Washington Post-ABC News Poll: Bush's Second Term
Monday, January 17, 2005 | | | | This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone January 12 - 16, 2005, among 1,007 randomly selected adults nationwide. Margin of sampling error for overall results is plus or minus three percentage points. Fieldwork by TNS of Horsham, Pa. *= less than 0.5 percent 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? ---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
1/16/05 52 33 19 46 11 35 2 Compare to: Clinton 1/97 60 NA NA 34 NA NA 6
Reagan 1/85 68 28 3
Nixon* 1/73 51 37 12
LBJ 1/65 71 15 14
DDE 1/57 73 14 13
Truman 1/49 69 " " 17 " " 14
*Nixon and previous: Gallup. Full Bush trend:
1/16/05 52 33 19 46 11 35 2
12/19/04 48 27 21 49 12 38 2
10/20/04 All 50 30 20 46 11 35 4
LV 50 33 17 48 10 38 2
RV 50 30 20 46 11 35 3
10/17/04 LV 54 35 19 45 9 36 2
10/16/04 LV 54 35 19 44 10 34 2
10/15/04 LV 54 35 19 44 10 34 2
10/3/04 LV 53 36 17 46 11 34 1
9/26/04 All 50 33 18 45 13 32 5
LV 53 38 15 46 10 35 1
RV 52 35 17 46 13 32 5
9/8/04 All 52 35 17 43 11 32 5
RV 52 38 14 45 11 33 3
8/29/04 All 50 31 19 47 13 34 3
RV 52 33 19 47 13 35 1
8/1/04 All 47 28 18 49 13 36 5
RV 48 29 19 51 13 38 2
7/25/04 All 50 32 19 47 13 34 3
RV 51 33 18 47 13 34 2
7/11/04 48 31 17 50 11 39 2
6/20/04 All 47 30 17 51 13 39 1
RV 48 32 15 51 12 40 1
5/23/04 47 31 17 50 14 36 3
4/18/04 51 33 18 47 13 34 1
3/7/04 50 32 18 48 12 36 2
2/11/04 50 30 21 47 14 34 2
1/18/04 58 35 24 40 9 30 2
12/21/03 59 39 21 38 15 23 3
12/14/03 57 37 20 39 10 29 5
12/7/03 53 32 21 40 13 27 7
11/16/03 57 34 23 39 11 28 4
10/29/03 56 30 26 42 13 29 2
10/13/03 53 33 20 43 13 29 4
9/30/03 54 34 20 44 15 29 2
9/13/03 58 35 23 40 14 27 2
9/7/03 56 34 22 41 13 28 4
8/11/03 59 37 22 37 14 23 4
7/10/03 59 35 24 38 13 25 3
6/22/03 68 45 23 29 11 18 4
4/30/03 71 50 22 26 17 9 3
4/16/03 74 52 22 23 9 14 3
4/9/03 77 58 19 20 6 14 4
4/3/03 71 54 16 25 7 19 4
3/23/03 68 NA NA 27 NA NA 4
3/20/03 67 NA NA 28 NA NA 5
3/2/03 62 38 23 35 13 22 4
2/23/03 60 NA NA 34 NA NA 6
2/9/03 64 42 21 34 14 20 3
2/1/03 62 41 21 34 13 22 4
1/28/03 62 43 19 36 13 23 2
1/27/03 59 39 21 37 15 22 4
1/20/03 59 36 23 38 16 22 2
12/15/02 66 37 28 32 12 20 2
11/4/02 LV 67 45 23 31 12 20 1
11/3/02 LV 67 45 22 32 12 20 1
11/2/02 LV 67 47 20 32 9 23 1
10/27/02 All 67 39 28 29 13 16 4
LV 68 47 21 30 14 16 3
9/26/02 67 42 25 30 12 18 3
9/8/02 71 42 28 27 12 15 3
7/28/02 69 39 31 28 14 14 3
7/15/02 72 42 31 25 12 13 2
6/17/02 74 42 32 22 9 13 4
6/9/02 77 41 36 20 9 11 3
5/19/02 76 48 28 22 8 13 3
4/21/02 78 47 31 20 9 10 2
3/28/02 79 49 30 18 8 10 3
3/10/02 82 52 30 16 9 7 2
1/27/02 83 56 27 14 7 7 3
12/19/01 86 64 22 12 6 6 2
11/27/01 89 69 21 9 4 5 1
11/6/01 89 65 24 9 5 4 2
10/9/01 92 76 16 6 3 3 1
9/27/01 90 70 20 6 3 3 4
9/13/01 86 63 23 12 5 6 2
9/9/01 55 26 29 41 20 22 3
8/12/01 61 28 33 31 14 17 8
7/30/01 59 28 30 38 17 22 3
6/3/01 55 27 28 40 18 22 6
4/22/01 63 33 30 32 16 16 5
3/25/01 58 NA NA 33 NA NA 8
2/25/01 55 NA NA 23 NA NA 22 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling (ITEM)? 1/16/05 - Summary Table* Approve Disapprove No op.
