1st Poll Results -- What 5000+ Air Americans Think

5,535 of you responded to our First Air America Poll about the 2008 Election.

True, our poll might not represent a scientific sample but a) it is five times larger than the usual national poll sample and b) we do represent a growing progressive movement. And collectively, you all did reveal a lot about the nature of Air Americans.

There were surprises. When we asked who would be the Denver Keynote Speaker (before Mark Warner was chosen last week), one name elicited 2.5 times the response of anyone else on the list -- Senator Jim Webb. Seems that someone who can both fight and write has struck a big chord.

And it's Obama in '08 with 92% (told you we weren't entirely representative)...but it's Hillary slightly ahead of Gore in 2012 if The Big O doesn't make it this year.

Joe Biden has a lock on Secretary of State, say you, - if he's not on the ticket: Tim Kaine with 799 votes, Joe Biden with 777, and Bill Richardson with 707 are your top choices to be Obama's VEEP.

And for those who believe in The Wisdom of Crowds (that all of us are smarter than any of us), adding up the results predicts an Obama win with about 300 electoral votes and by (on average) 5 to 10 percentage points.

We'll announce next January that person who best predicted what would happen -- and then we'll hear from her/him on my program 7 Days in America.

Thanks so many of you for responding and for listening to...A VOICE we can believe in.

On to Denver.

2008 Election Poll Results Summary

Who will give the Democratic Convention Keynote Address?

Who do you think Barack Obama will choose as his running mate?

*Poll was taken before John Edwards publicly admitted to his affair.

If Obama wins the presidency, who will be Secretary of State?

If Obama should lose the presidency, who would be your preference as the Democratic nominee in 2012?

Who will you be voting for?

What will be the winner's total number of electoral votes?

By how many percentage points will the winner surpass the second place finisher?

Comments

[mmerose]

I like to see the rank for Wes Clark. I can see the banners now:

THE AMERICAN DREAM TEAM,

as in, two guys who earned it "the old fashioned way."

Clark also fits the description of not coming off as an egomaniac.

A surprise?

[meanguy]

5000, huh? so they polled their listeners 10 times?

[Bam-Bam]

I didn't know Air America had 5,535 listeners, with how it had filed for banruptcy and its' failings.

[UnbiasView]

3,000 people bought Nancy Pelosi's book . . .

[dexxjones]

try and find 3000 people buying her "off the table" routine. what a dissapointment. i wonder when the gop will get the memo that the left is pissed off with her and give her the lieberman treatment.

[dexxjones]

maybe if they had the 500 million a year in support that faux news had for their first dismal years, they would have had a better audience.

britney spears sold a lot of albums and plenty of people tune into see garbage reality shows. if AAR is so unimportant, why such a high troll infestation rate every time they're mentioned?

[meanguy]

it's like a radio train wreck...you kknow it's hideous, but you just can't resist looking

[FdeBear]

Bankruptcy doesnt mean you go out of business! Air America has been on the air continually. I'm one of the "5,535" listeners who've been with them from day one. I savor every progressive moment. You want to know how AA is doing? Check out the ads, BAM BAM and use your dumb head to smack a wall.

[meanguy]

bankruptcy DOES mean something's not working...

[Rjmartinelli]

I think when you poll a very selective audience like this you get very skewed results. It's no different than asking all of msnbc, cnn, or fox's viewers exclusively what they think. They will all generally be the same as they'll all have similar interests in the programming of each station.

[danoj]

Hey now, you are talking to the skewed, and it's only skewed or wrong when it favors a conservative. Everything else is right on the money with the loons on this site.

[BillN]

Loons? What are you doing here?

[BigFootJesus]

You obviously don't understand anything you read here.

[doctorwang]

I agree. It's akin to Lou Dobbs asking his audience a question concerning immigration. The resulting poll numbers will always reflect a negative stance towards illegal aliens.

[mmerose]

So, what's your point? It is about the Democrat side of the race anyway. You go answer the Republican polls.

[FdeBear]

The term is Democratic. You've just signaled you're a troll.

[Bartolo27]

First of all the republicans will DO ANYTHING to win. Anything. No matter how criminal, evil, vile, underhanded or immoral.

What is wrong with Americans attention span? Even those who are Progressive. The Democrats have had eight years to do something about the voting machine situation and lost a second election to bUSH after they KNEW what happened in the first election. Whaaaaa?! They still haven't dealt with the problem.

