(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Republican Rudy Giuliani is virtually tied with Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in the early stages of the 2008 United States presidential election, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 46 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor, while 45 per cent would back the New York senator.

In the past three national surveys, Giuliani and Rodham Clinton have been separated by a single point. In another match-up, actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson also holds a one-point edge over Rodham Clinton.

On Aug. 4, Rodham Clinton criticized the current administration for its lack of funding for law enforcement, saying, "Honestly, it is like the police officers of our country, along with your families, who stand with you every single day in the dangerous and difficult work you do, are invisible to the president. It's like he just looks through you instead of seeing you on the front lines in the war against crime and the war against terrorism. It's like he doesn't see you at all."

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.

Original Release from Rasmussen Reports

Polling Data

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

Giuliani v. Rodham Clinton

F. Thompson v. Rodham Clinton

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