A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal released Wednesday night suggests Republican voters would like to move away from the approach of President Bush and embrace new leadership.
Announcing the results Wednesday night, NBC Nightly New anchor Brian Williams said the results also indicate a new "Republican leader has emerged" in the person of Rudy Giuliani.
Asked if the Republican candidate for president next year should take "a different approach" than President Bush, almost a majority, 48 percent, said yes. Only 38 percent said the GOP's nominee should have a similar approach to President Bush's.
A spring NBC News poll found that 50 percent of GOP voters wanted a candidate who modeled himself on President Bush's approach.
In the heated GOP race for President, the poll had former New York Mayor Giuliani with 30 percent of the Republican vote. But former Senator Fred Thompson, new to the race, has emerged as serious challenger with 23 percent.
McCain, who has closely aligned himself with Bush's war on terror policies, trailed with 15 percent. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is not getting traction and came in fourth place with 10 percent.
Republicans are apparently worried about battling Hillary Clinton next year. The NBC poll found that 47 percent of Republicans believe Giuliani is best able to defeat Hillary Clinton.
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