Washington Post-ABC News Poll
October 30-Nov. 2, 2005
The latest Washington Post-ABC News poll is based on telephone interviews with 1,202 randomly selected adults nationwide, and was conducted Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 2005. Questions 34-37 and question 41 were asked Oct. 31-Nov. 2 of a subsample of 641 respondents. The margin of sampling error for overall results is plus or minus 3 percentage points, and plus or minus 4 percentage points for results based on the subsample. Sampling error is only one of many potential sources of error in this or any other public opinion poll. Fieldwork was conducted 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.
11/2/05 39 20 18 60 13 47 1
10/29/05 39 22 17 58 13 45 3
9/11/05 42 27 15 57 12 45 1
8/28/05 45 27 18 53 12 41 2
6/26/05 48 27 21 51 11 40 1
6/5/05 48 27 21 52 14 38 1
4/24/05 47 25 22 50 13 38 3
3/13/05 50 31 19 48 11 37 3
1/31/05 50 34 15 45 11 34 5
1/16/05 52 33 19 46 11 35 2
12/19/04 48 27 21 49 12 38 2
10/20/04 50 30 20 46 11 35 4
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 50 33 18 45 13 32 5
9/8/04 52 35 17 43 11 32 5
8/29/04 50 31 19 47 13 34 3
8/1/04 47 28 18 49 13 36 5
7/25/04 50 32 19 47 13 34 3
7/11/04 48 31 17 50 11 39 2
6/20/04 47 30 17 51 13 39 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 67 39 28 29 13 16 4
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)?
11/2/05 - Summary Table*
Approve Disapprove No op.
a. The situation in Iraq 36 64 1
b. The situation with gasoline prices 26 68 5
c. The US campaign against terrorism 48 51 1
d. The economy 36 61 3
e. Health care 34 61 5
*Item a asked of full sample. Items b-c asked half sample, items d-e asked of other half sample.
Trend:
a. The situation in Iraq
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
11/2/05 36 20 15 64 13 51 1
9/11/05 38 NA NA 62 NA NA 1
8/28/05 42 28 14 57 11 46 1
6/26/05 43 25 18 56 12 44 1
6/5/05 41 NA NA 58 NA NA 1
4/24/05 42 56 2
3/13/05 39 57 4
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
b. The situation with gasoline prices
Approve Disapprove No opinion
11/2/05 26 68 5
9/11/05 25 72 3
8/28/05 22 73 6
c. The US campaign against terrorism
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
11/2/05 48 NA NA 51 NA NA 1
9/11/05 50 NA NA 47 NA NA 3
8/28/05 56 34 21 43 14 29 2
6/5/05 50 NA NA 49 NA NA 1
4/24/05 56 41 3
3/13/05 59 38 3
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 74 23 4
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
d. The economy
Approve Disapprove No opinion
11/2/05 36 61 3
9/11/05 40 58 2
8/28/05 44 54 3
6/5/05 40 58 2
4/24/05 40 57 3
3/13/05 43 55 2
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
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
e. Health care
Approve Disapprove No opinion
11/2/05 34 61 5
3/13/05 44 48 8
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
4. Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)?
Right Wrong No
direction track opin.
