Washington Post News Poll
The Washington PostSunday, October 15, 2006 (Updated Oct. 18)
Post Analysis of This Poll: Articles and Graphics | Submit a Question to the Post's Bob Barnes About this Poll
This Washington Post poll is based on telephone interviews with 1,004 randomly selected Virginia likely voters, and was conducted Oct. 10 - 12, 2006. The margin of sampling error for results based on likely voters is plus or minus 3 percentage points. Sampling, data collection, and tabuation by TNS of Horsham, PA.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. Are you registered to vote at your present address, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/12/06 78 22 *
10/26/05 74 26 *
9/9/05 72 28 *
2. I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in the election for U.S. Senate this November: Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?
Certain Probably Chances Less than Don't think No
to Vote vote 50/50 50/50 will vote(vol.) opin.
10/12/06 RV 67 17 10 4 1 1
10/26/05 RV 61 19 13 4 2 1
9/9/05 RV 68 18 9 4 1 0
10/25/01 RV 63 19 10 5 2 1
8/23/01 RV 68 16 10 5 1 *
8/27/00 RV 76 14 7 2 1 *
3. Would you say you are following this year's U.S. Senate race in the state of Virginia very closely, fairly closely, not too closely, or not closely at all?
------Closely------ -----Not closely----- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opin.
10/12/06 LV 90 52 38 10 8 2 *
10/26/05 LV 87 31 56 13 10 2 *
9/9/05 LV 73 20 53 27 20 7 *
9/9/05 RV 59 15 44 41 26 15 *
8/23/01 RV 60 16 44 39 26 13 1
8/27/00 RV 61 21 40 38 25 13 *
6/23/94 RV 74 27 47 27 18 9 *
2/3/94 73 27 46 27 18 9 *
9/28/93 RV 68 21 47 31 21 10 *
11/2/89 LV 88 39 49 12 9 3 *
4. As you may know, the candidates in November's election for U.S. Senate include: (George Allen, the Republican) and (James Webb, the Democrat) and Gail Parker, the Independent Green. Suppose the election was held today. For whom would you vote?
Net Leaned Vote:
Other None No
Allen Webb Parker (vol.) (vol.) opin.
10/12/06 LV 49 47 2 0 * 2
Compare to:
Other None Wouldn't No
Kilgore Kaine Potts (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opin.
10/26/05 LV 44 47 4 * * 1 3
9/9/05 RV 45 41 5 * 1 1 7
9/9/05 LV 51 44 4 0 0 * 2
5. Will you definitely vote for (CANDIDATE) in November, or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for someone else? If "Chance change mind", ask: Is there a good chance you'll change your mind or would you say it's pretty unlikely?
Allen:
--------Change mind--------
Definitely vote NET Good chance Unlikely No opinion
10/12/06 LV 76 21 8 13 3
Webb:
--------Change mind--------
Definitely vote NET Good chance Unlikely No opinion
10/12/06 LV 75 22 8 14 3
6. Thinking about his candidacy for U.S. Senate so far, how enthusiastic are you about (CANDIDATE)- very enthusiastic, fairly enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?
10/12/06 - Asked of Allen supporters:
---Enthusiastic---- --Not enthusiastic--- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opin.
a. George Allen 90 43 47 9 7 2 1
10/12/06 - Asked of Webb supporters:
---Enthusiastic---- --Not enthusiastic--- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opin.
b. James Webb 84 25 60 15 12 3 *
Compare to: 10/26/05 - Governor's race:
Jerry Kilgore 85 27 58 14 13 2 1
Tim Kaine 86 30 56 13 11 2 1
7. For each item I name, please tell me how important it will be in your vote for U.S. Senate this year.
10/12/06 - Summary Table, Likely Voters
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
a. The U.S campaign
against terrorism 81 36 45 19 16 2 1
b. The situation in Iraq 86 41 45 13 12 1 *
c. Transportation issues 53 15 39 46 38 8 1
d. Same-sex marriage 47 22 25 52 22 31 *
e. The economy 77 26 51 23 20 3 *
f. Ethics in government 78 33 45 21 17 4 1
g. Immigration issues 59 23 36 41 34 7 *
h. Health care 67 27 40 33 29 4 0
i. Abortion 49 19 30 50 29 21 1
j. Taxes 68 22 46 31 24 7 *
Items a-d asked of full sample, e-g and h-j asked of half sample.
