January 26, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public backing for Hillary Rodham Clinton as a presidential candidate increased in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 31 per cent of Democratic Party respondents would vote for the New York senator in a 2008 primary.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public backing for Hillary Rodham Clinton as a presidential candidate increased in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 31 per cent of Democratic Party respondents would vote for the New York senator in a 2008 primary.

Illinois senator Barack Obama is second with 24 per cent, followed by former North Carolina senator John Edwards with 12 per cent. Support is lower for former U.S. vice-president Al Gore, Delaware senator Joe Biden, and Massachusetts senator and 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry—who has withdrawn from the race.

On Jan. 25, Obama expressed his views on medical services, saying, "The time has come for universal health care in America. (...) I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country."

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. Kerry received 252 electoral votes from 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.

Polling Data

Democratic Presidential Primary Contenders

	Jan. 18	Jan. 11
Hillary Rodham Clinton	31%	22%
Barack Obama	24%	21%
John Edwards	12%	15%
Al Gore	6%	7%
Joe Biden	3%	4%
John Kerry	2%	4%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 386 likely Democratic voters, conducted from Jan. 15 to Jan. 18, 2007. Margin of error is 5 per cent.