11/2/05 30 68 2
10/24/04 LV 41 55 4
4/18/04 42 57 1
4/30/03 52 46 2
9/26/02 43 53 4
2/21/02 54 42 4
2/14/99 55 41 4
11/1/98 55 43 2
11/1/98 LV 55 44 1
8/21/98 57 40 4
7/12/98 50 45 6
4/4/98 55 41 4
1/31/98 61 34 5
1/30/98 61 34 5
1/19/98 44 50 6
8/27/97 39 57 4
6/8/97 37 60 3
3/9/97 34 62 4
10/17/96 RV 40 55 5
10/16/96 RV 42 53 5
10/15/96 RV 43 52 5
10/14/96 RV 44 51 5
10/13/96 RV 44 51 5
9/04/96 RV 40 54 6
8/21/96 28 67 5
6/30/96 26 70 5
3/17/96 27 70 3
1/21/96 27 66 6
1/3/96 21 77 3
4/5/95 23 73 3
1/4/95 27 68 6
10/31/94 27 69 4
7/20/94 26 70 4
3/27/94 28 69 3
1/23/94 31 60 10
11/14/93 25 69 6
8/8/93 26 71 3
6/20/93 26 71 3
4/26/93 27 71 2
3/11/93 36 57 7
2/28/93 37 59 4
1/17/93 31 63 6
12/14/92 35 60 5
10/27/92 RV 22 76 2
10/4/92 RV 18 78 4
6/7/92 14 83 3
4/9/92 16 81 3
3/11/92 18 79 4
1/15/92 19 78 3
11/10/91 24 72 4
10/29/91 26 71 3
8/27/91 31 60 9
7/28/91 30 67 3
6/2/91 39 57 4
4/9/91 42 51 7
2/26/91 58 39 3
1/27/91 49 48 4
10/14/90 19 79 2
9/9/90 36 60 4
8/20/90 35 60 5
7/24/90 37 60 2
5/21/90 39 60 2
3/26/90 44 53 2
2/4/90 49 48 3
1/16/90 48 49 3
5/23/89 42 55 3
3/16/89 46 52 2
1/16/89 LV 51 46 3
10/25/88 RV 49 46 6
9/27/88 48 44 8
7/11/88 40 56 4
5/25/88 35 59 6
3/21/88 40 56 4
1/23/88 39 59 2
12/13/87 49 47 4
12/2/87 35 61 4
9/23/87 43 54 4
6/29/87 35 62 3
4/13/87 37 60 3
3/9/87 38 58 4
1/18/87 39 56 5
9/8/86 50 48 2
1/26/86 45 47 8
7/29/85 52 43 6
1/16/85 59 36 4
5/22/84 47 48 5
12/13/83 43 51 6
11/7/83 51 44 5
4/12/83 41 54 4
3/2/83 43 53 3
1/25/83 58 39 3
1/25/83 43 52 4
10/11/82 35 57 8
1/30/82 39 56 5
2/80 20 70 10
2/78 34 53 13
2/77 41 44 14
10/75 19 71 9
10/74 15 75 11
10/73 16 74 10
5. (IF WRONG TRACK) What's the main reason you feel that way?
11/2/05
Economy, jobs, gas prices, prices,
low income, debt, finances 30
War in Iraq 21
Problems with Bush 15
Distrust of politicians, government,
Washington, ethics in government/
corruption 7
Problems too big 6
Moral decline/lack of religious faith 6
Environmental problems/global warming 3
Problems with Republicans/conservatives
(not specifically Bush) 2
Terrorism/threat of terrorism 1
Health care 1
Illegal immigrants 1
Problems/issues not being resolved 1
Ignoring domestic issues 1
Everything 1
Foreign policy *
Problems with Democrats/liberals *
Other 4
No opinion *
6. Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Bush or not.
11/2/05 - Summary Table*
No
Yes No op.
a. He understands the problems of
people like you 34 66 1
b. He is a strong leader 47 53 *
c. He can be trusted in a crisis 49 49 2
d. He is honest and trustworthy 40 58 2
e. He shares your values 40 58 2
*Half sample asked items a-c, other half asked items d-e.
Trend:
a. He understands the problems of people like you
Yes No No op.
11/2/05 34 66 1
9/11/05 38 61 1
8/28/05 40 59 1
4/24/05 40 58 2
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 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 is a strong leader
Yes No No op.
