Hot Topics
Survey Reports
September 5, 2002
One Year Later: New Yorkers More Troubled, Washingtonians More On Edge
Questionnaire
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS
LATE AUGUST 2002 YEAR-AFTER 9/11 POLL
FINAL TOPLINE
August 14-25, 2002
National Sample: N=1001 / New York City Sample: N=401 / Washington, DC Sample: N=400
Q.1 Can you think of anything that has happened over the past year or so that has had
a big effect personally on your life? [IF YES: What?] [IF NO, NOT SURE PROBE ONCE WITH:
Anything at all what would you say has had the biggest personal effect on your life over
the past year or so?] [MULTIPLE RECORD - ACCEPT UP TO THREE RESPONSES]
Natl. NYC WDC
38 51 44 September 11th terrorist attacks
24 21 21 Life changes (births, deaths, health problems,
school, work, marriage, divorce)
3 2 3 Stock market / poor economy
4 3 2 Other
30 22 28 No, nothing
3 3 3 Don't know/Refused
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL [N=500] AND CITIES ONLY:
Q.2 All in all, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in
this country today?
Satisfied Dissatisfied No Opinion
Late August, 2002
National 47 44 9=100
NYC 37 52 11=100
WDC 50 41 9=100
National Trend
May, 2002 44 44 12=100
March, 2002 50 40 10=100
Late September, 2001 57 34 9=100
Early September, 2001 41 53 6=100
June, 2001 43 52 5=100
March, 2001 47 45 8=100
February, 2001 46 43 11=100
January, 2001 55 41 4=100
September, 2000 51 41 8=100
June, 2000 47 45 8=100
April, 2000 48 43 9=100
August, 1999 56 39 5=100
January, 1999 53 41 6=100
November, 1998 46 44 10=100
Early September, 1998 54 42 4=100
Late August, 1998 55 41 4=100
Early August, 1998 50 44 6=100
February, 1998 59 37 4=100
January, 1998 46 50 4=100
September, 1997 45 49 6=100
August, 1997 49 46 5=100
January, 1997 38 58 4=100
July, 1996 29 67 4=100
March, 1996 28 70 2=100
October, 1995 23 73 4=100
June, 1995 25 73 2=100
April, 1995 23 74 3=100
July, 1994 24 73 3=100
March, 1994 24 71 5=100
October, 1993 22 73 5=100
September, 1993 20 75 4=100
May, 1993 22 71 7=100
January, 1993 39 50 11=100
January, 1992 28 68 4=100
November, 1991 34 61 5=100
Late Feb, 1991 (Gallup) 66 31 3=100
August, 1990 47 48 5=100
May, 1990 41 54 5=100
January, 1989 45 50 5=100
September, 1988 (RVs) 50 45 5=100
May, 1988 41 54 5=100
January, 1988 39 55 6=100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.3 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]
Approve Disapprove Don't know
Late August, 2002
National 60 27 13=100
National Trend
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
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
ASK ALL:
Q.4 Can you think of anything that has happened over the past year or so that has had
a big effect on THE COUNTRY? [IF YES: What?] [IF NO, NOT SURE PROBE ONCE WITH:
Anything at all what would you say has had the biggest effect on THE COUNTRY over the
past year or so?] [MULTIPLE RECORD - ACCEPT UP TO THREE RESPONSES]
Natl. NYC WDC
80 80 82 September 11th terrorist attacks
3 3 3 Stock market decline
3 4 4 Economy / recession
3 2 4 Corporate scandal / corruption
2 2 2 War on terrorism/Afghanistan
1 2 2 Bush presidency/leadership
1 3 0 Terrorism threat/concerns
1 1 * Child abductions
1 1 * Jobs situation / layoffs
* 2 * Iraq/ possibility of war
4 4 5 Other
5 3 3 No, nothing
1 * * Don't know/Refused
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL [N=500] AND CITIES ONLY:
Q.5 Right now, which is more important for President Bush to focus on the economy or
the war on terrorism?
