This year’s presidential election, marked by a lengthy and ruthless pursuit of the nomination by the Democratic candidates, has captured nearly everybody’s attention. A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 80% of adults are following the race at least somewhat closely. Just 6% say they are not following the coverage at all.

Not surprisingly, adults who belong to one of the major parties are paying closer attention than unaffiliated voters. Eighty-four (84%) of GOP’s and 86% of Democrats are following the race at least somewhat closely, while 67% of adults not affiliated with either party are following closely.

Just after the fifth anniversary of the start of the War in Iraq, 76% of adults have been closely following news stories on the topic. Just 5% say they do not follow stories on Iraq at all, while 19% say they do not follow them very closely.

The latest Rasmussen poll found that 59% of adults would like to see the troops brought home from Iraq within a year. While 38% say the situation in Iraq will get better in the next six months, 32% disagree and believe it will worsen.

Nearly a third of adults (29%) say they have been closely following stories on March Madness lately. Nearly half (47%) say they don’t follow the tournament at all. More men (37%) than women (21%) pay close attention to the games.

Just 22% report following American Idol at least somewhat closely, while over half (56%) say they don’t follow the talent show at all. Another recent Rasmussen poll found that just 17% of fans say the show has gotten better over the years, while 20% believe it has gotten worse.

Even fewer adults follow Major League Baseball, which is currently in pre-season mode. Just 15% answered they follow baseball closely, 29% say they do not follow it very closely and 54% do not follow it at all.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.