Hot Topics
Survey Reports
August 18, 2004
Foreign Policy Attitudes Now Driven by 9/11 and Iraq
Questionnaire Part 1
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS
JULY 2004 FOREIGN POLICY AND PARTY IMAGES SURVEY
FINAL TOPLINE
July 8 - 18, 2004
Total N=2009
Form 1=1003 Form 2=1006
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.1F1 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]
SEE AUGUST TOPLINE FOR LATEST RESULTS
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.2F2 All in all, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in this
country today?
Sat- Dis- No
isfied satisfied Opinion
July, 2004 38 55 7=100
May, 2004 33 61 6=100
Late February, 2004 39 55 6=100
Early January, 2004 45 48 7=100
December, 2003 44 47 9=100
October, 2003 38 56 6=100
August, 2003 40 53 7=100
April, 2003 50 41 9=100
January, 2003 44 50 6=100
September, 2002 41 55 4=100
Late August, 2002 47 44 9=100
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 ALL:
Q.3 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 a. AND
b. FIRST, FOLLOWED BY RANDOMIZED ITEMS c. THRU i; 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
August, 2004 32 38 16 14 *=100
July, 2004 29 37 18 15 1=100
Full trend shown in previous release
b. News about the current situation in Iraq
August, 2004 39 42 12 6 1=100
July, 2004 43 40 11 6 *=100
Full trend shown in previous release
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
c.F1 John Edwards, the Democratic vice
presidential candidate
July, 2004 24 30 21 23 2=100
d.F1 Ethnic violence in Sudan
July, 2004 14 22 27 35 2=100
e.F1 Saddam Hussein's recent court
appearance in Iraq
July, 2004 26 32 21 20 1=100
f.F1 The release of Michael Moore's
movie "Fahrenheit 9/11"
July, 2004 20 25 16 36 3=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
g.F2 The transfer of power to a newly
established Iraqi government
July, 2004 29 37 19 14 1=100
h.F2 The publication of Bill Clinton's
book about his life
July, 2004 8 14 21 55 2=100
Early July, 2003 (Hillary's book) 8 14 25 52 1=100
i.F2 The high price of gasoline these days
August, 2004 52 29 10 8 1=100
July, 2004 56 25 11 7 1=100
Full trend shown in previous release
QUESTIONS 4 THROUGH 11 PREVIOUSLY RELEASED ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.12F2 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-
Jan Apr Feb Mar May Feb July July
2004 2003 2003 2002 2001 2001 1996 1992
25 War/War in Iraq 16 14 34 10* -- -- -- --
14 Economy (general) 20 28 21 8 7 7 4 27
8 Terrorism 14 9 16 24 1 * -- --
8 Unemployment/Lack of jobs 13 10 6 4 5 6 7 25
7 Dissatisfaction with govt/politics 5 3 5 4 2 5 8 2
5 Health care/costs 5 3 2 2 6 7 4 3
4 Morality/Ethics/Family values 3 4 5 8 6 12 13 3
4 Education 3 4 1 4 8 11 6 4
4 U.S. foreign policy/Intl affairs 2 -- -- -- 2 2 * --
Defense issues/Military spending/
3 National & homeland security 3 2 2 5 1 1 -- --
2 Energy crisis/Rising gas/
heating prices -- -- 1 1 22 4 -- --
2 Poverty/Hunger/Starvation 3 3 1 2 3 3 3 4
2 Trade/Jobs moving overseas 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1 Issues related to elderly 2 1 -- 1 2 2 2 --
Inflation/Difference
1 between wages/costs 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 --
1 Immigration 3 1 -- 1 1 2 -- --
1 Crime/Gangs/Justice system 1 1 1 4 4 8 19 4
1 Peace in the world/Peace 1 1 1 1 -- -- -- --
1 Homelessness 1 1 -- 1 1 2 2 7
1 Uneven distribution of wealth -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- --
1 Deficit/National debt/
Balanced budget 2 2 -- 1 1 1 7 7
1 Taxes 1 1 -- 1 3 3 3 2
1 Drugs/Alcohol 1 1 2 4 4 6 8 4
1 Social Security -- 1 -- -- 3 1 -- --
1 Abortion -- -- -- -- 1 1 -- --
9 Other
1 None 1 1 1 1 * 2 * --
6 Don't know/No answer 4 9 4 8 8 7 6 3
(NET) DEFENSE/TERRORISM/
41 INTERNATIONAL 37 29 54 39 3 5 1 --
26 (NET) ECONOMIC 35 41 29 16 40 26 18 63
*War in Afghanistan in March 2002
QUESTIONS 13 THROUGH 29 PREVIOUSLY RELEASED ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Thinking now about the president...
