December 19, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Almost two-in-five Democratic Party supporters in the United States would like Hillary Rodham Clinton to become their presidential nominee next year, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 38 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator in a 2008 primary, up three points in a week.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Almost two-in-five Democratic Party supporters in the United States would like Hillary Rodham Clinton to become their presidential nominee next year, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 38 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator in a 2008 primary, up three points in a week.

Illinois senator Barack Obama is second with 27 per cent, followed by former North Carolina senator John Edwards with 13 per cent. Support is lower for New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, Delaware senator Joe Biden, and Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich.

On Dec. 17, former U.S. president Bill Clinton discussed the prospective priorities of his wife’s presidency, saying, "The first thing she intends to do, because you can do this without passing a bill, the first thing she intends to do is to send me and former (U.S. president George H.) Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again."

Yesterday, former president Bush’s chief of staff Jean Becker issued a statement, which read: "(George H. Bush) has never discussed an ‘around-the-world-mission’ (...) nor does he think such a mission is warranted since he is proud of the role America continues to play around the world as the beacon of hope for freedom and democracy."

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 next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.

Polling Data

Democratic Presidential Primary Contenders

	Dec. 16	Dec. 9	Dec. 2
Hillary Rodham Clinton	38%	35%	37%
Barack Obama	27%	26%	25%
John Edwards	13%	14%	14%
Bill Richardson	3%	5%	5%
Joe Biden	3%	3%	3%
Dennis Kucinich	2%	2%	2%
Chris Dodd	--	1%	1%
Mike Gravel	--	1%	--

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with approximately 1,300 likely Democratic primary voters, conducted from Dec. 10 to Dec. 16, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.