Hot Topics
Survey Reports
March 25, 2004
Far More Voters Believe Election Outcome Matters
Questionnaire
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE PRESS
PEW INTERNET AND AMERICAN LIFE PROJECT
MARCH 2004 NEWS INTEREST INDEX
FINAL TOPLINE
March 17 - 21, 2004
N=1703
Q.1 HELD FOR LATER RELEASE
Q.2 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 WITH ITEM h ALWAYS LAST; OBSERVE
FORM SPLITS]
Very Fairly Not too Not at all
Closely Closely Closely Closely DK/Ref
a. News about candidates for the
2004 presidential election 35 34 18 13 *=100
Late February, 2004 24 40 23 12 1=100
Early February, 2004 29 37 20 13 1=100
Mid-January, 2004 16 30 27 26 1=100
Early January, 2004 14 32 30 23 1=100
December, 2003 16 26 27 30 1=100
November, 2003 11 26 34 28 1=100
October, 2003 12 27 28 32 1=100
September, 2003 17 25 30 27 1=100
Mid-August, 2003 12 27 27 33 1=100
May, 2003 8 19 31 41 1=100
January, 2003 14 28 29 28 1=100
March, 2000 26 41 19 13 1=100
February, 2000 26 36 21 17 *=100
January, 2000 19 34 28 18 1=100
March, 1996 26 41 20 13 *=100
January, 1996 10 34 31 24 1=100
March, 1992 35 40 16 9 *=100
January, 1992 11 25 36 27 1=100
May, 1988 22 46 23 6 3=100
November, 1987 15 28 35 21 1=100
b. News about the current
situation in Iraq 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
c. The issue of gay and
lesbian marriage 29 33 20 17 1=100
Early February, 2004 26 32 22 19 1=100
Mid-August, 2003 19 30 22 28 1=100
d. Unrest and violence in Haiti 15 31 30 23 1=100
December, 1994 31 39 19 11 *=100
October, 1994 38 41 13 8 *=100
September, 1994 23 37 26 14 *=100
May, 1994 14 30 34 21 1=100
e. The terrorist bombings in
Madrid, Spain 34 35 18 12 1=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=864]:
f.F1 The trial and conviction
of Martha Stewart 18 31 28 23 *=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=839]:
g.F2 The high price of
gasoline these days 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
h. The release of Mel Gibson's film
"The Passion of the Christ" 37 29 18 15 1=100
Q.3 How much thought have you given to the coming presidential election . . .
Quite a lot or only a little?
BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS [N=1306]:
Quite (VOL.) Only a (VOL.) DK/
A lot Some Little None Ref.
March, 2004 65 2 31 2 *=100
Early November, 2000 72 6 19 2 1=100
Late October, 2000 66 6 24 4 *=100
Mid-October, 2000 67 9 19 4 1=100
Early October, 2000 60 8 27 4 1=100
September, 2000 59 8 29 3 1=100
July, 2000 46 6 45 3 *=100
June, 2000 46 6 43 5 *=100
May, 2000 48 4 42 5 1=100
November, 1996 67 8 22 3 *=100
October, 1996 65 7 26 1 1=100
Late September, 1996 61 7 29 2 1=100
Early September, 1996 56 3 36 4 1=100
July, 1996 55 3 41 1 *=100
June, 1996 50 5 41 3 1=100
October, 1992 77 5 16 1 1=100
September, 1992 69 3 26 1 1=100
August, 1992 72 4 23 1 *=100
June, 1992 63 6 29 1 1=100
Gallup: November, 1988 73 8 17 2 0=100
Gallup: October, 1988 69 9 20 2 0=100
Gallup: August, 1988 61 10 27 2 0=100
Gallup: September, 1988 57 18 23 2 0=100
Q.4 All in all, have you been hearing too much, too little, or about the right amount about the
presidential campaign so far?
Total RVs
31 33 Too much
18 15 Too little
48 49 Right amount
3 3 Don't know/Refused
100 100
(N=1306)
Q.5 THROUGH Q.10 HELD FOR LATER RELEASE
Q.11 As far as making progress on the important issues facing the country, does it really matter who
wins the 2004 presidential election, or will things be pretty much the same regardless of who is
elected president?