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? Is this just a big Dog and Pony show?

It will happen to the USA again. What are you going to do about it? Nothing just like our Democratic representatives.
It's gonning be a squeaker folks, a real squeaker and Republican John McCain will be elected in the area of 51% to 49%.
Anybody want to bet me some real money on this? I'll take it.

I'm still voting Obama. Not that it will make a difference in Texas.

[Birdman]

Whaaaaa?! They still haven't dealt with the problem.

That is not true Most states have decertified electronic voting machines. Talk about attention spans.

[BillCarson]

It's getting better, but there are still about 18 states that use electronic voting machines without a voter verified paper trail, including the potential swing states of

Pennsylvania (most of the state uses machines with no paper trail)
Virginia (like Pennsylvania)
Colorado (about half the state uses machines with no paper trail)
Florida (Mixed paper voting and machines)

source: http://www.verifiedvoting.org/verifier/

[futurefile]

Ditto. A close election with Obama leading is as good as a stolen election for McCain.

[meanguy]

it's always a good thing to have your excuse ready...

[Malarkey]

Bartolo27 hit the nail on the head. What the Republicans will do to win is beyond the comprehension of most Americans, who are incapable of seeing the true amount of depravity that the Republicans represent. Americans are anesthetized and masochistic, incapable of realizing that they are considered to be nothing but suckers to the plutocrats running the show.

[GeoLee]

Air America does not speak for, or for that matter, to America in a whole lot of areas in the United States. The only place I have heard it recently is while on a plane where i was lucky enough to have brought my own earbuds with me because none were even available to buy. If you don't have satellite radio in your car you can forget Air America in the midwest, south and great plains states for the most part. We are subjected to FOX almost exclusively and sound alikes of Fox. Our most liberal option seems to be Public Radio. So, this post only means a little to the big city audiences and the east and west coast and I dare say so do the results of the poll. I don't think you all on the coasts understand that lack of access to information limits us to CNN and MSNBC for even moderate views...if the particular cable company even has MSNBC. Traveled to a hotel in the south recently anyone? Try finding one with MSNBC and post the name, please.

[LiberalIncarnate]

Here is a link to Air America's affiliates. They may not have a strong presence in the south and midwst, but they are there. Give it time:

http://airamerica.com/stations

[UnbiasView]

They have a station here in MN . . . it is crappy as hell and don't think it extends more than 500 feet.

[BillN]

You're also disregarding a very large segment of their listenership who stream them via podcast or the web site. That number is larger than you think (I think Nixon called them the "silent majority").

Like me, they don't trust broadcast media anymore - so they don't go there.

[mmerose]

I don't know. I notice as I drive on long trips I can find progressive talk more and more consistently.

[WilliamGossett]

Obama will NEVER win the Presidency

[bigbingtheory]

..because you said so? Hard to refute an empty and baseless statement like that so you must be right.

[Larry of Corrales]

spoken like a true Republican or possibly Hillary supporter. In any case you are wrong.

[EinChicago]

And where is Zogby today to discuss teh latest poll? and what does it show, exactly?

[wanj]

I hope you've picked up enough points for a toaster from McCain's thugs!

[dexxjones]

until he does.

[Cilantro33309]

oh, so a dude named "petey" who obviously is going to vote for the dumb guy and who did not answer to one of my questions is somehow "of consequence", but I am not.

Hmmm. Sounds like petey is a real thinker.

Oh, and I did watch Obama Saturday. You know what I noticed? he was HONEST. He didn't tell someone elses' story and claim it was his own, like McSame.

But you know what is saddest, petey? You don't even know anything about any of the issues, and you are likely planning to vote for a guy who will continue to make the rich richer, the corporations richer and more powerful, and here's the kicker petey, will make you poorer. But you are going to vote for him because you look at this as some sort of team sport, and you're rooting for the Texas Republicans, regardless of the fact that their team is made up of rapists.

Yep, petey is a thinker.

[MrBluebird]

Better yet why doesn't someone do a poll on Air America's relevance. We, who are proudly of the left wing (call it progressive if you must hide behind a euphemism), in this country don't need the mirror image of the limbaugh/hannity crowd. We need a voice of reason and sanity who will explain the issues and propose reasonable solutions... does this sound like anyone you know.

