Below is a collection of news articles and analysis pieces written about Washington Post polls. Aiding Iraqi People Is Priority
April 18, 2003
Meeting humanitarian needs, not capturing Saddam Hussein or searching for banned weapons, is the American public's top priority in Iraq according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
•Post Poll Data Most Americans Predict More Fighting
April 10, 2003
An overwhelming majority of Americans predict more tough fighting ahead in Iraq, despite the fall of Baghdad, and also worry that winning the peace may prove to be more difficult than winning the war, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
•Post Poll Data Americans' Support for War on the Rise
April 7, 2003
The latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll shows that 77 percent of Americans say they support the decision to go to war, a figure that has increased as news of the war turned positive. Just 16 percent say they oppose having gone to war.
•Post Poll Data War Support Solid, Optimism Grows
April 4, 2003
A growing majority of Americans now believe the war in Iraq is going well for U.S. and British forces, as recent gains on the battlefield have eased public concerns that the war will be long and costly, while President Bush's popularity continues to rise.
•Post Poll Data Public Backs Reduced Tax Cut
March 27, 2003
Most Americans want to slash President George W. Bush's proposed tax cut as the country grows increasingly resigned to a longer, costlier and much bloodier war in Iraq, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
•Post Poll Data Public Support Remains Strong for War Effort
March 24, 2003
Public support for the war with Iraq remained strong despite a day of grim news from the front and the widespread belief at home that the looming battle for Baghdad will be particularly difficult and bloody, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
•Post Poll Data Poll: 70 Percent Back War Decision
March 21, 2003
While most Americans support the war in Iraq, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll indicates disagreement on what constitutes a success.
•Post Poll Data Support for Bush, War Grows
March 18, 2003
Americans rallied strongly around President Bush and accepted his call for war with Iraq as the only practical way to remove Saddam Hussein and end the threat posed by his weapons of mass destruction, according to a Washington Post-ABC News Poll conducted after Bush's televised speech.
•Post Poll Data Americans Favor War: Hesitant on Initiating Military Action
March 4, 2003
While most Americans broadly favor a war with Iraq, a large number of supporters acknowledge they have serious reservations about initiating military action - an ambivalence that raises new questions about the depth and durability of public support for the use of force to topple Saddam Hussein, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Post Poll Data Public Backs U.N. Assent on Iraq
February 25, 2003
A majority of Americans believe the United States should work to gain the support of the U.N. Security Council even if it means delaying war with Iraq according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Post Poll Data Support for Attack Without U.N.
February 11, 2003
A majority of Americans support attacking Iraq even without the approval of the U.N., provided that the U.S. has the backing of some key allies, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Post Poll Data Powell's Address to the U.N.
February 6, 2003
In the aftermath of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the United Nations, a growing number of Americans now say there is enough evidence to justify going to war with Iraq, according to a new Washingtonpost.com-ABC News Poll.
• Post Poll Data Support for War With Iraq
February 2, 2003
President Bush has reversed the downward drift on public support for war with Iraq, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. And for the first time in Post-ABC News surveys, about half of all Americans say the United States should take military action even without the endorsement of the United Nations.
• Post Poll Data Bush's State of the Union
January 21, 2003
Seven in 10 Americans would give U.N. weapons inspectors more time to pursue their arms search in Iraq, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, underscoring the task President Bush faces rallying the nation in his state of the union next week.
• Post Poll Data Bush's Ratings Still High, Poll Shows
December 22, 2002
Fifteen months after the terrorist attacks that transformed his presidency, Bush continues to be buoyed by an enduring impression among Americans that he is a powerful leader, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Post Poll Data Most Favor Nuclear Option Against Iraq
December 18, 2002
A narrow majority of Americans said that Al Gore deserved another chance to run for the presidency, but fewer than half said they actually wanted Gore to run, according to a Washington Post poll conducted in the days immediately before the former Vice President announced his decision not to enter the 2004 race.
• Post Poll Data Many Americans Didn't Want Gore to Run in '04
December 16, 2002
A narrow majority of Americans said that Al Gore deserved another chance to run for the presidency, but fewer than half said they actually wanted Gore to run, according to a Washington Post poll conducted in the days immediately before the former Vice President announced his decision not to enter the 2004 race.
• Related Article: Gore Leaves Many Stunned
• Post Poll Data Young Voters' Disengagement Skews Politics
October 20, 2002
The nation's rapidly graying electorate is creating a distorted national politics in which the issues that dominate campaigns and Capitol Hill reflect an ever-smaller slice of the country.
