Rudd's popularity slipping: ReachTEL poll PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd is going into the federal election less popular than he was just over two weeks ago, a new poll shows. The ReachTEL poll was conducted on Sunday for Seven Network and surveyed almost 3000 people across Australia. It found 49.1 per cent thought Mr Rudd would make the better prime minister against an improved 50.9 per cent rating for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Mr Rudd's approval was down 3.3 percentage points from July 18, when he polled at 52.4 per cent. Mr Abbott's was up 3.3 percentage points. Both leaders were equally popular among women, at 50 per cent apiece. But Mr Abbott had the lead among male voters, at 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent. On a two-party basis, Labor remains behind the coalition. The ALP would have 48 per cent support if a vote was held now, against 52 per cent for the opposition. The government's primary vote has also slipped, to 37.5 per cent from 39.3 per cent more than two weeks ago. The Liberal National coalition was doing better on a combined 45.7 per cent.