Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs                           University of Minnesota
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Minnesota: Election 2008 (President)

 

Election Matchup

 

Barack Obama (D) vs. John McCain (R)

Poll Date
Obama
McCain
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
Quinnipiac3 June 17-24, 2008
54%
37%
1%
8%
1,572 LV ± 2.5
SurveyUSA2 June 13-16, 2008
47%
46%
 7%
543 LV ± 4.3
Rasmussen June 11, 2008
52%
39%
6%
3%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen May 22, 2008
53%
38%
4%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA2 May 16-18, 2008
47%
42%
12%
600 RV ± 4.1
Rasmussen April 22, 2008
52%
38%
5%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 April 11-13, 2008
49%
43%
 8%
535 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen March 19, 2008
47%
43%
4%
6%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 March 14-16, 2008
46%
47%
 7%
532 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 February 26-28, 2008
49%
42%
 9%
608 RV ± 4.1
SurveyUSA1 February 15-17, 2008
55%
40%
 6%
541 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen February 16, 2008
53%
38%
4%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen February 1, 2008
47%
41%
8%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
42%
49%
 9%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
41%
50%
 9%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
43%
46%
11%
535 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if it was Mitt Romney against John McCain?"

2 "If there were an election for President of the United States today, would you vote for Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama?"

3 "If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain?"

 

Top Choice for President

Candidate1
February 1, 2008
Barack Obama
27%
Hillary Clinton
21%
John McCain
20%
Mitt Romney
15%
Mike Huckabee
 8%
Ron Paul
 4%
No opinion
 5%
Poll
Rasmussen
Sample
500 LV
MoE
± 4.5

1 "In thinking about the 2008 Presidential Election, which candidate would be your top choice for President ... Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, or Ron Paul?"

 

Barack Obama (D) vs. Rudy Giuliani (R)

Poll Date
Obama
Giuliani
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
52%
36%
11%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
44%
48%
8%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
44%
44%
12%
535 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
47%
43%
11%
531 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 April 13-15, 2007
43%
49%
8%
531 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if it was Rudy Giuliani against Democrat Barack Obama?"

 

Barack Obama (D) vs. Fred Thompson (R)

Poll Date
Obama
Thompson
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
49%
41%
10%
526 RV ± 4.4

1 "What if it was Fred Thompson against Barack Obama?"

 

Barack Obama (D) vs. Mitt Romney (R)

Poll Date
Obama
Romney
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 February 1, 2008
52%
36%
7%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
55%
36%
10%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
48%
42%
10%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
49%
38%
12%
535 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
53%
33%
14%
525 RV ± 4.4

1 "What if it was Mitt Romney against Barack Obama?"

 

Barack Obama (D) vs. Mike Huckabee (R)

Poll Date
Obama
Huckabee
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
49%
42%
 9%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
47%
42%
11%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
52%
33%
14%
535 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if it was Mitt Romney against Mike Huckabee?"

 

Hillary Clinton (D) vs. John McCain (R)

Poll Date
Clinton
McCain
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen May 22, 2008
53%
38%
7%
2%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen April 22, 2008
47%
42%
8%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA3 April 11-13, 2008
47%
46%
 7%
535 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen March 19, 2008
46%
47%
3%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA3 March 14-16, 2008
49%
46%
 5%
532 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 February 26-28, 2008
47%
43%
10%
609 RV ± 4.1
SurveyUSA3 February 15-17, 2008
49%
45%
 6%
541 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen February 16, 2008
42%
47%
7%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 February 1, 2008
44%
44%
8%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA2 January 20-21, 2008
45%
49%
 6%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA2 December 13-15, 2007
51%
43%
 6%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA2 November 9-11, 2007
48%
45%
 8%
535 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA2 October 12-14, 2007
50%
43%
 7%
524 RV ± 4.4
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
41%
45%
8%
7%
535 RV ± 4.3

1 "Suppose that, in the next Presidential election, you had a choice between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain?"

2 "What if it was Republican John McCain against Hillary Clinton?"

3 "If there were an election for President of the United States today, and the only two names on the ballot were Republican John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton, who would you vote for?"

 

Hillary Clinton (D) vs. Rudy Giuliani (R)

Poll Date
Clinton
Giuliani
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
51%
40%
 9%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
53%
40%
 7%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
49%
43%
 8%
535 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen October 31, 2007
44%
41%
10%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 October 12-14, 2007
51%
40%
 9%
540 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
52%
41%
 7%
548 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen September 6, 2007
50%
37%
10%
3%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 August 10-12, 2007
47%
44%
 9%
544 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 July 13-15, 2007
50%
45%
 6%
N/A ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 June 8-10, 2007
50%
41%
 9%
534 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 May 11-13, 2007
45%
47%
 7%
544 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 April 13-15, 2007
48%
45%
11%
535 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 March 9-11, 2007
47%
47%
 6%
N/A ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 February 9-11, 2007
47%
45%
 9%
N/A ± 4.3
Rasmussen2 June 26, 2006
45%
46%
4%
6%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "If there were an election for President of the United States today, and the only two names on the ballot were Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, who would you vote for?"

