CBS News Monthly Poll #4, October 2008

This poll, fielded October 29 to November 1, 2008, is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. This poll interviewed 1,167 adults nationwide, including 1,040 registered voters. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way George W. Bush was handling the presidency, whether the country was moving in the right direction, and the condition of the national economy. Registered voters were asked how much attention they were paying to the 2008 presidential campaign, whether they had voted in a Democratic or Republican primary or caucus that year, the likelihood that they would vote in the upcoming general election, for whom they would vote, and whether they planned to vote in person on election day, by mail or absentee ballot, or at an early voting location. Those who had already voted were asked which candidate they had voted for. Views were also sought on presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain and vice-presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. Other questions addressed the respondent's financial situation compared to four years ago, how long they had lived at their current residence, whether a person's race affected their chances of getting ahead in today's society, and the Iraq War. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, marital status, household income, perceived social class, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter registration status and participation history, military service, religious preference, frequency of religious attendance, and whether respondents considered themselves to be a born-again Christian.