Flemington, NJ, February 27, 2008 - A new national study among 454 self-reported Democrats and independents indicated that while Americans gave a slight edge to Senator Hillary Clinton’s health care plan, they perceived Senator Barack Obama’s plan as more realistic.

The communications research study was conducted today by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion to obtain Americans’ perceptions of candidates after viewing segments from the Democratic debate last night.

While viewing video segments of the debate, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. Participants were asked pre- and post-viewing questions regarding their opinions of the candidates. To view detailed results and agreement curves, go to: www.mediacurves.com

"What stands out most in the automated response curves is the lack of agreement indicating negative response by Independent males, commented Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research.  “The most salient example is their response to Senator Clinton’s comments about her perception of what she characterized as preferential treatment that Senator Obama has received by moderators in previous debates."

Among the study findings:

• After viewing the segments on health care reform, among all respondents, 39% reported that the preferred Senator Clinton’s proposed health care plan, while 37% reported that they preferred Senator Obama’s health care plan and 25% preferred neither plan.

Considering Senator Clinton’s and Senator Obama’s health care plans, which plan do you prefer?

Considering Senator Clinton’s and Senator Obama’s health care plans, which plan is more realistic?

The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research; Chris Borick, Ph.D., director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).

HCD Research is a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ.  The company's services include traditional and web-based marketing and communications research.  For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393.  Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, MCIPO is a respected source of public opinion data on local, state and national issues.