• Related Article: Gender Gap Narrows
• Post/Kaiser/Harvard Poll Data War Tops Economy in Voters' Minds
September 29, 2002
Five weeks before a crucial midterm election, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that voters are focused on Iraq, but also the economy.
• Post-ABC News Poll Data Altered Lives, Changing Attitudes
September 8, 2002
Although the imprint of Sept. 11 on the public is largely fading, a year later it remains clearly visible in many of the ways Americans think about their country, their leaders and themselves, according to a Washington Post survey.
• Post Poll Williams Unhurt by Scandal, Poll Finds
September 1, 2002
Mayor Anthony A. Williams has a commanding lead over Willie F. Wilson and all other announced Democratic challengers, despite a troubled and chaotic bid for reelection, a new Washington Post poll has found.
• Post Poll Pr. George's Perspectives Split Along Color Lines
August 25, 2002
A stark divide exists in the way blacks and whites view a broad spectrum of institutions and conditions in Prince George's County, from the police and public schools to the suburb's future as a place to live, according to a new Washington Post poll.
• Post Poll Poll: Americans Cautiously Favor War in Iraq
August 13, 2002
A majority of Americans favor sending U.S. troops to invade Iraq but want President Bush to obtain authorization from Congress before taking military action, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Post-ABC Poll Amtrak Subsidy Support Strong, Survey Shows
August 5, 2002
A large majority of Americans favor continuing federal subsidies to Amtrak, and a substantial percentage would increase federal funding so the ailing passenger railroad can increase service, according to a Washington Post poll.
• Post Poll Bush Pledges More Corporate Fraud Arrests
July 30, 2002
President Bush issued a warning that his administration would make more arrests after he signs a bill increasing the penalties for bookkeeping fraud. The announcement came as a poll showed Bush's approval ratings had dipped under 70 percent overall.
• Post-ABC Poll Gore Leads Poll on '04 Democratic Race
July 19, 2002
Al Gore holds a wide lead over his likely rivals for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, according to a new Post-ABC poll. But the majority of those surveyed say they would prefer a new ticket.
• Post-ABC Poll Stock Declines Prompt Lifestyle, Portfolio Changes
July 18, 2002
Some shift into more conservative investments. For others, it has meant lifestyle changes, a Washington Post-ABC News survey found.
• Post-ABC Poll Post-ABC Poll: Bush's Ratings Weathering Business Scandals
July 17, 2002
The recent barrage of congressional and media criticism directed at President Bush for his handling of the widening corporate financial scandal has failed to damage his popularity.
• Post-ABC Poll Poll: Public Backs AIDS Help
July 6, 2002
Most Americans favor a modest boost in spending on the global AIDS crisis but many believe the funds will do little to slow the spread of AIDS in Africa, survey shows.
• Post Poll Catholics: Bishops Have Not Gone Far Enough to Protect Children
June 18, 2002
An overwhelming majority of Catholics say U.S. bishops still have not gone far enough to protect children from predatory priests and remain deeply divided over new guidelines to deal with sexually abusive clergymen, according to a new Washington Post survey.
• Post Poll Americans Support New Homeland Defense Department
June 11, 2002
Most Americans support President Bush’s plan to create a massive federal department to oversee homeland security, and a majority also favor giving the FBI broad new powers to investigate terrorism, according to a Washington Post ABC News poll.
• Post-ABC Poll Williams Losing Support of Blacks
May 26, 2002
Mayor Anthony Williams enters his bid for reelection with high overall approval ratings but dwindling support among African Americans, a new Washington Post poll has found.
• D.C. Residents Feel Less Secure, Poll Finds
• Post Poll President Retains Strong Support
May 21, 2002
President Bush's approval rating remains high, but more than half of Americans polled say they lack full confidence in government's ability to prevent future terror attacks, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News survey.
• Post-ABC Poll Poll Shows Doubts on U.S. Role in Mideast
April 23, 2002
As the Israeli military operation on the West Bank winds down, the American public is wary of seeing the United States continue to take the lead in brokering deals between the two warring sides.
• Post-ABC Poll Catholics: Church in Midst of a 'Crisis'
April 4, 2002
A national survey reveals many Catholics are sharply critical of the way their church has handled instances of child abuse by priests and believe the church's reputation has been deeply tarnished.