8. In deciding who to support for U.S. Senate, what would you say is more important to you - the candidates' (positions on the issues) or the candidates' (personal values), or would you say they're equally important?
Positions Personal Equally No
on issues values important opin.
10/12/06 LV 34 5 61 *
Compare to Post-ABC national:
Positions Personal Equally No
on issues values important opin.
10/8/06 All 31 5 64 *
10/8/06 LV 33 5 62 *
9. 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 opin.
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
Compare to Post-ABC national:
Right Wrong No
direction track opin.
10/8/06 All 32 66 2
10/8/06 LV 34 64 2
10. Do you think the campaign for U.S. Senate has been too negative, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/12/06 LV 64 34 2
10/21/97 LV 48 45 7
9/28/93 LV 50 45 4
10/89 LV 70 25 5
9/89 LV 53 41 6
11. (IF THINKS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN TOO NEGATIVE) Who is most to blame for that, the (Allen campaign), the (Webb campaign) or something else?
10/12/06 LV
Allen campaign 20
Webb campaign 17
(VOL) Both 32
(VOL) Media 15
(VOL) General state of politics 5
(VOL) Democrats 1
(VOL) Republicans 1
(VOL) Negative campaigns work/are popular 1
Other 3
No Opinion 5
12. Amendment One on the November ballot would add to the state's Constitution a definition of marriage as being ONLY the union of one man and one woman.
It would also keep Virginia from creating or recognizing any legal status for relationships of unmarried persons that assign the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities or effects of marriage.
If the election were held today, would you vote yes or no on Amendment One?
Yes No No opinion
10/12/06 LV 53 43 4
13. (Supporters say the measure would mean that same-sex marriages would never be approved or recognized in the Commonwealth of Virginia.) (Opponents say the proposed language is too broad, and would endanger contracts made between unmarried heterosexual couples.)
With these arguments in mind, if the election were held today, would you vote yes or no on Amendment One?
Yes No No opinion
10/12/06 LV 48 47 5
14. Do you think homosexual couples should or should not be allowed to form legally recognized civil unions, giving them the legal rights of married couples in areas such as health insurance, inheritance and pension coverage?
Should Should not No opinion
10/12/06 LV 48 47 5
Compare to Post-ABC national:
---------Should-------- -------Should not------
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly No op.
6/4/06 45 28 17 48 7 41 7
3/7/04 51 32 19 46 9 37 3
2/22/04 45 30 16 48 7 41 7
1/18/04 46 NA NA 51 NA NA 4
9/7/03 40 NA NA 51 NA NA 9
15. Generally speaking, do you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of:
10/12/06 - Summary Table, Likely Voters
Favorable Unfavorable No opin.
a. Mark Warner 73 20 7
b. George Allen 53 43 4
c. James Webb 53 37 10
d. John Warner 66 25 9
e. Hillary Clinton 44 54 3
f. Tim Kaine 67 23 10
Items a-c asked of full sample, d-e and f asked of half sample.
Trend where available:
a. Mark Warner
Favorable Unfavorable No opin.
10/12/06 LV 73 20 7
10/26/05 LV 75 19 6
9/9/05 RV 69 23 8
10/25/01 LV 62 30 8
8/23/01 RV 65 23 12
b. George F. Allen
Favorable Unfavorable No opin.
10/12/06 LV 53 43 4
9/9/05 LV 63 31 6
9/9/05 RV 58 28 14
f. Tim Kaine
Favorable Unfavorable No opin.
10/12/06 LV 67 23 10
10/26/05 LV 58 33 8
9/9/05 RV 55 25 21
16. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether it describes George Allen very well, fairly well, not too well, or not well at all.
