(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Democrat Barack Obama is regarded as the most capable presidential candidate to deal with six key issues, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. At least 55 per cent of respondents believe the Illinois senator would be better to provide help to the middle class, and handle both health care and the economy.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Democrat Barack Obama is regarded as the most capable presidential candidate to deal with six key issues, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. At least 55 per cent of respondents believe the Illinois senator would be better to provide help to the middle class, and handle both health care and the economy.
In addition, 53 per cent of respondents think Obama is better suited to handle both the current financial crisis and energy policy, and 50 per cent of respondents feel the same way about taxes.
Conversely, 56 per cent of respondents select Republican John McCain as the more capable politician to handle terrorism, and 53 per cent think the Arizona senator is better equipped to deal with the war in Iraq.
Yesterday, McCain criticized Obama, declaring, "Apparently, as my opponent sees it, there’s a strict limit to your earnings as well, and it’s for the politicians to decide. The proper amount of wealth is not what you can earn, but what government will let you keep."
Obama defended his proposed tax policies, saying, "Don’t be fooled, don’t let them hoodwink you, if you make less than a quarter million of a year, which includes 98 per cent of small business owners, you won’t see your taxes increase one single dime."
In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, Republican George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states. Democratic nominee John Kerry received 252 electoral votes from 19 states and the District of Columbia.
Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Polling Data
Now I’m going to mention a few issues and for each one, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or John McCain would better handle that issue if they were elected president.
|
McCain (R) |
Obama (D) |
Neither / Not sure |
|
|
Providing help to the middle class |
36% |
60% |
4% |
|
Health care |
37% |
57% |
7% |
|
The economy |
39% |
55% |
5% |
|
The current financial crisis |
39% |
53% |
8% |
|
Energy policy |
43% |
53% |
3% |
|
Taxes |
44% |
50% |
6% |
|
Terrorism |
56% |
39% |
4% |
|
The war in Iraq |
53% |
43% |
4% |
Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 746 likely American voters, conducted from Oct. 17 to Oct. 19, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.
