Toplines - Sarah Palin and the Media - September 3, 2008

National Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters
Conducted September 3, 2008
By Rasmussen Reports

1* How closely have you been following new stories about John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin?

57% Very closely
28% Somewhat closely
10% Not very closely
3% Not at all
1% Not sure

2* In covering her campaign, are most reporters trying to help Sarah Palin, hurt Sarah Palin, or provide unbiased coverage of Sarah Palin?

5% Help
51% Hurt
35% Provide unbiased coverage
10% Not sure

3* Does the media coverage of Sarah Palin and her family reflect a double standard that treats women worse than men?

46% Yes
35% No
19% Not sure

4* Who has the better experience to be president of the United States –- Barack Obama or Sarah Palin?

49% Barack Obama
39% Sarah Palin
12% Not sure

5* Have news stories about Sarah Palin and her family made you more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain, or had no impact on your vote?

24% More likely

19% Less likely

54% No impact

3% Not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence