Arizona Senator John McCain has struggled in the race for the GOP nomination, but he continues to be competitive in general-election match-ups with top Democrats. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds him now tied 44% to 44% with Democratic Senator Barack Obama.

This match-up has been tight for much of the fall. In mid-November, Obama had a three-point advantage over McCain. In mid-October, it was McCain over Obama by a single point (see match-up history).

The new Rasmussen Reports election poll found that Obama enjoys a nine-point edge of 48% to 39% over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Obama has led Romney in eleven consecutive Rasmussen Reports polls. In November Romney was just six points behind Obama, but he lagged by nine in October. (see match-up history).

A separate survey found Obama in a toss-up with Rudy Giuliani and a comfortable lead over Fred Thompson.

Senator McCain is often respected even by conservatives who sharply disagree with him on issues like illegal immigration, global warming, or the treatment of captured terrorists. But he does only a few points better than Romney among conservatives, although he has a 5% advantage among Republicans.

McCain—viewed favorably by 52% now—also attracts a few percent more Democrats than Romney, and 5% more liberals. He has an 8% edge over Romney with moderates.

McCain is perceived as politically moderate by a plurality of 49% of likely voters. Just 30% view him as politically conservative.

Romney is seen as conservative by 38%, moderate by 31%. He is viewed favorably by 41%, unfavorably by 40% (see key stats and general election match-ups for all Republican candidates).

Senator Obama is most often regarded as liberal (44%), but many (33%) see him as moderate. His is now viewed favorably by 44% of voters nationwide.

Romney and McCain are among four candidates competing for second place nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. But Romney is still a man to beat in early primary states. He and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee are the frontrunners in Iowa while Romney has a substantial lead in New Hampshire.

Obama has consistently placed second in national polling for the Democratic nomination. However, he is one of three candidates essentially tied for the lead in Iowa. The Senator from Illinois has also pulled to within single digits of frontrunner Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire.

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