a. The economy 46 52 2
b. The situation in Iraq 40 58 2
c. Social Security 38 55 7
d. Taxes 49 46 5
e. The environment 48 44 7
f. Immigration issues 33 54 13
g. The US campaign against terrorism 61 38 2
h. Health care 42 51 6
i. The federal budget deficit 39 58 3
j. Education 56 36 8
k. Restricting medical malpractice and
class-action lawsuits 51 38 11
l. Foreign affairs 51 48 1
m. The U.S. response to the South Asian
tidal wave, or tsunami 83 13 4 *Half sample answered a-f, other half answered g-m. Trend: a. The economy Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 46 52 2
Clinton:
1/15/97 61 34 5
Full Bush trend:
1/16/05 46 52 2
12/19/04 46 51 3
9/26/04 RV 47 50 4
8/29/04 RV 45 52 3
7/25/04 47 50 3
6/20/04 46 53 1
5/23/04 44 54 2
4/18/04 44 54 2
3/7/04 39 59 1
2/11/04 44 54 2
1/18/04 51 47 2
12/21/03 51 44 5
11/16/03 48 49 3
10/29/03 45 53 2
10/13/03 45 52 2
9/13/03 42 56 3
9/7/03 44 51 5
8/11/03 45 51 5
7/10/03 47 49 4
4/30/03 52 45 3
2/9/03 47 49 4
2/1/03 44 52 4
1/28/03 46 49 4
1/27/03 47 47 5
1/20/03 43 53 4
1/5/03 50 43 7
12/15/02 50 46 4
11/4/02 LV 53 45 2
11/3/02 LV 52 46 2
11/2/02 LV 55 43 2
10/27/02 51 43 6
10/27/02 LV 53 44 3
9/26/02 51 47 3
9/8/02 57 40 4
7/28/02 57 39 4
7/15/02 58 38 3
4/21/02 64 33 3
1/27/02 62 34 4
12/19/01 67 27 6
11/6/01 72 23 5
9/9/01 48 48 4
7/30/01 52 45 3
6/3/01 53 41 6
4/22/01 55 38 7
3/25/01 50 42 8 b. The situation in Iraq Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 40 58 2
12/19/04 42 57 1
9/26/04 RV 47 50 3
8/29/04 RV 47 51 2
7/25/04 45 53 2
6/20/04 44 55 2
5/23/04 40 58 2
4/18/04 45 54 1
3/7/04 46 53 1
2/11/04 47 52 1
1/18/04 55 42 2
12/21/03 60 39 2
12/14/03 58 38 4
11/16/03 48 48 4
10/29/03 47 51 2
10/13/03 51 47 2
9/29/03 50 47 3
9/13/03 52 46 2
9/7/03 49 47 4
8/24/03 56 37 7
8/11/03 56 41 3
7/10/03 58 41 2
6/22/03 67 30 2
4/30/03 75 22 2 Compare to: The situation with Iraq and Saddam Hussein 3/27/03 69 26 5
3/23/03 71 26 3
3/20/03 65 29 5
3/17/03 64 29 7
3/9/03 55 38 8
2/23/03 55 39 6
2/9/03 61 37 2
2/5/03 61 32 7
2/1/03 61 35 3
1/28/03 58 38 4
1/27/03 57 40 3
1/20/03 50 46 4
12/15/02 58 37 5
11/4/02 LV 56 40 4
11/3/02 LV 57 40 4
11/2/02 LV 56 41 3
10/27/02 57 38 5
9/26/02 58 39 3
9/14/02 65 31 4
8/29/02 52 36 12 c. Social Security Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 38 55 7
12/19/04 38 52 9
4/18/04 41 51 8
3/7/04 38 55 7
10/29/03 40 46 14
9/13/03 43 46 11
4/30/03 49 38 13
12/15/02 49 38 13
9/26/02 42 43 15
7/15/02 54 35 11
1/27/02 54 28 18
9/9/01 41 50 9
7/30/01 46 48 6
6/3/01 46 40 14 d. Taxes Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 49 46 5
8/29/04 RV 49 48 3
7/25/04 49 46 5
6/20/04 42 54 4
4/18/04 48 49 3
3/7/04 50 47 3
1/18/04 45 51 4
10/29/03 41 53 6
9/13/03 48 48 4
8/11/03 49 46 5
4/30/03 50 46 4
