Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Hillary Leads McCain by Four Points in U.S.

May 27, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton holds the lead in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 48 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator this year, while 44 per cent would vote for the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton holds the lead in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 48 per cent of respondents would back the New York senator this year, while 44 per cent would vote for the Arizona senator.

Support for McCain fell by one point since late April, while backing for Rodham Clinton remained stable. In a separate contest, Illinois senator Barack Obama is tied with McCain.

On May 24, an editorial in the Washington Times suggested that Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal should become McCain’s running mate, stating that the Republican vice-presidential contender "must be prepared to lead should the president be unable to." The newspaper defined Jindal as "an exciting breath of fresh air to the national ranks of the Republican Party."

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

Now I’m going to describe some different choices of candidates voters might have in this year’s presidential election. As I read each one, please tell me how you would vote if the election were being held today. Suppose you had to choose between (...), the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican. Who would you be more likely to vote for?

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

 

May 22

Apr. 25

Apr. 17

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

48%

48%

47%

John McCain (R)

44%

45%

43%

Other / Unsure

8%

7%

10%

McCain v. Obama

 

May 22

Apr. 25

Apr. 17

Barack Obama (D)

46%

47%

48%

John McCain (R)

46%

44%

44%

Other / Unsure

8%

9%

8%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Newsweek
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,203 registered American voters, conducted on May 21 and May 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.