OTTAWA -- Democrat Barack Obama would crush Republican John McCain in the U.S. presidential race by an almost four-to-one margin -- 56% to 15 -- if it were up to Canadians.

That's the conclusion of a Canadian Press/Harris-Decima poll that, for the first time, gauges Canadian opinion on a head-to-head contest between the Republican candidate and the presumptive Democratic nominee.

The same survey suggests Canadians consider the current occupant of the White House, George W. Bush, among the worst presidents ever -- if not the worst.

A whopping 42% called Bush one of the worst presidents in U.S. history, 23% said he was the absolute worst. Only 4% said he was among the better ones, and less than 1% called Bush the best ever.

SURPRISING RESULTS

Pollster Bruce Anderson said the survey results are surprising even in a country that traditionally favours Democrats.

"While Canadians generally tilt more towards the Democratic Party than the Republican Party, this degree of disaffection is quite remarkable," said the head of Harris-Decima.

"It cuts across the political spectrum. Very few Conservatives in Canada are prepared to say they have been satisfied, let alone enthusiastic about the accomplishments of Mr. Bush."

Obama has said his first priorities in office would be expanding public health care, ending the war in Iraq, and creating an integrated environmental-energy policy. "They're pretty consistent with Canadian values," Anderson said.

The results were similar among different age groups, gender's, income categories, and in every province.

The survey of 1,000 Canadians was conducted May 15-18.

http://www.torontosun.com/News/Canada/2008/05/22/5635241-sun.html