Arizona Senator John McCain’s (R) support among Likely Republican Primary Voters has slipped to the lowest level ever recorded since Rasmussen Reports began tracking the race shortly after last November’s election. McCain is now the top pick for just 17% of Republicans. That’s down two points from a week ago, five points since mid-January and is barely half the level of support enjoyed by Republican frontrunner Rudy Giuliani.

For the second straight week, the former Mayor of New York attracts support from 33% of Likely Republican Primary Voters. The man dubbed America’s Mayor in the wake of 9/11 has seen his personal favorables rise back to the 70% level once again.

More good news for Giuliani last week came in a Rasmussen Reports poll showing him with a nine-point lead over the Democratic frontrunner, New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) remains in third place, this week earning a 13% level of support in the poll. It is not clear that Gingrich is running. He has said he will not make a decision until at least September. Recently, Gingrich had nice things to say about Giuliani. Earlier in the process, he had positive words about Mitt Romney.

Trailing Gingrich is former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) at 10%. Senator Sam Brownback (R) earns 3%, Senator Chuck Hagel (R) comes in at 2%, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is just over the 1% mark.

Most voters in Republican Primaries are politically conservative. Among those who consider themselves Very Conservative, Giuliani attracts 24% of the vote, Gingrich 23% and McCain is the third choice at 19%.

Among those who are Somewhat Conservative, it’s Giuliani 34% McCain 15% and Gingrich 14%.

Self-identified moderates likely to participate in the Primary favor Giuliani over McCain 41% to 18%.

Rasmussen Reports releases updated polling data on the Republican nominating contest every Tuesday. Results for the Democrats are updated on Mondays. The current survey is based upon national telephone interviews with 546 Likely Republican Primary Voters conducted February 19-22, 2007.

See a summary of all match-ups along with favorability ratings and perceptions of the candidates’ ideology. A summary is also provided for Democratic contenders.