Poll: People prefer Obama over McCain as teacher; McCain's Ad Not Working

[EV_Ares]

By ALAN FRAM, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — If this election were about which candidate people wanted as their child's schoolteacher, Barack Obama would be moving to the head of the class. They'd also rather watch a football game with him, but only by inches.

People picked the Democrat over Republican John McCain to catch a game with by 50 percent to 47 percent, according to an Associated Press-Yahoo! News poll released Friday. Asked which they'd choose to be their child's teacher, Obama was the choice by a more decisive 55 percent to 44 percent, including a markedly stronger performance by the Illinois senator among whites.

Win or lose the November presidential election, neither man is likely to be teaching schoolchildren anytime soon, let alone plopping down on your couch for a game. Nonetheless, the responses provide some insight into how the two candidates are viewed as people — an important consideration for many when it comes to voting.

Those questioned generally said that for viewing a football game, they were looking for someone they would feel comfortable spending time with. For a teacher, they often described a more complex process measuring a candidate's life experience, communications skills and tolerance of different viewpoints.

"I think Obama has a little more of an open mind, maybe because he's a black man and has that history behind him, the prejudices of life," said Chris Porter, 45, an Obama supporter from Kenosha, Wis. "I think that's something very important for children to understand."

Obama has been a teacher, having worked as a law professor at the University of Chicago.

Larry Killen, 54, a McCain backer from Sugar Hill, Ga., cited how the Republican bounced back from his captivity during the Vietnam War.

"I see him as a more grounded person with a much deeper range of experience," said Killen, a software designer. "It's fascinating what he's endured," he said, adding that influencing others comes "more from the person you are than the things you do."

Whites — who have favored McCain throughout the campaign season — would rather watch football with the Arizona senator by 55 percent to 43 percent. He was also the choice to be their child's teacher, but by a narrower 51 percent to 47 percent.

The 16-percentage-point preference white men had for McCain as a football companion was about halved when it came to choosing a teacher. White women moved from picking McCain for football by 7 points to favoring Obama as teacher by 2 points — in effect a tie.

rest of the article & comments @ link: http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-teacher

[rockymountaindem]

1. My answer to that football question would depend on whether the game is live or on TV

If it's on TV, then you're asking me who I'd rather kick back with in my house. The answer there is clearly Obama. He's the kind of person who it would be cool chill and watch the game with over some drinks and chips. If it's a live game and we're going down to the stadium, I think I'd have to take McCain, just because it might be really amusing to hear what he would yell at the opposing team and their fans. I mean, he called his own wife one of the worst names in the book so... I assume everything would be on the table.

[SuperTrouper]

2. I'd rather have a strict nun as teacher (I did) than the crazy loon like McFail