(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama remains ahead of Republican John McCain in the United States presidential race, according to a review of five voting intention surveys conducted over the past ten days. 47.6 per cent of voters would support the Illinois senator, while 43.6 per cent would support the Arizona senator.

In the two most recent polls, Obama reached the 49 per cent mark. Almost nine per cent of respondents remain undecided, or would vote for other candidates.

On Aug. 23, Obama officially selected Delaware senator Joe Biden as his running mate. The presumptive Democratic nominee declared: "For decades, [Biden] has brought change to Washington, but Washington hasn’t changed him. He’s an expert on foreign policy whose heart and values are rooted firmly in the middle class."

On Aug. 29, McCain officially selected Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. The presumptive Republican nominee declared: "[Palin] stands up for what’s right, and she doesn’t let anyone tell her to sit down. She’s got grit, integrity, good sense, and fierce devotion to the common good—exactly what we need in Washington today."

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

National Vote - 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

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

(5) Rasmussen Reports - Telephone interviews with 3,000 likely American voters, conducted from Aug. 27 to Aug. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 2 per cent.
(4) Gallup - Telephone interviews with 2,727 registered American voters, conducted from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28, 2008. Margin of error is 2 per cent.
(3) Financial Dynamics / Diageo/Hotline - Telephone interviews with 1,022 registered American voters, conducted from Aug. 18 to Aug. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(2) Opinion Research Corporation / CNN - Telephone interviews with 909 registered American voters, conducted on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(1) TNS / ABC News / Washington Post - Telephone interviews with 916 registered American voters, conducted from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.