Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Obama Has Seven-Point Edge on McCain in U.S.

February 10, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama holds the upper hand in a prospective United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by SRBI Public Affairs released by Time. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator, while 41 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama holds the upper hand in a prospective United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by SRBI Public Affairs released by Time. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator, while 41 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

In a match-up pitting McCain against New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the two candidates are tied with 46 per cent.

On Feb. 8, Obama discussed his views on global warming, saying, "I think we need to start reaching out to other countries ahead of time, not because I’m presumptuous, but because there’s such a sense of urgency about this. The moment I secure the nomination, I want to bring together experts in this area to start putting together the U.S. position—what we’re going to be doing internally, what we can agree to with other countries. (...) I know that my climate change plan is stronger than John McCain’s."

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 candidates were (...), the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican, and you had to choose, for which of these candidates would you vote? (Leaners included)

McCain v. Obama

 

Feb. 2008

Apr. 2007

Mar. 2007

Barack Obama (D)

48%

47%

43%

John McCain (R)

41%

42%

45%

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

 

Feb. 2008

Apr. 2007

Mar. 2007

John McCain (R)

46%

46%

48%

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

46%

44%

42%

Source: Schulman, Ronca, & Bucuvalas (SRBI) Public Affairs / Time
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,002 registered American voters, conducted from Feb. 1 to Feb. 4, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.