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CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL
For release: Sunday, August 24, 2008
6:00 P.M. EDT
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES: BARACK OBAMA, THE PARTY’S LEADERS, AND THE ISSUES
July 16 - August 17, 2008
Delegates to the Democratic convention see Senator Barack Obama’s
inspirational qualities as his greatest strength, and express
enthusiasm for him as the Democratic nominee. They recognize his lack
of experience as his greatest weakness, but four in 5 are confident he
will win in November.
Delegates hold highly sympathetic views of Senator Hillary Clinton.
85% have a favorable impression of her, higher than the seven in 10
Democratic voters who feel that way.
On many policy matters, there is widespread agreement between
Democratic delegates and the partisans they represent – they are in
lockstep when it comes to economic concerns, the desire to extend
health care coverage, and opposition to the war in Iraq.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE GENERAL ELECTION
His ability to inspire is Barack Obama’s greatest strength as a
presidential candidate, at least according to delegates to the
Democratic national convention. 23% say so, ahead of bringing change
to the country, volunteered by 13%. Being a good communicator,
leadership skills, the ability to unite the country, and being a fresh
face all tie for third place at 10% each.
OBAMA’S MAIN STRENGTH AS A CANDIDATE
Total Pledged to: Super-
Delegates BO HRC delegates
Inspirational/gives hope 23% 20% 26% 23%
Would bring change 13 14 12 11
Good communicator 10 6 13 10
Leadership 10 12 7 11
Can unite Americans 10 11 9 10
New/fresh face 10 8 10 14
Intelligent 8 10 6 7
Clinton delegates are more likely than Obama delegates to cite Obama
being a fresh face and a good communicator, while Obama delegates are
more likely to cite leadership and his ability to unite Americans.
Delegates agree on Obama’s greatest weakness as a candidate –
inexperience – though Clinton delegates are much more likely to
volunteer it than Obama delegates. Nearly six in 10 Clinton delegates
volunteer Obama’s lack of experience, compared with only 29% of
delegates pledged to Obama. Nearly as many Obama delegates – 24% -
say he doesn’t have any weaknesses as a candidate.
OBAMA’S MAIN WEAKNESS AS A CANDIDATE
Total Pledged to: Super-
Delegates BO HRC delegates
Inexperienced 42% 29% 58% 40%
His race 8 9 6 9
Foreign policy 6 6 7 2
Nothing 17 24 9 17
Most delegates originally elected as pledged to Hillary Clinton – 60%
-- say they support Obama’s nomination enthusiastically. That’s
fewer, however, than other delegates. Clinton delegates are more
likely than delegates overall to support Obama with reservations or
simply because he is the de facto nominee, and 5% say they don’t
support him.
SUPPORT FOR BARACK OBAMA AS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
Total Pledged
Delegates to Clinton
Enthusiastic 82% 60%
With reservations 6 14
Because he’s the nominee 8 17
Don’t support him 2 5
Enthusiastic support may not be much of a measure of success in
November, however. 88% of delegates were enthusiastic about John
Kerry in 2004, and 92% were enthusiastic about Al Gore in 2000.
Democratic delegates are hopeful about the fall: 79% overall -
including 68% of pledged Clinton delegates – are confident that Obama
will win the election in November.
HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT OBAMA WILL WIN?
Total Pledged to: Super-
Delegates BO HRC delegates
Confident he will win 79% 89% 68% 81%
Real chance he could lose 15 7 24 10
60% of delegates think Obama will win in their states, with delegates
from the Northeast particularly optimistic.
WHO WILL WIN IN YOUR STATE?
Obama 60%
McCain 14
Toss up 24
Nine in 10 delegates representing states from the Northeast say that
Obama will take their state in November; including three in four who
say Obama will have a big edge. Delegates from the West Coast also
think Obama will win big in their states, while many delegates from
Midwestern states think he will win, but it will be a closer race.
Democratic delegates from the South give the edge to McCain.
WHO WILL WIN IN YOUR STATE?
