Poll: Obama maintains lead

A new poll by Rasmussen released today finds the presidential contest between U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (D-Ariz.) to be unchanged from last month.

Obama currently leads McCain by 49 percent to 42 percent among likely voters, the same as in a poll from July 31, but down from his 52 percent to 40 percent lead in June.

Although McCain leads 47 percent to 43 percent among men and white voters, Obama holds a 53 percent to 37 percent advantage among women and a 91 percent to 3 percent lead among black voters.

McCain, who draws the support of 81 percent of Republicans has done a slightly better job of consolidating his base than Obama, who has the support of 76 percent of Democrats.

The same survey gives President Bush an upside down 25 to 75 percent approval rating.