WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vermont Voters Favor Obama
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Burlington, Vermont - September 15, 2008
Channel 3 News has exclusive new poll results in the Presidential race. Our pollster Research 2000 asked 400 Vermonters who they want to win in November and one candidate clearly came out on top.
It's Democrat Barack Obama vs. Republican John McCain.
Both have visited Vermont and both have supporters here.
"Voting for John McCain because he's strong on national security," said Ann Goff, of Shelburne.
"He's my age and he knows what he's doing," agreed Bob Blow, also of Shelburne.
"Obama," countered Shawn Brossard, of Burlington. "Really don't like the Republican Party at all and our country needs something different."
"I think he represents change and McCain is more old school-- too much like Bush," agreed Ginny Conner, of Fairfax.
"It's time for change," said Kathy Garfield, of Bolton.
That's the sentiment most Vermonters polled agree with.
Obama gets 55 percent of the vote, McCain 36 percent.
"He's running 19 points ahead of John McCain, that's no surprise here," UVM Political Scientist Garrison Nelson said.
Nelson says Obama's message fits with Vermont's many democratic voters; we're considered a blue state stronghold.
"Obama has the three electoral votes in Vermont locked up, that's good news for him in some ways because as we know all elections can become very close," Nelson explained.
Nelson says what stands out from the Channel 3 News Poll is that only 9 percent of Vermonters polled are undecided or voting for another candidate, showing there is little question in voters' minds about these two.
"I think that's pretty interesting with less than 2 months to go. So this race appears to be settled," Nelson said.
One thing to watch out for says Nelson, is how the strong Obama numbers could impact races down the ticket if a record number of democrats turn out to vote. Also for Republicans, it's a clear message that if they want to win they have to appeal beyond their base.
Kristin Carlson - WCAX News
