Democrats carried the day in Election 2006, and the 2008 campaign has already begun. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani leads the GOP field and is supported by 24%. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in second with 18% support.

Senator John McCain earned a lot of important friends with his aggressive campaigning in 2006, but he starts the 2008 campaign as the choice for 17% of voters.

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney comes in fourth with 9% support.

It is not clear if any or all of these candidates will formally run for the GOP nomination. When we asked voters who their second choice would be, the top four candidates lined up in the same order. Interestingly, nearly half of Rice’s supporters say that Mayor Giuliani would be their second choice.

This survey of 1,050 Republicans and 203 unaffiliated voters who would vote in a Republican Primary was conducted from November 4-7, 2006. In many states, unaffiliated voters are allowed to vote in party primaries.

Rasmussen Reports will update the Republican Presidential Primary competition every day based upon a three-day rolling average.

We will also be tracking the Democratic Party march to 2008 on a daily basis and providing new general election updates on a daily basis.