The report also found that 53 percent of Internet users -- more than 67 million people -- had gotten news about the Iraq war online or through e-mail. Thirty-five percent of Internet users had gotten news about same-sex marriage online or through e-mail, representing more than 44 million people. And 26 percent of Internet users -- 33 million people -- had gotten news about the debate over free trade via such vehicles.
A fifth of Americans also said they prefer news sources that challenge their points of view, and nearly one in 10 Americans is more aware of arguments that oppose their candidate than arguments that favor their candidate.
Of the arguments being made in the presidential campaign, the most well-known about Bush is that he misled the public about the reasons for going to war with Iraq (94 percent of Americans had heard that argument). The most well-known about Kerry is that he changes positions on issues when he thinks it will help him win an election (70 percent had heard that argument).
Of the arguments being made in favor of the Iraq war, the most well-known was that Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who murdered and tortured his own people (98 percent of Americans had heard that). The best-known antiwar argument was that the Bush administration had misled Americans about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction (87 percent had heard that argument).
Of the arguments being made in favor of same-sex marriage, the most well-known was that same-sex couples are entitled to the same legal rights as heterosexual couples when it comes to things like health insurance and inheritance (85 percent of Americans had heard that). The most well-known argument against same-sex marriage was that marriage is a sacred religious institution that should be between a man and a woman (97 percent had heard that argument).
Of the arguments being made in favor of free trade, the most well-known was that free trade improves U.S. relationships with other countries (77 percent of Americans had heard that). The most well-known anti-free trade argument was that it allows companies to lay off American workers and send their jobs overseas (89 percent had heard that argument).
