Perceptions of electability can play an important role in primaries, caucuses, and other competitions in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination.

Over the past month, those perceptions have changed for several candidates. In some cases, those changes are pretty dramatic.

Rudy Giuliani is still seen as the most electable Republican and gained six points compared to a month ago. Seventy-two percent (72%) of Republicans now believe that he is at least somewhat likely to win the White House if nominated.

While Giuliani gained six points, Mike Huckabee gained 19 points, Mitt Romney gained nine, Fred Thompson lost fifteen points, and John McCain’s total was little changed.

As a result, three candidates are now effectively tied for second on the electability meter among Republicans. Fifty-six percent (56%) say both Romney and McCain are at least somewhat likely to win if nominated. Fifty-four percent (54%) say the same about Huckabee.

Just 46% now think that Thompson would have a chance to win while 19% of Republicans say Ron Paul would be at least somewhat likely to win if nominated.

In the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, Giuliani and Thompson remain the top contenders while Romney is consistently in third place followed by McCain and Huckabee.

Among all voters--including Democrats and those not affiliated with either major political party--51% think Giuliani has a chance to win if nominated, 40% say McCain has a shot and 39% say the same about Romney. Thirty-four percent (34%) of all voters believe Huckabee could win, 32% say the same about Thompson, and 17% think Paul could possibly win if nominated.

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