Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Obama Ahead of McCain, Huckabee in U.S.

February 26, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama is leading two prospective Republican rivals in the United States presidential race, according to the Financial Dynamics / Diageo/Hotline poll. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator, while 40 per cent would back Arizona senator John McCain.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama is leading two prospective Republican rivals in the United States presidential race, according to the Financial Dynamics / Diageo/Hotline poll. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator, while 40 per cent would back Arizona senator John McCain.

In a separate contest, Obama holds an 11-point advantage over former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton leads Huckabee by 10 points, but trails McCain by eight points.

On Feb. 22, current U.S. state secretary Condoleezza Rice denied being interested in a spot in the Republican ticket, saying, "I have always said that the one thing that I have not seen myself doing is running for elected office in the United States. I didn’t even run for high-school president. It’s not in my genes. (...) I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing."

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 (...) and (...). For whom would you vote? (Leaners Included)

McCain v. Obama

Barack Obama (D)

48%

John McCain (R)

40%

Undecided

9%

Refused to answer

3%

Huckabee v. Obama

Barack Obama (D)

49%

Mike Huckabee (R)

38%

Undecided

8%

Refused to answer

5%

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

John McCain (R)

48%

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

40%

Undecided

9%

Refused to answer

3%

Huckabee v. Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

49%

Mike Huckabee (R)

39%

Undecided

9%

Refused to answer

3%

Source: Financial Dynamics / Diageo/Hotline
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 803 registered American voters, conducted from Feb. 14 to Feb. 17, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.