The latest Rasmussen Reports Election 2008 survey shows former North Carolina Senator John Edwards (D) leading former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson (R) 53% to 32%. Edwards also has a huge lead over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney 54% to 33%.

Edwards also enjoys a large advantage over the two Republicans among unaffiliated voters. Overall, the Democratic hopeful is viewed favorably by 55%, unfavorably by 33%.

Fred Thompson is viewed favorably by 39%, unfavorably by 27%. Mitt Romney is viewed favorably by 37%, unfavorably by 38%.

In April, Edwards led Thompson by 14%. In March, he led Romney 55% to 29%.

Edwards, the Democrats’ 2004 Vice-Presidential nominee, has consistently placed third in polling among those seeking the Democratic Presidential nomination. In general election match-ups, he is slightly ahead of the Republican frontrunner, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Edwards also holds a seven-point lead over Senator John McCain.

While trailing New York Senator Hillary Clinton, Edwards has consistently outperformed her in general election match-ups. While Edwards leads Thompson and Romney by more than 20 points each, Clinton leads Thompson and Romney by just three points each.

In the tightening race for the GOP presidential nomination, Romney has recently gained ground and taken a one-point advantage over Thompson. Thompson, a movie star turned Senator turned TV star, had jumped into third place as soon as Rasmussen Reports started adding his name to our surveys a couple of months ago.

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. The President’s Job Approval ratings, which have recently fallen to all-time lows, are updated daily

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 and support for enforcement-only immigration reform. Recent surveys have asked about the Pope’s comments on pro-choice politicians, American reaction to the French elections, the DC Madam, gun control, and the Supreme Court decision on partial-birth abortion. The latest updates can be found on the Rasmussen Reports home page.

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