CBS News/ UWIRE/ Chronicle of Higher Education Poll

CBS News/UWIRE/Chronicle of Higher Education Poll
For release Monday, October 27, 2008

7:00 A.M. EDT
STUDENTS IN FOUR BATTLEGROUND STATES WEIGH IN ON THE 2008 ELECTION

October 6 - October 19, 2008
CBS News, UWIRE (a news service powered by student journalists at more

than 800 colleges), and the Chronicle of Higher Education polled
nearly 25,000 students in a representative sample of four-year
colleges in four states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and
Colorado. The purpose of this poll was to investigate and understand
the political views of these young voters, many of whom are
participating in a presidential election for their first time. In
fact, half say this November will be the first election they vote in,
and another quarter say they voted for the first time in a primary
earlier this year.
Students in these four states are more alike than they are different,
and not just in their overall preference for president (six in 10
favor Barack Obama).
Interest in this campaign is high among college students in these four

states: about half are paying a lot of attention to the campaign, and
most say the outcome of the election matters. Many say that if Obama
becomes president it will make a difference in their lives.
Like adults nationwide, they are concerned about the economy, the top
issue for them. Many have been motivated by registration drives from
their schools or from the campaigns themselves. They are more likely
to get their news from non-traditional sources like the Internet and
talk shows rather than newspapers and magazines, although television
news also matters.
To conduct these ground-breaking polls of undergraduate students, CBS

News and UWIRE enlisted the assistance of Cornell University’s Survey
Research Institute, which programmed and hosted the questionnaire on
the web. Participating colleges and universities or the Cornell
Survey Research Institute emailed invitations to participate to random
samples of their students.
ENGAGEMENT IN THE CAMPAIGN
Students in these four states are paying almost as much attention to

this election campaign as are older voters. They have been the target
of registration campaigns by both the campaigns and by their schools.
Roughly half of students in each state are paying a lot of
attention to the campaign. Among students in Colorado, that
rises to 58%. It is lowest in Pennsylvania, with 47%.
Only about one in 10 students are paying not much or no
attention.
ATTENTION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

(Among registered voters)
PA OH NC CO Adult Voters
A lot 47% 50% 50% 58% 65%
Some 44 43 39 36 29
Not much/none 9 7 6 6 6
This is slightly lower than the level of attention being paid by adult
registered voters. Among all adult registered voters interviewed in
the most recent CBS News/New York Times Poll, 65% said they were
paying a lot of attention to the campaign.
Students have been encouraged to participate in this election --both

by their schools and to a lesser extent, the campaigns.
The schools themselves have reached out to register students;

about seven in 10 students in each state report they have been
contacted by their school about registering to vote.
CONTACTED BY SCHOOL VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAMS

PA OH NC CO
Yes 76% 71% 69% 70%
No 23 29 30 30
Fewer say the campaigns have contacted them directly. Still,

over half the students in each state say they have been contacted
by a campaign.
More students in Ohio (58%) and Colorado (59%) have been contacted
directly by the campaigns.
CAMPAIGN CONTACTED YOU DIRECTLY?

PA OH NC CO
About registering to vote 33% 23% 30% 26%
About getting absentee ballot 3 5 4 4
Both 17 30 18 29
No 46 41 48 40
REGISTRATION AND VOTING
The high level of attention and contact may have had an effect. More
than nine in ten students in each state say they are registered to
vote.
REGISTERED TO VOTE
PA OH NC CO
Yes 93% 95% 95% 94%
No 7 5 5 6
In Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Colorado about half of these

students say they will be voting for the first time in November.
In Ohio, just 40% say this will be their first time voting – but
26% voted for the first time in their state’s highly contested
Democratic primary earlier this year.
VOTING FOR FIRST TIME?

PA OH NC CO
November will be first time 52% 40% 47% 52%
Voted for first time earlier in ’08 22 26 24 7
Voted before 2008 24 34 28 41
Nearly all registered students in these states say they will

definitely vote on Election Day.
LIKELIHOOD OF VOTING
PA OH NC CO
Definitely will 85% 82% 87% 91%
Probably will 11 8 8 7
Probably/definitely will not 2 2 2 1
But many students will be voting absentee or early, especially in

Ohio (36%) and Colorado (38%). However, at the time of the
interview (between October 6 and 19), as many as one in ten has
not applied for a ballot, and many others had not received
theirs.
HOW ARE YOU VOTING?

