September 26, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of adults in the United States express support for a presidential contender who would pay attention to ecological concerns, according to a poll by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute. 93.1 per cent of respondents say they would be more likely to support a candidate who promises action to improve the environment.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of adults in the United States express support for a presidential contender who would pay attention to ecological concerns, according to a poll by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute. 93.1 per cent of respondents say they would be more likely to support a candidate who promises action to improve the environment.

Maintaining a strong military is second on the list of preferred characteristics with 87.9 per cent, followed by embracing religion and having strong faith in God with 83.6 per cent, lowering taxes with 81.3 per cent, and promising universal health care for all Americans with 72.8 per cent.

In addition, 56.1 per cent of respondents would be more willing to back a presidential contender who vowed to build a fence in the U.S.-Mexico border, while just 29.7 per cent would favour a candidate who supports allowing same-sex couples to marry.

The list of prospective Republican Party candidates includes former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, actor and former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, Arizona senator John McCain, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. The Democratic Party’s presidential hopefuls include New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Illinois senator Barack Obama, former North Carolina senator John Edwards, and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson.

On Sept. 24, Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo—who is also seeking the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in 2008—said the environment is harmed by illegal immigration, adding, "I don’t ever see the Sierra Club going down there and saying, ‘Look at what is happening to this pristine desert’."

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2004, Republican George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states. Democratic nominee John Kerry received 252 electoral votes from 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The next presidential election is scheduled for November 2008.

Polling Data

Would you be more likely to support a presidential candidate in 2008 who...
("More likely to support" listed)

Promises action to improve the environment	93.1%
Promises to maintain a strong military	87.9%
Embraces religion and has strong faith in God	83.6%
Will lower taxes	81.3%
Promises universal healthcare for all Americans	72.8%
Promises to build a Mexican-U.S. border fence	56.1%
Supports allowing same-sex couples to marry	29.7%

Source: Sacred Heart University Polling Institute
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted from Aug. 27 to Sept. 8, 2007. Margin for error is 3 per cent.