Historical Fiction Author Announces Results of Independent Presidential Poll

GETTYSBURG, Pa., Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The votes of an independent Presidential Poll have been tabulated and the results are very revealing about the upcoming presidential election. Jessica James, an award-winning historical fiction author, conducted the poll that asked avid readers to choose the literary character they think best exemplifies the qualities of a U.S. president.

Voters overwhelmingly chose Atticus Finch, the main character from the classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Readers said they admired Finch's courage and steadfast principles, as well as his strong moral values in standing up for what he believed was right.

James says she got the idea for the poll after seeing the numerous contradictory opinions about the presidential race. "I thought it would be a fun exercise to make people think about the inner qualities that make a good president," James said. "I think this poll shows that, above all, Americans are looking for someone with strong moral values."

James created the poll from the most popular suggestions in an earlier survey. Finch won the resulting poll with 56 percent of the votes. "I think this overwhelming victory shows that people want a president that can back up rhetoric with proven actions," James said. "They don't want someone who is all talk."

Coming in second, with 15 percent of the votes, was Mr. Darcy from Jane Austin's novel Pride and Prejudice. In the novel, Darcy's seemingly arrogant personality ends up masking a generous heart and a kind soul. "Voters seemed to identify with Mr. Darcy's ability to be humble and were able to see through his perceived socially elite status," James said.

Taking the third slot was Colonel Alexander Hunter from James' award-winning Civil War novel Noble Cause, who received 11 percent of the vote. "I was surprised, but I don't think that anyone who reads about his courage and self-sacrifice can deny that he would make a great president."

Edmond Dantes from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, received 9 percent of the votes. Though wrongly accused and locked for years in a prison, Dantes' strength of character makes him victorious in the end. "Dantes is the perfect example of the 'underdog,'" James said, "and when he comes out ahead, the reader feels like it's a victory for them."

Coming in last place in the poll was the infamous Gone with the Wind character Rhett Butler. "I think Rhett's background and relationships with people of questionable moral values were just a little too much for readers," James said.

James' novel Noble Cause won the coveted John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction in addition to numerous other national awards. Called "a riveting piece of historical fiction" by the Midwest Book Review and often compared to Gone with the Wind, Noble Cause takes readers across the rolling hills of Virginia in a page-turning tale of courage and love.

The unscientific poll was conducted on Jessica James' website at www.jessicajamesbooks.com.

Media Contact:
Jessica James 
717-642-6836

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SOURCE Jessica James