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Obama Leads McCain by 13 Points in U.S.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama remains the most popular presidential contender in the United States, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 53 per cent of respondents would back the Illinois senator in this year’s ballot, while 40 per cent would vote for Republican Arizona senator John McCain.
Support for Obama increased by six points since late January, while backing for McCain fell by eight points. In a separate match-up, McCain trails New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton by two points.
Yesterday, McCain discussed his search for a running mate, saying, "You know, obviously, we have just begun that process—and we, in fact, have not even outlined how we’re going to go about this. We’re looking at how the process was conducted by other candidates and nominees of their party."
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 John McCain, the Republican, and (...), the Democrat, for whom would you vote?
McCain v. Obama
|
Mar. 2 |
Jan. 30 |
|
|
Barack Obama (D) |
53% |
47% |
|
John McCain (R) |
40% |
48% |
|
Other / Neither |
2% |
2% |
|
Won’t vote |
1% |
1% |
|
Unsure |
3% |
2% |
McCain v. Rodham Clinton
|
Mar. 2 |
Jan. 30 |
|
|
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) |
49% |
45% |
|
John McCain (R) |
47% |
50% |
|
Other / Neither |
2% |
1% |
|
Won’t vote |
1% |
1% |
|
Unsure |
1% |
2% |
Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,126 American adults, conducted from Feb. 28 to Mar. 2, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.