(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - There is no clear frontrunner in the 2008 United States presidential race, according to a poll by Zogby International for Associated Television News. 42 per cent of respondents would vote for Republican Arizona senator John McCain, while 41 per cent would back Democratic Illinois senator Barack Obama.

Independent candidate Ralph Nader and Libertarian nominee Bob Barr are tied for third place with two per cent. 13 per cent of respondents would vote for other candidates, or remain undecided.

Support for McCain increased by six points since July, while backing for Obama dropped by five points.

On Aug. 7, Obama voiced support for implementing infrastructure projects, saying, "That would put people back to work right away. But it would also spur on economic activity for people who supply contractors. (...) There was this sense of possibility even in the face of hardship and the face of struggle [during the Great Depression]. I think we’ve got to rediscover this kind of spirit."

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

McCain v. Obama - 2008 U.S. presidential election (w/ Nader and Barr)

Source: Zogby International / Associated Television News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,011 likely American voters, conducted on Jul. 31 and Aug. 1, 2008. Margin of error is 3.0 per cent.

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