(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat John Edwards are almost tied in a prospective 2008 United States presidential contest, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in next year’s election, while 44 per cent would back the former North Carolina senator.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat John Edwards are almost tied in a prospective 2008 United States presidential contest, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in next year’s election, while 44 per cent would back the former North Carolina senator.
Support for Giuliani in this match-up increased by four points since late September, while backing for Edwards fell by six points. In another contest, Edwards holds a nine-point advantage over actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson.
On Oct. 29, Edwards discussed his bid, saying, "Maybe I have been freed from the system and the fear that holds back politicians because I have learned that there are much more important things in life than winning elections at the cost of selling your soul. I saw the chase for campaign money at any cost by the frontrunner in this race, and I chose not to join it because the cost to our nation and our children is not worth the hollow victory by any candidate."
In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, Republican George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states. Democratic nominee John Kerry received 252 electoral votes from 19 states and the District of Columbia.
Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.
Polling Data
Possible match-ups – 2008 U.S. presidential election
Giuliani v. Edwards
|
Oct. 25 |
Sept. 27 |
Aug. 23 |
|
|
Rudy Giuliani (R) |
45% |
41% |
41% |
|
John Edwards (D) |
44% |
50% |
49% |
Thompson v. Edwards
|
Oct. 25 |
Sept. 27 |
Aug. 23 |
|
|
John Edwards (D) |
48% |
49% |
49% |
|
Fred Thompson (R) |
39% |
39% |
35% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 800 likely American voters, conducted on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
