(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Americans are willing to support a current actor and former Republican senator in the 2008 presidential election, according to a poll by Rasmussen reports. 44 per cent of respondents would vote for Fred Thompson, while 43 per cent would support Democratic New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In a separate contest, Illinois senator Barack Obama holds a 12-point edge over Thompson.

Thompson was first elected to the United States Senate in a 1994 special ballot, defeating Democrat Jim Cooper with 61 per cent of the vote. He earned a full six-year term in 1996. Since 2002, Thompson has appeared in the television series "Law and Order."

On Mar. 21, Tennessee lieutenant governor Ron Ramsey endorsed Thompson, declaring, "I can think of no better American to become our president than Fred Thompson. He is a thoughtful, articulate conservative who has the skills required to bring our country together in difficult times."

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

Fred Thompson (R) 44% - 43% Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)
Fred Thompson (R) 37% - 49% Barack Obama (D)

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.