POLL SHOWS MCCAIN WITH SLIM LEAD OVER OBAMA IN NEVADA

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has a slim lead over Democrat Barack Obama in Nevada, according to a new automated telephone poll by Rasmussen Reports, a national polling firm.

The poll found McCain favored by 45 percent of Nevadans, while 42 percent supported Obama.

The result was within the margin of error of 4.5 percentage points and represented a slight shift from a month ago, when the same pollster showed Obama up 42-40 over McCain in the Silver State.

The monthly polls conducted by Rasmussen in Nevada have consistently shown a close race, illustrating Nevada's swing-state status.

Both campaigns are working hard to bring Nevada's five electoral votes into their column.

The pollster found Obama's support holding steady at 42 percent in June, July and August, while McCain's percentage of the vote has fluctuated up and down, from 45 percent to 40 percent and back up to 45 percent.

A majority of Nevada voters, 58 percent, viewed McCain favorably in the latest poll, while Obama was seen positively by 47 percent, a five-point decline from July.

McCain also had better support within his own party in the poll, with 85 percent of Republicans saying they plan to vote for him.

Obama was supported by 79 percent of Democrats.

The poll of 700 likely Nevada voters was conducted Monday.

By MOLLY BALL/REVIEW-JOURNAL