(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani remains the most popular presidential contender for Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 27 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 primary.

Actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney are tied for second with 13 per cent, followed by former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee with 12 per cent, and Arizona senator John McCain with 11 per cent. Support is lower for Texas congressman Ron Paul and Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo.

On Nov. 18, McCain discussed his views on the Iraq war, saying, "I took abuse from members of my own party—some of it pretty tough—for doing so. And I stuck by it knowing it could hurt my chances for the presidency. I did it for one reason: I would rather lose an election than stay silent and watch my country lose a war."

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 Nov. 11 to Nov. 18, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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