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Post/Kaiser/Harvard Poll: Older Voters

Sunday, October 20, 2002

The latest Post/Kaiser/Harvard study was conducted by telephone August 2 – September 1, 2002 among a nationally representative sample of 2,886 adult respondents. The margin of sampling error for overall results is plus or minus two percentage points. Fieldwork was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates of Princeton NJ.

 

 

Total n/ Margin of error for key subgroups:

       315 Ages 18-29, plus or minus 6 percentage points

       543 Ages 30-49, plus or minus 4 percentage points

       939 Ages 50-64, plus or minus 5 percentage points

       1036            Age 65 and over, plus or minus 3 percentage points

 

Note: Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

Note: An asterisk indicates a value of less than .5%.

 

 

Q.1a     Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

 

 

Approve

Disapprove

DK/Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

63

26

11

18-29:

62

25

13

30-49:

67

22

11

50-64:

62

30

8

65 and over:

59

28

13

 

 

 

 

7/28/02:

69

28

3

7/15/02:

72

25

2

6/17/02:

74

22

4

6/9/02:

77

20

3

5/19/02:

76

22

3

4/21/02:

78

20

2

3/28/02;

79

18

3

3/10/02:

82

16

2

1/27/02:

83

14

3

12/19/01:

86

12

2

11/27/01:

89

9

1

11/6/01:

89

9

2

10/9/01:

92

6

1

9/27/01:

90

6

4

9/13/01:

86

12

2

9/9/01:

55

41

3

8/12/01:

61

31

8

7/30/01:

59

38

3

6/3/01:

55

0

6

4/22/01:

63

32

5

3/25/01:

58

33

8

2/25/01:

55

23

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q.1b     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 Direction

Wrong Track

DK/Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

38

53

10

18-29:

40

51

9

30-49:

38

52

9

50-64:

38

53

9

65 and over:

32

54

14

 

 

 

 

2/21/02:

54

42

4

2/14/99:

55

41

4

11/1/98:

55

43

2

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

9/4/96 – RV’s:

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’s:

22

76

2

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

 

Right Direction

Wrong Track

DK/Ref.

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

10/25/88 – RV’s:

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

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

Q.1c     Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S Congress is doing its job?

 

 

Approve

Disapprove

DK/Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

46

39

15

18-29:

57

28

15

30-49:

49

38

13

50-64:

40

49

11

65 and over:

32

46

23

 

 

 

 

7/15/02:

57

36

7

2/21/02:

57

39

4

1/27/02:

58

35

7

12/19/01:

59

34

7

9/9/01:

45

48

7

7/30/01:

48

48

4

4/22/01:

58

33

8

10/31/99:

42

53

6

9/2/99:

46

47

7

6/6/99:

48

46

6

3/14/99:

44

49

7

2/14/99:

46

50

4

12/20/98:

44

51

5

12/19/98:

45

50

5

12/13/98:

49

46

5

11/7/98:

41

55

4

11/1/98:

49

47

5

10/25/98:

45

44

11

10/18/98:

46

45

8

9/28/98:

52

44

4

8/21/98:

55

39

6

7/12/98:

46

44

11

5/12/98:

45

45

9

4/4/98:

47

45

8

1/31/98:

55

35

10

1/30/98:

55

35

10

1/25/98:

56

37

8

1/24/98:

55

38

7

1/19/98:

47

49

5

10/13/97:

36

57

7

8/27/97:

39

54

7

7/8/97:

40

53

6

4/24/97:

40

53

7

3/9/97:

35

60

5

8/5/96:

42

52

7

6/30/96:

35

58

7

5/22/96:

35

60

5

 

 

Approve

Disapprove

DK/Ref.

3/10/96:

30

64

6

1/7/96:

31

65

5

11/19/95:

27

68

5

10/1/95:

32

65

3

7/17/95:

34

63

3

3/19/95:

39

56

5

1/29/95:

42

52

6

10/31/94:

21

72

8

10/23/94:

18

78

4

9/11/94:

24

70

5

6/26/94:

34

61

5

3/27/94:

35

62

3

2/27/94:

32

64

4

1/23/94:

29

60

11

11/14/93:

28

66

6

8/8/93:

33

64

3

4/26/93:

30

69

2

1/17/93:

29

66

6

4/9/92:

17

78

5

3/18/92:

19

76

5

3/8/92:

22

73

6

2/2/92:

32

64

4

12/15/91:

35

59

6

10/21/91:

45

50

5

6/2/91:

49

46

5

10/14/90:

34

63

3

2/4/90:

41

55

4

1/16/90:

39

55

6

8/21/89:

42

53

5

5/23/89:

54

44

2

2/14/89:

53

44

3

1/23/88:

43

53

4

6/1/87:

54

40

4

6/22/85:

54

37

9

5/83:

33

43

24

6/81:

38

40

22

6/79:

19

61

20

9/78:

29

49

22

6/77:

34

42

24

6/75:

29

54

17

8/74:

48

35

17

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Trends from 8/74 to 6/87 are from Gallup.

 

Q.1d.    I’d l30-49 you to rate the chances that you will vote in the November election for the U.S. House of Representatives in the Congressional district where you live.  Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, or are the chances 50-50 or less that you will vote?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

53

31

54

64

65

Absolutely certain

19

23

20

15

16

Probably will vote

25

42

24

19

14

50-50 or less

3

4

2

1

5

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.2a.    If that election for the U.S. House of Representative were being held TODAY, would you vote for... the Republican Party’s candidate (or) the Democratic Party’s candidate?

 

Q.2b.    As of TODAY, do you LEAN more toward...

 

 

TOTAL PUBLIC

 

Republican/Lean Rep.

Democrat/ Lean Dem.

Neither (vol.)

Wouldn’t vote (vol.)

