Executive Decision Results for 10/22/96 - 11/5/96

Who Should Lead America into the Next Century?

by Jack Beatty, Al From of the
Democratic Leadership Council, and Kate O'Beirne of
The National Review.

View the memo for this scenario.
Read written responses to this poll.

Review

During the past two weeks we asked you who should be President. Your options were:

Option A:

Option B: Bob Dole: A Better Man for a Better America, by Kate O'Beirne

Option C: Other (Please write in the name of the candidate you support)

The Results

Option A: 41%
Option B: 29%
Option C: 30%

Most respondents who selected either Clinton or Dole seemed to pick their candidate because he represented the lesser of two evils.

Of those who voted for Clinton, the majority felt that Dole was simply not "with the times" or was "out of the loop." Many also said that Dole's negative campaign against Clinton backfired. Some said that they chose Clinton because of their confidence in his intellectual ability and their belief that the country is better off now than in 1992.

Dole supporters were vehement about voting against an incumbent lacking integrity, moral judgment, and honesty. Many felt Clinton's first term was characterized by corruption and expressed the desire for change, regardless of the candidate. Some felt that Dole, with his senatorial experience, was more qualified to be President than Clinton.

Harry Browne was the leading write-in choice for President, with 84 percent of the vote for Other. Five percent chose Ross Perot, three percent chose Ralph Nader, three percent chose John Hagelin, and the rest did not write in a candidate. Browne supporters vaunted his determination to make government less intrusive, lower taxes, reduce spending, and balance the budget. Libertarian voters expressed disgust with the two reigning parties and the way they run their campaigns and signalled a need for drastic (if unspecified) change in government.

Party Lines

Option Democrats Republicans Independents Other Unregistered

Option A 25% 1% 8% 2% 3%

Option B 1% 18% 7% 1% 1%

Option C 1% 3% 6% 16% 1%

Age

Age Range Option A Option B Option C

Under 18 2% 2% 1%
18-34 10% 9% 12%
35-44 10% 5% 8%
45-54 10% 6% 5%
Over 55 6% 4% 2%

Gender

Gender Option A Option B Option C

Female 9% 5% 3%
Male 29% 23% 24%