Q.30F2 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling [INSERT ITEM;
RANDOMIZE]? [IF DK ENTER AS DK. IF "DEPENDS" PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall, do you approve
or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling [ITEM]? IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS
DK]
Approve Disapprove DK/Ref.
a.F2 The economy
b.F2 The situation in Iraq SEE AUGUST TOPLINE
FOR LATEST RESULTS
c.F2 Terrorist threats
d.F2 The nation's foreign policy
e.F2 International trade issues 33 45 22=100
Early September, 2001 38 34 28=100
Clinton: September, 1997 44 38 18=100
Clinton: September, 1993 38 39 23=100
Clinton: August, 1993 49 25 26=100
ASK ALL:
Thinking about what's going on in the world more generally
Q.31 All in all, would you say that you are satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are
going in the WORLD these days?
Early
Sept Sept Sept Oct Sept
2002 2001 1997 1993 1993
21 Satisfied 17 27 29 12 28
74 Dissatisfied 79 64 65 81 66
2 Neither satisfied/dissatisfied (VOL) -- 6 4 4 *
3 Don't know/Refused (VOL) 4 3 2 3 6
100 100 100 100 100
Q.32 What kind of leadership role should the United States play in the world? Should it be the
single world leader, or should it play a shared leadership role, or shouldn't it play any
leadership role?
IF "SHARED LEADERSHIP ROLE" (2 IN Q.32), ASK:
Q.33 Should the United States be the most active of the leading nations, or should it be about
as active as other leading nations?
Mid- Early
June Oct Sept Sept June Oct Sept
2003 2001 2001 1997 1995 1993 1993
11 Be the single world leader, or 13 12 13 12 13 9 10
74 Should it play a shared leadership role 76 79 75 73 74 78 81
27 Most active 30 33 25 22 25 23 27
44 About as active 44 45 49 50 47 53 52
3 Don't know/Refused (VOL) 2 1 1 1 2 2 2
9 Shouldn't it play any leadership role 7 3 8 11 9 9 7
6 Don't know (VOL) 4 6 4 4 4 4 2
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.34F1 All in all, how should the U.S. determine its foreign policy? 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?
Early
Sept
2001
37 National interests of the U.S. 38
49 Interests of its allies 48
7 Both (VOL) 7
1 Neither (VOL) 1
6 Don't Know (VOL) 6
100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.35F2 In formulating U.S. foreign policy, is the Bush administration taking into account
the interests and views of our allies... Too much, too little, or about the right
amount?
Mid-Jan Early Sept
2004 2001
15 Too much 18 19
37 Too little 30 22
38 Right amount 46 42
10 Don't Know/Refused 6 17
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.36F2 Do you think the partnership between the US and Western Europe should remain as
close as it has been or do you think that the U.S. should take a more independent
approach to security and diplomatic affairs than it has in the past?
Late Feb May Feb
2004 2003 2003
56 Remain as close 55 53 62
33 More independent 36 39 29
11 Don't know/Refused 9 8 9
100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.37F1 Do you think that using military force against countries that may seriously threaten
our country, but have not attacked us, can often be justified, sometimes be
justified, rarely be justified, or never be justified?
Aug May
2003 2003
20 Often justified 20 22
40 Sometimes justified 43 45
22 Rarely justified 19 17
14 Never justified 13 13
4 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 5 3
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.38F2 In its dealings with foreign countries and its handling of international problems,
do you think the Bush administration tries hard enough to reach diplomatic solutions,
or is it too quick to get American military forces involved?
