July 17, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Republican John McCain holds the upper hand in the Mount Rushmore State, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 44 per cent of respondents in South Dakota would vote for the Arizona senator in this year’s United States presidential election, while 40 per cent would support Democratic Illinois senator Barack Obama.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Republican John McCain holds the upper hand in the Mount Rushmore State, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 44 per cent of respondents in South Dakota would vote for the Arizona senator in this year’s United States presidential election, while 40 per cent would support Democratic Illinois senator Barack Obama.

16 per cent of respondents would either vote for other contenders, or remain undecided.

In 2004, Republican George W. Bush carried South Dakota’s three electoral votes, with 60 per cent of all cast ballots. No Democrat has carried the Mount Rushmore State since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Polling Data

South Dakota - 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

Contenders: John McCain (R), Barack Obama (D)

	McCain (R)	Obama (D)	Other / Not sure	Date
(1) Rasmussen Reports	44%	40%	16%	Jul. 9

(1) Rasmussen Reports - Telephone interviews with 500 likely voters in South Dakota, conducted on Jul. 9, 2008. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.