The SNL Effect: 'Saturday Night Live' Political Skits Make Real Impact on Voters

The SNL Effect: 'Saturday Night Live' Political Skits Make Real Impact on Voters

Election Day Survey Finds 10 Percent of Voters Were Influenced by "Saturday Night Live" Skits

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As voters went to the polls on Tuesday, many had the recent political comedy of "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) on their minds. According to FirstView, a national public opinion survey released today by Roll Call, Strat@comm and Fleishman-Hillard Public Affairs, two-thirds of voters saw SNL's political parodies this election season.

FirstView's results indicate that non-traditional influencers helped shape voter opinions. "The 'SNL effect' absolutely impacted the election," said Mike Dabadie, FirstView researcher. "We saw that 10 percent of voters said they were influenced by the skits. At the same time, the data shows that 59 percent of those who saw the skits voted for Obama and 39 percent voted for McCain."

The survey also found that 6 percent of respondents indicated the skits made them more likely to vote for Obama/Biden and 4 percent said the SNL skits made them more likely to vote for McCain/Palin.

FirstView was conducted by former White House pollsters Dr. Dee Allsop and Mr. Mike Dabadie. It goes beyond exit polls by delving into a wide scope of attitudinal and behavioral questions that motivated the voters to elect Barack Obama and the 111th Congress.

FirstView also found that while voters were primarily concerned about the economy, they did not vote their pocket books. Instead they were motivated to change the world for future generations and to restore trust in government.

FirstView surveyed 1,000 voters through a phone and online survey. Respondents were triple screened for age, voter registration and participation in the 2008 election. The data is stratified by census region to represent the U.S. population's actual ratios for gender, education and ethnicity. These measures assure a valid national probability sample. The scientific survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

Full Survey: www.firstviewsurvey.com

About Strat@comm, www.stratacomm.net

Strat@comm is a strategic communications firm that helps clients raise awareness, enhance image, shape policy and build market share through high-caliber strategic counsel and high-impact tactical solutions to drive results. With offices in Washington, D.C. and Detroit, MI, Strat@comm is a company within the Fleishman-Hillard Company global network.

About Fleishman-Hillard Inc., www.fleishman.com

Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading public relations firms, has built its reputation by using strategic communications to deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive, and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, integrity, and personal commitment.

About Roll Call Group, www.rollcall.com

Founded in 1955, Roll Call Group is the leading news source for coverage of the people, politics and process that shape the legislative landscape. From our daily Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, to our legislative wire service, CongressNow, to our centralized policy intelligence service, Briefing Room, and our comprehensive legislative-tracking service, GalleryWatch, Roll Call Group provides its readers with the tools, data and access to understand and influence Congress. Roll Call recently added Capitol Advantage to its stable of properties.

FirstView pollsters, Dr. Dee Allsop and Mike Dabadie are available for
media interviews to provide analysis and context for voter motivations.
Contact John Fitzpatrick on 202.289.2001, JFitzpatrick@stratacomm.net.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Strat@comm

CONTACT: John Fitzpatrick of Strat@comm, +1-202-289-2001,
jfitzpatrick@stratacomm.net

Web Site: http://www.fleishman.com/
http://www.rollcall.com/
http://www.stratacomm.net/

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