DK

9/1/02 Total:

40

44

7

3

5

18-29:

42

41

8

4

4

30-49:

42

41

8

3

5

50-64:

35

51

5

3

4

65 and over:

40

48

5

1

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/15/02:

45

47

2

1

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGISTERED VOTERS

 

Republican/Lean Rep.

Democrat/ Lean Dem.

Neither (vol.)

Wouldn’t vote (vol.)

DK

9/1/02 Total:

42

47

6

1

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/15/02:

47

47

1

1

4

1/27/02:

50

43

2

1

5

9/6/00:

42

49

2

1

6

7/23/00:

45

46

3

1

5

2/27/00:

46

45

2

1

5

10/31/99:

43

50

3

1

3

9/2/99:

44

48

3

*

5

3/14/99:

41

50

2

1

6

2/14/99:

41

48

3

1

7

1/30/99:

39

49

8

1

3

11/1/98:

43

51

4

1

2

10/25/98:

43

48

3

1

4

10/18/98:

44

49

3

1

4

9/28/98:

44

49

2

*

4

8/21/98:

45

48

3

1

3

7/12/98:

45

47

2

*

6

1/31/98:

40

49

2

1

8

1/19/98:

44

47

3

1

5

10/8/96:

41

51

2

1

5

9/29/96:

41

48

3

1

7

9/22/96:

43

50

2

1

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republican/Lean Rep.

Democrat/ Lean Dem.

Neither (vol.)

Wouldn’t vote (vol.)

DK

9/15/96:

45

49

1

1

4

9/4/96:

44

48

3

*

5

8/29/96:

39

53

3

1

5

8/28/96:

40

51

3

1

5

8/27/96:

41

51

3

0

5

8/26/96:

41

51

3

0

5

8/25/96:

43

48

3

1

6

8/24/96:

43

49

2

1

6

8/19/96:

42

45

3

0

6

8/18/96:

46

46

3

0

6

8/15/96:

43

48

4

1

5

8/14/96:

42

49

3

1

6

8/13/96:

43

49

3

0

5

8/12/96:

42

49

3

1

5

8/11/96:

40

49

4

1

6

8/10/96:

41

48

4

1

5

8/4/96:

45

48

2

1

4

6/30/96:

44

49

3

*

3

5/22/96:

41

52

3

1

3

3/10/96:

43

51

2

*

4

1/21/96:

43

52

3

1

1

10/1/95:

44

49

3

*

3

11/6/94:

42

47

5

2

5

10/31/94:

44

48

4

1

3

10/23/94:

45

50

2

1

2

10/9/94:

47

46

3

2

2

9/11/94:

45

50

1

1

4

8/7/94:

42

49

4

1

4

2/27/94:

40

50

8

1

2

10/21/91:

41

51

4

*

4

7/28/91:

41

49

6

*

3

6/2/91:

42

48

4

1

5

11/4/90:

41

51

5

*

3

10/14/90:

41

50

5

*

3

9/9/90:

46

47

3

1

3

7/24/90:

41

51

4

1

4

5/21/90:

45

47

5

1

2

10/10/88:

41

52

2

1

4

9/19/88:

39

51

3

1

6

6/22/85:

44

48

5

*

3

10/16/84:

44

52

2

na

5

9/11/84:

45

53

2

na

1

7/8/84:

40

58

2

na

1

10/27/82:

39

58

na

na

3

10/11/82:

36

55

na

na

9

9/13/82:

36

58

na

na

6

11/22/81:

41

53

na

na

7

 

Q.3       Now I’m going to read you a list of issues that might be discussed during this year’s congressional campaign. 

 

IF Q.2a=1,2 or Q.2b=1-9: As I read each one, please tell me if this will be one of the MOST important issues in deciding your vote for Congress, very important, somewhat important, or not too important.  (First,) what about… 

 

IF Q.2a=4: As I read each one, please tell me if this is one of the MOST important issues to you, very important, somewhat important, or not too important.  (First,) what about… 

 

 

One of the most imp.

Very imp.

Somewhat imp.

Not too imp.

DK/ Ref.

a.   The economy

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

22

61

13

2

1

18-29:

22

59

16

3

1

30-49:

20

65

13

1

1

50-64:

28

57

13

1

*

65 and over:

21

61

11

3

5

b.   Education

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

22

60

14

3

1

18-29:

29

62

8

1

*

30-49:

20

61

16

3

*

50-64:

22

56

18

4

1

65 and over:

19

63

11

5

2

c.   Social Security

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

18

55

21

6

*

18-29:

15

46

27

11

0

30-49:

11

58

25

6

*

50-64:

24

58

14

3

*

65 and over:

29

58

9

3

1

d.   Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

15

50

27

6

1

18-29:

14

50

29

7

*

30-49:

14

52

29

5

*

50-64:

17

48

29

6

1

65 and over:

15

51

19

8

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most imp.

Very imp.

Somewhat imp.

Not too imp.

DK/ Ref.

e.   Moral values

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

19

51

20

8

2

18-29:

17

46

26

11

*

30-49:

19

51

21

8

2

50-64:

22

53

16

8

1

65 and over:

22

56

12

6

5

f.    The war against terrorism

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

28

56

11

3

1

18-29:

29

55

11

5

0

30-49:

24

59

13

3

1

50-64:

34

52

11

2

1

65 and over:

25

57

9

3

5

g.   Crime

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

15

58

20

6

1

18-29:

16

55

23

6

0

30-49:

14

59

21

5

1

50-64:

16

57

21

6

1

65 and over:

20

58

14

6

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

h.   The environment

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

13

49

29

7

1

18-29:

15

45

31

9

*

30-49:

12

51

30

7

*

50-64:

13

51

29

6

*

65 and over:

13

49

22

10

6

i.    Local issues in your area

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

10

46

32

10

2

18-29

11

40

39

10

1

30-49

9

50

30

10

2

50-64

10

45

34

10

1

65 and over:

12

47

24

11

6

 

 

One of the most imp.