2 "Suppose the Republicans nominated Rudy Giuliani. If the election were held today, would you vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Rudy Giuliani?"

 

Hillary Clinton (D) vs. Mitt Romney (R)

Poll Date
Clinton
Romney
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen February 1, 2008
49%
40%
7%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
51%
40%
 9%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
58%
36%
 7%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
54%
37%
 9%
535 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen October 31, 2007
47%
40%
9%
3%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 October 12-14, 2007
57%
34%
 8%
537 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
56%
33%
11%
541 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen September 6, 2007
52%
34%
9%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 August 10-12, 2007
52%
36%
12%
540 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 July 13-15, 2007
56%
38%
 6%
N/A ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 May 11-13, 2007
51%
40%
 9%
538 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 March 9-11, 2007
52%
37%
11%
N/A ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 August 11-13, 2007
48%
45%
 8%
N/A ± 4.4

1 "What if it was Republican Mitt Romney against Hillary Clinton?"

 

Hillary Clinton (D) vs. Fred Thompson (R)

Poll Date
Clinton
Thompson
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen October 31, 2007
47%
43%
7%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 October 12-14, 2007
57%
37%
 7%
538 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
52%
39%
 8%
541 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen September 6, 2007
51%
40%
8%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 August 10-12, 2007
50%
41%
 9%
542 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 July 13-15, 2007
54%
41%
 4%
N/A ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 June 8-10, 2007
53%
38%
 9%
N/A ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 April 13-15, 2007
53%
37%
10%
N/A ± 4.4

1 "What if it was Republican Fred Thompson against Hillary Clinton?"

 

Hillary Clinton (D) vs. Mike Huckabee (R)

Poll Date
Clinton
Huckabee
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
50%
42%
 8%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
53%
41%
 6%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
54%
36%
10%
535 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 October 12-14, 2007
60%
30%
10%
531 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if it was Republican Mike Huckabee against Hillary Clinton?"

 

Hillary Clinton (D) vs. Ron Paul (R)

Poll Date
Clinton
Paul
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 October 12-14, 2007
61%
28%
11%
519 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if it was Republican Ron Paul against Hillary Clinton?"

 

John Edwards (D) vs. Rudy Giuliani (R)

Poll Date
Edwards
Giuliani
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
48%
40%
11%
519 RV ± 4.4
SurveyUSA1 April 13-15, 2007
49%
41%
10%
533 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if it was Rudy Giuliani against Democrat John Edwards?"

 

John Edwards (D) vs. Fred Thompson (R)

Poll Date
Edwards
Thompson
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
51%
35%
14%
510 RV ± 4.4

1 "What if it was Fred Thompson against John Edwards?"

 

John Edwards (D) vs. Mitt Romney (R)

Poll Date
Edwards
Romney
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 September 14-16, 2007
55%
28%
17%
506 RV ± 4.4

1 "What if it was Mitt Romney against John Edwards?"

 

Barack Obama (D) vs. John McCain (R)

Poll Date
Obama
McCain
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen April 22, 2008
52%
38%
5%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 April 11-13, 2008
49%
43%
 8%
535 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen March 19, 2008
47%
43%
4%
6%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 March 14-16, 2008
46%
47%
 7%
532 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 February 15-17, 2008
55%
40%
 6%
541 RV ± 4.3
Rasmussen February 16, 2008
53%
38%
 9%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen February 1, 2008
47%
41%
8%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5
SurveyUSA1 January 20-21, 2008
42%
49%
 9%
550 RV ± 4.3
SurveyUSA1 December 13-15, 2007
41%
50%
 9%
556 RV ± 4.2
SurveyUSA1 November 9-11, 2007
43%
46%
11%
535 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if it was John McCain against Democrat Barack Obama?"

 

Al Gore (D) vs. John McCain (R)

Poll Date
Gore
McCain
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
41%
44%
6%
9%
535 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if the Democrats nominate Al Gore and the Republicans nominate John McCain? For whom would you vote?"

 

Al Gore (D) vs. Rudy Giuliani (R)

Poll Date
Gore
Giuliani
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA2 October 12-14, 2007
50%
44%
6%
513 RV ± 4.4
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
42%
45%
6%
8%
535 RV ± 4.3

1 "What if the choice were between Democrat Al Gore and Republican Rudy Giuliani?"