11/2/05 47 53 *
9/11/05 50 50 *
5/23/04 62 37 1
4/18/04 64 36 1
3/7/04 63 36 1
2/11/04 61 38 1
12/21/03 67 32 2
10/29/03 62 37 1
9/13/03 66 34 *
4/30/03 74 25 *
12/15/02 75 23 2
7/15/02 75 24 1
7/30/01 55 43 2
4/22/01 53 42 5
10/9/00 RV 62 33 5
9/6/00 RV 65 28 7
8/20/00 RV 65 29 5
8/10/00 RV 67 29 5
7/23/00 RV 61 33 6
7/23/00 62 32 5
6/11/00 65 30 6
4/2/00 68 27 5
3/11/00 63 31 6
2/27/00 62 32 6
2/6/00 65 30 7
1/16/00 65 28 7
12/15/99 67 26 7
10/31/99 77 18 5
9/2/99 70 18 12
3/14/99 68 13 20
c. He can be trusted in a crisis
Yes No No op.
11/2/05 49 49 2
9/11/05 49 49 2
5/23/04 60 39 1
7/30/01 60 37 3
4/22/01 65 32 4
12/15/99 62 27 11
9/2/99 58 22 19
d. He is honest and trustworth
y
Yes No No op.
11/2/05 40 58 2
5/23/04 53 45 2
4/18/04 55 44 1
3/7/04 54 45 1
2/11/04 52 45 2
10/29/03 59 40 2
9/13/03 60 39 2
12/15/02 70 26 4
7/15/02 71 26 3
7/30/01 63 34 3
4/22/01 62 32 6
11/5/00 LV 60 33 7
11/4/00 LV 61 33 7
10/24/00 LV 65 30 5
10/15/00 LV 57 34 9
10/15/00 RV 53 35 12
9/6/00 RV 62 30 7
7/23/00 RV 61 30 8
7/23/00 59 31 10
12/15/99 63 28 9
10/31/99 68 22 10
9/2/99 63 23 14
3/14/99 67 12 22
e. He shares your values
Yes No No op.
11/2/05 40 58 2
4/24/05 47 51 2
1/16/05 54 45 1
5/23/04 49 50 1
7. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in the Bush Administration: a great deal, quite a lot, some, or very little?
---Great deal/A lot---- ----Some/little---- None No
NET Grt. deal A lot NET Some Little (vol.) opin.
11/2/05 29 15 14 63 22 41 8 0
12/15/00* 37 18 19 45 32 22 2 7
*"the incoming Bush administration"
Compare to:
The Clinton Administration
---Great deal/A lot---- ----Some/little---- None No
NET Grt. deal A lot NET Some Little (vol.) opin.
12/15/00 43 23 20 52 29 23 3 1
12/4/95 25 9 16 69 36 33 5 1
8. Would you say your confidence in the Bush administration lately has been (increasing), (decreasing) or has it remained the same?
Remained No
Increasing Decreasing the same opin.
11/2/05 2 49 48 *
9. How do you personally feel about the Bush administration's policies - (enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry)?
---------Positive--------- --------Negative--------- No
NET Enthus. Satis. NET Dissat. Angry op.
11/2/05 38 8 30 62 37 25 1
10/7/04 LV 51 17 34 47 26 22 1
4/18/04 51 13 39 48 30 18 1
3/7/04 49 14 35 51 28 22 *
1/18/04 54 12 42 45 31 15 1
12/21/03 57 16 41 42 29 12 1
10. For each group I name, please tell me if you think it has too much influence in the Bush administration, too little influence or about the right amount.
11/2/05 - Summary Table
Too Too Right No
much little amount opin.
a. People like you 1 71 26 1
b. Conservative religious groups 41 22 32 5
Trend:
a. People like you
Too Too Right No
much little amount opin.
11/2/05 1 71 26 1
9/13/03 5 62 32 2
4/30/03 2 59 37 1
12/15/02 3 61 35 2
1/27/02 3 49 46 2
7/30/01 1 67 30 1
b. Conservative religious groups
Too Too Right No
much little amount opin.
11/2/05 41 22 32 5
12/15/02 28 21 45 7
7/30/01 32 23 42 4
21. When the government in Washington decides to solve a problem, how much confidence do you have that the problem actually will be solved: A lot, some, just a little, or none at all?