Natl. NYC WDC
39 39 42 The economy
34 35 35 War on terrorism
2 3 * Neither (VOL.)
22 21 21 Both (VOL.)
3 2 2 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.6 Right now, which is more important for President Bush to focus on domestic policy
or the war on terrorism?
Natl. NYC WDC Jan 2002
29 -- -- Domestic policy 33
43 -- -- War on terrorism 52
1 -- -- Neither (VOL.) *
22 -- -- Both (VOL.) 13
5 -- -- Don't know/Refused 2
100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.7 Compared to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, would you say that the
September 11th terrorist attacks were more serious, not as serious, or about equal?
National Trend
NBC News
Natl. NYC WDC Sept 2001
37 39 41 More serious than Pearl Harbor 66
14 13 17 Not as serious as Pearl Harbor 5
43 42 36 Equal to Pearl Harbor 25
6 6 6 Don't know/Refused 4
100 100 100 100
Q.8 How much did the September 11th terrorist attacks affect how you think about
politics and national issues? [READ]
Natl. NYC WDC
46 53 49 A great deal
30 22 33 Some
12 12 8 Not much
9 9 10 Not at all
3 4 * Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
NO QUESTION 9
ASK ALL:
Q.10 How much did the September 11th terrorist attacks move you or affect you
emotionally? [READ]
Natl. NYC WDC
67 73 72 A great deal
25 21 22 Some
5 4 3 Not much --OR--
3 1 2 Not at all
* 1 1 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.11 When you think about the September 11th terrorist attacks, whose actions were the
most inspiring to you personally? [DO NOT READ OPTIONS PRECODED OPEN-END]
Natl. NYC WDC
37 32 38 (NET) Firemen, police, rescue workers
32 28 34 Firemen \ NY/DC firemen
3 2 3 Rescue \ emergency workers
2 5 5 Policemen \ NY/DC police
14 9 14 George W. Bush \ the president
11 8 8 Average/ordinary Americans
10 22 11 Rudy Giuliani \ the mayor of New York City
6 2 7 Airplane passengers on flights \ those who fought hijackers on Penn. flight
2 3 3 Victims \ survivors \ victims' families
2 4 3 Residents of New York City
2 1 1 The military \ army \ soldiers \ troops overseas \ national guard
1 3 1 Volunteers
4 6 5 Other
11 11 11 Don't know/Refused
Q.12 These days, how often do you think about the September 11th terrorist attacks?
That is, how often do the events of a year ago come to mind? [READ]
Natl. NYC WDC
28 40 40 Every day
34 31 29 A few times a week
25 19 23 Once a week or less --OR--
11 8 8 Rarely
1 * * Never (VOL.)
1 2 * Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL [N=500] AND CITIES ONLY:
Q.13 As a result of the attacks, has your own personal life changed in a major way,
changed only a little bit, or is your life basically the same as it was before the
attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
16 24 22 Changed in a major way
33 37 41 Changed only a little bit
49 37 36 Basically the same
1 * * Other (VOL.)
1 2 1 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.14 As a result of the attacks, has life in America changed in a major way, changed
only a little bit, or is life in America basically the same as it was before the attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
50 -- -- Changed in a major way
35 -- -- Changed only a little bit
14 -- -- Basically the same
* -- -- Other (VOL.)
1 -- -- Don't know/Refused
100
-- CITIES SKIP TO Q.23 --
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL ONLY [N=500]:
All in all
Q.15 How should the U.S. determine its policy with regard to the war on terrorism?
Should it be based mostly on the national interests of the U.S., or should it strongly
take into account the interests of its allies?
Mid-Oct Early Sept
Natl. NYC WDC 2001 2001
45 -- -- U.S. national interests 30 38
35 -- -- Interests and views of allies 59 48
10 -- -- Both (VOL) 7 7
1 -- -- Neither (VOL) * 1
9 -- -- Don't Know/Refused 4 6
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.16 How do you see the US led war on terrorism do you think the US is taking into
account the interests of its allies in the fight against terrorism, or do you think
the US is acting mainly on its own interests?