2/1/03 51 43 7
1/20/03 50 45 5
12/15/02 51 44 5 e. The environment Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 48 44 7
9/13/03 51 42 7
4/30/03 49 40 11
12/15/02 50 40 10
9/26/02* 49 40 11
7/15/02 52 39 9
1/27/02 54 31 15
9/9/01 50 44 6
7/30/01 45 49 6
6/3/01 41 50 9
4/22/01 47 41 12
3/25/01 46 41 13 f. Immigration issues Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 33 54 13
1/18/04 34 56 10 g. The US campaign against terrorism Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 61 38 2
12/19/04 53 43 3
9/26/04 RV 59 38 3
8/29/04 RV 60 37 3
7/25/04 57 40 4
6/20/04 50 48 2
5/23/04 58 39 4
4/18/04 63 35 2
3/7/04 63 34 3
2/11/04 64 34 2
1/18/04 66 33 2
12/21/03 70 28 2
10/29/03 63 35 2
10/13/03 66 30 4
9/13/03 70 27 3
9/7/03 67 28 5
4/30/03 79 19 2
2/9/03 74 23 4
2/1/03 75 21 3
1/27/03 72 26 2
1/20/03 71 25 4
12/15/02 79 20 1
11/4/02 LV 76 22 1
11/3/02 LV 77 22 3
11/2/02 LV 78 21 2
10/27/02 All 74 23 4
10/27/02 LV 78 20 2
9/26/02 70 28 2
9/8/02 74 24 2
7/28/02 81 17 2
7/15/02 83 15 2
5/19/02* 79 19 3
4/21/02* 81 18 2
3/10/02* 88 10 2
1/27/02 88 10 2
12/19/01* 89 9 2
10/15/01* 92 5 3
*Asked very/somewhat follow-up h. Health care Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 42 51 6
12/19/04 37 56 7
8/29/04 RV 39 55 6
7/25/04 38 53 9
6/20/04 39 57 4 Compare to: The cost, availability and coverage of health insurance 4/18/04 33 61 5
3/7/04 32 62 6
2/11/04 32 62 6
1/18/04 37 55 8
12/21/03 34 56 10
10/29/03 28 63 9
10/13/03 30 60 10
9/13/03 32 61 7
4/30/03 34 57 9
1/28/03 40 47 13
1/20/03 36 51 13
12/15/02 33 58 9 i. The federal budget deficit Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 39 58 3
6/20/04 39 56 5
4/18/04 34 60 6
3/7/04 30 65 5
1/18/04 35 58 7
12/21/03 37 52 10
10/29/03 32 61 7 j. Education Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 56 36 8
8/29/04 RV 52 43 5
7/25/04 49 41 9
6/20/04 51 45 5
4/18/04 51 43 6
3/7/04 50 45 5
2/11/04 47 45 8
1/18/04 55 37 9
12/21/03 47 37 15
10/29/03 55 38 7
9/13/03 56 39 6
4/30/03 59 34 7
12/15/02 62 30 8
9/26/02 61 32 7
7/15/02 62 31 6
1/27/02 71 21 8
9/9/01 61 32 7
7/30/01 63 31 5
6/3/01 57 35 8
4/22/01 60 28 12 k. No trend. l. Foreign affairs Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/16/05 51 48 1
10/29/03 49 47 4
Clinton:
1/15/97 54 39 7 m. No trend. 3. Do you think Bush will do a better job as president in his second term than in his first term, a worse job or what? Better Worse Same(vol.) No opinion
1/16/05 55 29 14 3
Clinton:
1/15/97 56 19 21 3 4. Do you think the country should go in the direction (Bush wants to lead it), go in the direction (the Democrats in Congress want to lead it), or what? Other Neither No dif. No
Bush Democrats (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) opin.
