January 26, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani is holding on to the top position among prospective Republican Party presidential hopefuls in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 30 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 primary.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani is holding on to the top position among prospective Republican Party presidential hopefuls in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 30 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 primary.

Arizona senator John McCain is second with 22 per cent, followed by former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich with 12 per cent, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with 10 per cent. Support is lower for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel.

Both Giuliani and McCain have expressed support for U.S. president George W. Bush's idea to increase U.S. military presence in Iraq. Giuliani said in a televised interview: "I believe we should give the president the support to do this." McCain declared: "We're done with half measures. (...). It's the last chance (for success)."

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, 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

Republican Presidential Primary Contenders

	Jan. 18	Jan. 11
Rudy Giuliani	30%	28%
John McCain	22%	20%
Newt Gingrich	12%	14%
Mitt Romney	10%	8%
Mike Huckabee	2%	--
Chuck Hagel	1%	--

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 571 likely Republican voters, conducted from Jan. 15 to Jan. 18, 2007. Margin of error is 4 per cent.