April 09, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Republican John McCain leads Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in the United States, according to the Financial Dynamics Diageo/Hotline poll. 50 per cent of respondents would vote for the Arizona senator in the 2008 presidential ballot, while 41 per cent would back the New York senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Republican John McCain leads Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in the United States, according to the Financial Dynamics Diageo/Hotline poll. 50 per cent of respondents would vote for the Arizona senator in the 2008 presidential ballot, while 41 per cent would back the New York senator.

In a separate contest, McCain leads Illinois senator Barack Obama by two points.

In match-ups that incorporate independent candidate Ralph Nader as an option, McCain remains ahead of the two Democratic candidates, with Nader garnering five per cent and three per cent of the vote respectively.

On Apr. 4, Obama criticized McCain’s views on the economy, saying his approach to the issue is "a dogma, a tired and cynical philosophy that says there’s nothing this nation can do or should do for workers."

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, suppose the general election for president in 2008 were being held today between Republican John McCain and Democrat (...). For whom would you vote? (Leaners Included)

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

	Mar. 31	Feb. 17	Jan. 12
John McCain (R)	50%	48%	48%
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)	41%	40%	45%
Unsure	10%	12%	8%

McCain v. Obama

	Mar. 31	Feb. 17	Jan. 12
John McCain (R)	46%	40%	42%
Barack Obama (D)	44%	48%	43%
Unsure	10%	12%	14%

Now, suppose the general election for president in 2008 were being held today between Republican John McCain, Democrat (...), and independent Ralph Nader. For whom would you vote? (Leaners Included)

McCain v. Rodham Clinton (w/ Nader)

John McCain (R)	46%
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)	39%
Ralph Nader (I)	5%
Unsure	10%

McCain v. Obama (w/ Nader)

John McCain (R)	45%
Barack Obama (D)	41%
Ralph Nader (I)	3%
Unsure	11%

Source: Financial Dynamics / Diageo/Hotline
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 799 registered American voters, conducted from Mar. 28 to Mar. 31, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.