Opinion Research
Corporation
June Aug
2000 1976
63 Really matters who wins the 2004 presidential election 45 45
32 Things will pretty much be the same regardless 49 46
5 Don't know/Refused 6 9
100 100 100
Q.12 What's your opinion of the presidential election campaign so far do you have a very favorable,
mostly favorable, mostly UNfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion of the campaign?
9 Very favorable
42 Mostly favorable
25 Mostly unfavorable
12 Very unfavorable
4 Neither / Mixed (VOL.)
8 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
Q.13 As I read a few pairs of opposite phrases, please tell me which ONE phrase you feel best
describes the presidential election so far. [READ AND RANDOMIZE]
a. 81 Important OR
17 Unimportant
1 Neither applies (VOL.)
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
b. 49 Interesting OR
48 Boring
1 Neither applies (VOL.)
2 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
c. 53 Informative OR
42 Not informative
2 Neither applies (VOL.)
3 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
d. 52 Too long OR
44 Not too long
1 Neither applies (VOL.)
3 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
e. 47 Too negative OR
47 Not too negative
2 Neither applies (VOL.)
4 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
f. 28 Hard to follow OR
68 Easy to follow
2 Neither applies (VOL.)
2 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
ROTATE Q.14 AND Q.15 (ITEMS WERE SPLIT-FORMED ON MARCH 17, ROTATED MARCH 18-21)
Q.14 In the presidential campaign so far, do you think John Kerry has been too personally critical of
George W. Bush, or not?
BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS (N=1141):
Gore Critical Clinton Critical Dukakis Critical
of Bush of Dole of Bush, Sr.
Early Oct Late Sept Oct
2000 1996 1988
48 Too personally critical 29 21 45
46 Not too personally critical 61 70 50
6 Don't know/Refused 10 9 5
100 100 100 100
Q.15 In the presidential campaign so far, do you think George W. Bush has been too personally critical
of John Kerry, or not?
BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS (N=1173):
Bush Critical Dole Critical Bush, Sr Critical
Of Gore of Clinton of Dukakis
Early Oct Late Sept Oct
2000 1996 1988
33 Too personally critical 40 53 52
58 Not too personally critical 50 40 43
9 Don't know/Refused 10 7 5
100 100 100 100
ROTATE Q.16/16a WITH Q.17/17a
Q.16 So far, have you seen any of Kerry's campaign commercials on TV, or not?
IF YES (1 IN Q.16) ASK:
Q.16a Have you seen Kerry's commercials a lot, some or only once or twice?
RVs RVs
Gore ------------------ Clinton --------------------
Early Oct Late Sept Oct 14-18 Oct 9-13 Oct 2-6 Sep 25-29
Total RVs 2000 1996 1992 1992 1992 1992
58 60 Yes 57 63 57 59 64 75
14 14 A lot -- -- -- -- -- --
19 20 Some -- -- -- -- -- --
25 26 Only once or twice -- -- -- -- -- --
* * Don't know/Refused -- -- -- -- -- --
41 39 No 41 35 40 39 34 24
1 1 Don't know/Refused 2 2 3 2 2 1
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
(N=1306)
ASK ALL:
Q.17 So far, have you seen any of Bush's campaign commercials on TV, or not?
IF YES (1 IN Q.17) ASK:
Q.17a Have you seen Bush's commercials a lot, some or only once or twice?
RVs RVs
Bush Dole ---------------- Bush -----------------
Early Oct Late Sept Oct 14-18 Oct 9-13 Oct 2-6 Sep 25-29
Total RVs 2000 1996 1992 1992 1992 1992
61 65 Yes 61 70 60 66 68 78
13 15 A lot -- -- -- -- -- --
19 21 Some -- -- -- -- -- --
29 28 Only once or twice -- -- -- -- -- --
* 1 Don't know/Refused -- -- -- -- -- --
39 34 No 37 29 38 32 30 21
* 1 Don't know/Refused 2 1 2 2 2 1
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
(N=1306)
ASK ALL:
Q.18 If "6" represents someone who is very liberal in politics and "1" represents someone
who is very conservative, where on this scale of 6 to 1 would you rate (INSERT ITEM;
ROTATE ITEMS a. AND b. WITH ITEM c. ALWAYS LAST)? [IF ANSWERS "DON'T KNOW"/"NEVER HEARD
OF" DO NOT PROBE.]
