Hot Topics
Survey Reports
January 13, 2005
Public's Agenda Differs From President's
Questionnaire (Part 2)
[CONTINUED...]
ASK ALL:
Q.21 Now thinking about FOREIGN policy problems, tell me whether each one should have top priority in the
U.S. government, a priority but not top priority, or no priority. (First /How about ) [INSERT ITEM;
ROTATE]
Top A No Don't
Priority Priority Priority Know
a. Making Iraq stable 46 37 15 2=100
b. Reducing the threat of
international terrorism 73 24 2 1=100
January, 2003 74 22 3 1=100
March, 1999 75 20 2 3=100
June, 1995 71 23 5 1=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=740]:
c.F1 Countering the threat of
North Korean militarism 41 46 7 6=100
January, 2003 47 40 8 5=100
March, 1999 29 49 14 8=100
September, 1993 20 49 25 6=100
d.F1 Keeping a close watch on the
development of China as a
world power 42 46 9 3=100
January, 2003 39 49 10 2=100
March, 1999 52 37 8 3=100
e.F1 Bringing about a permanent
settlement between Israel
and the Arabs 34 42 21 3=100
January, 2003 38 40 19 3=100
March, 1999 35 42 19 4=100
September, 1993 34 45 19 2=100
f.F1 Preventing human rights abuses
in other countries 36 45 17 2=100
March, 1999 37 46 13 4=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=763]:
g.F2 Protecting the global environment 48 43 7 2=100
March, 1999 62 30 5 3=100
June, 1995 55 37 6 2=100
September, 1993 63 31 5 1=100
h.F2 Stopping international
drug trafficking 56 36 7 1=100
March, 1999 72 23 4 1=100
June, 1995 75 20 4 1=100
September, 1993 82 14 4 *=100
i.F2 Stopping the spread of AIDS
around the world 61 33 5 1=100
March, 1999 65 29 4 2=100
j.F2 Insuring democracy succeeds in
Russia and Eastern Europe 17 53 25 5=100
March, 1999* 30 43 21 6=100
June, 1995 14 54 29 3=100
September, 1993 23 53 21 3=100
* In March 1999 and before the item was listed: “Insuring democracy succeeds in Russia and
the other former Soviet states”.
NO QUESTION 22
ASK ALL:
All in all
Q.23 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling [INSERT ITEM, RANDOMIZE]
Approve Disapprove DK/Ref.
a. The economy 45 50 5=100
Mid-October, 2004 38 55 7=100
Early September, 2004 44 49 7=100
August, 2004 42 52 6=100
July, 2004 42 52 6=100
June, 2004 43 50 7=100
Early April, 2004 39 53 8=100
Mid-January, 2004 47 47 6=100
September, 2003 43 48 9=100
February, 2003 43 48 9=100
January, 2003 47 45 8=100
Early October, 2002 49 40 11=100
June, 2002 53 36 11=100
January, 2002 60 28 12=100
Early September, 2001 47 44 9=100
February, 2001 50 22 28=100
b. The situation in Iraq 45 50 5=100
Mid-October, 2004 37 56 7=100
Early September, 2004 47 45 8=100
August, 2004 43 52 5=100
July, 2004 42 53 5=100
June, 2004 42 51 7=100
Late April, 2004 44 48 8=100
Early April, 2004 40 53 7=100
Mid-January, 2004 59 37 4=100
September, 2003 52 40 8=100
April 10-16, 2003 77 17 6=100
April 8-9, 2003 71 23 6=100
--April 9, 2003 76 18 6=100
--April 8, 2003 65 28 7=100
April 2-7, 2003 73 21 6=100
March 28-April 1, 2003 69 26 5=100
March 25-27, 2003 73 23 4=100
March 23-24, 2003 72 22 6=100
March 20-22, 2003 70 23 7=100
February, 2003 56 37 7=100
January, 2003 56 36 8=100
Early October, 2002 56 34 10=100
c. Terrorist threats 62 33 5=100
Mid-October, 2004 49 40 11=100
Early September, 2004 62 32 6=100
August, 2004 58 37 5=100
July, 2004 54 40 6=100
June, 2004 56 35 9=100
Late April, 2004 55 36 9=100
Early April, 2004 53 38 9=100
Gallup: December, 2003 65 33 2=100
September, 2003 64 28 8=100
February, 2003 67 25 8=100
January, 2003 69 23 8=100
Early October, 2002 71 22 7=100
June, 2002 74 18 8=100
Mid-September, 2001* 85 6 9=100
Clinton: Early September, 1998 72 20 8=100
* In Mid-September, 2001 the question was worded: “...dealing with the terrorist attacks on the
World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington.” In Early September 1998
the question was worded: “Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling
current threats from international terrorist groups?”
