Campaign 2008 See also: General election trial heats | Rating the contenders Polls listed chronologically .

STATE POLLS are in our subscriber area. INFO . Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll. Dec. 6-8, 2008. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3. . "Now turning to some questions about President-elect Barack Obama. First, which of the following comes closer to how you feel about Barack Obama winning the presidential election? Would you say you feel hopeful, or optimistic, or proud, or disappointed, or pessimistic, or afraid?" . % Hopeful 31 Optimistic 26 Proud 14 Afraid 9 Disappointed 7 Pessimistic 6 Other positive (vol.) 2 Other negative (vol.) 1 Unsure 3 AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. Nov. 6-10, 2008. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1. . "Do any of the following words describe your own personal feelings about the results of the 2008 presidential election, or not? How about [see below]?" . Does

Describe Does Not

Describe Unsure . % % % Hopeful 74 24 2 . Proud 60 38 2 . Excited 51 48 0 . Disappointed 31 68 0 . Surprised 29 71 0 . Depressed 12 87 1 . Angry 11 88 1 USA Today/Gallup Poll. Nov. 5, 2008. N=1,036 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3. . "Now, thinking about the outcome of the 2008 presidential election: Do each of the following describe or not describe your reaction to Barack Obama being elected president? How about [see below]?" . Does

Describe Does Not

Describe Unsure . % % % Optimistic 67 30 3 . Proud 67 32 1 . Excited 59 40 1 . Pessimistic 30 64 6 . Afraid 27 72 1 . "How do you view Barack Obama's election as president in terms of progress for blacks in the United States -- as the most important advance for blacks in the past one hundred years; as one of the two or three most important advances for blacks in the past one hundred years, but not the most important; important, but not among the most important advances; or not that important?" . Most

Important One of Most

Important Important, But

Not Among

Most Important Not That

Important Unsure % % % % % 11/5/08 33 38 15 10 4 . "As a result of Barack Obama's election, do you think race relations in this country will get a lot better, get a little better, not change, get a little worse, or get a lot worse?" Options rotated . Get a Lot

Better Get a Little

Better Not Change Get a Little

Worse Get a Lot

Worse % % % % % 11/5/08 28 42 17 7 3 CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2008. Likely voters nationwide. . "Please tell me whether you agree or disagree that each of the following candidates has the personality and leadership qualities a president should have. . . ." N=352 likely voters, MoE ± 5 (Form A) . Has

Qualities Doesn't Have

Qualities Unsure % % % Barack Obama 10/30 - 11/1/08 65 34 - 9/19-21/08 62 37 - . John McCain 10/30 - 11/1/08 62 38 - 9/19-21/08 62 37 1 . Sarah Palin 10/30 - 11/1/08 37 63 1 9/19-21/08 47 49 4 . Joe Biden 10/30 - 11/1/08 67 31 2 9/19-21/08 55 39 6 . "Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each of the following candidates on the issues that matter the most to you. . . ." N=352 likely voters, MoE ± 5 (Form A) . Agree Disagree Unsure % % % Barack Obama 10/30 - 11/1/08 60 40 - 9/19-21/08 56 43 1 . John McCain 10/30 - 11/1/08 46 54 - 9/19-21/08 49 49 2 . Sarah Palin 10/30 - 11/1/08 42 56 1 9/19-21/08 48 48 4 . Joe Biden 10/30 - 11/1/08 59 40 2 9/19-21/08 47 47 6 CBS News/New York Times Poll. Oct. 25-29, 2008. N=1,308 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3. . "If Barack Obama is elected president do you think His policies would make the economy better, make the economy worse or wouldn't his policies have any effect on the economy?" . Better Worse No Effect Unsure % % % % 10/25-29/08 54 27 13 6 . "If Barack Obama is elected president, do you think his policies will lead to greater U.S. military involvement in Iraq, less U.S. military involvement in Iraq or won't his policies have any effect on U.S. military involvement in Iraq?" . Greater Less No Effect Unsure % % % % 10/25-29/08 7 80 9 4 . "If Barack Obama is elected president, do you think his policies would result in more people having health care coverage, fewer people having health care coverage or wouldn't his policies have any effect on health care coverage?" . More Fewer No Effect Unsure % % % % 10/25-29/08 66 10 18 6 . "If Barack Obama is elected president, do you think he will be able to work with members of both parties in order to get things done, or will he not be able to?" . Will Be Will Not Be Unsure % % % 10/25-29/08 70 26 4 . "If he were elected president, do you think Barack Obama would raise taxes on people like yourself, or wouldn't he do that?" . Would Would Not Unsure % % % 10/25-29/08 50 44 6 . "If he were elected president, do you think Barack Obama would raise taxes on big business, or wouldn't he do that?" . Would Would Not Unsure % % % 10/25-29/08 80 15 5 . "If he were elected president, do you think Barack Obama would bring about real change in the way things are done in Washington, or wouldn't he do that?" . Would Would Not Unsure % % % 10/25-29/08 64 31 5 . "Do you think Joe Biden is prepared for the job of vice president, or isn't he?" . Prepared Not

