POLL SHOWS CLINTON, GIULIANI IN THE LEAD OF THEIR PARTIES.

Byline: STEVE GEISSINGER

MediaNews Sacramento Bureau

Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Rudy Giuliani are seen as their parties' presidential front-runners among California voters, although Fred Thompson has eclipsed Arizona Sen. John McCain for second place in the GOP, a poll released Monday says.

The statewide poll by the Survey and Policy Research Institute at San Jose State University gave Clinton, the New York senator and former first lady, 37 percent, with former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Illinois Sen. Barak Obama, tied with 15 percent each.

Giuliani, the former New York mayor, led the GOP field with 25 percent. Thompson, the former Tennessee senator who now appears on NBC's "Law & Order" followed with 16 percent and McCain at 14 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney trailed at 5 percent.

Analysts said the survey was significant because it shows Thompson's popularity rising even though he hasn't formally declared his candidacy.