June 20, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama remains ahead of Republican John McCain in the 2008 United States presidential race, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator, while 42 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama remains ahead of Republican John McCain in the 2008 United States presidential race, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator, while 42 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

Support for Obama fell by three points since mid-May, while backing for McCain dropped by two points.

Yesterday, McCain discussed his views on high gas prices, saying, "I’m somewhat disappointed that people who are rather wealthy don’t understand that Americans on fixed incomes, like people I met the other day who own a couple of (tractor-trailer) trucks, are really hurting."

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 2008 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were John McCain, the Republican, and Barack Obama, the Democrat, for whom would you vote?

	Jun. 15	May 11	Apr. 13
Barack Obama (D)	48%	51%	49%
John McCain (R)	42%	44%	44%
Other / Neither	5%	3%	3%
Won’t vote	1%	1%	3%
Unsure	5%	1%	2%

Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,125 American adults, conducted from Jun. 12 to Jun. 15, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.