In contrast, when asked how they think other sports fans would feel toward an openly gay sports figure, 72 percent say that others would have less favorable opinions. This measure, however, has decreased from 2002, when nearly eight in 10 revealed that they felt others would have a less favorable opinion.

These are some of the highlights of a nationwide survey of 2,510 U.S. adults conducted online between March 6 and 16, 2007 by Harris Interactive, a worldwide market research and consulting firm, in conjunction with Witeck- Combs Communications, Inc., a strategic public relations and marketing communications firm with special expertise in the GLBT market.

“Openly gay and lesbian athletes have become far more visible in the nation’s major media with the ‘coming out’ of WNBA player Sheryl Swoopes and the very recent publication of the New York Times best-seller ‘Man in the Middle’ by former NBA pro, John Amaechi,” said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications. “Not only does public acceptance of gay athletes seem to be on the rise, but there’s slight progress in feelings that others are becoming more accepting as well.”

TABLE 1

VIEWS TOWARD A FAVORITE MALE ATHLETE WHO REVEALS HE IS GAY

“If a favorite male professional athlete revealed he is gay, how would this personal disclosure change your feelings toward the athlete?’

Base: All U.S. Adults

Heterosexual Heterosexual
2002 2007
% %
TOP 2 BOX (NET) 4 4
I would have a much more favorable opinion. 2 2
I would have a somewhat more favorable opinion. 2 2
It would not change my opinion of him. 66 72
BOTTOM 2 BOX (NET) 30 24
I would have a somewhat less favorable opinion. 15 13
I would have a much less favorable opinion. 15 11

TABLE 2 PERCEPTION OF OTHER SPORTS FANS’ VIEWS TOWARD AN ATHLETE’S SEXUAL ORIENTATION

“How do you think a disclosure about an athlete’s sexual orientation changes how other sports fans feel toward the athlete?”

Base: All U.S. Adults

Heterosexual Heterosexual
2002 2007
% %
TOP 2 BOX (NET) 1 1
Much more favorable opinion * –
More favorable opinion 1 1
No difference in opinion 19 27
BOTTOM 2 BOX (NET) 80 72
Less favorable opinion 58 57
Much less favorable opinion 22 15

Note: — indicates no response; * indicates less than 0.5%.

Methodology
The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive in collaboration with Witeck-Combs Communications within the United States between March 6 and 14, 2007 among 2,510 adults (aged 18 and over) of whom 2,037 indicated they are heterosexual. Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, non-response (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.

With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite “margin of error” for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,510 one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results would have a sampling error of +/-2 percentage points. However, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. (www.witeckcombs.com) is the nation’s premier strategic marketing communications firm, specializing in reaching the gay and lesbian consumer market. With over nine years experience in this unique market, Witeck-Combs Communications has developed respected relationships throughout the community and serves as a bridge between corporate America and gay and lesbian consumers. In April 2003, American Demographics magazine identified Bob Witeck and Wes Combs as two of 25 experts over the last 25 years who have made significant contributions to the fields of demographics, market research, media and trend-spotting for their path- breaking work on the gay and lesbian market. Combs and Witeck are also the authors of “Business Inside Out: Tapping Millions of Brand-Loyal Gay Consumers” (Kaplan Publishing, September 2006).

Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com.

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online and be invited to participate in online surveys, register at www.harrispollonline.com.

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Almost one-quarter of Republicans say that they would consider voting for Former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

In February, The Harris Poll(R) showed that support for Giuliani and McCain was fairly close, but this is no longer true. Evidence of Giuliani’s gain includes:

* Over one-third (35%) of adults would now consider voting for him, compared to 29 percent who said so in February. The percentage of those who would consider voting for McCain is unchanged at 26 percent.

* The proportion of Republicans who would consider voting for Giuliani has increased from 58 percent in February to 64 percent. During this time, the proportion of those who would consider voting for McCain has slipped from 46 percent to 42 percent.

* Independents who would consider voting for Giuliani have increased from 27 percent to 34 percent, while the percentage of those who would consider voting for McCain is virtually unchanged at 28 percent.

* When it comes to their first choice for president, 11 percent of all adults (and 28% of Republicans) prefer Giuliani, compared to five percent of adults (and only 11% of Republicans) who choose McCain. Giuliani has gained seven points among Republicans since February, while McCain has lost four points.

This Harris Poll surveyed 2,776 U.S. adults online and was conducted by Harris Interactive(R) between March 1 and 12, 2007. Respondents were able to review the list of all 26 potential candidates to say whom they would consider and prefer. Like all polls conducted well before an election, it should not be read as a prediction. Rather, it is a snap shot of the presidential “horse race,” at a very early stage of the race. A previous column assessed the standing of the leading Democrats(1).

