Issue Watch
Track global public opinion on current issues.
- 2008: Race for the White House
- 2008: The U.S. Electoral College
- Abortion
- Africa
- Angela Merkel
- Death Penalty
- Economy and Globalization
- Environment
- European Union
- George W. Bush
- Global Warming
- Gordon Brown
- Hamas
- Immigration
- Iran
- Iraq War
- Kevin Rudd
- Latin America
- New Zealand Election 2008
- Nicolas Sarkozy
- North Korea
- Oil and Gas
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Silvio Berlusconi
- Stem Cell Research
- Stephen Harper
- Terrorism
- U.S. Election 2008 - The Democrats
- U.S. Election 2008 - The Republicans
- U.S. Election 2008: The Primaries
- Vladimir Putin
- Yasuo Fukuda
Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Obama Has Advantage in U.S. Presidential Race
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama has a four-point lead over Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 49 per cent of respondents would support the Illinois senator in this year’s United States presidential election, while 45 per cent would vote for the Arizona senator.
Support for both Obama and McCain increased by three points since early June. Six per cent of respondents remain undecided, or would vote for other contenders.
Yesterday, McCain defended his energy policies, saying, "Energy security is a vital question because it concerns America’s most fundamental interests, and above all the safety of our citizens from the violence of the world. All the tact of diplomacy cannot conceal a blunt reality. When we buy foreign oil, we are enriching some of our worst enemies. And in the Middle East, Venezuela, and elsewhere, these regimes know how to use the power of that wealth."
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
Possible match-ups - 2008 U.S. presidential election (with leaners)
McCain v. Obama
|
Jun. 24 |
Jun. 7 |
May 26 |
|
|
Barack Obama (D) |
49% |
46% |
44% |
|
John McCain (R) |
45% |
42% |
47% |
|
Other / Undecided |
6% |
12% |
9% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,600 likely American voters, conducted from Jun. 20 to Jun. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.