--- CBS/NY Times Poll ---
April Jan Oct
2003 2003 2002
33 Tries to reach diplomatic solutions 58 41 40
59 Too quick to get military involved 36 56 50
8 Don't know/Refused 6 3 10
100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.39 As I read a list of possible LONG-RANGE foreign policy goals which the United States might
have, tell me how much priority you think each should be given. First, [READ AND ROTATE;
OBSERVE FORM SPLITS; ITEM a FULL FORM], do you think this should have top priority, some
priority, or no priority at all:
Top Some No
Priority Priority Priority DK/Ref
a. Taking measures to protect the U.S. from
terrorist attacks 88 10 1 1=100
Mid-October, 2001 93 6 * 1=100
Early September, 2001 80 16 3 1=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
b.F1 Preventing the spread of weapons of
mass destruction 71 23 4 2=100
Mid-October, 2001 81 14 2 3=100
Early September, 2001 78 16 5 1=100
September, 1997 70 23 6 1=100
June, 1995 68 21 9 2=100
September, 1993 69 24 5 1=100
c.F1 Insuring adequate energy supplies
for the U.S. 70 25 2 3=100
Mid-October, 2001 69 29 1 1=100
Early September, 2001 74 23 2 1=100
September, 1997 58 36 3 3=100
June, 1995 59 34 3 4=100
September, 1993 60 34 4 2=100
d.F1 Promoting democracy in other nations 24 57 15 4=100
Mid-October, 2001 24 61 12 3=100
Early September, 2001 29 52 16 3=100
September, 1997 22 57 18 3=100
June, 1995 16 57 24 3=100
September, 1993 22 52 24 2=100
e.F1 Finding a solution to the conflict
between Israel and the Palestinians 28 46 22 4=100
January, 2003 38 40 19 3=100
March, 1999 35 42 19 4=100
September, 1993 34 45 19 2=100
f.F1 Promoting U.S. business and economic
interests abroad 35 51 10 4=100
Mid-October, 2001 30 63 4 3=100
Early September, 2001 37 53 8 2=100
September, 1997 16 62 20 2=100
June, 1995 26 50 20 4=100
September, 1993 27 51 19 3=100
g.F1 Strengthening the United Nations 48 38 11 3=100
Mid-October, 2001 46 46 7 1=100
Early September, 2001 42 43 13 2=100
September, 1997 30 53 14 3=100
June, 1995 36 45 17 2=100
September, 1993 41 46 11 2=100
h.F1 Reducing the spread of AIDS and other
infectious diseases 72 25 2 1=100
Mid-October, 2001 59 38 2 1=100
Early September, 2001 73 23 3 1=100
i.F1 Protecting groups or nations that are
threatened with genocide 47 40 5 8=100
Mid-October, 2001 48 43 3 6=100
Early September, 2001 49 41 5 5=100
j.F1 Reducing U.S. military commitments
overseas 35 51 10 4=100
Early September, 2001 26 58 14 2=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
k.F2 Improving relationships with our allies 54 40 4 2=100
l.F2 Helping improve the living standards in
developing nations 23 63 12 2=100
Mid-October, 2001 20 67 12 1=100
Early September, 2001 25 61 12 2=100
September, 1997 23 63 13 1=100
June, 1995 16 59 22 3=100
September, 1993 19 60 20 1=100
m.F2 Protecting the jobs of American workers 84 13 2 1=100
Mid-October, 2001 74 24 1 1=100
Early September, 2001 77 19 3 1=100
September, 1997 77 20 2 1=100
June, 1995 80 17 2 1=100
September, 1993 85 13 2 *=100
n.F2 Promoting and defending human rights in
other countries 33 53 12 2=100
Mid-October, 2001 27 61 10 2=100
Early September, 2001 29 54 14 3=100
September, 1997 27 56 15 2=100
June, 1995 21 56 20 3=100
September, 1993 22 54 22 2=100
o.F2 Combating international drug trafficking 63 29 7 1=100
Mid-October, 2001 55 38 5 2=100
Early September, 2001 64 26 9 1=100
September, 1997 67 24 7 2=100
p.F2 Getting other countries to assume more
of the costs of maintaining world order 58 34 5 3=100
Mid-October, 2001 54 41 3 2=100
Early September, 2001 56 35 6 3=100
q.F2 Dealing with the problem of world hunger 50 43 6 1=100
Mid-October, 2001 34 59 6 1=100
Early September, 2001 47 44 7 2=100
r.F2 Dealing with global warming 36 46 12 6=100
Mid-October, 2001 31 51 13 5=100
Early September, 2001 44 39 12 5=100
September, 1997 50 42 6 2=100
June, 1995 56 36 6 2=100
September, 1993 56 37 6 1=100
s.F2 Reducing our dependence on imported
oil sources 63 30 4 3=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.40F1 Do you think the United States plays a more important and powerful role as a world
leader today compared to ten years ago, a less important role, or about as important
a role as a world leader as it did ten years ago?
