Voter Support Unchanged After Viewing McCain-Obama Comments on Obama's Cancelled Visit to Wounded U.S. Soldiers
Flemington, NJ, July 29, 2008 - According to a new national study among 300 self-reported Democrats, Republicans and
independents voter support for both John McCain and Barack Obama remained unchanged after participants viewed a video in
which both senators responded to Senator Obama's cancelled visit to wounded U.S. soldiers overseas.
The study was conducted by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) during July
28-29, to obtain Americans' perceptions of a video news report in which Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama
respond to Barack Obama's cancelled visit to wounded U.S. soldiers in Germany.
While viewing the video, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a
continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. Participants were
also asked pre- and post-viewing questions regarding their support for the candidates. To view detailed results and
agreement curves, go to: www.mediacurves.com
Among the study findings:
If the 2008 Presidential Election was held today, which of the following best describes who you would vote for?
Prior to Viewing the Video / After Viewing the Video
Democrats
Barack Obama - 80% / Barack Obama - 79%
John McCain - 6% / John McCain - 7%
Other candidate - 3% / Other candidate - 3%
Undecided - 10% / Undecided - 10%
Republicans
Barack Obama - 12% / Barack Obama - 11%
John McCain - 80% / John McCain - 80%
Other candidate - 1% / Other candidate - 1%
Undecided - 7% / Undecided - 8%
Independents
Barack Obama - 45% / Barack Obama - 45%
John McCain - 31% / John McCain - 32%
Other candidate - 5%/ Other candidate - 6%
Undecided - 19% / Undecided - 17%
Emotions Most Felt While Viewing the Ad
Among political parties, the emotions most felt by Republicans while watching the video were "skepticism" (39%),
"anger" (14%) and "disturbing" (14%), compared to Democrats, who reported "skepticism" (36%) and "confusion" (17%) and
"disturbing" (13%) as the emotions most felt. Independents reported "skepticism" (37%), "confusion" (13%) and "anger"
(13%) as the emotions most felt while watching the video.
The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular
and controversial media events and advertisements.
ENDS