Rasmussen Poll On Internet Journalism: Doubts About Political Bloggers

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A Rasmussen poll out today says Americans are positive about the overall impact of journalism on the Internet. But there are findings that could give pause to political bloggers. They get lower marks in the credibility department when measured against their old media competitors. But the survey also found a vein on good news for bloggers -- among younger Americans they have far more support than any other generation.

From the telephone survey of 800 voters Oct. 10 and 11:

"Not surprisingly, young adults are more enthusiastic about the impact of the new medium on journalism. Among those under 30, 66% say the Internet has been good for journalism. Among senior citizens, however, opinion is evenly divided: 36% say it's been good and 33% take the opposite view."

And:

"However, while most see the overall impact of the Internet as positive, only 22% of all voters say that well known bloggers are as reliable as well known television and newspaper reporters. Forty-six percent say they're not as reliable while 32% are not sure.

"Once again, the generational differences are significant. A third (33%) of those under 30 believe bloggers are as reliable, but that view is shared by only 12% of senior citizens. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of men find the bloggers as reliable along with 18% of women."

Bottom line: The blogs are continuing to make inroads among the key demographic, the audience that eventually will replace the aging Americans who now feel most comfortable with newspapers and TV as primary news sources. Rasmussen's survey is surprising, in a way, because it found that the blogs have become major players and rivals of the traditional media in a very short time.

Pollster Rasmussen: Believes Al Gore Not Running

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Rasmussen polling organization now takes Al Gore at his word he's not interested in becoming an '08 presidential candidate and is banishing Gore from weekly tracking surveys of the Democratic field.

Before the move, Rasmussen Reports found that Gore was polling nearly as well as former Sen. John Edwards among likely Democratic primary voters nationwide. In head-to-head matchups with Republicans, Gore solidly led Newt Gingrich and ran fairly strong against Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain.

Rasmussen's final numbers this week on the Dems with Gore included: Clinton, 28%; Obama, 24%; Edwards, 11%; Gore, 10%.

Last week: Clinton, 28%; Obama, 23%; Edwards, 13%; Gore, 8%.

The newest data indicates the contest could be turning into a Clinton/Obama showdown. Edwards has lost ground among Democratic voters, a decline that shows up in other polls as well. Did the blogger flap hurt him? Still, Rasumussen said Edwards had the highest favorable rating among likely voters at this time, 53%, while Clinton, Gore and Obama trailed at 50%.

Some think Edwards took a veiled shot at Clinton during an AFSCME-sponsored presidential forum Wednesday in Carson City, Nev., when he apologized for voting in favor of the Iraq War as a senator and implied others should do the same. "This is not a time for political calculation. It is a time for political courage," Edwards said. Sen. Clinton refused to call her initial support of the resolution allowing the use of military force in Iraq a mistake, and said at the forum, "My vote was a sincere vote based on the facts and assurances I had at the time."

Meanwhile, Rasumussen said it made the decision to drop Gore from new polls because the former vice president has repeatedly signaled he won't run. "While Al Gore attracts more support than many who are actively seeking the nomination, the Democrats' Election 2000 nominee indicated again last week that he has no intention of running for office at this time. Therefore, unless something changes, Rasmussen Reports will no longer include the former Vice President in our ongoing tracking of this race."