Early Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
Sept Sept Dec Oct Sept Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec
2001 1997 1994 1993 1993 1990 1986 1982 1978 1974
45 More important 33 35 40 37 37 37 41 27 29 28
20 Less important 26 23 27 26 30 35 26 25 41 39
31 As important 38 40 29 33 31 24 29 44 24 27
4 Don't know/Refused 3 2 4 4 2 4 4 5 6 6
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.41F2 Do you think the United States plays a more important and powerful role as a world
leader these days, a less important role, or about as important a role as a world
leader as it did in the past?
41 More important
18 Less important
35 As important
6 Don't know/Refused [VOL.]
100
ASK ALL:
Q.42 As I read a phrase, tell me how much priority it should have in the way we conduct our
foreign policy. First, [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE; OBSERVE FORM SPLITS], do you think this
should be a top priority, some priority, or no priority at all in the way we conduct our
foreign policy? [How about [NEXT ITEM]?]
Top Some No
Priority Priority Priority DK/Ref
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
a.F1 Being compassionate 54 39 4 3=100
b.F1 Being practical 58 37 2 3=100
c.F1 Being decisive 62 30 3 5=100
d.F1 Being cautious 66 31 2 1=100
e.F1 Following moral principles 72 23 3 2=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
f.F2 Being idealistic 25 56 13 6=100
g.F2 Being flexible 40 52 4 4=100
h.F2 Being forceful 23 59 14 4=100
i.F2 Following religious principles 33 42 21 4=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.43F1 Compared with the past, would you say the U.S. is MORE respected by other countries
these days, LESS respected by other countries, or AS respected as it has been in the
past?
ASK IF LESS RESPECTED (2 IN Q.43):
Q.43a Do you think less respect for America is a major problem a minor problem or not a
problem at all?
Newsweek
May 1987* Jan 1984**
10 More respected 19 27
67 Less respected 55 36
43 Major problem -- --
19 Minor problem -- --
4 Not a problem -- --
1 Don't know/Refused -- --
20 As respected as in the past 23 29
3 Don't know/Refused 3 8
100 100 100
*In May 1987 the question was worded "Compared to four years ago, wopuld you say the U.S. is
more respected by other countries, less respected by other countries, or as respected as it
was five years ago by other countries?
**In January 1984 the question was worded "Compared to four years ago..."
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.44F2 Compared with the past, would you say the U.S. is liked MORE by other countries
these days, liked LESS by other countries, or is the U.S. viewed about the same as
it has been in the past?
ASK IF LIKED LESS (2 IN Q.44):
Q.44a Do you think this is a major problem a minor problem or not a problem at all?
8 Liked more
59 Liked less
42 Major problem
13 Minor problem
4 Not a problem
* Don't know/Refused
29 About the same as in the past
4 Don't know/Refused
100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.45F1 Do you think that we should increase our spending on national defense, keep it about
the same, or cut it back?
Mid- Early (RVs) Oct- Oct- Oct-
Oct Sept Sept Aug June Sept Feb Oct Sept Nov Nov Nov Nov Dec
2001 2001 2000 1999 1999 1997 1995* 94+ 1993 90+ 86+ 82+ 78+ 74+
25 Increase 50 32 34 27 31 17 19 18 10 12 21 22 32 13
53 Keep same 41 44 48 54 47 57 56 53 52 53 55 52 45 47
18 Cut back 7 20 14 16 19 24 24 26 36 32 23 24 16 33
4 DK/Ref. 2 4 4 3 3 2 1 3 2 3 3 3 7 8
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
+ Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
* In 1995 and previous years, the question was worded: “Do you think that we should expand our
spending on national defense, keep it about the same or cut it back?”