Natl. NYC WDC Early April 2002
44 -- -- Taking into account the interests of its allies 48
42 -- -- Acting mainly on its own interests 41
14 -- -- Don't know/Refused 11
100 100
ASK ALL NATIONAL:
Q.17 In the long run, what is the best way for the U.S. to avoid problems like
terrorism? Should the U.S.: [READ AND ROTATE]
Natl. NYC WDC Mid-Oct 2001
53 -- -- Be very much involved in solving international problems? 61
34 -- -- Not get too involved with international problems? 32
13 -- -- Don't know/Refused 7
100 100
Q.18 Do you think the terrorist attacks are the start of a major conflict between the
people of America and Europe versus the people of Islam, or is it only a conflict with
a small, radical group?
IF CONFLICT WITH A SMALL RADICAL GROUP (Q.18=2), ASK:
Q.19 Do you think this conflict is going to grow into a major world conflict, or do you
think it will remain limited to a small, radical group?
Natl. NYC WDC Mid-Oct 2001
35 -- -- Major conflict 28
52 -- -- Conflict with a radical group 63
19 -- -- Is going to grow into a major world conflict --
28 -- -- Will remain limited to a small, radical group --
5 -- -- Don't know/Refused --
13 -- -- Don't know/Refused 9
100 100
NO QUESTION 20 THRU 22
ASK ALL:
Q.23 We're interested in how the attacks might still be affecting people personally.
For example, how often would you say you [feel sad] these days as a result of the
terrorist attacks -- often, sometimes, rarely or never? How often do you [INSERT
NEXT ITEM, ROTATE ITEMS b. THRU h. REPEAT FULLY FOR EACH ITEM] as a result of the
terrorist attacks?
Often Sometimes Rarely Never DK/Ref
a. Feel sad
National 24 42 24 9 1=100
NYC 37 39 15 8 1=100
WDC 23 39 26 11 1=100
b. Feel depressed
National 10 20 27 42 1=100
NYC 14 30 25 30 1=100
WDC 8 17 28 46 1=100
c. Have difficulty sleeping
National 4 10 19 66 1=100
NYC 9 15 18 56 2=100
WDC 3 13 21 63 0=100
d. Feel angry
National 31 37 16 15 1=100
NYC 41 32 14 13 *=100
WDC 27 38 19 15 1=100
e. Feel scared
National 12 23 26 38 1=100
NYC 18 32 21 27 2=100
WDC 15 28 33 24 0=100
f. Feel patriotic
National 62 22 7 6 3=100
NYC 61 21 7 7 4=100
WDC 60 26 7 6 1=100
g. Feel suspicious of
other people
National 23 27 27 22 1=100
NYC 29 29 22 18 2=100
WDC 24 30 29 15 2=100
h. Think about life
in spiritual terms
National 49 24 12 13 2=100
NYC 50 27 9 8 6=100
WDC 49 29 9 11 2=100
Thinking back to the events of last September
Q.24 Do you happen to remember EXACTLY where you were or what you were doing the
MOMENT you heard the news about the September 11th terrorist attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
97 99 99 Yes, remember where they were/what they were doing
3 1 1 No, don't remember
* 0 0 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.25 Do you, yourself, personally know someone who was hurt or killed in the attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
11 46 21 Yes
89 54 78 No
* 0 1 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ROTATE QUESTIONS 26 THRU 30
Q.26 Did you or anyone in your household lose a job or take a cut in pay at least in
part as a result of the attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
13 17 14 Yes
86 83 84 No
1 * 2 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.27 Have you or anyone in your household been called into military or National
Guard service since the attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
5 5 8 Yes
95 95 92 No
* 0 0 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.28 Have you thought about moving from where you live because of concerns about
further acts of terrorism?
