(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama continues to lead Republican John McCain in the 2008 United States presidential race, according to a poll by ABT SRBI published in Time. 46 per cent of respondents would back the Illinois senator in this year’s election, while 41 per cent would vote for the Arizona senator.

Support for Obama fell by one point since June, while backing for McCain dropped by two points.

In a contest incorporating two other candidates, Obama is first with 44 per cent, followed by McCain with 41 per cent, independent candidate Ralph Nader with three per cent, and Libertarian nominee Bob Barr also with three per cent.

Earlier this month, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke discussed the possible effect of an Obama victory, saying, "(It) will be a clear signal for millions of our people. Obama is a visual aid for White Americans who just don’t get it yet that we have lost control of our country, and unless we get it back we are heading for complete annihilation as a people."

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

Two other candidates added

Source: ABT SRBI / Time
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 808 likely American voters, conducted from Jul. 31 to Aug. 4, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.

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