US: Just five days after declaring his run for the White House, Gen Wesley Clark has already edged ahead of the other nine Democratic hopefuls, according to a poll published today by Newsweek magazine.
The survey also shows him a mere four points behind President George Bush in a one-to-one match-up.
Newsweek also claims that two years ago Gen Clark was more inclined to join the Republican than the Democratic Party.
After September 11th, 2001, the former NATO commander offered his services to the Bush administration but was blocked by one of Mr Bush's political advisers, Mr Karl Rove.
Angry at the rebuff, Gen Clark reportedly told two prominent Republicans last year that if Mr Rove had returned his telephone calls, he would have been a Republican.
Gen Clark, who said the remark was meant to be humorous, officially registered as a Democrat some weeks before announcing his candidacy on Wednesday.
Among the 10 candidates for the Democratic nomination in 2004, Gen Clark has 14 per cent support, against 12 per cent for Mr Howard Dean and Senator Joe Lieberman, and 10 per cent for Senator John Kerry, the Newsweek poll shows.
The survey also suggests that President Bush, whose overall job approval rating has declined to 51 per cent, is increasingly vulnerable on the two major issues in the campaign, Iraq and the economy.
Disapproval of his handling of the situation in Iraq has jumped by five points to 47 per cent, and only 38 per cent approve of his handling of the economy compared to 57 per cent who disapprove.
In a straight contest with Mr Bush, 47 per cent favour the President and 43 per cent Gen Clark.