Posted on 09/01/2002 4:02:43 PM PDT by Timesink
NEW YORK, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly a year after the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., the majority of Americans (61%) still approve of the way President George W. Bush is handling his job, according to the latest Newsweek Poll though that number is slightly lower from the last Poll on July 18-19, when his rating was 65 percent and has slipped from 73 percent in the Newsweek Poll in May and from the high 80s, where he polled just after Sept. 11. The president also gets high ratings for his fight against the war on terrorism overseas (68% approve, 26% disapprove), and on policies to prevent and minimize terrorism at home (72% approve, 23% disapprove). And with focus shifting to Iraq, a 62-percent majority of Americans say they would support military action against Iraq (31% would not), the Poll shows.
Majorities would also support using air strikes against Iraq without any troops (63%), sending in commandos or special forces to capture Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein or work with local anti-Saddam forces (70%), and organizing an international force to force Saddam from power and take control of the country (69%). And more people (49%) favor sending in large numbers of U.S. ground troops to ensure control of the country than oppose doing so (45%). However, majorities also think it's important for the president to get various levels of approval before any action against Iraq is taken. Eightyfive percent say it's somewhat important (24%) to very important (61%) for President Bush to get Congressional approval first; 86 percent say it's somewhat important (28%) to very important (58%) for him to get support from most of our European allies; 81 percent say it's somewhat important (26%) to very important (55%) to get formal support from the United Nations; and 81 percent say it's somewhat important (30%) to very important (51%) to get support from most of the Arab countries that are friendly to the United States.
As to the threat of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a 77-percent majority thinks he is still alive and 54 percent of those polled say removing top Al Qaeda leaders will not be enough to eliminate the threat against the U.S. because too many cells and potential leaders would remain. Twenty-seven percent say it will be necessary not only to capture or kill bin Laden to remove the threat, but to also capture or kill other top leaders in his organization. The majority of people (66%) think it is somewhat (48%) to very likely (18%) that more terrorist attacks will be carried out against major U.S. cities, buildings or national landmarks between now and the end of the year. Most people think such an attack could be carried out by chemical or biological weapons (34%), conventional weapons (26%), or a "dirty bomb" that spreads
Radioactive material (14%). Only three percent think it could be carried out by airliners and skyjacking, and four percent say nuclear weapons (4%). The majority (60%) are also somewhat (47%) to very confident (13%) that U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be able to prevent future terrorist attacks in this country. Twenty-six percent say they are not too confident and 15 percent say they are not confident at all.
Still, 42 percent of Americans say they feel safe, with only 9 percent saying they feel a lot less safe since September 11, and 19 percent saying somewhat less safe. The majority of Americans (63%) is more worried about the economy and the job situation than they are about the threat of another terrorist attack (19%). And the overwhelming majority of Americans have not changed their habits because of concerns about terrorism. Seventy-seven percent say they are not avoiding air travel, or staying close to home (84%), avoiding large cities (83%), crowded public places (84%), or people who appear to be Arab or Middle Eastern (87%). However, more people say they feel more patriotic (75%) and more are spending more time with family (56%).
And most people think there have been at least some to a lot of safety and security improvements since September 11 at airports and on commercial airplanes (33% say some, 52% say a lot); at major business and government buildings (38% say some, 38% say a lot); at national landmarks (34% say some, 35% say a lot); at nuclear power plants (30% say some, 33% say a lot); at stadiums and sports arenas (38% say some, 28% say a lot); at major dams and reservoirs (35% say some, 19% say a lot); at major bridges and tunnels (34% say some, 19% say a lot), and at postal facilities (37% say some, 26% say a lot).
On the issue of civil liberties, opinion is evenly split on whether it will be necessary for the average person to give some up in order to curb terrorism, with 47 percent saying it's necessary and 47 percent saying it is not. However, 58 percent say what the Bush administration has done so far in restricting civil liberties in response to terrorism has been about right. Only 16 percent say it has gone too far. But the majority (62%) says making it easier for intelligence and law enforcement agents to monitor people's private telephone conversations and e-mail goes too far, as does using race, religion, or ethnicity as a factor in determining who is a suspected terrorist (59%). Eighty percent say detaining people at airports solely because of their religion goes too far and 63 percent say giving government the power to detain American citizens suspected of crimes indefinitely without review by a judge also goes too far.
