Flemington, NJ, December 22, 2008 – A new national study conducted among 201 self-declared Democrats, Republicans and Independents revealed all parties increased their support for the $13.4 billion auto bailout plan after viewing President Bush’s speech.

The study was conducted by HCD Research during December 19-21 to obtain Americans’ perceptions of a speech by President Bush on December 19, in which he outlined the objectives of the auto bailout plan.

While the speech was effective in increasing support among all respondents, Americans were not convinced of the plan’s effectiveness.  Less than half of responders (43%) reported that the proposed plan was in the best interest of the country, and 20% indicated that the plan would not save the automakers from bankruptcy.  Although Americans were generally supportive, they were skeptical that the plan’s long-term goals will be met.

Among the findings:

“Do you believe that giving $13.4 billion in financial aid to the top automakers is in the best interest of our country overall?”

“Do you believe that the outline of the aid presented by President Bush (which includes giving the top automakers $13.4 billion) will save them from bankruptcy?”

While viewing the video clip, participants indicated their levels of agreeability 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. The participants were also post-viewing questions.

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, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).