September 11, 2006

Abstract: - Hillary Rodham Clinton remains the most popular prospective Democratic Party presidential candidate in the United States, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 37 per cent of respondents would support for the New York senator in a primary election.

- Hillary Rodham Clinton remains the most popular prospective Democratic Party presidential candidate in the United States, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 37 per cent of respondents would support for the New York senator in a primary election.

Former vice-president Al Gore is second on the list with 20 per cent, followed by current Massachusetts senator and 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry with 11 per cent, and 2004 vice-presidential candidate and former North Carolina senator John Edwards also with 11 per cent.

Support is lower for Wisconsin senator Russ Feingold, New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, former Virginia governor Mark Warner, Indiana senator Evan Bayh, Delaware senator Joseph Biden, and Iowa governor Tom Vilsack.

Rodham Clinton—a former first lady—was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, defeating Republican Rick Lazio by 12 percentage points. She ruled out a presidential bid in 2004.

Last month, Edwards participated in a campaign rally in support of U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont, who defeated incumbent Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut Democratic primary. Edwards regretted his decision to support the coalition effort in Iraq, saying, "I voted for this war. I was wrong. I should not have voted for this war and I take responsibility for that."

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 next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.

Polling Data

Please tell me which of the following people you would be most likely to support for the Democratic nomination for President in the year 2008.

Hillary Rodham Clinton	37%
Al Gore	20%
John Kerry	11%
John Edwards	11%
Russ Feingold	3%
Bill Richardson	3%
Mark Warner	3%
Evan Bayh	2%
Joseph Biden	2%
Tom Vilsack	1%
No opinion	8%

Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 517 Democratic American adults, conducted from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, 2006. Margin of error is 5 per cent.