CBS Poll: Gender Matters More Than Race

Voters Say Woman Candidate Faces Slightly Bigger Barriers To Presidency Than A Black Candidate

(CBS)  Voters are slightly more likely to say that a woman candidate faces more obstacles than a black candidate when it comes to presidential politics even as they see racism as a more serious problem for the nation overall, according to a new CBS News poll. Thirty nine percent of registered voters said a woman running for president faces more obstacles while 33 percent said a black candidate does.

When it comes to the 2008 presidential election, voters say Hillary Clinton has been judged more harshly because of her gender than Barack Obama has because of his race. Forty two percent said Clinton has been judged “more harshly” and six percent said she has been judged less harshly because of her gender. Twenty seven percent said they think Obama has been judged “more harshly” because of his race while 11 percent said he has been judged less harshly.

Still, racism is seen as a bigger problem for the nation in general. Among all adults surveyed, 42 percent of respondents said racism is a “serious problem” in the country compared to just 10 percent who said the same of sexism. Twenty three percent said both are serious problems.

More Americans report having recently heard what they consider racist remarks from people they know than sexist ones. Forty two percent of all surveyed, including 65 percent of blacks, said people they know have made racist remarks in the last few months. Thirty five percent, including 33 percent of women, say they have heard sexist remarks from someone they know recently. And all groups said they are more offended by racist remarks than sexist ones.

There continue to be differences in how voters judge their own voting instincts and the instincts of other Americans. Just 6 percent of white voters say that all things being equal, they would prefer to vote for a white candidate, but 34 percent of white voters say that most people they know would not vote for a black person for president. And 29 percent are not sure that American is ready to elect a black president.

Overall, 56 percent said most people they know would vote for a black candidate while 33 percent said most they know would not. Sixty two percent of all voters said America is ready for a black president but just 50 percent of blacks agreed.

More voters admit their unwillingness to vote for a woman. Nearly one in five voters says that all things being equal, they would rather vote for a man. Fewer than half say that most people they know would vote for a woman for president, although this response may now be intertwined with whether or not people think their acquaintances would vote for Hillary Clinton. Still, 59 percent say America is ready for a woman president.

Read The Complete Poll Results

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This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,067 adults nationwide interviewed by telephone March 15-18, 2008. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

NOTE: A small oversample of African Americans was also conducted for this poll, for a total of 122 interviews among this group. The results were then weighted in proportion to the racial composition of the adult population in the U.S. Census. The margin of error for African Americans is plus or minus nine percentage points.

[realpatriot1]

Compare the number of women being elected to serve as Governors, Senators, and Congressional Representatives and it''s clear that baby has come a long way further than bro.

[kayeia]

Perhaps Hillary has been judged more harshly because she claims to be the only one with enough experience to end the Iraq war, and the only one to be the President of the United States of America. Perhaps she''s judged more harsher because she claims being 1st lady and her contributions to the Clinton administration as part of her experience. Perhaps she''s being judged more harshly because of all the unanswered questions that she and Bill have refused to answer surrounding all the scandals of the Clinton administration. One cannot make the claims that she does and not expect to be judged more harshly. Many of us are still waiting to hear just where this 35 years of experience comes from.

[craigh9]

The question should be who is most presidential - who has shown themselves to be the most honest, forthright, and willing to discuss issues with the american public - hands down that is Barack Obama. When Hillarys'' campaign created issues for her HE stepped forward and defused the issue twice in order to get back to talking about US issues - not her, she allows similar attacks on Obama ro go without action as it might help her in her failing campaign. Hillary has so many skeletons in her closet it would be easy (and will be by Rebuplicans) to dispatch her in short order - but the Obama campaign has not gone there - they have kept this race about US issues, not personal issues. The Clinton campaign loves to bring up personal issues - just another example that the Clintons are old gaurd and the whole election is about driving down an opponent to a level below yours so you can win - Obama believes you do what''s right to rise above your opponent. Time for change, ABSOLUTELY - let''''s hope the US public doesn''t crumble under the negativity of the Clintons, but embraces the positivness of Obama.