Very imp.

Somewhat imp.

Not too imp.

DK/ Ref.

ALWAYS ASK ITEMS k & j AS A PAIR, IN ORDER:

 

 

 

k.   Medicare

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

17

51

24

8

*

18-29:

14

42

32

12

*

30-49:

12

49

30

9

0

50-64:

21

59

15

5

*

65 and over:

26

61

10

2

2

j.    Health care other than Medicare

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

17

55

21

6

2

18-29:

14

53

26

6

*

30-49:

14

54

24

7

1

50-64:

23

58

16

3

1

65 and over:

20

55

14

5

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4a.            (WORDING VARIES DEPENDING ON RESPONSE TO Q.2a/2b):

 

IF Q.2a=1,2 or Q.2b=1-9: Which ONE of the following do you think will be the MOST important issue in deciding your vote…

 

IF Q.2a=4: Which ONE of the following is the MOST important issue to you…

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

12

13

11

16

11

The war against terrorism

9

8

9

11

7

The economy

8

13

7

5

5

Education

7

6

9

7

6

Moral values

5

3

2

7

12

Social Security

4

1

3

6

5

Health care other than Medicare

3

4

2

2

2

Taxes

3

3

3

3

1

The environment

3

3

2

2

3

Local issues in your area

3

3

1

3

7

Medicare

2

1

2

2

3

Crime

41

40

48

33

35

No ‘Most Important’ Responses

2

1

1

3

4

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.5a     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

DK/ Ref.
9/1/02 Total:

2

35

46

15

1

18-29:

4

40

42

13

1

30-49:

2

35

48

14

1

50-64:

2

34

44

19

1

65 and over:

1

31

46

18

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

6/24-7/21/02:

1

35

45

19

na

5/27-6/23/02:

1

39

47

13

na

4/29-5/26/02:

2

39

46

13

na

4/1-4/28/02:

1

40

45

14

na

3/4-3/31/02:

2

43

42

12

na

2/4-3/3/02:

3

34

49

14

na

1/7-2/3/02:

1

32

49

18

na

9/4-10/1/00:

11

65

17

7

na

9/7-10/4/98:

13

61

21

5

na

9/2-9/29/96:

2

40

40

18

na

9/5-10/2/94:

1

29

46

24

na

9/7-10/4/92:

0

9

46

45

na

9/3/30/90:

2

21

50

27

na

9/5-10/2/98:

4

39

43

14

na

9/1-28/86:

2

37

43

18

na

 

NOTE: Trends from ABC/Money.

 

 

Q.6       Overall, which political party…  (INSERT CHOICES BELOW -- ORDER ROTATED BY FORM) do you trust to do a better job in coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years?

 

            FORM A1/B1: the Republicans (or)

            FORM A2/B2: the Democrats (or)

 

 

Reps.

Dems.

Both (vol.)

Neither (vol.)

DK/ Ref

9/1/02 Total:

39

38

4

9

10

18-29:

43

38

3

7

9

30-49:

40

36

3

10

11

50-64:

37

39

5

10

9

65 and over:

35

42

4

8

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/99:

39

45

4

9

4

6/99:

35

45

3

13

5

3/99:

37

47

5

9

3

2/99:

37

48

4

7

4

10/15-18/98:

36

44

3

12

6

10/8-10/98

36

47

4

8

5

9/98:

38

49

2

8

3

8/98:

36

48

4

9

3

7/98:

38

45

3

8

6

1/23-31/98:

37

47

4

6

7

1/15-19/98:

42

45

2

7

4

 

Q.7       Please tell me which political party…  (INSERT CHOICES BELOW – ORDER ROTATED BY FORM) you trust to do a better job handling each of the following.  (First,) what about…  (INSERT--READ AND RANDOMIZE)?

 

            FORM A1/B1: the Republicans (or)

            FORM A2/B2: the Democrats (or)

 

 

Reps.

Dems.

Both equally

Neither

DK/ Ref.

 

a.   The economy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

40

40

4

7

9

 

18-29:

43

40

4

5

7

 

30-49:

43

37

3

8

9

 

50-64:

36

43

5

8

8

 

65 and over:

35

43

5

7

10

 

b.   Social Security

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

33

48

4

6

9

 

18-29:

37

48

3

3

9

 

30-49:

35

44

3

8

9

 

50-64:

28

54

4

6

8

 

65 and over:

31

49

5

7

9

 

c.   The cost of prescription drugs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

29

46

4

8

12

 

18-29:

36

45

3

5

11

 

30-49:

30

44

5

8

12

 

50-64:

24

54

4

8

10

 

65 and over:

24

43

5

12

16

 

d.   The needs of older Americans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

32

49

4

6

9

 

18-29:

39

45

2

4

9

 

30-49:

33

49

4

6

9

 

50-64:

26

54

5

7

9

 

65 and over:

29

49

7

6

10

 

ALWAYS ASK ITEMS e & f AS A PAIR, IN ORDER:

 

 

 

e.   Medicare

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

32

49

4

6

10

 

18-29:

37

46

3

5

10

 

30-49:

32

47

4

6

11

 

50-64:

27

55

4

6

8

 

65 and over:

31

48

6

6

10

 

f.    Health care other than Medicare

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

32

47

4

6

10

 

18-29:

35

47

4

5

9

 

30-49:

35

45

4

6

10

 

50-64:

26

55

4

7

9

 

65 and over:

29

42

6

8

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reps.

Dems.

Both equally

Neither

DK/ Ref.

