In his bid for reelection Democratic Governor Ed Rendell is maintaining a double-digit advantage over Republican Lynn Swann. He now leads the former Pittsburgh Steeler 50% to 38% (see crosstabs).

This is the fourth Rasmussen Reports election poll in a row showing the incumbent with a double-digit lead (see previous survey). However, the Swann campaign has only recently aired its first television ad, and it's not clear yet what impact the advertising will have on the race.

For his part, Governor Rendell has recently announced that the present campaign will be his last one, perhaps to quell speculation he might run for President in 2008.

The Governor does a little better with Democrats than Swann does with Republicans, but attracts double Swann's support from unaffiliated voters, and more than double (61% to 27%) from moderate voters.

When asked about their ideology, almost half (48%) of Pennsylvania voters call themselves moderate. And almost as many (47%) say the Governor is moderate rather than liberal (38%). Only 30% see Swann is moderate, while 39% see him as conservative.

Likely voters in Pennsylvania tend to trust congressional Democrats more than President Bush when it comes to both national security and the economy. On national security and Iraq, 51% trust the Democrats more, 41% trust the President more. On the economy, the ratio in favor of the Democrats is 54% to 36%.

Most say the economy is in at least "fair" condition; 27% say it's "poor."

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.