Natl. NYC WDC
6 17 18 Yes
94 83 82 No
* 0 * Already did move / is moving (VOL.)
* 0 0 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.29 Have you, or has anyone in your household, changed jobs or made different career
plans as a result of concerns about terrorism?
Natl. NYC WDC
6 11 8 Yes
94 89 92 No
* * * Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ASK IN NYC / WASH D.C. SAMPLES ONLY:
Q.30 Were you in [Midtown or lower Manhattan / downtown Washington or close to the
Pentagon] on the day of the terrorist attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
-- 19 48 Yes
-- 81 52 No
-- 0 0 Don't know/Refused
100 100
NO QUESTION 31
Thinking more broadly
Q.32 Compared to other problems we face as a nation, have we paid too much, too little
or the right amount of attention to the September 11th terrorist attacks?
Natl. NYC WDC
18 19 16 Too much attention
19 27 14 Too little attention
58 49 66 Right amount of attention
5 5 4 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL [N=500] AND CITIES ONLY:
Q.33 How well is the MILITARY effort to destroy the terrorist groups going? [READ]
-------- National Trend --------
Jan Early Nov Oct 15-21 Oct 10-14
Natl. NYC WDC 2002 2001 2001 2001
22 15 20 Very well 38 30 38 45
43 45 48 Fairly well 51 45 45 35
18 23 21 Not too well 6 12 9 6
4 7 4 Not at all well 3 4 2 4
13 10 7 Don't know/Refused 2 9 6 10
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.34 Do you think the war against terrorist organizations in Afghanistan so far has been
a success, a failure, or is it too early to tell?
Natl. NYC WDC
15 -- -- A success
12 -- -- A failure
70 -- -- Too early to tell
3 -- -- Don't know/Refused
100
ASK ALL:
Q.35 How would you rate the job the government is doing defending Americans at home
from future terrorist attacks? Would you say the government is doing an excellent job,
a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job? [READ]
-------- National Trend --------
Jan Early Nov Oct 15-21 Oct 10-14
Natl. NYC WDC 2002 2001 2001 2001
13 9 14 Excellent 13 15 18 20
44 40 47 Good 47 47 51 47
30 34 29 Only fair 31 25 22 22
8 11 7 Poor 6 7 5 4
5 6 3 Don't know/Refused 3 6 4 7
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.36 If you had to choose, what should get a higher priority now? [READ AND ROTATE]
---------- National Trend ----------
Early Oct Oct Late
June Jan Nov 15-21 10-14 Sept
Natl. NYC WDC 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001 2001
Building our defenses at home to
51 52 52 prevent future terrorist attacks 51 44 42 37 36 33
OR
Taking military action to destroy
30 32 28 terrorist networks around the world 34 40 42 48 45 44
13 9 15 Both (VOL) 8 12 11 13 13 16
6 7 5 Don't know/Refused 7 4 5 2 6 7
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.37 How worried are you that there will soon be another terrorist attack in the United
States? [READ]
---------------- National Trend ---------------
June Jan Dec Oct 15-21 Oct 10-14 Early Oct
Natl. NYC WDC 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001 2001
16 28 20 Very worried 32 20 13 29 27 28
46 40 45 Somewhat worried 44 42 39 42 40 45
25 21 25 Not too worried 17 28 27 18 19 15
12 10 9 Not at all worried 7 9 19 10 12 11
1 1 1 Don't know/Refused * 1 2 1 2 1
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.38 All in all, how worried are you that you or someone in your family might become a
victim of a terrorist attack? Would you say you are [READ]
(VOL.)
