Obama and Ron Paul are in a virtual dead heat in the latest Rasmussen Poll with Obama at 39% to Paul’s 38%.  The poll has a +/- 4% margin of error.  Paul defeats Obama by 10% among independent voters–43% to 33%.  Paul’s low showing is because only 61% of Republicans would vote for him.  If he received significant Republican support, he would be significantly ahead of Obama and outside the margin of error.  This same poll has Sarah Palin losing to Obama by 17% — 50% to 33%.  The poll confirms the findings of a similar Gallup poll released yesterday.