State Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, predicted today that U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will win Tennessee by 20 percentage points in the November presidential election.

A Rasmussen Reports poll from June 26 puts Sen. McCain up 15 points in Tennessee against opponent Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Rep. McCormick said having Sen. McCain at the top of the ticket should help GOP candidates in races for state legislative seats this year. He said Sen. Obama is too “far out there” for Tennessee’s centrist Democrats.

For complete coverage, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.