Prepared Unsure % % % 10/25-29/08 74 18 8 10/3-5/08 75 14 11 9/27-30/08 70 15 15 9/12-16/08 74 11 15 . "Do you think Sarah Palin is prepared for the job of vice president, or isn't she?" . Prepared Not

Prepared Unsure % % % 10/25-29/08 35 59 6 10/3-5/08 42 50 8 9/27-30/08 38 52 10 9/12-16/08 42 52 6 Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Oct. 22-23, 2008. N=1,092 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 4 (for all registered voters). . "If you could vote separately for VICE PRESIDENT, would you be more likely to vote for Joe Biden, the Democrat, or Sarah Palin, the Republican?" Options rotated . Biden Palin Neither/

Other (vol.) Unsure % % % % 10/22-23/08 54 37 3 6 10/8-9/08 53 41 3 3 9/10-11/08 43 46 3 8 . "Which ONE of the following candidate qualities is MOST important in determining your vote for president this year? Can bring the changes this country needs. Positions on major issues. Leadership skills. Cares about people like you. Experience." Options rotated . 10/22-23/08 10/8-9/08 % % Bring changes country needs 26 25 Positions on major issues 22 23 Leadership skills 20 18 Cares about people like you 15 14 Experience 14 18 Other/None of these (vol.) 1 1 Unsure 2 1 . "Please tell me which presidential candidate you think would do a better job handling each of the following issues as president. What about [see below]? Do you think Barack Obama or John McCain would do a better job handling this issue?" . Obama McCain Equally (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % "The economy and jobs" 10/22-23/08 56 33 3 4 4 10/8-9/08 54 35 2 4 5 . "The Iraq war" 10/22-23/08 47 45 2 2 4 10/8-9/08 47 46 2 2 3 . "Energy policy and gas prices" 10/22-23/08 51 36 4 4 5 10/8-9/08 53 36 2 4 5 . "Terrorism and national security" 10/22-23/08 40 50 3 3 4 10/8-9/08 40 50 3 2 5 . "Health care" 10/22-23/08 58 30 2 4 6 10/8-9/08 56 30 2 5 7 . "Taxes and government spending" 10/22-23/08 53 38 1 4 4 10/8-9/08 50 39 3 4 4 . "Issues like abortion, guns, and same-sex marriage" 10/22-23/08 47 37 2 4 10 10/8-9/08 46 39 3 4 8 . "The financial problems on Wall Street and the housing and mortgage crises" 10/22-23/08 52 32 3 7 6 10/8-9/08 50 34 3 7 6 . "Has John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate made you more likely or less likely to vote for McCain -- or has it not made much difference either way?" . More Likely Less Likely No

Difference Unsure % % % % 10/22-23/08 19 31 49 1 Republicans 38 9 52 1 Democrats 6 45 48 1 Independents 17 34 47 2 . 10/8-9/08 29 22 47 2 . "Do you think Sarah Palin is qualified to step in as president if she had to?" . Yes No Unsure % % % 10/22-23/08 40 55 5 10/8-9/08 39 55 6 9/10-11/08 45 46 9 . "From what you know about Sarah Palin's views on major political issues, do you think she is too conservative, too liberal, or about right?" . Too

Conservative Too

Liberal About

Right Unsure % % % % 10/22-23/08 35 7 42 16 . "Do you find Sarah Palin to be personally likeable, or not?" . Likeable Not

Likeable Unsure % % % 10/22-23/08 70 24 6 . "Do you think Sarah Palin is well-informed about major domestic and foreign policy issues, or not?" . Well-

