This helps to explain why the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has canceled its quarter-million dollar ad buy in Kentucky for next week. Jack Conway is done, and Democrats — at least national leaders — aren’t going to waste their time on his campaign when they have more important turf to protect.

Republican Rand Paul continues to hold a double-digit lead over Democrat Jack Conway in Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Kentucky shows Paul earning 49% support, while Conway picks up 38% of the vote. Five percent (5%) favor some other candidate in the race, and eight percent (8%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

All of those undecideds and forty percent of all voters backing third-party candidates would need to shift to Conway over the next four weeks. Even then, that would only result in Conway pulling even with Paul.  Some of Paul’s supporters could shift to Conway, of course, but that seems extremely unlikely at this point. Those still backing Paul are likely devoted.

Indeed: Paul draws support from 82% of Republicans and 24% of Democrats. Conway is backed by just 67% of Democrats and 8% of Republicans.

More results:

• 70% of self-described conservatives back Paul, 18% back Conway
• Conway takes the “moderate” vote 54-34%
• Liberals favor Conway 63-22%
• Married voters favor Paul 55-35%, single voters to Conway 43-37%
• Voters with children back Paul 51-39, without children also back Paul 49-47%

The ObamaCare Factor

Paul draws major support from voters who “strongly” back a repeal of ObamaCare (75-12). “Somewhat” favors are divided 44-36 for Conway, as are “Somewhat Oppose” at 54-31. Paul draws support from 15% who “Strongly Oppose” repealing ObamaCare while Conway takes 78%. Those who aren’t sure go for Paul 39-13. 37% of those who aren’t sure where they stand on ObamaCare also don’t know which candidate they’ll support on November 2nd.

The Tea Party Factor

There’s no doubt that Paul receives widespread support from self-described members of the Tea Party. 88% of those who say they support the movement also support Paul, while just 6% throw their support to Conway.

Those who say they aren’t members of the movement support Conway 58-29%. Those who aren’t sure go to Paul 46-27.

ObamaCare and the Economy

50% of likely voters say repealing government-run health care would be good for the economy. 24% disagree, 16% say there will be no impact, and 9% aren’t sure.

Immigration Law

56% of likely voters favor an Arizona-style immigration law in Kentucky, while 28% oppose such a move and 15% aren’t sure.

Belonging to the Tea Party

Just 29% of voters say they belong to the Tea Party movement, while 53% say they don’t. 18% aren’t sure. And yet, 50% say the movement is good for America. 27% say it’s bad, 16% think it’s neither, and 7% aren’t sure.

The Federal Government

Just 22% of likely voters say the federal government’s policies have put the country on the right track. 62% disagree and 17% aren’t sure.

49% of likely voters say they fear the government will do too much when it comes to economic problems. 36% say they worry it will do too little, and 15% of likely voters aren’t sure.

The Failed Stimulus

49% of Kentucky’s likely voters say the stimulus hurt the economy, while just 29% say it helped. 16% say it had no impact and 5% say they aren’t sure.

Blaming Obama for the Economy

A plurality (49%) of likely voters in Kentucky blame Barack Obama for the current recession. 45% blame the Bush Administration and 6% aren’t sure.

Rating Obama

Obama doesn’t have a large fan base amongst likely voters in Kentucky. 40% of voters “Strongly” or “Somewhat” approve of the job Obama is doing. The remaining 60% “Somewhat” or “Strongly” disapprove. “Strongly Disapprove” consumes 53% of likely voters.