The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D) leading former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) by nine percentage points, 47% to 38%. That’s exactly the same lead Obama holds over Arizona Senator John McCain (R). Romney and McCain are competing closely for third place among those seeking the Republican Presidential nomination.

Obama is in second place among Democratic hopefuls and is competitive with the Republican frontrunners Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani.

Both men draw reasonable support from within their own party, but the man from Illinois has an eleven-point edge among unaffiliated voters. Obama leads Romney by 19 percentage points among women but trails by three among men.

Obama is viewed favorably by 54% of all voters, and 58% of women (versus 51% of men). He is viewed unfavorably by 37% of all voters.

Governor Romney is viewed favorably by 37%, unfavorably by 43%, and remains a mystery to some 20%. That's consistent with earlier polls showing that as Romney has become better known, his unfavorable rating has somewhat outpaced his growing favorable rating. In November of 2006 he was viewed favorably by 30%, unfavorably by 29%.

Romney also trails New York Senator Hillary Clinton and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards in general election match-ups. He has failed to gain traction in national polls for the Republican nomination but has a lead in New Hampshire.

General election match-ups, favorability ratings, and ideological perceptions are regularly updated for all Republican and Democratic Presidential candidates. Also, favorability rating are updated regularly key Members of Congress, Journalists and Other Political Figures.

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