Hot Topics
Survey Reports
November 8, 2005
Alito Viewed Positively, But Libby Takes a Toll
Questionnaire
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS
NOVEMBER 2005 NEWS INTEREST INDEX
FINAL TOPLINE
November 3 - 6, 2005
N=1,201
Q.1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? [IF DK
ENTER AS DK. IF DEPENDS PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve or disapprove of the
way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? [IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS DK]
Dis- Don't
Approve approve know
November, 2005 36 55 9=100
Late October, 2005 40 52 8=100
Early October, 2005 38 56 6=100
September 8-11, 2005 40 52 8=100
September 6-7, 2005 40 52 8=100
July, 2005 44 48 8=100
July 7-10, 2005 47 46 7=100
June, 2005 42 49 10=100
May, 2005 43 50 7=100
Late March, 2005 49 46 5=100
Mid-March, 2005 45 46 9=100
February, 2005 46 47 7=100
January, 2005 50 43 7=100
2004
December, 2004 48 44 8=100
Mid-October, 2004 44 48 8=100
August, 2004 46 45 9=100
July, 2004 46 46 8=100
June, 2004 48 43 9=100
May, 2004 44 48 8=100
Late April, 2004 48 43 9=100
Early April, 2004 43 47 10=100
Late March, 2004 47 44 9=100
Mid-March, 2004 46 47 7=100
February, 2004 48 44 8=100
Mid-January, 2004 56 34 10=100
Early January, 2004 58 35 7=100
2003
December, 2003 57 34 9=100
November, 2003 50 40 10=100
October, 2003 50 42 8=100
September, 2003 55 36 9=100
Mid-August, 2003 56 32 12=100
Early August, 2003 53 37 10=100
Mid-July, 2003 58 32 10=100
Early July, 2003 60 29 11=100
June, 2003 62 27 11=100
May, 2003 65 27 8=100
April 10-16, 2003 72 22 6=100
April 9, 2003 74 20 6=100
April 2-7, 2003 69 25 6=100
March 28-April 1, 2003 71 23 6=100
March 25-27, 2003 70 24 6=100
March 20-24, 2003 67 26 7=100
March 13-16, 2003 55 34 11=100
February, 2003 54 36 10=100
January, 2003 58 32 10=100
2002
December, 2002 61 28 11=100
Late October, 2002 59 29 12=100
Early October, 2002 61 30 9=100
Mid-September, 2002 67 22 11=100
Early September, 2002 63 26 11=100
Late August, 2002 60 27 13=100
August, 2002 67 21 12=100
Late July, 2002 65 25 10=100
July, 2002 67 21 12=100
June, 2002 70 20 10=100
April, 2002 69 18 13=100
Early April, 2002 74 16 10=100
February, 2002 78 13 9=100
January, 2002 80 11 9=100
2001
Mid-November, 2001 84 9 7=100
Early October, 2001 84 8 8=100
Late September, 2001 86 7 7=100
Mid-September, 2001 80 9 11=100
Early September, 2001 51 34 15=100
August, 2001 50 32 18=100
July, 2001 51 32 17=100
June, 2001 50 33 17=100
May, 2001 53 32 15=100
April, 2001 56 27 17=100
March, 2001 55 25 20=100
February, 2001 53 21 26=100
ROTATE Q.2 AND Q.3
Q.2 Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Republican leaders in Congress are doing? [IF DK ENTER
AS DK. IF DEPENDS PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve or disapprove of the job the
Republican leaders in Congress are doing? IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS DK]
Dis- Don't
Approve approve know
November, 2005 33 50 17=100
Early October, 2005 32 52 16=100
Mid-September, 2005 36 49 15=100
Mid-May, 2005 35 50 15=100
Mid-March, 2005 39 44 17=100
Early February, 2004 41 42 17=100
January, 2003 48 37 15=100
June, 2002 50 34 16=100
May, 2002 49 34 17=100
February, 2002 56 24 20=100
Early September, 2001 43 39 18=100
June, 2001 40 40 20=100
May, 2001 45 36 19=100
April, 2001 45 30 25=100
January, 2001 43 36 21=100
July, 2000 36 46 18=100
May, 2000 40 42 18=100
March, 2000 38 43 19=100
February, 2000 40 43 17=100
January, 2000 39 41 20=100
December, 1999 38 42 20=100
October, 1999 34 50 16=100
Late September, 1999 34 46 20=100
August, 1999 40 44 16=100
July, 1999 36 45 19=100
June, 1999 37 46 17=100
May, 1999 38 44 18=100
March, 1999 38 47 15=100
February, 1999 37 51 12=100
January, 1999 38 50 12=100
Early December, 1998 38 49 13=100
November, 1998 41 48 11=100
Early September, 1998 44 37 19=100
Early August, 1998 43 37 20=100
June, 1998 42 38 20=100
May, 1998 40 41 19=100
April, 1998 41 40 19=100
March, 1998 43 39 18=100
January, 1998 43 41 16=100
November, 1997 41 43 16=100
August, 1997 42 44 14=100
June, 1997 33 50 17=100
May, 1997 40 44 16=100
April, 1997 40 44 16=100
February, 1997 44 42 14=100
January, 1997 38 47 15=100
November, 1996 40 43 17=100
July, 1996 38 48 14=100
June, 1996 36 50 14=100
April, 1996 39 46 15=100
March, 1996 35 51 14=100
February, 1996 33 53 14=100
January, 1996 36 54 10=100
October, 1995 36 51 13=100
September, 1995 36 50 14=100
August, 1995 38 45 17=100
June, 1995 41 45 14=100
April, 1995 44 43 13=100
March, 1995 43 39 18=100
December, 1994 52 28 20=100
Q.3 Do you approve or disapprove of the job the Democratic leaders in Congress are doing? [IF DK ENTER
AS DK. IF DEPENDS PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve or disapprove of the job the
Democratic leaders in Congress are doing? IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS DK]
Approve Disapprove Don't know
November, 2005 36 44 20=100
Early October, 2005 32 48 20=100
Mid-September, 2005 36 45 19=100
Mid-May, 2005 39 41 20=100
Mid-March, 2005 37 44 19=100
Early February, 2004 38 42 20=100
June, 2002 47 36 17=100
May, 2002 42 37 21=100
February, 2002 49 30 21=100
Early September, 2001 49 30 21=100
June, 2001 50 28 22=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=589]:
Q.4F1 What do you think is the most important problem facing the country today? [RECORD VERBATIM
RESPONSE. PROBE FOR CLARITY DO NOT PROBE FOR ADDITIONAL MENTIONS. IF
MORE THAN ONE MENTION, RECORD ALL IN ORDER OF MENTION]
Mid- Mid-
May Jan July Jan Apr Feb Mar May Feb
2005 2005 2004 2004 2003 2003 2002 2001 2001
29 War/War in Iraq 24 32 25 16 14 34 10* -- --
11 Economy (general) 15 12 14 20 28 21 8 7 7
7 Dissatisfaction with govt/politics 6 5 7 5 3 5 4 2 5
6 Terrorism 8 10 8 14 9 16 24 1 *
5 Health care/costs 7 5 5 5 3 2 2 6 7
4 Poverty/Hunger/Starvation 2 3 2 3 3 1 2 3 3
4 Energy crisis/Rising gas/heating prices 6 -- 2 -- -- 1 1 22 4
4 Unemployment/Lack of jobs 7 7 8 13 10 6 4 5 6
3 Deficit/National debt/Balanced budget 2 3 1 2 2 -- 1 1 1
3 U.S. foreign policy/Intl affairs 1 1 4 2 -- -- -- 2 2
3 Morality/Ethics/Family values 3 5 4 3 4 5 8 6 12
Defense issues/Military spending/
2 National & homeland security 2 3 3 3 2 2 5 1 1
2 Hurricane/disaster relief -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2 Immigration 4 1 1 3 1 -- 1 1 2
2 Trade/Jobs moving overseas 1 1 2 1 -- -- -- -- --
1 Homelessness 1 1 1 1 1 -- 1 1 2
1 Inflation/Difference between wages/costs 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
1 Education 2 3 4 3 4 1 4 8 11
1 Social Security 8 4 1 -- 1 -- -- 3 1
1 Taxes 1 1 1 1 1 -- 1 3 3
1 Drugs/Alcohol 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 4 6
Too much foreign aid/
1 spend money at home 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1
15 Other
6 Don't know/No answer 5 5 6 4 9 4 8 8 7
(NET) FOREIGN ISSUES/
42 INTERNATIONAL 36 49 41 37 29 54 39 3 5
24 (NET) ECONOMIC 31 24 26 35 41 29 16 40 26
* War in Afghanistan in March 2002
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=612]:
Q.4XF2 What is the FIRST news story that comes to mind when you think about what's been in the news lately?
[OPEN END. ACCEPT UP TO THREE RESPONSES, DO NOT PROBE FOR ADDITIONAL.
RECORD ALL IN ORDER OF MENTION]
FIRST STORY MENTIONED:
19 Iraq war/troop casualties
14 Recent Hurricanes and response
11 Libby/Cheney/Plame/White House scandal
5 Supreme Court appointments
3 Crime
2 Other local news
2 Bush's trip to South America/protest
1 Weather/natural disasters
1 Bird flu
1 Death of Rosa Parks
1 Gas prices
1 Politics (general)
1 Violence and protests in France
1 Democrats holding closed door session in Senate
1 Immigration/border issues
1 Prince Charles and Camilla trip to the U.S.
5 All others
30 Don't Know/Refused
100
ASK ALL:
Q.5 In your view, has George W. Bush lived up to his campaign promise to restore integrity to the White
House, or not?
36 Yes, lived up to his promise
56 No, has not
8 (VOL. DO NOT READ) Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=589]:
Q.6F1 In your opinion, are the news organizations you are familiar with being fair or unfair to the Bush
administration?
Fair Unfair DK/Refused
G.W. Bush: November, 2005 50 31 19=100
G.W. Bush: Early July, 2003 62 24 14=100
G.W. Bush: February, 2001 65 19 16=100
Clinton: Early September, 1998 52 40 8=100
Clinton: February, 1998 49 44 7=100
Clinton: September, 1994 67 26 7=100
Clinton: May, 1994 52 36 12=100
Clinton: August, 1993 66 21 13=100
Clinton: June, 1993 51 43 6=100
Clinton: February, 1993 72 17 11=100
Bush, Sr.: January, 1992 77 15 8=100
Bush, Sr.: November, 1990 72 15 13=100
Bush, Sr.: January, 1990 76 14 10=100
Bush, Sr.: August, 1989 82 12 6=100
Reagan: January, 1988 66 21 13=100
Reagan: January, 1987 67 25 8=100
Reagan: July, 1985 78 12 10=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=612]:
Q.7F2 Do you think the press has been too critical of the Bush Administration policies and performance so
far, not critical enough or do you think that the press has handled this about right?
Early Clinton
July 2003 June 1993
32 Press too critical 25 35
28 Not critical enough 23 12
34 About right 48 49
6 Don't know/Refused 4 4
100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.8 Now I will read a list of some stories covered by news organizations this past month. As I read each item,
tell me if you happened to follow this news story very closely, fairly closely, not too closely, or not at all
closely. [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE; OBSERVE FORM SPLITS]
Very Fairly Not too Not at all
Closely Closely Closely Closely DK/Ref
a. News about the current situation in Iraq 41 40 13 6 *=100
Early October, 2005 43 36 15 6 *=100
Early September, 2005 32 40 20 7 1=100
July, 2005 43 37 13 6 1=100
June, 2005 41 39 12 7 1=100
Mid-May, 2005 42 42 11 5 *=100
Mid-March, 2005 40 39 14 5 2=100
February, 2005 38 45 13 4 *=100
January, 2005 48 37 11 4 *=100
December, 2004 34 44 15 6 1=100
Mid-October, 2004 42 38 11 8 1=100
Early September, 2004 47 37 9 6 1=100
August, 2004 39 42 12 6 1=100
July, 2004 43 40 11 6 *=100
June, 2004 39 42 12 6 1=100
April, 2004 54 33 8 5 *=100
Mid-March, 2004 47 36 12 4 1=100
Early February, 2004 47 38 10 4 1=100
Mid-January, 2004 48 39 9 4 *=100
December, 2003 44 38 11 6 1=100
November, 2003 52 33 9 5 1=100
October, 2003 38 40 14 7 1=100
September, 2003 50 33 10 6 1=100
Mid-August, 2003 45 39 10 5 1=100
Early July, 2003 37 41 13 8 1=100
June, 2003 46 35 13 6 *=100
May, 2003 63 29 6 2 *=100
April 11-16, 2003 47 40 10 2 1=100
April 2-7, 2003 54 34 9 2 1=100
March 20-24, 2003 57 33 7 2 1=100
March 13-16, 2003 62 27 6 4 1=100
February, 2003 62 25 8 4 1=100
January, 2003 55 29 10 4 2=100
December, 2002 51 32 10 6 1=100
Late October, 2002 53 33 8 5 1=100
Early October, 2002 60 28 6 5 1=100
Early September, 2002 48 29 15 6 2=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=589]:
b.F1 The high price of gasoline these days 61 27 9 2 1=100
Late October, 2005 67 23 7 3 *=100
Mid-October, 2005 65 25 6 3 1=100
Early September, 2005 71 19 7 3 *=100
Mid-May, 2005 58 27 9 5 1=100
Mid-March, 2005 50 32 13 5 *=100
Mid-October, 2004 64 22 8 5 1=100
August, 2004 52 29 10 8 1=100
July, 2004 56 25 11 7 1=100
June, 2004 58 26 9 6 1=100
April, 2004 46 30 15 8 1=100
Early April, 2004 58 23 10 8 1=100
Mid-March, 2004 47 27 14 10 2=100
September, 2003 45 27 15 11 1=100
March, 2003 52 27 11 9 1=100
February, 2003 53 25 12 9 1=100
June, 2001 56 31 7 5 1=100
May, 2001 61 26 6 6 1=100
Early October, 2000 56 25 12 6 1=100
June, 2000 61 25 9 5 *=100
March, 2000 58 28 10 4 *=100
October, 1990 62 26 8 4 *=100
September, 1990 56 28 11 5 *=100
August, 1990 57 27 10 5 1=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=612]:
c.F2 Oil companies reporting large profits over
the past few months 37 33 16 13 1=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=589]:
d.F1 Reports about the condition of the U.S. economy 35 39 17 9 *=100
Mid-May, 2005 30 39 19 11 1=100
January, 2005 35 41 17 7 *=100
Mid-October, 2004 30 43 16 10 1=100
Early September, 2004 39 34 15 11 1=100
Mid-January, 2004 37 41 15 7 *=100
December, 2003 35 38 14 11 2=100
November, 2003 40 34 15 10 1=100
October, 2003 32 39 16 12 1=100
September, 2003 39 30 18 12 1=100
March, 2003 40 35 16 8 1=100
February, 2003 42 33 15 10 *=100
January, 2003 40 35 13 11 1=100
December, 2002 38 34 17 10 1=100
February, 2002 35 40 15 9 1=100
January, 2002 30 44 16 9 1=100
December, 2001 37 40 13 8 2=100
Mid-November, 2001 41 36 15 7 1=100
June, 2001 24 41 18 16 1=100
May, 2001 34 36 15 15 0=100
April, 2001 36 34 16 13 1=100
February, 2001 30 39 18 12 1=100
January, 2001 32 38 17 11 2=100
June, 1995 26 41 22 11 *=100
March, 1995 27 45 19 9 *=100
February, 1995 23 41 22 13 1=100
December, 1994 28 43 20 9 *=100
October, 1994 27 40 20 12 1=100
June, 1994 25 42 23 10 *=100
May, 1994 33 40 16 10 1=100
January, 1994 34 39 16 10 1=100
Early January, 1994 36 44 13 7 *=100
December, 1993 35 41 15 8 1=100
October, 1993 33 38 20 9 *=100
September, 1993 37 40 14 8 1=100
Early September, 1993 39 39 14 9 *=100
August, 1993 41 36 14 9 *=100
May, 1993 37 38 18 6 1=100
February, 1993 49 36 10 5 *=100
January, 1993 42 39 12 7 *=100
September, 1992 43 37 13 6 1=100
May, 1992 39 39 15 6 1=100
March, 1992 47 38 11 4 *=100
February, 1992 47 37 10 6 *=100
January, 1992 44 40 11 5 *=100
October, 1991 36 38 16 9 1=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=612]:
e.F2 The impact of Hurricane Wilma on Mexico and Florida 34 37 21 8 *=100
Late October, 2005 Impact of Katrina and Rita 69 24 5 2 *=100
Early October, 2005 Impact of Katrina and Rita 73 21 4 2 *=100
Early September, 2005 Impact of Katrina 70 21 7 2 *=100
July, 2005 Hurricanes affecting the Gulf Coast 38 37 17 8 *=100
Early October, 2002 Gulf of Mexico & Louisiana 38 34 18 10 *=100
ASK ALL:
f. The nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court 21 28 24 25 2=100
Early October, 2005 Nomination of Harriet Miers 22 33 21 23 1=100
Early September, 2005 Nomination of John Roberts 18 26 25 29 2=100
August, 1993 Nomination of Ruth Bader Ginsburg 18 30 27 24 1=100
October, 1991 Nomination of Clarence Thomas 28 35 18 18 1=100
July, 1991 Nomination of Clarence Thomas 33 33 19 14 1=100
August, 1990 Nomination of David Souter 16 27 27 29 1=100
September, 1987 Nomination of Robert Bork 17 23 29 29 2=100
g. The indictment of Vice President Cheney's
Chief of Staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby 24 29 23 23 1=100