PA OH NC CO
Voting in person 71% 51% 66% 52%
Voting absentee 22 36 24 38
Already voted 1% 1% 1% 1%
Have not returned ballot yet 5 8 6 12
Have not received ballot yet 10 20 9 21
Have not applied for ballot yet 6 7 8 4
Most students are registered to vote in the state in which they go to

school, although not necessarily in their school’s town or city.
WHERE ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?
PA OH NC CO
Registered to vote in school town 51% 41% 46% 51%
Registered in school state, not town 34 49 38 42
Registered in another state 14 10 16 6
VIEWS OF THE CANDIDATES
With one exception, Barack Obama rates more highly than John McCain on
every candidate quality measured in this poll.
Obama has successfully connected with many of these students; he

is viewed particularly strongly on being someone they can relate
to and as caring about people like them.
The only area in which McCain is stronger than Obama is on being
an effective commander-in-chief: more students in each state say
McCain would be effective in this role than say the same for
Obama. Still, about half of these students say Obama would also
be effective as commander-in-chief.
Where most see McCain as a typical Republican, just over half see
Obama as a different type of Democrat.
CANDIDATE QUALITIES
PA OH NC CO
Is someone you can relate to
Obama 64% 61% 62% 67%
McCain 25% 28% 31% 27%
Would bring about real change

Obama 71% 68% 69% 71%
McCain 27% 30% 30% 27%
Effective commander-in-chief
Obama 52% 49% 51% 54%
McCain 67% 70% 68% 66%
Cares about people like yourself

Obama 78% 76% 75% 79%
McCain 34% 39% 40% 34%
If elected, will make difference in

Your life for the better
Obama 55% 51% 53% 58%
McCain 18% 22% 23% 20%
Will improve image of U.S. in world

Obama 68% 64% 66% 71%
McCain 17% 20% 20% 19%
CANDIDATE QUALITIES CONT.
PA OH NC CO
Obama different kind of Democrat 53% 51% 55% 56%
Obama typical Democrat 46 48 44 44
McCain different kind of Republican 32% 36% 36% 36%

McCain typical Republican 67 63 63 64
About four in ten students worry about John McCain’s age, and
just as many see Obama’s as an advantage. Few think Obama’s
youth makes him too inexperienced to serve as president, but four
in ten think McCain’s age would make it more difficult for him to
serve as president.
THE IMPACT OF AGE
PA OH NC CO
Obama’s age:
Makes him too inexperienced 17% 18% 19% 15%
Gives him fresh new ideas 43 39 40 41
Wouldn’t matter 40 42 41 43
McCain’s age:
Makes Presidency too difficult 44% 42% 41% 43%
Gives him experience 26 27 28 24
Wouldn’t matter 30 31 31 33
THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden is viewed favorably;

Republican Sarah Palin has a negative image.
About half of the students in each state don’t much like Palin;
that rises to 60% among students in Colorado.
IMAGE OF THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

PA OH NC CO
Joe Biden
Really like 33% 30% 32% 35%
Think he is all right 28 28 28 31
Don’t much like 14 16 16 16
Don’t know enough to say 22 23 23 17
Sarah Palin
Really like 17% 21% 20% 18%
Think she is all right 15 17 16 13
Don’t much like 53 49 49 60
Don’t know enough to say 12 10 11 7
Students are in agreement as to why John McCain chose Palin; not
because she is well-qualified, but because McCain thought she
would help him win.
WHY OBAMA/McCAIN CHOSE THEIR RUNNING MATE

PA OH NC CO
Joe Biden
Well qualified 41% 40% 40% 46%
Would help win 16 19 18 15
Both equally 37 35 37 34
Something else 5 5 4 5
Sarah Palin
Well qualified 4% 5% 4% 5%
Would help win 73 72 71 75
Both equally 17 18 18 16
Something else 5 4 6 4
VOTE CHOICE
During the primaries, and in current pre-election polls, Obama has run
strongly with younger voters. Not surprisingly, he holds a large lead
over John McCain among students in these states.
VOTE FOR PRESIDENT

PA OH NC CO
Obama-Biden 67% 61% 62% 66%
McCain-Palin 29 35 34 29
Obama voters are more enthusiastic than McCain voters about their
candidate in all four states.
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT OBAMA

Obama Voters
PA OH NC CO
Enthusiastically support 51% 55% 60% 61%
Support with reservations 41 38 34 32
Support because party nominee 2 1 1 1
Support because dislike other candidate 6 5 4 6
Enthusiasm for Obama is highest in North Carolina and Colorado.
About half of McCain voters say they have reservations about

their candidate.
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT MCCAIN
McCain Voters
PA OH NC CO
Enthusiastically support 29% 29% 31% 34%
Support with reservations 54 52 54 49
Support because party nominee 5 5 3 4
Support because dislike other candidate 12 13 12 13
More Obama than McCain voters in all states say their minds are
made up. About one in five McCain voters say they could still
change their minds.
MIND MADE UP?
Obama Voters
PA OH NC CO
Mind made up 82% 75% 83% 87%
Could still change 16 16 14 11
McCain Voters
PA OH NC CO
Mind made up 71% 74% 76% 78%
Could still change 26 20 21 21
There won’t be too much political discord at home over Thanksgiving;

most students in each state say their parents will vote for the same
candidate they will.
By a large margin, students who are McCain voters are more likely
than Obama voters to share their parents’ vote choice. About
eight in ten McCain voters say their vote will be the same as
their parents’ on election day; just over half of Obama voters
say that.
Their parents’ vote will split between the two candidates in

