Poll: Ageism, racism factors in election

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Voter prejudice based on candidates' race and age could affect the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, a poll indicates.

A Harris Poll found that ageism is potentially a more serious barrier to Republican nominee John McCain's campaign than racism is for Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

The poll indicates that 36 percent of respondents say it would be a bad thing if somebody over 70 years old were elected president, while 11 percent say it would be a bad thing to have an African-American elected president.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they feel it would be a good thing if a black president were elected, while just 10 percent said it would be good to elect someone over 70.

This Harris Poll surveyed 2,710 adults online between Aug. 11 and Aug. 17, before McCain nominated Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. The margin of error was not reported.

"Our research experience suggests that these results may underestimate the number of people who might be influenced by prejudices such as sexism, ageism, or racism because some people are reluctant to admit to their prejudices or may believe they are not prejudiced when they are," the Harris Poll analysis said.