Northeast West Midwest South
Obama , big edge 74% 61% 34% 11%
Obama, narrow edge 15 16 28 13
McCain 1 6 9 33
Toss up 9 15 26 40
Few delegates are bothered by Obama’s decision not to participate in
public financing during the general election. Over three in four
delegates say it was the right thing to do.
SHOULD OBAMA HAVE REFUSED
PUBLIC FINANCING OF HIS CAMPAIGN?
Total Pledged to: Super-
Delegates BO HRC delegates
Yes 78% 88% 67% 77%
No 10 4 18 6
VIEWS OF THE CLINTONS
Hillary Clinton may not have won the nomination, but she is popular
with the delegates – and with Democrats overall. 85% of Democratic
delegates to the 2008 Convention have a favorable opinion of her –
including seven in ten of the delegates pledged to her victorious
rival and nine in 10 unpledged super-delegates. Fewer than one in
five Obama delegates view Senator Clinton unfavorably.
OPINION OF HILLARY CLINTON
Total Pledged to: Super-
Delegates BO HRC delegates
Favorable 85% 68% 99% 90%
Not favorable 8 18 1 4
Undecided/Don’t know 5 12 0 1
Opinion of Hillary Clinton is somewhat lower among Democratic voters
nationwide, though a clear majority (72%) still has a favorable
opinion of her. All registered voters nationwide, however, divide
almost evenly.
OPINION OF HILLARY CLINTON Democratic Democratic Total
Delegates Voters Voters
Favorable 85% 72% 45%
Not favorable 8 14 43
Undecided/Don’t know 5 14 12
As for her husband, 79% of Democratic delegates have a favorable
opinion of former president Bill Clinton. His popularity is down
dramatically from four years ago, when 96% had a favorable opinion of
him. In fact, opinions of both Clintons are now less favorable than
they were among Democratic delegates at the 2004 Democratic
Convention.
OPINION OF THE CLINTONS
Hillary Clinton Now 2004
Favorable 85% 91%
Not favorable 8 2
Undecided/Don’t know 5 6
Bill Clinton Now 2004
Favorable 79% 96%
Not favorable 11 1
Undecided/Don’t know 9 3
OTHER DEMOCRATS AND ONE FORMER DEMOCRAT
81% of Democratic delegates also have a favorable of Michelle Obama.
But while she has a net favorable opinion among Democratic voters and
all voters nationwide, half of voters still have not formed an opinion
about her.
OPINION OF MICHELLE OBAMA
Democratic Democratic Total
Delegates Voters Voters
Favorable 81% 45% 28%
Not favorable 3 6 18
Undecided/Don’t know 15 49 53
Opinion of former Vice President and former Presidential candidate Al
Gore has risen since 2004 among Democratic delegates. 93% of
Democratic delegates now view him favorably, up 10 points since 2004.
OPINION OF AL GORE
Now 2004
Favorable 93% 83%
Not favorable 2 7
Undecided/Don’t know 4 9
The chair of the Democratic Party, Howard Dean, is viewed favorably by
65% of the delegates attending the 2008 Democratic convention, higher
than the 51% favorable rating that delegates gave to his predecessor,
Terry McAuliffe, in 2004. Obama delegates are much more favorably
inclined towards him than are delegates pledged to his losing rival,
Hillary Clinton. Only about half of pledged Clinton delegates have a
favorable opinion of Dean.
OPINION OF HOWARD DEAN
Total Pledged to: Super-
Delegates BO HRC delegates
Favorable 65% 73% 52% 76%
Not favorable 13 6 25 6
Undecided/Don’t know 19 20 23 15
One person who would be persona non grata at this year’s convention is
former vice presidential nominee and 2004 presidential hopeful Joe
Lieberman, the former Democrat-turned-independent who caucuses with
the Democrats but has been campaigning for John McCain. Only 12% of
Democratic delegates have a favorable opinion of Senator Lieberman.
He is also unpopular with Democratic voters and voters overall.
OPINION OF JOE LIEBERMAN
Democratic Democratic Total
Delegates Voters Voters
Favorable 12% 12% 20%
Not favorable 69 36 27
Undecided/Don’t know 18 51 52
Back in August 2000, Senator Joe Lieberman was named the Democratic
nominee for Vice President. More than five times as many voters had a
favorable view of him as had an unfavorable one, and he was viewed
positively by both Republicans and Democrats.
