Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

McCain Gains on Obama in U.S. Campaign

May 04, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Republican John McCain holds the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Democrat Barack Obama, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 46 per cent of respondents would vote for the Arizona senator in this year’s election, while 43 per cent would back the Illinois senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Republican John McCain holds the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Democrat Barack Obama, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 46 per cent of respondents would vote for the Arizona senator in this year’s election, while 43 per cent would back the Illinois senator.

Support for McCain increased by two points since March, while backing for Obama remained stable. In a separate match-up, McCain is virtually tied with New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

On May 2, Obama decried calls to temporarily suspend the federal gasoline tax, saying, "This is a plan that would save you pennies a day for the summer months. That is unless gas prices are raised to fill in the gap."

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

Possible match-ups - 2008 U.S. presidential election

Thinking ahead to the next presidential election, if the 2008 general election were held today for whom would you vote if the candidates were (...)?

McCain v. Obama

 

Apr. 2008

Mar. 2008

Feb. 2008

John McCain (R)

46%

44%

43%

Barack Obama (D)

43%

43%

47%

Other / Unsure

11%

13%

10%

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

 

Apr. 2008

Mar. 2008

Feb. 2008

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

45%

46%

44%

John McCain (R)

44%

43%

47%

Other / Unsure

11%

11%

9%

Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 900 registered American voters, conducted on Apr. 28 and Apr. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.