Still New York's Favorite Republican

As a Republican, Rudy Giuliani would face an uphill battle for statewide office in New York, but according to the latest polls he is still the state's most popular GOP politician.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani trails current New York Attorney General and potential rival Andrew Cuomo by 12 points in a head-to-head match-up, according to a new poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute.

The most recent polling of potential races in the 2010 New York gubernatorial election show that Giuliani currently lags behind Cuomo, 53% to 41%.

The former mayor, who may have his sights set on New York State's Executive Mansion, is one of only two Republican candidates (Former Governor George Pataki being the other) who have favorability ratings over 30%. Giuliani's rating currently stands at 62% favorability, with Pataki running second with 55%.

Not surprising, Giuliani crushes unpopular incumbent Governor David Patterson in a head to head hypothetical, with his support standing at 56%, compared to Patterson's 33%.

However, as a Republican, Giuliani faces an uphill battle in a state that was carried by Barack Obama in 2008, especially if Cuomo runs.

The 2008 presidential candidate has been maintaining a high profile since the end of his national campaign last year. According to a July article on FrumForum, Giuliani may still harbor presidential ambitions.

Mayor Giuliani has also continued to endorse candidates, putting his support behind Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman in the recent NY-23 race. He even went so far as to lend his voice to robocalls made on Hoffman's behalf.

In the last week, he has condemned the Obama Administration's decision to try 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in Federal Court in Manhattan. Speaking to CNN, Giuliani labeled the move as an "unneccessary advantage" for terrorists that poses "risks for New York City."