How people *really* vote

[Jenn! 918]

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007 12:31 a.m. EST

Being female or black is less of a liability for U.S. presidential candidates than being over 72, Mormon, twice-divorced or a cigarette smoker, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll issued on Tuesday.

With the 2008 presidential race featuring perhaps the most diverse field of White House contenders ever, the poll showed being a woman or an African American carries the least amount of negative baggage.

Almost equal percentages of respondents said they would be more or less likely to vote for a woman (14 percent more likely, 13 percent less likely) and an African American (7 percent more likely, 6 percent less likely). Meanwhile, 87 percent said it wouldn't matter either way if the candidate were black and 72 percent said being a woman wouldn't matter.

The poll did not ask specifically about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the only woman in the field, although 15 percent of those who said they would be less likely to vote for a woman said it was because they didn't like her.

The telephone poll of 1,082 adults was conducted from Thursday to Sunday and had a 3-point margin of error.

Sen. Barack Obama, the only black American seeking the presidency in 2008, has less to worry about from his race than his cigarette smoking habit, which he said he has quit, according to the poll.

Although 77 percent said it wouldn't matter, 21 percent said they would be less likely to vote for a smoker.

The biggest liability for a candidate, however, was being on the planet for more than 72 years, as will be the case for Sen. John McCain in August 2008, the poll showed.

More than half of the respondents, 58 percent, said they were less likely to vote for a presidential candidate of that age, while 39 percent said it wouldn't matter.

Asked about voting for a candidate who is twice-divorced, a profile that happens to fit former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, 26 percent said they would be less likely to vote for such a candidate, while 71 percent said it wouldn't matter.

As for voting for a Mormon - former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the only one in the race - 29 percent said they would be less likely to do so while 66 percent said it wouldn't matter.

While there has never been a black, woman or Mormon president, one was over 72 when he was elected (Ronald Reagan in 1984), one was divorced (Reagan again, but only once) and at least one smoked cigarettes (Franklin Roosevelt).

Source

Edited February 28, 2007 by jenn3539

[Fandango 1,440]

I think the poll would get drastically different results depending on what areas they called.

For instance, I think America is not ready for either a woman or a black Muslim president. I think the way America reelected GWB based on the homosexual angle shows that there's a lot of people who are stuck in their ways not attempting to embrace change. I'd be suprised if either of them really get their party's nom, because IMO if either of them do, then I would say that a Repub president is almost a dead cert.

[Robor007 0]

Wasn't ole Ronnie known for falling asleep during meetings? Maybe we should 'Just Say NO' to elderly presidents?

Edited February 28, 2007 by Robor007

[mybackpages 0]

I think the poll would get drastically different results depending on what areas they called.

For instance, I think America is not ready for either a woman or a black Muslim president. I think the way America reelected GWB based on the homosexual angle shows that there's a lot of people who are stuck in their ways not attempting to embrace change. I'd be suprised if either of them really get their party's nom, because IMO if either of them do, then I would say that a Repub president is almost a dead cert.

We have a Black Muslim running for President?

[Fandango 1,440]

I think the poll would get drastically different results depending on what areas they called.

For instance, I think America is not ready for either a woman or a black Muslim president. I think the way America reelected GWB based on the homosexual angle shows that there's a lot of people who are stuck in their ways not attempting to embrace change. I'd be suprised if either of them really get their party's nom, because IMO if either of them do, then I would say that a Repub president is almost a dead cert.

We have a Black Muslim running for President?

gah you know what I meant.

[mybackpages 0]

I think the poll would get drastically different results depending on what areas they called.

For instance, I think America is not ready for either a woman or a black Muslim president. I think the way America reelected GWB based on the homosexual angle shows that there's a lot of people who are stuck in their ways not attempting to embrace change. I'd be suprised if either of them really get their party's nom, because IMO if either of them do, then I would say that a Repub president is almost a dead cert.

We have a Black Muslim running for President?

gah you know what I meant.

I know! But you know there are others here that don;t Hope you had the coffee before reading

[Fandango 1,440]

I think the poll would get drastically different results depending on what areas they called.

For instance, I think America is not ready for either a woman or a black Muslim president. I think the way America reelected GWB based on the homosexual angle shows that there's a lot of people who are stuck in their ways not attempting to embrace change. I'd be suprised if either of them really get their party's nom, because IMO if either of them do, then I would say that a Repub president is almost a dead cert.

We have a Black Muslim running for President?

gah you know what I meant.

I know! But you know there are others here that don;t Hope you had the coffee before reading

Fair enough, I'll not post whilst on the phone anymore

I think the 'what's up with his past & his family & his name?' Muslim questions are going to stick and he won't be able to shake that.

I also believe that the Mormon faith might hinder Mitt Romey...after all, they'll be all 'aren't you allowed 10 wives?'

I'm not saying it's right wrong or otherwise for people to form their opinions based on factors like these...everyone has their own rationale. I mean I'm no political strategist, but I base my opinion on the strength of the anti-gay marriage vote as being indicative of not embracing non 'traditional' characteristics of what a President 'is'. I do feel that these are all issued that need to be overcome...and the Dems should have had a front runner who really had nothing to overcome so that they could have a powerful run to the White House.

Sorry for the oversimplification

Edited February 28, 2007 by LisaD

[DeadPoolX 9]

Wasn't ole Ronnie known for falling asleep during meetings? Maybe we should 'Just Say NO' to elderly presidents?

Well, to be fair, I have to imagine some of those meetings were awfully boring. I think it's safe to say that we're all much younger than Reagan was at the time he was president, and any of us might even "nod off" a bit at those meetings, depending on how much sleep we got...

Edited February 28, 2007 by DeadPoolX

[Scott & Lai 12]

I couldn't care less the amount of melanin a candidate has nor what they have between their legs....I'm only interested in their views. I refuse to vote for a Leftist, no matter who they are.

[Alex+R 0]

This was a phone poll. Unfortunately, I think a lot more people than the poll showed would not vote for a woman or member of a minority group. Probably for a lot of people it's subconscious but they still will be considering gender race and religion--even if subconsciously--when choosing their candidate.

[mawilson 2,133]

For instance, I think America is not ready for either a woman or a black Muslim president.

Black Muslim or white Muslim for that matter.

Or a gay president.

[mybackpages 0]

This was a phone poll. Unfortunately, I think a lot more people than the poll showed would not vote for a woman or member of a minority group. Probably for a lot of people it's subconscious but they still will be considering gender race and religion--even if subconsciously--when choosing their candidate.

Studies and polls support this, often polls show women and minorites having significant support prior to the election, but when the vote is counted, these same femail and minnority candidates recieve significantly less votes than the polls would suggest. It seems to indicate that woters will tell someone they would have no problem supporting a woman or minority, but in the privacyof the voting booth, many seem to.