New Polls Show Slim Giuliani Lead, Thompson Rising as Candidates Debate
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
May 15, 2007
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — As the Republican candidates for president head to their second debate tonight, two new polls show Rudy Giuliani’s slide continues following several weeks of intense criticism of his position in favor of abortion. The polls also show Fred Thompson moving up and he moves closer to announcing his candidacy.
A new Rasmussen poll shows Giuliani leads among likely GOP voters with 25 percent, which is just seven percentage points ahead of Sen. John McCain’s 18 percent.
Two weeks ago he led McCain by 16 percent in the Rasmussen poll and the 25 percent is the lowest mark for Giuliani in any Rasmussen poll to date.
The survey shows former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson in third at 15 percent even though he is not officially a candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has risen to 12 percent.
Those results contrast to a new national Harris Poll conducted of adults online.
Harris has Giuliani at 38 percent with Thompson and McCain at 18 percent each. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has 9 percent and Romney has the support of 8 percent of Republicans.
Gingrich said Monday there is a very good chance he’ll get into the race for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, but he won’t decide until after September.
The Harris poll has Thompson moving up from 13 percent to 18 percent since last month and Romney’s support has slipped from 14 percent to 8 percent. Giuliani dropped one percent, according to the survey.
The Rasmussen poll also surveyed Democrats on their choice and found that 35 percent favored Democratic New York Sen. Hillary Clinton compared to 33 percent who back Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
Former Sen. John Edwards was third with 14 percent and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is in fourth at 3 percent.
In general election matchups, Democratic New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, is essentially even with Giuliani and the top Republican noncandidate, Fred Thompson, Rasmussen reported.
