According to a public poll published today by the American Research group, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads his rivals for the Republican Party presidential nomination in all three key states that have early primary contests.

There is no clear alternative to Romney, as former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in second place in the states of New Hampshire and South Carolina. Former Arkansas Governor Huckabee is demonstrating strength among likely Iowa Republican presidential caucus-goers.

For the Democrats, it's all Hillary, all the time. The junior US Senator from New York leads all three early-voting states as well among Democratic voters.

Here are the results of the survey, among the GOP field

• Iowa: Romney 27%, Huckabee 19%, Giuliani 16%, McCain 14%
• New Hampshire: Romney 30%, Giuliani 23%, McCain 17%
• South Carolina: Romney 29%, Giuliani 23%, McCain 13%, Thompson 10%

Among Democrats:

• Iowa: Clinton 32%, Obama 22%, Edwards 15%
• New Hampshire: Clinton 40%, Obama 22%, Edwards 10%
• South Carolina: Clinton 41%, Obama 19%, Edwards 18%

The other surprise in this poll is the complete failure of Fred Dalton Thompson's campaign to attract any significant support, even in the Southern United States, which was considered his likely base of support.

Likewise, the Democratic surprise seems to be the continued cold shoulder Democratic voters repeatedly give to 2004 Vice Presidential nominee John Edwards.