, she has comfortable leads against all Republicans.

In Michigan's poll, finally, Clinton finally gets great news as she leaves no hope to the Republicans:

• She beats Rudy 48% to 39% and beats Thompson 50% to 37%.
• Rasmussen's article says that Clinton beats McCain and Romney by 7, but does not provide any numbers.
• More revealing, Clinton's favorable rating here is 54%, higher than any Republicans. So much for all the electability talk.

Michigan is definitely a must-win state for Democrats, but it has been competitive in both 2000 and 2004. Kerry had to sweat it out here and only won by a few points. It would be great for Dems if Clinton can put it away early and make sure Republicans don't try to compete.