Half of America's Baby Boomers Think Government is Doing Too Much to Solve the Wall Street Crisis, Finds TV Land's Baby Boomer Survey

Half of America's Baby Boomers Think Government is Doing Too Much to Solve the Wall Street Crisis, Finds TV Land's Baby Boomer Survey

Majority Feel An Obama Presidency Is Better For Their Financial Future

Almost 100% Of Boomers Plan To Vote In Election

NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifty percent of American adults age 40-59 -- The Baby Boomers -- feel that the government is doing too much to solve Wall Street's problems, according to a new poll by TV Land. Twenty-five percent feel that the government is not doing enough about the Wall Street crisis and 25% don't know if there should be more or less government involvement. This is just one of the findings in a new poll conducted by OTX on behalf of TV Land, a division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks, as part of TV Land's overall commitment to superserve this 40- and 50-something demographic.

The TV Land poll also shows 94% of Boomers -- the country's largest generation -- plan to go to the polls next month, with 82% of those polled saying they are extremely likely to vote. The impact of this finding is enormous as this generation had the highest turnout of voters in the 2004 Presidential election. Obama voters are more determined to make their voices heard as 89% of his supporters say they are extremely likely to vote compared to 82% of McCain supporters and 58% of undecideds. The survey also shows that regardless of whom they are voting for, the majority of people in this demographic (54%) believe that Barack Obama will win the 2008 Presidential election this November. Twenty-five percent believe John McCain will win and 20% are unsure of the outcome of the November vote. The poll also found that if the election were held today, the country's largest generation would elect Barack Obama to office capturing 48% of the vote. John McCain would get 40% of the Boomer vote and 12% of Boomers are either unsure or voting for someone else.

"Based on sheer numbers, people in their 40s and 50s have the loudest voice of any other demographic in the country, period," states Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. "Any politician, advertiser, businessman, or otherwise, would be wise to listen to what is important to this generation. They have been making marketplace demands their entire life and they aren't going to stop now."

"Baby Boomers have made a significant impact on many brands, trends and politicians in the past," adds Laurel Wichert, vice president, research, TV Land. "With almost 100% of them prepared to vote in November, it's clear they are ready and willing to make a statement one more time."

Like Joe The Plumber, Boomers' voting decisions are being shaped by several pocketbook issues before anything else. The majority of voters ages 40-59 surveyed reveal that a host of pocketbook issues are top of mind as those surveyed said that the economy (81%), health care (65%), gas prices (62%), Social Security and Medicare (58%) and taxes (57%) are among the most important issues to them. Iraq (55%), the situation on Wall Street (53%) and terrorism (51%) are also extremely important issues to Boomers in voting for President. Fifty-five percent of people in their 40s and 50s feel that Obama's Presidency would be better for their financial future than a McCain Presidency (45%).

Interestingly, the voting intent of most 40-59-year-olds is not impacted by recent economic news. In fact, three-quarters (76%) say that the recent economic news has not made them reconsider whom they are supporting for President. These feelings are not a result of the majority of Boomers misunderstanding the Wall Street Crisis. Seventy-one percent of adults in their 40s and 50s say they understand the financial crisis on Wall Street and the Federal Government's bailout of the finance industry and 29% feel they do not. Thirty-four percent of them feel that Obama will do a better job of handling the current problems on Wall Street, while 26% say McCain would do better on this front. One-fifth say both are able to do the job equally well, and a similar proportion (21%) say they don't know.

Regardless of whom they are voting for, Boomers would be most inclined to socialize with Barack Obama and Sarah Palin versus John McCain and Joe Biden. By overwhelming margins (63%), Boomers would want Sarah Palin to baby-sit for their kids, however they would most want to have dinner with Barack Obama (41%). Governor Palin won on several other social categories such as: go on vacation with (42%), go to a bar with (31%), sing karaoke with (42%).

The majority of Boomers (55%) indicate that what they see and hear about the candidates in the media is extremely or very important in helping them decide their vote for President. Sixty-two percent of Obama supporters say that the media is extremely/very important, while only 47% of McCain supporters say the same. Even though 40- and 50-somethings use the media when deciding how to vote, only 15% trust what they see and hear about the candidates. Fifty-four percent trust somewhat what they hear in the media, while 31% do not trust what they hear in the media at all. 40% of McCain supporters do not trust the media compared to 19% of Obama supporters.

