UT " Money in Politics" Survey Released

You can find links to the survey here. Some findings from a press release on the survey I received via email:

* Fifty-eight percent of respondents say the source of a candidate's campaign contributions are a factor in how they vote, compared to 29 percent who say the amount a candidate raises is a factor.
* Respondents said they would be more likely to vote for a hypothetical U.S. Senate candidate if he received campaign contributions primarily from friends and acquaintances compared to the tobacco industry or trial attorneys. The amount of money the candidate raised had no impact on voter support.
* The three biggest factors influencing how members of Congress vote are campaign contributors, party affiliation and lobbyists, according to respondents. They believe constituents' concerns have the least influence on how members of Congress vote.
* Fifty-six percent of respondents support federal limits on political advertising paid for by corporations, unions and non-profit groups. Most respondents don't believe corporations should have the same rights or the same free speech protections as individuals.
* Respondents had limited knowledge of campaign finance issues, with 51 percent saying they don't know enough about the McCain-Feingold Act to have an opinion.

Posted by Rick Hasen at November 16, 2009 08:22 AM