The Candidates: In a Word
View “word clouds” of voters’ impressions of the candidates based on one-word descriptions from a recent Pew survey.
Uncertain Times
In every recent election the public has accurately picked the winner by this time in the cycle. But not this year.
Cell Phones and the 2008 Vote: An Update
As in two preceding tests, a new survey shows that including cell phone interviews results in slightly more support for Obama and slightly less for McCain.
Financial Fallout Pops Palin Media Bubble, Drives Campaign Coverage
Wall Street’s meltdown raised the possibility that the economy may become the decisive factor in the November election.
How the Media Has Handled Palin’s Faith
Coverage of her religious background and beliefs has often been a peripheral element in the story.
McCain Gains on Issues, But Stalls as Candidate of Change
The race remains close as enthusiasm for McCain increases among GOP base. Somewhat more swing voters (46%) say their greater concern is that McCain will govern too much like President Bush, rather than that Obama lacks experience (37%).
Palin Comparison: Half of Campaign Storylines Revolve around GOP VP
For the second week in a row, the GOP vice presidential hopeful got more coverage than the man atop the ticket, John McCain. Yet this measure does not fully convey the Palin-centric nature of the news coverage.
Palin Nomination Puts Spotlight on Pentecostalism
From the time she was a teenager until 2002, Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin attended a Pentecostal church , a denomination that emphasizes such practices as speaking in tongues, prophesying, divine healing and other miraculous signs of the Holy Spirit.
The Bounce Effect
There is little doubt that the fall campaign begins in earnest with McCain having gained the momentum. How good an indicator is this of where the electorate is headed on Nov. 4?
Northern Exposure: Palin Dominates Campaign Coverage
For the first time since the general election campaign began, John McCain generated more coverage than Barack Obama. But he was still outshone by another newsmaker — his own running mate.
