Washington Post Poll
This Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone April 28 to May 4, 2011, among a random sample of 1,180 adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including 1,040 registered voters and users of both conventional and cellular phones. 677 interviews conducted before targeting killing of Osama bin Laden; 503 afterward. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
Note: when listed, results labeled 4/28-5/1 designate interviews conducted before the killing of Osama bin Laden, and results labeled 5/2-5/4 are interviews conducted afterward.
1. Do you think things in THE STATE OF VIRGINIA (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 opinion
5/4/11 52 39 9
8/14/09 47 45 7
10/8/07 52 43 5
10/12/06 LV 67 30 3
10/26/05 LV 70 25 5
9/9/05 RV 65 31 4
8/23/01 RV 59 34 7
8/27/00 RV 71 22 7
6/23/94 RV 53 38 8
2/3/94 55 36 9
2. 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 opinion
5/4/11 31 65 4
8/14/09 37 58 5
9/21/08 RV 15 83 3
10/26/05 LV 34 64 3
3. Please tell me if each of the following does or does not describe your own personal feelings about American politics today.
a. Angry
Does describe Does not describe No opinion
5/4/11 44 54 2
6/3/07 49 50 1
b. Hopeful
Does describe Does not describe No opinion
5/4/11 44 54 2
6/3/07 63 36 1
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 52 29 23 43 12 31 5
4/28-5/1 49 27 21 46 11 35 6
5/2-5/4 57 31 26 40 13 27 3
10/25/09 RV 57 37 20 40 12 28 3
10/7/09 RV 58 37 21 39 11 28 3
9/17/09 LV 53 38 15 47 11 36 1
8/14/09 RV 57 39 17 41 11 31 2
5. How do you personally feel about the Obama administration's policies --enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
-- Enthusiastic/Satisfied -- --- Dissatisfied/angry ---- No
NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Dissatisfied Angry opinion
5/4/11 48 10 38 50 34 16 2
4/28-5/1 47 10 38 51 31 20 2
5/2-5/4 47 10 37 50 37 13 3
Compare to: How do you personally feel about the Bush administration's policies --enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
-- Enthusiastic/Satisfied -- --- Dissatisfied/angry ---- No
NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Dissatisfied Angry opinion
6/3/07 33 5 28 65 38 27 2
6. How do you personally feel about the policies offered by the Republicans in Congress – enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
-- Enthusiastic/Satisfied -- --- Dissatisfied/angry ---- No
NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Dissatisfied Angry opinion
5/4/11 36 5 32 58 39 19 6
Turning to Virginia’s representatives,
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [NAME] is handling his job as U.S. Senator?
a. Jim Webb
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 55 17 38 27 14 13 18
8/14/09 51 NA NA 29 NA NA 20
9/21/08 RV 54 NA NA 24 NA NA 21
10/8/07 50 NA NA 27 NA NA 22
b. Mark Warner
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 61 22 38 24 14 10 16
8/14/09 67 30 37 23 11 11 11
10/26/05 LV* 80 NA NA 17 NA NA 3
9/9/05 RV 76 NA NA 22 NA NA 2
*2005: “job as governor”
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob McDonnell is handling his job as governor?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 62 21 40 26 13 14 12
9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ken Cuccinelli (COO-CHIN-ELLY) is handling his job as attorney general?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 46 18 28 27 10 18 27
10. Thinking back to when Tim Kaine was governor, would say you approve or disapprove of the way Kaine handled his job as governor?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 58 24 34 30 14 15 12
5/4/11 RV 58 25 33 31 15 16 11
10/25/09 LV* 58 23 35 38 17 21 4
10/7/09 LV 60 25 36 37 19 19 2
9/17/09 LV 59 27 33 38 17 22 2
8/14/09 All 56 21 34 36 18 18 8
9/21/08 RV 66 25 9
10/8/07 All 63 25 12
10/12/06 LV 77 19 4
*2009 and previous: “is handling his job as governor”
11. Thinking back to when George Allen was in the Senate, would you say you approve or disapprove of the way Allen handled his job as U.S. senator?