[oldrwizr]

Air America has Rachel Maddow and Thom Hartmann who are both amazingly reasonable and sane, and also Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on RIng of Fire. Great stuff, check them out, you can listen online or on XM satellite radio channel 167.

[Larry of Corrales]

right on!

[dexxjones]

oh yes. rachel is a shining example of what can happen when a smart liberal gets a platform. she absolutely ROCKS.

[bigbingtheory]

Try listening some time. Therer is no liberal equivalent to those right wing hacks. I'm proudly onthe left too by the way and am constantly battling the stereotype you just perpetuated but coming from the right.

[geobushono]

Excuse me, Mike Malloy draws repug / rightwing blood every night..........in fact he is so persuasive that he was the subject of a recent hit piece right here at Huffpo.........Mike is a true Progressive.right on target about 99% of the time, and his savaging of Obama's turn to the right brought the full force of the reactionaries at Huffpo, who don't have to run the gauntlet of censors.

[LiberalIncarnate]

What the country needs is a balance of voices. Period. For the last nearly 30 years right-wing radio has dominated the market. It wasn't until 2004 that Air America even got its start. The right-wing has had 30 years to work with corporate media to transform a nation of intelligent critical thinkers into a nation of reality shows and whale sized jumbo meals.

[FdeBear]

Yeah, listen to Thom Hartman and the whole spectrum of talent on Air America. Go to the website. You'll find what you are looking for there. In contrast to limbaugh, hannity, and turds like Michael the Savage Weiner, I can't stand them because they are liars, fearmongerers and appeal the lowest among us. Check out Nova M Radio. I swear if I didn't have my XM radios I'd go nuts.

[HopeandChange]

Air America was taken off the air in Madison, Wisconsin. Pretty sad when the most liberal city in America won't even listen. Air America, the MSNBC of radio.

[Cilantro33309]

Better the MSNBC than the Faux.

[bigbingtheory]

It was taken off the air in Mdison because ownership didn't like what they heard. So much for free markets. They aren't as interested in making a profit if they can silence dissent.

[meanguy]

"They aren't as interested in making a profit if they can silence dissent"
----------------------------------------
when has 'progressive' radio ever generated a profit?

[BillCarson]

Air America is still on the air in Madison...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WXXM

[meanguy]

did anyone notice?

[FdeBear]

This not only happened in Madison, but Columbus and Phoenix - though in Phoenix, listeners turned it around. Most of your station owners are conservatives, so they put on what they want. However, their affiliate list continues to grow. You aren't or refuse to pay attention to what is really going on. You are uninformed and probably happy to be that way.

[FdeBear]

This not only happened in Madison temporarily, but Columbus and Phoenix - though in Phoenix, listeners turned it around. Most of your station owners are conservatives, so they put on what they want. However, their affiliate list continues to grow. You aren't or refuse to pay attention to what is really going on. You are uninformed and probably happy to be that way. Progressive radio personalities appearances in affiliate cities are attracting thousands.

[HopeandChange]

5,535 means each listener took the poll 100 times.

[kellygrrrl]

interesting. what would be really fun, just for Gits and Shiggles, run this alongside a poll from the Rush crowd.

America is more divided than ever.
The intolerance on both sides is growing to fever pitch.

[GeoLee]

Intolerance for the other side is not just related to the right and left (republican vs democrat). I read a lot of intolerant statements right here, even from you, right within our own party of the "other side" and frankly am sick of the democratic intelorance of other democrats that exists today in the vp pick. The one thing I can say is that the unityspeak is a farce here, sadly. The bitterness of posters and lack of respect for each other during the primary will haunt us in November and is a point of shame and that both candidates did not speak out to their supporters to stop the divisive talk is someting I will not forgive easily. As Pogo once said, ""e have faced the enemy and it is us"

[patter55]

Oh, we are going to wait until 2012 and get Hilliary. Just one question: What will John McCain have done to America in the interim. So all think this is funny. We will see who will be laughing in 4 years. We will have put another F person in the White House. Make a fool of me once shame on you make a fool of me twice shame on me.

GOD PLEASE BLESS AMERICA!! COULD THIS BE THE END OF OUR TIME.

[walk0nwalls]

You're wrong.

And who gives a damn about the first female president. You prop it up like gender actually makes a difference in policy.

