Rudy Giuliani Leads John McCain by More Than 2-to-1 in Race for Republican Nomination (Harris Poll)

PR Newswire ^ | 4/20/07

[areafiftyone]

Rudy Giuliani Leads John McCain by More Than 2-to-1 in Race for Republican Nomination
Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson Not Far Behind McCain ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is now the front runner by a wide margin in the race for the Republican nomination for the 2008 presidential election, even though the first primary elections will not take place until February 2008. Giuliani leads Senator John McCain by fully 39 percent to 18 percent among those who think they will vote in the Republican primaries or caucuses. Former Governor Mitt Romney (14%) and former Senator (and movie and TV star) Fred Thompson (13%) are not very far behind McCain. The only other candidate with more than two percent of Republican preferences is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (9%). This Harris Poll surveyed 2401 U.S. adults online and was conducted by Harris Interactive(R) between April 3 and 16, 2007. This survey included 522 adults who expect to vote in a Republican primary or caucus and like all polls conducted well before an election, it should not be read as a prediction. Rather, it is a snap shot of the presidential "horse race", at a very early stage in the race. A previous column assessed the standing of the leading Democrats(1). Early in the survey, all adults were shown a list that included candidates in both major political parties as well as other Republican and Democratic leaders, and asked for whom they would consider voting. Among Republicans, Rudy Giuliani (59%) leads Colin Powell (46%), John McCain (40%), Condoleeza Rice (39%), Mitt Romney (37%), Fred Thompson (31%) and Newt Gingrich (29%). Among all adults, the rank order of Republican leaders is almost identical to the rank order among potential Republican voters. This is because none of the Republican leaders have exceptionally strong appeal among Democrats and Independents. At this time it seems that Republican candidates face an uphill battle against the Democrats. Overall 68 percent of all adults would consider voting for one of the listed Democratic leaders, compared to 59 percent who would consider voting for one of the Republicans. PLEASE CHECK THE LINK FOR THE TABLES. I simply cannot get these tables in HTML format! YEESH! Sorry!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

FReeper eastsider and I have already hashed that out.

[Gop1040]

“Actually, they’re down closer to 6% (FR members) in the latest poll.”

Speaking about being out of touch. Well, unlike the national scene, the non-stop personal attacks and Rudy bashing seems to be working. And I just made a contribution to FR. Who would have thunk?

[trisham]

Excellent.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

**grin**

[LS]

I’ll support Rudy if he’s the nominee. Until then, I’m supporting Fred, if he gets in the race.

[kevkrom]

Speaking about being out of touch. Well, unlike the national scene, the non-stop personal attacks and Rudy bashing seems to be working.

Consider it a preview of the general public as they actually start learning more about Guiliani, looking past the "America's Mayor" label to see what a horrible President he would make.

Also realize, the main reason he's in such a "lead" is due to the lack of any one opponent coming out of the pack. That will change, and when it does, that "lead" will vanish, almost overnight, assuming Guiliani doesn't blow it himself with some of the loose cannon comments he's prone to make.

[aligncare]

How would you answer the question given to Mr. Giuliani?

[sarasotarepublican]

You’re right, of course. But then again, how many disgruntled GOPers angrily voted against the BUSH BUNCH because of the stand on Immigration...and NOW wish they hadn’t allowed the Pelosi, Reid, Leahy, Rangel, and the ever-mouthing Maxine Waters back into the leadership positions!

That's why Republicans are called the party of the stupid. They call it voting for principle. The only compliment I can give the democrats is their loyality to their party. Wish Republicans had some.

[Gop1040]

“Consider it a preview of the general public as they actually start learning more about Guiliani, looking past the “America’s Mayor” label to see what a horrible President he would make.”

You must be kidding. Pure wishful thinking. It been a non-stop “throw everything you can and see what sticks” kind of national campaign against Rudy for the past several months. Google Rudy’s name and 9 out of 10 articles are hit pieces. There’s a desperate attempt to drive down his poll numbers. And in spite of that, Rudy’s Real Clear Politics national poll average remains high at (31.8%), versus (19.6%) for McCain, (10.6%) for Thompson, and (10%) for Romney. And he also continues to have the highest favorable rating of all candidates. I hope there's a Plan B.

[kevkrom]

You’re the one engaging in wishful thinking. Take Rudy’s positions — the real ones, based on his record, not the “fluff” from his campaign site that’s trying to disguise it — remove his name, and circulate the info among likely primary voters.

They’d laugh it off as a joke.

Rudy Guiliani is only a “name”. An abstract concept that most people have a warm fuzzy about from 9/11. When the primaries start getting serious and people really, really look at their options, they’re going to forget those warm fuzzies and vote for someone who actually deserved the label “Republican”.

[Gop1040]

“They’d laugh it off as a joke.”

Not in the real world.

[Gop1040]

“I’ll support Rudy if he’s the nominee. Until then, I’m supporting Fred, if he gets in the race.”

Finally a reasonable position. I’ve also stated many times that although my first choice is Rudy because to the WOT and his electability, I’ll support the Republican candidate. Thompson more enthusiastically than others.

[neocon1984]

“I’ll support Rudy if he’s the nominee. Until then, I’m supporting Fred, if he gets in the race.”

DITTO!

[Peach]

Really? You must read different polls than I do.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1820581/posts?page=10#10

[garv]

Here's the polls I read.

Link

[twonie]

I believe that McCain is seriously crazy. His family, surely, has tried or has thought of trying to dissuade him from this endeavor. He will be ridiculed all over the country because of his mental state. He cannot be president, and I believe he will not listen to his family should they try to convince him not to run.

[twonie]

I have been away a couple of days. Please tell me what you mean by this statement about the ping list.

[hgro]

McCain, no war hero, just a poor Navy pilot doesn’t have a chance of getting the Republican nomination. If for some mysterious reason he might, even the Arkansas witch would clobber him in the national election.

[Joe Boucher]

Not to worry, McCain isn’t the one.
He’s delusional.
Don’t bet the farm on Rudy though.
While being a very good person and having been just what N.Y. needed to clean up the cesspool that was N.Y. and again right after 9-11, I don’t think his positions on abortion, gun control, illegals and homosexuals will sit well with the base.

[twonie]

I really believe that The Base had best figure out quickly that there are not enough of them to put an arch-conservative in the White House and that they have to compromise and make the best deal they can for themselves rather than letting Mrs. Clinton, the wife of the former and impeached president Bill Clinton, take power.