d. The nation's foreign policy 48 43 9=100
Mid-October, 2004 37 49 14=100
Early September, 2004 47 42 11=100
August, 2004 42 49 9=100
July, 2004 40 48 12=100
Mid-January, 2004 53 36 11=100
March, 2003 53 36 11=100
Early April, 2002 69 20 11=100
Gallup: October, 2001 81 14 5=100
Early September, 2001 46 34 20=100
August, 2001* 45 32 23=100
* In August 2001 roughly half of the U.S. sample was asked about Bush’s handling of international
policy, while the other half was asked about the handling of the nation’s foreign policy.
Results did not differ between question wordings.
ASK ALL:
ROTATE Q.24/Q.25 BLOCK WITH Q.26/Q.27 BLOCK
On a different subject
Q.24 How would you rate economic conditions in this country today as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?
Only Don't know/
Excellent Good Fair Poor Refused
January, 2005 3 36 45 15 1=100
December, 2004 3 33 43 20 1=100
Early November, 2004 (RVs) 5 31 37 26 1=100
Mid-September, 2004 4 34 40 20 2=100
August, 2004 3 30 45 21 1=100
Late April, 2004 4 34 38 22 2=100
Late February, 2004 2 29 42 26 1=100
February 9-12, 2004 (Gallup) 2 31 46 21 0=100
January 12-15, 2004 (Gallup) 3 34 42 21 0=100
January 2-5, 2004 (Gallup) 3 40 41 16 *=100
December 11-14, 2003 (Gallup) 3 34 44 19 *=100
November 3-5, 2003 (Gallup) 2 28 49 21 *=100
October 24-26, 2003 (Gallup) 2 24 44 30 *=100
October 6-8, 2003 (Gallup) 2 20 50 27 1=100
September 8-10, 2003 (Gallup) 1 20 49 30 *=100
August 4-6, 2003 (Gallup) 1 24 52 23 *=100
August 5-8, 2002 (Gallup) 1 27 52 19 1=100
August 16-19, 2001 (Gallup) 2 34 49 14 1=100
August 18-19, 2000 (Gallup) 25 49 21 4 1=100
August 24-26, 1999 (Gallup) 14 50 28 7 1=100
September 1, 1998 (Gallup) 11 54 25 9 1=100
August 22-25, 1997 (Gallup) 8 41 38 13 *=100
October 26-29, 1996 (Gallup) 5 42 39 13 1=100
November 6-8, 1995 (Gallup) 2 28 47 22 1=100
July 15-17, 1994 (Gallup) 1 26 52 21 *=100
June 29-30, 1993 (Gallup) 1 14 52 32 1=100
Aug. 31-Sept., 1992 (Gallup) (RVs) 1 9 37 53 *=100
Q.25 A year from now, do you expect that economic conditions in the country as a whole will be better
than they are at present, or worse, or just about the same as now?
Don't Know/
Better Worse Same Refused
January, 2005 27 18 52 3=100
August, 2004 36 9 47 8=100
Late February, 2004 39 12 41 8=100
September, 2003 37 17 43 3=100
May, 2003 43 19 35 3=100
Late March, 2003 33 23 37 7=100
January, 2003 30 20 44 6=100
Early October, 2002 34 18 42 6=100
June, 2002 30 20 46 4=100
January, 2002 44 17 36 3=100
January, 2001 Newsweek 18 33 44 5=100
June, 2000 15 24 55 6=100
Early October, 1998 (RVs) 16 22 57 5=100
Early September, 1998 18 17 61 4=100
May, 1990 18 31 45 6=100
February, 1989 25 22 49 4=100
September, 1988 (RVs) 24 16 51 9=100
May, 1988 24 20 46 10=100
January, 1988 22 26 45 7=100
January, 1984 Newsweek (RVs) 35 13 49 3=100
Thinking about your own personal finances...
Q.26 How would you rate your own personal financial situation? Would you say you are in excellent shape,
good shape, only fair shape or poor shape?