Very Somewhat Not too Not at all Already
Worried Worried Worried Worried a Victim DK/Ref
Late August, 2002
National 12 28 35 24 * 1=100
NYC 25 32 25 14 1 3=100
WDC 16 36 33 14 0 1=100
National Trend
June, 2002 17 28 36 19 * *=100
January, 2002 12 26 38 24 * *=100
Early Nov, 2001 13 27 35 24 0 1=100
Oct 10-14, 2001 18 32 29 19 0 2=100
Late Sept, 2001 17 36 31 15 * 1=100
Gallup: 9/14-15/01 18 33 35 13 * 1=100
Gallup: 9/11/01 23 35 24 16 1 1=100
Gallup: Aug, 1998 10 22 38 29 -- 1=100
Gallup: July, 1996 13 26 34 27 -- *=100
Gallup: April, 1995 14 28 33 24 -- 1=100
Q.39 As a result of the terrorist attacks, have you [INSERT ITEM; ROTATE, WITH ITEM
g. ALWAYS LAST] over the past year, or not? [REPEAT QUESTION STEM FOR EACH ITEM]
Yes No DK/Ref
a. Avoided traveling to certain cities
National 15 85 *=100
NYC 28 72 *=100
WDC 18 82 *=100
b. Avoided going to large public events
or other crowded places
National 15 84 1=100
NYC 31 69 *=100
WDC 30 70 *=100
c. Stored up food or water at your home
National 11 89 0=100
NYC 14 86 0=100
WDC 18 82 0=100
d. Stored up medications or
prescription drugs
National 4 96 *=100
NYC 8 91 1=100
WDC 6 94 0=100
e. Handled mail differently
National 24 76 0=100
NYC 31 69 0=100
WDC 32 68 0=100
f. Spent more time close to home
and with family
National 42 57 1=100
NYC 57 43 *=100
WDC 47 53 *=100
g. Traveled by air less
National 17 82 1=100
NYC 30 69 1=100
WDC 28 72 *=100
IF TRAVELED LESS BY AIR (Q.39g=1), ASK:
Q.40 Is that mostly because you are concerned about safety, or because of the added
hassles associated with flying these days?
Natl. NYC WDC
55 58 49 Concerned about safety
16 20 19 Added hassles
13 10 19 Both (VOL.)
16 11 12 Neither (VOL.)
0 1 1 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
N=159 N=107 N=102
ASK ALL:
Q.41 Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18 now living in your household?
Natl. NYC WDC
37 28 35 Yes
63 72 65 No
0 0 * Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
IF PARENT (Q.41=1), ASK:
Q.42a How many of these children are age 5 to 12?
Natl. NYC WDC
41 32 41 None
33 34 38 One
25 34 21 More than one
1 0 0 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
N=332 N=123 N=128
IF PARENT (Q.41=1), ASK:
Q.42b How many of these children are age 13 to 17?
Natl. NYC WDC
63 53 58 None
25 34 29 One
11 13 12 More than one
1 0 1 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
N=332 N=123 N=128
IF ONE OR MORE CHILDREN AGE 5 TO 17 (2 OR 3 IN Q.42a OR Q.42b), ASK:
Q.43 As a result of the terrorist attacks, [INSERT ITEM; ROTATE], or not?
Yes No DK/Ref
a. (Has/Have) your (child/children) expressed any fears
about terrorism or terrorist attacks
National 44 56 *=100 N=269
Mid-September, 2001 46 54 0=100
January, 1991 43 57 *=100
NYC 44 56 0=100 N=103
WDC 44 56 0=100 N=97
b. Have you made special arrangements for your children
with family or friends in case of possible emergencies
National 35 65 0=100 N=269
NYC 51 49 0=100 N=103
WDC 37 63 0=100 N=97
c. Have you made a point to talk with your children
about terrorism
National 77 23 0=100 N=269
NYC 75 25 0=100 N=103
WDC 75 25 0=100 N=97
ASK ALL:
Q.44 Do you live or work in an area where you think a terrorist attack is likely, or is
the area where you live and work not likely to be a target for terrorism?
Natl. NYC WDC
32 42 69 Live or work in an area where a terrorist attack is likely
64 53 28 Live and work in an area not likely to be targeted
4 5 3 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.44a How would you rate the job your local government is doing preparing for the
possibility of a terrorist attack would you say excellent, good, only fair, or poor?
