New Poll Shows McAuliffe with 17-Point Lead Over Cuccinelli

A Rasmussen Reports poll released Tuesday shows Democrat Terry McAuliffe with a 17-point lead over Republican rival Ken Cuccinelli in the Virginia governor's race.

That's a significant jump from what a Christopher Newport University poll showed last week. Overall, McAuliffe enjoys a comfortable 10-point lead over Cuccinelli, according to his Real Clear Politics average.

The new Rasmussen Reports poll shows McAuliffe with the support of 50 percent of likely Virginia voters compared to Cuccinelli's 33 percent. Libertarian Robert Sarvis comes in at 8 percent.

The survey polled 1,000 likely Virginia voters on Sunday.

Rasmussen Reports notes that the poll came after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton campaigned for McAuliffe this weekend in Falls Church and after the federal government shutdown.

Former President Bill Clinton will stump for McAuliffe on Sunday in Dale City at the VFW Post 1503. Free tickets will be available Wednesday at the Democratic Party of Virginia office, 4349 Ridgewood Center Drive, Suite 102 in Woodbridge.

Cuccinelli and McAuliffe will meet in a debate Thursday in Blacksburg at Virginia Tech. Sarvis will not be allowed to participate in that debate.

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