Poll shows Giuliani popularity on the decline

(New York - WABC, September 12, 2007) (WABC) -- Six years after the terrorist attacks that vaulted him to national prominence, it is unclear whether 9/11 will lift Rudy Giuliani all the way to the presidency.

He remains hamstrung in the Republican base, and his overall support for his party's nomination has slipped in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll.

Giuliani does better with Republicans who are concerned about another major terrorist attack in this country, a legacy of his 9/11 performance. But among those less focused on terrorism, he's in a dead heat against newcomer Fred Thompson.

Thompson also challenges Giuliani among conservatives and evangelical white Protestants, base groups in the Republican constituency, while John McCain has stabilized after a decline in support. Giuliani still leads, but his support is down by nine points in this poll from his level in July.

Indeed, this is the first ABC/Post poll this cycle in which Giuliani had less than a double-digit lead over all his competitors. He now leads Thompson by nine points and McCain by 10.

Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 28 percent support Giuliani, 19 percent Thompson, 18 percent McCain and 10 percent Mitt Romney. Other candidates remain in the low single digits.

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