Rudy’s lead increases to 8 pts. in this hypothetical match-up:

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) leading New York Senator Hillary Clinton (D) 49% to 41% in an early Election 2008 match-up. Those figures are close to the lead voters gave the Mayor in our late February poll. Support for both candidates has dipped slightly since then, and Giuliani no longer crests above 50%. But the new numbers are consistent with the arc we’ve seen since November showing the mayor gradually increasing his advantage.

In November the Giuliani-Clinton race was tied at 46% to 46%. After that, Clinton’s support dropped to 43% for several months in a row.

Giuliani does better with men than women–ten points better when pitted against Clinton. He also attracts support from about a fifth of all Democrats.

The mayor’s leadership in the wake of the horrific 9/11 attacks continues to be his biggest selling point, including among conservatives seeking to allay concerns about his views on social issues like gun control and abortion. At a recent GOP convention in California, former gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon, who is pro-life, hailed Giuliani for “inspir[ing] us in what was one of the darkest moments in our history. Extraordinary times cry out for extraordinary leadership, and these as such times.”

Since November, Guiliani’s stratospheric favorable rating has ranged from 63% to 71%. It is now 66%, down from 70% last month. Still, those figures are far higher than those of any other major Election 2008 candidate (see a summary of ratings for all Republican and Democratic candidates).

Hillary Clinton is viewed favorably by 50%, unfavorably by 48%, also consistent with the pattern since November.

Polling trends continue show Rudy besting any potential Democratic opponent.