Although the candidates declined to criticize the readiness of their opposing Vice Presidential candidates in last night's Presidential debate, when asked about the Vice President candidates, nearly two-thirds of people in their 40s and 50s (64%) say Joe Biden is prepared for the job of Vice President of the United States. Thirty-four percent feel Palin is prepared. Contrastingly, Sarah Palin is seen by 47% of the demo as not prepared for the job versus the 13% who think Biden isn't prepared. The majority of Boomers (51%) say that Biden helped Obama's chances of being elected and 45% say Palin helped McCain. Nearly one-fifth (18%) say Biden hurt Obama's chances, while 34% say Palin hurt McCain.

While both candidates have a "change" platform, 48% of Boomer voters find Barack Obama more believable when he talks about "change" while 21% say John McCain is more believable. Nine percent say both candidates are believable when they talk about "change" and 18% say neither candidate. Only 4% of this generation doesn't know which candidate is more believable. Nearly nine in ten Boomer voters (86%) say that things in this country are heading on the wrong track. Among Barack Obama supporters, that number jumps to 92% who say the country is on the wrong track. Twenty-three percent of McCain supporters say the country is on the right track, compared to only 8% of Obama supporters.

Regardless of their personal voting intent, 89% of Boomers feel that the war in Iraq will "change" for the better in an Obama Presidency versus 70% who feel Iraq will "change" for the better under a McCain Administration. Regardless of who wins, the majority of Boomers feel that the next administration will bring "change" to the War in Iraq (62%), energy policies (56%) and economic policies (53%).

When considering a Presidential candidate, over three-quarters (77%) feel that good judgment is extremely important as is the candidate's economic plan (57%) and the candidate's ability to work across party lines (55%). Almost six in ten (58%) Boomers say age does not matter when asked if they preferred a candidate that is their age, younger or older than they are. However, more than half of this demo (55%) felt that Obama -- a Boomer himself -- understands their needs and problems. Forty-one percent say the same of McCain.

The majority of people ages 40-59 associate key leadership attributes to Obama including "has a vision for the future" (60%), "communicates clearly" (57%) and "passionate" (57%). John McCain is seen as "courageous" (57%) and "experienced" (69%).

The vast majority of this generation (94%) say that the economy is worse than it was a year ago and they are almost evenly divided in thirds as to where they think the U.S. economy will be in a year's time -- 35% say it will be better, 32% think it will be worse, 32% think it will be the same. Over six in ten (64%) Boomers say their personal financial situation is worse than it was a year ago, 23% feels it is the same and 13% say it is better. Over four in ten (42%) feel that their personal financial situation will be better a year from now. Thirty-four percent feel it will be about the same and 24% feel it will be worse.

Methodology

From Friday, October 3rd to Sunday, October 5th, OTX surveyed 800 Boomers ages 40-59 about their opinions on the Presidential Election and the economy. Interviews were conducted via the Internet by OTX (Online Testing eXchange), one of the world's leading online research firms. Respondents were randomly recruited from OTX's online sample community of more than 20 million people in the United States. To qualify, respondents needed to be US residents. Respondents were screened to assure that no members of their household works in advertising, marketing, public relations, or market research. Quotas were set to ensure a balanced representation of Boomers. The survey took approximately 18 minutes to complete.

About OTX (Online Testing eXchange)

OTX (Online Testing eXchange) is a global consumer research and consulting firm that has established itself as a leading provider of online-based research. The company specializes in providing innovative, cutting-edge online technology, products and analysis to the marketing, entertainment and advertising communities. OTX has developed the most innovative products available for online research today -- products that work to uncover deeper and more profound consumer insight. Today the company is one of the fastest growing research companies in the United States and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Cincinnati, Miami, Chicago and London, with strategic partners in Japan, Australia, Russia, China, and Mexico.

About TV Land PRIME and TV Land:

TV Land PRIME is TV Land's prime time programming destination designed for people in their mid-forties and the exclusive home to the premieres of the network's original programming, contemporary television series acquisitions and movies. TV Land PRIME is part of TV Land, a network dedicated to presenting the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s and 50s. Consisting of original programming, acquired shows, hit movies and full-service web site, TV Land is now seen in over 93 million U.S. homes. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, please visit TV Land's press-only Web site at www.tvlandpress.com.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.

Source: TV Land

CONTACT: Rachel Sandler, +1-212-846-4412, Rachel.sandler@tvland.com, or
Vanessa Reyes, +1-310-407-4727, Vanessa.reyes@tvland.com, both of TV Land

Web Site: http://www.nick-at-nite.com/
http://www.tvlandpress.com/

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