Poll: Warren Buffett is No. 1 political endorsement among businesspeople

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Warren Buffett’s political endorsement is the most valuable among famous businesspeople.
Warren Buffett’s political endorsement is the most valuable among famous businesspeople.

A celebrity political endorsement still carries weight with voters, according to a new Morning Consult survey—and Warren Buffett’s support is the most valuable among famous businesspeople.

Morning Consult polled 1,995 registered voters between Feb. 28 and March 2, asking them whether the endorsement of certain politicians, celebrities, athletes, and business leaders would make them more or less likely to vote for a candidate.

For Democrats, the most valuable endorsements these days come from Barack and Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders, and for Republicans it’s the Republican party, Donald Trump, and Mike Pence—no surprises there.

But the top-ranking non-politician endorsement for Democrats comes from Oprah Winfrey, followed by Ellen DeGeneres, and then Warren Buffett, the highest-rated businessperson.

Among registered Independents, Buffett ranks even higher—his is the most valuable endorsement after the Obamas. (Buffett, who endorsed Hillary Clinton, doesn’t make the top 10 for Republicans.)

Most valuable political endorsements (Morning Consult)
Most valuable political endorsements (Morning Consult)

On the other side of things, whose endorsement is the least valuable?

For Democrats, it’s Donald Trump, and for Republicans, it’s Hillary Clinton. Again, no surprise.

But Kim Kardashian is the only person on all three “most damaging” lists: Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all say her endorsement makes them less likely to support a candidate. In fact, Independents rank Kardashian the No. 1 worst endorsement, period. Kardashian endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

Worst political endorsements (Morning Consult)
Worst political endorsements (Morning Consult)

Kardashian’s husband Kanye West makes the “most damaging” list for Independents (No. 3) and Republicans (No. 8), and fellow rapper Jay-Z makes it only among Republicans (No. 10).

One lone athlete shows up on one “most damaging” list: Tom Brady. Independents appear to be no fans of the New England Patriots quarterback.

Daniel Roberts is a senior writer covering sports business, media, and tech. Follow him on Twitter at @readDanwrite.

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