(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama has extended his lead over Republican John McCain in the United States presidential race, according to a review of 14 voting intention surveys conducted over the past 11 days. 49.3 per cent of voters would support the Illinois senator in the election, while 43.1 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

Obama is ahead of McCain in all of the surveys, and reaches the 50 per cent mark in six of them. More than seven per cent of respondents remain undecided, or would vote for other candidates.

Obama has gained 1.6 points since the last ARGM Poll Average, while McCain has lost 0.9 points. 

On Oct. 2, the two main vice-presidential candidates took part in the only televised debate of the campaign.

In her closing statement, Republican Sarah Palin declared: "I want to assure you that John McCain and I, we’re going to fight for America. We’re going to fight for the middle-class, average, everyday American family like mine. I’ve been there. I know what the hurts are. I know what the challenges are. And, thank God, I know what the joys are, too, of living in America."

Democrat Joe Biden stated: "No one can deny that the last eight years, we’ve been dug into a very deep hole here at home with regard to our economy, and abroad in terms of our credibility. And there’s a need for fundamental change in our economic philosophy, as well as our foreign policy."

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)

(14) Rasmussen Reports - Telephone interviews with 3,000 likely American voters, conducted from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, 2008. Margin of error is 2 per cent.
(13) Gallup - Telephone interviews with 2,703 likely American voters, conducted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, 2008. Margin of error is 2 per cent.
(12) Research 2000 - Telephone interviews with 1,100 likely American voters, conducted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(11) Diageo/Hotline - Telephone interviews with 900 likely American voters, conducted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, 2008. Margin of error is 3.3 per cent.
(10) Battleground / Lake Research Partners / The Tarrance Group - Telephone interviews with 1,000 likely American voters, conducted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(9) Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research / Democracy Corps - Telephone interviews with 1,000 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(8) Marist College Institute of Public Opinion - Telephone interviews with 943 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.
(7) GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media / Associated Press - Telephone interviews with 808 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 27 to Sept. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.
(6) CBS News - Telephone interviews with likely voters among 1,257 American adults, conducted from Sept. 27 to Sept. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
(5) TNS / ABS News / Washington Post - Telephone interviews with 916 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 27 to Sept. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(4) American Research Group - Telephone interviews with 1,200 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 27 to Sept. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(3) Pew Research Center for the People & the Press - Telephone interviews with 1,181 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 27 to Sept. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(2) Ipsos / McClatchy Newspapers - Telephone interviews with 1,007 registered American voters, conducted from Sept. 26 to Sept. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
(1) Abt SRBI / Time - Telephone interviews with 1,133 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 26 to Sept. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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