March 02, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama holds a double-digit advantage over Republican John McCain in the United States presidential race, according to a poll by CBS News. 50 per cent of respondents would back the Illinois senator, while 38 per cent would support the Arizona senator.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama holds a double-digit advantage over Republican John McCain in the United States presidential race, according to a poll by CBS News. 50 per cent of respondents would back the Illinois senator, while 38 per cent would support the Arizona senator.

In a separate contest, New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is tied with McCain.

On Feb. 29, Obama discussed his views on the Iraq war, saying, "I said that it would distract us from the real threat we face and that we should take the fight to al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. That’s the judgment I made on the most important foreign policy decision of our generation."

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 2008 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (...) and (...), would you vote for (...) or (...)?

McCain v. Obama

Barack Obama (D)	50%
John McCain (R)	38%
Other	1%
Won’t vote	2%
Depends	2%
Don’t know	7%

McCain v. Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)	46%
John McCain (R)	46%
Other	1%
Won’t vote	2%
Depends	1%
Don’t know	4%

Source: CBS News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,266 American adults, conducted from Feb. 20 to Feb. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.