Rural Missouri Keeping McCain Competitive

Missouri: McCain 50%, Obama 47%

Politico/Insider Advantage Poll

814 voters, 3.4% Margin of Error

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In St. Louis County, Obama racked up an imposing 17-point lead, 55%-38%. McCain’s ability to break even against Obama in these two states, despite the Democrat’s strong performance in suburban and urban areas suggests that the Arizona senator is drawing strong support from the less densely populated areas in these states, said InsiderAdvantage pollster Matt Towery.

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"I think what’s happened is, the less populated areas of these states are coming in heavily for McCain," Towery said, adding that Obama’s performance in St. Louis County was "good, but it’s not great." "It’s good, but it’s not overwhelming," Towery explained. "And that’s in one of the more sophisticated, urban locations in Missouri."

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ALSO: OBAMA'S SOFT BLACK SUPPORT?

Towery acknowledged that the poll showed a closer-than-expected race among black Missourians – Obama took a lower-than-usual 65 percent of the group – and said that if African-Americans ultimately vote for Obama by the huge margin analysts expect, "it will make the race closer."