Rasmussen has conducted a poll of the American public to determine their fiscal and social views (by self-identification, strike one) and their voting preferene in the upcoming presidential election. I think there are serious problems with relying on self-identification at a time in which the Republican brand, and arguably conservatism, are in the mud. But you comment on the poll you have, not the poll you want.

While the poll offers voters the chance of identifying as conservative, moderate, or liberal (or not sure) in both social and fiscal issues, the poll found that the vast majority of Americans fall within seven main groups. Right off the bat, "populists" as defined as fiscally liberal and socially conservative don't make the cut. That alone should be encouraging to libertarians, even if they are the smallest of the seven main groups at only 4%.

John McCain leads among the conservative base: those that are both socially and fiscally conservative, and the two bordering groups of combining conservatism on one issue with a moderate view on the other. Barack Obama leads in all groups that are socially liberal, forging a libertarian-liberal alliance that also throws in moderates.

Overall, some encouraging news for libertarian Democrats.