Viewership of the Republican National Convention declined from four years ago and Mitt Romney’s speech was upstaged by Clint Eastwood’s chat with a chair, a
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press poll found.
The poll of 1,008 adults conducted August 31 through Sept. 2 found that 37 percent said they watched all or some of the Republican convention, down from 56 percent four years ago when Sen. John McCain and Sarah Palin were the standard bearers.
Some 20 percent of respondents said Eastwood’s speech was the convention highlight, edging out Romney with 17 percent. Ann Romney came in third with 10 percent, followed by Paul Ryan, at 9, Sen. Marco Rubio, 3, Condoleezza Rice, 2, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, 2, and Susana Martinez, at 1.
Among Republicans, Romney edged out Eastwood 25 percent to 19 percent, followed by Ryan at 15 percent and Ann Romney at 13.
Eastwood’s speech has become quite controversial. Instead of making traditional remarks, the Academy Award winning director and actor addressed questions and answers to an empty chair that served as a stand-in for President Barack Obama.
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