Source:
NBC11.comCal Study: Terror Warnings Would Hurt McCain/Palin, Not Help
POSTED: 1:12 pm PDT October 1, 2008
UPDATED: 1:32 pm PDT October 1, 2008
BERKELEY, Calif. --
By John Boitnott, Web Producer
Contrary to conventional wisdom, if a terror alert hits the U.S., it may not have a positive effect on the McCain/Palin campaign's efforts, especially with swing voters, a new study has found.
Contrary to earlier studies that found that the threat of terrorism favors conservative leaders, a new national field study conducted by UC Berkeley sociologists Robb Willer and Nick Adams showed that terror warnings delivered by government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security may reduce support for Sen. John McCain among moderates or swing voters.
The researchers said study results have led them to believe that presidential candidates who play up the threat of terrorism to bolster votes may want to rethink that game plan.
With just weeks until the Nov. 4 election, recent polls show that the race for the presidency is very close and that both campaigns are heavily courting moderate swing voters.
Read more:
http://www.nbc11.com/news/17600726/detail.html