(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - John McCain remains the most popular contender in the national race for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in the United States, according to a review of four recent public opinion polls. 58.4 per cent of decided Republican supporters would back the Arizona senator in a primary.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is second with 34.7 per cent, followed by Texas congressman Ron Paul with 6.8 per cent.

After the first 35 Republican presidential caucuses and primaries have been held, McCain has secured the support of 918 pledged delegates and unpledged members of the Republican National Committee (RNC), followed by Huckabee with 217, and Paul with 16. Candidates require the backing of at least 1,191 delegates to earn the nomination.

On Feb. 20, Paul vowed to continue with his campaign, saying, "I will stay in as long as my supporters want me to. And I say as long as the number of volunteers continues to grow, and the money comes in, and there are primaries out there, and they want me to be involved, I am going to stay involved."

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

U.S. Presidential Election 2008 - National Support for Republicans

Contenders (in alphabetical order): Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney.

National Support

(4) Opinion Dynamics / Fox News (294 likely Republican voters, Feb. 19-20, 2008, 5.1 MofE)
(3) Financial Dynamics / Diageo/Hotline (266 likely Republican voters, Feb. 14-17, 2008, 6.0 MofE)
(2) Zogby International / Reuters (434 likely Republican voters, Feb. 13-16, 2008, 4.8 MofE)
(1) American Research Group (600 registered Republican voters, Feb. 9-13, 2008, 4.0 MofE)

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