Public opinion is more evenly split on President Bush's handling of the economy (48% approve, 45% disapprove), taxes (49% approve, 42% disapprove), the environment (52% approve, 36% disapprove) and energy policy (47% approve, 33% disapprove). And when asked if the November election for U.S. Congress were held today, opinion was almost evenly split with 40 percent saying they would choose the Democratic Party's candidate and 45 percent saying they would choose the Republican Party's candidate.
For this Newsweek Poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates interviewed by telephone 1,005 adults aged 18 and older on August 28-29, 2002. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points. This Newsweek Poll is part of the September 9 issue (on newsstands Monday, September 2).
(Poll attached. Read Newsweek's news releases at
http://www.newsweek.msnbc.com/. Click "Pressroom.")
Newsweek Poll
One Year After 9/11
Princeton Survey Research Associates
Final Topline Results
(8/30/02)
N = 1005 adults, 18 and over
Margin of error: plus or minus 3 percentage points
Interviewing dates: 8/28-29/02
SAMPLE SIZE/MARGIN OF ERROR FOR KEY SUBGROUPS:
842 Registered Voters (plus or minus 4)
NOTE: An asterisk (*) indicates a value less than one percent.
Question 1 for classification purposes only.
2a/b. If the November election for U.S. Congress were being held TODAY,
would you vote for...the Republican Party's candidate or the
Democratic Party's candidate for Congress in your district?
[IF OTHER/UNDECIDED, RESPONDENTS WERE ASKED] As of TODAY, do you
LEAN more toward...the Republican or the Democrat?
BASED ON REGISTERED VOTERS
Total Rep Total Dem Undecided/Other
Current Total 45 40 15 = 100
Trends
June 2002 44 46 10 = 100
February 2002 46 45 9 = 100
10/8-9/98 43 45 12 = 100
9/24-25/98 43 48 9 = 100
9/10-11/98 43 45 12 = 100
8/20-21/98 41 47 12 = 100
NOTE: Trends from June and February 2002 from Pew Research Center.
Trend question wording read "If the elections for U.S. Congress ..."
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his
job as president?
Approve Disapprove DK
Current Total 61 30 9 = 100
Trends
(7/18-19/02) 65 25 10 = 100
(7/11-12/02) 68 22 10 = 100
(6/27-28/02) 70 19 11 = 100
(5/16-17/02) 73 20 7 = 100
(4/25-26/02) 71 16 13 = 100
(3/21-22/02) 74 16 10 = 100
(2/12-18/02)** 78 13 9 = 100
(1/31-2/1/02) 83 12 5 = 100
(12/13-14/01) 81 11 8 = 100
(12/6-7/01) 82 12 6 = 100
(11/29-30/01) 85 9 6 = 100
(11/15-16/01) 85 10 5 = 100
(11/8-9/01) 85 8 7 = 100
(11/1-2/01) 85 11 4 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 85 10 5 = 100
(10/18-19/01) 88 8 4 = 100
(10/11-12/01) 88 8 4 = 100
(10/4-5/01) 84 11 5 = 100
(9/27-28/01) 86 9 5 = 100
(9/20-21/01) 86 10 4 = 100
(9/13-14/01) 82 11 7 = 100
(8/25-9/5/01)** 51 34 15 = 100
(8/2-8/01)** 50 32 18 = 100
(7/2-12/01)** 51 32 17 = 100
(6/13-17/01) 50 33 17 = 100
(5/10-11/01) 50 31 19 = 100
(5/3-4/01) 57 30 13 = 100
(4/12-13/01) 57 28 15 = 100
(3/15-16/01) 55 30 15 = 100
(2/15-16/01) 56 21 23 = 100
(2/8-9/01) 52 25 23 = 100
**NOTE: Bush approval trends for June-early September 2001 and February
12-18, 2002 from Pew Research Center.
