The George Washington University released the latest Battleground Poll this morning. Conducted July 15-18 by The Tarrance Group (R) and Lake Research Partners (D), the poll surveyed 1000 voters who said they were likely to vote in elections held this year (their wording, not ours).

The biggest news: If Illinois Senator Barack Obama wants to try the electability angle, looks like now's the time to get started. His big leads over candidates who beat or give a close race to Senator Hillary Clinton could scare some Clinton fans, Democrats all, who are desperate to get their hands back on the White House.

Head-To-Head Matchups (with leans)
Giuliani 50
Clinton 44

Clinton 47
F. Thompson 45

Obama 52
Giuliani 43

Obama 56
F. Thompson 36

Generic WH Ballot
Democrat 49
Republican 38

Generic Congressional Ballot
Democrat 48
Republican 40

The poll shows that, while he's off to a good organizational start, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has some work to do in the name ID department. His fav/unfav (35%/24%) includes the second-highest percentage of respondents who say they've never heard of him, 24%. The highest? Former Senator Fred Thompson, at 32%, though Thompson's favorable rating of 38% beats Romney's.

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