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.46F2 Do you think the U.S. should increase the size of the military, keep it about the same,
or reduce the size of the military?
34 Increase
54 Keep same
8 Cut back
4 Don't know/Refused [VOL.]
100
ASK ALL:
Q.47 In the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians, which side do you sympathize with
more, Israel or the Palestinians?
Both Neither Don't know
Israel Palestinians (VOL.) (VOL.) Refused
July, 2004 40 13 7 18 22=100
Late February, 2004 46 12 8 15 19=99
Mid-July, 2003 41 13 8 18 20=100
April, 2002 41 13 6 21 19=100
Mid-October, 2001 47 10 8 18 17=100
Early September, 2001 40 17 6 23 14=100
September 1997 48 13 5 16 18=100
September 1993 45 21 3 18 12=100
Chicago CFR 1990 34 13 7 26 20=100
Chicago CFR 1978 38 12 8 15 13=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.48F1 What's your opinion of US policies in the Middle East - would you say they are fair
or do they favor Israel too much or do they favor the Palestinians too much?
May 2003
35 Fair 47
32 Favor Israel 27
5 Favor Palestinians 8
28 Don't know/Refused 18
100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.49F2 Do you think the US is doing as much as it can to bring about a peace settlement
between the Israelis and he Palestinians, or don't you think so?
Early
April 2002
46 Yes 53
42 No 34
12 Don't know/Refused 13
100 100
NO QUESTIONS 50 OR 51
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Thinking about China for a moment...
Q.52F2 All things considered, which of these descriptions comes closest to your view of
China today. . . Do you think China is (READ):
Early
Feb Sept May March June March Sept
2002 2001 2001 2000 1999 1999 1997
14 An adversary 17 23 19 17 18 20 14
40 A serious problem, but not an adversary 39 48 51 44 53 48 46
36 OR, Not much of a problem 33 23 22 26 22 25 32
10 Don't know/Refused (DO NOT READ) 11 6 8 13 7 7 8
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.53F2 What is your impression... These days are relations between the U.S. and China
improving, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Feb May March June March Aug
2002 2001 2000 1999 1999 1995
18 Improving 16 6 13 7 13 16
13 Getting worse 14 40 19 35 19 22
58 Staying about the same 61 48 55 50 60 53
11 Don't know/Refused 9 6 13 8 8 9
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Thinking about trade for a moment
Q.54F1 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?
[IF RESPONDENT ASKS WHAT NAFTA IS, "The North American Free Trade
Agreement"]
Early
March Dec* Sept Nov Sept
2004 2003 2001 1997 1997
47 Good thing 44 34 49 45 47
34 Bad thing 37 33 29 34 30
19 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 19 33 22 21 23
100 100 100 100 100 100
* In December 2003 the question’s wording and interviewer instructions were: “...free trade
agreements like NAFTA, (the North American Free Trade Agreement) and the WTO (World Trade
Organization)... [INTERVIEWER: READ OUT FULL NAMES ONLY IF RESPONDENT IS UNCERTAIN].
In Early September 2001 and earlier the question was worded: “So far, do you think that
NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, has been a good thing or a bad thing from a
U.S. point of view?”
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.55F1 Thinking about the financial situation of you and your family Do you think these
free trade agreements (like NAFTA and the WTO) have definitely helped, probably
helped, probably hurt, or definitely hurt the financial situation of you and your
family? [INTERVIEWER: READ OUT FULL NAMES ONLY IF RESPONDENT IS UNCERTAIN]
Dec
2003
3 Definitely helped 2
31 Probably helped 25
25 Probably hurt 24
16 Definitely hurt 14
12 Neither (VOL.) 15
13 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 20
100 100
NO QUESTIONS 56 THROUGH 59
QUESTIONS 60-64 RESULTS UPDATED IN QUESTIONS 51-55 IN AUGUST TOPLINE
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.65F1 In rebuilding Iraq, how good a job are the U.S. and its allies doing in taking into
account the needs and interests of the Iraqi people? Is the coalition doing an
excellent job, a good job, only a fair job or a poor job in taking into
consideration the interests and needs of the Iraqi people?
