December 04, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Roughly one-in-four Republican Party supporters in the United States want Rudy Giuliani to become their presidential nominee in 2008, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 23 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 primary, down four points since mid-November.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Roughly one-in-four Republican Party supporters in the United States want Rudy Giuliani to become their presidential nominee in 2008, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 23 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 primary, down four points since mid-November.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is second with 15 per cent, followed by three politicians—actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, and Arizona senator John McCain—all with 13 per cent. Support is lower for Texas congressman Ron Paul, Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo, and California congressman Duncan Hunter.

Yesterday, Giuliani criticized Huckabee’s fiscal policies, saying, "I think there are several tax deductions that are vital to our economy. This would not be a good time—I don’t know if there would ever be a good time to do this—to advocate ending the home mortgage deduction. The home mortgage deduction is considered by many critical to the ability of people to buy a home and keep their home."

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

	Dec. 2	Nov. 18	Nov. 11
Rudy Giuliani	23%	27%	25%
Mike Huckabee	15%	12%	10%
Fred Thompson	13%	13%	14%
Mitt Romney	13%	13%	14%
John McCain	13%	11%	13%
Ron Paul	6%	5%	6%
Tom Tancredo	1%	1%	1%
Duncan Hunter	1%	--	--

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with approximately 1,100 likely Republican primary voters, conducted from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.