[sagitarius5]

Well, we are ready for a female President? if we are not that means we are late in history England has three greath queens, IsabelI, Victoria & Isabel II, also Margareth Tatcher the Iron Lady. Is the racist or *** miths stronger than the always revolutionary vision in this Continent, we create the free & equal political concept, the land of freedom!!!

[neonink]

Elizabeth was a pretty tough old queen too.

[pepperwood2]

Another Bias Spin For Our Great White Hope.

Well Let''s see how fast the Clinton Campaign will release Bill & Her 2007 Income Statement.

Clinton, who%u2019s apparently very familiar with the coverage she gets, said she was very excited about the release.

[neonink]

Obama gives new meaning to Grandma got run over by a reindeer.

[pepperp1]

Bull if I sat in a church where white supremacy was preached churches for 20 years what would you think of me, rightly. Silly discussion and this Progressive-Liberal need to sanitize and to neutralize Rev Jeremiah%u2019s hate and not acknowledge the victimization of his own community his words is a disservice to us all, hate is hate and he is attacking his own tearing them down with hopelessness, frightening his congregations with lies and fear. He is preaching to young blacks that we non Blacks are the US of KKK A who invented AIDS to kill their mothers them, for gods sakes its loaded hate indoctrination against white people. These children are sitting next to non whites and they are loaded with hate fear from their Minister and the other child has no clue.

This is not ok, these are dangers for our communities and yes its terror on some level and my guess people have acted out this hate this fear and innocents have been harmed.



Just Imagine if Hillary Clinton would have attended a white supremacy church what would the Press be doing to her right now would she even be in the race and the Boy Progressive Liberal hate women Bolger foaming spittle I%u2019m sure.


Here is the thing women Dems got Obama number before the rest of us and new and exposed and attacked the Press they will not surrender their Party to a fringe hate anti community cult in the base it wont happen so help them we can not have two Party governed by their Fringes.

[biabrams]

This is a misleading conclusion. The difference is not, in my opinion, due to Hillary''s gender. Obama has personal characteristics that help to minimize opposition to his candidacy. Hillary is despised by many voters, Democrat and Republican, extending back into the Clinton presidency. I think she faces more obstacles partly because of her husband''s legacy of lying, cheating, etc and partly because folks don''t like her. I would be happy to vote for a woman, I would love for the USA to have a female president. Actually, I would probably love that more than a black president. But, I still think Obama has leadership and speaking skills that resonate with a large audience in this country. Obama got an easier pass in the media for awhile because he is more magnanimous, more charismatic; he exudes qualities that people like. So, I actually do not think race or gender are the most significant factors. I think Obama''s attractive qualities and skills have made it more difficult for Hillary; she has been out-shined by Barack. Sexism has been present in some commentators remarks, but I think the overall electorate is responding to the new and inspiring prospects of Obama as president.

[omega39-2009]

Posted by trapbreak

RE: John McCain''s win

Source: Rasmussen

As the public image of the Democratic Party shifted from Congress to the Presidential campaign trail, the number of Democrats in the United States has soared. In fact, during the month of February, the Democrat%u2019s numerical advantage over the Republican Party grew to the highest level ever measured by Rasmussen Reports.

In February, the number of Americans who consider themselves to be Democrats jumped to 41.5%, the highest total on record. Just 31.8% consider themselves to be Republicans. The partisan gap%u2014a 9.7 percentage point advantage for the Democrats%u2014is by far the largest it has ever been. The previous high was a 6.9 point edge for the Democrats in December 2006. Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based upon telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month and has been doing so since November 2002.