1/16/05 45 39 3 6 2 5
12/19/01 54 28 4 9 6 0
9/9/01 41 42 4 6 1 5
7/30/01 42 43 4 6 3 3
6/3/01 40 42 5 7 3 3
4/22/01 46 36 4 6 3 4 5. For each issue I name, please tell me what kind of priority you think Bush and the Congress should give it - the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority than that. 1/16/05 - Summary Table* --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
a. The economy 94 43 51 5 0 1
b. The situation in Iraq 91 61 30 7 * 1
c. Social Security 90 35 55 10 0 *
d. Taxes 80 19 60 19 * 1
e. The environment 78 19 59 22 0 *
f. Immigration issues 68 20 49 28 1 2
g. The U.S. campaign
against terrorism 93 52 41 6 * 1
h. Health care 94 40 54 5 * 1
i. The federal budget
deficit 89 32 57 9 0 1
j. Education 95 44 52 4 0 1
k. Reducing political
partisanship in
Washington 56 16 41 36 1 6
l. Restricting medical
malpractice and class-
action lawsuits 61 13 48 36 1 1 *Half sample answered a-f, other half answered g-l. Trend where available: a. The economy --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 94 43 51 5 0 1
4/30/03 95 56 39 4 * 1 b. The situation in Iraq --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 91 61 30 7 * 1
4/30/03 83 29 54 15 * 1 c. Social Security --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 90 35 55 10 0 *
4/30/03 88 34 54 12 * * d. Taxes --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 80 19 60 19 * 1
4/30/03 82 30 51 17 * 2 e. The environment --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 78 19 59 22 0 *
4/30/03 81 26 55 18 * 1 f. Immigration issues --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 68 20 49 28 1 2 g. The U.S. campaign against terrorism --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 93 52 41 6 * 1
4/30/03 93 48 45 7 0 1 h. Health care --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 94 40 54 5 * 1 Compare to: The cost, availability, and coverage of health insurance --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
4/30/03 89 50 40 10 * * i. The federal budget deficit --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 89 32 57 9 0 1 j. Education --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 95 44 52 4 0 1
4/30/03 94 49 45 5 1 * k. Reducing political partisanship in Washington --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 56 16 41 36 1 6 l. Restricting medical malpractice and class-action lawsuits --------High-------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op.
1/16/05 61 13 48 36 1 1 6. For each issue I've named, please tell me if you think Bush will or will not make substantial progress on it in the next four years. 1/16/05 - Summary Table* Yes, will No, will not No
make progress make progress opin.
a. The economy 56 42 2
b. The situation in Iraq 58 40 2
c. Social Security 46 53 1
d. Taxes 52 46 2
e. The environment 32 65 3
f. Immigration issues 39 57 3
g. The US campaign against terrorism 70 27 2
h. Health care 48 50 3
i. The federal budget deficit 35 62 3
j. Education 53 45 1
k. Reducing political
partisanship in Washington 26 66 9
l. Restricting medical malpractice
and class-action lawsuits 54 43 3 *Half sample answered a-f, other half answered g-l. Trend where available: a. The economy Yes, will No, will not No
make progress make progress opin.