about one in five Obama voters’ homes.
PARENTS’ VOTE FOR PRESIDENT

Obama Voters
PA OH NC CO
Same candidate as student 58% 56% 62% 57%
Different candidate 16 19 15 17
One will vote same, one different 21 21 17 20
They won’t vote 5 4 4 6
McCain Voters
PA OH NC CO
Same candidate as student 73% 80% 83% 76%
Different candidate 6 4 4 7
One will vote same, one different 15 13 10 11
They won’t vote 3 2 2 4
POLITICAL INFORMATION AND ACTIVITY
Large majorities of students overall in each state have utilized

the internet to visit a candidate’s web site or watch a video
about a candidate.
About a quarter to a third have visited a candidate’s Facebook or
MySpace page, forwarded email or other commentary about a
campaign, or signed up as a fan on a social networking site.
Two in three have watched a video relating to the election on
YouTube, although only a few have posted one themselves.
WHICH ONLINE ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU DONE THIS ELECTION?

PA OH NC CO
Watched video on YouTube 67% 66% 70% 68%
Visited candidate’s web page 63% 65% 65% 68%
Visited candidate’s Facebook/MySpace page 27% 28% 27% 28%
Forwarded email/commentary about campaign 23% 26% 32% 36%
Signed up as fan on social network site 22% 24% 23% 21%
Signed up for email/twitter alerts 20% 21% 22% 27%
Started/joined political/campaign group 15% 17% 17% 17%
Posted video on YouTube 2% 2% 2% 2%
A third of students have adopted political buttons and clothing,

and about a quarter have attended a political event. That rises
to 32% in Colorado.
Just about one in ten have donated to a campaign, about the same
proportion who have volunteered their time.
Obama supporters are more likely than McCain supporters to have
done most of these things.
WHICH OTHER ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU DONE THIS ELECTION?

PA OH NC CO
Displayed campaign sign/button/clothing 32% 38% 32% 36%
Recruited friend to support candidate 29% 32% 32% 32%
Attended political event with candidate 23% 21% 23% 32%
Participated in voter registration drive 13% 12% 14% 11%
Volunteered for campaign/candidate 12% 13% 12% 14%
Donated to a campaign 10% 11% 12% 15%
Television and the internet are the most prevalent sources of

election news for these students; about four in 5 reference those
sources every day or once or twice a week. Discussions with
friends and family are also important.
Students’ use of paper newspapers varies; more than half the

students in Pennsylvania get political information from them at
least a few times a week, but just 41% of Colorado’s students do.
Among the least popular sources of political information for

these students are magazines in paper form. Most students are
using traditional news web sites, not blogs, for their political
information. Less than a third read blogs for political
information.
GET POLITICAL INFORMATION FROM:

PA OH NC CO
Every day/once or twice a week:
TV News 79% 81% 81% 80%

Internet news sites 77% 79% 80% 80%
Discussions with friends/family 77% 80% 82% 84%
Talk, entertainment, comedy shows 65% 67% 64% 63%
Discussions in classrooms 52% 50% 53% 49%
Newspapers in paper form 52% 49% 44% 41%
Radio 31% 37% 40% 43%
Blogs/other web sites 27% 26% 29% 29%
Magazines in paper form 21% 20% 22% 23%
The classroom is also an important source of political

information. One in three students in each state say politics is
discussed in class very often, and an additional four in ten say
it is brought up sometimes.
TALK ABOUT POLITICS IN CLASS:

PA OH NC CO
Very often 30% 27% 32% 32%
Sometimes 42 43 40 36
Rarely 23 25 21 24
Never 5 5 6 8
DOES THE ELECTION MATTER?
Large percentages of these students in each state say that it matters

who is elected president.
IMPORTANCE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PA OH NC CO
It makes no difference
who is elected President
Agree 20% 20% 17% 16%
Disagree 80 79 83 84
And half think the government in Washington cares at least somewhat

about their generation -- making Obama’s ability to connect with them
particularly important.
GOVT. IN WASHINGTON CARES ABOUT YOUR GENERATION

PA OH NC CO
A lot 6% 6% 7% 6%
Some 42 43 46 40
Not much 42 41 38 42
Not at all 10 9 8 12
ISSUES
With the economy in bad shape, the stock market fluctuating, and Wall
Street precarious, it comes as no surprise that, by a wide margin,
students in each state view the economy as the most important issue in
their vote choice.
The war in Iraq, education and energy policy all follow. Few
students see immigration as extremely important, but it is more
important to students in North Carolina and Colorado.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN VOTE CHOICE

PA OH NC CO
Economy and jobs 76% 75% 77% 73%
War in Iraq 50% 48% 49% 51%
Education 48% 51% 50% 55%
Energy policy 45% 45% 48% 53%
Health care 41% 40% 44% 43%
Environment 33% 32% 36% 38%
Immigration 14% 13% 20% 19%
Obama is viewed as having the best plan for dealing with the issue
they say will be most important.
CANDIDATE WITH BEST PLAN FOR DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE

PA OH NC CO
Obama 61% 56% 58% 61%
McCain 23 28 28 24
Someone else 4 5 4 6
Neither 11 10 10 9
The economy is viewed as nearly uniformly bad by students in each

state. This is consistent with poll findings among the general
public.
RATING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY
PA OH NC CO
Very good 0% 0% 0% 0%
Fairly good 5 7 6 5
Fairly bad 48 49 47 48
Very bad 46 43 47 46
Despite their concerns about the economy, most students in each state
think their opportunities to succeed in life are about the same as or
better than those of their parents.
But about one in five thinks their opportunities are worse. That
concern is highest in Ohio and Colorado.
COMPARED TO PARENTS, YOUR OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED ARE:
PA OH NC CO
Better 47% 43% 50% 42%
Same 33 35 33 35
Worse 19 22 17 22
While most think they’ll get a job, about one in five is not
confident about being able to get a job after graduation.
CONFIDENCE IN GETTING A JOB

PA OH NC CO
Very confident 30% 30% 35% 32%
Somewhat confident 51 51 50 47
Not too confident 16 15 14 18
Not at all confident 2 3 2 2
Students are at least somewhat confident about being able to pay

back their student loans.
CONFIDENCE IN PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS

PA OH NC CO
Very confident 21% 22% 20% 20%
Somewhat confident 38 36 32 31
Not too confident 19 18 14 17
Not at all confident 6 5 4 6
When it comes to the war in Iraq, most students are willing to have
U.S. troops stay in Iraq for only two years or less.
WAR IN IRAQ: WILLING FOR TROOPS TO REMAIN THERE:

PA OH NC CO
Less than a year 36% 32% 32% 34%
One to two years 34 34 35 35
Two to five years 11 12 11 9
Five to ten years 1 1 2 2
As long as it takes 17 21 20 20
Finally, when it comes to education issues, it is the cost of higher

education that is the top concern for these students – it far
outweighs other education issues as most important to them.
IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION ISSUES

PA OH NC CO
Extremely Important:
Controlling costs 65% 65% 58% 65%
Improving quality 46% 49% 50% 52%
Affirmative action programs 14% 13% 18% 15%
Availability of private loans 39% 34% 32% 32%
Wide range of political views on campus 37% 37% 41% 41%
RACISM, SEXISM AND THE ELECTION
Majorities of students feel there has been too much talk about race
and gender in this election. And while many see racism as a serious
problem and think Obama has been judged more harshly because of his
race, large majorities also think the country is ready for a black
president.
HAS CAMPAIGN FOCUSED ON RACE/GENDER…?

PA OH NC CO
Too much 67% 75% 75% 69%
Not enough 3 2 2 2
About right 22 23 22 22
Sexism is also viewed as a problem by most students. Fewer think

the country is ready for a woman president than think it’s ready
for a black president.
COUNTRY READY FOR … PRESIDENT?

PA OH NC CO
Black
Yes 78% 78% 77% 84%
No 22 21 22 16
Woman
Yes 63% 63% 59% 67%
No 36 36 40 33
There is little difference in opinions on race and gender by

state, though black students in North Carolina are more likely
than white students there to see each as a serious problem. More
than half of black students see racism as very serious, while
only 12% of whites view it as very serious.
SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE U.S. TODAY

PA OH NC CO
Racism 62% 62% 66% 65%
Sexism 59% 60% 64% 65%
About a third of students think people have judged Obama more

harshly because he is black.
Black students in North Carolina are especially likely to say

that Obama has been treated more harshly because of his race: 66%
think that is the case, compared to 31% of white students in
North Carolina.
PEOPLE JUDGE OBAMA DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE HE IS BLACK?
PA OH NC CO
More harshly 38% 38% 39% 30%
Less harshly 12 12 15 12
No difference 49 49 46 58
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THESE STUDENTS
Those in Pennsylvania are most likely to describe themselves as

Democrats.
Students in Ohio were the most Republican (with North Carolina

students a close second).
Those in North Carolina are more heavily black than in other

states. A quarter describes themselves as conservative.
Students in Colorado are more liberal and independent.
DEMOGRAPHICS
PA OH NC CO
Male 48% 48% 42% 46%
Female 51 52 58 54
Republican 26% 30% 29% 24%

Democrat 48 40 43 40
Independent 25 29 27 35
Liberal 38% 36% 35% 41%

Moderate 43 41 41 42
Conservative 17 22 23 16
White 84% 86% 73% 83%

Black 7 8 19 3
__________________________________________________________________
Methodology:
The CBS News/UWire Poll of college students was conducted with

undergraduates in four-year colleges and universities in each state.
Sample sizes and the margin of error due to sampling for results based
on the entire sample are listed below. The error for subgroups is
higher.
STATE SAMPLE SIZE MARGIN OF ERROR