• Post/ABC/Beliefnet Poll Poll: Strong Backing for Bush, War
March 11, 2002
Public support for President Bush and the war on terrorism remains strong and largely undiminished by recent U.S. military casualties suffered during the most intense and bloody fighting of the 22-week conflict in Afghanistan, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Poll data Partisan Gulf Is Alive and Well, Poll Shows
February 24, 2002
The broad public consensus over the war on terrorism has done little to narrow sharp differences between Republicans and Democrats, according to a new Washington Post national survey.
• Poll data
• Related Story: Politicians Gain, Politics Lags
• Video: On America's Mind
Bush Enjoys Record Popularity, Poll Finds
January 29, 2002
President Bush delivers his State of the Union address Tuesday enjoying an historic level of public support for his leadership and for his Republican allies in Congress, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Poll data
Majority Hopeful About 2002, Poll Finds
January 1, 2002
Most Americans say the country has permanently changed for the better as a consequence of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and more than half report that the tragedy has transformed their own lives, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
• Poll data (1/1/02) | Poll data (12/21/01)
Expansion of War on Terror Favored, Poll Finds
December 21, 2001
A confident American public strongly supports extending the anti-terrorism war to Iraq and other countries, and most believe there can be no victory without the demise of both Osama bin Laden and Iraq's Saddam Hussein, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete data. Most Americans Back U.S. Tactics November 29, 2001
Most Americans broadly endorse steps taken by the Bush administration to investigate and prosecute suspected terrorists and express little concern that these measures may violate civil rights, according to a survey by The Washington Post and ABC News. View the complete data and results by demographics. In Poll, Most Americans Back Bush November 8, 2001
While overwhelming majorities of Americans continue to back President Bush, doubts are growing about an expanded Afghan conflict and the government's efforts to deal with terrorism at home, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News survey. View the complete data and results by demographics. Poll Shows Anthrax Sparks Broad Concern October 15, 2001
Amid broad concern over the discovery of anthrax, Americans remain sharply divided on whether the incidents are part of a new terrorist offensive or are merely isolated events, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News survey. View the complete data. Americans Support Attacks on Afghanistan October 8, 2001
The American public supports the U.S-led military action in Afghanistan, and continues to endorse the way that Bush is handling the response to last month's terrorist assaults on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, a new Washington Post poll found. View the complete data. Public Is Unyielding in War Against Terror
September 28, 2001
The two weeks since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington have done nothing to dim the public's demand for a full-scale response, a new Washington Post poll found. View the complete data. Americans Overwhelmingly Back President
September 20, 2001
President Bush begins his war on international terrorism with overwhelming public support for a sustained and broad-based attack on terrorists and the nations that shelter them, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete data. Americans Approve of Bush's Handling of Crisis
September 13, 2001
Americans have rallied behind President Bush, strongly endorsing the way his administration has responded to Tuesday's terrorist attacks and sending his job approval rating soaring, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete data. Poll: Americans Willing to Go to War
September 11, 2001
Americans have rallied behind President Bush, strongly endorsing the way his administration has responded to Tuesday's terrorist attacks and sending his job approval rating soaring, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete data. Poll Finds Public Wary on Tax Cut
September 11, 2001
A majority of Americans say they are prepared to roll back President Bush's $1.35 trillion tax cut to help deal with the shrinking federal budget surplus and say Bush more than congressional Democrats bears responsibility for a problem that has suddenly put him on the defensive. View results by demographics and the complete data. Warner Has Wide Lead, Poll Shows
August 26, 2001
Mark R. Warner, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, holds a sizable lead over Republican rival Mark L. Earley across a spectrum of voters in every region of the state, according to a new Washington Post survey. View the complete results.
Bush Gets High Marks in Poll
August 2, 2001
President Bush reaches the summer break in his first White House year buoyed by high personal approval but facing broad public doubts about his overall agenda and key policies, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the data and the complete results. Misperceptions: Whites' View of Blacks
July 11, 2001
Whether out of hostility, indifference or simple lack of knowledge, large numbers of white Americans incorrectly believe that blacks are as well off as whites in terms of their jobs, incomes, schooling and health care, according to a national survey by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University. View the complete results. Biracial Couples Report Tolerance
July 5, 2001
Thirty-four years after the Supreme Court struck down state laws that outlawed interracial marriage, biracial couples report widespread tolerance and even acceptance of their relationships, according to a national survey by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University. View the complete results for interracial couples. View complete results for race, dating and marriage.
