Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards leads former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney by eleven percentage points in a hypothetical 2008 Presidential match-up. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Edwards earning 49% of the vote in the match-up while Romney has support from 38%.

While Edwards still enjoys a sizeable lead over Romney, the match-up is five points closer than it was a month ago. In July, Edwards boasted a 16-point edge in this match-up. Edwards has also lost ground against Arizona Senator John McCain over the past month. Still, Edwards remains the only candidate to comfortably lead all GOP hopefuls in general election match-ups.

Romney and Edwards are both in third place in the race for their own party’s Presidential nomination.

Edwards is viewed as politically liberal by 44% of voters and moderate by 30%. Thirteen percent (13%) view him as conservative while another 13% are not sure what to think.

Romney is viewed as politically conservative by 36%, moderate by 29%, and liberal by 10%. Twenty-five percent (25%) have no opinion.

Romney, however, is the only candidate with a higher level of core opposition than Hillary Clinton. Forty-four percent (44%) say they’ll definitely vote against Romney if he is on the ballot in 2008. Forty-three percent (43%) say the same about Clinton.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) say they definitely will vote against Edwards.

Romney is viewed favorably by 38% of voters and unfavorably by 47%. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure.

Edwards is viewed favorably by 52%, unfavorably by 41%.

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