John Edwards (D), the Democrats’ Vice Presidential nominee in 2004, is one of four Democrats currently reaching double digits of voter support for the party’s top slot in 2008. The one-term Senator from North Carolina trails Republican front-runners Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, but leads other GOP contenders—Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. Giuliani currently leads the pack in polls for the GOP nomination.

Giuliani holds a 50% to 41% lead over Edwards. McCain holds a smaller advantage, 47% to 43%. All Democrats currently trail McCain (see match-ups for Clinton and Obama and Gore). Senator Hillary Clinton (D) is tied with Giuliani but the former New York Mayor has the edge in other match-ups.

Edwards is viewed favorably by 48% of the nation’s Likely Voters and unfavorably by 38%. Rasmussen Reports will be constantly updating the favorability ratings for Democratic Presidential hopefuls. We’ll be doing the same for GOP hopefuls and other Political Leaders.

We have been tracking Election 2008 since the waning days of Election 2006 to keep you posted as the nation decides the next occupant of the White House. Our most recent survey found that 43% of Americans say they would never vote for a Mormon candidate, an issue of concern to Mitt Romney. We’ve also noted an increase in confidence in the War on Terror since the GOP’s defeat on Election Day. Democrats and unaffiliated voters are now more hopeful. Americans confidence in the nation’s future is down over the past couple of years, but 61% continue to believe that U.S. society is generally fair and decent. Most Americans know little about the Congressional Democrats who will lead that body in the wake of this year’s election results.