Based on Those Who Could Rate
-- Conservative -- ---- Liberal ---- Never heard of/
1 2 3 4 5 6 DK/Refused (N)
a. George W. Bush 26 24 20 13 7 9=100 8% (1581)
Mid-January, 2004 28 28 16 10 8 10=100 10%
January, 2000 13 26 30 14 10 7=100 16%
May, 1999 15 24 27 15 10 9=100 15%
b. John Kerry 5 5 18 32 20 20=100 12% (1516)
Mid-January, 2004 6 9 27 30 17 11=100 45%
c. Yourself 12 12 30 20 14 12=100 6% (1612)
Mid-January, 2004 15 15 27 18 14 11=100 5%
January, 2000 15 16 31 16 10 12=100 8%
May, 1999 13 12 30 20 11 14=100 7%
September, 1996 17 10 31 18 13 11=100 6%
September, 1988 14 15 29 20 12 10=100 6%
Newsweek: 1984 16 9 31 19 12 13=100 6%
Q.19 All in all, what effect has George W. Bush had on politics and the way government
works in Washington? Has he made things better, made things worse, or hasn't he had
much of an effect?
Clinton
March 2000
32 Made better 39
39 Made worse 28
23 Not much of an effect 28
6 Don't know/Refused 5
100 100
Q.20 AND Q.21 HELD FOR LATER RELEASE
ASK ALL:
Now thinking about Iraq
IR.1 Do you think the U.S. made the right decision or the wrong decision in using military
force against Iraq?
Right Wrong Don't know/
decision decision Ref.
March, 2004 55 39 6=100
Late February, 2004 60 32 8=100
Early February, 2004 56 39 5=100
Mid-January, 2004 65 30 5=100
Early January, 2004 62 28 10=100
December, 2003 67 26 7=100
October, 2003 60 33 7=100
September, 2003 63 31 6=100
August, 2003 63 30 7=100
Early July, 2003 67 24 9=100
May, 2003 74 20 6=100
April 10-16, 2003 74 19 7=100
April 8-9,2003 74 19 7=100
April 2-7, 2003 72 20 8=100
March 28-April 1, 2003 69 25 6=100
March 25-27, 2003 74 21 5=100
March 23-24, 2003 74 21 5=100
March 20-22, 2003 71 22 7=100
Late January, 1991 77 15 9=100
IR.2 How well is the U.S. military effort in Iraq going? [READ IN ORDER]
Very Fairly Not too Not at all Don't know/
well well well well Ref.
March, 2004 16 45 26 11 2=100
Early February, 2004 17 46 23 11 3=100
Mid-January, 2004 22 51 18 6 3=100
Early January,2004 23 47 18 7 5=100
December, 2003 28 47 16 6 3=100
October, 2003 16 44 25 11 4=100
September, 2003 15 47 26 9 3=100
August, 2003 19 43 24 11 3=100
Early July, 2003 23 52 16 5 4=100
April 10-16, 2003 61 32 3 1 3=100
April 8-9, 2003 60 32 3 3 2=100
April 2-7, 2003 55 37 3 2 3=100
March 25-April 1, 2003 39 46 8 2 5=100
March 23-24, 2003 45 41 6 2 6=100
March 20-22, 2003 65 25 2 1 7=100
IR.3 Do you think the war in Iraq has helped the war on terrorism, or has it hurt the war
on terrorism?
Late Early Early
Feb Feb Dec Sept May April Oct
2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002
50 Helped 62 55 59 54 65 63 52
37 Hurt 28 32 26 31 22 22 34
5 No effect (VOL) 3 7 6 7 6 -- --
8 Don't know/Refused 7 6 9 8 7 15 14
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.22 How worried are you that there will soon be another terrorist attack in the United States? [READ]
Very Somewhat Not too Not at all Don't know/
worried worried worried worried Refused
March, 2004 20 42 25 12 1=100
Early February, 2004 13 42 28 16 1=100
Mid-January, 2004 20 45 24 10 1=100
August, 2003 13 45 29 12 1=100
March, 2003 22 42 20 14 2=100
February, 2003 34 41 17 7 1=100
January, 2003 18 50 23 8 1=100
December, 2002 31 42 18 8 1=100
Early October, 2002 20 46 22 11 1=100
Late August, 2002 16 46 25 12 1=100
June, 2002 32 44 17 7 *=100
January, 2002 20 42 28 9 1=100
December, 2001 13 39 27 19 2=100
October 15-21, 2001 29 42 18 10 1=100
October 10-14, 2001 27 40 19 12 2=100
Early October, 2001 28 45 15 11 1=100
On a different subject
Q.23 Do you use a computer at your workplace, at school, at home or anywhere else on at least an
occasional basis?