[pepperp1]

I actually am looking forward to having a female who is also competent, capable ethical and inspiring and if the Dems are to, weak to guilt ridden, to fight off their fringe anti American Social Justice Liberal Kennedy, Pelosi, Dean Brazile, KOS, Rev Jeremiah%u2019s, Rep Clyburn then hopefully McCain has a female first on his ticket. And the free pass given byt the MSM and Dem Leadership for Obama''s bigoted hateful attacks on her have been disgusting as they stood by and watched participated by default on her assault of spewed biased lies, and Obama%u2019s use of a Liberal social justice male MSM as attack surrogates at Newsweek, MSNBC passing out hate bites every week pimping the cable hates. And what Obama%u2019s spiritual adviser Rev Jeremiah should have said was Hillary had been called everything but a Nig%u2026 including from the haters he is.

[concorde5]

Democratic in-fighting is really helping John McCain. I think McCain may be our next president.

[pepperp1]

Zogby Poll: McCain Bests Obama by 5 and Clinton by 6


has no credibility quoting anything Zogby makes you look foolish and dishonest add 17 either way

[kstar42]

I think McCain may be our next president.


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Posted by concorde5 at 10:12 AM : Mar 19, 2008

I think you may be right if he goes up against Obama.

[greeneyes222]

Here again the sample size for the poll is just too small.

[xzonz]

Personally, race and gender do not matter as much as that they aren''''t used as a tool to get into office... or avoid critisism. Barrack Obama has already played the race card too many times... he''''s damaged goods as far as I am concerned. Hillary still has Bill as access baggage, leaving plain old John McCain as the only genuinely qualified candidate left.

Posted by sincityq at 09:42 AM : Mar 19, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------
I do not agree with you. tkshe problem is not yet solved that is why there is inequality in every aspect of the blacks life and the work from ting class Americans. that is why there is bitterness and America is lucky to have Barack who is ready to adress it and solve it by narrowing the economic divide by not taking money from the lobbyists so he can be able to implement the policies that narrow the economic and education divide

[itgranny]

Obama is the person who talks like and who acts like the president I want. He happens to be male and black. If he were a she doing/saying that same things I would vote for him.

[omega39-2009]

I think you may be right if he goes up against Obama.

Posted by kstar42

Both Hillary and Obama will have the funding to crush McCain. McCain looks good now because the mud hasn''t come flying his way yet, once they start linking him to Mr. Popular and Mr. Popular''s policies those favorability ratings are going to plummet. Interestingly in the Rasmussen article I posted earlier the percentage of people identifying themselves as Dems is at the highest level ever recorder, this was demonstrated in the earlier primary states where turnout was almost 2:1 in favor of the Democrats. Rasmussen also reports the old record for people identifying themselves as Dems occurred in Dec 2006, approximately a month after the Republicans lost congress. It is going to be ugly for the GOP either way.

[omega39-2009]

Posted by pepperp1

Scorched earth policy?

[barefootboy9]

A few months ago I thought the democrats would win it all this year, but now I believe McCain will win and a chance the the republicans will retake congress. This Obama has messed up the democrat party. No one wants a president with his baggage. He has lost it with the preacher problem and a few other thugs that are backing him. Our country will be in a bigger mess than it has ever been in if he was elected. Just think there are too many smart Americans to let this happen.

[omega39-2009]

Posted by barefootboy9

I know that I''m secretly hoping for 100 more years in Iraq and 8 more years of regulation free trickle down economics.

[oscarez]

99% of Republicans will vote for the Republican candidate even if he were "Oliver the Chimp".

[blazercoach1]

greeneyes,

The sample size is NOT too small. That''s the exact number of respondents you want to be 95% confident in your results with a 3% margin of error. I''m sure noboby has sat down with you to explain it.....but it''s accurate. I teach AP Statistics. Perhaps I can explain if you like?

On another note, Hillary has gotten away with something that no male candidate would EVER get away with: crying and perpetually playing the victim....whining about the questions she gets asked. A male candidate would have been instantly dismissed as too emotional and whiny for the job of President.

