The numbers on convention viewership
The huge reach and record audiences for this year's political conventions is being put into sharper relief this morning with a new report from Nielsen Media Research.
Its report found that nearly two thirds of all US households (73.2 million homes, or about 120 million people) tuned into at least one of the political conventions. Viewership levels for the two conventions were essentially tied, with about 15 percent of all households tuning into just the Republican National Convention, 15.7 percent to just the Democratic National Convention, and another 34 percent of all households watching both conventions.
Other findings:
Homes that watched both conventions were more likely to be headed by someone 65 years or older and more educated.
Homes that only tuned to the RNC were more likely to have higher incomes ($100,0000 plus), to have a larger household size (4 plus), to be white, to have a head of household with higher education (4 plus years of college), and aged 35-54.
Homes that only tuned in to the DNC were more likely to have a lower income ( under $20,000), to have a smaller household size (2), to be African American, and to have a head of household who is younger (under 35) and who has less education (1-3 years of college).
About one-fifth of the homes that only watched the DNC were headed by an African American, while 83.5 percent of the RNC-only homes were headed by someone who is white.
More than 70 percent of African-American homes tuned to at least one of the conventions, including 36 percent that tuned into both, a higher rate than any other ethnic groups. White homes had the second highest viewership to both conventions at 34.5 percent, and were the only ethnic group who were more likely to watch only the RNC than the DNC.
I watched both. I think everyone should watch both. How can you make an informed decision without knowing about both candidates. Though neither convention made me change my mind about who I wanted.
I am 33 y/o white male with a combined family income of about $175K. I have a 4 year bachelors and the wife has a masters.
Ha what a loser you are
I also watched both. I agree, everyone should've watched both to make a comparison. I'm in my late 40's, white male, highly educated with a high level management job in the high tech industry, married with children living in Pennsylvania suburbia.
What offended me the most about the DNC was the Greek temple/ stadium bit which only reinforced all the talk about Obama only being about himself, his arrogance and me me me behavior. That is what stuck in my mind.....for better or worse.
What offended me the most about the RNC were the constant jabs against the Democrats (although the Dems aren't off the hook in that area either).
To me, it comes down to leadership abilities, character (to include associations), accomplishments and record. The past is a great predictor of the future. I just don't find how Obama even comes close to McCain on any of those factors.
And that's the way I see it as an Independent voter.
Being an Asian-American, it was hard not to notice that the delegates at the RNC seemed to be comprised predominantly of older whites while the DNC had a very diverse ethnic and age make-up of its delegates. The lack of diversity at the RNC, combined with the Republicans once again hijacking patriotism and spreading outright lies, made it difficult for me to watch much more than the first day's worth of coverage. Meanwhile I found the DNC to be more inclusive and more compelling.
I watched both conventions. I am white, 47 and married, no children. I have voted Democrat in the last two presidential elections, even though I am an independent. I was all set to vote for Obama until I heard Joe Biden and observed his behavior over the past month. He is frightening. He is a loose cannon. He wants to tax me and my wife even more and then give it away to people who probably make the same money that we do, but simply get it in relief checks and food stamps - and never work for a living. If something were to ever happen and Biden ascended into the Oval Office we all would suffer the consequences, especially after Ceney broadened the powers of the Office of the Vice President. I like Barak's idealism and his spirit, but now I don't think that I can vote for Obama because he made such a poor choice for a running mate. Biden is a wack job.
Vote forthelesserevil, put your head under water three times and pull it up twice. Thanks.
you can go to hill .Obama '08
I loved the speech by Joey Hairplugs. He is such an entertaining character. However, there is something that bothers me. He is supposed to help sure up Obama' s foreign policy credentials but his voting record on the issue is sketchy at best. He was against the Persian Gulf War...Voted for the authorization of the current Iraq effort...and then voted against the Surge. Sounds like an 0-3 to me. How is he an "expert"?
Oh, I love all you folks who say we have to watch both conventions. Whatever. You remind me of the "man on the street" voters who keep saying "I just don't know enough about (candidate)'s positions to make a decision yet.
People. This election has been going on for 2 years now. There are plenty of position papers, website and other information out there. If you don't know who you are voting for by now, you are a moron and should not be allowed to vote.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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