Flemington, NJ, April 3, 2009 – A new national study among 297 self-reported Democrats, Republicans and Independents revealed that the majority of Americans (90%) believe that the U.S. is either completely or somewhat responsible for the international financial crisis.

The study was conducted by HCD Research on April 2, to obtain Americans’ perceptions of an NBC interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner.

Respondents were also asked if the auto industry and the financial industry were receiving equal treatment by the current administration.  The clear majority (71%) reported that the auto industry was being treated better than the financial industry.

“As we reviewed the agreement curves, we saw a significant spike upward in agreement among all political parties when Geithner said: ‘I think in the United States, like in many countries, there is a deep sense of anger and public frustration…,’ ”commented Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research.

Among the findings:

“Do you think the U.S. is responsible for the international financial crisis?”

“Which of the following emotions did you feel the most while viewing the video? Please select one emotion you felt most.”

While viewing the video clip, participants indicated their levels of agreeability by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also post-viewing questions.

The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).