September 12, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fred Thompson has become the most popular presidential hopeful for Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 28 per cent of respondents would vote for the actor and former Tennessee senator in a 2008 primary, up six points in five days.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fred Thompson has become the most popular presidential hopeful for Republican Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 28 per cent of respondents would vote for the actor and former Tennessee senator in a 2008 primary, up six points in five days.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is second with 21 per cent, followed by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Arizona senator John McCain with 12 per cent each, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee with six per cent.

On Sept. 8, Huckabee challenged Thompson to take part in a one-on-one debate, saying, "I agree that what is needed is a real discussion by the candidates about their vision for the future of our country." Thompson had previously expressed dissatisfaction with recent debates, which he said are not "designed to illuminate people’s thoughts, feelings."

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

	Sept. 10	Sept. 5	Aug. 26
Fred Thompson	28%	22%	23%
Rudy Giuliani	21%	24%	24%
Mitt Romney	12%	14%	13%
John McCain	12%	14%	12%
Mike Huckabee	6%	4%	5%

Source: Rasmussen Reports

Methodology: Telephone interviews with approximately 600-650 likely Republican primary voters, conducted from Sept. 4 to Sept. 10, 2007. Margin of error is 4 per cent.