Early in Election 2008, Rasmussen Reports polling found that only Hillary Clinton and Newt Gingrich had more than 40% of voters committed to voting against them. By August, Gingrich was no longer a serious candidate. Only Mitt Romney and Clinton could count more than 40% of all voters in their core opposition.

Now, however, while Clinton’s negatives have been remaining largely stable all year, the rest of the candidates are catching up. More than 40% of voters are committed to voting against five of the seven leading candidates. The only exceptions, John McCain and Fred Thompson, have 39% ready to vote against them on the 2008 ballot.

Since August, core opposition has increased for all seven leading candidates. In fact, among these seven top tier candidates, an average of 43% are committed to voting against them. That’s up from an average of 38% in August.

While all the other candidates have been catching up to Clinton’s negative numbers, Clinton has seen her core support grow to a level unmatched by any other candidate at any time this year. Thirty-five percent (35%) now say they will definitely vote for the Democratic frontrunner if she is on the ballot in November 2008. No other candidate currently tops 29% in that measure of core support.

Other survey data now shows Clinton with her largest lead of the year in general election polling against leading GOP hopefuls Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson. Her favorability ratings are at the high point of the season and she is a solid frontrunner in the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

Looking at core support and opposition on a net basis, Clinton also comes out on top in October. With 35% saying they will definitely vote for her and 46% definitely voting against, Clinton’s net is minus 11 points.

Giuliani’s net number is minus 14 (29% definitely for and 43% definitely against). Thompson is close behind at minus 15 (24% for, 39% against).

Obama suffered the biggest decline since August. His core opposition has grown from 35% then to 43% today. Over the same time frame, his core support fell from 29% to 25%.