Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Democrats Surge, McCain Down in U.S. Race

May 14, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton holds the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for the New York senator this year, while 38 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton holds the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for the New York senator this year, while 38 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

Support for Rodham Clinton increased by seven points since February, while backing for McCain fell by eight points. In a separate contest, Illinois senator Barack Obama holds a six-point lead over McCain.

On May 9, Democratic New York senator Charles Schumer discussed the possibility of a ticket featuring both Obama and Rodham Clinton, saying, "Hillary and Barack have both run very strong and great races, and I think they’d be a strong ticket together."

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 the November 2008 general election for president were being held today and the choices were (...), the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican, for whom would you vote?

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

 

May 2008

Feb. 2008

Jan. 2008

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

47%

40%

46%

John McCain (R)

38%

46%

42%

Other

4%

5%

5%

Unsure

11%

9%

7%

McCain v. Obama

 

May 2008

Feb. 2008

Jan. 2008

Barack Obama (D)

46%

42%

41%

John McCain (R)

40%

44%

42%

Other

5%

5%

5%

Unsure

9%

9%

12%

Source: Bloomberg / Los Angeles Times
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,986 registered American voters, conducted from May 1 to May 8, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.