A few days after Democratic Senator Chris Dodd announced he is running for president, a Rasmussen Reports survey of 800 likely voters shows the senator trailing Republican candidate Rudolph Giuliani 39% to 44%. He trails GOP Senator John McCain by 19 points, 33% to 52%. The survey was conducted January 15-16.

McCain gave George W. Bush a run for his money during the 2000 election season, and many had expected him to emerge as an early frontrunner for the GOP nomination this time around. But so far in that bid he's a runner-up. A Rasmussen Reports poll of the GOP race conducted shortly after our survey of Dodd's support shows Mayor Giuliani attracting 28% of likely Republican primary voters. Senator McCain pulls 20%.

It's still early in the year, let alone the presidential race as a whole. It remains to be seen whether Giuliani's popularity as a hero of 9/11 will enable him to sustain his status as frontrunner given his disagreements with many in the GOP over several key social issues.

Dodd enters the race as a strong critic of the war in Iraq, which he calls a product of failed leadership. "But my decision to run for President is not just about the war in Iraq but about the urgent need to get America back on track. On every issue important to the American people--from the loss of jobs overseas, to the security of our ports, to retirement, health care, our schools--there's been no leadership."
Senator Dodd touts his role in passing the Family and Medical Leave Act as proof of his ability to lead on such domestic issues.

Despite his competitive showing against Giuliani in our early poll, Dodd is an unknown to a plurality of voters, with 42% unsure what to think of him. Twenty-six percent (26%) have a favorable opinion, 32% an unfavorable one.

McCain is viewed favorably by 56%, Giuliani by 69%.

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