Discrimination's Lingering Sting
June 21, 2001
More than half of all black men report that they have been the victims of racial profiling by police; more than a third of all blacks interviewed said they had been rejected for a job or failed to win a promotion because of their race; and one in five Latinos and Asians also said they had been discriminated against in the workplace because of their race or ethnicity, all according to a survey by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University. View the complete results.
Bush Support Drops, Poll Finds
June 4, 2001
Public support for President Bush has fallen in recent weeks, led by eroding confidence in his energy and environmental polices as well as growing concern over the direction that Bush and the Republican Party are leading the country, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll. View the data and the complete results.
FBI Ratings Suffer Following Blunders
May, 22 2001
An overwhelming number of Americans remain confident in the FBI's ability to do its job, but the agency's ratings have suffered in the wake of a string of embarrassing mistakes, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News Poll. View the complete results.
Support for Death Penalty Eases
May, 3 2001
Overwhelming support for the execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy J. McVeigh masks this reality: Public approval of capital punishment has declined while the proportion of Americans who favor replacing the death penalty with life in prison has increased in recent years, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete results.
President Bush: The First 100 Days
April 24, 2001
President Bush receives solid marks for the way he handled himself in office, but the American people question some of his basic priorities and say his policies are tilted toward wealthy individuals and corporate interests, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the data and the complete results.
Public Rallies to Bush on China Policy
Apr. 6, 2001
The American public rallied around President Bush as he confronted the first foreign policy crisis of his administration following the collision of a Chinese jet fighter and a U.S. surveillance aircraft. View the complete results.
New Doubts on Economy
Mar. 27, 2001
Many Americans are expressing doubts about elements of President Bush's tax cut, his Social Security plan and his overall handling of the economy, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete results.
Bush Faces Early Obstacles
Feb. 27, 2001
President Bush addresses a joint session of Congress Tuesday night amid new indications that he will have a difficult time seeing key parts of his agenda passed into law, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete results.
No Clear Mandate Amid Recession Fears
Jan. 17, 2001
President-elect Bush will assume the presidency amid fears of a recession and with no clear mandate to carry out many of his most ambitious and controversial policies, including a major tax cut, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete results.
Slim Majority Wants Count Resumed
Dec. 11, 2000
The American public is as divided as the courts about whether the manual recounting of thousands of disputed ballots in Florida should be allowed to continue, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete results.
Public Wants Hand Counts
Dec. 4, 2000
Most Americans want hand counts of thousands of disputed South Florida ballots but are divided on whether all 6 million votes in Florida should be recounted, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the complete results.
Bush Gains Edge In Public Opinion
Nov. 28, 2000
Vice President Gore faces a formidable new opponent in his bid to win the presidency: public opinion, which has sided initially with Texas Gov. George W. Bush as he attempts to lay final claim on the White House. View the complete results.
Support Is Mixed for Hand Tallies
Nov. 18, 2000
A narrow majority of Americans want the hand recount of ballots underway in South Florida to be included in the final statewide total, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Poll Finds Most Want Recount as Last Word
Nov. 14, 2000
Most Americans strongly believe that Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Gore should accept the final results of the vote in Florida and not challenge the outcome in courts – even if they feel the voting was unfair, according to a new survey by the Washington Post and ABC News. View the complete results.
Voters Narrowly Favor Gore on Economy
Oct. 27, 2000
A new poll has Vice President Gore slightly ahead of George W. Bush on the question of managing the economy, but a majority of respondents do not fear a Bush tax cut would ruin the current economic boom. Read a Harvard analysis of the results and background on this survey, and view the complete results (PDF file).
Bush Has Slim Lead on Eve of 3rd Debate
Oct. 17, 2000
As Vice President Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush meet for their final and potentially decisive debate, a new Post-ABC News poll shows Bush maintaining a narrow lead. View the data and the complete results.
Bush Overtakes Gore in Poll
Oct. 10, 2000
On the eve of the second presidential debate, George W. Bush has grabbed a narrow lead over Vice President Gore, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News Poll. View the data and the complete results.
Bush, Gore Nearly Even, Poll Shows
Oct. 3, 2000
On the eve of the first of three high-stakes debates, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that the presidential race remains the closest in at least two decades. View the data and complete results.
For Democrats, Surprising Edge on Moral Values
Sept. 30, 2000
Voters who base their presidential choice on moral values favor George W. Bush, but these voters are outnumbered by those who base their decision on other factors. Read a Harvard analysis of the results, and view the data and complete results.