---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
5/4/11 54 18 36 23 11 12 23
5/4/11 RV 55 18 37 25 12 13 20
10/12/06 LV* 57 33 23 41 20 21 2
9/9/05 RV 67 NA NA 23 NA NA 10
*2006 and previous: “is handling his job as U.S. Senator”
12. Generally speaking, do you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of (NAME)? How about (NEXT ITEM)? IF NEEDED: Do you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of (NAME)?
5/4/11 – Summary Table
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. George Allen 51 16 35 26 15 11 23
b. Tim Kaine 56 17 38 28 16 12 17
c. Barack Obama 55 34 22 41 13 27 4
d. Jamie Radtke 13 3 10 9 7 2 79
e. Eric Cantor 29 10 19 24 13 11 48
Trend where available:
a. George Allen
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 51 16 35 26 15 11 23
10/12/06 LV 53 NA NA 43 NA NA 4
9/9/05 RV 58 NA NA 28 NA NA 14
9/16/97 60 NA NA 26 NA NA 13
9/28/93 RV 43 NA NA 36 NA NA 21
b. Tim Kaine
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 56 17 38 28 16 12 17
10/12/06 LV 67 NA NA 23 NA NA 10
10/26/05 LV 58 NA NA 33 NA NA 8
9/9/05 RV 55 NA NA 25 NA NA 21
c. Barack Obama
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 55 34 22 41 13 27 4
4/28-5/1 52 33 19 44 12 32 4
5/2-5/4 59 33 26 38 14 24 3
10/25/08 RV 67 46 21 30 8 22 3
d-e. No trend.
13. (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) Thinking about next year’s Democratic primary or convention for U.S. Senate, if the election were held today and the candidates for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate were (Tim Kaine) and (Bobby Scott), for whom would you vote? Which one are you leaning toward right now?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Other Neither Would not No
Kaine Scott (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 67 18 * NA 1 14
5/4/11 RV 67 17 * NA * 14
14. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Thinking about next year’s Republican primary, if the election were held today and the candidates for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate were (George Allen), (Timothy Donner), (Jamie Radtke), (Bob Marshall), (Corey Stewart), (Earl Jackson) and (David McCormick), who would you like to win the nomination? Which one are you leaning toward right now?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
5/4/11 5/4/11 RV
George Allen 54 57
Timothy Donner * *
Jamie Radtke 2 2
Bob Marshall 4 3
Corey Stewart 3 2
Earl Jackson 1 1
David McCormick 3 3
Another candidate (vol.) 3 3
Would not vote (vol.) 2 2
No opinion 28 27
15. If the November 2012 election for U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were (Tim Kaine, the Democrat) and (George Allen, the Republican), for whom would you vote? Which one are you leaning toward right now?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Other Neither Would not No
Kaine Allen (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 47 44 * NA 3 6
5/4/11 RV 46 46 * NA 2 6
16. If the November 2012 election for U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were (Tim Kaine, the Democrat) and (Jamie Radtke, the Republican), for whom would you vote? Which one are you leaning toward right now?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Other Neither Would not No
Kaine Radtke (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 57 29 1 NA 4 9
5/4/11 RV 57 31 1 NA 3 9
17. For each item I name, please tell me how important it will be in your vote for U.S. Senate this year. - extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important?
5/4/11 – Summary Table*
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
a. The economy 92 58 34 8 7 1 1
b. The federal budget
deficit 81 50 31 18 15 3 1
c. Transportation issues 41 20 22 56 45 11 2
d. Immigration issues 57 32 25 42 28 14 2
e. Health care 77 48 29 22 18 5 *
f. Abortion 42 25 18 54 25 29 3
g. Taxes 73 37 35 26 24 3 1
h. Foreign policy 55 24 31 43 37 6 2
i. The U.S campaign
against terrorism 69 38 31 30 26 4 1
j. Education 79 49 31 20 17 3 *
*Full sample asked items a-b; half sample asked items c-f; other half sample asked item g-j.
