(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama is holding on to the lead in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator in this year’s ballot, while 44 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

Support for Obama fell by three points since April, while backing for McCain remained stable. In a separate match-up, McCain trails New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton by four points.

On Jun. 2, former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack discussed Rodham Clinton’s bid, saying, "It’s pretty clear that Senator Obama is going to be the nominee. After Tuesday’s contests, she needs to acknowledge that he’s going to be the nominee and quickly get behind him."

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 2008 presidential election were being held today. If you had to choose between (...) and (...), who would you vote for? (Leaners Included)

McCain v. Obama

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

Source: Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,505 American adults, conducted from May 21 to May 25, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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