cbs news/ uwire/ chronicle of higher education poll

8/14/2019 CBS News/ UWIRE/ Chronicle of Higher Education Poll

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CBS News/UWIRE/Chronicle of Higher Education PollFor release Monday, October 27, 2008

7:00 A.M. EDT

STUDENTS IN FOUR BATTLEGROUND STATES WEIGH IN ON THE 2008 ELECTIONOctober 6 - October 19, 2008

CBS News, UWIRE (a news service powered by student journalists at morethan 800 colleges), and the Chronicle of Higher Education pollednearly 25,000 students in a representative sample of four-yearcolleges in four states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina andColorado. The purpose of this poll was to investigate and understandthe political views of these young voters, many of whom areparticipating in a presidential election for their first time. Infact, half say this November will be the first election they vote in,and another quarter say they voted for the first time in a primary

earlier this year.

Students in these four states are more alike than they are different,and not just in their overall preference for president (six in 10favor Barack Obama).

Interest in this campaign is high among college students in these fourstates: about half are paying a lot of attention to the campaign, andmost say the outcome of the election matters. Many say that if Obamabecomes president it will make a difference in their lives.

Like adults nationwide, they are concerned about the economy, the topissue for them. Many have been motivated by registration drives fromtheir schools or from the campaigns themselves. They are more likelyto get their news from non-traditional sources like the Internet andtalk shows rather than newspapers and magazines, although televisionnews also matters.

To conduct these ground-breaking polls of undergraduate students, CBSNews and UWIRE enlisted the assistance of Cornell Universitys Survey

Research Institute, which programmed and hosted the questionnaire onthe web. Participating colleges and universities or the CornellSurvey Research Institute emailed invitations to participate to randomsamples of their students.

ENGAGEMENT IN THE CAMPAIGN

Students in these four states are paying almost as much attention tothis election campaign as are older voters. They have been the targetof registration campaigns by both the campaigns and by their schools.


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Roughly half of students in each state are paying a lot ofattention to the campaign. Among students in Colorado, thatrises to 58%. It is lowest in Pennsylvania, with 47%.

Only about one in 10 students are paying not much or noattention.

ATTENTION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN(Among registered voters)

PA OH NC CO Adult VotersA lot 47% 50% 50% 58% 65%Some 44 43 39 36 29Not much/none 9 7 6 6 6

This is slightly lower than the level of attention being paid by adultregistered voters. Among all adult registered voters interviewed inthe most recent CBS News/New York Times Poll, 65% said they werepaying a lot of attention to the campaign.

Students have been encouraged to participate in this election --bothby their schools and to a lesser extent, the campaigns.

The schools themselves have reached out to register students;about seven in 10 students in each state report they have beencontacted by their school about registering to vote.

CONTACTED BY SCHOOL VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAMS

PA OH NC COYes 76% 71% 69% 70%No 23 29 30 30

Fewer say the campaigns have contacted them directly. Still,over half the students in each state say they have been contactedby a campaign.

More students in Ohio (58%) and Colorado (59%) have been contacteddirectly by the campaigns.

CAMPAIGN CONTACTED YOU DIRECTLY?PA OH NC CO

About registering to vote 33% 23% 30% 26%About getting absentee ballot 3 5 4 4Both 17 30 18 29

No 46 41 48 40

REGISTRATION AND VOTING

The high level of attention and contact may have had an effect. Morethan nine in ten students in each state say they are registered tovote.


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REGISTERED TO VOTE

PA OH NC COYes 93% 95% 95% 94%No 7 5 5 6

In Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Colorado about half of these

students say they will be voting for the first time in November.

In Ohio, just 40% say this will be their first time voting but26% voted for the first time in their states highly contested

Democratic primary earlier this year.

VOTING FOR FIRST TIME?

PA OH NC CONovember will be first time 52% 40% 47% 52%Voted for first time earlier in 08 22 26 24 7Voted before 2008 24 34 28 41

Nearly all registered students in these states say they willdefinitely vote on Election Day.

LIKELIHOOD OF VOTING

(Among registered voters)PA OH NC CO

Definitely will 85% 82% 87% 91%Probably will 11 8 8 7Probably/definitely will not 2 2 2 1

But many students will be voting absentee or early, especially inOhio (36%) and Colorado (38%). However, at the time of the

interview (between October 6 and 19), as many as one in ten hasnot applied for a ballot, and many others had not receivedtheirs.

