AMERICA WARMS UP TO RUDY, GIVES HILL CHILL: POLL

AP

November 28, 2006 -- Americans have the warmest feelings about former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, according to a poll released yesterday that scores the popularity of national leaders.

The Quinnipiac University poll's "thermometer reading," taken the week after the Nov. 7 elections, asks voters to rate their feelings for 20 leaders on a scale of 0 to 100.

Giuliani, a Republican weighing a presidential bid in 2008, scored the highest at 64.2. Obama of Illinois and McCain of Arizona, who are also considering a 2008 run, finished next at 58.8 and 57.7.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, another potential presidential candidate, placed ninth of the 20 leaders with a score of 49.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee, came in last at 39.6.

"Obama's showing is impressive, but four in 10 Americans still don't know enough about him to have an opinion," said Peter Brown, assistant poll director. "Conversely, Sen. Clinton has universal recognition, but only mixed ratings."

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman ranked sixth with a score of 52.7, according to the poll.