IFC Survey: Gore’s Nobel Prize Win Leaves Legacy
Respondents: Nobel More Meaningful to Former VP than Presidency
By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/18/2007 7:46:00 AM
Al Gore’s Nobel Prize win will leave a positive legacy for the former vice president, but it might not land him a spot in the White House, according to a political survey commissioned by The Independent Film Channel.
The Rainbow Media-owned network commissioned the study by Ipsos Insight to examine the effect Gore’s Nobel win would have on voters and if it would drive awareness of environmental issues.
“Our analysis shows that Al Gore’s cultural legacy is enormously enhanced by the Nobel Prize," IFC general manager and executive vice president Evan Shapiro said in a statement announcing the results. "The Nobel was seen as more significant than Mr. Gore's other recent honors, and more meaningful than the one honor that eluded him -- the presidency.”
According to the survey, 71% of Americans knew that Gore had won the prize and knew why he was the co-recipient. In addition, a full 68% of respondents agreed with Gore’s position on the environment, even though just 18% had seen An Inconvenient Truth, the former VP’s film addressing global climate change. And 58% of those surveyed said the environment would play a “very strong role” or a “moderate role” in their decision for whom to vote for president, including 55% of independents.
Surprisingly, those surveyed said that the Nobel Prize was a more meaningful award than the presidency, with 52% selecting the Nobel and 42% selecting the presidency.
The survey results also suggested that despite Gore’s Nobel win, it may not help him in his run for the presidency.
When asked if Gore was a stronger candidate now than he was in 2000, 56% said no. When asked how Gore’s entry into the race would affect their vote, only 25% of respondents said they would vote for him, with 54% of Democratic respondents saying they would vote for another Democratic candidate if he entered the race. Independent voters were split, with 33% saying they would vote for Gore, 29% voting for another Democrat and 38% voting for a Republican.
"As a network focused on showcasing independent thought, we believe the independent voters will be the difference in the upcoming election,” Shapiro said. “While this poll was meant to determine how significant an impact Al Gore’s Nobel Prize had on the American political culture, where the environment fit into the grander political landscape and how his film and his recognition will effect the coming presidential race, it is our hope that this survey not only provides insightful understanding of our nation, but also a strong voice to those voters who are passionate about the issues but have not yet found their candidate."
The survey was conducted between Oct. 15-16 using the Ipsos Internet panel with 1,073 registered voters and those likely to vote in the 2008 election. According to Ipsos, the results are accurate within 95% certainty, with error bars of +/- 3%.
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