HOW ARE YOU VOTING?(Among registered voters)

PA OH NC COVoting in person 71% 51% 66% 52%Voting absentee 22 36 24 38

Already voted 1% 1% 1% 1%Have not returned ballot yet 5 8 6 12

Have not received ballot yet 10 20 9 21Have not applied for ballot yet 6 7 8 4

Most students are registered to vote in the state in which they go toschool, although not necessarily in their schools town or city.


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WHERE ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?


Registered to vote in school town 51% 41% 46% 51%Registered in school state, not town 34 49 38 42Registered in another state 14 10 16 6

VIEWS OF THE CANDIDATES

With one exception, Barack Obama rates more highly than John McCain onevery candidate quality measured in this poll.

Obama has successfully connected with many of these students; heis viewed particularly strongly on being someone they can relateto and as caring about people like them.

The only area in which McCain is stronger than Obama is on beingan effective commander-in-chief: more students in each state sayMcCain would be effective in this role than say the same for

Obama. Still, about half of these students say Obama would alsobe effective as commander-in-chief.

Where most see McCain as a typical Republican, just over half seeObama as a different type of Democrat.

CANDIDATE QUALITIES(Among registered voters)

PA OH NC COIs someone you can relate to

Obama 64% 61% 62% 67%McCain 25% 28% 31% 27%

Would bring about real changeObama 71% 68% 69% 71%McCain 27% 30% 30% 27%

Effective commander-in-chiefObama 52% 49% 51% 54%McCain 67% 70% 68% 66%

Cares about people like yourselfObama 78% 76% 75% 79%McCain 34% 39% 40% 34%

If elected, will make difference inYour life for the betterObama 55% 51% 53% 58%McCain 18% 22% 23% 20%

Will improve image of U.S. in worldObama 68% 64% 66% 71%McCain 17% 20% 20% 19%


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CANDIDATE QUALITIES CONT.


Obama different kind of Democrat 53% 51% 55% 56%Obama typical Democrat 46 48 44 44

McCain different kind of Republican 32% 36% 36% 36%McCain typical Republican 67 63 63 64

About four in ten students worry about John McCains age, andjust as many see Obamas as an advantage. Few think Obamasyouth makes him too inexperienced to serve as president, but fourin ten think McCains age would make it more difficult for him toserve as president.

THE IMPACT OF AGE(Among registered voters)

PA OH NC COObamas age:

Makes him too inexperienced 17% 18% 19% 15%Gives him fresh new ideas 43 39 40 41Wouldnt matter 40 42 41 43

McCains age:Makes Presidency too difficult 44% 42% 41% 43%Gives him experience 26 27 28 24Wouldnt matter 30 31 31 33

THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden is viewed favorably;

Republican Sarah Palin has a negative image.

About half of the students in each state dont much like Palin;

that rises to 60% among students in Colorado.

IMAGE OF THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES


Joe BidenReally like 33% 30% 32% 35%Think he is all right 28 28 28 31Dont much like 14 16 16 16Dont know enough to say

22 23 23 17

Sarah PalinReally like 17% 21% 20% 18%Think she is all right 15 17 16 13Dont much like 53 49 49 60Dont know enough to say 12 10 11 7


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Students are in agreement as to why John McCain chose Palin; notbecause she is well-qualified, but because McCain thought shewould help him win.

WHY OBAMA/McCAIN CHOSE THEIR RUNNING MATE

(Among registered voters)

PA OH NC COJoe Biden

Well qualified 41% 40% 40% 46%Would help win 16 19 18 15Both equally 37 35 37 34Something else 5 5 4 5

Sarah PalinWell qualified 4% 5% 4% 5%Would help win 73 72 71 75Both equally 17 18 18 16Something else 5 4 6 4

VOTE CHOICE

During the primaries, and in current pre-election polls, Obama has runstrongly with younger voters. Not surprisingly, he holds a large leadover John McCain among students in these states.

VOTE FOR PRESIDENT


Obama-Biden 67% 61% 62% 66%McCain-Palin 29 35 34 29

Obama voters are more enthusiastic than McCain voters about theircandidate in all four states.

ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT OBAMA

(Among registered voters)Obama Voters

PA OH NC COEnthusiastically support 51% 55% 60% 61%Support with reservations 41 38 34 32Support because party nominee 2 1 1 1Support because dislike other candidate 6 5 4 6

Enthusiasm for Obama is highest in North Carolina and Colorado.

About half of McCain voters say they have reservations abouttheir candidate.


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ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT MCCAIN

(Among registered voters)McCain Voters

PA OH NC COEnthusiastically support 29% 29% 31% 34%Support with reservations 54 52 54 49

Support because party nominee 5 5 3 4Support because dislike other candidate 12 13 12 13

More Obama than McCain voters in all states say their minds aremade up. About one in five McCain voters say they could stillchange their minds.

MIND MADE UP?


PA OH NC COMind made up 82% 75% 83% 87%Could still change 16 16 14 11

McCain VotersPA OH NC CO

Mind made up 71% 74% 76% 78%Could still change 26 20 21 21

There wont be too much political discord at home over Thanksgiving;most students in each state say their parents will vote for the samecandidate they will.

By a large margin, students who are McCain voters are more likelythan Obama voters to share their parents vote choice. About

eight in ten McCain voters say their vote will be the same astheir parents on election day; just over half of Obama voters

say that.

Their parents vote will split between the two candidates inabout one in five Obama voters homes.

PARENTS VOTE FOR PRESIDENT


PA OH NC COSame candidate as student 58% 56% 62% 57%

Different candidate 16 19 15 17One will vote same, one different 21 21 17 20They wont vote 5 4 4 6

McCain VotersPA OH NC CO

Same candidate as student 73% 80% 83% 76%Different candidate 6 4 4 7One will vote same, one different 15 13 10 11They wont vote 3 2 2 4


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POLITICAL INFORMATION AND ACTIVITY

Large majorities of students overall in each state have utilizedthe internet to visit a candidates web site or watch a video

about a candidate.

About a quarter to a third have visited a candidates Facebook orMySpace page, forwarded email or other commentary about acampaign, or signed up as a fan on a social networking site.

Two in three have watched a video relating to the election onYouTube, although only a few have posted one themselves.

WHICH ONLINE ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU DONE THIS ELECTION?

PA OH NC COWatched video on YouTube 67% 66% 70% 68%Visited candidates web page 63% 65% 65% 68%Visited candidates Facebook/MySpace page 27% 28% 27% 28%Forwarded email/commentary about campaign 23% 26% 32% 36%Signed up as fan on social network site 22% 24% 23% 21%

Signed up for email/twitter alerts 20% 21% 22% 27%Started/joined political/campaign group 15% 17% 17% 17%Posted video on YouTube 2% 2% 2% 2%

A third of students have adopted political buttons and clothing,and about a quarter have attended a political event. That risesto 32% in Colorado.

Just about one in ten have donated to a campaign, about the sameproportion who have volunteered their time.

Obama supporters are more likely than McCain supporters to havedone most of these things.

WHICH OTHER ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU DONE THIS ELECTION?

PA OH NC CODisplayed campaign sign/button/clothing 32% 38% 32% 36%Recruited friend to support candidate 29% 32% 32% 32%Attended political event with candidate 23% 21% 23% 32%Participated in voter registration drive 13% 12% 14% 11%Volunteered for campaign/candidate 12% 13% 12% 14%Donated to a campaign 10% 11% 12% 15%

Television and the internet are the most prevalent sources ofelection news for these students; about four in 5 reference thosesources every day or once or twice a week. Discussions withfriends and family are also important.

Students use of paper newspapers varies; more than half thestudents in Pennsylvania get political information from them atleast a few times a week, but just 41% of Colorados students do.

Among the least popular sources of political information forthese students are magazines in paper form. Most students are


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using traditional news web sites, not blogs, for their politicalinformation. Less than a third read blogs for politicalinformation.

