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F&M nationwide poll: Obama 42, McCain 36
Those facing economic troubles lean heavily in Democrat's favor
Lancaster New Era
Published: Jun 26, 2008
13:00 EST
Lancaster
By TOM MURSE, Staff
It really is the economy.
Obama (left) and McCain
 
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June 2008 F&M College Poll: Summary of findings (PDF)
 
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U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is running strong among voters who have been hit hard by rising gas prices, job cuts and other financial woes, a new national Franklin & Marshall College Poll shows.

The freshman Democrat and likely presidential nominee from Illinois leads Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain by 6 points, 42-36, among all 1,501 registered voters surveyed in recent days.

But among Americans who have lost their health insurance, had their pay cut and couldn't afford to pay for groceries or their homes in the past year, Obama is crushing McCain, 50-27.

G. Terry Madonna, the poll director and head of F&M's Center for Politics and Public Affairs, said most voters believe government can solve their problems and that electing a relative outsider to the White House is their best shot.

"The Republican Party's in power and the change-oriented voters want a fresh face to deal with their problems," Madonna said. "The problem McCain is going to have is using market-oriented solutions at a time when we have trouble buying food and paying for gasoline."

The level of economic suffering, and the extent to which it is driving this year's presidential race, is striking.

In the past year:

• 24 percent of voters said they lacked health insurance.
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• 21 percent had their pay cut.

• 19 percent couldn't afford to pay for medical treatment.

• 18 percent couldn't afford to buy gas.

• 16 percent couldn't afford to buy food.

Overall, more than half of the voters surveyed said they had experienced a financial hardship in the past 12 months and 42 percent said they're worse off this year than last.

The result?

An election once considered to be a referendum on the Iraq war has shifted to concern about pocket-book issues; 38 percent said the single-most-important issue driving their vote for president is the economy; only 18 percent said it was the Iraq war.

"What's remarkable is the degree to which this election, which we thought would be about Iraq, is now about a lot of personal things," Madonna said. "It is much more about how voters are feeling individually — the country is off on the wrong track, and half say their personal finances are worse."

The poll, commissioned by Hearst-Argyle television stations, was F&M's first national survey in a presidential race. The college's Center for Opinion Research polled 1,501 registered voters from June 16 through Sunday. The margin of error is 2.5 percent.

Overall, 15 percent were undecided and 7 percent said they would vote for another candidate.

In other findings, Obama led among voters under age 55, blacks, Hispanics, and those living in the Northeast and Midwest. McCain, meanwhile, led among voters over 55, non-Hispanic whites, fundamentalist Christians and military veterans.

Obama led McCain among women (44-34) and men (40-38).

Obama had a slight advantage, 36-29, among independents.

Madonna said McCain could make inroads among voters worried about the economy. The Arizona Republican is faring better than Obama when it comes to those who consider energy policies to be of utmost importance. He has said that, if elected, his policies would end the country's reliance on oil as the primary fuel for transportation by 2025.

 "Energy is where he can do well," Madonna said. "And given everything he has going against him, in this environment, it's surprising that he's hanging in there as well as he is. This year is ... a horrendous environment for Republicans."

June 2008 F&M College Poll: Summary of findings (PDF)


Staff writer Tom Murse can be reached at tmurse@LNPnews.com or 481-6021.

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here you go, all you bush lovers. Keep paying suckers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucas/20080622/cm_u...J5jCxqgMlb9wxIF
jetscott
Kate
An intelligent post would have pointed out that most of the problems in this country right now from an economical perspective have nothing to do with Bush. He was handed a bubble economy from Clinton. Greenspan and his handling on interest rates was responsible for the housing bubble and subsequent problems. The oil problem has three culprits. First, the lack of any planning by any presidency ever since the 1970's oil shock. Second, the ability of speculators to post just 5% to buy oil futures on margin (For those who do not understand this ask me and I will further explain.). Finally, the growth of other global economies that require oil that we and they never dreamed of a decade ago (China adds 25,000 new cars to the road each and every day).
I am not a huge Bush supporter. However, I think proper perspective should be noted when discussing the current ills of our economy. I also think a lot of what Osama wants should be further examined from a consequence perspective. Who is going to contribute to charity? He wants to tax the heck out of the rich and those who do better than most. What will happen to the stock market when the current tax situation expires on 12/31/10 and in the months leading up to then? Who wouldn't sell a winner if you are going to be maybe half as much in taxes. What will happen to the economy as a whole if his socialist desires win out? Take a look at NYC in another year or back in the early part of the decade when the wealthy struggle. Yep, NYC, though just a microcosm of the country, struggles hugely when Wall Street struggles. Watch later in the year and next year and you will see. What happens to those who will get hit with much higher taxes and AMT who are making less than $100k? Yeah, they get screwed also. What about foreign affairs? For or against the current war, does Obama have any experience here? Ah, no.
Think before pooping on the current pres. I am not a huge fan either, but his responsibility is limited more than many of you might think.
QUOTE(jetscott @ Jun 26 2008, 09:08 PM)
here you go, all you bush lovers. Keep paying suckers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucas/20080622/cm_u...J5jCxqgMlb9wxIF


PedroHead
QUOTE(PedroHead @ Jun 26 2008, 10:41 PM)
Think before pooping on the current pres. I am not a huge fan either, but his responsibility is limited more than many of you might think.


But Obama has NEW ideas. And we all know new ideas are better than old ones.

Nativeson
Would you like to espouse on them given that he seemingly cannot even do so himself? Or was that a good bit of sarcasm?
QUOTE(Nativeson @ Jun 26 2008, 11:08 PM)


But Obama has NEW ideas. And we all know new ideas are better than old ones.



PedroHead
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