What Attributes Are Necessary For a Commander-In-Chief?

A new national survey from E-Poll Market Research measures perceptions of the current Presidential candidates among members of each political party along 46 personality and behavioral attributes. Among Democrats, results show Clinton and Sanders splitting the ballot on many attributes, with Clinton owning the traits most associated with statesmanship (Experienced, Influential and Confident) while Sanders wins on attributes associated with likeability (Sincere and Trustworthy).

Among Republicans, Trump is perceived as most Confident and Influential. Carson is the anti-Trump, perceived as the most Appealing, Intelligent, Sincere and Trustworthy. Rubio is noted as most Articulate, while Kasich is most Experienced. Cruz does not  lead in any of the presidential attributes.

Evolving Perception of Clinton

Since her last presidential campaign in 2008, Clinton has increased her appeal, especially among women, and held very strong or grown in the presidential attributes including Experienced, Influential and Confident. Since 2008 she is considered less Sincere and Trustworthy by Democrats, and particularly male Democrats.

 

2016 Presidential Candidates: Perceptions Among Democrats

FEMALE DEMOCRATS MALE DEMOCRATS
Attribute Hillary Clinton Bernie Sanders   Attribute Hillary Clinton Bernie Sanders
E-Score 82 87   E-Score 82 87
Appeal 64 63 Appeal 51 66
Articulate 44 34 Articulate 26 49
Confident 57 33 Confident 36 36
Experienced 54 43 Experienced 49 48
Intelligent 62 54 Intelligent 43 52
Sincere 18 42 Sincere 13 38
Trustworthy 17 30 Trustworthy 8 41

                Source: E-Score

   

Perceptions of Hillary Clinton: Then and Now

FEMALE DEMOCRATS MALE DEMOCRATS
 Attribute 2008 2016  Attribute 2008 2016
E-Score 75 82   E-Score 75 82
Appeal 55 64 Appeal 49 51
Experienced 54 54 Experienced 49 49
Influential 50 55 Influential 55 30
Confident 58 57 Confident 53 36
Sincere 24 18 Sincere 21 13
Trustworthy 23 17 Trustworthy 21 8

                    Source: E-Score

2016 Presidential Candidates: Perceptions Among Republicans

Attribute Donald Trump Ben Carson Ted

Cruz

Marco Rubio John Kasich
E-Score 76 82 49 60 40
Appeal 46 67 46 60 33
Articulate 14 32 28 37 35
Confident 45 35 43 43 35
Experienced 36 36 27 28 44
Influential 41 26 29 32 18
Intelligent 38 68 49 56 48
Sincere 9 42 20 22 24
Trustworthy 10 34 22 31 26

Source: E-Score

 

Methodology:

E-Score surveys conducted among 1,000 persons aged 18+with general representation across income, age, education and geographic demographics to represent a cross-section of the U.S. population. 2016 Surveys conducted February 5, 2016. 2008 Survey conducted June 9, 2008. All numerical figures except E-Score represent % of respondents.

About E-Score:

E-Score has been the leader in personality ratings for more than 15 years, and tracks public opinion on more than 9,000 entertainers, athletes, politicians and newsmakers. E-Score is a product of E-Poll Market Research, a full-service consumer research company. More information is available at www.epollresearch.com

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