Informed Not Well-

Informed Unsure % % % 10/22-23/08 35 57 8 . "From what you've seen or heard about what Sarah Palin has said on the campaign trail about her Democratic opponents, has she mostly made fair criticisms about policy differences, records, and qualifications, or mostly made unfair personal attacks on her opponents?" . Fair

Criticisms Unfair

Attacks Unsure % % % 10/22-23/08 39 47 14 . "As you may know, there are news reports that the Republican National Committee spent about $150,000 on new clothes for Sarah Palin and her family from Neiman-Marcus and other upscale stores. Does knowing this make you less likely to see Sarah Palin as a reformer with small town values, or is your opinion of her not much affected?" . Yes, Less

Likely Not Much

Affected Unsure % % % 10/22-23/08 27 68 5 . "Now, thinking about Barack Obama: From what you know about Obama's views on major political issues, do you think he is too conservative, too liberal, or about right?" . Too

Conservative Too

Liberal About

Right Unsure % % % % 10/22-23/08 3 34 56 7 . I'm going to read you a list of reasons some people say might keep them from voting for Barack Obama. As I read each one, please tell me if this is a major concern that might keep you from voting for Obama, a minor concern, or not a concern. What about [see below]?" . Major

Concern Minor

Concern Not a

Concern Unsure % % % % . "Obama's policies might lead to socialism or redistribution of wealth" 10/22-23/08 35 17 44 4 . "Obama's tax policies might hurt small business owners and the jobs situation" 10/22-23/08 40 19 37 4 . "Obama might not have the experience needed to deal with national security and defense issues" 10/22-23/08 38 22 37 3 . "Obama might share the views of Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor, on race" 10/22-23/08 27 19 50 4 . "Obama's association with former 1960s radical Bill Ayers raises doubts about his character" 10/22-23/08 25 18 54 3 . "A foreign power may try to take advantage of Obama's youth and inexperience early in his presidency" 10/22-23/08 33 23 41 3 CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 17-19, 2008. N=746 likely voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.5. LV = likely voters. Among registered voters, except where noted. . "Now I'm going to mention a few issues and for each one, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or John McCain would better handle that issue if they were elected president. . . ." . Obama McCain Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % "The current financial crisis" 10/17-19/08 LV 53 39 8 - 10/3-5/08 LV 52 39 9 - . "Providing help to the middle class" 10/17-19/08 LV 60 36 4 - . "Terrorism" 10/17-19/08 LV 39 56 4 1 9/5-7/08 34 62 3 1 8/29-31/08 40 56 3 - 8/23-24/08 36 60 3 1 7/27-29/08 41 56 3 - 4/28-30/08 37 59 3 1 . "The economy" 10/17-19/08 LV 55 39 5 - 9/19-21/08 LV 52 44 3 1 9/5-7/08 52 44 4 1 8/29-31/08 53 41 5 - 8/23-24/08 51 43 4 1 7/27-29/08 54 43 4 - 4/28-30/08 53 42 4 1 . "The war in Iraq" 10/17-19/08 LV 43 53 4 - 9/5-7/08 42 56 2 - 8/29-31/08 49 48 2 - 8/23-24/08 44 53 3 1 7/27-29/08 45 52 2 - 4/28-30/08 44 53 2 1 . "Health care" 10/17-19/08 LV 57 37 6 1 9/19-21/08 LV 56 40 3 - 9/5-7/08 56 39 4 1 8/29-31/08 61 34 5 - 8/23-24/08 57 37 5 1 7/27-29/08 56 39 4 1 4/28-30/08 57 36 5 1 . "Taxes" 10/17-19/08 LV 50 44 5 1 9/5-7/08 46 49 4 1 8/29-31/08 50 46 4 - 8/23-24/08 48 47 4 1 7/27-29/08 51 45 4 - 4/28-30/08 48 46 4 1 . "Energy policy" 10/17-19/08 LV 53 43 3 1 9/5-7/08 48 46 5 1 . "Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one applies more to Barack Obama or more to John McCain. . . ." . Obama McCain Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % . "Has the right experience to be president" 10/17-19/08 LV 36 54 6 4 - 9/19-21/08 LV 38 55 4 2 - 9/5-7/08 29 61 3 6 1 8/29-31/08 34 58 3 5 - 8/23-24/08 30 60 2 7 1 . "Is a strong and decisive leader" 10/17-19/08 LV 45 47 5 3 - 9/5-7/08 37 56 5 3 - 8/29-31/08 44 49 3 3 - 8/23-24/08 41 51 3 4 1 . "Has a clear plan for solving the country's problems" 10/17-19/08 LV 48 35 2 14 1 9/5-7/08 40 42 2 14 1 8/29-31/08 48 37 1 13 - 8/23-24/08 42 39 1 17 1 . "Can bring the kind of change the country needs" 10/17-19/08 LV 54 39 2 4 - 9/19-21/08 LV 56 41 - 3 - 9/5-7/08 49 41 1 8 1 8/29-31/08 57 35 2 6 - 8/23-24/08 54 36 1 8 1 . "Did the best job in the debates" 10/17-19/08 LV 62 26 4 6 3 . "Is not a typical politician" 10/17-19/08 LV 50 30 8 11 1 . "Is someone you would be proud to have as president" 10/17-19/08 LV 47 41 6 5 - . "How confident are you that, across the country, the votes for president will be accurately cast and counted in this year's election: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?" . Very