Early October, 2005 Indictment of Tom DeLay * 18 25 26 30 1=100
* In Early October 2005 the story was listed as “The criminal indictment of House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay for campaign finance violations”
h. The outbreak of bird flu in Asia and Europe 22 37 25 15 1=100
Late October, 2005 22 33 24 20 1=100
January, 2004 Mad cow disease in Washington state 29 42 19 9 1=100
June, 2003 SARS spread from Asia 28 44 19 8 1=100
May, 2003 SARS spread from Asia 39 39 15 6 1=100
Early September, 2001 Mad cow disease in Europe 18 34 27 20 1=100
March, 2001 Foot-and-mouth disease in Europe 22 33 22 22 1=100
January, 1998 Outbreak of an Asian flu 19 36 25 20 *=100
ASKED NOVEMBER 4-6 ONLY [N=828]:
i. The death of Rosa Parks 25 37 22 15 1=100
ASK ALL:
Q.9 How have you been getting most of your news about national and international issues? From television, from
newspapers, from radio, from magazines, or from the internet? [ACCEPT TWO ANSWERS: IF ONLY
ONE RESPONSE IS GIVEN, PROBE ONCE FOR ADDITIONAL RESPONSE]
News- Other Don't Know/
Television papers Radio Magazines Internet (VOL) Refused
November, 2005 73 36 16 2 20 2 *
Early Sept, 2005*(Hurricane Katrina) 89 35 17 * 21 3 *
June, 2005 74 44 22 5 24 2 1
December, 2004 74 46 21 4 24 2 3
October, 2003 80 50 18 4 20 2 1
August, 2003 79 46 15 3 18 2 1
Early July, 2003 79 45 16 5 19 1 *
March, 2003 (War in Iraq) 89 24 19 * 11 2 *
February, 2003 83 42 19 4 15 3 *
January, 2003 81 44 22 4 17 2 1
January, 2002 82 42 21 3 14 2 *
Mid-September, 2001 (Terror Attacks) 90 11 14 * 5 1 1
Early September, 2001 74 45 18 6 13 1 *
February, 2001 76 40 16 4 10 2 1
October, 1999 80 48 19 5 11 2 *
January, 1999 82 42 18 4 6 2 *
January, 1996 88 61 25 8 -- 2 *
September, 1995 82 63 20 10 -- 1 1
January, 1994 83 51 15 10 -- 5 1
September, 1993 83 60 17 9 -- 3 *
January, 1993 83 52 17 5 -- 1 1
Early January, 1991 82 40 15 4 -- 1 *
* In Early September 2005, the question was worded “news about the impact of Hurricane Katrina.” In
March 2003, the question was worded “news about the war in Iraq,” and in Mid-September 2001, the question
was worded “news about the terrorist attacks.” In September 1995, question wording did not include
“international.” In Early January 1991 the question asked about “the latest developments in the Persian
Gulf.”
IF '1' TELEVISION AS EITHER 1ST OR 2ND RESPONSE IN Q.9 ASK:
Q.9a Do you get most of your news about national and international issues from [READ, RANDOMIZE
ITEMS 2 THRU 4 AND 5 THRU 8 SEPARATELY, AND RANDOMIZE SETS OF ITEMS
(LOCAL; NETWORK; CABLE). ACCEPT MULTIPLE ANSWERS BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR
ADDITIONAL]
Hurricane
Katrina Early
BASED ON TOTAL: Early Sept June Dec Oct Aug July Jan
2005 2005 2004 2003 2003 2003 2002
16 Local news programming 19 13 15 17 17 17 16
14 ABC Network news 14 12 11 12 12 12 11
12 CBS Network news 8 9 9 8 10 11 11
15 NBC Network news 12 12 14 13 15 14 15
24 CNN Cable news 31 18 20 20 26 27 28
8 MSNBC Cable news 9 5 6 6 7 9 8
22 The Fox News Cable Channel 22 16 19 17 18 22 16
5 CNBC Cable news 3 2 3 -- 3 3 4
3 (DO NOT READ) DK/Refused 3 4 3 4 4 3 2
IF '5' INTERNET AS EITHER 1ST OR 2ND RESPONSE IN Q.9, ASK [N=236]:
Q.9b When you get news online, do you read the websites of local or national newspapers, or not?
June 2005
67 Yes 62
32 No 36
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 2
100 100
ASK IF FOLLOWED BIRD FLU VERY, FAIRLY, NOT TOO CLOSELY (1-3 IN Q.8h) [N=1,046]:
F.1 In your view, is too much, too little, or the right amount of attention being paid to the possibility of a bird
flu outbreak in America?