GET POLITICAL INFORMATION FROM:

PA OH NC CO

Every day/once or twice a week:

TV News 79% 81% 81% 80%Internet news sites 77% 79% 80% 80%Discussions with friends/family 77% 80% 82% 84%Talk, entertainment, comedy shows 65% 67% 64% 63%Discussions in classrooms 52% 50% 53% 49%Newspapers in paper form 52% 49% 44% 41%Radio 31% 37% 40% 43%Blogs/other web sites 27% 26% 29% 29%Magazines in paper form 21% 20% 22% 23%

The classroom is also an important source of politicalinformation. One in three students in each state say politics isdiscussed in class very often, and an additional four in ten sayit is brought up sometimes.

TALK ABOUT POLITICS IN CLASS:

PA OH NC COVery often 30% 27% 32% 32%Sometimes 42 43 40 36Rarely 23 25 21 24Never 5 5 6 8

DOES THE ELECTION MATTER?

Large percentages of these students in each state say that it matterswho is elected president.

IMPORTANCE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PA OH NC COIt makes no differencewho is elected President

Agree 20% 20% 17% 16%Disagree 80 79 83 84

And half think the government in Washington cares at least somewhatabout their generation -- making Obamas ability to connect with themparticularly important.

GOVT. IN WASHINGTON CARES ABOUT YOUR GENERATIONPA OH NC CO

A lot 6% 6% 7% 6%Some 42 43 46 40Not much 42 41 38 42


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Not at all 10 9 8 12ISSUES

With the economy in bad shape, the stock market fluctuating, and WallStreet precarious, it comes as no surprise that, by a wide margin,students in each state view the economy as the most important issue in

their vote choice.

The war in Iraq, education and energy policy all follow. Fewstudents see immigration as extremely important, but it is moreimportant to students in North Carolina and Colorado.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN VOTE CHOICE


Economy and jobs 76% 75% 77% 73%War in Iraq 50% 48% 49% 51%Education 48% 51% 50% 55%

Energy policy 45% 45% 48% 53%Health care 41% 40% 44% 43%Environment 33% 32% 36% 38%Immigration 14% 13% 20% 19%

Obama is viewed as having the best plan for dealing with the issuethey say will be most important.

CANDIDATE WITH BEST PLAN FOR DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE


Obama 61% 56% 58% 61%

McCain 23 28 28 24Someone else 4 5 4 6Neither 11 10 10 9

The economy is viewed as nearly uniformly bad by students in eachstate. This is consistent with poll findings among the generalpublic.

RATING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

PA OH NC COVery good 0% 0% 0% 0%Fairly good 5 7 6 5Fairly bad 48 49 47 48Very bad 46 43 47 46

Despite their concerns about the economy, most students in each statethink their opportunities to succeed in life are about the same as orbetter than those of their parents.

But about one in five thinks their opportunities are worse. Thatconcern is highest in Ohio and Colorado.


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COMPARED TO PARENTS, YOUR OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED ARE:PA OH NC CO

Better 47% 43% 50% 42%Same 33 35 33 35Worse 19 22 17 22

While most think theyll get a job, about one in five is notconfident about being able to get a job after graduation.

CONFIDENCE IN GETTING A JOB

PA OH NC COVery confident 30% 30% 35% 32%Somewhat confident 51 51 50 47Not too confident 16 15 14 18Not at all confident 2 3 2 2

Students are at least somewhat confident about being able to payback their student loans.

CONFIDENCE IN PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS

PA OH NC COVery confident 21% 22% 20% 20%Somewhat confident 38 36 32 31Not too confident 19 18 14 17Not at all confident 6 5 4 6

When it comes to the war in Iraq, most students are willing to haveU.S. troops stay in Iraq for only two years or less.

WAR IN IRAQ: WILLING FOR TROOPS TO REMAIN THERE:

PA OH NC COLess than a year 36% 32% 32% 34%One to two years 34 34 35 35Two to five years 11 12 11 9Five to ten years 1 1 2 2As long as it takes 17 21 20 20

Finally, when it comes to education issues, it is the cost of highereducation that is the top concern for these students it faroutweighs other education issues as most important to them.

IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION ISSUES

(Among registered voters)PA OH NC COExtremely Important:

Controlling costs 65% 65% 58% 65%Improving quality 46% 49% 50% 52%Affirmative action programs 14% 13% 18% 15%Availability of private loans 39% 34% 32% 32%Wide range of political views on campus 37% 37% 41% 41%


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RACISM, SEXISM AND THE ELECTION

Majorities of students feel there has been too much talk about raceand gender in this election. And while many see racism as a seriousproblem and think Obama has been judged more harshly because of hisrace, large majorities also think the country is ready for a black

president.

