Tight race for White House: Newsweek poll

NEW YORK: Though a majority, Americans would prefer a Democrat to replace Republican President George Bush, declared Democratic candidates currently enjoy little advantage over Republicans, a Newsweek poll said on Monday.

The poll shows that 49 percent of registered voters would prefer a Democrat take office in 2008 election. Only 28 percent want another Republic president.

For Clinton versus Republican Rudy Giuliani, 47 percent chose Clinton, while 48 percent chose Giuliani; for Obama versus Giuliani, 45 percent chose Obama, while 47 percent chose Giuliani; and for Edwards versus Giuliani, 48 percent chose Edwards while 45 percent chose Giuliani.

Giuliani was mayor of New York when terrorists struck New York and Washington in 2001 and his handling of the situation has come in for high praise.