22 Too much
29 Too little
42 Right amount
7 Don't know/Refused
100
F.2 How much confidence do you have in the federal government to deal with a possible outbreak of bird flu in
America? [READ]
9 A great deal
39 A fair amount
33 Not very much
16 No confidence at all
3 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
F.3 How worried are you that you or someone in your family will be exposed to the bird flu? [READ]
SARS*
May
2003
11 Very worried 9
27 Somewhat worried 28
38 Not too worried 29
23 Not worried at all 34
1 No opinion (VOL) *
100 100
* In May 2003, the question was worded “One last question about the new disease know as Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. How worried are you that you or someone in your family will be exposed
to SARS...”
On a different subject
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=589]:
Q.10F1 Some people think that by criticizing leaders, news organizations keep political leaders from doing
their job. Others think that such criticism is worth it because it keeps political leaders from
doing things that should not be done. Which position is closer to your opinion?
Keeps leaders
Keeps leaders from doing things Don't know/
from doing their job that shouldn't be done Refused
November, 2005 22 62 16=100
June, 2005 28 60 12=100
Early July, 2003 29 54 17=100
July, 2002 26 59 15=100
Mid-November, 2001 32 54 14=100
Early September, 2001 25 60 15=100
February, 1999 31 58 11=100
Early February, 1998 39 55 6=100
February, 1997 32 56 12=100
Late January, 1994 24 66 10=100
Early January, 1994 18 69 13=100
August, 1989 23 68 9=100
December, 1986 26 60 14=100
July, 1985 17 67 16=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=612]:
Q.11F2 Some people think that in investigating possible wrongdoing by political leaders, news organizations keep
leaders from doing their job. Others think such investigations are worth it because they keep
political leaders from doing things that should not be done. Which position is closer to your
opinion?
25 Investigations keep political leaders from doing their job
61 Investigations keep leaders from doing things that should not be done
14 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
ASK ALL:
Q.12 When it comes to national policy, who do you think George W. Bush is listening to more... [READ AND
ROTATE]
Early
Oct July Jan May Jan Jan Jan
2005 2005 2005 2003 2003 2002 2001
53 Conservative members of his party 57 53 54 49 41 38 48
OR
27 Moderate members of his party 27 23 27 32 35 40 37
20 Don't know/Refused 16 24 19 19 24 22 15
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Last week a grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA agent's identity indicted the vice president's adviser Lewis
Libby on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
ASK IF FOLLOWED NEWS ABOUT LIBBY INDICTMENT AT ALL (1,2,3 IN Q8g) [N=964]:
Q.13 Thinking back to when you FIRST heard about the indictment, what ONE WORD best describes your
reaction to the news? (OPEN-END. PROBE ONCE IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS "DON'T
KNOW". ACCEPT UP TO TWO RESPONSES, BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR SECOND
RESPONSE)*
89 Not surprised/unsurprised
82 Surprised
58 Shocked
24 Disappointed
23 Disgusted
21 Expected
21 Good
15 Disbelief/unbelievable
14 Finally
12 About time
11 Traitor/treason
11 Guilty
11 Typical
9 Wow
9 Indifferent
8 Outraged
8 Ridiculous
8 Watergate
8 Happy
7 Not shocked
* The numbers listed represent the number of respondents who offered each response; the numbers are not
percentages.
ASK ALL:
Q.14 How important an issue do you think this whole situation is to the nation [READ]
---- Clinton lied under oath ---- -Clinton had affair-
-- CBS --
Sept* Sept Sept Early Late Early Late Early Jan Jan
22-21 19-20 11-15 Sept Aug Aug Feb Feb 26 24-25
1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998
44 Great importance 37 42 37 34 33 27 22 25 39 40
35 Some importance 19 23 22 20 23 21 25 27 28 21
18 Very little importance 42 33 38 42 42 46 50 45 28 35
1 None (VOL) -- -- 1 3 2 3 3 1 2 3
2 DK/Refused 2 2 2 1 * 3 * 2 3 1
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
* Interviews from September 19-20 were conducted prior to the release of Bill Clinton’s videotaped grand
jury testimony. Interviews from September 21-22 were conducted following the release of the videotape.
Interviews from September 11-15 were conducted after the release of the Starr Report. From August to
September 1998 the question was worded “Now, a few questions about the allegation that President Clinton
lied under oath about a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Thinking specifically about this
allegation...” In Late February 1998 and earlier the question was worded “Thinking about these
allegations against President Clinton [that he had an affair with former White House intern, Monica
Lewinsky], how important an issue do you think this whole situation is to the nation...”
Q.15 From what you've heard and read, do you think Lewis Libby is guilty or not guilty of the charges
brought against him?
42 Guilty
15 Not guilty
43 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Q.16 Do you think news organizations are giving too much, too little, or the right amount of coverage to the
investigation into the leak of a CIA agent's identity?
