The results are in for the showdown of the cable news political comics – and it’s a tie. Among those who know who they are, that is.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American adults have a favorable opinion of Jon Stewart, host of “The Daily Show” on the Comedy Central channel. For Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” a spin-off of Stewart’s program, the numbers are quite similar--35% have a favorable view. Dennis Miller, who appears regular on Fox News and has a radio talk show, also earns 35% a favorable rating.

On the downside, a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 22% regard both Stewart and Colbert unfavorably. Miller’s unfavorable ratings are a bit higher, at 27%.

For all three men, however, a sizable segment of the population doesn’t know enough about them to have an opinion – 42% for Stewart and Colbert, 38% for Miller. Only about one-in-four have strong feelings—positive or negative—about each of them.

Younger adults are more likely to know about all three than their elders, and they like Stewart and Colbert more than Miller.

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As for the political views of the three comic commentators, 40% or more of all adults don’t hazard an opinion.

But, 33% see Stewart as liberal, 22% as a moderate and five percent (5%) as a conservative.

Twenty-four percent (24%) say Colbert is a liberal, while 22% think he’s a moderate and nine percent (9%) peg him as a conservative.

Speaking of conservative, that’s what 24% characterize Miller as, but 19% believe he’s a moderate and 13% a liberal.

The partisan breakdown is a bit more telling. Forty-two percent (42%) of Democrats have a favorable opinion of Stewart. For Colbert, it’s 39% among Democrats. Miller, on the other hand, is viewed favorably by 47% of Republicans. But just 24% of Democrats agree.

Adults not affiliated with either major party have a slightly more favorable view of both Stewart and Colbert than of Miller.

Colbert posted 13% support from voters in October 2007 when he flirted with a run for the White House. Eight percent (8%) said they would vote for Stewart. Miller wasn’t in the running.

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