Q.24 Do you ever go online to access the Internet or World Wide Web or to send and receive email?
Based on Total Respondents:
Computer User Goes Online
Yes No DK/Ref Yes No DK/Ref
March, 2004 75 25 *=100 68 32 *=100
August, 2003 77 23 *=100 67 33 *=100
Mid-July, 2003 75 25 *=100 65 35 *=100
January, 2003 76 24 0=100 67 33 *=100
December, 2002 76 24 *=100 67 33 *=100
Early October, 2002 75 25 *=100 63 37 *=100
August, 2002 78 22 *=100 69 31 *=100
June, 2002 74 26 *=100 66 34 *=100
May, 2002 75 25 *=100 66 34 *=100
April, 2002 71 29 *=100 62 38 0=100
February, 2002 71 29 *=100 62 38 0=100
January, 2002 73 27 0=100 62 38 0=100
Mid-November, 2001 73 27 0=100 62 38 0=100
Mid-September, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 *=100
June, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 0=100
May, 2001 75 25 *=100 64 36 0=100
April, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 0=100
February, 2001 72 28 0=100 60 40 *=100
January, 2001 71 29 *=100 61 39 0=100
July, 2000 68 31 1=100 55 45 *=100
June, 2000 68 31 1=100 56 44 *=100
April, 2000 68 32 *=100 54 46 *=100
March, 2000 72 28 0=100 61 39 0=100
February, 2000 67 33 *=100 52 48 0=100
January, 2000 68 32 *=100 52 48 *=100
December, 1999 67 33 *=100 53 47 0=100
October, 1999 67 33 *=100 50 50 0=100
Late September, 1999 68 32 *=100 52 48 *=100
September, 1999 70 30 *=100 53 47 0=100
August, 1999 67 33 *=100 52 48 0=100
July, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 0=100
June, 1999 64 35 1=100 50 50 *=100
May, 1999 66 33 1=100 48 52 0=100
April, 1999 71 29 *=100 51 49 *=100
March, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 *=100
February, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 *=100
January, 1999 69 31 *=100 47 53 *=100
Early December, 1998 64 36 *=100 42 58 0=100
November, 1998 -- -- -- 37 63 *=100
Early September, 1998 64 36 *=100 42 58 *=100
Late August, 1998 66 34 0=100 43 57 *=100
Early August, 1998 66 34 *=100 41 59 *=100
April, 1998 61 39 *=100 36 64 0=100
January, 1998 65 35 *=100 37 63 0=100
November, 1997 66 34 *=100 36 63 1=100
June, 1997 60 40 0=100 29 71 0=100
Early September, 1996 56 44 *=100 22 78 0=100
July, 1996 56 44 *=100 23 77 0=100
April, 1996 58 42 *=100 21 79 *=100
March, 1996 61 39 *=100 22 78 0=100
February, 1996 60 40 0=100 21 79 *=100
January, 1996 59 41 0=100 21 79 0=100
June, 1995 -- -- -- 14 86 *=100
IF 1, "YES, GOES ONLINE" IN Q.24 ASK:
Q.25 Do you go online from home? [IF YES:] Does the modem you use at home use a dial-up connection
through a standard telephone line or do you have a high-speed Internet connection such as a
cable or DSL line?
Aug 2003
31 Yes, dial-up standard telephone line 36
26 Yes, high-speed connection 23
1 Yes, other/don't know (VOL.) *
10 No, does NOT go online from home 8
* Don't know/Refused (VOL.) *
32 Not an Internet User (No, DK in Q.24) 33
100 100
IF 1, "YES, GOES ONLINE" IN Q.24 ASK:
Q.26 Do you go online from work? [IF YES:] Do you happen to know what kind of Internet
connection you have at WORK, a high-speed connection or dial-up connection through a modem?
27 Yes, High speed connection
5 Yes, Dial-up modem
2 Yes, other/don't know (VOL.)
33 No, Does NOT go online from work
1 Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ)
32 Not an Internet User (No, DK in Q.24)
100
ASK ALL INTERNET USERS (Q.24=1):
IT.1 Have you gone online to get news or information about the 2004 elections? [IF YES, ASK: How
often do you go online to get news about the elections more than once a day, every day, three-
to-five days per week, one-to-two days per week, or less often?
