(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Some voters in the United States appear hesitant to support a former first lady in a presidential election, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 36 per cent of respondents say New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton frightens them the most out of four possible contenders.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is second on the list with 17 per cent, followed by former vice-president Al Gore with 15 per cent, and Arizona senator John McCain with 11 per cent.

Rodham Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, defeating Republican Rick Lazio by 12 percentage points. She ruled out a presidential bid in 2004. Gore served in the Senate before becoming vice-president in 1993. He lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush.

Giuliani garnered national and international attention in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2000, McCain won seven Republican presidential primaries in the U.S., but retired from the race after eventual nominee Bush became the frontrunner.

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, 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

Which one of the following potential candidates for president frightens you the most?

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