June 06, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama holds the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by CBS News. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator this year, while 42 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama holds the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by CBS News. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator this year, while 42 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

Support for McCain increased by two points since early May, while backing for Obama fell by three points.

On Jun. 3, Obama declared victory in the Democratic primary season, declaring, "Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another—a journey that will bring a new and better day to America."

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 Barack Obama, the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican, would you vote for Barack Obama or John McCain?

McCain v. Obama

	Jun. 3	May 3	Apr. 29
Barack Obama (D)	48%	51%	45%
John McCain (R)	42%	40%	45%
Other / Unsure	10%	9%	10%

Source: CBS News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 930 registered American voters, conducted from May 30 to Jun. 3, 2008. Margin of error is 4 per cent.