Don't Know/
Excellent Good Only Fair Poor Refused
January, 2005 10 41 34 14 1=100
August, 2004 9 42 34 14 1=100
September, 2003 10 38 36 15 1=100
Late March, 2003 10 43 31 12 4=100
January, 2003 7 38 39 15 1=100
Early October, 2002 7 39 37 16 1=100
June, 2002 5 40 37 16 2=100
Late September, 2001 7 40 37 14 2=100
June, 2001 6 38 39 16 1=100
June, 2000 9 43 35 11 2=100
August, 1999 6 43 41 9 1=100
May, 1997 7 43 38 11 1=100
September, 1996 (RVs) 8 47 34 10 1=100
February, 1995 8 39 38 14 1=100
March, 1994 5 41 40 13 1=100
December, 1993 5 34 45 15 1=100
January, 1993 U.S. News & World Report 4 33 46 16 1=100
October, 1992 U.S. News & World Report 6 34 40 19 1=100
August, 1992 U.S. News & World Report 5 30 47 17 1=100
May, 1992 U.S. News & World Report 4 35 45 15 1=100
January, 1992 U.S. News & World Report 4 32 45 18 1=100
Q.27 Over the course of the next year, do you think the financial situation of you and your family will
improve a lot, improve some, get a little worse or get a lot worse?
Stay the
Improve Improve Get a Get a lot Same Don't Know/
A lot Some Little Worse Worse (VOL.) Refused
January, 2005 10 54 14 4 15 3=100
August, 2004 13 57 9 3 12 6=100
September, 2003 11 53 15 4 14 3=100
Late March, 2003 12 51 15 4 11 7=100
January, 2003 9 51 18 5 13 4=100
Early October, 2002 10 54 13 5 12 6=100
June, 2002 11 55 15 4 11 4=100
January, 2002 12 53 15 5 11 4=100
Late September, 2001 9 46 16 4 17 8=100
June, 2001 11 52 15 4 14 4=100
January, 2001 11 46 18 9 12 4=100
January, 1999 17 55 7 3 14 4=100
May, 1997 12 56 10 2 17 3=100
February, 1995 11 53 13 3 17 3=100
March, 1994 10 57 11 3 16 3=100
October, 1992 U.S. News & W. Report 9 51 14 3 15 8=100
August, 1992 U.S. News & W. Report 6 50 20 5 14 5=100
May, 1992 U.S. News & W. Report 8 49 22 4 13 4=100
January, 1992 U.S. News & W. Report 9 46 19 5 16 5=100
NO QUESTION 28
Q.29 Thinking now about job opportunities where you live, would you say there are plenty of jobs available in
your community or are jobs difficult to find?
U.S. News &
Mid- Late Late Mid- World Report
Sept Aug April Feb Jan Oct June June Aug May Jan
2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 2002 2001 1992 1992 1992
32 Plenty of jobs available 31 34 30 31 27 24 31 42 15 16 12
58 Jobs are difficult to find 52 55 57 59 60 66 59 44 76 77 79
5 Lots of some jobs, few of others (VOL) 6 4 4 5 6 5 4 8 6 4 6
5 Don't know 11 7 9 6 7 5 6 6 3 3 3
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
NO QUESTIONS 30-31
Q.32 In recent years, President Bush and Congress have made major cuts in federal income tax rates. Do you
approve or disapprove of these tax cuts?
March Aug
2004* 2003
51 Approve 53 54
41 Disapprove 38 37
8 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 9 9
100 100 100
* In March 2004 and before the question was worded: “...President Bush and Congress have made two major
cuts in federal income tax rates”.
NO QUESTION 33
Q.34 People have different opinions about how the Social Security system might be changed for the future.
When decisions about Social Security's future are being made, which do you think is MORE important...
(READ; ROTATE ITEMS 1 AND 2)
Early Oct
2000
Keeping Social Security as a program with a GUARANTEED
65 monthly benefit based on a person's earnings during their working life? 54
OR
Letting younger workers DECIDE for THEMSELVES how some of their
own contributions to Social Security are invested, which would cause their
future benefits to be higher or lower depending on how well their
29 investments perform? 31
1 Both equally important (VOL.) 9
1 Neither is important (VOL.) 1
4 Don't know/Refused 5
100 100
NO QUESTION 35
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=740]:
Q.36F1 In international affairs, do you think George W. Bush pushes American interests too hard, not hard
enough, or about right?
