Conducted 2/9-11; surveyed 1006 adults; margin of error +/- 3% (release, 2/16)If Your Party Nominated A Generally Well-Qualified Candidate For WH '08, Would You Be Comfortable In Voting For A WH'08er Who Was ___, Would You Vote For That Person?Yes No Catholic 95% 4% Black 94 5 Jewish 92 7 A woman 88 11 Hispanic 87 12 Mormon 72 24 Married for third time 67 30 72 years old 57 42 A homosexual 55 43 An atheist 45 53Comfortable Reservations Not VoteBlack 84% 9% 5% A woman 78 10 11 Mormon 58 14 24 72 years old 43 15 42 Married for third time 54 13 30
P.S.: John McCain will be 72 years old on election day, 2008. At least he beat out homosexuals and atheists!
Via Cosmic Variance
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February 18, 2007 at 10:45 pm
gdancik
I just like to point out that if the above percentages are all independent, then 9.45% of Americans would be willing to vote for a 72 year old homosexual atheist that was on his/her 3rd marriage.
I didn’t realize McCain is that old…I think most people would not be comfortable voting for a candidate who is not in good health, or at an age in which health could quickly deteriorate. But I think McCain looks damn good for 71…do you think McCain’s age will be a factor?
February 19, 2007 at 10:32 am
AllisonDC
I’ll go on the record as saying I’m one that’s at fault for letting someone’s religion sway me. There are several religions out there that I find completely absurd. I would honestly have a hard time voting for someone that I knew believed in one of those religions. I would not be able to put my full trust in them.
Yeah, that makes me the religious equivalent to a racist, I know. I’m not proud of it, but I’m just being honest.
I didn’t know McCain was that old. He seems to be in great health, so I would have no problem voting for him when it came to that factor.
But as far as religion goes, it would just be nice to have a Presidency that didn’t shove their religious morals in our face.
February 19, 2007 at 10:46 pm
jtg714
interesting statistic. i would have to say, i would think someone who is married for the 3rd time would be even lower on this list. all the other categories are either genetic traits or personal beliefs, but being married 3 times shows a lack of stability in ones life. not to stereotype (particularly since i don’t personally know anyone who has been married 3 times), but presuming this is a result of divorce instead of widow, it shows that the person is unable to resolve issues in their personal life. knowing that, i’m surprised people in this country would vote for a candidate that has trouble resolving personal issues for a position that involves solving major world issues. i know they are a completely different scale, but solving problems of all sizes includes finding a mid-point that works for all parties involved.
i’m probably most surprised by the athiest vote on here. i knew there was a strong belief in religion in this county, but i thought people were open to allowing everyone to have their own beliefs, even if that religious belief is not believing in religion.
February 20, 2007 at 11:36 am
gdancik
I’ve heard similar polls about atheists before…I think it’s because the stereotype is that if you’re an atheist you’re somehow morally inferior to those who believe in a higher power. Though considering that a major tenant of our country is a so-called separation between church and state, you would think that an atheist would be the *best* candidate for the job!
Ali, I can totally understand what you’re saying. As I stated in a comment to another blog, religion, much more than race or gender, directly influences how a person views the world, our purpose here, what is right and wrong, etc. So I think there is some justification for taking someone’s religion into account, especially when they believe that other religions are ‘wrong’. I’d like to believe that the only way I’d let religion sway me is if a person’s religious beliefs encroached on civil liberties or would make them overstep the bounds of government. In some cases I do see religious belief in contradiction with scientific theory and even rational thought, and I have to admit I’d be a little uncomfortable with someone like that in power.