..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

July 6, 2004

For Immediate Release

New Poll:
Nearly Half of All Presidential Voters
Have Seen or Plan to See Fahrenheit 911

Handful of Theaters in the Midwest Refuse to Show Film, Hindering Reach to Larger Electorate

Nearly half of the American electorate has seen or plans to see Fahrenheit 911, Michael Moore’s film critique of the Bush Administration, before the November elections, a new survey revealed today.

The film is the most viewed commercial documentary in American film history and held at a strong number #2 box office position this week after breaking records during its opening week.

Movie-goers and intended movie-goers represent a broad and diverse slice of the electorate and spread across the country, including the so-called battleground states. Fully 23% of voters who intend to see the film self-identify as Bush voters, while another 10% say they are supporting Nader or undecided. Forty one percent of potential movie viewers reside in battleground states, which mirrors the national average of 40% of voters residing in battleground states.

A survey by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research captured data from 1000 likely voters fielded between June 28 – July 1, with a margin of error of +/- 3 points. Six percent of voters surveyed had seen the movie and 38% say they plan to see it.

“Contrary to Republicans’ claims, it’s clear that voters across the political spectrum want to see what Michael Moore has to say. The film has stimulated a conversation in households across America about the Bush Administration’s decisions and actions,” said Eli Pariser, executive director of MoveOn PAC.

Some theaters in the Midwest—like Fridley Theaters in Iowa and Nebraska and GKC Theaters in Michigan and Wisconsin—have refused to show Michael Moore’s film on their screens. MoveOn PAC has asked its membership to call these theaters’ owners and ask that they reevaluate their decision.

“As the movie expands to more screens, the reach of the movie and its message will grow,” said Pariser. “The astonishing and revealing footage in Fahrenheit 911 has the power to change the course of the 2004 election, and that’s why we’re committed to making sure all American voters have the opportunity to see the film and decide for themselves.”

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