The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) comfortably leading New Mexico Governor Richardson 51% to 34%.

Those numbers are virtually unchanged from last month despite a recent dip in Giuliani's favorability ratings.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Likely Voters have a favorable opinion of the former New York City Mayor. Those are the best numbers for any Republican hopeful but represent a decline from stratospheric favorables of 71% in December.

Richardson is far less known to American voters. Thirty percent (30%) have a favorable opinion, 30% unfavorable, and 40% are not sure one way or the other.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Americans say they will definitely vote for Giuliani if he is on the 2008 ballot while 34% will definitely vote against him. For Richardson, 10% will definitely vote for him while 28% will definitely vote against.

Giuliani is currently the frontrunner in the race for the Republican nomination while Richardson is fourth among those seeking the Democratic nomination.

When matched against the leaders for the Democratic nomination, Giuliani trails former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, and is even with New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Illinois Senator Barack Obama. Richardson trails Arizona Senator John McCain but leads former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

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.

Historical data available for Premium Members only.