Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

McCain Still Trails Democrats in U.S. Race

May 04, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama remains ahead of Republican John McCain in the United States presidential race, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 49 per cent of respondents would support the Illinois senator in this year’s ballot, while 45 per cent would vote for the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama remains ahead of Republican John McCain in the United States presidential race, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 49 per cent of respondents would support the Illinois senator in this year’s ballot, while 45 per cent would vote for the Arizona senator.

Support for Obama increased by two points since mid-March, while backing for McCain fell by one point. In a separate match-up, McCain trails New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton by five points.

On May 1, McCain blamed government irresponsibility for an accident in Minnesota, saying, "The bridge in Minneapolis didn’t collapse because there wasn’t enough money. The bridge in Minneapolis collapsed because so much money was spent on wasteful, unnecessary pork-barrel projects"

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

If (...) were the Democratic Party’s candidate and John McCain were the Republican Party’s candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for? (Leaners included)

McCain vs. Obama

 

Apr. 30

Mar. 16

Feb. 3

Barack Obama (D)

49%

47%

52%

John McCain (R)

45%

46%

44%

Neither

3%

5%

3%

Other

--

1%

1%

Unsure

4%

1%

1%

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

 

Apr. 30

Mar. 16

Feb. 3

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

49%

49%

50%

John McCain (R)

44%

47%

47%

Neither

4%

3%

2%

Other

--

1%

--

Unsure

3%

--

--

Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,008 American adults, conducted from Apr. 28 to Apr. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.