HAS CAMPAIGN FOCUSED ON RACE/GENDER?


Too much 67% 75% 75% 69%Not enough 3 2 2 2About right 22 23 22 22

Sexism is also viewed as a problem by most students. Fewer thinkthe country is ready for a woman president than think its readyfor a black president.

COUNTRY READY FOR PRESIDENT?


BlackYes 78% 78% 77% 84%No 22 21 22 16

WomanYes 63% 63% 59% 67%No 36 36 40 33

There is little difference in opinions on race and gender by

state, though black students in North Carolina are more likelythan white students there to see each as a serious problem. Morethan half of black students see racism as very serious, whileonly 12% of whites view it as very serious.

SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE U.S. TODAY

PA OH NC CORacism 62% 62% 66% 65%Sexism 59% 60% 64% 65%

About a third of students think people have judged Obama moreharshly because he is black.

Black students in North Carolina are especially likely to saythat Obama has been treated more harshly because of his race: 66%think that is the case, compared to 31% of white students inNorth Carolina.


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PEOPLE JUDGE OBAMA DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE HE IS BLACK?(Among registered voters)

PA OH NC COMore harshly 38% 38% 39% 30%Less harshly 12 12 15 12No difference 49 49 46 58

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THESE STUDENTS

Those in Pennsylvania are most likely to describe themselves asDemocrats.

Students in Ohio were the most Republican (with North Carolinastudents a close second).

Those in North Carolina are more heavily black than in otherstates. A quarter describes themselves as conservative.

Students in Colorado are more liberal and independent.

DEMOGRAPHICS

PA OH NC COMale 48% 48% 42% 46%Female 51 52 58 54

Republican 26% 30% 29% 24%Democrat 48 40 43 40Independent 25 29 27 35

Liberal 38% 36% 35% 41%

Moderate 43 41 41 42Conservative 17 22 23 16

White 84% 86% 73% 83%Black 7 8 19 3

__________________________________________________________________Methodology:

The CBS News/UWire Poll of college students was conducted withundergraduates in four-year colleges and universities in each state.Sample sizes and the margin of error due to sampling for results basedon the entire sample are listed below. The error for subgroups is

higher.

STATE SAMPLE SIZE MARGIN OF ERRORPennsylvania 7,298 +/- 1 ptOhio 5,914 +/- 1 ptNorth Carolina 7,617 +/- 1 ptColorado 4,019 +/- 2 pts

TOTAL 24,848


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UWire/Chronicle of Higher Education/CBS News PollFall 2008

>q1q2< (q2:where registered) Which best describes where you areregistered to vote?

1 I am registered to vote in the town/city where I go to school2 I am registered to vote in the same state where I go to

school, but in a different town/city3 I am registered to vote in a different state than where I goto school

9 Skipped/no answer

>q3< (q3:attention to campaign) How much attention have you beenable to pay to the 2008 presidential campaign?

1 A lot2 Some3 Not much4 None at all9 Skipped/no answer

>q4< (q4:likely to vote) How likely is it that you will vote in thepresidential election in November?

1 Definitely will vote2 Probably will vote3 Probably will not vote4 Definitely will not vote5 Already voted absentee or via early voting9 Skipped/no answer


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ASK q5 IF q4=5>q5< (q5:early vote choice) Which candidate did you vote for?

RANDOMIZE ORDER1 John McCain and Sarah Palin (skip to q9)2 Barack Obama and Joe Biden (skip to q9)

3 Someone else (skip to q9)9 Skipped/no answer (skip to q9)

ASK q6 IF (q4 is not 5)>q6< (q6:voting method) Do you plan to vote absentee, or do youthink you will vote in person?

1 Absentee2 Travel/in person3 Not sure9 Skipped/no answer

ASK IF ABSENTEE (q6 = 1):>q6a< (q6a:absentee status) Which of the following best describes you?

1 I have already cast an absentee or early ballot2 Ive gotten my absentee ballot but not returned it yet3 I have applied for my absentee ballot but not gotten it yet4 I have not applied for my absentee ballot yet, but plan to9 Skipped/no answer

ASK q7 IF (q2 = 1) OR (q2 = 2 or 3 AND q4 is not 5)>q7< (Q7:vote choice) If the 2008 presidential election were beingheld today and the candidates were those listed below, for whom wouldyou vote?

