(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani is holding on to the top spot among Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 23 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 presidential primary.

Actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson is second with 17 per cent, followed by Arizona senator John McCain with 14 per cent, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with 13 per cent, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee with 12 per cent. Support is lower for Texas congressman Ron Paul, Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo, and California congressman Duncan Hunter.

On Nov. 7, Kansas senator Sam Brownback endorsed McCain, saying, "(He) is the only candidate who can rally the Reagan coalition of conservatives, independents and conservative Democrats needed to defeat Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat in the general election next year. (He has stood) up for human rights around the world, including a consistent 24-year pro-life record of protecting the rights of the unborn.’’

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

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with approximately 1,100 likely Republican primary voters, conducted from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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