2 "What if the only two candidates on the ballot were Republican Rudy Giuliani and Democrat Al Gore?"

 

Generic Partisan Matchup

 

Generic Democrat vs. Generic Republican

Poll Date
Democrat
Republican
Depends on who they nominate
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
47%
33%
16%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "If the 2008 Presidential election were held today, would you be likely to vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate?"

 

Vice President

 

Effect of Tim Pawlenty As Vice Presidential Nominee on Vote for Republican Presidential Nominee

Poll Date
More likely
Less likely
No impact
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 February 1, 2008
29%
35%
30%
6%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "If Governor Tim Pawlenty was selected to run as the Republican's Vice Presidential nominee, would you be more or less likely to vote for the Republican Presidential candidate?"

 

Democratic Primary

 

Who Will Be the Democratic Nominee

Poll Date
Clinton
Obama
Edwards
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 November 2-5, 2007
56%
17%
15%
9%
2%
616 RV ± 4.0

1 "Thinking ahead to the election for President of the United States: Regardless of who you may vote for, which Democrat do you think will be the Democratic candidate for President in 2008? Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, or some other Democrat?"

 

Republican Primary

 

Who Will Be the Republican Nominee

Poll Date
Giuliani
McCain
Romney
Thompson
Huckabee
Other
No opinion
Sample MoE
SurveyUSA1 November 2-5, 2007
47%
17%
11%
10%
4%
7%
3%
616 RV ± 4.0

1 "Regardless of who you may vote for, which Republican do you think will be the Republican candidate for President in 2008? Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, or Fred Thompson?"

 

Electability

 

Democratic Candidate Most Likely to Win White House If Nominated

Poll Date
Clinton
Obama
Edwards
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 October 31, 2007
34%
21%
20%
26%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Which Democratic presidential candidate is most likely to win the White House if nominated?"

 

Republican Candidate Most Likely to Win White House If Nominated

Poll Date
Giuliani
Romney
Thompson
McCain
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 October 31, 2007
34%
10%
17%
13%
26%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Which Republican presidential candidate is most likely to win the White House if nominated?"

 

Candidate Favorability Ratings

 

Barack Obama Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 June 11, 2008
60%
39%
2%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 May 22, 2008
59%
39%
2%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 April 22, 2008
60%
40%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 March 19, 2008
57%
42%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 February 16, 2008
64%
34%
2%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 February 1, 2008
63%
35%
2%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of Barack Obama?"

 

Barack Obama Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
Haven't heard enough
No opinion
Sample MoE
Quinnipiac1 June 17-24, 2008
59%
22%
16%
3%
1,572 LV ± 2.5

1 "Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?"

 

John McCain Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 June 11, 2008
54%
45%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 May 22, 2008
52%
48%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 April 22, 2008
56%
42%
2%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 March 19, 2008
58%
40%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 February 16, 2008
62%
36%
3%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 February 1, 2008
55%
41%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
60%
33%
7%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of John McCain?"

 

John McCain Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
Haven’t heard enough
No opinion
Sample MoE
Quinnipiac1 June 17-24, 2008
46%
32%
19%
4%
1,572 LV ± 2.5

1 "Is your opinion of John McCain favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?"

 

Hillary Clinton Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 May 22, 2008
55%
44%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 April 22, 2008
51%
47%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 March 19, 2008
50%
50%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 February 16, 2008
51%
48%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 February 1, 2008
48%
50%
3%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 October 31, 2007
49%
49%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 September 6, 2007
57%
42%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
55%
44%
1%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of Hillary Clinton?"

 

Al Gore Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
50%
47%
3%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of Al Gore?"

 

Rudy Giuliani Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 October 31, 2007
53%
44%
3%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 September 6, 2007
51%
45%
4%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 June 26, 2006
60%
34%
5%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of Rudy Giuliani?"

 

Fred Thompson Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 October 31, 2007
49%
41%
 9%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 September 6, 2007
49%
42%
10%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of Fred Thompson?"

 

Mitt Romney Favorability Rating

Poll Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 February 1, 2008
43%
51%
 6%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 October 31, 2007
40%
50%
10%
500 LV ± 4.5
Rasmussen1 September 6, 2007
37%
51%
12%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of Mitt Romney?"

 

Candidate Image

 

John McCain Too Old to Be President

Poll Date
Yes
No
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 June 10, 2008
35%
59%
7%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Is John McCain too old to be President?"

 

Barack Obama Too Inexperienced to Be President

Poll Date
Yes
No
No opinion
Sample MoE
Rasmussen1 June 10, 2008
41%
49%
10%
500 LV ± 4.5

1 "Is Barack Obama too inexperienced to be President?"