RANDOMIZE ORDER1 Barack Obama and Joe Biden2 John McCain and Sarah Palin3 Someone else9 Skipped/no answer

>q8< (Q8:mind made up) Is your mind made up or is it still too earlyto say for sure?

1 Mind made up2 Too early to say for sure

9 Skipped/no answer


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>q9< (Q9:vote enthusiasm) How would you describe your feelings aboutyour candidate?

1 I enthusiastically support him2 I support him but have reservations about him3 I support him only because he is the party nominee

4 I support him because I dislike the other candidate9 Skipped/no answer

>q12< (Q12:parent vote) As far as you know, do you think your PARENTSwill vote:

1 For the same candidate as you will2 For a different candidate than you will3 One will vote same, one wont3 They wont vote at all9 Skipped/no answer

>q13< (Q13:most important issue) In deciding who you would like to seeelected President this year, how important will each of the followingissues be in your vote?

USE GRID (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT, SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT,NOT TOO IMPORTANT)

RANDOMIZE ORDER1 The economy and jobs2 The war in Iraq3 The environment4 Energy policy5 Health care6 Education7 Immigration9 Skipped/no answer - GO TO q15

>q14< (Q14:candidate deal MII) Which one candidate do you think hasthe best plan for dealing with the issues you think are mostimportant?

RANDOMIZE ORDER OF CANDIDATES1 Barack Obama2 John McCain3 Someone else

4 None of them9 Skipped/no answer


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GRID(EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT, SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT, NOT TOOIMPORTANT)>q15< (q15:higher education issue) Thinking specifically abouthigher-education issues, how important is each of the following toyou, personally:

Controlling the costs of a college educationImproving the quality of a college educationAffirmative action programsAvailability of private loans to pay for collegeThe ability to discuss a wide range of political views on campus

NON-REGISTERED RETURN HERE>q16< (q16:condition of natl economy) How would you rate the conditionof the national economy these days?

Very good

Fairly good Fairly bad Very bad DK/NA

>q17< (q17:job confidence) How confident are you about getting a jobafter you graduate?

1 Very confident2 Somewhat confident3 Not too confident4 Not at all confident9 Skipped/no answer

>q18< (q18:repay student loans) How confident are you about being ableto repay any student loans you might have after you graduate?

1 Very confident2 Somewhat confident3 Not too confident4 Not at all confident5 No student loans9 Skipped/no answer

>q19< (q19:opportunities parents) Compared to your parents'

generation, do you think in general your opportunities to succeed inlife are better than theirs, about the same as theirs, or worse thantheirs?

1 Better2 Same3 Worse9 Don't know/No answer


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>q20< (q20: gov cares young) How much do you think the government inWashington cares aboutpeople of your generation -- a lot, some, not much, or not at all?

1 A lot2 Some

3 Not much4 Not at all9 Don't know/No answer

>q21< (q21: 08 vote matter) Would you agree or disagree with thefollowing statement? It makes no real difference who is electedPresident--things go on just as they did before.

1 Agree2 Disagree9 Don't know/No answer

>q22< (q22:racism serious) How serious a problem do you think racismis in the U.S. today very serious, somewhat serious, not tooserious, or not a serious problem at all?

1 Very serious2 Somewhat serious3 Not too serious4 Not at all serious9 Skipped/no answer

>q23< (q23:sexism serious) How serious a problem do you think sexismis in the U.S. today very serious, somewhat serious, not tooserious, or not a serious problem at all?

1 Very serious2 Somewhat serious3 Not too serious4 Not at all serious9 Skipped/no answer

REGISTERED VOTERS ONLY NON RVS GOTO TROOPS IN IRAQ

ROTATE OBAMA SECTION Q24-32 WITH MCCAIN SECTION Q33-Q41USE GRID>q24< (q24:relate Obama) Do you think Barack Obama:

is someone you can relate to, or not?

1 Yes2 No9 Skipped/no answer


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>q25q26< (q26:Obama chief) would be an effective commander-in-chiefof the nation's military?