Natl. NYC WDC
9 8 9 Excellent
38 39 45 Good
30 34 27 Only fair
10 11 9 Poor
13 8 10 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.45 Since the terrorist attacks, have you yourself become more suspicious of people
who you think are of Middle-Eastern descent, or not?
---- National Trend ----
June Late Sept
Natl. NYC WDC 2002 2001
37 45 40 Yes, more suspicious 36 28
61 52 59 No, not more suspicious 62 70
2 3 1 Don't know/Refused 2 2
100 100 100 100 100
Q.46 Thinking about the community where you live, has any type of permanent memorial
such as a garden, monument, or grove of trees been created to remember the people
killed on September 11th?
Natl. NYC WDC
17 32 25 Yes
78 65 70 No
5 3 5 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
Q.47 And again thinking about your own community, are there a lot, some, or hardly any
displays of patriotism such as flags, bumper stickers, and signs?
Natl. NYC WDC
78 72 67 A lot
18 20 24 Some
4 6 8 Hardly any
* 2 1 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
-- CITIES SKIP TO Q.60
Q.48 All in all, which do you think would have a greater effect in reducing the threat
of terrorist attacks on the United States? [READ AND ROTATE]
Natl. NYC WDC
48 -- -- Increasing America's military presence overseas OR
29 -- -- Decreasing America's military presence overseas
8 -- -- Neither / Keep things as they are now (VOL.)
15 -- -- Don't know/Refused
100
Q.49 As I read from a list tell me how important each of the following is as a way to
reduce terrorism in the future. (First), [READ AND ROTATE] is this very important,
fairly important, not too important, or not at all important as a way to reduce terrorism
in the future? (Next... [NEXT ITEM])
Very Fairly Not too Not at all
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL ONLY [N=500]: Important Important Important Important DK/Ref
a. Decrease American dependence on oil
imported from the Middle East
National 53 26 8 5 8=100
January, 2002 53 29 9 4 5=100
b. Encourage more democracy in Mideast
countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia
National 38 31 13 11 7=100
January, 2002 42 35 11 5 7=100
c. Take military action to wipe out facilities
of countries attempting to build nuclear
weapons
National 58 21 9 6 6=100
January, 2002 54 27 9 5 5=100
d. Increase foreign aid to countries that
help the U.S. combat terrorism
National 36 41 9 7 7=100
January, 2002 41 40 11 4 4=100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
e. Increase defense spending to maintain
our military preparedness
National 53 33 7 3 4=100
January, 2002 54 33 7 3 3=100
f. Attempt to reduce poverty with foreign
aid as a way of combating terrorism in
poor Mideast countries
National 25 34 19 16 6=100
January, 2002 24 41 21 10 4=100
g. Not get involved in trying to solve the
problems of other countries
National 32 32 17 12 7=100
h. Increase military aid to countries that
help the U.S. combat terrorism
National 39 40 11 6 4=100
January, 2002 39 40 12 5 4=100
On another subject
Q.50 How much have you yourself thought about whether the US should use military force
to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq? [READ]
Natl. NYC WDC Jan 1991
46 -- -- A great deal 66
35 -- -- Some 24
11 -- -- Only a little OR 6
6 -- -- Not at all 2
2 -- -- Don't know/Refused 2
100 100
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL ONLY [N=500]:
Q.51/53 Would you favor or oppose taking military action in Iraq to end Saddam Hussein'
s rule? [IF FAVOR, ASK: Should we attack Iraq only if our major allies agree to join us,
or attack Iraq even if allies do not want to join us?]
