Findings of Scripps poll of White House candidate rumors

The following are selected findings from a survey of 1,015 adult residents of the United States conducted by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University's Scripps Research Center by telephone from Sept. 15 through Oct. 2.

Here are some questions about things that sometimes are being said about the two major presidential candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama. Tell me if you've heard these stories and then whether you think people will believe them. Let's start with John McCain. Have you heard the story that John McCain has fathered a black child?

Yes, I've heard that ............ 19 percent

No, never heard that ............ 80

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 1

How likely do you think it is that many people will believe that John McCain has fathered a black child? Is that very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?

Very Likely ...................... 5 percent

Somewhat Likely ................. 16

Somewhat Unlikely ............... 23

Very Unlikely ................... 51

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 5

Have you heard a story that John McCain was brainwashed while he was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam?

Yes, I've heard that ............ 34 percent

No, never heard that ............ 66

How likely do you think it is that many people will believe John McCain was brainwashed while he was a prisoner of war? Is that very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?

Very Likely ..................... 14 percent

Somewhat Likely ................. 32

Somewhat Unlikely ............... 14

Very Unlikely ................... 36

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 4

Have you heard the story that John McCain is senile?

Yes, I've heard that ............ 25 percent

No, never heard that ............ 74

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 1

How likely do you think it is that many people will believe that John McCain is senile?

Very Likely ..................... 14 percent

Somewhat Likely ................. 22

Somewhat Unlikely ............... 18

Very Unlikely ................... 43

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 3

Now let me ask you about Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for president. Have you heard the story that Barack Obama is actually a Muslim?

Yes, I've heard that ............ 89 percent

No, never heard that ............ 11

How likely do you think it is that many people will believe Barack Obama is actually a Muslim? Is that very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?

Very Likely ..................... 24 percent

Somewhat Likely ................. 39

Somewhat Unlikely ............... 17

Very Unlikely ................... 18

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 2

Have you heard the story that Barack Obama refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance and refuses to display the American flag?

Yes, I've heard that ............ 57 percent

No, never heard that ............ 43

How likely do you think it is that many people will believe that Barack Obama refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance and refuses to display the American flag?

Very Likely ..................... 18 percent

Somewhat Likely ................. 29

Somewhat Unlikely ............... 17

Very Unlikely ................... 33

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 3

Have you heard the story that Barack Obama is actually the anti-Christ?

Yes, I've heard that ............ 24 percent

No, never heard that ............ 75

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 1

How likely do you think it is that many people will believe that Barack Obama is actually the anti-Christ?

Very Likely ...................... 5 percent

Somewhat Likely ................. 11

Somewhat Unlikely ............... 12

Very Unlikely ................... 68

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 4

The six stories I just read are rumors. They are being spread in an effort to scare Americans about these two candidates. How influential do you think these rumors will be in changing how people vote? Will these rumors have a great deal of influence, some influence, only a little influence or no influence?

Great Deal of Influence .......... 8 percent

Some Influence .................. 33

Only a Little Influence ......... 42

No Influence .................... 16

Don't Know/Other Response ........ 1

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)