Confident Somewhat

Confident Not Too

Confident Not at All

Confident % % % % 10/17-19/08 LV 19 39 26 16 ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Oct. 16-18, 2008. N=995 likely voters nationwide. MoE ± 3. LV = likely voters. RV = registered voters. . "Regardless of who you may support, who do you think [see below]: Obama or McCain?" Candidate names rotated . Obama McCain Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % "Is more optimistic" 10/16-18/08 LV 62 30 4 2 2 8/19-22/08 LV 65 27 4 1 2 . "Has a better personality and temperament to be president" 10/16-18/08 LV 54 37 6 2 1 9/27-29/08 LV 57 37 2 2 1 9/5-7/08 RV 57 35 3 2 3 5/8-11/08 RV 55 34 4 3 4 2/28 - 3/2/08 RV 59 29 2 4 7 . "Regardless of your vote preference, does Obama's choice of Biden as his running mate make you more confident or less confident in the kind of decisions Obama would make as president?" . More

Confident Less

Confident No

Effect (vol.) Unsure % % % % 10/16-18/08 LV 56 31 11 3 9/5-7/08 LV 55 29 12 5 . "Regardless of your vote preference, does McCain's choice of Palin as his running mate make you more confident or less confident in the kind of decisions McCain would make as president?" . More

Confident Less

Confident No

Effect (vol.) Unsure % % % % 10/16-18/08 LV 38 52 8 2 9/5-7/08 LV 50 39 6 4 . "Do you think [see below] is or is not a legitimate issue in this year's presidential election?" . Legitimate Not

Legitimate Unsure % % % . "Obama's past relationship with 1960s radical William Ayers" 10/16-18/08 LV 37 60 3 . "The Obama campaign's association with the community group ACORN" 10/16-18/08 LV 40 49 11 USA Today/Gallup Poll. Oct. 16, 2008. N=729 adults nationwide who watched the Oct. 15 presidential debate. MoE ± 4. Trend based on Sept. 26 and Oct. 7 debate-watchers. . "Regardless of which candidate you happen to support, who do you think did the better job in last night's debate: John McCain or Barack Obama?" Names rotated . McCain Obama Neither (vol.) Both

Equally (vol.) Unsure % % % % % 10/16/08 30 56 3 9 3 10/8/08 23 56 4 15 2 9/27/08 34 46 4 13 3 . "How has your opinion of the candidates been affected by the debate? Is your opinion of [see below] more favorable, less favorable, or has it not changed much?" Names rotated . More

Favorable Less

Favorable Not Changed

Much Unsure % % % % John McCain 10/16/08 21 29 49 1 10/8/08 12 33 54 1 9/27/08 21 21 56 2 . Barack Obama 10/16/08 37 15 47 1 10/8/08 34 12 53 1 9/27/08 30 14 54 1 CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 15, 2008. N=620 adults nationwide who watched the presidential debate. MoE ± 4. Per CNN: "Survey respondents were first interviewed as part of a random national sample on October 13-14, 2008. In those interviews, respondents indicated they planned to watch tonight's debate and were willing to be re-interviewed after the debate. Some questions were asked of each respondent both in the pre-debate questionnaire on October 13-14 and on tonight's questionnaire. Where applicable, results for tonight's respondents from both the pre-debate survey and the post-debate survey are reported. 30% of the respondents who participated in tonight's survey identified themselves as Republicans, 40% identified themselves as Democrats, and 29% identified themselves as independents."