Iran
Lewinsky* - Whitewater Investigation - Contra
Dec Aug May Aug March Newsweek Jan
1998 1998 1997 1995 1994 March 1994 1987
31 Too much 64 69 43 45 55 44 44
21 Too little 2 4 14 15 7 10 9
39 About the right amount 31 26 39 37 33 36 43
9 Don't know/Refused 3 1 4 3 5 10 4
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
* In 1998 the question was worded: “Do you think the media is giving TOO MUCH attention to the
investigation of President Clinton, TOO LITTLE attention, or about the right amount?” From 1994 to 1997
the question was worded: "...to the Whitewater case and the White House handling of it...” In 1987 the
question was worded: “...have given the Iran-Contra affair...”
On a different subject
Q.17 How important is the president's choice of the next Supreme Court justice to you personally? [READ]
Mid- Late
Sept July June March
2005 2005 2005 2005
47 Very important 48 47 47 38
28 Somewhat important 34 30 29 36
13 Not too important 9 14 14 15
11 Not at all important 7 8 8 8
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 2 1 2 3
100 100 100 100 100
Q.18 From what you've seen and heard so far, do you think the Senate should or should not confirm Samuel
Alito to the Supreme Court?
Harriet Miers -- John Roberts --
Early Oct Mid-Sept Early Sept
2005 2005 2005
40 Should 33 46 35
23 Should not 27 21 19
37 Don't know/Refused 40 33 46
100 100 100 100
Q.19 Do you worry that Samuel Alito would make the Supreme Court too conservative, not conservative enough,
or don’t you worry about this?
Chief Justice Next Supreme
Harriet Miers John Robersts Court Appointment
Early Oct 2005 Early Oct 2005 July 2005
25 Too conservative 18 20 31
6 Not conservative enough 8 9 19
56 Don’t worry about this 56 60 44
13 Don’t know/Refused 18 11 6
100 100 100 100
Q.20 As I read some issues the Supreme Court may rule on over the coming years, please tell me how important
each issue is to you personally. First, are court decisions on [INSERT ITEM, RANDOMIZE; OBSERVE
FORM SPLIT] very important, fairly important, not too important, or not at all important to you?
Very Fairly Not too Not at all
Important Important Important Important DK/Ref
a. Abortion 62 20 8 8 2=100
July, 2005 63 21 8 7 1=100
b. Affirmative action 38 37 12 7 6=100
July, 2005 43 35 12 7 3=100
c. Issues related to homosexuality 36 20 20 21 3=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=589]:
d.F1 The rights of people held in
custody as terrorist suspects 57 23 10 6 4=100
July, 2005 62 21 10 6 1=100
ASK ALL:
e. The amount of money courts can
award in personal injury lawsuits 44 34 14 6 2=100
July, 2005 49 31 13 5 2=100
f. Whether to allow religious displays
on government property 46 25 16 10 3=100
July, 2005 55 25 11 8 1=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=612]:
g.F2 How terrorist suspects should
be treated 60 24 8 5 3=100
Q.21 When Senators ask Supreme Court nominees questions about issues like abortion that may come before the
court, do you think [INSERT ITEM, ROTATE] or do you think [NEXT ITEM]?
Early Oct
2005
60 Nominees should be required to answer those questions 55
35 Nominees should be allowed to not comment on those questions 39
5 Don't know/Refused [VOL] 6
100 100
Q.22 Do you worry that Samuel Alito would go too far in restricting access to abortions, not go far enough, or
don't you worry about this?
25 Go too far
12 Not go far enough
47 Don't worry about this
16 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
On a different subject
Q.23 A few weeks ago, Iraq held a nationwide vote on the country's constitution. How much have you heard
about this A lot, a little, or nothing at all?
Early Oct Jan* June
2005 2005 2004
22 A lot 21 46 42
52 A little 50 40 40
25 Nothing at all 28 13 17
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 1 1 1
100 100 100 100
* In early October 2005 the question was worded: “On October 15th, Iraq is scheduled to have a nationwide
vote on the country’s proposed constitution. How much have you heard about this…” In January 2005
question was worded “On January 30th, Iraq is scheduled to have its first nationwide elections...”
In June 2004 the question was worded: “On June 30th, the U.S. is planning to hand over civilian
authority to Iraqi leaders. How much have you heard about this…”
Q.24 In this election, the Iraqi people voted "yes" on the new constitution. Do you think this will lead to
a MORE stable situation, a LESS stable situation, or will the situation in Iraq not change much?
