Who Is Conservative?
by Scott Rasmussen

After Fred Thompson’s first month as a formal candidate for the Republican Presidential Nomination, Republican voters continue to see him as the most conservative candidate in the field. Fifty-one percent (51%) of Republican voters now see the former Tennessee Senator as politically conservative. That’s up from 48% a month ago.

Perceptions of Mitt Romney have moved in the opposite direction. Thirty-six percent (36%) now see him as politically conservative. That’s down from 42% a month ago and little changed from two months ago.

Just 30% of Republican voters see John McCain as politically conservative, down from 33% a month ago. Twenty-six percent (26%) hold that view of Giuliani, little changed over the past month.

Looked at from the other perspective, 68% see Giuliani as moderate or liberal while 56% of Republicans say the same of McCain. Romney is viewed as moderate or liberal by 42% of GOP voters and 35% say the same about Thompson.

The race for the Republican nomination is very fluid with Thompson and Giuliani holding the top two positionsfor several months. While Thompson is seen as more ideologically in synch with the conservative-leaning party, Giuliani is seen as the most electable Republicancandidate.

Thompson’s numbers have been sliding in recent weeks after enjoying a nice bounce upon formally entering the race.

Thompson’s increased visibility has also increased the perception among all voters that he is politically conservative. Forty-seven percent (47%) now hold that view, up from 38% a month ago. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of all voters see Romney as politically conservative, down from 41% a month ago.

Perceptions of McCain have shifted little and 32% of all voters see him as politically conservative. Thirty-three percent (33%) of all voters see Giuliani as politically conservative, up from 25% a month ago.

All the leading Republican hopefuls are seen as closer to the political center than President George W. Bush. The President is viewed as politically conservative by 59% of all voters.

At the moment, the top three Democrats all lead the top four Republican candidates in general-election match-ups.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade. Rasmussen Reports’ Election 2006 coverage has been praised for its accuracy and reliability. Michael Barone, Senior Writer for U.S. News & World Report and co-author of The Almanac of American Politics, mentions, “One clear lesson from the Republican victory of 2004 and the Democratic victory of 2006 is that the best place to look for polls that are spot on is RasmussenReports.com."