>q28< (q28:Obama cares) cares about the needs and problems ofpeople like yourself?

1 Yes

2 No9 Skipped/no answer

END GRID

>q30< (q30: difference Obama presidency) If Barack Obama is electedPresident, do you think that will make a difference in your everydaylife, or not?

1 Yes, will make it better2 Yes, will make it worse3 No, Wont make a difference9 Skipped/no answer

>q31< (q31: Obama different democrat) Do you think Barack Obama is adifferent kind of Democrat, or do you think he is a typical Democrat?

1 Different kind of Democrat2 Typical Democrat9 Skipped/No answer

>q32< (q32:Obama image in world) If Barack Obama is elected president,do you think that will make the United States' image in the worldbetter, make it worse, or will it have no effect on the United States'image in the world?

1 Better2 Worse3 No effect9 Skipped/No answer


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GRID>q33< (q33:relate McCain) Do you think John McCain:

is someone you can relate to, or not?

1 Yes

2 No9 Skipped/no answer

>q34< (q34:McCain change DC) would bring about real change in theway things are done in Washington?


>q35< (q35:McCain chief) would be an effective commander-in-chiefof the nation's military?


>q36< (q36:McCain cares) cares about the needs and problems ofpeople like yourself?


>q39< (q39:difference McCain presidency) If John McCain is electedPresident, do you think that will make a difference in your everydaylife, or not?

1 Yes, will make it better2 Yes, will make it worse3 No, Wont make a difference9 Skipped/no answer

>q40< (q40:McCain different Republican) Do you think John McCain is adifferent kind of Republican, or do you think he is a typicalRepublican?

1 Different kind of Republican2 Typical Republican9 Skipped/No answer


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>q41< (q41:McCain image in world) If John McCain is elected president,do you think that will make the United States' image in the worldbetter, make it worse, or will it have no effect on the United States'image in the world?

1 Better

2 Worse3 No effect9 Skipped/No answer

>q42< (q42:Obama age) If elected, Barack Obama would be 47 years oldwhen he assumes office. Do you think his being 47 years old might:

1 Make him too inexperienced to do the work the Presidency requires2 Help him have the fresh new ideas to do a good job as President3 Wouldnt matter9 Skipped/No answer

>q43< (q43:McCain age) If elected, John McCain would be 72 years oldwhen he assumes office. Do you think his being 72 years old might:

1 Make it too difficult for him to do the work the Presidency requires2 Help him have the experience to do a good job as President3 Wouldnt matter9 Skipped/No answer

>q44< (q44:U.S. ready for black pres) Do you think America is ready toelect a black president, or not?

1 Yes2 No9 Skipped/No answer

>q45< (q45:U.S. ready for woman pres) Do you think America is ready toelect a woman president, or not?

1 Yes2 No9 Skipped/No answer

>q46< (q46:Obama race prejudice) In general, have people you knowjudged Barack Obama more harshly because he's black, less harshlybecause he's black, or no differently?

1 More harshly2 Less harshly3 No difference9 Skipped/ no answer


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USE GRID>q47a,b< (q47a: opinion Biden, q47b: opinion Palin) What do you thinkof the Vice Presidential candidates?

Joe Biden Sarah Palin1 I really like him or her

2 I think he or she is alright3 I dont much like him or her4 I dont know enough about him or her to say9 Skipped/no answer

ROTATE 48-49>q48< (q48:why McCain chose Palin) When John McCain chose Sarah Palinas his running mate, do you think it was MORE because he thinks SarahPalin is well qualified for the job, or MORE because he thinks SarahPalin would help him win the election?

1 Well-qualified

2 Would help win3 Both equally (vol)4 Something else (Vol.)9 Skipped/ no answer

>q49< (q49:why Obama chose Biden) When Barack Obama chose Joe Biden ashis running mate, do you think it was MORE because he thinks Joe Bidenis well qualified for the job, or MORE because he thinks Joe Bidenwould help him win the election?

1 Well-qualified2 Would help win3 Both equally (vol)4 Something else (Vol.)9 Skipped/ no answer

>q50< (q50:focus race gender) From what you have seen or heard, do youthink the 2008 campaign has focused too much on the candidates'personal attributes like race and gender, not enough, or about theright amount on the candidates' race and gender?

