McCain's GOP Primary Challenger Trails Him by Just 7 Points

Conservative talk show host and former congressman J.D. Hayworth, who is mounting a primary campaign from the right against Sen. John McCain in Arizona, trails the former GOP presidential candidate by just 7 points, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted March 17.

McCain leads Hayward, 48 percent to 41 percent, with 3 percent preferring another choice and 8 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

Last November, the two men were tied in a hypothetical match-up by Rasmussen. In January, after McCain's former running mate, Sarah Palin, said she would campaign for him, his lead jumped to 53 percent to 31 percent.

Hayworth officially threw his hat into the ring on Feb. 15.

While Hayworth is claiming the conservative mantle, his lead over McCain among such self-described voters is 48 percent to 43 percent, with the rest either preferring another choice or undecided. McCain has better than a 2-1 lead among moderates.

McCain is seen favorably by 60 percent of Republican voters and unfavorably by 36 percent, with 4 percent not sure. Hayworth is seen favorably by 47 percent and unfavorably by 43 percent, with 11 percent not sure.

The primary is Aug. 24.

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