Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Hillary Leads McCain in U.S. Presidential Race

March 16, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton holds the upper hand in a prospective 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 vote for the New York senator, while 45 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton holds the upper hand in a prospective 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 vote for the New York senator, while 45 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

In a separate match-up, McCain is virtually tied with Illinois senator Barack Obama.

On Mar. 11, Rodham Clinton vowed to change the way the health care system operates, saying, "Insurance companies can discriminate against sick people. I think that’s wrong and it’s got to stop. We’ve got to have a health care system that covers everybody rather than leaving anyone out."

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

 

Mar. 2008

Jun. 2007

May 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

48%

50%

50%

John McCain (R)

45%

45%

44%

Other / Unsure

6%

5%

6%

McCain v. Obama

 

Mar. 2008

Jun. 2007

May 2007

Barack Obama (D)

46%

51%

52%

John McCain (R)

45%

41%

39%

Other / Unsure

9%

8%

9%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Newsweek
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,215 registered American voters, conducted on Mar. 5 and Mar. 6, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.