In a 2008 general election match-up, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards (D) leads former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani by only two points, 47% to 45% (see crosstabs).

Giuliani has closed the gap over the past month. In April, Edwards had an eight-point advantage over the man known as “America’s Mayor.” Edwards may have been benefiting at that time from sympathetic attention evoked by his wife's recurring breast cancer. Prior to that April survey, Giuliani had been ahead of Edwards by at least a point or two in Rasmussen Reports election surveys.

The current survey also shows Edwards leading Arizona Senator John McCain (R) 48% to 41%. That’s little changed from our March survey when Edwards enjoyed a nine-point advantage over McCain. We did not poll an Edwards-McCain match-up in April.

Edwards remains in third place among those seeking the Democratic Presidential nomination. Giuliani and McCain hold the top two slots in the race for the Republican nomination.

Senator Edwards is now viewed favorably by 55%, unfavorably by 42%. Both numbers are at the high end of his ratings over the last six months. In addition to his edge over Giuliani and McCain, Edwards leads former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson.

Giuliani is viewed favorably by 60%. He’s still the most popular candidate in either party, but his ratings are down from a peak of 71% earlier in the season. Giuliani is essentially tied with the top three Democratic contenders—Edwards, Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. He leads New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Delaware Senator Joe Biden, and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd.

McCain is viewed favorably by 51%, unfavorably by 44%. That's slightly better than the 49%/43% ratio we saw last month, but represents a decline from his more robust ratings in early April and previous months, which averaged about 55%. McCain trails Edwards, Obama, and Clinton while leading Richardson, Biden, Dodd, and General Wes Clark.

Rasmussen Reports continuously updates favorability ratings and general election match-ups for all Democratic and Republican candidates. Also available are ratings for Members of Congress, Other Political Figures, and Journalists.

Rasmussen Reports also 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.

Rasmussen Reports conducts ongoing surveys measuring the attitudes of Americans on the news of the day such as bringing troops home from Iraq. Recent surveys have asked about American Idol, DC Madam, gun control, the Supreme Court decision on partial-birth abortion, and the subpoenas issued to Condoleezza Rice. The latest updates can be found on the Rasmussen Reports home page.

Crosstabs and Historical Data available for Premium Members only.