---- Confidence ---- ------- Little/No Confidence ------ No
NET A lot Some NET Just a little None at all opin.
11/2/05 46 7 38 54 36 18 *
9/6/02 53 8 45 47 38 9 1
1/27/02 66 14 52 34 27 7 1
6/25/00* 51 8 43 48 35 13 1
12/4/95 39 4 35 61 38 23 *
5/15/94 36 4 31 64 42 22 *
1/23/94 43 4 39 56 40 16 1
2/28/93 51 5 46 49 37 12 *
4/9/92 50 4 46 50 38 12 1
10/29/91 37 7 31 62 38 23 1
*NPR/Kaiser/Harvard
22. How would you rate Bush's handling of ethics in government - excellent, good, only fair or poor?
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor op.
11/2/05 32 7 25 67 29 38 1
10/29/05 34 11 23 64 29 35 2
Compare to:
Clinton:
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor op.
1/26/00 37 8 29 62 22 40 1
Reagan:
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor op.
11/20/88 37 5 32 59 34 25 4
23. Do you think the overall level of ethics and honesty in the federal government has risen, fallen or stayed the same with Bush as president?
Risen Fallen Same No opin.
11/2/05 17 43 39 1
10/29/05 15 46 37 2
Compare to:
Clinton:
Risen Fallen Same No opin.
3/27/94 17 24 58 1
1/23/94 14 23 58 6
FOR COMPARISON ONLY: (Present tense wording) Do you think the overall level of ethics and honesty in the federal government will rise, fall or stay the same with Clinton as president?
Rise Fall Same No opin.
1/17/93 35 13 50 2
24. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor?
--- Excellent/Good ---- ---- Not so good/Poor ---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor op.
11/2/05 35 3 32 65 36 29 *
9/11/05 40 3 37 59 37 22 1
6/5/05 44 3 40 56 38 19 *
4/24/05 37 2 35 63 44 20 *
9/26/04 RV 46 3 43 53 38 15 1
8/29/04 RV 45 3 41 55 37 18 *
7/25/04 46 4 42 53 39 14 *
6/20/04 45 4 41 55 38 17 *
4/18/04 43 4 39 57 39 18 *
3/7/04 39 2 37 60 38 22 1
1/18/04 42 3 39 58 42 16 0
12/21/03 42 4 39 57 41 16 1
10/29/03 33 1 32 67 45 23 *
9/13/03 30 2 27 70 45 25 *
8/11/03 32 2 30 68 43 25 *
4/30/03 35 1 34 64 46 19 *
2/9/03 28 1 27 72 49 23 *
1/20/03 25 1 25 74 48 26 1
12/15/02 35 1 33 65 44 21 1
11/4/02 LV 28 1 27 72 55 17 1
11/3/02 LV 27 1 26 72 56 17 1
11/2/02 LV 29 1 28 71 54 17 *
9/26/02 31 2 28 69 50 19 *
7/15/02 39 3 36 61 44 17 1
2/21/02 30 1 29 69 51 18 *
1/27/02 31 1 29 69 50 19 *
9/20/01 38 3 35 60 47 14 2
9/9/01 33 1 32 66 47 19 *
7/30/01 50 3 46 50 39 12 *
4/22/01 50 3 47 50 40 9 *
1/15/01 70 10 59 29 24 6 1
10/27/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
10/26/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
6/11/00 74 17 57 26 19 6 *
2/27/00 80 25 55 20 14 5 *
10/31/99 74 18 56 26 18 7 1
9/2/99 76 19 57 23 16 6 1
3/14/99 80 22 58 19 15 4 1
11/1/98 73 12 61 26 21 5 1
11/1/98 LV 78 13 65 22 19 3 *
10/13/97 61 12 49 39 27 11 *
25. On another subject: 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.
11/2/05 39 25 13 60 12 48 1
8/28/05 46 33 12 53 9 44 1
6/26/05 46 33 13 53 10 43 1
6/5/05 41 29 12 58 12 46 1
4/24/05 44 31 13 54 12 42 2
3/13/05 45 34 11 53 11 42 2
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 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
26. Again thinking about the goals versus the costs of the war, so far in your opinion has there been an acceptable or unacceptable number of U.S. military casualties in Iraq?