[edwarvir]

Nothing worse than SniperHill would have done, but thank GOD he sent
us an intelligent wonderful smart sweet truth telling Young black Man
Barack Obama 2009 With the good judgement not to put this liar on his
ticket

[kellygrrrl]

personally, I do not see how this planet could survive 4 more years of Ne0C0n agenda

unless MkKain is going to pull fast one on the neogang, and suddenly revert back to Maverick,
then 2012 is almost a nonissue, IMO

[meanguy]

2012 is almost a nonissue, IMO
--------------------------
your sanity is starting to become the issue

[teasley]

lighten up! "The end of our time." Carter couldn't desroy the country in 4 years, I don't even think Obama could.This gets so old. Every election, if your candidate doesn't win the country will be destroyed. Has it occurred to any of you that people have most likely said the same thing every 4 years for over 200 years.

[bigbingtheory]

Perhaps but our fear is justified this time around.

[stepintothelight]

But we have all seen it's beginning truths in the previous eight!!!

[optech007]

6.7% of the people polled think the the election winner will have less than 268 electoral votes.

[ksyellowdog]

when that percent is taken with the number of respondents who will vote for Barr, McSame, and Nader, it evens out rather nicely. shows why progressives are natural born leaders and people who think givernment is the prioblem should not be allowed to get elected to prove their point.

[GeoLee]

It would be better to leave "should"and "ought" home when discussing these issues.

[Zogtastic]

I thought that was odd too. But it is possible if a 3rd party candidate took a state or 2. Now, why do people think that's more possible than an electoral tie? I have no idea...

[desertdweller]

That, in itself, is very telling......among the industrialized nations of the world, the U.S. must have the least politically-savvy voters

[Swedishgal]

That's obvious. I'm mean we did get Bushed for 8 years which tells me we're not dealing with voters that are very intelligent and are easily scared.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

Air America? Bulls#it! More like Radio DLC.

Mark Green ran for Mayor of New York and the New York Democratic Party endorsed the Republican candidate. Nuff said.

[bluzz]

Air America is more objective than your radio right heroes - Fatty Limbaugh and that flouter hannity only give one side of the story and omit huge chunks of issues to prop up their flimsy cases. Air America, at least, gives both sides of the story and than what the overall opinion is.

Not one of my radio right friend shad even heard about the "enron loophole" and how it will save almost $1 immediately to the cost of a gallon of gas....why is that hmmmmmmmmmm. they also didn't know that almost 80% of available oil leases in the gulf were not being drilled so, why do they need more hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

The repugs are only for business interests and try to spin everyone else with BS, I feel sorry for those who are foolish enough to believe it!

[UnbiasView]

"Air America is more objective than your radio right heroes - Fatty Limbaugh and that flouter hannity only give one side of the story and omit huge chunks of issues to prop up their flimsy cases. Air America, at least, gives both sides of the story and than what the overall opinion is."

Wow, I listened to Thom Hartmann the other day and thought the same thing about him.

Talking how great windmills in Denmark are . . . leaving out they pay more for energy than any other country in the world because of the high cost of them.

Neither is a legit source of info, just opinions.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

I'm not a Reich-Winger, I'm a Progressive Populist. To paraphrase Felix Unger, "Never AssUMe things" it makes an A$$ of U and pi$$es ME off

Mark Green is a shill for the DLC, a failure as a member of the Democratic Party, as a Democratic candidate, and as the head of his little fiefdom - Radio DLC. He wouldn't recognize a Progressive if Molly Ivins rose from the grave and kicked his sorry Corporat-O-Crat a$$ from New York to Austin.

I listen to the Jones Radio network & NovaM. I stream Rachel Maddow from KPHX even though I live in the Midwest (aint that Inter-Web thingie grand?).

[dexxjones]

only the management and even so, they're still better than any at msm. rachel isnt dlc. nor is hartman or young turks.

[FdeBear]

So what are Limbaugh, Hannity, et al. Limbaugh readily admits he's a shill and a water carrier for the Republican Party. They all repeat the same talking points and repeat them like good Nazis. I haven't heard one host on Air America not challenge listeners to use their own intelligence and fact find for themselves. They back up their stuff with solid sources. You cannot say the same about right-wing radio. But if you're not interested in using your brain, you are probably more confortable filling your head with Savage and O'Reilly's regurgitations.