Obama's Speech to Congress Elicits Inspiration

President Obama's Speech to Congress Elicits Feelings of Inspiration among All Political Parties
-- Obama's Approval Rating Significantly Increases after Speech --

Flemington, NJ, February 24, 2009 - Results of a national study among 1,600 self-reported Democrats, Republicans and Independents during President Barack Obama's speech to Congress revealed that inspiration was the emotion felt the most among viewers across all political parties.

After the speech, President Obama's approval ratings significantly increased among all parties, as well as his likeability, believability and sincerity ratings.

HCD Research conducted the study during the president's speech earlier this evening among a nationally representative sample of self-reported Democrats, Republicans and Independents. To view detailed results go to www.mediacurves.com.

During the testing process, respondents' emotions were measured, and respondents were also asked pre and post-viewing questions to determine if their attitudes have changed as a result of watching President Obama's speech.

Respondents were asked to choose from a list of emotions to indicate those that best reflected their feelings while viewing the speech.

• The emotions most felt by Republicans while watching the speech were skepticism (47%) and inspiration (29%), compared to Democrats, who reported feeling inspiration (59%) and pride (21%). Independents reported inspiration (54%) and skepticism (26%) as the emotions most felt most while watching the speech.

Among the Findings:

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Obama is handling his job as President?

BEFORE Speech / Democrats / Republicans / Independents
Approve / 80% / 22% / 51%
Disapprove / 2% / 41% / 12%
Not Sure / 18% / 38% / 37%

AFTER Speech / Democrats / Republicans / Independents
Approve / 88% / 33% / 67%
Disapprove / 3% / 37% / 12%
Not Sure / 9% / 30% / 21%

Please rate President Barack Obama's handling of the following policy areas as excellent, good, fair or poor. (1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Fair, 4=Poor)

BEFORE Speech (MEANS)
/ Democrats / Republicans / Independents
The Economy / 2.3 (Good) / 3.6 (Poor) / 3.0(Fair)
Homeland Security / 2.7(Fair) / 3.6 (Poor) / 3.0(Fair)
Energy / 2.4 (Good) / 3.5(Poor) / 2.8(Fair)
Taxes / 3.7(Good) / 3.5(Poor) / 2.9 (Fair)
The War in Iraq / 2.5 (Good) / 3.6(Poor) / 3.0(Fair)
The Federal Budget / 2.4 (Good) / 3.7 (Poor) / 2.7(Fair)
The Environment / 2.5 (Good) / 3.5(Poor) / 2.9 (Fair)
Education / 2.5(Good) / 3.7(Poor) / 3.0 (Fair)
Social Security / 2.7 (Fair) / 3.8 (Poor) / 3.3(Fair)

AFTER Speech (MEANS)
/ Democrats / Republicans / Independents
The Economy / 1.9(Good) / 3.1(Fair) / 2.4(Good)
Homeland Security / 2.3(Good) / 3.4(Fair) / 2,7(Fair)
Energy / 1.9 (Good) / 3.0 (Fair) / 2.2(Good)
Taxes / 1.9 (Good) / 3.1(Fair) / 2.4(Good)
The War
in Iraq / 2.1 (Good) / 3.3(Fair) / 2.6(Fair)
The Federal Budget / 2.0 (Good) / 3.2 (Fair) / 2.5 (Fair)
The Environment / 2.0 (Good) / 3.1 (Fair) / 2.4 (Good)
Education / 1.8 (Good) / 2.9 (Fair) / 2.3 (Good)
Social Security / 2.4 (Good) / 3.5 (Fair) / 2.9 (Fair)

"Which of the following emotions did you feel the most while viewing the speech? Please select one emotion you felt most."

/ Democrats / Republicans / Independents
Anger / 0% / 6% / 2%
Inspiration / 59% / 29% / 54%
Sadness / 1% / 1% / 0%
Skepticism / 9% / 47% / 26%
Confusion / 1% / 2% / 1%
Disturbing / 1% / 5% / 3%
Embarrassment / 0% / 1% / 1%
Pride / 21% / 7% / 10%
Happiness / 8% / 2% / 4%

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 communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net

ENDS

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