7-Eleven brews up poll for commuters

DALLAS, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Some people wear their politics on their sleeve but the U.S. convenience store chain 7-Eleven lets its customers express their views using coffee cups.

The national retailer headquartered in Dallas kicked off its third 7-Election Coffee Cup poll, a perk for those buying a cuppa Joe -- or another hot beverage of choice -- as the race for the White House enters the final weeks, the retailer said in a new release.

Consumers vote in the unscientific poll by pouring their favorite hot beverage in a red cup for Republican John McCain, a blue cup for Democrat Barack Obama or a "neutral" 7-Eleven cup if they don't want to choose or reveal their preference.

So far, Obama was outpacing McCain 58 percent to 42 percent, the 7-Eleven.com Web site indicated Wednesday. The 7-Election '08 poll began Oct. 1.

"While we don't bill this as a statistically valid study by any means, it does reach Americans in their hometowns, on their way to work, after school or just going about their everyday lives," said 7-Eleven President and chief executive Joe DePinto said. "7-Election provides an interesting daily snapshot of the election."