Mid- Clinton
Jan 2004 June 1995
27 Too hard 26 12
23 Not hard enough 22 42
43 About right 47 39
7 Don't know 5 7
100 100 100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=763]:
Q.37F2 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?
July Mid-Jan Early Sept
2004 2004 2001
16 Too much 15 18 19
34 Too little 37 30 22
44 Right amount 38 46 42
6 Don't Know/Refused 10 6 17
100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.38 Do you think [INSERT ITEM, ROTATE] in this country works pretty well and requires only MINOR
CHANGES, do you think it needs MAJOR CHANGES, or do you think it needs to be COMPLETELY
REBUILT?
Works pretty well/ Major Completely Don't know/
Only minor changes changes Rebuilt Refused
a. The health care system 27 50 21 2=100
b. The tax system 50 29 17 4=100
c. The education system 36 45 17 2=100
d. The Social Security system 47 34 15 4=100
e. The legal system 44 37 15 4=100
Q.39 Usually at the start of a new presidential term, certain groups gain influence in Washington, while other
groups lose influence... As I read from a list, tell me if you think these groups will gain influence,
lose influence or not be affected by Bush being in office for another term? First... (INSERT ITEM;
ROTATE a. THROUGH j. ITEM k. SHOULD ALWAYS COME LAST)
Not be
Gain Lose affected DK/Ref.
a. Blacks 26 31 35 8=100
January, 2001 30 29 31 10=100
January, 1993 66 6 19 9=100
b. Hispanics 39 24 29 8=100
c. Conservative Christians 54 11 26 9=100
January, 2001 51 11 27 11=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=740]:
d.F1 Environmentalists 18 44 30 8=100
January, 2001 24 40 25 11=100
January, 1993 67 7 16 10=100
e.F1 Older people 29 40 26 5=100
January, 2001 46 26 22 6=100
January, 1993 42 25 26 7=100
f.F1 Washington lobbyists 40 14 30 16=100
January, 2001 35 17 28 20=100
January, 1993 23 31 29 17=100
g.F1 Union leaders 18 38 32 12=100
January, 2001 26 38 24 12=100
January, 1993 35 24 28 13=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=763]:
h.F2 Business corporations 56 9 28 7=100
January, 2001 66 9 17 8=100
January, 1993 34 33 21 12=100
i.F2 Poor people 20 49 26 5=100
January, 2001 29 40 23 8=100
January, 1993 61 12 19 8=100
j.F2 The military 63 13 18 6=100
January, 2001 72 4 16 8=100
ASK ALL:
k. People like yourself 22 34 40 4=100
January, 2001 35 26 33 6=100
January, 1993 43 22 27 8=100
Now thinking about Iraq
Q.40 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 Refused
January, 2005 51 44 5=100
December, 2004 49 44 7=100
November, 2004 (RVs) 48 41 11=100
Mid-October, 2004 46 42 12=100
Early October, 2004 50 39 11=100
Early September, 2004 53 39 8=100
August, 2004 53 41 6=100
July, 2004 52 43 5=100
June, 2004 55 38 7=100
May, 2004 51 42 7=100
Early April, 2004 57 35 8=100
Mid-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 30 7=100
May, 2003 74 20 6=100
Q.41 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 Refused
January, 2005 9 39 29 20 3=100
December, 2004 10 40 28 18 4=100
Mid-October, 2004 13 38 26 17 6=100
Early September, 2004 12 40 26 18 4=100
August, 2004 12 41 28 16 3=100
July, 2004 13 42 26 16 3=100
June, 2004 16 41 25 14 4=100
May, 2004 10 36 32 19 3=100
Late April, 2004 12 43 26 15 4=100
Early April, 2004 14 43 26 13 4=100
Mid-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
Q.42 Do you think the U.S. should keep military troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized, or do you
think the U.S. should bring its troops home as soon as possible?
Mid- Early Late Early Early
Dec Oct Sept Aug July June May April April Jan Oct Sept
2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004* 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 2003
54 Keep troops in Iraq 56 57 54 54 53 51 53 53 50 63 58 64
41 Bring troops home 40 36 40 42 43 44 42 40 44 32 39 32
5 Don't know/Refused 4 7 6 4 4 5 5 7 6 5 3 4
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
* In June 2004 and earlier, the question was worded: “Do you think the U.S. should keep military troops in
Iraq until a stable government is established there, or do you think the U.S. should bring its troops home
as soon as possible?”