That’s not true today. There is a party divide, and the Democrat-
turned-Independent is now much better liked by Republican voters than
he is by Democratic ones. Overall, more voters have a negative view
than a positive one.
OPINION OF LIEBERMAN
(Among Registered Voters)
Favorable Unfavorable Undecided Don’t Know Enough
TOTAL
Now 20% 27 23 29
8/2000 35% 6 15 42
DEMOCRATS
Now 12% 36 22 29
8/2000 47% 2 16 34
REPUBLICANS
Now 27% 18 30 23
8/2000 25% 11 16 46
INDEPENDENTS
Now 22% 26 16 35
8/2000 31% 5 14 48
DELEGATES AND THE NATION’S DEMOCRATS: ON THE ISSUES
Ideologically, 2008’s delegates look quite like 2004’s – almost all
call themselves either moderates or liberals. While the nation’s
Democratic voters have some conservatives in their ranks (15%), there
will be few conservatives at the convention in Denver.
POLITICAL IDEOLOGY
Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Now 2004
Liberal 43% 41% 48% 26%
Moderate 50 52 34 36
Conservative 3 3 16 36
ISSUES
By a large margin, these delegates –like their voters – see the
economy and jobs as the most important campaign issue in their state.
70% mention it, up from 51% in 2004 and just 15% in 2000. Far fewer
delegates volunteer the war in Iraq this year than in 2004, while more
this year name the gas or oil crisis -- an issue not on delegates’
minds in 2004 or 2000.
MOST IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN ISSUE IN YOUR STATE
2008 2004 2000
Economy and jobs 70% 51% 15%
War in Iraq 6 14 --
Health care 6 8 19
Environment 4 1 3
Gas/oil crisis 3 -- --
Today’s Democratic voters are also especially focused on the economy.
It is their most-volunteered response (39%) on which issue will be
tops in their own state.
The Economy
Nearly all of the delegates to the Democratic convention think the
economy is in bad shape (including 63% who think it is very bad). 90%
think the United States is in a recession.
Voters nationwide also call the economy bad, though not quite at the
same rate as Democratic voters or delegates.
CONDITION OF THE ECONOMY
Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Good 2% 7% 20%
Bad 97 92 80
Iraq
Like Democratic voters nationwide, Democratic convention delegates
overwhelmingly oppose the Iraq war, saying the U.S. should have stayed
out of it. Only 2% of them believe attacking Iraq was the right thing
to do.
MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ WAS…
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
Right thing 2% 14%
U.S. should have stayed out 95 84
This is much the same for delegates in 2008 as it was in 2004: then,
only 7% of delegates called the right thing.
Delegates also see the war going badly, as do Democratic voters.
IRAQ WAR IS GOING… Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
Very well 0% 2%
Somewhat well 22 26
Somewhat badly 44 38
Very badly 29 32
Delegates give a bit more credit to the troop surge for improving the
situation in Iraq than their voters do – one third say it has made
things better (even if it hasn’t made the overall war go well).
Still, like many Democratic voters, many delegates see no impact at
all.
TROOP SURGE IN IRAQ HAS MADE THINGS…
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
Better 36% 28%
Worse 8 18
No impact 45 43
Delegates are in line with their voters on the future of U.S. troop
levels: they overwhelmingly want them decreased or removed altogether.
U.S. TROOP LEVELS IN IRAQ SHOULD BE…
(Among Democratic Delegates)
Increased 1%
Kept same 3
Decreased 57
Remove all 34
In CBS News polling this summer, most Americans said they would only
be willing to have large numbers of troops remain in Iraq at most one
or two more years.
Health Care
Democratic delegates view providing health care coverage to those
without it as a more serious problem than keeping the cost of health
care down for average Americans.
WHICH IS MORE SERIOUS HEALTH CARE PROBLEM?
(Among Democratic Delegates)
Coverage for uninsured 77%
Keep health care costs down 13
Nearly all also think that it is important to provide health care
coverage for all Americans even if it means raising taxes. Few would
keep taxes low and risk having some people uninsured. Voters
nationwide also look for coverage, though a quarter do not.
WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT?
Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Health care coverage for all/raise taxes 94% 90% 67%
Keep taxes low/some without health coverage 3 7 27
Environment vs. Energy
Given the high price of gas over the past few months, more than a
third of Democratic delegates recognize the need for the country to
explore new sources of energy -- 37% say that is a higher priority for
the government than protecting the environment. About the same
percentage volunteer they want the government to do both. Voters
nationwide are even more directly in favor of developing new sources
of energy.
HIGHER PRIORITY FOR GOVT:
Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Protecting environment 25% 30% 21%
Developing new sources of energy 37 53 63
Both (vol.) 36 14 14
Democratic voters nationwide are divided over the idea of offshore
drilling, but 63% of all voters favor it. In a CBS News/New York Times
Poll taken in July, six in ten Americans said that the rise in gas
prices was causing them financial hardship, and they expressed higher
support for building nuclear power plants than they had at any time
since the 1970’s.
Immigration
Delegates are much less likely than rank-and-file Democrats to call
illegal immigration a serious issue. Almost half of delegates think it
is not serious at all.
Neither group, however, calls it as serious a problem as voters
nationwide do.
HOW SERIOUS IS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ISSUE?
Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Very serious 15% 36% 49%
Somewhat serious 39 32 29
Not too/not at all 44 29 21
Delegates overwhelmingly say illegal immigrants currently working in
the U.S. should have a path to citizenship. Few think those workers
should be forced to leave the U.S. or even have guest worker status.
On this, delegates are more favorable toward a path to citizenship
than rank-and-file Democrats, one-quarter of whom want those workers
to leave the U.S. altogether.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WORKING IN THE U.S. SHOULD… Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Stay, apply for citizenship 68% 50% 40%
Stay, keep jobs, but no citizenship 18 24 26
Leave jobs, leave U.S. 6 23 31
Gun Control
On the hot-button issue of gun control, most delegates – and
Democratic voters -- stand on the side of enacting stronger gun
control laws.
GUN CONTROL LAWS SHOULD BE MADE…
Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
More strict 62% 71% 52%
Less strict 4 3 11
Kept as they are 29 24 36
Same Sex Marriage
More than half of Democratic delegates favor allowing same sex
marriage, an increase of eleven points since 2004.
SAME SEX COUPLES SHOULD BE ALLOWED: Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Now 2004
To legally marry 55% 44% 49% 34%
To legally form civil unions 35 43 19 24
No legal recognition 5 5 29 39
But three in ten Democratic voters want NO legal recognition of same-
sex partnerships.
Tax Cuts
80% would like the Bush tax cuts enacted in 2001 to be allowed to
expire. Just 7% want them made permanent. A similar question was
asked in 2004; then, most delegates also wanted to permit the tax cuts
to expire.
Religion
Democratic delegates split over whether religion ought to be part of a
campaign – half say candidates should discuss their own religious
views. This is more welcoming of the discussion than rank-and-file
Democrats, and even more so than all voters.
RELIGION SHOULD BE…
Democratic Democratic All
Delegates Voters Voters
Discussed by candidates 50% 36% 42%
Not part of a campaign 43 59 55
Terrorism
Concerning the broader fight against terrorism, delegates are very
concerned that the government is currently restricting too many civil
liberties as it tries to defend the nation against attack.
MORE CONCERNED THAT GOVERNMENT IS…
(Among Democratic Delegates)
Not enacting strong enough anti-terror laws 11%
Restricting civil liberties 79
Four years ago Democratic delegates felt much the same way.
__________________________________________________________________ The CBS News/New York Times Delegate Poll was conducted July 16-August 17,
2008 with a random sample of 970 Democratic delegates. The error due to
sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on
the entire sample. Interviews were conducted via phone; if a delegate
preferred, he or she could complete the survey online. Online interviewing
was conducted by CfMC, a San Francisco-based research software company.
CBS NEWS/New York Times Poll
Democratic Delegate Survey
July 16-August 17, 2008
q1 FOR FUTURE RELEASE
q5 And who will you vote for on the floor of the convention?
