Toplines: Debates

Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters

June 8, 2008

1* John McCain has asked Barack Obama to join him for a series of town hall debates, once a week, in ten different cities around the country. The two men would answer questions from private citizens instead of reporters. Is this a good idea?

77% Yes

11% No

12% Not sure

2* What format would be the best for a Presidential Debate—a town hall format with questions asked from private citizens, a format where McCain and Obama debate each other directly with nobody else asking questions, or a traditional format with reporters asking the questions?

60% Town hall format

22% Direct debate between McCain and Obama

11% Reporters ask questions

7% Not sure

3* Is it better to have a lot of debates between McCain and Obama or just a couple?

55% A lot

36% Just a couple

9% Not sure

4* In terms of how you will vote this year, how important will the Presidential debates be?

37% Very important

40% Somewhat important

17% Not very important

4% Not at all important

1% Not sure

5* Who is likely to win the Presidential debates….John McCain or Barack Obama?

28% John McCain

44% Barack Obama

27% Not sure