(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani is holding on to the top position in the race for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in the United States, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 32 per cent of respondents would vote for the New York City mayor in a 2008 primary, up five points since July.

Actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson is second with 21 per cent, followed by Arizona senator John McCain with 15 per cent, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with nine per cent. Support is lower for former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Kansas senator Sam Brownback, Texas congressman Ron Paul, and Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo.

On Sept. 19, Giuliani discussed the situation in Iran, saying, "I believe the United States and our allies should deliver a very clear message to Iran, very clear, very sober, very serious: They will not be allowed to become a nuclear power. It’s just not going to happen. If they get to the point that they’re going to become a nuclear power, we will prevent it, or we will set them back five or 10 years."

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

I’m going to read you the names of some possible Republican presidential candidates. Who would you most like to see nominated as the Republican Party’s candidate for president in 2008?

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