When asked about what things most concern them about McCain, 41 percent of respondents named �continuing George Bush's policies.� When asked about what things most concern them about Obama, 35 percent of respondents believed that he is too inexperienced and is not ready to be president. When asked to choose between a candidate who is more experienced or a candidate who will bring greater change to current national policies, 58 percent of respondents said they want someone who will bring greater change. Twenty-nine percent said a more experienced and tested person was preferable. The survey found that 57 percent of respondents who voted for Sen. Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic Primary said they plan to vote for Obama in the general election. McCain was favored by 23 percent of those who supported Clinton. Eighty-nine percent of respondents said they were likely to vote in November.
Ranking the issues voters think should be the top priority for the next president and Congress, respondents listed job creation and economic growth (26 percent), the war in Iraq (12.9 percent), the cost of energy and gasoline (10.3 percent), healthcare (8.5 percent), and illegal immigration (5 percent). Obama leads McCain by twenty or more points among both men and women in the state. The race is closer among voters not affiliated with either major political party; in this category, Obama leads 46% to 36%.
The Democratic candidate is viewed favorably by 68% and unfavorably by 30% of Rhode Island voters. McCain�s numbers are 52% favorable, 46% unfavorable.
Voters in Rhode Island are split on the possibility of a Obama-Clinton ticket. While 41% believe Hillary Clinton should be Obama�s running mate, 47% disagree. Clinton won the Democratic primary in the state by eighteen points. Among those who support Obama, 46% say Clinton should get the nod while 42% disagree.
While 36% of Rhode Island voters think McCain is too old to be president, only 35% think Obama is too inexperienced for the job. Those numbers differ from those found on the national level.
Two thirds of voters (66%) think the top priority in Iraq should be getting the troops home. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Rhode Island voters think winning the war is more important.
When it comes to current oil prices, 56% of voters think drilling in offshore oil wells should be allowed, while 34% disagree. If offshore oil drilling were permitted, 52% of voters think it would be at least somewhat likely that gas prices would go down, while 43% find this outcome unlikely. By the slimmest of margins, when asked who they would have preferred as Democratic nominee Barack Obama edged out Hillary Clinton (Barack Obama 41%; Hillary Clinton 38%; other 8%). The much publicized potential voter slippage among women is not present in Rhode Island at this time. Although women preferred Clinton to be the nominee over Obama, 42% to 37%, in the November match up they were even more likely to choose Obama than men (Females 56% Obama, 22% McCain; Males 50% Obama, 28% McCain).
According to the survey�s director, Dr. Victor Profughi, �Rhode Island College is the longest, continuous public opinion laboratory in the state. We are delighted that one of the nation�s finest survey field organizations, Opinion Factor, has joined with us in this study.� . .
