January 29, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Two-in-five Democratic Party supporters in the United States want Hillary Rodham Clinton to become their presidential nominee this year, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 40 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator in a primary.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Two-in-five Democratic Party supporters in the United States want Hillary Rodham Clinton to become their presidential nominee this year, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 40 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator in a primary.

Illinois senator Barack Obama is second with 31 per cent, followed by former North Carolina senator John Edwards with 16 per cent.

After the first four Democratic presidential caucuses and primaries have been held, Rodham Clinton has secured the support of 230 pledged delegates and super-delegates, followed by Obama with 152, and Edwards with 61.

Yesterday, Massachusetts senator Edward Kennedy endorsed Obama, declaring, "The stakes are extremely high when we look at the challenges that we’re facing at home and abroad, and I made a judgment and decision that Barack Obama has the ability and is the source of inspiration for our country at this time and can really make the difference, not only in this election, but as president of the United States."

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

Democratic Presidential Primary Contenders

	Jan. 27	Jan. 20	Jan. 6
Hillary Rodham Clinton	40%	39%	38%
Barack Obama	31%	31%	27%
John Edwards	16%	16%	21%
Mike Gravel	--	--	--
Dennis Kucinich	n.a.	2%	3%
Bill Richardson	n.a.	n.a.	1%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with approximately 1,300 likely Democratic primary voters, conducted from Jan. 21 to Jan. 27, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.