As Election Nears, Small Business Owners Migrating Toward Romney
Latest Political Tracking Poll From Largest Online Small Business Community Reveals Key Insights on Hot Election Topics
COLUMBUS, OH, Aug 21, 2012 (Menafn - MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --With less than three months until the election, the small businesscommunity continues to shift their vote to Gov. Mitt Romney,according to a new survey by Manta, the largest online communitydedicated entirely to small business. The majority (61 percent) ofsmall business owners say they plan to vote for Romney and only 26percent say they plan to vote for President Barack Obama -- down 6percent since May.
Additionally, the selection of U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan asRepublican vice presidential candidate didn't impact the smallbusiness owner vote as the majority (58 percent) says they still planto vote for Romney and 25 percent say Obama still gets their vote.However, Obama may still have a fighting chance with small businessowners given that 40 percent say their vote will likely be influencedby how the needs of small businesses are addressed by the candidatesduring the upcoming Republican and Democratic conventions.
At the same time, small business owners may not be easily swayed, asnearly half (48 percent) say convention-related information will notimpact their votes. Only 25 percent of small business owners say thatthe initiatives discussed during the election will influence theirvoting decision and just under 20 percent say that the speeches fromthe presidential candidates at the conventions could sway their vote.Moreover, 38 percent say they are most likely to base their vote onwhich party best represents itself as most supportive of smallbusiness initiatives and growth.
Only 19 percent of small business owners feel Obama and theDemocratic Party best support small business, a 7 percent decreasesince the last poll in May. Currently, more than half of therespondents (54 percent) say the Republican Party is the biggestsupporter of small business.
"While it is critical that the presidential candidates address vitalsmall business issues like tax policy and healthcare at theconventions this year, it's also important that they share concreteexamples with the small business community about how proposedinitiatives will help them grow their business the rest of year andin the future," said Pamela Springer, CEO of Manta. "With a shakyeconomy, small businesses are trying to catch up and rely onnon-governmental resources to stay in business."
The survey findings are part of a series of Manta Political TrackingPolls that offer an ongoing assessment of small business owners'opinions on candidates and hot topics related to the upcomingpresidential election. Manta's latest survey polled more than 1,900small business owners.
Manta supports small business owners by providing simple andcost-efficient tools, specifically tailored to them, to help improvetheir online presence, connect with customers and prospects and,ultimately, drive business growth.
"I think the business world in general, and thus my customers inparticular, would be doing better economically if we all had morecertainty about what will happen after the election in November.While I'm going to vote for Romney, neither presidential candidateseems to be a big supporter of small business as neither of theircampaigns has been fully focused on key small business issues," saidMatthew Kent of Minnesota-based Mateo's Soccer Store, a family-ownedshop that sells soccer gear. "Luckily, Manta has been a key resourcein helping me market and grow my business with tools to attract newleads and connect with reliable suppliers, which are important waysto help small, local businesses like mine -- even with an uncertainfuture ahead."
For more on the poll, please contact manta (at) bordersgratehouse(dot) com. To access the release and infographics based on the surveyresults, go to http://www.manta.com/media/political_survey_4_082112.
For more on previous Manta Political Tracking Polls, go to:
--http://www.manta.com/media/political_survey_052212 - May 22
--http://www.manta.com/media/wellness_survey - April 24
--http://www.manta.com/media/political_survey_012412 - January 24
About the Survey Manta polled 1,942 small business owners across thenation, who are members of Manta.com and have claimed their Mantabusiness profile, via an online Silverpop survey between July 31 andAugust 8, 2012. This survey tracked small business sentiment towardthe presidential candidates and how they feel about governmentpolicies affecting their business, specifically before the upcomingRepublican and Democratic conventions. The margin of error is /-2.98 percentage points.
Manta also polled 550 small business owners across the nation fromthe same group of 1,942 small business owners polled between July 31and August 8, who are members of Manta.com and have claimed theirManta business profile, via an online Silverpop survey between August13-14, 2012. This survey tracked small business sentiment about theselection of U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan as Republican vicepresidential candidate. The margin of error is /- 2.98 percentagepoints.
About Manta Manta helps small businesses profit, connect and growthrough the largest online community dedicated entirely to smallbusiness. Millions of people come to Manta each day to buy from,partner with and connect to companies. By joining Manta, smallbusinesses easily harness the power of the Internet. Get visible;grow your business for free at www.manta.com.
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SOURCE: Manta
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