Pennsylvania 7,298 +/- 1 pt
Ohio 5,914 +/- 1 pt
North Carolina 7,617 +/- 1 pt
Colorado 4,019 +/- 2 pts
TOTAL 24,848
The schools were selected based on their size, tuition and their
competitiveness to represent all four-year colleges in the state.
Within each school, email invitations to participate were sent to a
random sample of undergraduates (in smaller schools all students were
sent invitations).
Cornell University’s Survey Research Institute programmed and hosted

the questionnaire on the web.
The total weighted number of respondents from each school is

proportional to the number of undergraduates represented by that
school in the sampling process. Within each school, the weighted
results reflect the academic class, gender and race of each school’s
undergraduate population.
The following is a state-by-state listing of participating schools:
Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg University, Bucknell University, Drexel University, East

Stroudsburg University, La Salle University, Lebanon Valley College,
Mercyhurst College, Penn State University, Penn State University Berks
campus, Shippensburg University, Temple University, Thiel College,
University of Pennsylvania, West Chester University
Ohio
Bluffton University, Bowling Green State University, Kent State

University, Miami University, Ohio University, Ohio State University,
Ohio State University at Newark, University of Cincinnati, University
of Dayton, University of Toledo, Wittenberg University, Wright State
University, Xavier University
North Carolina
Appalachian State University, Duke University, Elon University,

Fayetteville State University, Meredith College, Mount Olive College,
North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel
Hill, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Wake Forest University,
Western Carolina University, Wingate University, Winston Salem State
University
Colorado
Adams State College, Colorado College, Colorado State University at

Pueblo, Metropolitan State College of Denver, University of Colorado
at Boulder, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, University of
Colorado at Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern
Colorado
UWire/Chronicle of Higher Education/CBS News Poll
Fall 2008
>q1<(q1:registration) Some people are registered to vote and others

are not. Are you registered to vote?
1 Yes - CONTINUE
2 No - GO TO ECONOMY Q16
9 Skipped/no answer - GO TO ECONOMY Q16
SKIPPED/NO ANSWER RESPONSE SHOULD NOT BE SHOWN ON SCREEN THROUGHOUT

QUESTIONNAIRE
>q2< (q2:where registered) Which best describes where you are

registered to vote?
1 I am registered to vote in the town/city where I go to school

2 I am registered to vote in the same state where I go to
school, but in a different town/city
3 I am registered to vote in a different state than where I go
to school
9 Skipped/no answer
>q3< (q3:attention to campaign) How much attention have you been

able to pay to the 2008 presidential campaign?
1 A lot
2 Some
3 Not much
4 None at all
9 Skipped/no answer
>q4< (q4:likely to vote) How likely is it that you will vote in the
presidential election in November?
1 Definitely will vote

2 Probably will vote
3 Probably will not vote
4 Definitely will not vote
5 Already voted absentee or via early voting
9 Skipped/no answer
ASK q5 IF q4=5
>q5< (q5:early vote choice) Which candidate did you vote for?
RANDOMIZE ORDER
1 John McCain and Sarah Palin (skip to q9)
2 Barack Obama and Joe Biden (skip to q9)
3 Someone else (skip to q9)
9 Skipped/no answer (skip to q9)
ASK q6 IF (q4 is not 5)

>q6< (q6:voting method) Do you plan to vote absentee, or do you
think you will vote in person?
1 Absentee
2 Travel/in person
3 Not sure
9 Skipped/no answer
ASK IF ABSENTEE (q6 = 1):

>q6a< (q6a:absentee status) Which of the following best describes you?
1 I have already cast an absentee or early ballot

2 I’ve gotten my absentee ballot but not returned it yet
3 I have applied for my absentee ballot but not gotten it yet
4 I have not applied for my absentee ballot yet, but plan to
9 Skipped/no answer
ASK q7 IF (q2 = 1) OR (q2 = 2 or 3 AND q4 is not 5)

>q7< (Q7:vote choice) If the 2008 presidential election were being
held today and the candidates were those listed below, for whom would
you vote?
RANDOMIZE ORDER
1 Barack Obama and Joe Biden
2 John McCain and Sarah Palin
3 Someone else
9 Skipped/no answer
>q8< (Q8:mind made up) Is your mind made up or is it still too early
to say for sure?
1 Mind made up
2 Too early to say for sure
9 Skipped/no answer
>q9< (Q9:vote enthusiasm) How would you describe your feelings about
your candidate?
1 I enthusiastically support him

2 I support him but have reservations about him
3 I support him only because he is the party nominee
4 I support him because I dislike the other candidate
9 Skipped/no answer
>q12< (Q12:parent vote) As far as you know, do you think your PARENTS
will vote:
1 For the same candidate as you will

2 For a different candidate than you will
3 One will vote same, one won’t
3 They won’t vote at all
9 Skipped/no answer
>q13< (Q13:most important issue) In deciding who you would like to see
elected President this year, how important will each of the following
issues be in your vote?
USE GRID (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT, SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT,

NOT TOO IMPORTANT)
RANDOMIZE ORDER
1 The economy and jobs
2 The war in Iraq
3 The environment
4 Energy policy
5 Health care
6 Education
7 Immigration
9 Skipped/no answer - GO TO q15
>q14< (Q14:candidate deal MII) Which one candidate do you think has
the best plan for dealing with the issues you think are most
important?
RANDOMIZE ORDER OF CANDIDATES

1 Barack Obama
2 John McCain
3 Someone else
4 None of them
9 Skipped/no answer
GRID
(EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT, SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT, NOT TOO
IMPORTANT)
>q15< (q15:higher education issue) Thinking specifically about
higher-education issues, how important is each of the following to
you, personally:
Controlling the costs of a college education

Improving the quality of a college education
Affirmative action programs
Availability of private loans to pay for college
The ability to discuss a wide range of political views on campus
NON-REGISTERED RETURN HERE

>q16< (q16:condition of natl economy) How would you rate the condition
of the national economy these days?
<1> Very good

<2> Fairly good
<3> Fairly bad
<4> Very bad
<9> DK/NA
>q17< (q17:job confidence) How confident are you about getting a job
after you graduate?
1 Very confident
2 Somewhat confident
3 Not too confident
4 Not at all confident
9 Skipped/no answer
>q18< (q18:repay student loans) How confident are you about being able
to repay any student loans you might have after you graduate?
1 Very confident
2 Somewhat confident
3 Not too confident
4 Not at all confident
5 No student loans
9 Skipped/no answer
>q19< (q19:opportunities parents) Compared to your parents'

generation, do you think in general your opportunities to succeed in
life are better than theirs, about the same as theirs, or worse than
theirs?
1 Better
2 Same
3 Worse
9 Don't know/No answer
>q20< (q20: gov cares young) How much do you think the government in
Washington cares about
people of your generation -- a lot, some, not much, or not at all?
1 A lot
2 Some
3 Not much
4 Not at all
>q21< (q21: 08 vote matter) Would you agree or disagree with the
following statement? It makes no real difference who is elected
President--things go on just as they did before.
1 Agree
2 Disagree
>q22< (q22:racism serious) How serious a problem do you think racism

is in the U.S. today – very serious, somewhat serious, not too
serious, or not a serious problem at all?
1 Very serious
2 Somewhat serious
3 Not too serious
4 Not at all serious
9 Skipped/no answer
>q23< (q23:sexism serious) How serious a problem do you think sexism

is in the U.S. today – very serious, somewhat serious, not too
serious, or not a serious problem at all?
1 Very serious
2 Somewhat serious
3 Not too serious
4 Not at all serious
9 Skipped/no answer
REGISTERED VOTERS ONLY – NON RVS GOTO TROOPS IN IRAQ
ROTATE OBAMA SECTION Q24-32 WITH MCCAIN SECTION Q33-Q41

USE GRID
>q24< (q24:relate Obama) Do you think Barack Obama:
… is someone you can relate to, or not?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q25<(q25:Obama change DC) … would bring about real change in the way
things are done in Washington?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q26< (q26:Obama chief) … would be an effective commander-in-chief

of the nation's military?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q28< (q28:Obama cares) … cares about the needs and problems of

people like yourself?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
END GRID
>q30< (q30: difference Obama presidency) If Barack Obama is elected

President, do you think that will make a difference in your everyday
life, or not?
1 Yes, will make it better

2 Yes, will make it worse
3 No, Won’t make a difference
9 Skipped/no answer
>q31< (q31: Obama different democrat) Do you think Barack Obama is a

different kind of Democrat, or do you think he is a typical Democrat?
1 Different kind of Democrat

2 Typical Democrat
9 Skipped/No answer
>q32< (q32:Obama image in world) If Barack Obama is elected president,

do you think that will make the United States' image in the world
better, make it worse, or will it have no effect on the United States'
image in the world?
1 Better
2 Worse
3 No effect
9 Skipped/No answer
GRID
>q33< (q33:relate McCain) Do you think John McCain:
… is someone you can relate to, or not?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q34< (q34:McCain change DC) … would bring about real change in the
way things are done in Washington?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q35< (q35:McCain chief)… would be an effective commander-in-chief

of the nation's military?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q36< (q36:McCain cares)… cares about the needs and problems of

people like yourself?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q39< (q39:difference McCain presidency) If John McCain is elected

President, do you think that will make a difference in your everyday
life, or not?
1 Yes, will make it better

2 Yes, will make it worse
3 No, Won’t make a difference
9 Skipped/no answer
>q40< (q40:McCain different Republican) Do you think John McCain is a

different kind of Republican, or do you think he is a typical
Republican?
1 Different kind of Republican

