Political Parties Say Obama's Speech Will Not Put Pastor's Racial Comments to Rest

FLEMINGTON, N.J., March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new national study among 709 self-reported Democrats, Republicans and independents, indicated that the majority of all political parties do not believe that Senator Obama's speech will put to rest racial comments made by his former pastor.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO )

The study was conducted by HCD Research earlier today to obtain Americans' perceptions of video segments of a speech by Barack Obama to address racially charged comments made by his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright and the racial divide in America.

While viewing segments of the speech, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. Participants were also asked pre- and post-viewing questions regarding their support for Barack Obama. To view detailed results and agreement curves, go to: www.mediacurves.com

Among the study findings:

Do you think Barack Obama's speech put the issue surrounding Jeremiah Wright's racial comments to rest?

Democrats Republicans Independents
Yes 30% 17% 29%
No 56% 73% 58%
Don't know 15% 10% 13%

Do you believe Barack Obama when he said he has never heard his former pastor make racial comments about white people or other ethnic groups during the 20 years that he has known Jeremiah Wright?

Democrats Republicans Independents
Yes 36% 16% 25%
No 48% 68% 53%
Don't know 17% 15% 22%

The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

HCD Research is a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based marketing and communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393

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Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO
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Source: HCD Research

CONTACT: Vince McGourty, HCD Research, +1-908-483-9121 or
vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net

Web site: http://www.hcdi.net/
http://www.mediacurves.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at +1-908-483-9121, or vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net

2008-03-18 17:55:34 0315660 PRNEWSWIRE