EXIT POLLS: Storm of Voter Dissatisfaction Lifts Obama to an Historic Win

 

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Age: Voters younger than 30 made up 15 percent of the electorate, about the proportion they were four years ago. Those aged 65 and older made up 22 percent of the vote, up 4 points from four years ago. Obama won 61 percent of young voters, McCain won 53 percent of older voters.

In Touch: More than half -- 57 percent -- said Obama seems more in touch with people like them; only 44 percent said so of McCain.

Fairness: More than six in 10--64 percent--say McCain attacked Obama unfairly; 48 percent said Obama attacked McCain unfairly.

Experience: While six in 10 voters said McCain has the experience to serve as president, just about half said this about Obama.

Black Voters: Ninety-six percent of blacks voted for Obama, the largest percentage to vote Democratic going back to 1988. Blacks were 13 percent of all voters, essentially unchanged from 2004.

PENNSYLVANIA

Race: Pennsylvania was supposed to be the state where race mattered, but in the end, the exit polls suggest the issue was a wash.

Rural: Though Obama lost in the rural areas that were a focus of so much discussion, he did somewhat better there than Democrat John Kerry did (44 percent to Kerry's 39 percent), while holding on to half of the suburban vote and winning three to one in urban areas. He also held on to half of white working class voters, similar to Kerry.

Race: Overall, 16 percent in PA said that race was an important factor in their vote, with African American voters more likely than whites to say so (30 percent of blacks say was important, 14 percent of whites). Whites who said race was a factor in their decision went for McCain 56-43.

Independents: Obama did well among key political independents – winning by 18 percentage points. He also held nine in 10 Democrats – somewhat better than Kerry, Gore or Clinton.

Time of Decision: McCain's heavy investment in the state in the final few days of the race did make a difference – he actually won among the roughly one in ten voters who made up their minds in the final three days by 54 to 44. But it wasn't enough to make up for Obama's early and dominant lead in the state: among those who decided before the final weekend, Obama led 57-42

Clinton: Hillary Clinton was a popular figure in Pennsylvania, and some wondered if Obama would be able to keep the Clinton vote. He did-- eight in ten Clinton voters stayed with Obama.

Economy: Nine in ten voters in PA say they are worried about the direction of the nation's economy. Obama wins 63 percent of the vote among the 57 percent - a remarkable number - who are "very worried." The economy easily eclipses all other issues in PA – 57 percent name as top issue. Obama wins these voters 58 to 41.

Bush Approval: 74 percent of PA voters disapprove of the job Bush is doing as president… Obama wins them decisively (71 – 27). And more than half of voters (53 percent) say McCain would be a continuation of Bush's policies.

Voter Contact: The Obama campaign had contacted half of all voters at the polls (50 percent), well over the 39 percent who say they were contacted by McCain. Obama got more of the people he talked to, as well: 71 percent of those who heard from Obama voted for him, compared to the 57 percent contacted by McCain who backed him.

NEW HAMPSHIRE