(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States hold a negative opinion of the way Hillary Rodham Clinton has behaved during her presidential bid, according to a poll by Knowledge Networks released by the Associated Press and Yahoo. 54 per cent of respondents think the Democratic New York senator has attacked her rivals unfairly.

In addition, 36 per cent of respondents think Democratic Illinois senator Barack Obama has launched unfair attacks, while 16 per cent feel the same way about Republican Arizona senator John McCain. More than a third of respondents believe none of the three contenders has behaved unfairly.

Earlier this month, Rodham Clinton’s campaign issued a television spot, which states: "Barack Obama is making false charges against Hillary’s health care plan. (...) Obama’s attacks have been called ‘destructive and poisoning.’ There are more and more questions about Barack Obama. Instead of attacking, maybe he should answer them."

Obama’s campaign also released an ad, which states: "Newspapers call Hillary Clinton’s negative attacks the ‘old politics.’ And now, in the final hours, she’s launched the most misleading and negative ad of the campaign. (...) Eleventh hour smears, paid for by lobbyist money: Isn’t that exactly what we need to change?"

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

Have any of these candidates attacked the others unfairly, or not? Check any or all that apply, or pick "none of the above" if none of the candidates have attacked the others unfairly.

Source: Knowledge Networks / Associated Press / Yahoo
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,844 American adults, conducted from Apr. 2 to Apr. 14, 2008. Margin of error is 2.3 per cent.

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