Most Groups Expect to Gain Influence Under Obama, Survey Shows

Susan Davis reports on politics. Who believes they stand to gain influence under the new Obama administration? Nearly everyone, it appears, according to the latest Pew Research survey . Majorities across racial, religious, and economic groups believe they personally stand to gain influence now that Barack Obama is president. To no surprise, the vast majority, 79%, of African Americans believe they will gain influence under Obama compared to 40% who said the same of former President George W. Bush when he was first sworn in eight years ago. Obama also made significant gains with Hispanics. Some 66% of Hispanics surveyed said they believe their lot will improve compared with 38% who said the same of Bush — and Bush was more popular among Hispanics personally than the Republican Party overall. The new president has also made gains among whites, who voted 55%-43% for Republican rival John McCain on Election Day. Today, 41% of whites said they will gain under an Obama ... (link)