Oct. 7, 2008, debate-watchers survey: ", , , 31% of the respondents who participated in tonight's survey identified themselves as Republicans, 38% identified themselves as Democrats, and 30% identified themselves as independents."

Sept. 26, 2008, debate-watchers survey: ". . . 27% of the respondents who participated in tonight's survey identified themselves as Republicans, 41% identified themselves as Democrats, and 30% identified themselves as independents." . "Regardless of which candidate you happen to support, who do you think did the best job in the debate: Barack Obama or John McCain?" . Obama McCain Neither (vol.) Both (vol.) Unsure % % % % % 10/15/08 58 31 2 8 1 10/7/08 54 30 4 11 1 9/26/08 51 38 2 9 1 . "Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama?" . Favorable Unfavorable Unsure % % % 10/15/08 66 33 1 10/13-14/08 63 35 2 . 10/7/08 64 34 2 10/3-6/08 60 38 2 . "Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of John McCain?" . Favorable Unfavorable Unsure % % % 10/15/08 49 49 2 10/13-14/08 51 45 3 . 10/7/08 51 46 2 10/3-6/08 51 46 3 . "Next, regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or John McCain would better handle each of the following issues. . . ." . Obama McCain Both

Equally (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % "The economy in general" 10/7 and 9/26: "The economy" 10/15/08 59 35 2 2 1 10/7/08 59 37 1 2 - 9/26/08 58 37 2 2 1 . "The current financial crisis" 10/15/08 56 35 3 4 2 10/7/08 57 36 3 4 1 9/26/08 54 36 4 4 2 . "Health care" 10/15/08 62 31 3 2 2 . "Taxes" 10/15/08 56 41 1 1 1 . "Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one better described Barack Obama or John McCain during tonight's debate. . . ." . Obama McCain Both

Equally (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % "Was more likeable" 10/15/08 70 22 6 1 1 10/7/08 65 28 6 2 - 9/26/08 61 26 11 2 - . "Expressed his views more clearly" 10/15/08 66 25 7 1 1 10/7/08 60 30 9 2 - 9/26/08 53 36 10 - - . "Seemed to be the stronger leader" 10/15/08 56 39 3 - 1 10/7/08 54 43 2 1 - 9/26/08 49 43 6 1 1 . "Seemed more like a typical politician" 10/15/08 35 54 9 2 1 10/7/08 36 52 9 2 1 . "Spent more time attacking his opponent" 10/15/08 7 80 10 2 1 10/7/08 17 63 17 2 1 9/26/08 23 60 15 2 1 . "How much does Barack Obama's connection with William Ayers matter to you: a great deal, somewhat, not much or not at all?" . A Great Deal Somewhat Not Much Not at All Unsure % % % % % 10/15/08 23 14 11 51 1 . "Would you like to see Barack Obama and John McCain participate in additional debates between now and election day, or do you think three presidential debates is enough?" . Want More

Debates Three Is

Enough Unsure % % % 10/15/08 32 67 1 Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll. Oct. 10-13, 2008. N=1,446 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all registered voters). . "Does Sarah Palin's presence on the ballot as a candidate for vice president, make you more or less likely to vote for John McCain for president, or does it not make a difference either way?" . More

Likely Less

Likely No

Difference Unsure % % % % 10/10-13/08 22 27 50 1 Democrats 7 41 51 2 Independents 19 31 49 1 Republicans 48 3 48 1 . "Do you think Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is qualified to become president of the United States if something happens to John McCain, or is she not qualified?" . Qualified Not

Qualified Unsure % % % 10/10-13/08 43 49 8 . "Do you think Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden is qualified to become president of the United States if something happens to Barack Obama, or is he not qualified?" . Qualified Not

Qualified Unsure % % % 10/10-13/08 76 13 11 . "Now turning back to the candidates running for president. I am going to mention a few things that voters think about when deciding who to vote for in an election. Regardless of your choice for president, please tell me, for each issue I mention, what you think about Barack Obama and John McCain. First, do you think Barack Obama has the right experience to be president, or not?" . Yes No Unsure % % % 10/10-13/08 49 42 9 8/15-18/08 44 48 8 . "Do you think John McCain has the right experience to be president, or not?" . Yes No Unsure % % % 10/10-13/08 80 14 6 8/15-18/08 80 14 6 . "Who do you think will substantially change the way things are done in Washington: Barack Obama or John McCain?" . Obama McCain Both