------------- Gallup -------------
June Nov Feb June March
Natl. NYC WDC 2002 2001 2001 1993 1992
64 -- -- Favor 59 74 52 70 55
30 -- -- Even if allies won't join -- -- -- -- --
30 -- -- Only if allies agree -- -- -- -- --
4 -- -- Don't know/Refused -- -- -- -- --
21 -- -- Oppose 34 20 42 27 40
15 -- -- Don't know/Refused 7 6 6 3 5
100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.52/53 Would you favor or oppose taking military action in Iraq to end Saddam
Hussein's rule, even if it meant that U.S. forces might suffer thousands of
casualties? [IF FAVOR, ASK: Should we attack Iraq only if our major allies agree
to join us, or attack Iraq even if allies do not want to join us?]
Natl. NYC WDC
42 -- -- Favor
18 -- -- Even if allies won't join
21 -- -- Only if allies agree
3 -- -- Don't know/Refused
41 -- -- Oppose
17 -- -- Don't know/Refused
100
ASK ALL NATIONAL:
Q.54 Do you think George W. Bush has explained clearly what's at stake as to why the
US might use military force to end the rule of Saddam Hussein, or do you think he has
not explained the reasons clearly enough?
New York Times
Natl. NYC WDC Aug 1990
37 -- -- Explained clearly 50
52 -- -- Not clearly 41
11 -- -- Don't know/Refused 9
100 100
Q.55 In your opinion, how large a role should Congress play in deciding whether the US
should use force to end the rule of Saddam Hussein? [READ]
Natl. NYC WDC
56 -- -- Should President Bush only use force if Congress favors it OR
34 -- -- Should President Bush be able to use force, even if Congress opposes it
10 -- -- Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL ONLY [N=500]:
Q.56 If the United States does remove Saddam Hussein from power, do you think the US will
have to keep military forces in Iraq in order to maintain civil order there, or not?
Natl. NYC WDC
76 -- -- Will have to keep military forces in Iraq
15 -- -- Will not
9 -- -- Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.57 From what you have heard or read, what's your impression of what a war with Iraq
would be like? Do you think it would be a long war or a quick one?
Natl. NYC WDC Jan 1991
52 -- -- Long 30
38 -- -- Quick 57
10 -- -- Don't know/Refused 13
100 100
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL ONLY [N=500]:
And thinking about Afghanistan for a moment
Q.58 Do you think the United States should keep military forces in Afghanistan in order
to maintain civil order there, or should the United States not do this?
Natl. NYC WDC Jan 2002
67 -- -- Yes, keep forces in Afghanistan 68
24 -- -- No 26
9 -- -- Don't know/Refused 6
100 100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.59 Do you think the United States should come to the aid of Afghanistan to help it
recover from the war, or should the United States not get involved?
Natl. NYC WDC March 2002
56 -- -- U.S. should come to the aid of Afghanistan 49
35 -- -- U.S. should not get involved 43
9 -- -- Don't know/Refused 8
100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.60 In your view, why did the terrorists attack the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon ... [READ AND ROTATE]
National Trend
Natl. NYC WDC Mid-Nov 2001
25 20 23 Was it mostly because of their religious beliefs OR 30
53 55 51 Was it mostly because of their political beliefs 49
11 11 17 Both equally (VOL. ) 10
4 4 3 Other (VOL.) 5
7 10 6 Don't know/Refused 6
100 100 100 100
Q.61 And overall, do you think the ability of terrorists to launch another major attack
on the U.S. is greater, the same, or less than it was a year ago?
Natl. NYC WDC
22 22 19 Greater
39 38 46 The same
34 36 32 Less
5 4 3 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL [N=500] AND CITIES ONLY:
Q.62 What do you think is the most likely kind of terrorist threat? [READ; ROTATE
OPTIONS 1-4 WITH 5 ALWAYS LAST]
Natl. NYC WDC
5 3 4 Another attack with an airplane
40 40 38 An attack using chemical or biological weapons
8 6 6 An attack using nuclear weapons
26 26 32 A suicide bomber attack on a restaurant, bus or other public place
9 7 6 OR Something else [SPECIFY]
* * 1 Not likely to happen (VOL.)