Post-ABC Poll: Bush, Gore Even
Sept. 8, 2000
Vice President Gore and George W. Bush are locked in a dead-even race for the White House. View the data and complete results. Gore Holds Narrow Lead Over Bush
Aug. 21, 2000
Vice President Gore clings onto a slim lead over Texas Gov. George W. Bush following the Democratic National Convention. View the data and complete results. Gore Trails Bush, but Gap Narrows
Aug. 12, 2000
Vice President Gore trails Texas Gov. George W. Bush in the race for the White House, but the margin is narrowing as Democrats gather for their convention in Los Angeles. View the data and complete results. Bush Widens Lead Over Gore
Aug. 7, 2000
Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush has moved into his biggest lead of the year over Vice President Gore, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News survey. View the data and complete results. Focus on Bush's Quest Unifies Republicans
July 30, 2000
A Washington Post-ABC News Poll completed today showed Bush leading Gore 53 percent to 42 percent among registered voters, up from 48 percent to 45 percent in a poll released last Monday. Among likely voters, Bush's lead is 54 percent to 43 percent. View the data and complete results. Health Care Is Voters' Top Issue
July 28, 2000
A new poll reveals health care is the most important issue this election year, but voters disagree on which health care problem the next president should work hardest to solve. View the data and the complete results. Bush Maintains Edge as Poll Shows a Tight Race
July 25, 2000
As the presidential campaign enters the crucial convention period, neither political party can claim a clear advantage in the battle for the White House or control of Congress, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. View the data and the complete results. 'Education Voters' Pose a Tough Test
June 30, 2000
Voters strongly agree that public schools need urgent improvement but are deeply conflicted over how to fix them, according to a new national survey. View the data and the complete results. Bush Still Leads Gore in Poll
June 13, 2000
George W. Bush continues to hold a small lead over Vice President Gore in a new Washington Post-ABC News Poll that shows the presidential contest little changed over the past month. View the data and the complete results. Poll Finds Firearm Threats Common
May 14, 2000
Nearly one in four Americans say they have personally been threatened with a gun, including about one in 10 adults who report that someone had taken a shot at them. View the data and the complete results. White Male Support Fades for Gore
May 12, 2000
White male voters are rejecting Vice President Gore in numbers reminiscent of the failed Democratic presidential campaigns of the 1980s, posing a serious threat to his hopes of gaining the White House this fall. View the data and the complete results. Gore Seen More Able to Reform Education
April 4, 2000
Vice President Gore has won the latest round of the battle with Texas Gov. George W. Bush to be viewed by voters as the presidential candidate better able to fix the nation's troubled public schools. View the data and the complete results. Bush's Lead Over Gore Is Gone
March 12, 2000
Fueled by surging support among moderates and independent voters, Vice President Gore has eliminated Texas Gov. George W. Bush's lead in the presidential race. View the data and the complete results. Williams Gets a Big Thumbs-Up
February 13, 2000
Barely a year in office, Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) is viewed unquestionably as the most popular and powerful figure in D.C. government. View the complete results. S.C. Reconsiders GOP Candidates
February 8, 2000
Texas Gov. George W. Bush is tied with Arizona Sen. John McCain in the vital South Carolina GOP primary. Bush still leads Vice President Gore in a theoretical November horserace, but not by as much. View the complete results.
• Bush's Lead Slips in National Poll (Feb. 8) N.H. Poll Shows Both Races Up for Grabs
January 18, 2000
While Bush and Gore may be seen as winners nationally in November, things are far less clear-cut in New Hampshire. View the complete results Latinos in America
January 16, 2000
The Latino population of the Washington region has grown by more than 50 percent this decade. With roots across Latin America, often fleeing civil war and desperate poverty, nearly 75 percent of local Latinos are confident their children will lead better lives than they have. Their stories next Sunday will be the next installment in this occasional series based on the Post/Kaiser/Harvard poll.
