Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters nationwide say that it is more important to understand a candidate’s specific policy proposals rather than the candidate’s character. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 36% disagree and believe that it is more important to understand a candidate’s character.

Democrats, by a 2-to-1 margin, say it’s the policy options that matter most. Republicans, by a narrow 49% to 43% margin, disagree and say that character counts. Among unaffiliated voters, 49% say the policies need to be understood while 32% say character is more important.

Men are fairly evenly divided on the question. Women, by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, say it’s the policies that count.

The survey also found that 60% of the nation’s adults say the Primary Season has gone on too long. Twenty-six percent (26%) say the process has worked well and 9% haven’t paid much attention. Nearly a quarter of unaffiliateds--those not affiliated with either major party—say they have not been paying attention or have no opinion on the Primaries.

Fifty percent (50%) say that Presidential debate moderators generally have ask the right questions. Fourteen percent (14%) say they are too hard on the candidates while 36% are not sure. Sixty-three percent (63%) of Republicans believe they generally ask the right questions along with 47% of Democrats.

Sixty-four percent (64%) believe that Presidential candidates and their spouses should be required to release their tax returns. Just 22% disagree. John McCain has released his tax returns, but his wife has not.

Finally, the survey found that 48% of the nation’s adults are inclined to vote for a Democratic Presidential candidate while 34% prefer a Republican. Given the fundamentals of a troubled economy and an unpopular war, these results are not surprising. What is surprising is how competitive John McCain is when matched against either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

In fact, one of the most significant stories so far in Election 2008 is the way that John McCain significantly outperforms the Republican brand. On a series of key issues, the Democrats are trusted more than the GOP but McCain is trusted more than either Democrat.

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