Rasmussen: Obama Opens Lead Over Giuliani and Romney (Pre-Iowa caucuses)

Obama Opens Lead Over Giuliani and Romney
Friday, January 04, 2008

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that Senator Barack Obama has opened a ten-percentage point victory over former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 47% to 37% (crosstabs available for Premium Members). A month ago, they were tied at 43%. The survey also found Obama with a six-point lead over Mitt Romney, 45% to 39%. That’s a slight improvement for Obama who led Romney by four points a month ago.

The numbers for the Obama-Giuliani match-up mark a significant change in the race. Prior to this latest poll, the candidates had been within two points of each other for four straight polls. (see trends and polling history).

The survey was conducted January 2 and 3. All interviews were completed before the results of the Iowa caucuses were known. However, media coverage in the days leading up to the caucus suggested a good showing was likely for Obama. The results in Iowa shook up the race so that there are no national frontrunners on either the Republican or the Democratic side of the aisle.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/election_2008_obama_vs_giuliani_and_romney