Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Democrats Lead, McCain Toughest Rival in U.S.

January 18, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton is the most popular presidential hopeful in the United States, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. At least 50 per cent of respondents would vote for the New York senator in this year’s ballot.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton is the most popular presidential hopeful in the United States, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. At least 50 per cent of respondents would vote for the New York senator in this year’s ballot.

Rodham Clinton holds a 13-point lead over former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, an 18-point advantage over former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, a 14-point lead over former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, and a two-point edge over Arizona senator John McCain.

In other contests, Illinois senator Barack Obama leads Giuliani by 16 points, Romney by 12 points, and Huckabee by 19 points, but is almost tied with McCain.

On Jan. 15, the reverend Al Sharpton—who launched an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2004—expressed dissatisfaction with Rodham Clinton and Obama, saying, "There’s no debate here over policy. There’s a debate over you said this about me, your guy said that about me. It sounds like a schoolyard fight rather than a presidential campaign."

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

If (...) were the Democratic Party’s candidate and (...) were the Republican Party’s candidate, who would you be more likely to vote for? As of today, who do you lean more toward?

Giuliani v. Rodham Clinton

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Nov. 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

55%

51%

51%

Rudy Giuliani (R)

42%

45%

45%

Romney v. Rodham Clinton

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

58%

54%

Mitt Romney (R)

40%

43%

Huckabee v. Rodham Clinton

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

56%

54%

Mike Huckabee (R)

42%

44%

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Jun. 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

50%

48%

49%

John McCain (R)

48%

50%

47%

Giuliani v. Obama

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Sept. 2007

Barack Obama (D)

56%

52%

45%

Rudy Giuliani (R)

40%

45%

49%

Romney v. Obama

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Barack Obama (D)

59%

54%

Mitt Romney (R)

37%

41%

Huckabee v. Obama

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Barack Obama (D)

58%

55%

Mike Huckabee (R)

39%

40%

McCain v. Obama

 

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

Jun. 2007

Barack Obama (D)

49%

48%

48%

John McCain (R)

48%

48%

44%

Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 840 registered American voters, conducted from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.