(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Democrat Barack Obama remains ahead of Republican John McCain in the United States presidential race, according to a review of ten voting intention surveys conducted before last week’s televised debate. 47.7 per cent of voters would support the Illinois senator in the election, while 44 per cent would back the Arizona senator.

Obama is ahead by at least five points in four of the polls. More than seven per cent of respondents remain undecided, or would vote for other candidates.

Obama has gained 0.6 points since the last ARGM Poll Average, while McCain has lost 1.5 points. 

On Sept. 26, the two rivals participated in the first of three scheduled televised debates. In their closing messages, the contenders outlined their vision.

McCain declared: "I’ve been involved (...) in virtually every major national security challenge we’ve faced in the last 20-some years. There are some advantages to experience, and knowledge, and judgment. And I honestly don’t believe that Senator Obama has the knowledge or experience and has made the wrong judgments in a number of areas, including his initial reaction to Russian invasion. (...) and failing to acknowledge that he was wrong about the surge. (... ) We need more flexibility in a president of the United States than that."

Obama stated: "I don’t think any of us can say that our standing in the world now, the way children around the world look at the United States, is the same. And part of what we need to do (...) is to send a message to the world that we are going to invest in issues like education, we are going to invest in issues that relate to how ordinary people are able to live out their dreams. And that is something that I’m going to be committed to as president of the United States."

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

National Vote - 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

Contenders: John McCain (R), Barack Obama (D)

(10) Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research / Democracy Corps - Telephone interviews with 1,007 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(9) CBS News / New York Times - Telephone interviews with 844 registered American voters, conducted from Sept. 21 to Sept. 24, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent
(8) Opinion Dynamics / Fox News - Telephone interviews with 900 registered American voters, conducted on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent
(7) Marist College Institute for Public Opinion - Telephone interviews with 698 likely American voters, conducted on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(6) American Research Group - Telephone interviews with 1,200 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 20 to Sept. 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(5) TNS / Washington Post / ABC News - Telephone interviews with 780 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 19 to Sept. 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.
(4) Bloomberg / Los Angeles Times - Telephone interviews with 838 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 19 to Sept. 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(3) Hart/Newhouse / Wall Street Journal / NBC News - Telephone interviews with 1,085 registered American voters, conducted from Sept. 19 to Sept. 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
(2) Opinion Research Corporation / CNN - Telephone interviews with 697 likely American voters, conducted from Sept. 19 to Sept. 21, 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.
(1) Franklin and Marshall College’s Center for Opinion Research - Telephone interviews with 1,320 registered American voters, conducted from Sept. 15 to Sept. 21, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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