- Former United States vice-president Al Gore trails two prospective Republican nominees in the 2008 presidential race, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for Arizona senator John McCain, while 41 per cent would vote for the Democrat.

In a contest pitting Gore against former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, the GOP member holds a three-point edge.

Gore served as vice-president under Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001. He lost the 2000 presidential election against Republican George W. Bush, after weeks of recounts and court injunctions in Florida concluded in a 537-vote victory for Bush. Gore recently was featured in the movie "An inconvenient truth", which discusses global warming. In June, Gore declared, "I have no plans to run for president again."

In 2000, McCain won seven Republican presidential primaries in the U.S., but retired from the race after eventual nominee George W. Bush became the frontrunner. Giuliani garnered national and international attention in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Earlier this month, Australian prime minister John Howard described "An inconvenient truth" as "spiced with ritualistic attacks on the Bush administration that detracted from its objectivity." Yesterday, Gore discussed Howard's criticism, saying, "I wouldn't expect him to immediately praise it to the skies, given the history of his opposition to what I've been saying about this, but I appreciate him seeing it."

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

Possible match-ups - 2008 U.S. presidential election

John McCain (R) 48% - 41% Al Gore (D)
Rudy Giuliani (R) 47% - 44% Al Gore (D)

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