 

Items g-k based on Form A1/A2

 

 

 

 

 

 

g.   Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

39

40

6

6

9

(n=1453)

18-29:

45

40

4

6

6

(n=157)

30-49:

40

38

5

6

10

(n=273)

50-64:

32

46

6

6

10

(n=482)

65 and over:

37

38

9

6

9

(n=511)

h.   Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

41

38

4

7

9

(n=1453)

18-29:

45

38

3

7

7

(n=157)

30-49:

43

35

4

8

10

(n=273)

50-64:

38

44

3

7

7

(n=482)

65 and over:

38

37

5

7

12

(n=511)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i.    The war against terrorism at home and abroad

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

51

26

7

5

10

(n=1453)

18-29:

56

29

5

5

5

(n=157)

30-49:

53

24

6

6

10

(n=273)

50-64:

46

29

10

5

11

(n=482)

65 and over:

46

26

8

5

16

(n=511)

j.    Corporate financial scandals

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

37

37

5

10

12

(n=1453)

18-29:

45

38

3

6

8

(n=157)

30-49:

37

35

5

11

12

(n=273)

50-64:

33

40

5

13

8

(n=482)

65 and over:

30

35

6

10

19

(n=511)

k.   Guns

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

41

36

3

7

13

(n=1453)

18-29:

48

34

3

6

8

(n=157)

30-49:

44

33

3

7

13

(n=273)

50-64:

36

42

4

7

11

(n=482)

65 and over:

31

35

3

9

21

(n=511)

 

 

Reps.

Dems.

Both equally

Neither

DK/ Ref.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items l-p based on Form B1/B2

 

 

 

 

 

 

l.    Moral values

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

44

31

5

10

10

(n=1433)

18-29:

47

33

3

5

12

(n=158)

30-49:

45

31

3

11

10

(n=270)

50-64:

41

32

8

11

7

(n=457)

65 and over:

42

27

8

11

12

(n=525)

m.  Crime

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

45

31

7

7

11

(n=1433)

18-29:

46

35

4

4

11

(n=158)

30-49:

49

29

6

7

9

(n=270)

50-64:

42

32

9

6

11

(n=457)

65 and over:

37

27

10

9

17

(n=525)

n.   Abortion

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

36

39

3

7

15

(n=1433)

18-29:

40

39

3

5

13

(n=158)

30-49:

39

41

1

7

12

(n=270)

50-64:

28

43

5

7

17

(n=457)

65 and over:

35

29

3

10

22

(n=525)

o.   The environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

29

51

4

6

10

(n=1433)

18-29:

35

49

4

4

9

(n=158)

30-49:

27

54

3

6

9

(n=270)

50-64:

27

53

5

5

10

(n=457)

65 and over:

31

43

6

6

13

(n=525)

p.   The Middle East situation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

48

29

6

7

11

(n=1433)

18-29:

55

28

4

3

10

(n=158)

30-49:

49

26

5

9

10

(n=270)

50-64:

43

34

8

7

8

(n=457)

65 and over:

43

28

5

7

17

(n=525)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q.8       Now here are some values that everyone agrees are important.  But sometimes we have to choose one value over another.  If you absolutely had to choose between each of the following two values, which is more important to you, personally… 

 

a.            Guaranteeing law and order in society or guaranteeing individual freedom?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

8/98

49

48

51

47

49

Law and order

56

46

50

45

46

41

Individual freedom

34

3

1

3

5

5

(Vol.) Both equally

8

2

1

1

1

5

Don’t know/Refused

2

 

b.            Working for the rights of women or preserving traditional family values?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

8/98

29

41

29

27

18

Rights of women

31

65

56

65

67

74

Family values

60

4

2

4

4

4

(Vol.) Both equally

7

2

1

2

2

4

Don’t know/Refused

2

 

 

Q.9       Now thinking about the last five presidents before George W. Bush, which one do you think was the BEST president -- Bill Clinton, George Bush, who is the current president’s father, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, or Gerald Ford?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

31

40

28

32

27

Clinton

14

15

16

11

9

Bush

34

32

36

31

38

Reagan

13

7

12

18

17

Carter

3

1

3

6

4

Ford

5

5

4

3

6

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.10     How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right…just about always, most of the time, of only some of the time?

 

Just about always

Most of the time

Only some of the time

None of the time (VOL.)

DK/Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

6

33

56

4

1

18-29:

9

42

45

4

1

30-49:

5

32

57

5

1

50-64:

3

29

63

4

2

65 and over:

5

30

59

4

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/27/01:

13

51

35

1

*

4/2/00:

4

26

64

5

*

2/14/99:

3

29

63

4

1

8/27/98[1]:

6

28

59

7

1

1/19/98:

4

27

66

3

*

8/27/97:

2

20

76

NA

1

5/6/96:

5

29

62

4

*

11/19/95:

3

22

67

6

1

3/19/95:

3

19

69

8

1

10/31/94:

2

18

75

4

*

1/23/94:

3

21

68

8

1

1/17/93:

5

23

67

5

1

10/25/92:

2

21

71

6

1

10/21/91:

8

28

58

5

1

3/4/91:

7

38

52

3

*

9/9/90:

7

35

55

2

1

1/16/90:

8

31

58

3

*

1/23/88:

6

34

59

2

*

6/1/87:

9

39

51

1

*

1/18/87:

7

37

55

NA

1

9/8/86:

6

34

58

2

*

7/29/85:

6

32

58

3

1

3/25/85:

5

32

60

2

1

2/26/85:

5

38

55

1

1

1982:

2

31

61

2

4

1980:

2

23

69

4

2

1978:

3

27

64

4

3

1976:

3

30

62

1

3

1974:

3

34

61

1

2

1972:

5

48

44

1

2

1970:

7

47

44

0

2

1968:

7

54

36

0

2

1966:

17

48

28

3

4

1964:

14

62

22

0

2

1958:

16

57

23

0

4

NOTE: Trends from 1982 and previous years from Michigan-American National Election Study

 

 

Q.11     In general, government grows bigger as it provides more services.  If you had to choose, would you rather have a smaller government providing less services, or a bigger government providing more services? 

 

 

Smaller

Bigger

DK/Ref.