2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES
Clinton 18
Obama 75
Edwards 0
DK/NA 7
q6 Was there ever a time this year when you supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic
nomination, or not?
** AMONG SUPERDELEGATES **
%
Yes 43
No 52
DK/NA 5
q7 How would you describe your feelings about Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee --
would you say you enthusiastically support him; support him but have reservations about
him; support him only because he is the likely party nominee; or do you not support him
yet?
2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES
%
Enthusiastic 82
With reservations 6
Party nominee 8
Don't support him 2
DK/NA 2
q8 How many years have you been active in Democratic party politics?
Average number of years 23
q9 Have you ever attended a national convention as a delegate or as an alternate before?
Yes 43
No 57
DK/NA 0
90 Which one(s) did you attend?
%
2004 29
2000 23
1996 18
1992 16
1988 11
1984 7
1980 5
1976 3
1972 2
Before 1972 2
q11 Are you very confident that Barack Obama will win the presidential election in
November, or do you think there is a real chance he could lose?
2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES
%
Confident he will win 79
Real chance he could lose 15
DK/NA 6
q12 How would you describe Barack Obama’s chances of carrying your state against John
McCain? Would you say Obama is the favorite, or McCain is the favorite, or would you call
it a toss-up?
IF OBAMA OR McCAIN: Would you say he has a big edge, or only a narrow one?
Obama favorite, big edge 42
Obama favorite, narrow edge 18
McCain favorite, big edge 5
McCain favorite, narrow edge 9
Toss-up 24
DK/NA 2
q13 What do you think will be the most important campaign issue in your state?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
Economy / jobs 70 39
Health Care 6 9
War in Iraq 6 7
Environment 4 5
Gas/Heating Oil Crisis 3 13
Other 9 10
DK/NA 2 17
q17 What would you say is Barack Obama’s main STRENGTH as a presidential candidate?
Inspirational/Gives hope 23
Would bring change 13
Good speaker/communicator 10
Leadership 10
Can unite Americans 10
New/fresh face 10
Intelligent 8
Young 4
Honesty/Integrity 4
Other 6
Everything 2
DK/NA 0
q18 What would you say is Barack Obama’s main WEAKNESS as a presidential candidate?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
%
Inexperienced 42
Race 8
Foreign Policy 6
Everything 4
Too young 3
Policies too vague 3
Nothing 17
Other 8
DK/NA 9
q19 Do you think of Barack Obama as more of a liberal, a moderate or a conservative?
Liberal 33 50
Moderate 56 32
Conservative 1 10
DK/NA 10 8
q20 Do you agree with Barack Obama’s decision not to participate in public financing
during the general election, or do you think he should have accepted public funds?
Agree with decision 78
Should have accepted public 10
DK/NA 12
q21 Is your opinion of Hillary Clinton favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't
you heard enough about Hillary Clinton yet to have an opinion?
Favorable 85 72
Not favorable 8 14
Undecided 5 13
Haven't heard enough 0 1
Refused 2 1
q22 Is your opinion of Howard Dean favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you
heard enough about Howard Dean yet to have an opinion?
Favorable 65
Not favorable 13
Undecided 16
Haven't heard enough 3
Refused 3
q23 Is your opinion of Michelle Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you
heard enough about Michelle Obama yet to have an opinion?
Favorable 81 45
Not favorable 3 6
Undecided 8 16
Haven't heard enough 7 33
Refused 1 0
q24 Is your opinion of Bill Clinton favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you
heard enough about Bill Clinton yet to have an opinion?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Favorable 79 71
Not favorable 11 16
Undecided 9 10
Haven't heard enough 0 3
Refused 1 0
q25 Is your opinion of Al Gore favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard
enough about Al Gore yet to have an opinion?
Favorable 93
Not favorable 2
Undecided 4
Haven't heard enough 1
Refused 0
q26 Is your opinion of Joe Lieberman favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you
heard enough about Joe Lieberman yet to have an opinion?
