---
"title": "The Right Stuff"
"description": "Americans see McCain as “personally qualified to be president.”"
"date": "2008-08-18"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2008/08/18/the-right-stuff/"
---

# The Right Stuff

While Barack Obama holds a large lead on most positive traits — having new ideas, being personably likable, not being “a typical politician” — McCain’s greatest advantage is on being perceived as “personally qualified to be president.” By a two-to-one margin McCain (55%) is seen as more personally qualified than Obama (27%). Voters also see McCain as more likely to use good judgment in a crisis and willing to take a stand. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/893/obama-mccain-july)