2 Typical Republican
9 Skipped/No answer
>q41< (q41:McCain image in world) If John McCain is elected president,
do you think that will make the United States' image in the world
better, make it worse, or will it have no effect on the United States'
image in the world?
1 Better
2 Worse
3 No effect
9 Skipped/No answer
>q42< (q42:Obama age) If elected, Barack Obama would be 47 years old

when he assumes office. Do you think his being 47 years old might:
1 Make him too inexperienced to do the work the Presidency requires

2 Help him have the fresh new ideas to do a good job as President
3 Wouldn’t matter
9 Skipped/No answer
>q43< (q43:McCain age) If elected, John McCain would be 72 years old

when he assumes office. Do you think his being 72 years old might:
1 Make it too difficult for him to do the work the Presidency requires
2 Help him have the experience to do a good job as President
3 Wouldn’t matter
9 Skipped/No answer
>q44< (q44:U.S. ready for black pres) Do you think America is ready to
elect a black president, or not?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/No answer
>q45< (q45:U.S. ready for woman pres) Do you think America is ready to
elect a woman president, or not?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Skipped/No answer
>q46< (q46:Obama race prejudice) In general, have people you know

judged Barack Obama more harshly because he's black, less harshly
because he's black, or no differently?
1 More harshly
2 Less harshly
3 No difference
9 Skipped/ no answer
USE GRID
>q47a,b< (q47a: opinion Biden, q47b: opinion Palin) What do you think
of the Vice Presidential candidates?
Joe Biden Sarah Palin

1 I really like him or her
2 I think he or she is alright
3 I don’t much like him or her
4 I don’t know enough about him or her to say
9 Skipped/no answer
ROTATE 48-49
>q48< (q48:why McCain chose Palin) When John McCain chose Sarah Palin
as his running mate, do you think it was MORE because he thinks Sarah
Palin is well qualified for the job, or MORE because he thinks Sarah
Palin would help him win the election?
1 Well-qualified
2 Would help win
3 Both equally (vol)
4 Something else (Vol.)
>q49< (q49:why Obama chose Biden) When Barack Obama chose Joe Biden as
his running mate, do you think it was MORE because he thinks Joe Biden
is well qualified for the job, or MORE because he thinks Joe Biden
would help him win the election?
1 Well-qualified
2 Would help win
3 Both equally (vol)
4 Something else (Vol.)
>q50< (q50:focus race gender) From what you have seen or heard, do you
think the 2008 campaign has focused too much on the candidates'
personal attributes like race and gender, not enough, or about the
right amount on the candidates' race and gender?
1 Too much
2 Not enough
3 About right
9 Skipped/no answer
ASK ALL RV AND NON-RV
>q51< (q51:troops Remain in Iraq) How much longer would you be willing
to have large numbers of U.S. troops remain in Iraq?
1 Less than a year

2 One to two years
3 Two to five years
4 Five to ten years
5 As long as it takes
9 Skipped/no answer
>q52< (q52:politics in classroom) How often do you talk about

politics or current events in your college classrooms?
1 Very often
2 Sometimes
3 Rarely
4 Never
9 Skipped/no answer
>q53< (q53:first time voters) Which of the following best describes

you:
1 The November 2008 presidential election would be the first

time I have ever voted
2 I voted for the first time in the 2008 PRIMARIES
3 I voted before 2008
ASK IF q53 = 3. Fill =1 if q53 = 2. Fill = 2 if q53 = 1 or 9.

>q54< (q54: primary vote)Did you vote in a 2008 Presidential primary
or caucus?
1 Yes
2 No
>q54a< (q54a:primary vote) In the 2008 Primaries or caucuses, did

you vote for:
1 Barack Obama
2 Hillary Clinton
3 John Edwards
4 Another Democratic candidate
5 John McCain
6 Mitt Romney
7 Mike Huckabee
8 Rudy Giuliani
9 Ron Paul
10 Another Republican candidate
11 Skipped/no answer
>q55< (q55:contact with campaign) During this presidential campaign,
has any campaign contacted you directly to offer help registering to
vote, or getting an absentee ballot?
1 Yes, registering to vote

2 Yes, getting an absentee ballot
3 Yes, both
4 No
9 Skipped/no answer
>q56< (q56:08 election via web) Which of the following online

activities have you done in this election? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
1 Yes 2 No 9
Skipped/NA
Visited a candidate's web page
Visited a candidate's Facebook or MySpace page
Signed up to be a fan on a social networking site
Started or joined a political or campaign group on a social
networking site
Signed up for email or twitter alerts from a candidate
Forwarded an email or commentary about a candidate or campaign to a
friend/family member
Watched a video about a candidate on You Tube
Posted a video about a candidate on You Tube
>q57< (q57:school registration) Have you been contacted by any voter

registration programs run by your school or university?
1 Yes
2 No
>q58< (q58:08 Election Activities) Which of the following activities

have you done in this election? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
Participated in a voter registration drive

