(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 Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 50 per cent of respondents would vote for the New York senator, while 43 per cent would support the Arizona senator.

Rodham Clinton holds a one-point edge in a contest against former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, and a 26-point advantage over Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

In a contest pitting Illinois senator Barack Obama against McCain, the Republican holds a two-point edge. Obama also trails Giuliani by three points, but leads Romney by 30 points.

On Dec. 19, Giuliani described McCain as "a fine man" and "a good friend," adding, "We'll have a large number of people who support us, and then we'll figure out who has a better chance."

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 next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.

Polling Data

Possible match-ups - 2008 U.S. presidential election

John McCain (R) 43% - 50% Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)
Rudy Giuliani (R) 47% - 48% Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)
Mitt Romney (R) 32% - 58% Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

John McCain (R) 45% - 43% Barack Obama (D)
Rudy Giuliani (R) 47% - 44% Barack Obama (D)
Mitt Romney (R) 25% - 55% Barack Obama (D)

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