Poll: Character trumps policy for voters

By RON FOURNIER and TREVOR TOMPSON, Associated Press
Sunday, March 11, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- For all the policy blueprints churned out by presidential campaigns, there is this indisputable fact: People care less about issues than they do about a candidate's character.

A new Associated Press-Ipsos poll says 55 percent of those surveyed consider honesty, integrity and other values of character the most important qualities they look for in a presidential candidate.

Just one-third look first to candidates' stances on issues; even fewer focus foremost on leadership traits, experience or intelligence. [ emphasis mine ]

Any wonder the U.S. of A. is going to hell in a bucket?