Current:

46

47

7

18-29:

26

69

5

30-49:

50

43

7

50-64:

53

41

7

65 and over:

54

33

14

 

 

 

 

11/13-12/13/00:

42

47

10

1/12-15/89:

41

48

11

5/9-12/88:

43

44

8

3/12-15/80:

54

32

14

6/19-23/78:

53

36

11

1/78:

40

39

21

11/4-8/76:

42

45

13

6/15-20/76:

42

43

15

5/19-23/76:

41

43

16

4/10-15/76:

40

44

16

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:  Trends for this question are from 2000 Kaiser/Harvard School of Public Health, Post-Election Survey.  Trend from January 1978 is from Washington Post.  All other trends from CBS/ New York Times.

 

Q.12     I'm going to read you some pairs of statements.  As I read each pair, tell me whether the first or the second comes closer to your own views—even if neither is exactly right.  (READ AND RANDOMIZE)

 

a.

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

9/99

10/96

10/95

4/95

10/94

7/94

59

61

62

56

52

Government regulation of business is necessary to protect the public interest

48

45

45

43

38

41

 

 

 

 

 

OR….

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

33

31

37

35

Government regulation of business usually does more harm than good

44

46

50

51

55

54

1

1

1

1

3

(vol.) Neither

8

9

5

6

7

5

6

5

5

5

10

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

 

 

c.

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

2000

56

63

54

56

53

The government in Washington should do everything possible to improve the standard of living of all Americans

57

 

 

 

 

 

OR….

 

39

35

40

39

39

This is not the government's responsibility; each person should take care of themselves

38

2

1

2

3

2

(vol.) Neither

na

3

1

3

1

6

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

5

 

NOTE:  Trends for item A are from Pew Research Center/PSRA.  Trend for item C from 2000 Washington Post/Kaiser/Harvard Survey Project, National Survey of Americans on Values is based on Registered Voters

 

 

 

Q.13     Please tell me if you if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat DISagree, or strongly disagree with each of the following statements about U.S. foreign policy.  Here’s the (first/next) one…

 

 

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

DK/ Ref.

a.   This country would be better off if we just stayed home and did not concern ourselves with problems in other parts of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

12

21

24

41

2

18-29:

13

24

23

39

1

30-49:

11

20

28

40

1

50-64:

12

20

20

47

2

65 and over:

17

23

19

36

5

b.   The best way to ensure peace is through military strength.

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

41

33

14

11

2

18-29:

27

40

17

15

1

30-49:

42

35

13

9

1

50-64:

49

28

14

8

1

65 and over:

46

28

11

10

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q.14.    How patriotic are you?  Would you say…extremely patriotic, very patriotic, somewhat patriotic, or not especially patriotic?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

7/02

6/99

6/94

27

18

26

32

29

Extremely patriotic

24

21

21

43

33

45

47

47

Very patriotic

47

44

44

24

36

22

18

16

Somewhat patriotic, OR

24

28

28

5

11

3

3

3

Not especially patriotic?

4

7

7

2

2

2

*

4

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

1

1

1

 

NOTE:  Trends are from Gallup Poll.

 

 

Q.15     Would you rather see religious and spiritual values have GREATER influence in politics and public life than they do now, LESS influence, or about THE SAME influence as they do now?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

8/98

44

36

46

47

46

Greater influence

38

21

26

21

21

16

Less influence

22

33

38

32

30

33

Same influence

38

2

1

2

2

5

Don’t know/Refused

2

 

 

Q.16     How important is religion in your everyday life?  Is it…(READ)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

3/8-4/22/01

6/30-8/30/99

26

24

27

24

30

The MOST important thing in your life

22

21

40

33

40

44

46

Very important, BUT not the most important thing

38

42

21

26

21

19

16

Somewhat important, OR

24

30

12

15

12

13

7

Not too important?

15

7

1

1

*

*

1

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

1

*

 

 

 

Q.17     Now I have a few questions about Social Security…  Please tell me which ONE of the following four statements comes closest to your view of the Social Security program.  Would you say…(READ)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

3/4-24/99

1/15-19/98

3/13-23/97

22

22

27

20

11

The program is in crisis

30

34

36

52

43

57

57

45

The program has major problems, but is not in crisis

52

46

46

19

24

12

18

34

The program has minor problems, OR

14

17

14

3

5

2

1

4

The program has no problems?

2

2

3

4

6

3

4

6

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

1

2

1

 

NOTE:  Trend from 1999 from NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School National Survey of Americans on Social Security. 

 

Q.18     Would you support or oppose a plan in which people who chose could invest some of their Social Security contributions in the stock market?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

47

61

55

38

24

Support

47

32

42

58

67

Oppose

5

7

3

4

10

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.19     How confident are you that you would make the right decisions if you were investing your future Social Security funds in the stock market?  Would you feel…very confident, somewhat confident, not very confidents, or not at all confident?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

1999

12

15

14

8

8

Very confident

24

31

39

35

26

17

Somewhat confident

32

26

25

26

28

27

Not very confident, OR

20

28

18

24

36

42

Not at all confident?

24

2

3

1

1

5

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

0

 

NOTE: Trend for 1999 from NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School National Survey of Americans on Social Security.

 

 

Q.20     If the government were able to spend more on health care, which of the following do you think should be a higher priority (READ AND ROTATE 1-2)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

3/28-5/1/02

44

57

46

39

31

Providing health insurance to the uninsured (or)

55

44

36

42

49

52

Helping people over 65 pay for prescription drugs (or)

42

10

6

11

10

12

(vol.) Both should have equal priority

NA

2

1

1

2

5

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

3

 

NOTE: Trend for 2002 from NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School National Survey of Health Care.