Favorable 12 12
Not favorable 69 36
Undecided 16 22
Haven't heard enough 2 29
Refused 1 1
q27 Thinking specifically about the current system that the Democratic Party uses to pick
its nominees, would you say you are very satisfied with it, somewhat satisfied, not too
satisfied, or not at all satisfied with it?
2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES
%
Very satisfied 21
Somewhat satisfied 46
Not too satisfied 19
Not at all satisfied 12
DK/NA 2
q28 Do you think the current system the Democratic Party in your state uses to select
delegates needs to be changed, or do you think it works well the way it is?
IF CHANGE: Do you think it needs major changes or only minor changes?
Needs major changes 16
Needs minor changes 17
Works well as is 65
DK/NA 2
q29 How do you think it should be changed?
** THOSE WHO SAID CHANGES IN Q29 **
%
Change caucus to primary 15
Select delegates more fair 14
Pledged delegates only 8
Same day National Primary 4
Same day Regional Primaries 3
Change primary to caucus 2
Nothing 1
All delegates bound/pledge 1
Not penalized for early pr 1
Rotate dates for states 1
Other 33
DK/NA 17
q30 Do you think the campaign for the Democratic nomination which ended in early June has
1) helped the party's chance of winning the presidential election in November, or 2) hurt
the party's chance of winning in November, or 3) not had any effect on the election in
November?
2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES
%
Helped 57
Hurt 10
No effect 29
DK/NA 4
q31 Thinking about the way the Democratic Party has seated the delegates from Michigan
and Florida, do you think all of the delegates from Michigan and Florida should have been
seated with full votes, or none of the delegates from these states should have been
seated, or are you satisfied with the way Michigan and Florida delegates have been seated
at the convention?
Should have seated all 31
Seated none 8
Satisfied with outcome 54
DK/NA 7
q32 Thinking about the order in which states hold their presidential primaries and
caucuses, do you think Iowa and New Hampshire should continue to hold the first two
contests, or do you think other states should be allowed to go first?
IA and NH always first 29
Other states allowed first 57
DK/NA 14
q33 As you may know, the Democratic Party selects its nominee based on a mix of
superdelegates and the elected delegates won in the states. In 2012, do you think this
system should be changed, so the party uses only elected delegates to choose the nominee,
or not?
Changed, use only elected 34
Not 55
DK/NA 11
q34 Which comes closer to your view: Government should do more to solve national
problems; or Government is doing too many things better left to businesses and
individuals?
2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES
%
Government should do more 83
Government is doing too much 9
DK/NA 8
q35 Which comes closer to your view: Government should do more to promote traditional
values; or Government should not favor one set of values over another?
Do more 12
Should not favor 79
DK/NA 9
q36 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very
good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad?
2008 Aug08a1
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Very good 0 0
Fairly good 2 7
Fairly bad 34 41
Very bad 63 51
DK/NA 1 1
q37 Right now, do you think the United States is in an economic recession, or not?
Yes 90
No 8
DK/NA 2
q38 Looking back, do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military
action against Iraq, or should the U.S. have stayed out?
Did the right thing 2 14
Should have stayed out 95 84
DK/NA 3 2
q39 How would you say things are going for the U.S. in its efforts to bring stability
and order to Iraq? Would you say things are going very well, somewhat well, somewhat
badly, or very badly?
Very well 0 2
Somewhat well 22 26
Somewhat badly 44 38
Very badly 29 32
DK/NA 5 2
q40 As you may know, the United States has sent a troop surge to Iraq. From what you have
heard or read, would you say the troop surge is making the situation in Iraq better,
making it worse, or is it having no impact on the situation in Iraq so far?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Making it better 36 28
Making worse 8 18
No impact 45 43
Don't know/No answer 11 11
q41 From what you have seen or heard about the situation in Iraq, what should the United
States do now - should the US increase the number of US troops in Iraq, keep the same
number of US troops in Iraq as there are now, decrease the number of troops in Iraq, or
remove all its troops from Iraq?
Increase 1
Keep the same 3
Decrease 57
Remove all troops 34
Don't know/No answer 5
q42 Which of these do you think is more important - providing health care coverage for
all Americans, even if it means raising taxes for some Americans, OR holding down taxes,
even if it means some Americans do not have health care coverage?
