May 24, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani is holding on to the top position among Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 26 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 presidential primary.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani is holding on to the top position among Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 26 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 presidential primary.

Arizona senator John McCain is second with 18 per cent, followed by actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson with 15 per cent, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with 14 per cent, and former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich with six per cent.

On May 22, Gingrich expressed disappointment with the bipartisan compromise bill on immigration, saying, "If I were president right now, I would veto this bill. I think this is a terrible bill."

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

Republican Presidential Primary Contenders

	May 17	May 10	May 3
Rudy Giuliani	26%	25%	25%
John McCain	18%	18%	17%
Fred Thompson	15%	15%	16%
Mitt Romney	14%	12%	12%
Newt Gingrich	6%	7%	8%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 620 likely Republican voters, conducted from May 14 to May 17, 2007. Margin of error is 4 per cent.