Issue Watch
Track global public opinion on current issues.
- 2008: Race for the White House
- 2008: The U.S. Electoral College
- Abortion
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- U.S. Election 2008 - The Democrats
- U.S. Election 2008 - The Republicans
- U.S. Election 2008: The Primaries
- Vladimir Putin
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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Two-Thirds of Americans See Obama as Electable
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States believe Barack Obama has a good chance of becoming their president, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 66 per cent of respondents think the Illinois senator is likely to win the White House if he is nominated by the Democratic Party.
Democratic New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is second on the list of electable candidates with 55 per cent. Support is lower for three prospective Republican nominees: Arizona senator John McCain with 48 per cent, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee with 46 per cent, and former New York City mayor Rudy Giulinai with 37 per cent.
Earlier this month, Obama won the Democratic Iowa caucus, and Huckabee emerged victorious in the Republican contest. In the New Hampshire primary, Rodham Clinton was first for the Democrats, while McCain came out on top among Republicans.
On Jan. 12, U.S. president Bill Clinton discussed Obama’s chances, saying, "He’s put together a great campaign. It’s clearly not a fairy tale, it’s real. He might win."
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
Most Electable Candidate Among All Voters
|
Likely |
Not Likely |
|
|
Barack Obama |
66% |
30% |
|
Hillary Rodham Clinton |
55% |
40% |
|
John McCain |
48% |
45% |
|
Mike Huckabee |
46% |
47% |
|
Rudy Giuliani |
37% |
58% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,200 likely American voters, conducted from Jan. 4 to Jan. 6, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.