For the second straight month, Arizona Senator John McCain (R) and Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D) are tied in a Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll. The latest numbers show both candidates attracting support from 44% of Likely Voters.

McCain is currently running second in the GOP Primary competition while Obama is in second among Democratic Party hopefuls. In February, the candidates were also tied at 44%.

The last two months of polling represent a slight improvement for McCain from early in the year. In January, Obama led 47% to 44%.

McCain and Obama are also tied when it comes to overall popularity. Both are viewed favorably by 55% of Likely Voters. For McCain, 38% view him unfavorably. For Obama, that number is 37%. Obama’s numbers are on the rise… he was viewed favorably by just 46% of voters in November.

Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Likely Voters say they would definitely vote for Obama if he is on the ballot in 2008. However, 37% would definitely vote against him.

The numbers for McCain are a bit lower on both sides—21% would definitely vote for him and 34% would definitely vote against.

Rudy Giuliani (R), the Republican frontrunner, is the only candidate from either party who attracts more votes definitely for him than against.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) has the highest negative rating—50% would definitely vote against him. New York Senator Hillary Clinton is close behind—46% would definitely vote against her.

Senator Obama is known for having firmly opposed the Iraq war from the beginning. But some, including former President Bill Clinton at a recent fundraiser, contend that his initial stance was more ambivalent.

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