Equally (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % 10/10-13/08 51 26 5 13 5 8/15-18/08 51 16 6 22 5 . "Who do you think would be best at achieving success in Iraq: Barack Obama or John McCain?" . Obama McCain Both

Equally (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % 10/10-13/08 38 49 3 5 5 8/15-18/08 36 43 4 11 6 . "Who do you think cares more about people like you: Barack Obama or John McCain?" . Obama McCain Both

Equally (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % 10/10-13/08 47 31 7 9 6 8/15-18/08 41 28 13 12 6 USA Today/Gallup Poll. Oct. 10-12, 2008. N=1,269 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3. . "If [see below] is elected president, are you confident that he and his economic advisors can fix the economy, or not?" . Yes,

Confident No, Not

Confident Unsure % % % . . Barack Obama 10/10-12/08 44 50 6 . . John McCain 10/10-12/08 31 63 6 . "Regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or John McCain would better handle each of the following issues. How about [see below]?" . Obama McCain Same (vol.) Unsure % % % % . . "The economy" 10/10-12/08 53 39 3 6 . . "Terrorism" 10/10-12/08 39 55 1 5 . . "The situation in Iraq" 10/10-12/08 46 50 - 4 . . "Healthcare policy" 10/10-12/08 61 32 1 6 . . "Energy, including gas prices" 10/10-12/08 52 40 2 6 . . "Taxes" 10/10-12/08 52 40 2 6 . . "Gun policy" 10/10-12/08 38 50 1 10 . "Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each applies or doesn't apply to Barack Obama. How about [see below]?" . Applies Doesn't

Apply Unsure . % % % . . . "Understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives" 10/10-12/08 73 26 1 . . . "Is a strong and decisive leader" 10/10-12/08 61 37 2 . . . "Shares your values" 10/10-12/08 58 40 2 . . . "Can manage the government effectively" 10/10-12/08 55 41 4 . . . "Has a clear plan for solving the country's problems" 10/10-12/08 51 46 3 . . "Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each applies or doesn't apply to John McCain. How about [see below]?" . Applies Doesn't

Apply Unsure . % % % . . . "Is a strong and decisive leader" 10/10-12/08 63 35 2 . . . "Can manage the government effectively" 10/10-12/08 55 43 2 . . . "Shares your values" 10/10-12/08 50 47 3 . . . "Understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives" 10/10-12/08 48 50 2 . . . "Has a clear plan for solving the country's problems" 10/10-12/08 35 61 4 . . "How concerned are you that, as president, John McCain would pursue policies that are too similar to what George W. Bush has pursued: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?" . Very

Concerned Somewhat

Concerned Not Too

Concerned Not

Concerned

At All Unsure % % % % % 10/10-12/08 46 20 17 16 1 9/5-7/08 42 21 21 16 - 8/30-31/08 47 17 17 17 1 6/15-19/08 49 19 16 15 1 . "How concerned are you that Barack Obama lacks the experience needed to be an effective president: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?" . Very

