Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

In U.S. Presidential Race, McCain Trails Democrats

March 13, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama is leading Republican John McCain in the United States, according to a poll by Hart/McInturff released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator in this year’s presidential election, while 44 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama is leading Republican John McCain in the United States, according to a poll by Hart/McInturff released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator in this year’s presidential election, while 44 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

Support for Obama increased by five points since January, while backing for McCain went up by two points. In a separate match-up, McCain trails New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton by two points.

Yesterday, McCain discussed the possibility of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney becoming his running mate, saying, "Millions of Republicans voted for him. He’s earned himself a place in the future 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

If the next election for president were held today, and John McCain were the Republican candidate and (...) were the Democratic candidate, for whom would you vote?

McCain vs. Obama

 

Mar. 2008

Jan. 2008

Apr. 2007

Barack Obama (D)

47%

42%

45%

John McCain (R)

44%

42%

39%

Depends

1%

4%

1%

Neither / Other

3%

5%

5%

Not sure

5%

7%

10%

McCain vs. Rodham Clinton

 

Mar. 2008

Jan. 2008

Nov. 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

47%

44%

47%

John McCain (R)

45%

46%

43%

Depends

1%

1%

1%

Neither / Other

3%

3%

5%

Not sure

4%

6%

4%

Source: Hart/McInturff / The Wall Street Journal / NBC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,012 American adults, conducted from Mar. 7 to Mar. 10, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.