A majority of Republicans say a candidate who received support from Obama would be less likely to get their vote (57%). By contrast, 45% of Democrats say the President’s support would make them more likely to vote for a candidate. Independent opinion about Obama’s endorsement is more mixed. Two-in-ten (20%) say it would make them more likely to vote for a candidate and 28% say it would make them less likely to do so; half of independents (50%) say an Obama campaign stop would make no difference to their vote.

Sarah Palin is similarly polarizing. A majority of Democrats (58%) say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate receiving the former vice-presidential candidate’s support. Conversely, 41% of Republicans say such an endorsement would make them more likely to give a candidate their vote. About twice as many independents say Palin’s support would make them less likely to vote for a candidate (36%) as say it would make them more likely to do so (15%), while about half of independents (47%) say Palin’s support would make no difference to their vote.