February 11, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States believe the two main contenders for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination should consider each other as potential running mates, according to a poll by SRBI Public Affairs released by Time. 62 per cent want Hillary Rodham Clinton to choose Barack Obama as her vice-presidential candidate, while 51 per cent think Obama should select Rodham Clinton for the position.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States believe the two main contenders for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination should consider each other as potential running mates, according to a poll by SRBI Public Affairs released by Time. 62 per cent want Hillary Rodham Clinton to choose Barack Obama as her vice-presidential candidate, while 51 per cent think Obama should select Rodham Clinton for the position.

The list of presidential hopefuls in the Republican Party includes former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Arizona senator John McCain, and Texas congressman Ron Paul. The Democratic Party’s contenders are Illinois senator Obama and New York senator Rodham Clinton.

On Jan. 31 during a televised debate, Obama responded to a question on vice-presidential candidates, saying, "We’ve got a lot more road to travel. And so I think it’s premature for either of us to start speculating about vice-presidents, etc. I think it would be premature and presumptuous. (...)I’m sure Hillary would be on anybody’s (running mate) short list."

Rodham Clinton declared: "This has been an extraordinary campaign, and I think both of us have been overwhelmed by the response that we have engendered, the kind of enthusiasm and intensity that people feel about each of us. And so, clearly, we are both dedicated to doing the best we can to win the nomination, but there is no doubt we will have a unified Democratic Party."

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

What if Hillary Clinton were to win the Democratic Party nomination for president? Would you personally want Hillary Clinton to choose Barack Obama as her vice-presidential running mate, or would you want her to choose someone else?

Would want her to choose Obama	62%
Would want her to choose someone else	24%
Undecided	14%

What if Barack Obama were to win the Democratic Party nomination for president? Would you personally want Barack Obama to choose Hilary Clinton as his vice-presidential ruining mate, or would you want him to choose someone else?

Would want him to choose Clinton	51%
Would want him to choose someone else	36%
Undecided	13%

Source: Schulman, Ronca, & Bucuvalas (SRBI) Public Affairs / Time
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,002 registered American voters, conducted from Feb. 1 to Feb. 4, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.