Obama leads Ghouliani by 1, Thompson by 7

[draft_mario_cuomo]

==Not much has changed in the Barack Obama-Fred Thompson match-up since two weeks ago. But Rudy Giuliani has now caught up with the Illinois Democrat.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Election 2008 shows Senator Obama and Mayor Giuliani essentially even. The Democrat from Illinois attracts 44% of the vote while the Republican from New York earns 43%. In July, Obama had enjoyed a six point lead over Giuliani. However, in surveys from November to June, Giuliani had topped Obama in all Rasmussen Reports polls.

Meanwhile, Senator Obama leads Senator Thompson 46% to 39%, similar to what we saw last month. Though not as strong as Giuliani, the actor-politician is doing better in match-ups with Obama than former Governor Mitt Romney, and is roughly on a par with Senator John McCain. Thompson has yet to formally announce that he is running for president of the United States.

Senator Obama's favorable rating has lapsed from highs of 59% and 58% in April and May. He is now viewed with favor by 48% of likely voters. In the battle for the Democratic nomination, Obama remains a solid second. However, a Rasmussen Reports analysis suggests that New York Senator Hillary Clinton is the default nominee of the party.==

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008_obama_44_giuliani_43_obama_46_thompson_39

Context: Latest numbers for the other candidates against Ghouliani.

Obama 44%
Ghouliani 43%
Obama +1

Ghouliani 46%
Clinton 45%
Ghouliani +1

Edwards 49%
Ghouliani 42%
Edwards +7

Ghouliani 47%
Richardson 39%
Ghouliani +8

Ghouliani 46%
Biden 37%
Ghouliani +9

Ghouliani 44%
Dodd 39%
Ghouliani +5

Ghouliani 48%
Kucinich 34%
Ghouliani +14

vs. Thompson

Obama 46%
Thompson 39%
Obama +7

Thompson 46%
Clinton 45%
Thompson +1

Edwards 50%
Thompson 39%
Edwards +11

Thompson 41%
Richardson 40%
Thompson +1

Thompson 40%
Biden 38%
Thompson +2

Thompson 43%
Kucinich 34%
Thompson +9

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Looks like this poll is showing...

That Edwards has a lot more traction then either the press or other Dems give him credit for.