Election Weekend News Interest Hits 20-Year High
Fully 60% of voters followed campaign news very closely this weekend, the highest level of interest on the eve of an election since the Pew Research Center began tracking campaign news interest in 1988. Throughout the campaign, Americans said they were hearing more about Obama than about McCain, although analysis shows news coverage became closely balanced between the two candidates.
Inside Obama’s Sweeping Victory
Barack Obama captured the White House on the strength of a substantial electoral shift toward the Democratic Party and by winning a number of key groups in the middle of the electorate. In particular, the overwhelming backing of younger voters was a critical factor in Obama’s victory, according to an analysis of National Election Pool exit poll data.
How Hispanics Voted in the 2008 Election
Hispanics voted for Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden over Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin by a margin of more than two-to-one according to an analysis by the Pew Hispanic Center of exit polls, with Latino youth supporting the Democratic ticket by an even wider margin.
Voting Religiously
President-elect Barack Obama made a concerted effort to reach out to people of faith during the 2008 presidential campaign, and early exit polls show that this outreach may have paid off on Election Day.
Strategy Session: Media Focused on Polls and Maps in Final Week
If ever there is a time when campaigns are horse races, it is in the final days, and coverage was indeed largely about the contest itself.
Obama Leads McCain 52% to 46% in Campaign’s Final Days
The Pew Research Center’s final pre-election poll of 2,587 likely voters finds 49% supporting or leaning to Obama, 42% for McCain; 2% for minor party candidates and 7% undecided. When the undecided vote is allocated, Obama holds a 52% to 46% lead over McCain. The survey was conducted from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.
In Brief: Pleasant Grove City v. Summum
May a locality that allows one religious group to erect a monument in a city park deny that privilege to another religious sect? On Nov. 12, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of Pleasant Grove City v. Summum.
Internet Now Major Source of Campaign News
Television remains the dominant source, but the percent of people who say they get most of their campaign news from the internet has tripled since 2004.
Democrats Post Gains in Affiliation Across Age Cohorts
The proportion of voters identifying with the Democratic Party has grown significantly since the 2004 election, and the shift has been particularly dramatic among younger voters.
Palin Fatigue Now Rivals Obama Fatigue
Sarah Palin’s new wardrobe caught the public’s eye but media coverage focused far more on the presidential candidates. Still, more Americans say they’ve been hearing too much about Palin than say they’ve heard too much about Obama.
