No matter how much he tries to distance himself from the policies of the Bush administration, a large percentage of the American people fear that John McCain is planing to continue with much of the same policies.

In a poll just released by the Gallup organization, 49% of the respondents said they were “very concerned” that this is exactly what a McCain administration would be like. Another 19% were somewhat concerned, 15% not too concerned and 16% not concerned at all. Breaking the figures down by party affiliation, it is 76% of the Democrats, 47% of the independents and 20% of the Republicans who form the very concerned section. Independents are going to play a very big roll in the election and with 47% of them being very concerned, it could come back to haunt him.

Of course, the Obama campaign is going to do its best to convince the American voters that this is exactly what is going to be happening, relating having McCain as President would be the same as having a third Bush term.

While Americans are afraid that McCain would too closely follow the current administration’s policies, they are also concerned that Obama would go too far in the other direction and change too much., though not as much. It seems like while Americans want change, they are afraid to too much too soon. There were 30% who said they were very concerned, 18% who were very concerned, 19% not too concerned and 31 % not concerned at all. Breaking it down by parties, 56% of the Republicans, 47% of the Democrats and 34%of the independents have the fear Obama will change too much.

It seems that the American public is having a bit of trouble deciding just what it wants. Americans have always been weary of change, but with the war continuing, and the econmony being in the biggest mess it has been in in recent memory, they know change is necessary. Could it be that it is not change in and of itself that they are afraid of, but more that the change would not be the right kind of change. The public does not really know what direction Obama would take the country in. He does not have that long a track record that anyone could point too, Here is when the choice of a Vice Presidential candidate would make a difference. Choosing someone who advocates change and has a track record that the voters could look at to where the change would lead, could be one of the factors that make the American voters feel a bit more secure.

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