(ARGM) - Democrat John Edwards holds a slight advantage in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Hart/McInturff released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. 43 per cent of respondents would vote for the former North Carolina senator, while 41 per cent would support the Arizona senator.

In 1998, Edwards—who worked as a personal injury trial attorney prior to entering politics—won the election to the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, defeating Republican incumbent Lauch Faircloth with 51.2 per cent of the vote. Edwards served in the upper house from 1999 to 2005.

In 2000, McCain—who has served in the upper house since 1987—won seven Republican presidential primaries in the U.S., but retired from the race after eventual nominee George W. Bush became the frontrunner.

On Dec.12, Edwards discussed the possible candidacy of Democratic Illinois senator Barack Obama, saying, "He's an exciting, charismatic guy and he would add something to the race if he got in. And then the real test comes, as those of us who have been there (in a national campaign) know."

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, 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

If the next election for president were held today, and John McCain was the Republican candidate and John Edwards was the Democratic candidate, for whom would you vote?

John McCain (R) 41% - 43% John Edwards (D)

Archive Search

Over 19,500 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.