View the complete results from the Kaiser Family Foundation
Results are in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available here McCain, Bradley Gain in N.H. Poll
December 17, 1999
Republican John McCain and Democrat Bill Bradley have built strong support in New Hampshire with images as political outsiders who speak their minds and could shake up the system in Washington. View the complete results A Skeptical Electorate Searches for Leadership
November 7, 1999
Suburban residents are as likely as violence-plagued urban residents to support a range of gun control measures -- with more than eight out of 10 supporting trigger locks and background checks at gun shows. In rural areas, support is significantly lower. View the data, the complete results and a list of the nation's worries. Moderate Gun Control Gains Support
September 9, 1999
Suburban residents are as likely as violence-plagued urban residents to support a range of gun control measures -- with more than eight out of 10 supporting trigger locks and background checks at gun shows. In rural areas, support is significantly lower. View the data and complete results. Clinton-Weary Public Has Doubts About Gore
September 8, 1999
Strong doubts about Vice President Gore's leadership capabilities and increased desire for change in Washington have combined to shape the early stages of the 2000 presidential campaign and given the candidacy of Texas Gov. George W. Bush a significant boost. View the data and complete results. Jurors Help Carve Out New Law
August 30, 1999
Lawsuits condemning cigarettes and guns are nothing new. What is new is that activist juries are listening, staking out new territory in American jurisprudence. View the complete results. Teachers Wary of New Exams
July 5, 1999
Washington area teachers are divided on the growing use of standardized tests to evaluate public schools, and suburban teachers are more troubled than those in the District about the high stakes that the student exams now carry. View the complete results. Bush Holds Big Lead Over Gore
June 17, 1999
Vice President Gore enters the early blooming 2000 presidential race comfortably ahead of his Democratic rival but badly trailing Republican front-runner Gov. George W. Bush of Texas. View the data and Complete results. Americans Back Ground Troops
June 16, 1999
But they are also sharply divided whether to mount a major rebuilding effort in Kosovo or elsewhere in Yugoslavia. Complete results. Americans Are Split on War Role
June 7, 1999
A growing number of Americans believe it was a mistake for the United States to get involved militarily in Kosovo. Complete results. Most Americans Want Negotiations
May 18, 1999
Public support for the Yugoslavian air war is softening and a majority of Americans believe NATO should negotiate a settlement.
View complete results.
• Senate Backs Child-Safety Gun Devices (May 19) GOP Leaders Cautious on Kosovo
April 28, 1999
Support for NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia remains high among U.S. adults, who also support expanding the military campaign by calling up military reserves. View the data and the complete results.
• Clinton Tells Pentagon to Call Up Reservists (April 28) Students See Violence Potential
April 27, 1999
Most U.S. high school students feel relatively safe in school, but significant minorities know of a student at their school who seems troubled enough to commit an act of violence like at Littleton. Complete results. Support Builds for NATO Action
April 8, 1999
A majority of Americans say the United States should use ground troops to remove Yugoslavian President Slobidan Milosevic from power and bring him to trial for war crimes.
View the data and the complete results. Consensus Grows to Send Troops
April 6, 1999
With remarkable speed, a consensus supporting the deployment of U.S. ground forces in Kosovo has formed in Washington.
View the complete results. Slim Majority Backs Battle Plan
March 30, 1999
The poll, conducted on the third, fourth and fifth days of U.S. airstrikes, showed a rather modest increase in public support from the pre-bombing days.
View the complete results. Poll: GOP Leads on Foreign Policy, Trails on Domestic Issues
March 17, 1999
Democrats continue to hold the advantage with the public on most domestic issues, but Republicans have reclaimed the lead on foreign policy.
View the data and the complete results. For Gore, Support Is Conditional
March 16, 1999
As he begins his quest for the White House, Vice President Gore faces a large challenge: Most voters want the country to continue on the path laid out by President Clinton but are not convinced Gore is the person to do it.
View the data and the complete results. Poll: Divided Over Clinton's Future
February 15, 1999
Most Americans approve of the Senate votes not to remove President Clinton from office but blame him for the impeachment trial and remain divided over what should happen next.
View the data and the complete results. Most Oppose Continuing Trial
January 31, 1999
While the public remains firmly against removing President Clinton from office, most Americans believe the Senate should censure him. Small majorities oppose the decisions to continue the impeachment trial with witnesses.
View the data. Both Sides Lay Out Their Cases
January 12, 1999
As President Clinton's impeachment trial begins, 85 percent of those surveyed said they have made up their minds about the case, which is good news for Clinton -- 65 percent opposed removing him from office. View the data. Struggle Over New Standards
December 27, 1998
The sharply divided public reaction to the impeachment of President Clinton has provided a dramatic showcase of a struggle for American values that goes back to the 1960s and remains unresolved today.