Providing healthcare for all 94 90
Holding down taxes 3 7
Don't know/No answer 3 3
q43 If you had to say, which do you think is a more serious problem right now - keeping
health care costs down for average Americans, OR providing health insurance for Americans
who do not have any insurance?
Keeping costs down 13
Providing for the uninsured 77
DK/NA 10
q44 How serious a problem do you think the issue of illegal immigration is for the
country right now--very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all
serious?
Very serious 15 36
Somewhat serious 39 32
Not too serious 34 21
Not at all serious 10 8
Don't know/No answer 2 3
q45 Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently working
in the U.S.? 1. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs, and to eventually apply for
US citizenship. 2. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs only as temporary guest
workers, but not to apply for US citizenship. 3. They should be required to leave their
jobs and leave the US.
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Allowed to say and apply 68 50
Stay as guest worker 18 24
Required to leave jobs and 6 23
Don't know/No answer 8 3
q46 Right now, which do you think should be a higher priority for the government --
protecting the environment, or developing new sources of energy?
Protecting the environment 25 30
Developing new sources 37 53
Both (vol.) 36 14
DK/NA 2 3
q47 Many of the tax cuts passed in 2001 were temporary and are set to expire in a few
years. Should those tax cuts be made permanent or should they be allowed to expire?
Made permanent 7 34
Allowed to expire 80 47
Depends (Vol.) 8 3
Don't know/No answer 5 16
q48 What is your personal feeling about abortion: 1. It should be permitted in all cases;
2. It should be permitted, but subject to greater restrictions than it is now; 3. It
should be permitted only in cases such as rape, incest and to save the woman’s life;
OR 4. It should ONLY be permitted to save the woman’s life?
Permitted in all cases 58 33
Permitted with restriction 18 20
Only rape/incest/life of woman 10 32
Only to save life 2 11
Not permitted at all (vol. 0 2
DK/NA 12 2
q49 Which of these comes closest to your view?...1. Abortion should be generally
available to those who want it. 2. Abortion should be available but under stricter limits
than it is now. 3. Abortion should not be permitted?
Generally available 70 43
Available but under strict 20 40
Not permitted 3 16
DK/NA 7 1
q50 Which comes closest to your view? 1. Gay couples should be allowed to legally
marry OR 2. Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry OR
3. There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Should be allowed to marry 55 49
Allow civil unions 35 19
No legal recognition 5 29
DK/NA 5 3
q51 Which concerns you more right now — that the government is failing to enact strong
anti-terrorism laws, or that the government is enacting new anti-terrorism laws which
excessively restrict the average person’s civil liberties?
Fail to enact 11
Enact laws that are excess 79
Neither 3
DK/NA 7
q52 Should presidential candidates discuss the role of religion in their lives or is this
something that should not be part of a presidential campaign?
Should discuss 50 36
Not part of campaign 43 59
DK/NA 7 5
q53 In general, do you think gun control laws should be made more strict, less strict, or
kept as they are now?
More strict 62 71
Less strict 4 3
Kept as they are now 29 24
Don't know/No answer 5 2
q55 Some people say that political conventions are outdated and no longer needed since
the presidential nominees are now selected before the conventions. Other people say
political conventions are needed to show the public who members of the parties are and
what they stand for. Which do you think? Are political conventions still needed or not?
Still needed 88 66
Not needed 9 30
DK/NA 3 4
q56 What do you think the chances are that the Democrats will have at least 60 seats in
the Senate after the elections in November -- excellent, pretty good, fair, or poor?
Excellent 31
Pretty good 47
Fair 18
Poor 2
DK/NA 2
q57 How much do you think it would help Barack Obama in your state if Bill Clinton
actively campaigns for him -- would it help him a lot, some, not much, or not at all?
** 2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES **
%
A lot 44
Some 33
Not much 13
Not at all 6
DK/NA 4
q59 How much do you think it would help Democratic candidates in your state if Barack
Obama actively campaigns for them -- would it help them a lot, some, not much, or not at
all?
A lot 66
Some 24
Not much 5
Not at all 2
DK/NA 3
q61 Have you personally made a donation to Barack Obama’s campaign, or not?