Before Before Jan 30th
Oct 15th Vote Elections
Early Oct Feb Jan
2005 2005 2005
30 More stable 29 47 29
6 Less stable 10 7 14
56 Situation will not change much 51 40 49
8 Don't know/Refused 10 6 8
100 100 100 100
Q.25 Before the war the U.S. and Britain claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. These weapons
have not been found. Why do you think they made this claim: [READ AND ROTATE]
ASK IF 'LIED TO PROVIDE A REASON' (Q25=2)
Q.26 Do you think U.S. and British leaders knew Iraq had no weapons, or did they simply choose to believe
only the intelligence that supported going to war?
Feb
2004
41 Was it mostly because they were themselves misinformed by bad intelligence 49
OR
43 Was it mostly because they lied to provide a reason for invading Iraq 31
17 Knew Iraq had no weapons 22
24 Chose to believe only the intelligence that supported going to war 9
2 Don't know/Refused (VOL) *
5 WMD might still be found (VOL) 9
11 Don't know/Refused (VOL) 11
100 100
NO QUESTION 27
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=589]:
Q.28F1 In 1973 the Roe versus Wade decision established a woman's constitutional right to an abortion, at
least in the first three months of pregnancy. Would you like to see the Supreme Court completely
overturn its Roe versus Wade decision, or not?
--------Gallup---------
July June Jan March Aug Oct
2005 2005 2003 2002 1992 1989
26 Yes, overturn Roe versus Wade 29 30 31 36 34 33
65 No, not overturn Roe versus Wade 65 63 62 60 60 61
9 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 6 7 7 4 6 6
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=612]:
Q.29F2 In 1973 the Roe versus Wade decision established a woman's constitutional right to an abortion, at
least in the first three months of pregnancy. Would you like to see the Supreme Court overturn its
Roe versus Wade decision, or not?
32 Yes, overturn Roe versus Wade
57 No, not overturn Roe versus Wade
11 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
ASK ALL:
PARTY In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent?
(VOL) (VOL)
No Other
Trend Republican Democrat Independent Preference Party Don't know
November, 2005 28 34 31 5 * 2=100
Late October, 2005 29 33 31 5 * 2=100
Early October, 2005 26 34 34 4 * 2=100
September 8-11, 2005 31 32 33 3 * 1=100
September 6-7, 2005 27 33 33 4 * 3=100
July, 2005 31 34 29 4 * 2=100
June, 2005 30 32 32 4 * 2=100
May, 2005 30 34 29 4 * 3=100
March, 2005 30 34 29 4 * 3=100
February, 2005 31 32 30 4 1 2=100
January, 2005 32 33 30 4 * 1=100
December, 2004 31 34 30 3 * 2=100
Mid-October, 2004 30 33 30 4 * 3=100
Late September, 2004 29 30 31 6 * 4=100
Mid-September, 2004 29 31 30 5 * 5=100
Early September, 2004 30 33 31 3 * 3=100
Yearly Totals
2004 30 33 30 4 * 3=100
2003 30 31 31 5 * 3=100
2002 30 31 30 5 1 3=100
2001 29 34 29 5 * 3=100
2001 Post-Sept 11 31 32 28 5 1 3=100
2001 Pre-Sept 11 28 35 30 5 * 2=100
2000 28 33 29 6 * 4=100
1999 27 33 34 4 * 2=100
1998 28 33 32 5 * 2=100
1997 28 33 32 4 1 2=100
No Preference/
Other/DK
1996 29 33 33 5=100
1995 32 30 34 4=100
1994 30 32 34 4=100
1993 27 34 34 5=100
1992 28 33 35 4=100
1991 31 32 33 4=100
1990 31 33 30 6=100
Independent/
No Pref/Oth/DK
1989 33 33 34=100
1987 26 35 39=100
IF ANSWERED 3, 4, 5 OR 9 IN PARTY, ASK:
PARTYLN As of today do you lean more to the Republican Party or more to the Democratic Party?
Refused
Republican Democrat to lean
November, 2005 11 14 13=38%
Late October, 2005 11 15 12=38%
Early October, 2005 11 18 11=40%
September 8-11, 2005 10 18 9=37%
September 6-7, 2005 10 15 15=40%
July, 2005 9 15 11=35%
June, 2005 10 16 12=38%
Mid-May, 2005 9 13 14=36%
Late March, 2005 13 17 9=39%
December, 2004 14 12 9=35%
August, 2003 12 16 14=42%
August, 2002 12 13 13=38%
September, 2000 11 13 15=39%
Late September, 1999 14 15 16=45%
August, 1999 15 15 12=42%
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