Moral Values Series:
• Data (July 29-Aug. 27, 1998)
• Gay Acceptance Remains Elusive (Dec. 26)
• The Politics of Religion (Oct. 29)
• Battle on School Vouchers (Oct. 19)
• Campaigns for the '90s (Oct. 5)
• Belief Spectrum Brings Party Splits (Oct. 4)
• White House Scandal (Sept. 11) As Tolerance Grows, Acceptance Remains Elusive
December 26, 1998
Americans have radically adjusted their moral sensibility in the last 30 years, reserving judgment on people and lifestyles they once readily condemned. A majority now finds divorce, sex before marriage, interracial relationships and single motherhood acceptable. But one group whose behavior remains firmly outside the bounds of acceptability for a majority of Americans is homosexuals. Punish Clinton, Don't Remove Him
December 21, 1998
A day after President Clinton was impeached by the House, most Americans believe that he should be punished for his behavior in the Lewinsky scandal but should not be forced from office. View the data and the complete results. Most Expect House to Impeach
December 17, 1998
A new poll suggests that most Americans feel little personal affection for their president and may not be swayed by emotional appeals from Clinton for support.
Data: resignation and impeachment polls. Public Holds Conflicting Views on Clinton and Impeachment
December 15, 1998
While a majority of Americans oppose impeaching President Clinton and removing him from office, almost as many say the president should resign if the House votes to impeach him.
View the data. Md.'s Glendening Has Narrow Lead
October 25, 1998
Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D) holds a narrow lead among likely voters as the Maryland governor's race enters its final week, but a low turnout or small shifts among wavering voters could make Ellen R. Sauerbrey the first Republican governor in 32 years. View the data. Vote Erodes GOP Approval
October 12, 1998
Public support for Congress and Republican congressional candidates dipped in the wake of the partisan House of Representatives vote to begin a formal impeachment investigation of President Clinton. View the data. Values Split Parties
October 4, 1998
Differences over such core values as individual responsibility and morality, the role of government, and religion's place in public life shape the political dialogue and divide parties in unexpected ways. View the data.
Moral Values Series:
• The Politics of Religion (Oct. 29)
• Battle on School Vouchers (Oct. 19)
• Campaigns for the '90s (Oct. 5)
• White House Scandal (Sept. 11) Support for Clinton, Democrats Fades Among Likely Voters
September 30, 1998
The American public supports President Clinton in his fight to remain in office, but those who are likely to vote in November are more critical of his conduct.
View the data. Most Say Clinton Should Stay
September 14, 1998
Following the release of the Starr report, most Americans believe that President Clinton broke the law, although they still do not want him to leave office.
View the data. Williams in Lead in Race for Mayor
August 30, 1998
Washington's former chief financial officer, Anthony A. Williams, holds a commanding lead in the District's Democratic mayoral race, just three months after he made a late entry into the contest. U.S. Optimism Buoys Congress
August 25, 1998
The same general sense of contentment in the country that appears to be benefiting President Clinton during the worst crisis of his presidency is also buoying Congress in the eyes of the public.
View the data. American Voters See Two Very Different Bill Clintons
August 23, 1998
Americans continue to see President Clinton as a strong leader in touch with their problems even as a growing majority express doubts about his honesty, integrity and moral character.
View the data. Education Tops Voter Concerns
July 14, 1998
Education tops the list of voter concerns while two issues that have consumed much of Congress's time – campaign finance and tobacco legislation – are near the bottom. View the data. Glendening Leads by 12 Points
June 21, 1998
Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening holds a double-digit lead over chief Republican challenger Ellen R. Sauerbrey and gets good marks from voters for honesty and business development. View partial data. Survey Shows Barry Ahead of the Pack
May 19, 1998
As Mayor Marion Barry ponders whether to seek a fifth term, he holds a commanding lead over the top three Democratic candidates, but the majority of District residents give him a negative performance rating, and two-thirds say he should not run again. Poll Finds Impatience with Starr
April 5, 1998
With the Paula Jones case dismissed, an overwhelming majority of Americans say independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr should move to conclude his investigation of President Clinton. View the data. Reality Check: The Gender Revolution
March 22-26, 1998
A series of national polls sponsored by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University examined attitudes toward contemporary gender roles.
