(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Bill Richardson trails two prospective Republican presidential nominees in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 49 per cent of respondents would vote for former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2008, while 34 per cent would support the New Mexico governor.

In a contest pitting Richardson against Arizona senator John McCain, the Republican holds a four-point advantage.

Richardson won the 2002 gubernatorial election in New Mexico, and earned a new four-year term in November 2006, defeating Republican challenger John Dendahl with 69 per cent of the vote. Richardson—currently the only Hispanic governor in the United States—had previously worked as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (UN) and as energy secretary in the Clinton administration.

Yesterday, Richardson visited Nevada—which will hold the second Democratic caucus of the 2008 presidential race—and declared: "I know I'm the underdog, but I'm going to outwork the other candidates. I'm going to campaign very hard, door to door. I'm after voters, not big endorsements."

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

Rudy Giuliani (R) 49% - 34% Bill Richardson (D)
John McCain (R) 43% - 39% Bill Richardson (D)

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