(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama is ahead of Republican John McCain in the United States, according to a poll by Zogby Interactive. 43 per cent of respondents would vote for the Illinois senator in this year’s presidential ballot, while 40 per cent would back Republican Arizona senator John McCain.

Libertarian nominee Bob Barr is third with six per cent, followed by independent candidate Ralph Nader with two per cent. Nine per cent of respondents are undecided, or would vote for other contenders.

On Aug. 14, Barr discussed his chances, saying, "I view myself as a true and viable alternative to the other two parties. (...) There are issues, fundamental issues, that are important to large blocs of voters, and the two major parties are not addressing them."

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

McCain v. Obama - 2008 U.S. presidential election (w/ Nader and Barr)

Source: Zogby Interactive
Methodology: Online interviews with 3,339 likely American voters, conducted from AUg. 12 to Aug. 14, 2008. Margin of error is 1.7 per cent.

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