 

 

Q.21     Now I have a few questions about Medicare, the government program that provides health insurance for seniors and some disabled people…  Please tell me which ONE of the following four statements comes closest to your view of the Medicare program.  Would you say…(READ)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

1/15-18/98

3/13-23/97

10

7

13

14

6

The program is in crisis

25

21

47

36

51

51

45

The program has major problems, but is not in crisis

46

54

33

43

28

28

37

The program has minor problems, OR

24

19

3

7

2

2

4

The program has no problems?

2

3

7

8

6

5

8

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

2

4

 

 

 

Q.22     As you may know, Medicare does not currently pay for prescription drugs.  Which ONE of the following three statements comes closest to your own opinion about what the federal government should do to help people age 65 and over pay for prescription drugs?  Do you think the federal government should…(READ 1 THEN ROTATE ORDER OF 2 & 3)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

2002

5

5

4

5

8

Keep things as they are now – that is, Medicare should not pay for prescription drugs (or)

6

55

48

55

63

53

Expand Medicare to pay directly for part of prescription drug costs (or)

67

36

44

38

28

29

Help seniors buy PRIVATE health insurance plans that would pay part of their prescription drug costs (or)

26

4

3

3

3

10

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

2

 

NOTE: Trend for 2002 from NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School National Survey of Health Care.

 

 

Q.23a   Now thinking about the federal government’s role in helping working parents pay for the costs of child care, do you think the government currently does too much, too little, or about the right amount to help working parents with their child care costs?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

11

6

10

14

16

Too much

37

44

43

31

23

Too little

39

46

36

42

35

Right Amount

13

5

11

13

25

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.23b   Now thinking about the federal government’s role in helping people pay for the cost of long-term care for the elderly, do you think the government currently does too much, too little, or about the right amount to help people with long-term care costs?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

2

3

2

1

3

Too much

57

54

60

61

51

Too little

29

34

27

29

31

Right Amount

11

9

12

9

15

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.24     Do you think gays and lesbians should have the legal right to get married, or do you think they should not be able to get married legally?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

41

55

45

37

20

Should have legal right

51

42

48

54

66

Should not be able to marry

8

3

6

9

14

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.25     Do you favor or oppose providing parents with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools?

 

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

2001

1998

47

58

49

39

36

Favor

45

49

49

38

47

57

54

Oppose

50

49

5

3

3

4

9

Don’t know/Refused

6

3

 

 

 

Q.26a   Do you favor or oppose stricter gun control laws in this country?

 

 

Favor

Oppose

DK/Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

58

38

3

18-29:

67

29

3

30-49:

57

41

2

50-64:

55

41

4

65 and over:

53

40

8

 

 

 

 

1/15/01:

59

39

2

5/10/00:

67

30

3

4/2/00:

64

34

2

9/2/99:

63

35

2

8/15/99:

63

34

3

5/16/99:

67

31

1

10/13/93:

64

33

3

6/8/89:

60

34

6

 

NOTE: Trends prior to 1999 from Gallup.

 

 

Q.27     Do you favor or oppose allowing public schools to start each day with a prayer?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

2000

1998

71

58

71

78

81

Favor

73

71

24

37

25

17

14

Oppose

24

27

5

4

5

5

5

Don’t know/Refused

3

2

 

NOTE:  Data from 2000 survey is based on Registered Voters.

 

 

Q.28     Do you support or oppose affirmative action programs that give preferences to blacks and other minorities? 

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

1998

38

49

38

31

30

Support

31

55

44

56

64

58

Oppose

65

7

7

6

5

12

Don’t know/Refused

4

 

 

 

 

 

Q.29a   Would you favor or oppose having U.S. forces take military action against Iraq to remove

            Saddam Hussein from power?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

 

66

71

74

64

45

Favor

 

26

24

20

29

35

Oppose

 

8

5

5

8

20

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

 

Q.30a   How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your life OVERALL these days?  Are you…(READ)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

60

59

59

60

61

Very satisfied

32

36

32

31

32

Somewhat satisfied

6

3

7

7

4

Somewhat dissatisfied, OR

1

1

1

2

1

Very dissatisfied with your life overall?

1

0

1

*

2

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.31     Would you describe the state of your own finances these days as…excellent, good, fair, or poor?

 

 

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

DK/Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

12

57

22

9

1

18-29:

15

50

25

11

*

30-49:

11

59

20

9

*

50-64:

11

61

20

8

*

65 and over:

10

58

22

8

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

6/24-7/21/02:

5

54

29

12

na

5/27-6/23/02:

6

54

27

13

na

4/29-5/26/02:

6

54

30

10

na

4/1-28/02:

6

53

29

12

na

3/4-31/02:

7

56

27

10

na

2/4-3/3/02:

7

53

27

13

na

1/7-2/3/02:

4

54

29

13

na

9/4-10/1/00:

6

59

24

11

na

9/7-10/4/98:

7

58

26

9

na

9/2-29/96:

5

55

29

11

na

9/5-10/2/94:

5

51

30

14

na

9/7-10/4/92:

3

44

34

19

na

9/3-30/90:

6

52

29

13

na

9/5-10/2/88:

5

51

33

11

na

9/1-28/86:

4

51

33

12

na

 

NOTE:  Trends from ABC/Money polls.

 

Q.32       Thinking about all of your investments, including retirement savings plans at work, do you currently have money invested in stocks or mutual funds?

 

 

Yes

No

DK/Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

54

45

1

18-29:

37

63

0

30-49:

65

34

1

50-64:

60

39

1

65 and over:

44

53

3

 

 

 

 

8/18-29/99:

55

45

*

3/4-24/99:

49

50

1

4/30-5/10/98:

49

50

1

9/1-14/97:

44

55

1

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Trend for 3/4-24/99 is from NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy National Survey of Americans on Social Security.  All other trends from ABC/Money poll.

 

 

Q.33            Thinking about the next 12 months, please tell me how worried you are that each of the following might happen to you. (First,) how worried are you that…?

 

: very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not at all worried?