Trend:
a. The economy
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 92 58 34 8 7 1 1
5/4/11 RV 92 58 34 7 7 1 1
10/12/06 LV 77 26 51 23 20 3 *
b. The federal budget deficit
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 81 50 31 18 15 3 1
5/4/11 RV 82 51 31 17 15 2 1
c. Transportation issues
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 41 20 22 56 45 11 2
5/4/11 RV 41 18 23 56 45 11 2
10/12/06 LV 53 15 39 46 38 8 1
d. Immigration issues
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 57 32 25 42 28 14 2
5/4/11 RV 56 33 23 43 28 14 1
10/12/06 LV 59 23 36 41 34 7 *
e. Health care
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 77 48 29 22 18 5 *
5/4/11 RV 76 47 30 23 18 5 1
10/12/06 LV 67 27 40 33 29 4 0
f. Abortion
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 42 25 18 54 25 29 3
5/4/11 RV 40 23 18 56 26 30 3
10/12/06 LV 49 19 30 50 29 21 1
g. Taxes
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 73 37 35 26 24 3 1
5/4/11 RV 72 38 35 27 24 3 1
10/12/06 LV 68 22 46 31 24 7 *
h. Foreign policy
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 55 24 31 43 37 6 2
5/4/11 RV 57 24 33 41 35 6 1
i. The U.S campaign against terrorism
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 68 38 31 30 26 4 1
5/4/11 RV 69 38 31 30 25 4 1
10/12/06 LV 81 36 45 19 16 2 1
j. Education
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/4/11 79 49 31 20 17 3 *
5/4/11 RV 77 47 30 23 20 3 *
18. Looking ahead, will one reason for your vote for U.S. Senate be to express (support for) President Obama, to express (opposition to) Obama, or is Obama not a factor in your choice?
Support Opposition Obama not a factor No opinion
5/4/11 27 20 50 2
5/4/11 RV 26 21 51 2
10/25/09 LV* 14 15 70 *
*”vote for governor”
19. During the 2006 Senate campaign George Allen made comments to an Indian-American supporter of Allen’s opponent at a campaign rally that were interpreted by some as racially insensitive, a claim Allen denied. In thinking about the 2012 Senate race, will Allen’s comments at that 2006 campaign event be extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important in your vote?
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all opinion
5/4/11 19 10 10 78 26 53 2
5/4/11 RV 20 10 9 78 25 53 2
Compare to: As you may have seen or heard, Allen’s comments to an Indian-American Webb supporter at a campaign rally have been interpreted by some as racially insensitive, a claim Allen denies. In thinking about your vote for U.S. Senate this year, will Allen’s comments at that campaign event be extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important?
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all opinion
10/12/06 LV 25 11 14 74 28 46 1
20. As you may know, Tim Kaine served as both Virginia governor and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee for much of 2009. Overall, do you think Kaine’s work for the DNC (helped) his performance as governor, (hurt) it or did it not make much of a difference?
Did not make much
Helped Hurt of a difference No opinion
5/4/11 20 15 54 11
5/4/11 RV 20 16 55 9
Compare to: As you may know, Governor Kaine is also serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Overall, do you think Kaine's work for the DNC (helps) his performance as governor, (hurts) it or does it not make much of a difference?
Helps Hurts No difference No opinion
8/14/09 16 24 53 6
21. Do you think Bob McDonnell would make a good vice-president, or not?
Yes No No opinion
5/4/11 36 38 26
22. On another subject, 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 opinion
5/4/11 11 1 10 89 40 49 *
6/3/07 44 6 38 55 37 18 1
23. Which best describes your family’s financial situation? Do you feel as if you (are getting ahead financially), have just enough money to maintain your standard of living, or (are falling behind financially)?
