The Marist Poll reports

McCain outdistances Senator Clinton by 12 points. In a hypothetical
match-up for president in 2008, McCain receives the support of 54%
of voters nationwide compared with 42% for Clinton.

Voters divide over whether they would like to see Hillary Clinton or Rudy Giuliani as their next president. Clinton receives 47% compared to Giuliani’s 49%.

John McCain, having run in the Republican Primary in 2000, shows a lead over Hillary Clinton in a poll taken across all potential voters. Hillary has been suspected of having planned carefully for running in 2008 since well before the 2004 election.

McCain, known for his bipartisan respect and his commitment to speak for his values even against party lines, seems to have garnished the kind of respect otherwise reserved for folks like Barack Obama