10/12/06 - Summary Table, Likely Voters
-------Well------ ------Not well------ No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opin.
a. He would stand up for issues
important to women 65 29 36 30 16 14 5
b. He would stand up for issues
important to African-Americans 56 25 31 39 22 17 5
c. He is tolerant of the points of
view of all Virginians 58 25 34 39 20 19 2
d. He understands the problems of
people like you 56 28 28 41 19 23 3
e. He is a strong leader 68 35 33 30 15 15 1
d. He is honest and trustworthy 66 30 36 32 15 17 3
e. He has strong family values 83 48 35 14 7 7 3
Items a-c asked of full sample, d-e and f-g asked of half sample.
17. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether it describes James Webb very well, fairly well, not too well, or not well at all.
10/12/06 - Summary Table, Likely Voters
-------Well------ ------Not well------ No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opin.
a. He would stand up for issues
important to women 62 21 40 29 17 12 9
b. He would stand up for issues
important to African-Americans 72 22 50 15 10 6 13
c. He is tolerant of the points of
view of all Virginians 68 22 46 24 16 9 8
d. He understands the problems of
people like you 56 18 38 35 17 18 8
e. He is a strong leader 62 22 41 28 17 11 9
d. He is honest and trustworthy 66 22 44 25 17 9 8
e. He has strong family values 76 28 48 11 7 4 13
Items a-c asked of full sample, d-e and f-g asked of half sample.
18. Does James Webb's military service make you (more) likely to support him for the U.S. Senate, (less) likely, or doesn't it affect your vote one way or the other?
More Less Doesn't No
likely likely affect vote opinion
10/12/06 LV 25 4 71 1
Compare to Post-ABC on John Kerry service in Vietnam:
More Less Doesn't No
likely likely affect opinion
9/8/04 RV 23 13 63 1
8/29/04 RV 24 14 61 1
Compare to Post-ABC George W. Bush's service in Texas National Guard:
More Less Doesn't No
likely likely affect opinion
9/8/04 RV 7 18 74 1
8/29/04 RV 7 22 70 1
19. 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.
10/12/06 LV 43 26 17 56 12 44 1
10/26/05 LV 44 NA NA 55 NA NA 2
9/9/05 LV 47 NA NA 51 NA NA 2
9/9/05 RV 47 NA NA 51 NA NA 2
Compare to Post-ABC national:
---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
10/8/06 All 39 23 16 60 12 48 1
10/8/06 LV 41 28 13 58 9 49 1
20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Allen is handling his job as U.S. Senator? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
10/12/06 LV 57 33 23 41 20 21 2
9/9/05 RV 67 NA NA 23 NA NA 10
21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Tim Kaine is handling his job as governor?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/12/06 LV 77 19 4
Compare to:
Mark Warner
---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Strongly Somewhat opin.
10/26/05 LV 80 NA NA 17 NA NA 3
9/9/05 LV 78 NA NA 21 NA NA 1
9/9/05 RV 76 NA NA 22 NA NA 2
Jim Gilmore
---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Strongly Somewhat opin.
10/25/01 LV 62 25 37 33 18 16 5
8/23/01 RV 57 NA NA 36 NA NA 7
8/27/00 RV 70 25 45 20 8 12 10
George F. Allen
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/21/97 LV 66 27 6
9/16/97 RV 67 26 7
22. Will one reason for your vote for U.S. Senate be to express (support for) Bush, to express (opposition to) Bush, or is Bush not a factor in your choice?
Support Opposition Not a factor No opinion
10/12/06 LV 12 25 63 *
Compare to Post-ABC national:
Support Opposition Not a factor No opinion
10/8/06 RV 18 35 47 1
10/8/06 LV 17 37 45 1
23. Changing topics: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Virginia state legislature is doing its job?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/12/06 LV 52 42 6
Compare to Post-ABC approval of U.S. Congress:
Approve Disapprove No opinion
10/8/2006 All 32 66 2
10/8/2006 LV 30 69 2
24. How satisfied are you with the state government when it comes to working for the best interests of people in your part of Virginia - very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied?