Have just enough
Getting ahead money to maintain Falling behind No
financially your standard of living financially opinion
5/4/11 19 54 27 *
6/3/07 33 50 16 1
24. Overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the changes to the health care system that have been enacted by (Congress) and (the Obama administration)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 42 23 20 48 12 36 9
10/25/09 LV* 43 29 14 53 9 44 4
*”…the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by…”
On another subject,
25. Do you think it should be LEGAL or ILLEGAL for gay and lesbian couples to get married? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--------- Legal --------- -------- Illegal -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 47 30 17 43 8 35 11
Compare to: National trend
--------- Legal --------- -------- Illegal -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/13/11 53 36 17 44 9 35 3
2/8/10 47 31 16 50 9 42 3
4/24/09* 49 31 18 46 7 39 5
6/4/06 36 24 13 58 7 51 5
8/28/05 39 NA NA 58 NA NA 3
8/29/04 RV 32 18 14 62 10 52 5
3/7/04 38 24 14 59 11 48 3
2/22/04 39 25 13 55 6 49 6
1/18/04 41 NA NA 55 NA NA 4
9/7/03 37 NA NA 55 NA NA 7
*2009 "gay and lesbian" and "homosexual" wordings half sampled. 2005 "gay and lesbian", others "homosexual"
26. Do you think it should be LEGAL or ILLEGAL for gay and lesbian couples in Virginia to adopt a child? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--------- Legal --------- -------- Illegal -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/4/11 55 32 22 35 7 28 10
27. Some people think the government in Washington (is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and private businesses). Others disagree and think the government (should do more to solve our country's biggest problems). Which of these two views is closer to your own?
Washington doing Gov’t should do
too many things more to solve probs No opinion
5/4/11 56 36 8
8/14/09 55 40 5
6/3/07 50 43 5
28. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
------ Legal ------ ----- Illegal -----
All Most Most All No
NET cases cases NET cases cases opinion
5/4/11 All 53 17 36 40 26 14 6
5/4/11 RV 54 18 36 39 26 13 7
10/7/09 LV 59 24 35 38 27 11 3
9/17/09 LV 58 19 40 39 27 12 3
8/14/09 All 55 18 37 42 26 16 3
9/21/08 RV 60 22 38 38 25 12 3
6/3/07 All 55 18 37 40 25 15 4
10/26/05 LV 61 21 39 38 28 10 2
9/9/05 RV 55 21 35 43 28 15 2
10/25/01 LV 57 21 36 39 28 11 4
8/23/01 RV 57 21 37 39 27 12 3
10/26/00 LV 58 18 40 38 27 12 4
8/27/00 RV 57 18 39 38 26 12 5
Questions 29 through 31 held for release
32. As you may know, Obama has announced that he is running for re-election in 2012. Would you say you will definitely vote for him, you’ll consider voting for him, or you definitely will not vote for him?
Definitely Will Definitely No
will consider will not opinion
5/4/11 VA 30 28 39 2
4/28-5/1 29 26 43 2
5/2-5/4 30 33 35 2
4/17/11 Nat. 28 25 45 2
12/12/10* Nat. 26 30 43 2
11/23/09** Nat. 24 31 41 4
*”If Obama runs...would you...”
**” Thinking ahead to 2012, at this point would you…”
33. If the 2012 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat) and ([ITEM], the Republican), for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward (Obama) or toward ([ITEM])? (ORDER SCRAMBLED)
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
5/4/11 – Summary Table – all adults
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opin.
a. Sarah Palin 60 31 * 3 4 2
b. Mitt Romney 51 41 * 2 2 4
c. Mike Huckabee 52 42 * 1 2 3
d. Tim Pawlenty 54 34 * 3 2 7
e. Donald Trump 58 31 * 3 5 3
5/4/11 – Summary Table – registered voters
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opin.
