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In U.S. Race, Obama Leads Giuliani and Thompson
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama is leading two prospective Republican nominees in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 45 per cent of respondents would support the Illinois senator in the 2008 presidential election, while 43 per cent would vote for former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Support for Obama in this match-up increased by one point since early August, while backing for Giuliani remained stable. In a separate contest, Obama holds a four-point edge over actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson.
On Aug. 24, former U.S. national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski announced his support for Obama, saying, "He recognizes that the challenge is a new face, a new sense of direction, a new definition of America's role in the world. Obama is clearly more effective and has the upper hand. He has a sense of what is historically relevant, and what is needed from the United States in relationship to the world."
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 next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.
Original Release from Rasmussen Reports
Polling Data
Possible match-ups - 2008 U.S. presidential election
Giuliani v. Obama
Aug. 21 | Aug. 7 | Jul. 24 | |
Barack Obama (D) | 45% | 44% | 47% |
Rudy Giuliani (R) | 43% | 43% | 41% |
Thompson v. Obama
Aug. 21 | Aug. 7 | Jul. 24 | |
Barack Obama (D) | 45% | 46% | 46% |
Fred Thompson (R) | 41% | 39% | 40% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 800 likely American voters, conducted on Aug. 20 and Aug. 21, 2007. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.