American Pulse: Call Obama for Backup, McCain if You're Arrested

And Leave the Kids With Palin

 | Source: BIGresearch BIGresearch

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwire - September 24, 2008) - If you're still undecided about the upcoming election, you may want to stop and think which candidate you'd want on your side in your day-to-day life. According to the September American Pulse of 4,047 respondents (including 3,453 registered voters), registered voters want Sarah Palin to babysit their kids (62.1%), John McCain's help if they are arrested (34.5%), and Barack Obama on their side in a street fight (36%).

With all the rhetoric surrounding the tight Presidential contest, undecided voters may still hold the key in the race for the White House. Therefore, it's interesting to note which candidates Americans want by their side on vacation and at home, when asked to choose between the candidates and their running mates. Over 40% of registered voters would choose to go to Vegas with Republican Sarah Palin and have her as their next door neighbor. On a more serious note, however, voters feel Barack Obama will be the most remembered by historians.

Now that John McCain and Barack Obama have announced their running mates, if you had to choose between the four candidates, which would you choose for the following: 

                                                  Registered Voters
                                          McCain    Palin    Obama   Biden
Go to Vegas with for a weekend             15.0%    42.3%    27.7%   14.9%
Have as your next door neighbor            17.3%    41.5%    32.0%    9.2%
Will be the most remembered by historians  23.0%    21.8%    53.4%    1.8%

Source: BIGresearch, American Pulse, Sept. '08. N=3,453

(For complete complimentary findings, click here: http://americanpulse.bigresearch.com.)

Registered voters also weighed in on the media coverage of Palin, and only 28.6% contend coverage of the Alaskan governor has been accurate and unbiased. Almost 4 in 10 (38.2%) feel the media is only looking for unfavorable things to report, and 28% think the media hasn't treated her the same way they have the male candidates. However, it's possible all the negativity has helped the McCain/Palin ticket pick up some "sympathy" votes, as McCain now has a slight lead over Obama:

If the Presidential Election were held today, who would you vote for? 

                    Registered Voters
John McCain               43.6%
Barack Obama              38.4%
Undecided                 14.4%
Other                      3.5%

Source: BIGresearch, American Pulse, Sept. '08. N=3,453

About American Pulse™

The American Pulse™ Survey is collected online by BIGresearch every month exclusively utilizing Survey Sampling International's (SSI) U.S. panel covering topics such as politics, pop culture and the economy. Over 4,000 respondents participate, providing greater insights into how Americans really feel about issues they currently face. http://www.bigresearch.com.

About Survey Sampling International (SSI)

Survey Sampling International is the premier global provider of sampling solutions. Founded in 1977, SSI offers access to consumer and business-to-business respondents via Internet, telephone, mobile and other means; survey programming and hosting; and sampling consultation. SSI is the supplier of choice for more than 1,800 companies, including 46 of the top 50 marketing research agencies. Headquartered in Fairfield, CT, SSI maintains offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. http://www.surveysampling.com

Contact Information: Contacts: BIGresearch Dianne Kremer 614.846.0146 SSI Jason Kannon 860.674.3861

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