 

 

Very worried

Somewhat worried

Not too worried

Not at all worried

DK/ Ref.

a.   You might be the victim of a violent crime

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

9

25

35

30

1

18-29:

10

22

36

30

1

30-49:

11

24

36

28

1

50-64:

6

28

35

30

1

65 and over:

9

23

30

35

2

b.   You might be the victim of a terrorist attack

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

12

26

30

31

1

18-29:

13

22

32

33

0

30-49:

12

28

31

28

*

50-64:

11

28

28

32

*

65 and over:

10

26

26

36

3
THERE IS NO ITEM C
 
 
 
 
 

d.   Your income might not keep up with rising prices

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

25

32

22

20

*

18-29:

22

30

25

23

*

30-49:

26

32

24

19

0

50-64:

27

33

19

21

*

65 and over:

24

34

19

21

2

e.   You might lose your savings in the stock market

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

20

29

29

22

*

18-29:

11

26

34

29

0

30-49:

21

30

32

18

0

50-64:

26

30

22

22

*

65 and over:

15

29

24

29

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very worried

Somewhat worried

Not too worried

Not at all worried

DK/ Ref.

ALWAYS ASK ITEMS f & g AS A PAIR, IN ORDER:

 

 

 

f.    You might not be able to afford the prescription drugs you need

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

17

19

26

35

2

18-29:

11

20

28

40

2

30-49:

16

17

31

34

2

50-64:

24

21

20

32

2

65 and over:

18

24

22

33

3

g.   You might not be able to afford the health care services you need

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

20

22

25

32

*

18-29:

17

21

27

36

0

30-49:

19

21

27

33

*

50-64:

27

22

23

28

*

65 and over:

19

26

23

29

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           


 

Q.34     In general, would you say your health is…(READ)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

25

36

27

19

13

Excellent

33

30

38

32

25

Very good

26

27

22

27

32

Good

12

7

10

14

21

Fair, OR

4

1

3

7

8

Poor?

*

0

 

*

*

(DO NOT READ) Don't know/Refused

 

 

 

Q.37     At what age do you think you will retire?  …

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

20

*

3

24

86

Already retired

20

40

22

10

na

Under 60

15

17

16

23

na

60-64

19

19

26

19

3

65-69

11

11

14

10

5

70 or older

7

3

9

8

4

Don’t ever plan to retire

7

10

9

5

2

Don’t know/Refused

 

           

 

Q.38            Thinking about…(IF Q.35=4 OR Q.37=97, ADD: the rest of) your retirement, please tell me how concerned you are that each of the following things might happen to you.  (First,) how concerned are you… Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?

 

 

Very concd.

Somewhat concd.

Not too concd.

Not at all concd.

DK/ Ref.

a.   That you won't have enough money to live comfortably:

 

 

 

 

 

9/1/02 Total:

26

32

23

19

1

18-29:

20

28

27

24

*

30-49:

29

35

22

14

*

50-64:

32

31

20

16

*

65 and over:

21

29

24

24

2

3/4-24/99:

34

30

19

17

*

b.   That you will become a  burden for your family

 

 

 

 

 

9/1/02 Total:

18

23

30

28

1

18-29:

11

19

34

36

*

30-49:

17

24

32

26

1

50-64:

21

26

28

24

1

65 and over:

22

25

24

28

2

c.   That you will have large medical bills and not be able to pay for care you need

 

 

 

 

 

9/1/02 Total:

23

32

26

18

*

18-29:

14

32

32

22

*

30-49:

25

34

26

15

*

50-64:

31

31

22

16

*

65 and over:

23

29

24

24

1

3/4-24/99:

38

27

18

16

*

d.   That you will lose your independence

 

 

 

 

 

9/1/02 Total:

19

26

27

26

1

18-29:

12

22

33

32

*

30-49:

20

26

29

24

1

50-64:

23

29

22

25

1

65 and over:

23

29

21

25

3

3/4-24/99:

26

26

21

27

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Trends from 3/4-24/99 is from NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy National Survey of Americans on Social Security.

 

 

Q.40     Some people seem to follow what’s going on in government and politics most of the time. Others aren't that interested.  How much attention do you normally pay to what’s going on in government and politics…(READ)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

18

12

14

25

26

A great deal of attention

35

28

38

37

36

Quite a bit

34

40

36

30

27

Just some

10

16

10

7

8

Only a little, OR

2

3

2

1

2

None?

1

0

1

1

2

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.41     When you were growing up, how much attention was paid to politics in your home?  Was there…(READ)

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

13

14

11

15

13

Quite a lot of interest and discussion of politics at home

22

25

22

19

21

A good amount

32

31

34

31

29

Just some, OR

32

29

31

34

34

Not much interest and discussion of politics at home?

1

*

1

*

3

(DO NOT READ) Don’t know/Refused

 

 

Q.42     How much do you feel that having elections makes the government pay attention to what the people think…(READ)           

 

 

A good deal

Some

Not much

DK/ Ref.

Total Current:

43

35

21

1

18-29:

39

41

18

1

30-49:

41

37

22

*

50-64:

47

32

20

1

65 and over:

47

26

24

3

 

 

 

 

 

2000:

44

41

13

1

1998:

45

41

13

1

1996:

42

42

15

0

1992:

47

41

11

1

1988:

37

44

17

1

1984:

42

37

20

1

1980:

51

35

13

2

1978:

56

32

10

2

1976:

52

36

10

2

1974:

50

35

11

3

1972:

55

36

8

2

1970:

57

31

9

3

1968:

60

28

8

4

1966:

62

25

9

4

1964:

65

25

7

4

 

NOTE: Trends from NES.

Q.43a   Now I’m going to read you a statement that may or may not describe your own feelings about politics and government.  Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with it.  The statement is: “People l30-49 me don’t have a say in what government does.”

 

Q.43b   Do you (agree/disagree) STRONGLY or only SOMEWHAT?

