In a three-way match-up in Connecticut, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Rudy Giuliani are tied at 40%. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, running as an independent candidate, attracts 9% support and 11% are undecided.

Other potential match-ups in the Nutmeg State show the Democrats firmly in control. If the Democrats nominate former North Carolina Senator John Edwards and the Republicans nominate former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, it’s Edwards 45% Romney 25% and Bloomberg 15%.

One other match-up tested showed Democrat Barack Obama with 48% of the vote in New Jersey, Republican Fred Thompson with 28% and Bloomberg with 13%.

Bloomberg has publicly denied that he is interested in the White House, but reports have circulated that he is discussing the matter in private. Some reports suggest that he may spend up to a billion dollars from his personal wealth if he were to mount a campaign.

Bloomberg attracted more support in New Jersey and placed second in one match-up. Nationally, Bloomberg drains votes from Republican candidates . However, it is impossible to measure the actual impact of a Bloomberg candidacy at this time. If he were to spend a billion dollars and find a compelling theme that resonated with voters, the poll data might shift dramatically. That is especially true if Bloomberg were to pull ahead of major party candidates in particular states.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Connecticut voters believe it is possible for him to win the White House if he spends that much money. Forty-two percent (42%) say it is not possible while 28% are not sure.

A plurality of Republican and Democratic voters say that Bloomberg could not win. However, by a 36% to 30% margin, those not affiliated with the major parties think a Bloomberg victory is possible. New Jersey voters were somewhat more optimistic about Bloomberg’s prospects.

Rasmussen Reports national tracking data has shown a sharp decline in the number of people identifying themselves as Republicans. There has been a corresponding increase in the number of people refusing to affiliate with either major party.

Forty-four percent (44%) of Connecticut voters favor an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Another 19% favor a firm timetable for withdrawal. Just 26% believe the U.S. should stay and complete the mission. National surveys show that most Americans believe history will judge the U.S. mission in Iraq as a failure.

Rasmussen Reports regularly tracks public attitudes towards Congress, the War on Terror, and other topics. Rasmussen Reports also continuously updates favorability ratings and general election match-ups for all Democratic and Republican Presidential candidates along with ratings for Members of Congress, Other Political Figures, and Journalists. The President’s Job Approval ratings are updated daily.

Rasmussen Reports conducts ongoing surveys measuring the attitudes of Americans on the news of the day. Recent surveys have asked about immigration, the Pope’s comments on pro-choice politicians, the DC Madam, gun control, and the Supreme Court decision on partial-birth abortion. The latest updates can be found on the Rasmussen Reports home page.

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