12 17 13 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=501]:
Q.63 If there is another terrorist attack on the U.S., WHO do you think is most likely
to commit it [READ, IN ORDER]
Natl. NYC WDC
54 -- -- Islamic terrorists already living in America
18 -- -- Islamic terrorists planning to come into America
9 -- -- OR Terrorists not connected to Islamic terrorism, like Timothy McVeigh
4 -- -- Other (VOL.)
15 -- -- Don't know/Refused
100
-- CITIES SKIP TO Q.66 --
ASK FORM 1 NATIONAL ONLY [N=500]:
Q.64 Do you think there is anything that the U.S. did wrong in its dealings with other
countries that might have motivated the terrorist attacks, or not?
Natl. NYC WDC Late Sept 2001
38 -- -- Yes, U.S. dealings may have motivated attacks 33
49 -- -- No 55
13 -- -- Don't know/Refused 12
100 100
ASK FORM 2 NATIONAL ONLY [N=501]:
Q.65 Do you think there is any way that the U.S. was unfair in its dealings with other
countries that might have motivated the terrorist attacks, or not?
Natl. NYC WDC Late Sept 2001
23 -- -- Yes, unfair dealings may have motivated attacks 21
64 -- -- No 70
13 -- -- Don't know/Refused 9
100 100
ASK ALL:
On another subject
Q.66 Would you favor or oppose the following measures to curb terrorism:
[INSERT ITEM; ROTATE OBSERVE FORM SPLITS; CITY SAMPLES RECEIVE FORM 1 ONLY]
Favor Oppose DK/Ref
a.F1 Requiring that all citizens carry a national
identity card at all times to show to a police
officer on request
National 59 38 3=100 N=500
Mid-September, 2001 70 26 4=100
NYC 67 27 6=100
WDC 57 40 3=100
a.F2 Requiring you to carry a national identity card
at all times to show to a police officer on request
National 61 35 4=100 N=501
NYC -- -- --
WDC -- -- --
b.F1 Allowing the U.S. government to monitor personal
telephone calls and e-mails
National 33 61 6=100 N=500
NYC 37 57 6=100
WDC 33 62 5=100
b.F2 Allowing the U.S. government to monitor your
personal telephone calls and e-mails
National 22 76 2=100 N=501
Mid-September, 2001 26 70 4=100
NYC -- -- --
WDC -- -- --
c.F1 Allowing the U.S. government to monitor credit
card purchases
National 43 51 6=100 N=500
NYC 53 37 10=100
WDC 52 44 4=100
c.F2 Allowing the U.S. government to monitor your
credit card purchases
National 32 63 5=100 N=501
Mid-September, 2001 40 55 5=100
NYC -- -- --
WDC -- -- --
d. Allowing pilots to carry handguns
National 68 28 4=100
NYC 61 33 6=100
WDC 59 36 5=100
e. Allowing airport personnel to do extra checks
on passengers who appear to be of Middle-Eastern
descent
National 59 38 3=100
NYC 59 34 7=100
WDC 49 47 4=100
Q.67 Have you heard or read anything about President Bush's proposal to create a
cabinet-level department of Homeland Security that includes several existing agencies?
Natl. NYC WDC
52 55 70 Yes
47 42 30 No
1 3 * Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
IF HEARD OR READ ABOUT PROPOSED DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (Q.67=1), ASK:
Q.68 Do you favor or oppose the creation of the proposed Department of Homeland
Security?
Natl. NYC WDC
76 74 75 Favor
15 18 17 Oppose
9 8 8 Don't know/Refused
100 100 100
N=580 N=244 N=308
WASHINGTON SAMPLE ONLY:
IF HEARD OR READ ABOUT PROPOSED DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (Q.67=1), ASK:
Q.69 As far as you know, will you or anyone in your immediate family be DIRECTLY
affected by the proposed creation of a Department of Homeland Security?
Natl. NYC WDC
-- -- 14 Yes
-- -- 81 No
-- -- 5 Don't know/Refused
100
N=308
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