Giuliani Notes: Gallup Poll – Rudy 35% McCain 22% Thompson 10% Romney 9% Gingrich 7%
The Gallup Poll: Giuliani and McCain Maintain Hold on Top Two Positions in GOP Field
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani continues to hold first place in the race for the Republican 2008 presidential nomination with a slightly better than 10-point lead over Arizona Sen. John McCain, 35% to 22%. After a brief expansion of Giuliani’s lead over McCain earlier this month, the race is essentially back to where it was in late March.
The latest USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted April 13-15, 2007, finds three other candidates jockeying for third place, only one of whom — former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — is an announced candidate. Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is closely matched with Romney. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is openly contemplating a run, is also a contender for third. All other Republicans included in the trial heat question receive 2% or less support from Republicans.
The GOP NUTS:
Rudy v. McCain:
Rudy in all of the polls today is maintaining his double digit lead over the field and Senator McCain.
Frankly, the only warning sign is here:
Six in 10 Republicans say they are pleased with the selection of candidates definitely running for the Republican nomination at this point.
One-third of Republicans say they wish someone else would get into the GOP race, but it is not clear what these potential voters are looking for in such a candidate.
Giuliani ranks first among those wanting someone else to run, it is with a somewhat lower 30% than the 37% he receives from Republicans who are satisfied with the field.
On the other hand:
With Giuliani and McCain both having difficulty burnishing their conservative credentials, particularly on social issues, one might assume that conservative Republicans are especially anxious to have someone else enter the fray. However, moderate and conservative Republicans are similar on this question, with conservatives only slightly more likely to say they wish someone else would run (34% vs. 27%).
The GOP field has solidified and Rudy remains stable with a double digit lead in the polls.
Look for McCain and/or his surrogates to go NEGATIVE and quick. Was this an opening shot?
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