Key Snapshots from Our Global Poll
- Respondents in Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Australia, and South Africa reported paying the most attention to the U.S. election. Respondents in Brazil, Poland, Russia, India, and Taiwan reported paying the least attention.
- While preference for the candidates is nearly equal in the U.S., support for Obama is significantly stronger in all other nations.
- In the U.S., McCain is seen as more qualified to address issues related to war and security, while Obama is the stronger candidate for humanitarian issues, such as poverty, the environment and human rights.
- Globally, the most important issues are the economy, poverty, and the environment.
- The election of Obama would be more likely to improve the image of the U.S.
- Most countries polled have a neutral opinion of the U.S. government. India is the most pro-American government (31%) while Spain, Netherlands, Indonesia and Canada have the highest percent (21%, 21%, 20%, 19%) of respondents who are anti-American government.
- The majority in India (73%), South Africa (65%), the Netherlands (55%) and France (52%) would be interested in moving to the U.S. while about 70% of respondents in Poland, Russia, Indonesia, and Australia expressed a lack of interest in moving to the U.S.
- South Africa is the only country where the election of McCain would have a slightly more positive impact on the image of the U.S.
About Our Global Presidential Poll
Reader's Digest Washington Bureau Chief Carl Cannon gives an overview of the poll.
India
- 73% of respondents in India polled would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 26% of respondents in India support McCain while 61% support Obama.
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Mexico
- 33% of respondents in Mexico would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 25% of respondents in Mexico support McCain while 70% support Obama.
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Brazil
- 31% of respondents in Brazil would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 11% of respondents in Brazil support McCain while 78% support Obama.
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United States
- In the U.S., preference for the candidates is nearly equal. 38% polled support McCain while 36% support Obama.
- 77% polled said they are pro-American government while 19% reported being neutral and 2% said they are anti-American government.
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Canada
- 27% of respondents in Canada would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 14% of respondents in Canada support McCain while 64% support Obama.
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South Africa
- 65% of respondents in South Africa would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 26% of respondents in South Africa support McCain while 70% support Obama.
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Netherlands
- 55% of respondents in the Netherlands would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 8% of respondents in the Netherlands support McCain while 92% support Obama.
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Finland
- 21% of respondents in Finland would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 13% of respondents in Finland support McCain while 71% support Obama.
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France
- 52% of respondents in France would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 10% of respondents in France support McCain while 75% support Obama.
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Taiwan
- 36% of respondents in Taiwan would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 6% of respondents in Taiwan support McCain while 81% support Obama.
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Spain
- 32% of respondents in Spain would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 13% of respondents in Spain support McCain while 76% support Obama.
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United Kingdom
- 30% of respondents in the UK would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 14% of respondents in the UK support McCain while 70% support Obama.
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Indonesia
- 24% of respondents in Indonesia would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 17% of respondents in Indonesia support McCain while 67% support Obama.
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Germany
- 20% of respondents in Germany would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 7% of respondents in Germany support McCain while 85% support Obama.
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Australia
- 19% of respondents in Australia would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 10% of respondents in Australia support McCain while 76% support Obama.
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Poland
- 16% of respondents in Poland would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 19% of respondents in Poland support McCain while 65% support Obama.
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Russia
- 16% of respondents in Russia would be interested in moving to America if economic and political barriers were non-existent.
- 17% of respondents in Russia support McCain while 52% support Obama.
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