Rudy Loses His Lead

Rudy Giuliani’s lead among the field of Republican presidential hopefuls is gone. In the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, the ex-mayor lost his double-digit advantage and is now tied nationally with Mitt Romney at 20%. Mike Huckabee has surged and is now nipping at their heels with 17%, while John McCain has 14%. The shifts highlight the fluctuating dynamic of the Republican contest, the Journal notes.

“There is no hierarchy,” said one of the pollsters. “The Republican voters are searching.” That’s troubling to some analysts, who want voters to rally behind one candidate before the general election. One insider said the GOP needs to retool: “Defining itself as Ronald Reagan’s party no longer works.” Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, maintained a lead of 22 points over Barack Obama nationally but faces stiff competition in Iowa. (More Mitt Romney stories.)