Among the leading Presidential candidates, New York Senator Hillary Clinton and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney have the highest level of core opposition among voters. Forty-seven percent (47%) say they will vote against each of these candidates no matter who else is on the ballot.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Arizona Senator John McCain. For the second straight month, McCain finds himself with the smallest level of core opposition--just 33% say they will definitely vote against him. That figure is unchanged from a month ago, down from 39% a two months ago and a peak of 42% in June. These results are just one part of the reason that it is a good time to be John McCain.

In between, 42% will definitely vote against Giuliani, 38% against Edwards, 36% against Obama, 34% against Huckabee, 34% against Thompson.

As for core support, Clinton is also on top. Thirty percent (30%) will definitely vote for her and 29% will definitely vote for Obama. Edwards and Giuliani have core support from 23%, McCain from 22%, Thompson and Huckabee from 21%, and Romney from 19%.

On a net basis (core support minus core opposition), Obama (-7) and McCain (-11) come out on top. Giuliani (-19) and Romney (-28) have the weakest numbers on a net basis.

Results among voters not affiliated with either major party show that 48% would definitely vote against Clinton. That’s the highest level of core opposition among unaffiliated voters encountered by any of the candidates in the survey. Giuliani is close—44% of unaffiliated voters would definitely vote against him.

McCain has the lowest level of core opposition among unaffiliated voters--just 26% are committed to voting against McCain.

On a net basis, McCain (-6) and Obama (-11) have the best numbers among unaffiliated voters. Clinton (-26) and Romney (-20) have the weakest showing among this group.

Rasmussen Reports also measured core support and opposition for Ron Paul and Michael Bloomberg. Ten percent (10%) of voters would definitely vote for Paul while 48% would definitely vote against. Bloomberg’s numbers are even weaker—5% definitely for and 49% definitely against.

Among Democrats, Clinton continues to lead nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. She has also reversed her downward trend in New Hampshire and now holds a three-point advantage. The Democratic race in both Iowa and South Carolina remains too close to call. Sixty-one percent (61%) of Democrats will definitely vote for Clinton is she is on the ballot. Fifty-two percent (52%) say the same about Obama and 40% will definitely support Edwards.

Among Republicans nationwide, five candidates are in double digits in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. Huckabee and Romney are leading in Iowa and South Carolina. Romney and McCain lead in New Hampshire.