Poll Data: Gender Differences | Work and Family | Changing Roles | Relationship Satisfaction | Professional Satisfaction Poll Shows Southern Md. Residents Agree: Growth Is a Concern
March 22, 1998
The people of Southern Maryland have on unifying worry: runaway growth. Two-thirds of the adults living there say Southern Maryland is growing too fast. View the data. Poll Shows Strong Support for Bombing
February 20, 1998
Sixty-three percent of Americans said they would support an air bombardment campaign if the Iraqi regime keeps interfering with U.N. weapons inspectors. At the same time, 68 percent of Americans say they approve of the way the president is handling the crisis. View the data. President's Popularity Hits Its Peak
February 1, 1998
President Clinton has never been more popular with the American people, despite the controversy now surrounding him, and the country is feeling better about itself than it has in more than two decades. Most Americans also agree that the president's political enemies are "conspiring" to bring down his presidency. But almost as many say these conspirators have a powerful ally inside the White House: the president himself. View the data. Allegations Deeply Trouble Few Americans
January 26, 1998
Relatively few Americans said they were troubled by allegations that President Clinton had sex with a young White House intern but most said they believed Clinton should leave office if he lied under oath about their relationship. Clinton's job approval rating remained statistically unchanged from a Jan. 21 Washington Post survey. View the data and highlights. Poll Shows More Citizens Satisfied With Government
January 21, 1998
Economic growth at home and relative peace abroad continue to benefit President Clinton and other elected leaders. Americans were far more satisfied than at any time in recent years with the overall direction of the country and with the performance of the federal government. But not everyone is happy. Half of those interviewed said the country is "seriously off on the wrong track." View the data. Family Values a Key to Result in Va. Race
November 5, 1997
After months of debate over taxes, education and abortion, the little-discussed issue of family values emerged as a key factor in the 1997 Virginia governor's race, according to a media exit poll. Republican James S. Gilmore III won handily among men and matched his Democratic opponent vote for vote among women, despite a significant gender gap in preelection polls. View all the data and excerpts. Republican Surges to Lead in Virginia Governor's Race
October 23, 1997
Republican James S. Gilmore III has jumped to a significant lead over Democrat Donald S. Beyer Jr. for the first time in the Virginia governor's race. A new survey suggests that Gilmore's plan to cut the state's tax on cars and trucks is attracting voters in high-tax areas like Northern Virginia. View the data. Few Expect a Crash Course for Stock Market
October 17, 1997
Few Americans predict a market crash in the next couple of years similar to the one that erased about 20 percent of the value of stocks on Monday, Oct. 19, 1987. Fewer than half could even remember what happened on Black Monday. View the data. Public Favors Independent Counsel
October 15, 1997
A majority of Americans believe the investigation of White House fund-raising activities should be taken away from the Justice Department and turned over to an independent counsel. View the data. Virginia Governor's Race A Dead Heat
September 21, 1997
The race for Virginia governor is deadlocked, in part because a sizable number of voters who approve of popular Republican Gov. George Allen are backing Democrat Donald S. Beyer Jr. instead of the GOP's James S. Gilmore III. View the data. Poll Finds Pessimism on U.S. Course
August 29, 1997
Despite a booming national economy and a soaring stock market, most Americans remain pessimistic about the direction of the country and deeply mistrustful of the federal government's ability to solve the problems that most concern them. View the data. New Friends Help Boost Clinton to Record Approval
July 14, 1997
An analysis of the July Washington Post/ABC News poll shows that Clinton's recent surge in popularity largely comes from groups that have been hostile to him throughout much of his presidency: Republicans, white males and Westerners. Voters Feeling Remote From Politics
July 10, 1997
The bountiful economy appears to be paying dividends for President Clinton, who despite controversies over campaign financing and the embarrassment of a sexual harassment lawsuit enjoys the highest job approval rating of his presidency. Race Relations Initiative May Pose Risks for Clinton
June 12, 1997
While a majority of Americans view race as at least "a serious problem," only one in 10 believe the country faces a racial crisis. Expectations of Clinton Fall, Poll Shows
April 26, 1997
Expectations for President Clinton's second term plummeted in the three months after his inauguration, even though his approval ratings remained strong in the face of a barrage of criticism over Democratic fund-raising practices. Americans Oppose Cutting Entitlements to Fix Budget
March 29, 1997
The message from a vast majority of Americans is: Don't balance the budget and cut taxes by reducing spending on Social Security and Medicare, according to a nationwide poll conducted by The Washington Post, Harvard University and the Kaiser Family Foundation. President's Ratings Register a Setback
March 11, 1997
An overwhelming majority of Americans disapprove of President Clinton's use of the White House to help raise campaign funds for the 1996 election. Clinton's Approval Rating at Highest Mark Since '93
January 19, 1997
President Clinton began his second term in office more popular with the American people than at any time since the early days of his presidency.
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