Members Weigh-In: Election 2008
This summer, the IU used an independent research firm to survey a statistically valid, randomly selected sample of BAC members on a variety of topics. Given the importance of the upcoming presidential election, U.S. members were asked to weigh-in on several related issues.
When U.S. members were asked who they trust more to handle four key issues facing the country – the war in Iraq, immigration, the economy, and the U.S. campaign against terrorism – a much higher percentage of members said the Democrats in Congress can do a better job on all four areas than President Bush. [See Chart 1]
 Since members were already beginning to tune-in to the presidential debates in preparation for the primaries, those surveyed were asked which of these factors, ‘character & values,’ the ‘issues’ or ‘political party,’ will be most important to them in determining their choice for president. Almost half of the members surveyed (48%) said the candidates’ position on the issues, 33% said the candidates’ personal character and values, only 15% said the candidates’ party, and 4% were not sure. [See Chart 2]
Following up on this question, members were asked to identify the issue that will have the greatest influence over who they will vote for in the presidential election. At the top of the list was the economy, followed by the war in Iraq, immigration, and health care. In addition, after eight years of the Bush Administration, members said they are concerned about how honest the candidates are and how well they can lead the country.
 These results are particularly important because when members were asked if they feel the country is on the right or wrong track, 70% said the country is seriously off track. This finding is noteworthy for two reasons. First, in 2000, the final year of the Clinton Administration, the results were reversed with the majority of members (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) saying the country was on the right track. [See Chart 3]. Secondly, the reasons members gave for their dissatisfaction parallel the issues they said will have the greatest influence over their presidential vote in 2008.
When members were asked, “If the 2008 Democratic or Republican presidential primary or caucus were being held today, for whom would you vote?,” Senator Hillary Clinton led all other candidates. John Edwards came in a distant second and was followed closely by Barack Obama. Rudy Giuliani came in fourth and John McCain ranked fifth – both, however, were selected by 5% or less of the members.
This is supported by the results of a separate question in which members were read a list of seven attributes and asked, regardless of whom they would vote for, who they thought best embodies each attribute. Hillary Clinton led the candidates on all seven attributes.
For updates and additional sources of information, be sure to visit the “Legislative & Political” section of www.bacweb.org, where members
can also access Take Action, a ‘member only’ area with direct advocacy and candidate-related links and information.
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