 

 

NET Agree

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

NET Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

DK/ Ref.

9/1/02 Total:

43

23

19

55

23

31

2

18-29:

38

19

18

61

23

38

1

30-49:

44

24

20

55

25

29

1

50-64:

45

26

19

52

24

28

3

65 and over:

45

24

20

51

19

31

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/15/00:

38

20

19

61

36

25

1

12/4/95:

52

29

23

47

28

19

1

 

 

 

Q.44     Do you think there are important differences between the Democratic and Republican parties, or are both parties pretty much the same?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

1995

59

65

61

55

50

Important differences

67

37

31

35

42

45

Pretty much the same

31

4

4

3

3

5

Don’t know/Refused

1

 

 

 

Q.45     Do you think quite a few of the people running the government are crooked, not very, many are, or do you think hardly any of them are crooked?

 

 

Quite a few

Not very many

Hardly any

DK/ Ref.

Total Current:

48

39

9

4

18-29:

47

39

11

3

30-49:

48

42

7

3

50-64:

54

34

9

3

65 and over:

44

36

11

8

 

 

 

 

 

2000:

36

49

13

2

1998:

41

46

12

1

1996:

44

47

9

1

1992:

46

44

9

2

1990:

48

40

9

3

1988:

40

45

11

4

1984:

32

50

14

4

1980:

47

41

9

4

1978:

39

42

13

6

1976:

42

40

13

5

1974:

45

42

10

3

1972:

36

45

14

4

1970:

32

49

16

3

1968:

25

52

19

4

1964:

29

49

18

4

1958:

24

44

26

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Trends from NES.

 

 

Q.46     Do you or your spouse currently belong to A-A-R-P, the retired persons’ organization?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

9

1

*

17

28

Yes, self

3

0

2

6

3

Yes, spouse

9

0

1

19

25

Yes, both

79

97

96

57

43

No, neither

1

2

1

1

1

Don’t know/Refused

 

 

 

DEMOGRAPHICS:

 

D2a.     Now, I have a few final questions so we can describe the people who took part in this survey...  In politics today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or something else?

 

D2b.     Do you consider yourself a strong (Republican/Democrat) or not a very strong (Republican/Democrat)?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

31

30

33

25

34

Total Republican

16

14

17

14

21

Strong Republican

15

16

16

11

13

Not strong

32

26

30

37

39

Total Democrat

17

9

15

22

22

Strong Democrat

15

17

14

15

17

Not strong

24

22

25

29

19

Independent

11

19

11

6

4

Something else

2

2

1

2

3

Don’t know

1

1

1

1

1

Refused

 

 

 

D2a.     Now I have a few final questions so we can describe the people who took part in this survey...  In politics today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or something else?

 

D2c.     Do you consider yourself closer to the Republican Party or the Democratic Party?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

 

43

43

45

38

42

Total Republican

31

30

33

25

34

Republican

12

13

13

12

8

Lean Republican

46

42

44

52

50

Total Democrat

32

26

30

37

39

Democrat

14

15

14

15

11

Lean Democrat

7

9

6

7

6

Non-Lean Independent

4

6

4

3

2

Refused

 

 

D3.       When voting in congressional and presidential elections, do you … (INSERT CHOICES BELOW -- ORDER ROTATED BY FORM)

 

FORM A1/B1: always vote for Republicans, mostly vote for Republicans, split your votes evenly between Republicans and Democrats, mostly vote for Democrats, or always vote for Democrats?

 

FORM A2/B2: always vote for Democrats, mostly vote for Democrats, split your votes evenly between Democrats and Republicans, mostly vote for Republicans, or always vote for Republicans?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

6

6

6

5

7

Always vote for Republicans

19

20

20

16

22

Mostly vote for Republicans

31

23

34

37

31

Split votes evenly

22

26

21

22

20

Mostly vote for Democrats

9

7

9

10

11

Always vote for Democrats

8

12

6

7

7

Don’t know

4

6

3

4

2

Refused

 

 

D4.       Would you say your views in most political matters are very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?

 

Total

18-29

30-49

50-64
65+

 

7

10

7

7

5

Very liberal

21

21

22

21

20

Somewhat liberal

30

29

29

31

30

Moderate

26

24

27

26

26

Somewhat conservative

12

11

11

11

14

Very conservative

3

5

3

3

4

Don't know

1

0

1

1

1

Refused

Methodology

 

The Washington Post/Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University Older Voter Survey was conducted by telephone August 2 – September 1, 2002 with a nationally representative sample of 2,886 randomly selected respondents ages 18 and older, including an oversample of respondents ages 55 and older.  Results for all age groups have been weighted to reflect the actual distribution in the nation.

 

For the purposes of this survey, respondents were classified into the following age groups: 18-29, 30-49, 50-64, and 65 and older.

 

The margin of sampling error for responses based on total respondents is +/- 2; for ages 18-29 it is +/- 6; for ages 30-49 it is +/- 4; for ages 50-64 it is +/- 5; for ages 65 and older it is +/- 3.  Sampling error is only one of many potential sources of error in this or any other public opinion poll. 

 

Representatives of The Washington Post, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University worked together to develop the survey questionnaire and analyze the results.  Each organization bears the sole responsibility for the work that appears under its name.  The project team included Richard Morin, The Washington Post director of polling and Claudia Deane, assistant director of polling; Drew E. Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, Mollyann Brodie, vice president and director of public opinion and media research, and Elizabeth Hamel, research associate; and Robert J. Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard School of Public Health, and John M. Benson, managing director of the Harvard Opinion Research Program in the Harvard School of Public Health. Fieldwork for this survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates of Princeton, NJ.

 

Values less than 0.5% are indicated by an asterisk (*).  “VOL” indicates that a response was volunteered by respondent, not an explicitly offered choice.

 

 

 

 


[1]      Trend question asked “How much of the time do you trust the government in Washington to do the right thing?”


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