The Deciders, Women Divided
Women are split in the latest Lifetime 'Every Woman Counts' national survey, with 47% backing Barack Obama to 45% for John McCain. The poll, conducted from 9/11-15 (which didn't correspond with the news last week of historic upheaval in the nation's financial markets), has a margin of error of 4.4%.
Other nuggets of interest ...
Clintonites Coming 'Round
-- Of those who supported Hillary Clinton in the primary, 72% planned to vote for Obama and 23% for McCain.
Single City Dwellers For Obama
-- The Democratic ticket received majority support from 18-34 year old women (59%), Black women (89%), Northeastern, Western and urban women (55%, 54% and 63% respectively), single women (68%), those earning less than $30,000 (61%) and $50-70,000 (60%), Democrats (83%) and liberals (82%).
McCainiacs: White, Married, Rich And Rural
-- McCain’s support surpassed the 50 percent mark among 35-44 year old women and women ages 55 to 64 (56% and 51%), White women (53%), South Central residents (54%), rural women (59%), married women (55%), women who do not work outside the home (62%), those earning $30-50,000 (50%) and more than $70,000 (51%), Republicans (91%), and Independent women (52%).
Polarizing Palin
-- One in five women (18%) said they were much more likely to vote for the Republican ticket because of Sarah Palin, while another one in five (20%) said they were much less likely to support this ticket. Overall, 28% said they were more likely to support McCain with Palin on the ticket and 24% said they are less likely, with 47% claiming it made no difference.
-- Favorability toward Palin tended to be lower among 18-34 year olds (44% mostly favorable), Black women (15%), urban women (38%), and Democrats and liberals (20% and 22%). A plurality of Clinton primary voters (44%) held a mostly negative view of Palin, while 27% were mostly positive and 22% had a neutral of mixed view.
The Split Difference
-- Obama/Biden had the edge when voters were asked which ticket has the best plan to end the war in Iraq (+14), will do more to help middle class families (+25), will bring about change the country needs (+14) and will reform Washington (+7). McCain/Palin won out, however, when voters were asked who is ready to lead (+4), who has a better understanding of issues important to women (+2) and who has the best plan to win the war in Iraq (+14).
And One For The Road
Voters were asked: "Which of the following women do you think is the best role model for young girls in this country?"
29% Michelle Obama
28% Sarah Palin
23% Hillary Clinton
9% Cindy McCain
1% Jill Biden
The poll, conducted by WomanTrend and Lake Research Partners, surveyed 534 likely female voters.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)