1/16/05 56 42 2
Clinton:
1/15/97* 60 38 2
1/17/93 63 32 5
George H.W. Bush:
1/16/89 55 41 4
*1/15/97 and previous: "Improving the nation's economy" b. No trend. c. Social Security Yes, will No, will not No
make progress make progress opin.
1/16/05 46 53 1
Clinton:
1/15/97* 49 46 5
*"Protecting the social security system" d. No trend. e. The environment Yes, will No, will not No
make progress make progress opin.
1/16/05 32 65 3
Clinton:
1/15/97* 60 35 5
1/17/93* 68 27 6
George H.W. Bush:
1/16/89** 57 38 5
*"Dealing with environmental problems"
**"Toxic waste and other environmental problems" f,g. No trend. h. Health care Yes, will No, will not No
make progress make progress opin.
1/16/05 48 50 3
Clinton:
1/15/97* 46 52 2
1/17/93 68 27 5
*1/15/97 and previous: "Improving the cost and availability
of health care in this country" i. The federal budget deficit Yes, will No, will not No
make progress make progress opin.
1/16/05 35 62 3
Clinton:
1/15/97* 51 45 4
1/17/93 52 42 7
George H.W. Bush:
1/16/89 47 48 5
*1/15/97 and previous: "Dealing with the federal budget deficit" j. Education Yes, will No, will not No
make progress make progress opin.
1/16/05 53 45 1
Clinton:
1/15/97* 59 37 4
1/17/93* 70 27 2
George H.W. Bush:
1/16/89** 61 35 4
*"Improving education"
**"The quality of education in the public schools" k,l. No trend. 7. Which of the following comes closer to your views: Because the election was close, Democrats in Congress should not compromise with Bush on major issues, even if the result is nothing gets done on some of these issues OR because Bush won the election, Democrats in Congress should find ways to compromise with him on major issues, even if the Democrats have to agree to things they find objectionable. Democrats should Democrats should find No
not compromise ways to compromise opinion
1/16/05 28 69 2 8. Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Bush, or not. 1/16/05 - Summary Table No
Yes No op.
a. He understands the problems of
people like you 43 56 1
b. He shares your values 54 45 1 Trend: b. He understands the problems of people like you Yes No No op.
1/16/05 43 56 1
Clinton:
1/15/97 50 49 2
Full Bush trend:
1/16/05 43 56 1
5/23/04 42 57 1
4/18/04 41 57 2
3/7/04 41 57 2
2/11/04 41 57 2
1/18/04 43 56 1
12/21/03 45 53 2
10/29/03 40 58 2
9/13/03 48 51 1
4/30/03 51 48 1
12/15/02 51 47 2
7/15/02 57 41 2
1/27/02 61 37 2
7/30/01 45 54 2
4/22/01 47 51 2
11/4/00 LV 49 46 5
10/24/00 LV 50 46 3
10/15/00 RV 46 46 7
10/9/00 RV 50 44 6
9/6/00 RV 47 49 4
8/20/00 RV 50 46 5
7/23/00 RV 44 51 5
7/23/00 44 51 5
6/11/00 48 47 5
4/2/00 48 46 6
3/11/00 47 47 6
2/27/00 43 51 6
2/6/00 43 52 5
1/16/00 46 49 6
12/15/99 47 46 7
10/31/99 54 39 7
9/2/99 50 39 11
3/14/99 52 27 21 b. He shares your values Yes No No op.
1/16/05 54 45 1
5/23/04 49 50 1 9. When you think about how the Bush Administration may deal with (ITEM), do you feel mostly (hopeful) or mostly (fearful), or would you say your feelings are mixed? 1/16/05 - Summary Table Hopeful Fearful Mixed No opin.
a. Environmental policy 35 27 35 2
b. Same-sex marriage 35 27 35 3
c. Abortion 36 26 35 3
d. Appointing judges to the
U.S. Supreme Court 43 26 29 2
e. The situation in Iraq 41 38 20 *
f. Social Security 35 37 27 1
g. The economy 43 31 24 1 10. All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war with Iraq was worth fighting, or not? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? ----Worth fighting---- ----Not worth fighting--- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly op.