Acceptable Unacceptable No opinion
11/2/05 25 73 2
8/28/05 30 68 3
6/26/05 29 69 2
6/5/05 25 73 2
3/13/05 27 70 3
12/19/04 27 70 3
6/20/04 29 71 1
4/18/04 33 65 2
1/18/04 34 62 4
12/21/03 37 60 4
11/16/03 33 64 3
10/29/03 35 62 3
10/13/03 37 60 3
9/13/03 43 55 2
9/7/03 38 57 5
8/11/03 42 53 5
7/10/03 44 52 3
6/22/03 51 44 5
4/9/03 66 28 6
4/3/03 62 32 5
3/27/03 58 34 9
27. 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.
11/2/05 46 25 21 52 2
8/28/05 49 29 20 49 2
6/26/05 52 31 22 46 1
6/5/05 47 24 22 52 1
3/13/05 52 29 23 46 2
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 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"
28. Do you think (the United States should keep its military forces in Iraq until civil order is restored there, even if that means continued U.S. military casualties); OR, do you think (the United States should withdraw its military forces from Iraq in order to avoid further U.S. military casualties, even if that means civil order is not restored there)?
Keep forces Withdraw forces No opinion
11/2/05 52 44 4
8/28/05 54 44 2
6/26/05 58 41 2
12/19/04 58 39 3
6/20/04 57 42 1
5/23/04 58 40 2
4/18/04 66 33 1
11/16/03 62 34 4
10/29/03 58 38 3
9/13/03 65 32 3
8/24/03 69 27 4
7/10/03 72 26 2
29. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) Do you think the United States is or is not making significant progress toward restoring civil order in Iraq?
Is making Is not making No
significant progress significant progress opinion
11/2/05 44 55 2
8/28/05 48 50 2
6/26/05 48 51 1
12/19/04 44 49 7
6/20/04 51 48 1
30. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) Do you think the United States is or is not making significant progress in establishing a democratic government in Iraq?
Is making Is not making No
significant progress significant progress opinion
11/2/05 47 48 6
12/19/04 48 44 8
6/20/04 50 48 3
5/23/04 38 57 5
31. Do you think the number of U.S. military forces in Iraq should be (increased), (decreased), or kept about the same?
Kept about No
Increased Decreased the same opinion
11/2/05 15 47 36 3
8/28/05 21 41 35 4
6/26/05 16 38 44 2
3/13/05 15 44 36 4
32. (IF DECREASED) Should all U.S. forces in Iraq be withdrawn immediately, or should they be decreased, but not all withdrawn immediately?
Withdrawn Decreased but not No
immediately withdrawn immediately opinion
11/2/05 38 61 *
8/28/05 33 66 1
6/26/05 34 66 1
3/13/05 27 72 1
31/32 NET:
-------------- Decreased -------------- Kept about No
Increased NET All/immed. Not all/not immed. DK the same op.
11/2/05 15 47 18 29 * 36 3
8/28/05 21 41 13 27 * 35 4
6/26/05 16 38 13 25 * 44 2
3/13/05 15 44 12 31 1 37 4
33. In making its case for war with Iraq, do you think the Bush administration (told the American public what it believed to be true), or (intentionally misled the American public)?
Told the American public Intentionally misled No
what it believed to be true the American public opin.
11/2/05 44 55 2
6/26/05 48 52 *
3/13/05 55 43 2
8/29/04 RV 57 40 3
7/25/04 55 42 3
34. On another subject, as you may know, Bush has nominated federal judge Samuel A. Alito to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Do you think the U.S. Senate should or should not confirm Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court?