Concerned Somewhat

Concerned Not Too

Concerned Not

Concerned

At All Unsure % % % % % 10/10-12/08 39 18 18 25 - 9/5-7/08 38 18 17 26 1 8/30-31/08 31 19 18 29 3 ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Oct. 8-11, 2008. N=945 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all registered voters). RV = registered voters. Among adults, except where noted. . "Regardless of who you may support, who do you trust more to handle [see below]: Obama or McCain?" Candidate names rotated . Obama McCain Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % "The economy" 10/8-11/08 RV 53 37 1 7 2 9/27-29/08 RV 50 43 1 3 2 9/5-7/08 RV 47 42 1 4 6 7/10-13/08 54 35 2 6 3 6/12-15/08 52 36 2 5 5 5/8-11/08 48 38 2 8 4 2/28 - 3/2/08 49 37 2 6 6 . "Helping the middle class" 10/8-11/08 RV 59 31 1 6 2 . "The war in Iraq" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 48 47 1 4 1 9/27-29/08 RV 45 50 1 3 1 9/5-7/08 RV 41 51 1 2 4 7/10-13/08 45 47 1 4 3 6/12-15/08 46 47 - 3 4 5/8-11/08 46 45 1 5 3 2/28 - 3/2/08 43 48 1 4 5 . "Taxes" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 52 41 1 5 2 9/27-29/08 RV 48 46 - 3 3 9/5-7/08 RV 45 44 - 4 7 6/12-15/08 48 40 1 6 6 . "Protecting the Social Security system" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 51 34 2 9 4 . "The U.S. campaign against terrorism" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 43 49 2 4 3 9/27-29/08 RV 44 52 1 2 2 9/5-7/08 RV 36 56 2 2 4 7/10-13/08 43 49 2 4 1 6/12-15/08 39 53 2 3 4 5/8-11/08 34 55 4 4 3 2/28 - 3/2/08 33 58 2 3 5 . "Health care" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 59 30 1 6 4 . "An unexpected major crisis" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 48 45 2 4 1 9/27-29/08 RV 44 50 1 2 3 9/5-7/08 RV 37 54 2 3 3 7/10-13/08 41 50 3 3 3 . "Regardless of who you may support, who do you think [see below]: Obama or McCain?" Candidate names rotated . Obama McCain Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % "Better understands the economic problems people in this country are having" 10/8-11/08 RV 58 28 3 10 2 9/27-29/08 RV 55 36 3 5 1 . "Would do more to bring needed change to Washington" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 61 29 2 7 2 9/27-29/08 RV 61 33 1 3 2 9/5-7/08 RV 51 39 - 5 5 . "Is the stronger leader" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 54 40 1 3 2 9/27-29/08 RV 49 45 1 2 2 9/5-7/08 RV 44 48 2 1 5 . "Would do more to stand up to lobbyists and special interest groups" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 47 39 3 7 4 . "Is more honest and trustworthy" Half sample 10/8-11/08 RV 44 40 5 9 3 . "So far during this campaign, do you think [see below] has been mainly attacking his opponent or mainly addressing the issues?" . Attacking

Opponent Addressing

Issues Unsure % % % Barack Obama 10/8-11/08 26 68 6 8/19-22/08 29 64 8 . John McCain 10/8-11/08 59 35 6 8/19-22/08 48 45 7 . "Thinking about his candidacy for president so far, how enthusiastic are you about [see below]: very enthusiastic, fairly enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?" . Very

Enthusiastic Fairly

Enthusiastic Not Too

Enthusiastic Not

Enthusiastic

At All Unsure % % % % % Obama Asked of Obama supporters/leaners 10/8-11/08 RV 63 30 3 3 - 9/27-29/08 RV 61 34 4 - 1 9/5-7/08 RV 64 32 3 1 0 8/19-22/08 RV 52 43 2 3 - . McCain Asked of McCain supporters/leaners 10/8-11/08 RV 29 58 12 2 0 9/27-29/08 RV 38 52 7 2 - 9/5-7/08 RV 46 46 6 2 0 8/19-22/08 RV 28 58 11 2 1 Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Oct. 8-9, 2008. N=1,035 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.7. . "If elected, which ticket do you think is MOST likely to bring about the changes this country needs: Barack Obama and Joe Biden, or John McCain and Sarah Palin?" Options rotated . Obama/Biden McCain/Palin Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % % 10/8-9/08 52 37 1 4 6 9/10-11/08 47 42 1 5 5 . "Please tell me whether or not you think each of the following phrases describes JOHN MCCAIN. What about [see below]? Does this describe McCain or not?" . Does

Describe Does Not

Describe Unsure % % % "Shares your values" 10/8-9/08 47 49 4 . "Would fit in well with people in your local community" 10/8-9/08 54 40 6 . "Is honest and trustworthy" 10/8-9/08 54 40 6 . "Has the right judgment and temperament to make a good president" 10/8-9/08 51 43 6 . "Will stand up for what's right, even if it's not politically popular" 10/8-9/08 60 34 6 . "Can bring the country together" 10/8-9/08 42 51 7 . "If John McCain is elected president, do you think he would mostly carry out the policies of George W. Bush or would mostly have different policies?" . Bush

Policies Different

Policies Unsure % % % 10/8-9/08 48 47 5 9/10-11/08 47 48 5 . "Please tell me whether or not you think each of the following phrases describes BARACK OBAMA. What about [see below]? Does this describe Obama or not?" . Does