--- GO ONLINE FOR CAMPAIGN NEWS ---
More than 3-5 1-2 DON'T
once Every days days Less GO ONLINE Don't
YES a day day /week /week often FOR NEWS Know
Total
March, 2004 20 2 4 3 6 5 80 *=100
Early January, 2004 14 1 3 2 4 4 86 *=100
November, 2002 13 1 2 2 3 5 87 *=100
November, 2000 18 2 3 3 5 5 82 *=100
November, 1998 6 * 1 1 2 2 94 *=100
October, 1996 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Internet Users [N=1181]
March, 2004 30 3 6 5 8 8 70 *=100
Early January, 2004 22 2 4 4 6 6 78 0=100
November, 2002 22 1 3 4 5 9 78 *=100
November, 2000 33 4 6 6 9 8 66 1=100
November, 1998 15 1 3 2 4 5 84 1=100
October, 1996 22 * 2 2 8 10 78 0=100
IF ONCE A WEEK OR MORE (1-4 IN IT.1) ASK [N=281]:
IT.2 Which of the following comes closest to describing WHY you go online to get news and
information about the 2004 elections? (READ, RANDOMIZE CATEGORIES)
8 Because you can get more IN DEPTH information on the Web
37 Because getting information online is more CONVENIENT for you
49 Because you can get information from a WIDER RANGE OF VIEWPOINTS on the Web
5 Some other reason (SPECIFY)(VOL)
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL)
100
ASK ALL INTERNET USERS (Q.24=1) [N=1181]:
IT.3 Do you ever come across campaign news when you may have been going online for a different
purpose?
If Don't Go Online For News
March Early Jan
2004 2004
52 Yes 47 50
47 No 53 49
1 Don't know * 1
100 100 100
(N=810) (N=758)
ASK ALL INTERNET USERS (Q.24=1):
IT.4 Have you sent or received e-mails about the candidates or campaigns, either with personal
acquaintances or from groups or political organizations?
Early Jan 2004
Internet Internet
Total Users Total Users
15 23 Yes 11 18
85 77 No/Not online 89 82
* * Don't know/Refused * *
100 100 100 100
N= (1703) (1181)
ASK ALL INTERNET USERS (Q.24=1):
IT.5 Have you participated in any other campaign-related activities using the Internet, such as
reading discussion groups, signing petitions, or donating money?
Early Jan 2004
Internet Internet
Total Users Total Users
8 12 Yes 4 7
92 88 No 96 93
* * Don't know/Refused * *
100 100 100 100
N= (1703) (1181)
ASK IF 1 "YES" IN IT.4 OR IT.5 OR 1-5 "YES" IN IT.1
IT.6 When you go online to get information about the ELECTIONS, do you ever do any of the
following things? First, do you ever [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE]?
No, Not
Yes Online Don't know (N)
a. Participate in online discussions,
blogs or "chat" groups about the elections
Total March, 2004 3 97 *=100 (1703)
Early January, 2004 3 97 0=100
Internet User March, 2004 4 96 *=100 (1181)
Early January, 2004 4 96 0=100
Online for Campaign March, 2004 9 91 *=100 (534)
Early January, 2004 13 87 0=100
b. Look for more information about candidates'
positions on the issues
Total March, 2004 16 84 0=100
Early January, 2004 11 89 0=100
Internet User March, 2004 24 76 0=100
Early January, 2004 18 82 0=100
Online for Campaign March, 2004 55 45 0=100
Early January, 2004 52 48 0=100
c. Find out about campaign organizations
or activities in your area
Total March, 2004 8 92 0=100
Early January, 2004 6 94 0=100
Internet User March, 2004 12 88 0=100
Early January, 2004 10 90 0=100
Online for Campaign March, 2004 28 72 0=100
Early January, 2004 29 71 0=100
d. Visit any of the candidates'
campaign websites
Total March, 2004 7 93 0=100
Early January, 2004 5 95 0=100
Internet User March, 2004 11 89 0=100
Early January, 2004 8 92 0=100
Online for Campaign March, 2004 24 76 0=100
Early January, 2004 25 75 0=100
e. Visit websites set up by groups or
organizations that promote
candidates or positions
Total March, 2004 8 92 *=100
Early January, 2004 6 94 0=100
Internet User March, 2004 12 88 *=100
Early January, 2004 9 91 0=100
Online for Campaign March, 2004 27 72 1=100
Early January, 2004 28 72 0=100
NO QUESTION 27
ASK ALL:
On a different subject
Q.28 How much, if anything, have you heard about the deployment of U.S. military forces to Haiti
a lot, a little, or nothing at all?