1 Too much2 Not enough3 About right9 Skipped/no answer


24/27

ASK ALL RV AND NON-RV>q51< (q51:troops Remain in Iraq) How much longer would you be willingto have large numbers of U.S. troops remain in Iraq?

1 Less than a year2 One to two years

3 Two to five years4 Five to ten years5 As long as it takes9 Skipped/no answer

>q52< (q52:politics in classroom) How often do you talk aboutpolitics or current events in your college classrooms?

1 Very often2 Sometimes3 Rarely4 Never

9 Skipped/no answer

>q53< (q53:first time voters) Which of the following best describesyou:

1 The November 2008 presidential election would be the firsttime I have ever voted

2 I voted for the first time in the 2008 PRIMARIES3 I voted before 20089 Skipped/ no answer

ASK IF q53 = 3. Fill =1 if q53 = 2. Fill = 2 if q53 = 1 or 9.>q54< (q54: primary vote)Did you vote in a 2008 Presidential primaryor caucus?

1 Yes2 No9 Skipped/ no answer

>q54a< (q54a:primary vote) In the 2008 Primaries or caucuses, didyou vote for:

1 Barack Obama2 Hillary Clinton3 John Edwards

4 Another Democratic candidate5 John McCain6 Mitt Romney7 Mike Huckabee8 Rudy Giuliani9 Ron Paul10 Another Republican candidate

11 Skipped/no answer


25/27

>q55< (q55:contact with campaign) During this presidential campaign,has any campaign contacted you directly to offer help registering tovote, or getting an absentee ballot?

1 Yes, registering to vote2 Yes, getting an absentee ballot

3 Yes, both4 No9 Skipped/no answer

>q56< (q56:08 election via web) Which of the following onlineactivities have you done in this election? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

1 Yes 2 No 9Skipped/NAVisited a candidate's web pageVisited a candidate's Facebook or MySpace pageSigned up to be a fan on a social networking site

Started or joined a political or campaign group on a socialnetworking siteSigned up for email or twitter alerts from a candidateForwarded an email or commentary about a candidate or campaign to afriend/family memberWatched a video about a candidate on You TubePosted a video about a candidate on You Tube

>q57< (q57:school registration) Have you been contacted by any voterregistration programs run by your school or university?

1 Yes

2 No9 Skipped/ no answer

>q58< (q58:08 Election Activities) Which of the following activitieshave you done in this election? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

Participated in a voter registration driveDonated to a campaignRecruited friends to join a campaignVolunteered to help a candidate or campaignDisplayed a campaign sign or worn campaign button/clothingAttended a political event with a candidate>q59< (q59:election news source) How often do you use the followingto get information about politics:


26/27

(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)GRID: EVERY DAY / ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK / A FEW TIMES A MONTH /RARELY OR NEVER

Newspapers in paper formMagazines in paper form

Internet news sitesBlogs or other individuals web sitesTV newsTV talk shows, entertainment and comedy showsRadioDiscussions with friends and familyDiscussions in college classrooms

ASK RVS ONLY>q60< (q60:when first registered) When was the FIRST time youregistered to vote?

1 Since June 20082 Between January and June 20083 Before that9 Skipped/no answer

ASK ALL RV AND NON-RV>q61< (q61:party ID) Generally speaking, do you usually consideryourself a?

1 Republican2 Democrat3 Independent9 Skipped/no answer

>q62< (q62:political philosophy) How would you describe your views onmost political matters?

1 Liberal2 Moderate3 Conservative9 Skipped/no answer

>q63< (gender:gender) Are you:

1 Male2 Female9 Skipped/no answer


27/27

>q64< (age:age) How old are you?

1 Under 182 183 194 20

5 216 227 238 24 or older9 Skipped/no answer

>q65< (year:year in school) What year are you in college?

1 Freshman2 Sophomore3 Junior4 Senior

9 Skipped/no answer

>q66< (hisp:hispanic) Are you of Hispanic origin or descent, or not?

1 Hispanic2 Not hispanic9 Skipped/no answer

>q67< (race:race) Are you?

1 White or Caucasian2 Black or African-American3 Asian4 Something else9 Skipped/no answer

Those are all the questions we have for you. Thank you for yourparticipation!

cbs news/ uwire/ chronicle of higher education poll

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