Donated to a campaign
Recruited friends to join a campaign
Volunteered to help a candidate or campaign
Displayed a campaign sign or worn campaign button/clothing
Attended a political event with a candidate
>q59< (q59:election news source) How often do you use the following
to get information about politics:
(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
GRID: EVERY DAY / ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK / A FEW TIMES A MONTH /
RARELY OR NEVER
Newspapers in paper form

Magazines in paper form
Internet news sites
Blogs or other individuals’ web sites
TV news
TV talk shows, entertainment and comedy shows
Radio
Discussions with friends and family
Discussions in college classrooms
ASK RV’S ONLY

>q60< (q60:when first registered) When was the FIRST time you
registered to vote?
1 Since June 2008

2 Between January and June 2008
3 Before that
9 Skipped/no answer
ASK ALL RV AND NON-RV

>q61< (q61:party ID) Generally speaking, do you usually consider
yourself a…?
1 Republican
2 Democrat
3 Independent
9 Skipped/no answer
>q62< (q62:political philosophy) How would you describe your views on

most political matters?
1 Liberal
2 Moderate
3 Conservative
9 Skipped/no answer
>q63< (gender:gender) Are you:
1 Male
2 Female
9 Skipped/no answer
>q64< (age:age) How old are you?
1 Under 18
2 18
3 19
4 20
5 21
6 22
7 23
8 24 or older
9 Skipped/no answer
>q65< (year:year in school) What year are you in college?
1 Freshman
2 Sophomore
3 Junior
4 Senior
9 Skipped/no answer
>q66< (hisp:hispanic) Are you of Hispanic origin or descent, or not?
1 Hispanic
2 Not hispanic
9 Skipped/no answer
>q67< (race:race) Are you…?
1 White or Caucasian
2 Black or African-American
3 Asian
4 Something else
9 Skipped/no answer
Those are all the questions we have for you. Thank you for your
participation!

CBS News/ UWIRE/ Chronicle of Higher Education Poll

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CBS News/ UWIRE/ Chronicle of Higher Education Poll

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CBS News/UWIRE/Chronicle of Higher Education Poll

For release Monday, October 27, 2008

STUDENTS IN FOUR BATTLEGROUND STATES WEIGH IN ON THE 2008 ELECTION

CBS News, UWIRE (a news service powered by student journalists at more

Interest in this campaign is high among college students in these four

To conduct these ground-breaking polls of undergraduate students, CBS

ENGAGEMENT IN THE CAMPAIGN

Students in these four states are paying almost as much attention to

ATTENTION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Students have been encouraged to participate in this election --both

The schools themselves have reached out to register students;

CONTACTED BY SCHOOL VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAMS

Fewer say the campaigns have contacted them directly. Still,

CAMPAIGN CONTACTED YOU DIRECTLY?

REGISTRATION AND VOTING

In Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Colorado about half of these

VOTING FOR FIRST TIME?

Nearly all registered students in these states say they will

But many students will be voting absentee or early, especially in

HOW ARE YOU VOTING?

Most students are registered to vote in the state in which they go to

VIEWS OF THE CANDIDATES

Obama has successfully connected with many of these students; he

Would bring about real change

Cares about people like yourself

If elected, will make difference in

Will improve image of U.S. in world

McCain different kind of Republican 32% 36% 36% 36%

THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden is viewed favorably;

IMAGE OF THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

WHY OBAMA/McCAIN CHOSE THEIR RUNNING MATE

VOTE FOR PRESIDENT

ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT OBAMA

Enthusiasm for Obama is highest in North Carolina and Colorado.

About half of McCain voters say they have reservations about

There won’t be too much political discord at home over Thanksgiving;

Their parents’ vote will split between the two candidates in

PARENTS’ VOTE FOR PRESIDENT

Large majorities of students overall in each state have utilized

WHICH ONLINE ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU DONE THIS ELECTION?

A third of students have adopted political buttons and clothing,

WHICH OTHER ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU DONE THIS ELECTION?

Television and the internet are the most prevalent sources of

Students’ use of paper newspapers varies; more than half the

Among the least popular sources of political information for

GET POLITICAL INFORMATION FROM:

TV News 79% 81% 81% 80%

The classroom is also an important source of political

TALK ABOUT POLITICS IN CLASS:

DOES THE ELECTION MATTER?

Large percentages of these students in each state say that it matters

IMPORTANCE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

And half think the government in Washington cares at least somewhat

GOVT. IN WASHINGTON CARES ABOUT YOUR GENERATION

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN VOTE CHOICE

CANDIDATE WITH BEST PLAN FOR DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE

The economy is viewed as nearly uniformly bad by students in each

CONFIDENCE IN GETTING A JOB

Students are at least somewhat confident about being able to pay

CONFIDENCE IN PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS

WAR IN IRAQ: WILLING FOR TROOPS TO REMAIN THERE:

Finally, when it comes to education issues, it is the cost of higher