17 A lot
60 A little
22 Nothing at all
1 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.29 Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose using American military force to
maintain order in Haiti?
July 1994
7 Strongly favor 13
36 Favor 30
33 Oppose 31
12 Strongly oppose 19
12 Don't know/Refused 7
100 100
And thinking about trade for a moment
Q.30 In general, do you think that free trade agreements like NAFTA, and the World Trade
Organization, have been a good thing or a bad thing for the United States? [INTERVIEWER:
IF RESPONDENT ASKS WHAT NAFTA IS, "The North American Free Trade Agreement"]
Early
Dec Sept Nov Sept
2003 2001 1997 1997
44 Good thing 34 49 45 47
37 Bad thing 33 29 34 30
19 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 33 22 21 23
100 100 100 100 100
Q.31 In deciding U.S. policies about trading with other countries, how much priority should be
given to each of the following. First, (INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE). Do you think this should
have top priority, some priority or no priority at all in deciding U.S. trade policy?
Top Some No
Priority Priority Priority DK/Ref
a. Protecting the jobs of American workers 79 18 2 1=100
Early September, 2001 79 19 2 *=100
February, 2000 78 19 2 1=100
b. Promoting and defending human and
worker rights in other countries 32 50 14 4=100
Early September, 2001 34 52 11 3=100
February, 2000 28 55 15 2=100
c. Protecting the global environment 58 36 4 2=100
Early September, 2001 64 31 3 2=100
February, 2000 52 42 4 2=100
d. Keeping the American economy growing 80 17 2 1=100
Early September, 2001 79 19 1 1=100
February, 2000 74 24 1 1=100
e. Making sure that products are available
in the U.S. at affordable prices 62 32 4 2=100
QUESTIONS 32 THROUGH 36 HELD FOR LATER RELEASE
On a completely different subject
Q.37 Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose allowing gays and lesbians to
marry legally?
Early Feb Nov Oct Mid-July Mar June
2004 2003 2003 2003 2001 1996
10 Strongly favor 9 10 9 10 8 6
22 Favor 21 20 21 28 27 21
24 Oppose 21 21 25 23 23 24
35 Strongly oppose 42 41 33 30 34 41
9 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 7 8 12 9 8 8
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.38 Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to
enter into legal agreements with each other that would give them many of the same rights as
married couples?
Oct
2003
16 Strongly favor 14
33 Favor 31
18 Oppose 20
26 Strongly oppose 27
7 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 8
100 100
Q.37 Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose allowing gays and lesbians to marry
legally? IF OPPOSE GAY MARRIAGE (3,4 IN Q.37), ASK:
Q.39 There has been a proposal to change the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage. Do you think
amending the Constitution to ban gay marriage is a good idea, or a bad idea?
32 Favor
59 Oppose
36 Good idea / favor Constitutional amendment
21 Bad idea / oppose Constitutional amendment
2 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
9 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
IF "BAD IDEA" (2 IN Q.39) ASK [N=363]:
Q.40 Why do you think the Constitution should NOT be amended to ban gay marriage? [OPEN END:
ENTER VERBATIM RESPONSE. ACCEPT UP TO THREE ANSWERS, BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR ADDITIONAL.
PROBE ONCE ONLY FOR CLARITY IF NECESSARY]
18 Leave Constitution alone / Way founders wrote it / Stable document
14 Government should stay out of it / Favor individual rights
11 Let the states handle it / Other ways to address
8 Trivial / Not that important / Other priorities
6 Gay marriage is not a Constitutional issue
5 It would open the door to other changes
2 It wouldn't work / People will do what they want
10 Just oppose / Not necessary (Reason unspecified)
9 Other reasons
9 Don't know
13 (Respondent gave reason they oppose gay marriage, no mention of Constitutional amendment)
QUESTIONS 41 THROUGH 45 HELD FOR LATER RELEASE
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