[kstar42]

It is going to be ugly for the GOP either way.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by omega39 at 10:28 AM : Mar 19, 2008

Time will tell when he goes to Pennsylvaia, that will be a sure loss..

[barefootboy9]

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/straw-poll/

Look at the above poll. I think this is close to being right. People are waking up.

[elizabethbj]

I think the fact of gender being more of a problem then race is completely false. If you look at corporate america you will see that there are more white women as CEO and high levels of management than African American. This is true just look at polls done by womens organization. That have so many mentor programs in corporates for white women than Africans period. They have shattered the glass ceiling. In my department all the team leaders are women not one black! American Get Real as Hillary always says. She wants to down play the reality in this nation. Which is why Hillary campaign decided to play the race card. Iam not trying to say women do not have challenges but race is a larger issue

[DCropp]

I do not care what gender or race any candidate is.

I have voted for women and men. I have voted for hispanics, caucasians, blacks, asians, and american indians.

Gender and race do not determine whether someone is a great leader.

Leaders unite us!!! They show us a way to move passed our differences and highlight our common ground.

I will never vote for someone who points fingers. From my experiences, those who point fingers tend to be the biggest problems.
- If they get their way, the point fingers at something or someone else.
- If they don''t get their way, they become even more adamant if something goes wrong.

After 9/11, we worked together and helped each other heal. By working together, we can accomplish the dreams we have for America. These dreams are why the world looks up to America.

[beader59]

A black man is still a man, a white woman is still a woman. Well the man always has the advantage in just about every aspect of life. Get over yourself Obama.

[axcharles3]

UNLESS I MISSED IT, WHAT % OF THE POLL''S RESPONDENTS WERE WOMEN? WHAT % WERE AA?

[pepperp1]

TOOOOOOOOOOOO funny but true most people dont know Axelrod used to be a editor for the Tribune and knows how to puppet hate against women and smears on their female type character, shrill, moody, deceitful, nagging, and one with the Male Liberal press women haters.

There is a good campaign going on whenever they lie slime Clinton or McCain demand the proof not just accept the nasty market polled words and slander with their free Obama press pass.


Look we all need to join across the wedgies and reject these religious hate candidates Obama is just another George Bush just a different hate church lets take back America from these fringes both Party''s they are ruining out prosperity with their hopeless low expectations.

Some may not realize but it is not the Dem majority that is voting for Obama it is Republican, Independent, Dem Leadership Pelosi, Kennedy, Dean, Clyburn, Barzile Shaprton and two small groups in the base but the majority rejects this hate out of hand.

They are dividing us to gain power untie folks before another Flas error elects a fringe President who will fail us.
again..

[gangesdak]

Obama fingerpointed to others, and stayed away from his own responsibility. That is the sign of a cunning man. When Imus incident was in news exactly one year ago, he jumped on Imus with lots of public statements. But the Reverand (!) Wright (Wrong!) is like his own uncle; he kept him under the rug until he could not. Then came the Obama speech for others to look into their heart. He is golden boy all right.

[megamanx1-2009]

99% of Republicans will vote for the Republican candidate even if he were "Oliver the Chimp".


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Oscarez at 10:37 AM : Mar 19, 2008

Oliver the old white chimp....

[kiwi_chick]

99% of Republicans will vote for the Republican candidate even if he were "Oliver the Chimp".
Posted by Oscarez at 10:37 AM : Mar 19, 2008
___________________________________________
Is that George''s younger brother?