Should Should not No opinion
11/2/05 49 29 22
Compare to:
Roberts:
Should Should not No opinion
9/11/05* 55 26 19
8/28/05 57 22 20
7/21/05 59 23 17
*as Chief Justice
Breyer:
Should Should not No opinion
5/15/94 52 10 37
Thomas:
Wait and see (vol.)
Should Should not /no opinion
10/14/91 59 28 14
10/13/91 56 29 15
10/12/91 50 29 20
10/9/91 47 23 30
10/8/91 50 25 24
9/15/91 63 24 14
35. Given what you know, do you think Alito is a (more) conservative nominee than you'd have liked, (less) conservative than you'd have liked, or about right?
More Less About right No opinion
11/2/05 29 10 44 17
Compare to:
Given what you know, do you think Roberts is a (more) conservative nominee than you'd have liked, (less) conservative than you'd have liked, or about right?
More Less About right No opinion
7/21/05 26 9 58 7
36. The Supreme Court legalized abortion 32 years ago in the ruling known as Roe versus Wade. If that case came before the court again, would you want Alito to vote to (uphold) Roe versus Wade, or vote to (overturn) it?
Uphold Overturn No opinion
11/2/05 64 31 5
Compare to:
The Supreme Court legalized abortion 32 years ago in the ruling known
as Roe versus Wade. If that case came before the court again, would you
want Roberts to vote to (uphold) Roe versus Wade, or vote to (overturn)
it?
Uphold Overturn No opinion
8/28/05 60 33 7
7/21/05 65 32 4
37. Alito wrote a legal opinion saying a state can require a woman to notify her husband if she decides to have an abortion. Does knowing this make you more likely to (support), more likely to (oppose) or doesn't it make much difference in your opinion?
More likely More likely No No
to support to oppose diff. opin.
11/2/05 27 26 46 1
38. As you may know, a federal grand jury has indicted Lewis "Scooter" Libby, chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, on charges of obstruction of justice and perjury in connection with the case in which the identity of an undercover CIA agent was disclosed to news reporters. Libby has resigned his White House position.
In your opinion, do you think the charge against Libby represents (a serious) crime, or (a minor or technical) one?
Serious Minor or No
crime technical crime opin.
11/2/05 70 26 4
10/29/05 69 26 5
39. Do you think the prosecutor has brought this case against Libby (on the basis of the facts of the case), or (out of political motivations)?
Facts of Political Both No
the case motivations (vol.) opin.
11/2/05 54 31 6 8
10/29/05 55 30 6 8
40. It's been reported that another subject of the investigation has been Karl Rove, a close adviser to Bush. Given what you've heard or read, do you think Rove did anything wrong in connection with this case, or not? IF YES: Do you think he did something (unethical but not illegal), or do you think he did something (illegal)?
--------------Yes-------------- No
NET Illegal Not illegal No opin.
11/2/05 49 26 23 26 24
10/29/05 47 18 28 29 24
41. Do you think Rove should (remain in his position) or (resign from the White House)?
Remain Resign No opin.
11/2/05 30 59 11
42. Given what you've heard or read, do you think Vice President Cheney did anything wrong in connection with this case, or not? IF YES: Do you think he did something (unethical but not illegal), or do you think he did something (illegal)?
--------------Yes-------------- No
NET Illegal Not illegal No opin.
11/2/05 45 21 24 41 14
10/29/05 41 20 21 44 15
43. Given what you've heard or read, do you think Bush did anything wrong in connection with this case, or not? IF YES: Do you think he did something (unethical but not illegal), or do you think he did something (illegal)?
--------------Yes-------------- No
NET Illegal Not illegal No opin.
11/2/05 33 13 20 54 13
10/29/05 33 12 21 55 12
44. Do you think this case (is an isolated incident) or do you think it (indicates broader problems with ethical wrongdoing in the Bush administration)?
Isolated Broader No
incident problems opin.
11/2/05 43 52 5
10/29/05 41 55 4
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