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Republicans 2008: Giuliani 30%, F. Thompson 22%
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani is still the most popular presidential contender for Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 30 per cent of respondents would back the former New York City mayor in a 2008 primary.
Actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson is second with 22 per cent, followed by Arizona senator John McCain with 13 per cent, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with 10 per cent. Support is lower for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Texas congressman Ron Paul, California congressman Duncan Hunter, Kansas senator Sam Brownback, Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo, and former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson.
On Jul. 31, Tancredo talked about the possibility of another terrorist attack in the U.S., declaring, "If it is up to me, we are going to explain that an attack on this homeland of that nature would be followed by an attack on the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. That is the only thing I can think of that might deter somebody from doing what they would otherwise do. If I am wrong, fine, tell me, and I would be happy to do something else. But you had better find a deterrent, or you will find an attack."
On Aug. 2, Tommy Thompson—who served as health and human services secretary in the current administration—discussed his views on abortion, saying, "I've always been pro-life. I didn't change to run for president."
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
Which one of the following would you most like to see nominated as the next Republican candidate for president?
Aug. 2007 | Jun. 2007 | |
Rudy Giuliani | 30% | 27% |
Fred Thompson | 22% | 19% |
John McCain | 13% | 15% |
Mitt Romney | 10% | 12% |
Mike Huckabee | 2% | 4% |
Ron Paul | 2% | 2% |
Duncan Hunter | 1% | -- |
Sam Brownback | 1% | 2% |
Tom Tancredo | 1% | 1% |
Tommy Thompson | 1% | 2% |
Michael Bloomberg | n.a. | 2% |
Other | 2% | 1% |
No preference | 5% | 5% |
Unsure | 10% | 8% |
Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Newsweek
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 324 Republicans and Republican leaners, conducted on Aug. 1, 2007. Margin of error is 7 per cent.