[tazmjam]

Compare the number of women being elected to serve as Governors, Senators, and Congressional Representatives and it''''s clear that baby has come a long way further than bro.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 08:39 AM : Mar 19, 2008

That is not true. This would only be true if you looked at the number of elected representatives and disregarded the percentage of the population they represent.
There are 16 US Senators who are women, women make up half the population. To be truly representative they would need to gain 34 more seats.
There is 1 Black US Senator. African Americans make up 13% of the population. To be truly representative they would need to gain 12 more seats and only 5-6 would be to Black men, the other 6 would be black women.
In the House of Representatives women represent 16% with about 70 seats out of 435 they should have about 148 more seats to be totally representative of the population.
In the House of Representatives there are 42 Af. Am. this is 9% of the 435 seats. Of the 42 about 30 of them are men. This is about 6%, which is close to a fair representation of the 6.5% of the population that is black and male. The additional 4% needed is mostly to represent black women.
To say there are more women being elected would be true. To say they have come a long way further then the black man would not. Black men are much closer to reaching their 6.5% of representatives, then women of all races are to reaching their 50% of representatives.

[beckajw]

black men got to vote before women of any color got to vote

In this society a man is a man regardless of color and the society is run by men.

Women will always have a bigger obstacle to overcome than men of any color.

[marcpcbs]

CBS is manufacturing these fake polls to try to influence public opinion. It appears that Americans are a little smarter than CBS thought. We''re not swallowing it.

[marcpcbs]

Is "Oliver the Chimp" female or AA?

[randynason]

Maybe Hillary has been judged more harshly because she is a less-than-forthright-type personality, not because she happens to be a woman. I''d vote for Barack even if he was a polka-dot, transgendered midget. The guy has great vision and wonderful ideas.

[jntlw-2009]

I am not a HRC fan at all - but her gender is not, nor should it be, an obstacle just as Obama''s race should not be an obstacle. I look for who is best qualified in a variety of issues and personal characteristics. No candidate rates high in every single category, but the best overal candidate for me it Barak Obama. I am a white female age 58 with a B.S. degree (just for the statistics).

[sierra20071]

Obama gives me the creeps - I will not be duped! It is all there; BLACK MILITANT WIFE;BLACK MILITANT PASTOR;DOES NOT HONOR OUR FLAG; ATHIEST MOTHER; MUSLIM FATHER. It is all there, a recipe for disaster, if we want to see, if not...whatever. The young man came out and practically compared Geraldine F. words to that of his minister, come on even the most apologetic of us know that what Geri said does not even come close to being as belligerant as the pastors. This Barack man has made the lamest of excuses for his pastors behavior, he flipped the script and put the bad behavior on the White People. And, he is wrong, most person(s) of the pulpit are inspiring not what his pastor is - who is buying this lame crappy excuse - Morning Joe. We are not all like Obama and his associates, not everyone is racist and if some are, they are politically correct about it. When did the pastor become a member of Obama''s family, when he married Michelle Obama, who sounds just like the pastor. This is getting so damned silly, and I think that the people of the United States are desparate, and are settling for a very suspicious candidate. Down With O!

[jack3213]

The only reason Obama is popular at this time: More blacks are voting, and Whites are voting against Clinton. Both Democrats will lose. Why? Either alone cannot sustain the party. General Election theory: If Obama is chosen the whites will vote for Mccain. If Clinton is chosen no blacks will vote. No amount of speeches or papers will change this.

[oleander8]

If Hillary shows emotion she''s using the feminine card - if she''s tough, she''s a castrating *****. She can''t catch a break.

[Syndicate]

Tyler Durden: We''re a generation of men raised by women. I''m wondering if another woman is really the answer we need.

[sierra20071]

elicatlover - Because of your comment, I sent the following e-mail to the DNC:

I am writing this note to remind the DNC that the women vote is still out there and it does matter. I am sick and tired of the DNC practically drooling over Obama and slighting Hillary. The DNC does all it can to save, apologize, and support Obama and are throwing Hillary under the bus. I will not support Obama in the general election and I was a loyal Democrat! I won''t contribute to the DNC because of the biased behavior leaning toward Obama and the hellish treatment of Hillary, Florida, and Michigan. I will only contribute to Hillary''s campaign directly and if she loses, I may have to hold my nose and vote for John McCain! Thank you for allowing me to rant.

