Post-Election Voter Survey Finds Broad Support for U.S. Chamber's Pro-Growth Agenda

Americans Strongly Support Maintaining a Private Vote in Union Elections, Expanding Trade, Strengthening Infrastructure, and Increasing Energy Security

WASHINGTON, DC—Support remains strong for the American business community and its agenda to expand trade, modernize our nation's infrastructure, improve our energy security, and protect workers' right to a private vote, according to an independent post-election poll by the Lombardo Consulting Group, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

"This data overwhelmingly shows that Americans appreciate business' ability to grow the economy and create jobs, and are supportive of policies that will enable that," said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. "These are tough economic times and voters understand the issues which will either put this country back on track or drive us into a ditch."

Fully 88% of registered voters agree that "businesses large and small contribute to the U.S. in a positive way by providing jobs, growing our economy, and investing in our communities." However, voters overwhelming disapprove of the union-backed Employee Free Choice Act which could eliminate secret ballot elections in union organizing drives. More than seven in ten voters (71%) agree that a federally-supervised secret ballot election is a better approach to union organizing than the card check method.

Nearly six in ten (58%) voters favor passing new trade agreements, and 82% agree that it is unfair for foreign countries to impose steep tariffs on U.S. exports while the U.S. market is already open to their imports. With respect to energy issues, nearly seven in ten (67%) voters selected "focusing on market-driven solutions to developing alternative and renewable energy, and increasing drilling." Similarly, there is near universal agreement (95%) among voters that the U.S. should upgrade and modernize its infrastructure.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 registered voters was fielded on November 13-17, 2008. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%.

The complete survey is available at /election

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than
3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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