1/16/05 44 32 12 55 10 45 1
12/19/04 42 31 11 56 10 47 2
10/3/04 LV 49 34 15 48 11 37 3
9/26/04 LV 48 36 12 50 7 43 2
RV 46 35 12 51 8 42 3
9/8/04 RV 51 38 13 45 10 34 4
8/29/04 RV 48 34 14 50 11 39 2
7/25/04 49 36 13 48 11 37 3
6/20/04 47 32 14 52 13 39 2
5/23/04 48 35 13 50 13 37 1
5/6/04 49 NA NA 47 NA NA 5
4/18/04 51 47 2
3/7/04 52 44 3
2/11/04 48 50 2
1/18/04 56 41 3
12/21/03 59 39 2
12/14/03 53 42 5
11/16/03 52 44 4
10/29/03 54 44 2
10/13/03 54 44 2
9/13/03 61 37 2
9/7/03 54 42 4
8/24/03 57 37 5
8/11/03 61 35 4
7/10/03 57 40 3
6/22/03 64 33 3
4/30/03 70 " " 27 " " 4
Gulf War:
2/2/92* 66 NA NA 32 NA NA 2
7/28/91 67 30 3
6/2/91 70 26 3
3/4/91 86 " " 13 " " 1
*2/2/92 and previous: "the Persian Gulf war"; 3/4/91: "this war 11. Do you think the war with Iraq has or has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States? IF YES: Has it contributed to the long-term security of the United States a great deal, or somewhat? ----------Contributed---------- Has No
NET Great deal Somewhat not opin.
1/16/05 50 30 21 47 3
12/19/04 51 27 23 46 4
10/3/04 LV 53 32 22 42 4
9/26/04 LV 54 36 18 43 3
RV 54 36 18 42 4
9/8/04 RV 57 36 22 40 3
8/29/04 RV 54 33 20 42 4
7/25/04 51 32 19 45 3
6/20/04 51 28 23 46 2
5/23/04 54 30 24 43 3
4/18/04 57 33 24 40 3
3/7/04 57 29 29 40 3
2/11/04 58 32 26 38 4
1/18/04 59 34 25 38 3
12/21/03 62 34 29 34 4
7/10/03* 62 33 29 35 3
*"did or did not" 12. As you may know, elections for a new national government in Iraq are scheduled for later this month. Do you think the Iraqi elections should be (held as scheduled), or (put off until a later date)? Held as Put off until No
scheduled a later date opinion
1/16/05 73 23 4
12/19/04 60 34 6 13. How confident are you that these elections will produce a stable government that can rule Iraq effectively - very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all? --------Confident-------- -----Not confident---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not too At all opin.
1/16/05 42 6 36 57 29 27 1
12/19/04 44 6 38 54 29 25 2 14. Do you think holding these elections will or will not bring the United States closer to the day U.S. forces can be withdrawn from Iraq? Will Will not No opinion
1/16/05 57 39 4 15. On another subject, what do you think of the nation's Social Security system? Do you think that by the time you retire there will be enough money in the system to pay you the benefits you are entitled to, or do you think there will not be enough money left to pay you benefits? Enough Not enough Not covered (vol.) No opin.
1/16/05 36 60 1 4
12/19/04 32 63 1 4
5/10/00 38 51 3 7
5/4/97 27 66 3 4
8/22/95 23 73 0 4
11/19/84 29 59 2 9 16. One idea to help keep the Social Security system funded is to reduce the rate of growth in guaranteed benefits for future retirees by up to one and a half percent a year. Would you support or oppose this reduction in the rate of growth in benefits for future retirees as a way to help keep Social Security funded? Support Oppose No opinion
1/16/05 47 48 5 17. Another idea would let workers put some of their Social Security savings into stocks or bonds if they wanted to. That could produce higher or lower benefits depending on how the investments perform. Would you support or oppose this stock-market option for Social Security? Support Oppose No opinion
1/16/05 55 41 4 18. What would you think of a plan that included both these ideas - a reduction in the rate of growth in Social Security benefits for future retirees, and a stock market option for Social Security contributions? Would you support or oppose that? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? --------Support-------- ---------Oppose-------- No
NET Strg. Smwt. NET Smwt. Strg. opin.
