Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley now leads Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich 50% to 44% (see crosstabs). When leaners are added to the mix, O'Malley leads 53% to 45%.

Ehrlich is the first Republican to serve as Governor here since Spiro Agnew in the late 60s. Democrats have the advantage in Maryland, and it hasn't exactly been an auspicious election season for the GOP in any case.

The candidates have been exchanging heated charges about education, the minimum wage, and O'Malley's crime-fighting record in Baltimore.

The Governor now attracts 84% of GOP voters. O'Malley attracts 77% of Democrats.

Ehrlich is viewed favorably by 54%, unfavorably by 44%. That's a drop from just last month, when his overall favorables were at 60%. But he's viewed "very favorably" by 31%, a slight increase. O'Malley is viewed favorably by 58%, "very favorably" by 23%, comparable to the previous poll.

National security is a "very important" issue to 81% of all likely voters. Government corruption is a top issue for 67%, the economy for 63%.

Only 38% of Maryland voters approve of the job George W. Bush has been doing as President. Fifty percent "strongly disapprove."

Most supporters of each candidate count their vote as primarily "for" their candidate, rather than "against" his opponent. But 28% of O'Malley supporters say they're voting "against Ehrlich."

A few days after we conducted this survey, the gubernatorial candidates met for their first televised debates—two in one day. They probably won't debate again before the election.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.

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Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.