The Poll asks the public questions about current and potential presidential candidates that are slightly different from those asked in most other polls. First, people are asked who on a long list of 26 political leaders they would “consider voting for.” Then they are asked who, of all the listed leaders, “they would most likely vote for.” Unlike some other polls, all adults regardless of their party affiliation are asked about all candidates.

Other Republican Candidates
This Harris Poll also asked about several other Republican leaders, some of whom may run for the Republican nomination. While it seems highly unlikely that he will run, former Secretary of State Colin Powell still enjoys a lot of public support.

Among those who seem more likely to run, the only candidate with a significant following is former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; with 29 percent of Republicans saying they would consider voting for him and eight percent picking him as their first choice. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is also on the radar screen, but barely. While 23 percent of Republicans would consider voting for him, only three percent prefer him over the other candidates.

Overall Preference for Democratic and Republican Candidate

The Democrats continue to enjoy a substantial advantage over Republicans, with Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama being “considered” by more people than ex-Mayor Giuliani or Senator McCain. Overall, 69 percent of adults would consider one or more of the Democratic contenders and 59 percent would consider one of the Republicans. And when it comes to their first choice, 43 percent of adults prefer a Democrat, while only 30 percent prefer a Republican.

TABLE 1

REPUBLICAN LEADERS ADULTS “WOULD CONSIDER VOTING FOR” FOR PRESIDENT

“Although the U.S. presidential election is not until November, 2008, there are a number of people who may run for president. If you were to vote and had to select from the following candidates, for which of the following people
would you consider voting?”

Base: All Adults

Party ID

Total Republican Democrat Independent
Feb. March Feb. March Feb. March Feb. March
% % % % % % % %
Colin Powell 32 30 51 45 18 17 33 34
Rudy Giuliani 29 35 58 64 12 16 27 34
John McCain 26 26 46 42 13 14 27 28
Condoleezza
Rice 19 18 42 38 5 6 16 18
Newt Gingrich 11 11 27 29 1 1 7 7
Elizabeth Dole 10 10 22 20 3 4 10 10
Mitt Romney 7 9 18 23 1 1 6 7
George Pataki 5 5 11 10 1 1 4 4
Mike Huckabee 3 4 7 11 1 1 3 3
Chuck Hagel 3 3 4 5 3 2 3 3
Tom Tancredo 3 3 6 9 * * 3 3
Sam Brownback 2 2 6 6 * * 2 2
Duncan Hunter 2 2 4 6 * * 1 2

Note: Multiple-response question
*Less than 0.5%; “-”No response

TABLE 2
REPUBLICAN LEADERS PEOPLE WOULD PICK AS FIRST CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT
“If you could vote for only one candidate, who would you most likely vote
for?”

Base: All Adults

Party ID

Total Republican Democrat Independent
Feb. March Feb. March Feb. March Feb. March
% % % % % % % %
Rudy Giuliani 8 11 21 28 2 2 6 7
Colin Powell 6 6 12 12 2 2 6 6
John McCain 6 5 15 11 1 1 5 4
Newt Gingrich 3 3 8 8 1 – 1 2
Condoleezza
Rice 3 3 6 7 * 1 2 2
Mitt Romney 1 1 3 3 – – 1 1
Mike Huckabee 1 1 2 2 * * * *
Elizabeth Dole * 1 * 1 * – * *
Tom Tancredo * 1 * 2 * – * *
Sam Brownback * * * 1 * * * *
Duncan Hunter * * * 1 * * * *

*Less than 0.5%; “-”No response
Note: Chuck Hagel and George Pataki were also listed and were chosen by
less than 0.5%
Note: Percentages add to less than 100 percent because this list does not
include Democratic candidate, those with no preferences or who chose
a third party, and those who say they would not vote.

TABLE 3
SUMMARY: THOSE WHO WOULD CONSIDER AND CHOOSE ANY OF THE LISTED LEADERS

Base: All Adults

Party ID

All Adults Republican Democrat Independent
Feb. March Feb. March Feb. March Feb. March
% % % % % % % %
Would consider
one of the 71 69 41 35 95 94 69 70
listed Democratic
leaders
Would consider one of
the listed
Republican leaders 58 59 91 91 35 37 59 60
lst Choice would be
one of the listed
Democratic leaders 45 43 9 8 76 75 38 34
lst Choice would be
one of the listed
Republican leaders 31 30 73 74 7 6 25 24

Methodology
This Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between March 1 and 12, 2007 among 2,776 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.

With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite “margin of error” for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.

With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,776 adults one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- two percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

J30279A (March)
Q 492, 494

(1) Harris Poll #23 — Support for Barack Obama Surges, According to The
Harris Poll

The Harris Poll(R) #24, March 16, 2007
By Humphrey Taylor, Chairman, The Harris Poll

About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research, insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at www.harrisinteractive.com.

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online and be invited to participate in online surveys, register at www.harrispollonline.com.

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