1/16/05 54 20 34 41 16 25 5 19. Who do you trust to do a better job handling Social Security, (Bush) or (the Democrats in Congress)? Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opin.
1/16/05 37 50 2 8 3
4/30/03 43 50 1 3 3
9/9/01 41 50 1 4 4
7/30/01 42 51 1 5 2
6/3/01 38 52 1 5 3 20. On another subject, what in your opinion is the single biggest environmental problem the world faces at this time? 1/16/05
Pollution (NET) 27
Air pollution 19
Water pollution 7
Pollution (unspecified) 1
Miscellaneous pollution mentions *
Global warming/Greenhouse effect/
Climate change 15
Acid rain *
Destruction/fragmentation/loss of habitat,
rain forests, wetlands, forests, open
spaces; over-development; logging and mining 6
Toxic substances in environment 3
Tsunami/tidal wave/earthquake/natural disasters 3
Energy problems/dependence on fossil fuels/
lack of oil 2
Saving natural resources *
Waste/landfills/not enough recycling 1
Overpopulation/over-consumption 1
Oil drilling/oil tankers 2
None 1
Other 23
No opinion 16 21. Officials say Bush's inauguration ceremonies next week will cost about 40 million dollars, nearly all of it coming from private donations. Some people say that because the country is at war, it would be better to have a smaller and more subdued inauguration. Others favor continuing the country's tradition of large inaugural celebrations. Which of these views comes closer to your own? Smaller Large No
inauguration inauguration opinion
1/16/05 66 32 2 21a. (HALF SAMPLE) On the subject of lawsuits: Some people say it's (good) for companies to face the possibility of paying very big penalties in lawsuits, (because it compensates people who are hurt and also makes companies think twice before selling dangerous products.) Others say it's (bad) (because these lawsuits may be frivolous and the cost of the lawsuits gets passed on to customers as higher prices.) Which of these do you agree with more - do you think companies should or should not face the possibility of paying very big penalties in lawsuits? Should face Should not No
penalties face penalties opinion
1/16/05 57 37 6 22. (HALF SAMPLE) Thinking now of medical lawsuits: Say you are injured by bad medical care, and you sue the doctor, hospital or drug company. Would you support or oppose a law saying the most you can get is 250 thousand dollars, plus your actual losses for things like medical bills and lost income? Support Oppose No opinion
1/16/05 52 47 1 23. (HALF SAMPLE) Thinking now of medical lawsuits: Say someone is injured by bad medical care, and they sue the doctor, hospital or drug company. Would you support or oppose a law saying the most they can get is 250 thousand dollars, plus their actual losses for things like medical bills and lost income? Support Oppose No opinion
1/16/05 56 41 3 24. (HALF SAMPLE) Class-action lawsuits are lawsuits in which groups of people who say they've been injured by a product get together to sue. Would you support or oppose a new law putting tighter limits on who can file class-action lawsuits and how much money they can win in damages? Only limit who Only limit No
Support Oppose can file (vol.) damages (vol.) op.
1/16/05 66 31 * * 2 25. (HALF SAMPLE) Do you think the United States is or is not doing enough to keep illegal immigrants from coming into this country? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? -----Doing enough------ ---Not doing enough---- No
NET Strg. Smwt. NET Smwt. Strg. opin.
1/16/05 20 9 11 77 18 58 4 26. (HALF SAMPLE) Do you think illegal immigrants who are living and working in the United States now (should be offered a chance to keep their jobs and eventually apply for legal status), or do you think they (should be deported back to their native country)? Offered chance to No
keep jobs/apply Deported opin.
1/16/05 61 36 3 27. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose a law that would prohibit states from giving drivers licenses or any other official photo ID to illegal immigrants? Support Oppose No opinion
1/16/05 57 40 3
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