The online poll of over 6,000 likely voters is part of an interactive program that looks at the electability of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates through each of the candidate's personal fit factors - deeper qualities that extend beyond the common criteria of age, race or gender and encompass the range of complex attributes that form our judgments and opinions.  The ten fit factors are: Package, Pedigree, Patronage, Perspectives, Pursuits, Passion, Presence, Potential, PR and Passages.

"Fit to be President measures unique 'fit factors,' the informal criteria that influence the way an individual perceives another individual, or in this case, a presidential candidate.  These unspoken traits can be powerful indicators of what the general public, and specific populations, view as important, and ultimately how they will cast their vote," stated Mark Williams, best-selling author, identity expert and developer of the Fit Factor framework.

"The survey provided valuable insight into the informal qualifications that make an individual 'Presidential' in today's America," stated John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International.  "For example, of those surveyed, Senator Obama was found to have rated highest on the fit factor 'perspective.' That is, likely voters felt he, more than any other candidate, had the right values to be President.  Conversely, Senator McCain rated the highest on 'pedigree,' the fit factor that measures if the candidate has the right background to be President.  These criteria provide an unprecedented lens through which to view the presidential campaign."

Obama ranked highest in six fit factors, more than any other candidate.  These included:  Potential, Passion, Presence, Package, PR and Perspectives.  McCain ranked highest in Passages, Patronage and Pedigree.

Members of the public can express their own views of who is most "Fit" to be President by going to www.fittobepres.com.  Each candidate can be ranked according to the following Presidential Fit Factors:

1. Package - Does the candidate look like a President to you?
2. Pedigree - Does the candidate come from the right background to be President? 
3. Patronage - Does the candidate have the right connections to be President?
4. Perspectives - Does the candidate express the right point of view or values to be President?
5. Pursuits - Does the candidate's activities allow her/him to connect with Americans?
6. Passion - Does the candidate have the drive and determination to be President?
7. Presence - Does the candidate have the charisma to attract, captivate and inspire?
8. Potential - Does the candidate have "star performer achievements" at another level or in another arena that you think translates into being a good President?
9. PR - Does the candidate have enough positive "buzz" to command media attention?
10. Passages - Does the candidate have the right kinds of past experiences to prepare him/her to be the President?

Fit to be President is a timely component of KnowMeNow (www.knowmenow.com), a social networking tool that helps people to better understand themselves, connect with others, and learn how to interactmore effectively with people from all walks of life.  Users of Fit to be President can explore how unspoken rules and hidden cultural criteria will influence the outcome of the 2008 presidential election and then further explore these concepts as they relate to their own identity on KnowMeNow.  

About KnowMeNow

Fit to Be President is a component  of KnowMeNow, a social networking tool with a unique purpose - to help people understand themselves, connect with others, and learn how to more effectively interact with people from all walks of life. The cornerstone of KnowMeNow is the KnowMe Circle, which helps members prioritize 10 different dimensions of identity and explore their passions, sensitivities and life goals.

About the Identity Network

The Identity Network, which includes six unique websites including Fit to Be President and KnowMeNow, is designed to help individuals and organizations explore their identities, share with others, and learn to interact more effectively in today's interconnected, global environments - at work and at play.  The Identity Network is owned and operated by Identity Holdings, Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland.