Religion in Campaign ’08
Religion is not currently proving to be a clear-cut positive in the 2008 presidential race. Candidates viewed by voters as the least religious are the current frontrunners for the Democratic and Republican nominations – Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, respectively. And the candidate seen as far and away the most religious – Mitt Romney – appears handicapped by this perception because of voter concerns about Mormonism.
“First of the Fall” GOP Debate
On Wednesday evening, eight Republican presidential candidates met in a debate at the University of New Hampshire. How did candidate views compare with public opinion on the topics discussed?
Fred Thompson’s Online Campaign Is in Full Swing
When he formally enters the 2008 race this week, former Sen. Fred Thompson can behave in all ways like a presidential candidate. But on his “testing the waters” website, I’mwithFred.com, he’s already been busy reaching out to supporters.
Black Enthusiasm for Clinton and Obama Leaves Little Room for Edwards
The popularity of the two top contenders among key segments of the Democratic electorate may help explain why Edwards’s populist platform has not drawn wider support so far.
Michael Vick Case Draws Large Audience
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback’s legal troubles were last week’s most followed news. Opinions of media coverage of the story showed a sharp racial divide with blacks far more critical than whites.
A Study in Contrasts: Clinton and Guiliani
Sen. Hillary Clinton is by far the most popular presidential candidate among her own party’s voters, but among the general public, she has one of the lowest favorable ratings of the leading candidates. In sharp contrast, the front-running Republican candidate, Rudy Giuliani, evokes relatively modest enthusiasm from the GOP base, but is as broadly popular with all voters as any candidate in either party.
Religion and the Presidential Vote: A Tale of Two Gaps
An analysis of national exit polls from 2004 shows there is not one but two religion gaps — one based on religious affiliation and the other based on frequency of attendance at worship services. How did the gaps manifest themselves in the 2004 election and what are the possible implications for 2008?
Democrats Debate in Iowa
Sunday morning all eight Democratic candidates for president met at Drake University in Iowa. How did their views on issues ranging from Iraq to money in politics match up with public opinion data?
Presidential Campaign Isn’t Making a Good First Impression
The 2008 presidential campaign already seems to be wearing out its welcome with many Americans. A 52% majority of the public offers a negative assessment of the early-blooming campaign and just one-in-five has a kind thing to say.
Democratic Candidates Labor to Win Union Support
Seven Democratic candidates met on Soldier Field in Chicago on Tuesday to address a predominantly union audience at a candidate forum sponsored by the AFL-CIO. How did candidate views stack up with public opinion?
