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Poll: Thompson Even with McCain

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Fred Thompson's expected entry into the tight Republican presidential race is drawing crucial strength from conservatives and older men, vaulting him into the thick of the GOP nomination fight, an Associated Press-Ipsos poll says.

The survey shows the top Democratic contender, Hillary Rodham Clinton, with twice the support from women as her nearest rival but dwindling strength among men. Her margin over Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has eroded slightly since the last AP-Ipsos poll in March.

Thompson, who has sandwiched an acting career around a largely anonymous eight years as a Tennessee senator, has impressed many despite not yet formally entering the 2008 race. One in four of his supporters cite his strong character, more than any other GOP candidate.

"He can be kind of Reaganesque in his engaging with people," said Ronald Coppinger, 47, a carpenter from Indianapolis, describing a plain-spoken style like the late President Reagan's.

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  That has helped inject Thompson firmly into the top tier among GOP contenders in the AP-Ipsos poll, released Saturday. It shows former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani with 27 percent; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at 19 percent; Thompson essentially even with McCain at 17 percent; and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at 10 percent.

On the Democratic side, Clinton, the New York senator, is drawing support from four in 10 women - a block that accounted for 54 percent of the vote in 2004's key Democratic primaries. One in three of her supporters cite her experience, the most among Democrats.

"I think women relate more to the needs of people," said cashier Jadine Robinson, 52, of Magnolia, Miss.

Clinton had 33 percent in the poll; Obama 21 percent; former Vice President Al Gore, who so far is not a candidate, 20 percent; and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., 12 percent.

© 2007 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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