Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Obama, Hillary Still Ahead of McCain in U.S.

April 22, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama maintains the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 48 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator in this year’s ballot, while 44 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama maintains the upper hand in a United States presidential contest against Republican John McCain, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates released by Newsweek. 48 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 increased by two points since March, while backing for McCain fell by one point. In a separate contest, New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton leads McCain by four points.

Yesterday, McCain discussed his views on the housing crisis, saying, "I’m not going to tell anybody about how government can make their choices for them, but how we can help grow our economy so that people have better choices to make for themselves."

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 I’m going to describe some different choices of candidates voters might have in this year’s presidential election. As I read each one, please tell me how you would vote if the election were being held today. Suppose you had to choose between (...), the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican. Who would you be more likely to vote for?

McCain v. Obama

 

Apr. 2008

Mar. 2008

Jun. 2007

Barack Obama (D)

48%

46%

51%

John McCain (R)

44%

45%

41%

Other / Unsure

8%

9%

8%

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

 

Apr. 2008

Mar. 2008

Jun. 2007

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)

47%

48%

50%

John McCain (R)

43%

45%

45%

Other / Unsure

10%

6%

5%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Newsweek
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,209 registered American voters, conducted on Apr. 16 and Apr. 17, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.