Yes 58
No 39
DK/NA 3
q62 Besides being a delegate to the 2008 Democratic convention, do you now hold a party
position?
Yes 51
No 48
DK/NA 1
q63 What position is that?
** THOSE WITH DEM PARTY POSITION **
%
Local 43
State/Regional 23
Nat'l Party position/Commi 14
State Legislature/Senate/A 6
Nat'l Committeeman/woman 4
U.S. Congress/House of Rep 1
State Party Chair 1
Everything 3
Nothing 1
DK/NA 4
q65 Do you now hold a publicly elected office?
Yes 30
No 70
DK/NA 0
q66 What office is that?
** THOSE WHO HOLD ELECTED OFFICE **
%
Local 32
State Legislature/Senate/A 29
State/Regional 15
U.S. Congress/House of Rep 5
Mayor 4
Nat'l Party position/Commi 3
Governor 2
U.S. Senator (nat'l) 1
Lt Governor 1
State Sec'y of State 1
Everything 1
Other 4
DK/NA 2
q67 Have you ever held an elected office?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Yes 20
No 80
DK/NA 0
q68 Are you a member of a labor union?
Yes 24 10
No 76 89
DK/NA 0 1
q69 Have you yourself ever served in the U.S. armed forces or in the U.S. reserves?
Yes 14 7
No 86 93
DK/NA 0 0
q70 Are you a member of the National Rifle Association, or not?
Yes 3
No 97
DK/NA 0
q71 Was there any time when you thought of yourself as a Republican?
Yes 12 18
No 88 82
DK/NA 0 0
Q72 –q73 HELD FOR FUTURE RELEASE
pphl How would you describe your views on most political matter?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Liberal 43 48
Moderate 50 34
Conservative 3 16
DK/NA 4 2
q74 Would you say you attend religious services every week, almost every week, once or
twice a month, a few times a year, or never?
Every week 23 24
Almost every week 13 10
Once or twice a month 19 13
A few times a year 30 33
Never 13 20
DK/NA 2 0
q75 Some people think of themselves as evangelical or born again Christians. Do you ever
think of yourself in either of these ways?
Yes 14 23
No 84 77
DK/NA 2 0
q76 How important is religion in your daily life? Is it extremely important, very
important, somewhat important, or not at all important?
Extremely important 22 26
Very important 32 24
Somewhat important 27 34
Not at all important 15 15
DK/NA 4 1
q77 Other than politician or office holder, what is your occupation?
** 2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES **
%
Legal professional 17
Retired 11
Education 8
Labor Management/Leader 5
Consultant/Management 4
Holds elected office/Party 3
Real Estate 3
Administrative/Manager/Sec’y 3
Medical professional 3
Other White Collar Jobs 3
Other Executive positions 3
Business owner/Self-employ 3
Student 3
Banking/Finance 2
Public relations/Advertising 2
Officeholder/political emp 2
Government worker 1
Accountant 1
Social Work 1
Computer programmer/Tech 1
Sales/Marketing 1
Insurance 1
Engineer/Scientist/Architect 1
Writer 1
Campaign worker/Lobbyist 1
CEO/President 1
Upper management/Director 1
Other Blue Collar Jobs 1
Construction worker/Skilled 1
Farmer/Rancher 1
Homemaker 1
Performing Arts 1
Other 1
Other/Everything 2
Nothing 4
DK/NA 2
q78 Do you or does any other member of your household own a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or
any other kind of firearm?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Yes, self 23 16
Yes, other 10 17
No 65 66
DK/NA 2 1
q80 Would you say that your total net worth is under $500,000, between $500,000 and $1
million, or over $1 million?
2008 Aug08a
Democratic Democratic
Delegates Voters
% %
Under $500,000 45
$500,000-$1 million 21
Over $1 million 22
DK/NA 12
race Are you white, black, Asian, or something else?
White or Caucasian 65 72
Black or African American 23 23
Asian 3 3
Something else 7 2
Refused 2 0
UNWEIGHTED WEIGHTED
Total Democratic Delegates 970
Total Democratic Voters 370 377