No matter what their party affiliation, Americans like peanut butter, Gatorade, and Colin Powell. That's according to a company that helps big names like Wal-Mart and Gatorade with market research.Affinnova says Colin Powell is the most popular candidate choice for vice president among both Democrats and Republicans.

The company released the results of a study this week showing voters in both parties favor the former secretary of state on the 2008 ticket. Its Optimize *08 project used technology to sample 2,000 voters, giving them "whole ticket concepts." That included photos, biographies, and first-term priorities. Affinnova claims the process mirrors real-world choices better than polls.

Americans like Powell for his dependability and leadership and that voters perceive him to be highly credible. And, for Democrats, a ticket with Sen. Barack Obama and Powell has broad appeal among moderates, as well as independents and Republicans who are likely to vote across party lines.

Among Democrats likely to vote, Powell led the list of favored running mates. Former Vice President Al Gore and former Majority Leader Dick Gephardt tied for second place, with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton trailing behind and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards coming in as a fifth choice. Although Clinton and Edwards are popular among core supporters, they didn't fare well overall because of polarization.

Republicans supporting Sen. John McCain favored Powell as a running mate. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney tied for second place. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani finished fifth, although, like Clinton and Edwards, he appeals to the party's core supporters.

So, given a choice of 100 possible vice presidents, Democrats and Republicans pick the same one. Finally, something most Americans can agree upon.

Actually, there's more, but I'll save that for tomorrow's political blog.