Describe Does Not

Describe Unsure % % % "Shares your values" 10/8-9/08 59 37 4 . "Would fit in well with people in your local community" 10/8-9/08 63 31 6 . "Is honest and trustworthy" 10/8-9/08 62 31 7 . "Has the right judgment and temperament to make a good president" 10/8-9/08 66 28 6 . "Will stand up for what's right, even if it's not politically popular" 10/8-9/08 57 36 7 . "Can bring the country together" 10/8-9/08 62 32 6 . "From what you know about Barack Obama, do you think he has enough experience in politics and government to be a good president, or not?" . Yes No Unsure % % % 10/8-9/08 53 43 4 9/10-11/08 47 46 7 5/21-22/08 44 49 7 . "In general, do you think the national news media's coverage of Sarah Palin has been fair overall, too critical, or not critical enough?" . Fair

Overall Too

Critical Not Critical

Enough Unsure % % % % 10/8-9/08 30 41 24 5 . "Now, thinking about the tone of the campaigns run by the major party candidates this year, which -- if any -- do you think has been TOO NEGATIVE OR NASTY: [see below]?" . McCain/

Palin Obama/

Biden Both Neither Unsure % % % % % 10/8-9/08 39 10 31 17 3 . "Have you personally seen any TV ads for JOHN McCAIN in recent weeks?" . Yes No Unsure % % % 10/8-9/08 71 28 1 . Among registered voters who have seen McCain ads:

"Based on the ads you've seen, in general, do you think the McCain ads [see below], or not?" . Yes No Unsure % % % . "Are too negative" 10/8-9/08 56 41 3 . "Are misleading or distorted" 10/8-9/08 58 37 5 . "Provide useful information" 10/8-9/08 34 63 3 . "Have you personally seen any TV ads for BARACK OBAMA in recent weeks?" . Yes No % % 10/8-9/08 73 27 . Among registered voters who have seen Obama ads:

"Based on the ads you've seen, in general, do you think the Obama ads [see below], or not?" . Yes No Unsure % % % . "Are too negative" 10/8-9/08 29 68 3 . "Are misleading or distorted" 10/8-9/08 36 57 7 . "Provide useful information" 10/8-9/08 56 41 3 FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Oct. 8-9, 2008. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3. . "Regardless of how you might vote, which candidate do you trust more to handle the following issues: Barack Obama or John McCain? . . ." . Obama McCain Both

(vol.) Neither

(vol.) Unsure % % % % % "The situation in Iraq" 10/8-9/08 42 47 2 3 6 . "Health care" 10/8-9/08 52 32 2 7 7 . "The economy" 10/8-9/08 50 35 2 7 6 . "The war on terrorism" 10/8-9/08 37 51 3 2 6 . "Energy independence" 10/8-9/08 45 40 2 5 7 . "Taxes" 10/8-9/08 46 41 1 6 6 . "Cutting government spending" 10/8-9/08 42 40 2 10 6 USA Today/Gallup Poll. Oct. 8, 2008. N=735 adults nationwide who watched the Oct. 7 presidential debate. MoE ± 4. Trend based on Sept. 26 debate-watchers. . "Based on what you saw or read about the debate, which candidate offered the best proposals for change to solve the country's problems: Barack Obama or John McCain?" Names rotated . McCain Obama Neither (vol.) Unsure % % % % 10/8/08 32 53 10 4 9/27/08 35 52 8 5 . "As a result of the debate, do you now have more confidence, less confidence or the same amount of confidence in [see below] to deal with the economic problems facing the country?" Names rotated . More

Confidence Less

Confidence Same

Amount Unsure % % % % John McCain 10/8/08 17 43 38 2 9/27/08 23 37 38 2 . Barack Obama 10/8/08 33 24 40 2 9/27/08 34 26 38 2 . "As a result of the debate, do you now have more confidence, less confidence or the same amount of confidence in [see below] to deal with matters of national defense and foreign policy?" Names rotated . More

Confidence Less

Confidence Same

Amount Unsure % % % % John McCain 10/8/08 25 30 43 3 9/27/08 34 27 37 2 . Barack Obama 10/8/08 33 27 38 2 9/27/08 35 29 34 3 Earlier polling on Campaign 2008