Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Republicans 2008: Giuliani 40%, McCain 24%

February 17, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Rudy Giuliani remains the top presidential choice for Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 40 per cent of respondents would vote for the former New York City mayor in a 2008 primary, up nine points since January.

Arizona senator John McCain is second with 24 per cent, followed by former House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich with nine per cent, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with five per cent.

Support is lower for Kansas senator Sam Brownback, former Virginia governor Jim Gilmore, former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, California congressman Duncan Hunter, Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo, former New York governor George Pataki, and Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel.

In a televised interview last week, Giuliani said his best quality to attract Republican voters would be "leadership", and not necessarily his views on certain social issues such as abortion and gay rights. "I am pro-choice, but I am also, as you know, against abortion. Hate abortion. Never liked it," Giuliani said. "There is understanding that you can't find a candidate you agree with 100 per cent of the time."

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

Support for potential 2008 Republican presidential nominees, among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who are registered to vote.

Feb. 2007Jan. 2007Dec. 2006
Rudy Giuliani 40%31%28%
John McCain24%27%28%
Newt Gingrich9%10%8%
Mitt Romney5%7%4%
Sam Brownback3%1%2%
Jim Gilmore2%2%--
Tommy Thompson2%2%

2%

Mike Huckabee2%

1%

2%

Duncan Hunter1%----
Tom Tancredo1%n.a.n.a.
George Pataki1%3%1%
Chuck Hagel1%1%1%
Condoleezza Rice--1%(*)12%

Other

1%2%2%

None

2%3%3%

No opinion

7%10%7%

(*) Volunteered responses

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 425 Republicans and Republican leaners, conducted from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11, 2007. Margin of error is 5 per cent.

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