Faithless
09-20-2004, 03:47 PM
Election 2004: Who are the undecideds? (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1675&dept_id=18171&newsid=12960117&PAG=461&rfi=9)
With as often as they’ve been here and as much money as they are pumping into advertising in this state, it’s hard to imagine that there are many Pennsylvanians who have not made up their mind about whether to vote for President Bush or John Kerry.
Yet, the latest Franklin and Marshall Keystone Poll shows that 8 percent of the electorate is still claiming to be undecided.
With many polls showing that President Bush holds a slim lead in the neck-and-neck race for the crucial 21 electoral votes in the commonwealth, it will be this small collection of fence sitters that could decide the election.
But the question is, who are these unsure voters and why are they still non-committal?
A Zogby survey released last week shows that voters identifying themselves as undecided are almost certain to vote (90 percent, according to the survey) and they are open to either candidate.
However the biggest complaints are the way the president handled the war in Iraq and that Kerry is simply unlikable.
The undecided voter generally appears to be more conservative. Almost 59 percent of those polled said they voted for Bush in 2000.
The numbers also show that the undecided voters tend to be married white men between the ages of 30 and 49 who make a comfortable salary of about $75,000 a year.
Another inkling that the undecided vote is probably more from the Republican side than Democrat is that 40 percent say they get their news from the Fox News Channel -- the broadcasting company that tends to have right-leaning programming.
They also are more anti-abortion than pro-abortion-rights, are pro-gun-rights are split on the gay marriage issue, with 19 percent favoring gay marriage, 35.8 percent favoring civil unions and 38 percent favoring a complete ban.
Both candidates apparently recognize how crucial the 8 percent will be to the election, which explains their non-stop visits to the state.
Bush will return to the area Wednesday for his 37th visit to Pennsylvania since 2001 when he speaks in King of Prussia, Montgomery County.
But how many of these voters are there here in Delaware County? What are the reasons behind their indecision? And do they feel that their vote will be the difference makers in a down to the wire contest on Nov. 2?
The Daily Times wants to conduct a weekly survey on this very topic. So if you are an undecided voter, and would like to take part in a weekly examination of the latest news surrounding both candidates, then let us know.
With as often as they’ve been here and as much money as they are pumping into advertising in this state, it’s hard to imagine that there are many Pennsylvanians who have not made up their mind about whether to vote for President Bush or John Kerry.
Yet, the latest Franklin and Marshall Keystone Poll shows that 8 percent of the electorate is still claiming to be undecided.
With many polls showing that President Bush holds a slim lead in the neck-and-neck race for the crucial 21 electoral votes in the commonwealth, it will be this small collection of fence sitters that could decide the election.
But the question is, who are these unsure voters and why are they still non-committal?
A Zogby survey released last week shows that voters identifying themselves as undecided are almost certain to vote (90 percent, according to the survey) and they are open to either candidate.
However the biggest complaints are the way the president handled the war in Iraq and that Kerry is simply unlikable.
The undecided voter generally appears to be more conservative. Almost 59 percent of those polled said they voted for Bush in 2000.
The numbers also show that the undecided voters tend to be married white men between the ages of 30 and 49 who make a comfortable salary of about $75,000 a year.
Another inkling that the undecided vote is probably more from the Republican side than Democrat is that 40 percent say they get their news from the Fox News Channel -- the broadcasting company that tends to have right-leaning programming.
They also are more anti-abortion than pro-abortion-rights, are pro-gun-rights are split on the gay marriage issue, with 19 percent favoring gay marriage, 35.8 percent favoring civil unions and 38 percent favoring a complete ban.
Both candidates apparently recognize how crucial the 8 percent will be to the election, which explains their non-stop visits to the state.
Bush will return to the area Wednesday for his 37th visit to Pennsylvania since 2001 when he speaks in King of Prussia, Montgomery County.
But how many of these voters are there here in Delaware County? What are the reasons behind their indecision? And do they feel that their vote will be the difference makers in a down to the wire contest on Nov. 2?
The Daily Times wants to conduct a weekly survey on this very topic. So if you are an undecided voter, and would like to take part in a weekly examination of the latest news surrounding both candidates, then let us know.