------Satisfied------ ----Dissatisfied----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opin.
10/12/06 LV 59 10 49 40 28 12 1
25. How important is it to you that the state government increase the amount it spends on transportation projects - extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important?
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
10/12/06 LV 55 26 29 45 38 7 *
26. As you may know, Governor Kaine called the state legislature into a special session on transportation, but they adjourned without reaching an agreement. Who do you blame the most for the failure to reach agreement - (Governor Kaine), (Republicans in the House of Delegates), (Republicans in the State Senate) or (Democrats in the State House and Senate)?
10/12/06 LV
Governor Kaine 13
Republicans in the House of Delegates 19
Republicans in the State Senate 18
Democrats in the State House and Senate 15
(VOL) All equally 17
No opinion 17
27. Would you favor or oppose a transportation plan that would allow voters to approve local tax increases to fund road projects in their area?
Favor Oppose No opin.
10/12/06 LV 69 30 1
10/26/05 LV 79 20 2
28. How would you most prefer that the state government increase the level of current funding for transportation projects - (reduce spending for other state services), (increase taxes on all Virginians), (increase user fees such as tolls), or some other way?
10/12/06 LV
Reduce spending for other state services 23
Increase taxes on all Virginians 17
Increase user fees such as tolls 32
(VOL) Some combination of these 2
(VOL) Gas tax 2
(VOL) Lottery funds 2
(VOL) Increase taxes on SOME Virginians 2
(VOL) Spend existing funds smarter/better 3
Some other way 5
No Opinion 11
29. 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?
----- Worth fighting ---- --- Not worth fighting -- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly op.
10/12/06 LV 44 31 13 54 8 46 2
Compare to Post-ABC national:
----- Worth fighting ---- --- Not worth fighting -- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly op.
10/8/06 All 35 25 10 63 13 50 2
10/8/06 LV 38 29 10 60 10 50 2
30. As it conducts the war on terrorism, do you think the United States government is or is not doing enough to protect the rights of American citizens?
Doing too No
Is Is not much (vol.) opin.
10/12/06 LV 53 44 1 2
Compare to Post-ABC national:
Doing too No
Is Is not much (vol.) opin.
5/15/06 All 52 47 * 2
31. Do you think George Allen would make a good president, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/12/06 LV 35 56 9
32. Do you think Mark Warner would make a good president, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/12/06 LV 51 41 8
33. Generally speaking, do you think the growing numbers of immigrants from other countries has been (good) for your community, (bad) for your community, or hasn't it made much difference?
No (VOL)None No
Good Bad diff. in commun. opin.
10/12/06 LV 25 32 40 * 2
10/26/05 LV 26 30 41 * 2
9/9/05 RV 21 33 44 1 1
8/23/01 RV 21 23 53 * 3
34. In its coverage of (NAME'S) Senate campaign, do you think the news media has treated (NAME) fairly or unfairly?
10/12/06 - Summary Table, Likely Voters
Fairly Unfairly No opinion
a. George Allen 58 36 5
b. James Webb 72 19 10
Each candidate was asked of half sample.
35. As you may know, Allen's campaign has criticized the language Webb used in a 1979 article denouncing the idea of women serving in combat roles and at the U.S. Naval Academy. In thinking about your vote for U.S. Senate this year, will Webb's past comments about women in the military 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 op.
10/12/06 LV 17 6 11 82 27 55 1
36. 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 op.
10/12/06 LV 25 11 14 74 28 46 1
37. Based on what you know, do you think George Allen's comments to the Indian-American Webb supporter were intentionally racist, racist but not intentionally so, or not racist at all?
Intentionally Racist but not Not racist No
racist intentionally so at all opin.
10/12/06 LV 18 44 33 5
Compare to: Time/CNN Based on what you have heard or read, do you think Trent Lott's statement (at a birthday celebration for Senator Strom Thurmond that some have interpreted as racist) was intentionally racist, racist but not intentionally so, or not racist at all?
Intentionally Racist but not Not racist No
racist intentionally so at all opin.
12/18/02 22 49 14 15
