Rasmussen has finally moved its poll results out from behind the firewall - three days after Gov. Blagojevich’s campaign released the subscriber-only results. Anyway, as you’ll recall, Rasmussen had Blagojevich ahead of Topinka 48-36. Here’s the analysis:

Scandals aside, it would be tough to pick a winner if the candidates were to square off in a likeability contest—28% of respondents say they have a “very unfavorable” opinion of the governor and 25% say the same of his challenger. Overall, 49% have an unfavorable opinion of Blagojevich and 54% have an unfavorable opinion of Topinka.

Despite the negative sentiment about him, thoughts on the Governor’s job performance are mixed. Forty-eight percent (48%) of those surveyed approve of Blagojevich’s job performance and 50% disapprove.

A plurality of voters see both candidates as politically moderate. Forty-two percent (42%) see Blagojevich as moderate while 40% say he’s liberal. Topinka is seen as moderate by 39%; and conservative by 35%.

When asked who they trust more on matters relating to national security and Iraq, a slim plurality (47%) say the Democrats in Congress versus 44% who trust President Bush. The gap widens when it comes to the economy; 49% trust Congressional Democrats and 39% trust President Bush.

There was no mention of Green Party candidate Rich Whitney.

And speaking of Whitney, The Southern had a story today on Whitney’s possible appearance at a Carbondale debate later this month.

When contacted Tuesday Shelia Nix, campaign spokesperson for Blagojevich, declined to comment about the Whitney’s inclusion or if the governor still plans to participate.

The paper’s editor, James Bennett, had more in his blog.

Blagojevich’s spokesperson said the governor’s acceptance was based on a one-on-one-chance to debate Topinka.

Since neither campaign has signed off on the debate in writing, the debate committee has established a deadline of Tuesday, Sept. 19 for acceptance. […]

If Blagojevich debates Whitney, his advisers fear it will legitimize the Green Party’s campaign and make it tougher to defeat Topinka.

If Blagojevich declines the invitation to debate, he runs the risk of being accused of ignoring Southern Illinois, which has not hosted a debate in 20 years.

UPDATE: The state’s IIS Radio service had a report this afternoon on the Tribune poll. Click the play button.