By THOMAS HARGROVE and GUIDO H. STEMPEL III, Scripps Howard News Service

Americans tend to support charter schools but are divided about whether they should be run by for-profit companies.

Ninety-four percent of adult Americans have heard at least one of the ridiculous and false rumors chasing John McCain and Barack Obama on the campaign trail, according to a Scripps poll.

Have you heard that John McCain was brainwashed while a prisoner of war in Vietnam? Or that he's become senile, or fathered a black baby?

The following are selected findings from a survey of 1,003 adults conducted by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University from May 11-28. The project was funded by a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation.

Here are some questions about life on other planets. Do you think it is very likely, somewhat likely or unlikely that there is intelligent life on other planets?

A survey of 1,003 adults conducted by the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University found that 8 percent said they, personally, have seen a mysterious object in the sky that might be a visitor from another world. Here is how different groups responded to the question.

Entire nation ................... 8

Men ............................ 10

Most Americans say it is very likely or somewhat likely that humans are not alone in the universe and that intelligent life exists on other planets.

Americans who watched the nation's longest and most expensive presidential primary fight unfold on television this year thought Democratic winner Barack Obama had the most inspirational ads of any candidate.

They thought Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton used the most negative ads.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama cinched the Democratic presidential nomination this week with the unprecedented help of an estimated 3 million Republican voters who cast ballots in their rival party's primaries.