Late
Feb Dec Sept May
2004 2003 2003 2003
11 Excellent 13 11 9 18
33 Good 37 35 36 41
35 Only fair 31 27 35 26
13 Poor 9 16 11 6
8 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 10 11 9 9
100 100 100 100 100
QUESTIONS 66 RESULTS UPDATED IN QUESTION 57 IN THE AUGUST TOPLINE
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.67F2 How much longer do you think United States troops will have to remain in Iraq for
less than a year, one to two years, two to five years, or will the U.S. troops have
to stay in Iraq for longer than five years?
---- CBS/New York Times ----
June April March Dec July
2004 2004 2004 2003 2003
17 Less than a year 17 8 8 15 13
31 One to two years 33 27 22 34 31
27 Two to five years 26 33 35 31 31
17 Longer than five years 16 25 26 12 18
8 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 8 7 9 8 7
100 100 100 100 100 100
NO QUESTIONS 68 OR 69
ASK ALL:
Thinking about the issue of terrorism for a moment...
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.70F2 In general, how well do you think the U.S. government is doing in reducing the
threat of terrorism? [READ]
(RVs)
Early Early Oct Oct
Aug Nov June Nov 15-21 10-14
2003 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001
18 Very well 19 15 16 35 38 48
53 Fairly well 56 54 60 46 46 40
17 Not too well, OR 16 19 16 9 9 6
8 Not at all well 7 8 4 5 4 2
4 Don't know/Refused (VOL) 2 4 4 5 3 4
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.71F1 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 at the time of the September 11th
terrorist attacks?
Late Aug
2002
24 Greater 22
39 The same 39
34 Less 34
3 Don't know/refused (VOL.) 5
100 100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.72F1 Thinking back Do you think there is anything that the U.S. did wrong in its dealings
with other countries that might have motivated the 9/11 terrorist attacks, or not?
Late Aug Late
2002* Sept 2001
38 Yes, U.S. dealings may have motivated attacks 38 33
51 No 49 55
11 Don't know/Refused 13 12
100 100 100
* In 2002 and 2001 the item was worded: “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?”
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.73F2 Thinking back...Do you think there is any way that the U.S. was unfair in its
dealings with other countries that might have motivated the 9/11 terrorist attacks,
or not?
Late Aug Late
2002* Sept 2001
28 Yes, unfair dealings may have motivated attacks 23 21
58 No 64 70
14 Don't know/Refused 13 9
100 100 100
* In 2002 and 2001 the item was worded: “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?”
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
Q.74F1 In order to curb terrorism in this country, do you think it is necessary for the
average person to give up some civil liberties, or not?
Mid-
Aug June Jan Sept April March L.A. Times
2003* 2002 2002 2001 1997 1996 April 1995
38 Yes, it is necessary 44 49 55 55 29 30 49
56 No, it is not necessary 50 45 39 35 62 65 43
6 Don't know/Refused (VOL) 6 6 6 10 9 5 8
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
* In 2003 and earlier the question was worded: “In order to curb terrorism in this country, do
you think it will be necessary for the average person to give up some civil liberties, or not?
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.75F2 What concerns you more about the government's anti-terrorism policies?
[READ AND ROTATE]
49 That they have not gone far enough to adequately protect the country
--OR--
29 That they have gone too far in restricting the average person's civil liberties
11 Neither / Approve of policies (VOL.)
11 Don't know/Refused
100
NO QUESTION 76
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
Q.77F2 Do you think the use of torture against suspected terrorists in order to gain
important information can often be justified, sometimes be justified, rarely be
justified, or never be justified?
15 Often justified
28 Sometimes justified
21 Rarely justified
32 Never justified
4 Don't know/Refused
100
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- Questionnaire Part 1