February 13, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public backing for Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama is virtually even among Democratic Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 42 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator in a presidential primary, while 41 per cent would vote for the Illinois senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public backing for Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama is virtually even among Democratic Party supporters in the United States, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 42 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator in a presidential primary, while 41 per cent would vote for the Illinois senator.

After the first 29 Democratic presidential caucuses and primaries have been held, Rodham Clinton has secured the support of 1,148 pledged delegates and super-delegates, followed by Obama with 1,121.

Yesterday, Obama’s campaign released a radio advertisement in Spanish, which will run in several Texas cities including San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. In the ad, a male voice says: "Barack Obama is talking to me. He’s faced many of the same challenges that we’ve faced in my family."

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 presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Polling Data

Democratic Presidential Primary Contenders

	Feb. 10	Jan. 27	Jan. 20
Hillary Rodham Clinton	42%	40%	39%
Barack Obama	41%	31%	31%
John Edwards	n.a.	16%	16%
Dennis Kucinich	n.a.	n.a.	2%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with approximately 1,300 likely Democratic primary voters, conducted from Feb. 4 to Feb. 10, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.