(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - There is no clear frontrunner in the national race for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 19 per cent of respondents would vote for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee in a primary, while 19 per cent would support Arizona senator John McCain.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is third with 17 per cent, followed by former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani with 14 per cent, and actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson with 12 per cent. Support is lower for Texas congressman Ron Paul, and California congressman Duncan Hunter.

Yesterday in New Hampshire, Romney questioned McCain’s chances against Democrat Barack Obama in a national presidential race, saying, "I think Barack Obama would be able to do to John McCain exactly what he was able to do to the other senators who are running on the Democratic side."

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 presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Polling Data

Republican Presidential Primary Contenders

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with approximately 1,100 likely Republican primary voters, conducted from Dec. 31, 2007, to Jan. 6, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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