http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26842

The question asked is:

"Next, as you may know there is a lot of talk these days about global warming and what its effects might be. How worried are you that each of the following will happen as a result of global warming -- very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all? "

Most of the 55% (assumption based on the overall results) fall into the "somewhat worried" category, and note there is no 100-year timeframe on this question - a far cry from the false claim of "55% of Democrats believe the human race will be extinct in 100 years due to global warming."

The question that involves the "55% of Democrats" answer does not involve a 100-year timeframe. Click the link and analyze this for yourself.

Also, worry or concern about an event occuring between now and the life of the planet does not equate to belief. For instance, I might be worried of being the victim of a terrorist at some point in my life but it doesn't mean that I believe it to be a likely event.

'You should have stated it thusly: "I am worried that the human species faces extinction as the result of a terrorist act."'

Global warming affects the entire planet as opposed to a single terrorist act, so this is a false analogy.

Scientists have a reasonable understanding of the potential results in the 100-year timeframe, which certainly doesn't include human extinction (a few other animal species perhaps). At least 10% in another Gallup poll question of this survey chose this as their "best guess", 3% of who chose "within 10 years". That scenario seems so absurd that you have to wonder if a few people who aren't serious about the poll are choosing that just because it's funny. Regardless, we should be concerned about that potential 10% since if their "best guess" was true, few options exist other than an immediate halt to industrialization or worse.

Given an open-ended timeframe to the other question (i.e. 1,000 years, 10,000 years, 1 million years or more), the unknown and untested long-term effects of industrialization, the potential for problems to compound, scientists general lack of understanding of results in the more distant future and the profoundly catastrophic nature of the event of human extinction, I don't think it's entirely irrational to have some worry about the effects on more distant generations. This worry doesn't imply belief that it's a probable scenario though. My personal view is that humans are highly adaptable to even the worst-case scenarios but my confidence over the long-term in that belief is limited given the inherent uncertainty. Accelerating our moves towards alternative fuels and limiting carbon output seems like a tiny sacrifice in the big picture, and the benefits of such moves extend beyond global warming concerns.

"And I would ask you: In light of John Edward's latest comments regarding the impact of global warming compared with that of a world war, how do you feel his campaign strategists read the poll?"

I'm not familiar with Edwards' comments but for their sake I hope they don't overplay it. For the most part Gore's documentary conveyed the scientific consensus accurately (based on survey results of scientists). If Democrats stray too far from this and into the "Day After Tomorrow" realm, they're in trouble. Views of Republicans being anti-science or having their hands tied by industry will be overshadowed by Democrats greatly overstating the real threats.