Rasmussen Poll: 51% Think the Media Is Out to Hurt Sarah Palin

Well, a new Rasmussen Reports poll came out today, and boy is this good news for the McCain/Palin campaign.  Here are the results, with commentary:

1* How closely have you been following new stories about John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin?

57% Very closely
28% Somewhat closely
10% Not very closely
3% Not at all
1% Not sure

So, we know that a LOT of people have been hearing stories about her in the media, and this is pretty obvious because she’s been a hot topic ever since McCain picked her.

2* In covering her campaign, are most reporters trying to help Sarah Palin, hurt Sarah Palin, or provide unbiased coverage of Sarah Palin?

5% Help
51% Hurt
35% Provide unbiased coverage
10% Not sure

WOW!  That’s great for Sarah Palin and John McCain.  51% saying that the media is trying to hurt her biases them toward her side.  Apparently 5% of these people watch FOX News!  Just kidding – honestly, FOX has been the fairest to her.  35% saying it’s unbiased is a little high in my opinion, because I think they’ve been overly brutal to her.  This many people agreeing with me is good for us though!

3* Does the media coverage of Sarah Palin and her family reflect a double standard that treats women worse than men?

46% Yes
35% No
19% Not sure

That’s another good number.  Having people think she’s being mistreated because she’s a woman is going to sway some, not a lot, but a few of Clinton’s former supporters.  Even if we only get 1 more vote, it helps.

4* Whohas the better experience to be president of the United States –- Barack Obama or Sarah Palin?

49% Barack Obama
39% Sarah Palin
12% Not sure

I disagree.  Palin does.  She’s had EXECUTIVE experience.  The President is an executive position.  And what experience as a legislator does Obama have?  He’s basically voted “Present” on half the stuff in the Illinois legislature, and he was campaigning during most of his Senate term.

5* Have news stories about Sarah Palin and her family made you more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain, or had no impact on your vote?

 

24% More likely

19% Less likely

54% No impact

3% Not sure

And here’s some demographic breakdowns:

Eighty percent (80%) of Republicans say reporters are trying to hurt the GOP vice presidential nominee, and 28% of Democrats agree. Only six percent (6%) of Republicans – and even fewer Democrats (4%)– think the reporting is intended to help her. Most Democrats (57%) think the reporters are being unbiased, but just nine percent (9%) of Republicans concur.

Among unaffiliated voters, 49% say reporters are trying to hurt Palin, while 32% say their coverage is unbiased. Only five percent (5%) say reporters are trying to help her.

Voters are more ambivalent about whether the media coverage of Palin and her family reflects a double standard that treats women worse than men. Forty-six percent (46%) say it does, but 35% disagree. Most Republicans and unaffiliated voters say the stories show the media’s double standard against women, but a majority of Democrats disagree.

Eighty percent (80%) of Republicans say reporters are trying to hurt the GOP vice presidential nominee, and 28% of Democrats agree. Only six percent (6%) of Republicans – and even fewer Democrats (4%)– think the reporting is intended to help her. Most Democrats (57%) think the reporters are being unbiased, but just nine percent (9%) of Republicans concur.

Among unaffiliated voters, 49% say reporters are trying to hurt Palin, while 32% say their coverage is unbiased. Only five percent (5%) say reporters are trying to help her.

Voters are more ambivalent about whether the media coverage of Palin and her family reflects a double standard that treats women worse than men. Forty-six percent (46%) say it does, but 35% disagree. Most Republicans and unaffiliated voters say the stories show the media’s double standard against women, but a majority of Democrats disagree.

So there was a net gain of 5% for the McCain/Palin ticket.  And if the media continues to pound her (on stories that have even been proven to be untrue, like her being a member of the Alaskan Independence Party), they’ll hand the victory right over to McCain.

Done Reporting,

Ranting Republican
:: :: :: :: ::

About these ads

Tags: 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Campaign, Candidate, Election, Elections, General Election, Governor, Illinois, John McCain, Legislators, Media, Media Bias, Politics, Poll, Rasmussen, Rasmussen Reports, Republican, Republicans, Running Mate, Sarah Palin, Senate, Senator, Vice Presidential Candidate