[xzonz]

ow, I would post those of Obama, but the list is too substantive, so I''ll mainly categorize his contributions.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform
125 on poverty and public assistance
112 crime fighting bills
97 economic bills
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills
21 ethics reform bills
15 gun control
6 veterans affairs and many othersC/B&am p;iq uest;B=
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427.
These included
**The Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law,
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law,
**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law,
**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public. He''s not just a talker. He''s a doer.

Pass it on....It''s impressive
Have a GREAT DAY

[liny516]

For those who say that Obama should have waited 8 years, you obviously are government hacks. In the real world, those with the best ideas and abilities move up the ladder the fastest. Only in government are the truly qualified passed over because someone more senior is up for the job.

Hillary has destroyed the democratic party. Hillary cannot win on the primary/caucus delegate count, so she is playing scorched earth. Although this is the worst perior for Obama after everything has been thrown at him, he still beats Hillary. For now, McCain is only slightly ahead of him. However, he beats Hillary by more than what he beats Obama according to the most recent poll. So, Hillary needs to drop out and let Obama move forward to explain his agenda.

For those democratics who support Obama, call the DNC and the uncommitted delegates and tell them to tell Billary that they are destroying the party with their power grabbing selfishness. Do you really want the Lincoln bedroom up for sale and the Chinese back in the white house getting more miltary secrets?

[sierra20071]

Xzonz - Obama and everyone else in the senate have passed, submitted, or voted for these same issues. hee, hee, copy and pasting from O''s website is just like O, less than honorable.

[sierra20071]

Obama is a time bomb - it happens to those raised in a hateful environment. O admitted his White Granny Threw racial slurs around and in front of him -he paid her back and married a black militant and embraced a black militant church. That is the cause for the anger he possess, and is artfully hiding. He is a great study for psych101

[destardi]

Hillary has destroyed the democratic party. Hillary cannot win on the primary/caucus delegate count, so she is playing scorched earth. Although this is the worst perior for Obama after everything has been thrown at him, he still beats Hillary. For now, McCain is only slightly ahead of him. However, he beats Hillary by more than what he beats Obama according to the most recent poll. So, Hillary needs to drop out and let Obama move forward to explain his agenda.

liny

OH PLEASE

Hillary is 50/50 with Obama, you ninny...she has beaten him in all of the major states, and people like you, and obama supporters telling me that 3,000 people in Wyoming count more than 3 million in California, are NUTS.

I will not have a guy who keeps close acquaintances with people like Wright and Farrakhan be PRESIDENT.

And MANY others feel that way.

[destardi]

He''''s not just a talker. He''''s a doer.
Pass it on....It''''s impressive
Have a GREAT DAY
Posted by Xzonz at 01:18 PM : Mar 19, 2008
+ report abuse



Obama "impressive" Hah, only for people who are naive and believe everything without researching/vetting:

1. This misleading blog piece has been proliferated throughout the internet. First of all, it compares apples to oranges. It attempts to understate Clinton%u2019s accomplishments by citing the number of bills she authored and passed into law. And then it attempts to over-inflate Obama%u2019s record by citing the total number of bills he sponsored (BOTH in state and federal congress).
If you look up the information for yourself (http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/110search.html) you can compare apples to apples:
- In the 109th Congress Obama sponsored 152 bills (26 were signed into law) and co-sponsored 427 (12 were signed into law). Clinton sponsored 177 (21 were signed into law) and co-sponsored 720 (19 were signed into law).
- In the 110th Congress Obama sponsored 113 (0 signed into law) and co-sponsored 375 (3 signed into law). Clinton sponsored 150 (0 signed into law) and co-sponsored 477 (4 signed into law).
- Grand Total Authored - Clinton 327 sponsored / 1197 co-sponsored vs. Obama 265 sponsored / 802 co-sponsored
- Grand Total Passed %u2013 Clinton 44 vs. Obama 41
THE FACT - During the time that Obama and Clinton were in Senate together, Clinton authored 23% more bills and co-sponsored 49% more bills. Clinton