Religion Affects Voters Much as it Did in 2004

September 20, 2008

Author: David Yonke

Source: The Toledo Blade

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080920/NEWS09/809200378

A survey of religious groups' political leanings shows remarkably little change between the current presidential campaign and the 2004 race, according to pollster John C. Green of the University of Akron.

"My staff called me a slave driver because I had them run the data 50 or 60 times," said Mr. Green, who expressed shock over the consistency among religious communities despite four years of tumult on issues of faith and politics.

The fifth National Survey of Religion and Politics, released yesterday at the Religion Newswriters Association's annual convention here, was conducted before the political conventions and before the candidates announced their vice presidential running mates.

It broke down the candidates' support among 11 main religious groups and some subgroups.