Former Tennessee Senator leads the Republican pack in the South Carolina Presidential Primary. The man who has yet to officially enter the race attracts 23% of the vote among Likely Republican Primary Voters. That national frontrunner, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is close behind at 21%.

The Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds Arizona Senator John McCain with 14% of the vote while former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is at 10%. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee earns 6% of the South Carolina vote while four other candidates split 3% and 22% are undecided.

Among the Palmetto State’s conservative Primary voters, Thompson leads Giuliani by seven. Among the smaller number of moderate and liberal voters, it’s Giuliani 31%, McCain 21%, and Thompson 13%.

Thompson does better among men while Giuliani has the edge among women.

Giuliani is viewed favorably by 76% of Likely Primary Voters, Thompson by 68%.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) have a positive assessment of McCain while 53% say the same about Romney. As has been seen in national polling, the number with unfavorable opinions of these candidates is dangerously high. Among Republican primary voters, 33% have a negative view of Romney and 38% hold such a view about McCain.

Rasmussen Reports has conducted Republican primary polls in three states and each one has a different leader. Romney is on top in New Hampshire and Giuliani in Florida. In national polling, Giuliani remains on top with Thompson in second.

Rasmussen Reports has recently released general election polls for Ohio, Florida, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Arkansas.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll is updated daily by noon Eastern.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.