a. Sarah Palin 59 33 * 3 4 2
b. Mitt Romney 50 44 * 2 1 4
c. Mike Huckabee 52 44 * 1 1 2
d. Tim Pawlenty 54 36 * 2 1 6
e. Donald Trump 58 32 * 3 5 2
Comparisons and pre- and post-Osama bin Laden among registered voters:
a. Sarah Palin
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Palin (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 59 33 * 3 4 2
4/28-5/1 55 36 1 3 4 2
5/2-5/4 61 30 - 3 4 1
b. Mitt Romney
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 50 44 * 2 1 4
4/28-5/1 48 46 - 1 1 4
5/2-5/4 51 44 * 2 1 3
c. Mike Huckabee
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Huckabee (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 52 44 * 1 1 2
4/28-5/1 50 46 - 1 1 2
5/2-5/4 53 44 - 1 1 2
d. Tim Pawlenty
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Pawlenty (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 54 36 * 2 1 6
4/28-5/1 51 38 * 2 1 7
5/2-5/4 55 35 * 2 2 6
e. Donald Trump
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Trump (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/4/11 58 32 * 3 5 2
4/28-5/1 54 35 - 3 5 3
5/2-5/4 61 30 * 3 5 1
Question 34 held for release.
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what? IF NOT DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN: Do you lean more towards the (Democratic Party) or (Republican Party)?
-Non-Partisans--
Lean Lean No
Democrat Republican Independent Other No op. Dem. Rep. Lean
5/4/11 31 22 36 7 4 17 17 11
5/4/11 RV 32 24 35 6 3 15 17 10
10/25/09 LV 31 30 34 4 1 12 19 8
10/25/09 RV 34 25 35 5 1 14 17 10
10/25/09 33 24 34 6 2 14 16 14
10/7/09 LV 31 30 36 2 1 13 20 6
10/7/09 RV 33 27 35 4 1 14 16 10
10/7/09 33 25 34 6 2 14 15 13
9/17/09 LV 32 29 34 5 * 12 19 8
9/17/09 RV 34 27 32 5 1 12 15 11
9/17/09 33 25 33 7 2 12 14 16
8/14/09 LV 27 34 34 4 1 11 20 8
8/14/09 RV 31 29 35 4 1 13 17 9
8/14/09 31 28 37 3 1 15 16 11
10/25/08 LV 36 28 33 4 * 15 14 8
10/25/08 RV 36 28 33 4 * 15 13 9
10/25/08 35 26 31 6 1 14 12 12
9/21/08 LV 33 28 34 5 1 15 16 8
9/21/08 RV 34 25 35 6 1 15 16 10
9/21/08 33 24 34 7 2 15 15 13
10/8/07 RV 32 29 34 4 1 15 13 11
10/8/07 30 27 38 4 1 18 13 11
6/3/07 RV 33 29 29 4 4 12 11 14
6/3/07 34 27 28 4 6 12 12 16
10/12/06 LV 33 32 32 3 * 14 12 9
10/26/05 LV 33 37 26 3 1 13 10 6
9/9/05 LV 34 37 25 4 * 12 13 5
9/9/05 RV 32 34 29 4 * 13 13 7
10/25/01 LV 31 37 26 5 1 10 12 10
8/23/01 LV 35 38 24 3 * 12 11 4
8/23/01 RV 32 33 29 5 1 15 12 8
10/26/00 LV 33 32 28 6 1 11 13 10
8/27/00 LV 30 36 29 5 1 11 13 10
8/27/00 RV 29 34 32 5 1 12 14 11
10/21/97 LV 31 32 31 5 1 12 14 11
9/16/97 LV 30 31 33 4 1 13 14 11
9/16/97 RV 28 31 35 4 1 14 14 17
6/23/94 29 29 32 8 2 12 15 18
9/28/93 RV 30 30 35 4 1 13 12 10
11/2/89 LV 33 32 31 3 1 NA NA NA
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