Q.43 Thinking about the people you know, would you say they are becoming LESS emotionally involved in the
news from Iraq than they were, MORE emotionally involved, or are the people you know about as involved
as they had been?
Aug June May
2004 2004 2004
35 Less emotionally involved 36 35 26
19 More emotionally involved 19 23 33
44 About as involved as they have been 41 37 36
* Mixed / Some more, some less (VOL.) * 1 1
2 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 4 4 4
100 100 100 100
NO QUESTION 44
Q.45 On January 30th, Iraq is scheduled to have its first nationwide elections. How much have you heard about
this... A lot, a little, or nothing at all?
June 2004*
46 A lot 42
40 A little 40
13 Nothing at all 17
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 1
100 100
* 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… a lot, a little, or nothing at all?”
Q.46 All in all, do you think the January elections in Iraq will lead to a MORE stable situation, a LESS
stable situation, or will the situation in Iraq not change much?
29 More stable
14 Less stable
49 Situation will not change much
8 Don't know/Refused
100
NO QUESTIONS 47-50
And briefly, about the war on terrorism
Q.51 How well is the MILITARY effort to destroy terrorist groups around the world going? [READ]
Late Early Oct Oct
Sept Aug Jan Nov 15-21 10-14
2003* 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001
12 Very well 11 22 38 30 38 45
51 Fairly well 51 43 51 45 45 35
25 Not too well 23 18 6 12 9 6
9 Not at all well 7 4 3 4 2 4
3 Don't know/Refused 8 13 2 9 6 10
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
* In September 2003 the question wording included “in Afghanistan”. In 2004 “around the world” was added.
Q.52 How would you rate the job the government is doing in BUILDING DEFENSES at home to prevent future
terrorist attacks? Would you say the government is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job,
or a poor job?
Jan Early Nov Oct 15-21 Oct 10-14
2002 2001 2001 2001
9 Excellent 13 15 18 20
38 Good 47 47 51 47
38 Only fair 31 25 22 22
11 Poor 6 7 5 4
4 Don't know/Refused 3 6 4 7
100 100 100 100 100
Q.53 If you had to choose, what should get a higher priority now? [READ AND ROTATE]
Late Early Oct Oct Late
Feb Aug June Jan Nov 15-21 10-14 Sept
2003 2002 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001 2001
Building our defenses at home to
60 prevent future terrorist attacks 46 51 51 44 42 37 36 33
OR
28 Taking military action to destroy
terrorist networks around the world 39 30 34 40 42 48 45 44
7 Both (VOL) 8 13 8 12 11 13 13 16
5 Don't know/Refused 7 6 7 4 5 2 6 7
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.54 What is the best way to pay for increased spending for military defense and homeland security? Should
the U.S. [READ AND ROTATE]
Early Sept Feb Feb
2004 2003 2002
16 Add to the budget deficit 11 23 24
20 Reduce spending on domestic programs [OR] 19 21 22
42 Postpone or reduce last year's tax cuts 47 40 42
2 None (VOL) 3 1 2
1 Multiple (VOL) 1 1 *
4 Other (VOL) 4 2 1
15 Don't know/Refused 15 12 9
100 100 100 100
************************************************************************************************************
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE & THE PRESS
DECEMBER 2004 POLITICAL TYPOLOGY SURVEY
FINAL TOPLINE
December 1 - 16, 2004
N=2000
Q.31 How much, if anything, have you heard about a proposal which would allow younger workers to invest a
portion of their Social Security taxes in private retirement accounts, which might include stocks or
mutual funds... a lot, a little or nothing at all?
RV's
Early Sept Sept
2004* 2000
23 A lot 19 26
43 A little 41 43
33 Nothing at all 39 30
1 Don't know/Refused 1 1
100 100 100
* In 2004 the question included the words “... payroll taxes in private retirement accounts, which might
include stocks or mutual funds, rather than having all of it go toward Social Security.”
Q.32 Generally, do you favor or oppose this proposal?
Heard about -- Early Sept 2004 -- ---- Sept 2000 ----
Total Proposal* Heard about Heard about
Total Proposal RV's Proposal
54 54 Favor 58 61 70 71
30 35 Oppose 26 28 21 23
16 11 Don't know/Refused 16 11 9 6
100 100 100 100 100 100
(N=1420)
* Based on the percent who heard "A lot" or "A little" in Q.31.
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Table of Contents
- Questionnaire (Part 2)