4. Next, please tell me whether you approve or disapprove of the way
George W. Bush is handling each of the following specific aspects of
his job. (First,) do you approve or disapprove of the way he is
handling...(INSERT-READ ITEMS IN ORDER)
Approve Disapprove DK
a. The war against terrorism overseas
Current Total 68 26 6 = 100
Trends
(5/16-17/02) 76 20 4 = 100
(1/31-2/1/02) 86 11 3 = 100
b. Policies to prevent and minimize
terrorism at home
Current Total 72 23 5 = 100
Trends
(5/16-17/02) 71 23 6 = 100
(1/31-2/1/02) 82 14 4 = 100
c. The economy
Current Total 48 45 7 = 100
Trends
(5/3-5/4/2001) 53 34 13 = 100
(4/12-13/01) 48 36 16 = 100
d. Taxes
Current Total 49 42 9 = 100
Trends
(5/3-5/4/2001) 53 37 10 = 100
(4/12-13/01) 48 40 12 = 100
e. The environment
Current Total 52 36 12 = 100
Trends
(5/3-5/4/2001) 45 41 14 = 100
(4/12-13/01) 42 39 19 = 100
f. Energy policy
Current Total 47 33 20 = 100
Trends
(5/3-5/4/2001) 44 39 17 = 100
(4/12-13/01) 41 3 21 =100
5. In the fight against terrorism, the Bush Administration has talked
about using military force against Saddam Hussein and his military in
Iraq. Would you support using military force against Iraq, or not?
Yes No DK
Current Total 62 31 7 = 100
Trends
(4/25-26/02) 68 24 8 = 100
(12/13-14/01) 78 15 7 = 100
(10/11-12/01) 81 15 4 = 100
6. Please tell me whether or not you would support each of the following
kinds of U.S. military action against IRAQ and its leader Saddam
Hussein. (First,) what about...(READ ITEMS IN ORDER)?
(Would you support this kind of military action or not?)
Yes No DK
a. Using air strikes against Iraq without any troops
on the ground
Current Total 63 30 7 = 100
Trend
(11/29-30/01) 68 23 9 = 100
b. Sending in commandos or special forces to capture
Saddam Hussein or work with local anti-Saddam
forces
Current Total 70 23 7 = 100
Trend
(11/29-30/01) 74 19 7 = 100
c. Sending in large numbers of U.S. ground troops to
ensure control of the country
Current Total 49 45 6 = 100
Trend
(11/29-30/01) 56 40 4 = 100
d. Organizing an INTERNATIONAL force to force Saddam
Hussein from power and take control of the country
Current Total 69 25 6 = 100
Trend
(11/29-30/01) 65 28 7 = 100
7. How important do you think it is that President Bush first get ...
(READ ITEMS IN ORDER) before taking military action against Iraq?
Is it very important, somewhat important, not too important or not at
all important?
Very Somewhat Not too Not at all DK
a. The approval of Congress
Current Total 61 24 6 7 2 = 100
Trends
(2/19-20/98) 66 19 6 6 3 = 100
(1/10-11/91) 60 22 6 9 3 = 100
b. Formal support from the
United Nations
Current 55 26 8 9 2 = 100
c. Support from most of our
European allies
Current 58 28 7 5 2 = 100
d. Support from most of the
Arab countries that are
friendly to the
United States
Current 51 30 8 8 3 = 100
NOTE: Trend from 1998 asked about Clinton and trend from 1991 asked about
George Bush Sr.
8. What do you think it will take for the United States to eliminate the
threat of future acts of terrorism against this country by Al Queda,
Osama bin Laden's organization? (READ)
Current 1/31-2/1/02 11/15-16/01
10 Will it be enough to capture or 9 11
kill bin Laden, OR
27 Will it ALSO be necessary to capture 32 43
or kill other top leaders in his
organization, OR
54 Will removing top leaders NOT eliminate 53 40
the threat because too many cells and
potential leaders would remain?
9 Don't know 6 6
100 100 100
9. From what you've seen or heard, do you think Osama bin Laden is probably alive or is probably dead?
Current 7/18-19/02
77 Probably alive 73
13 Probably dead 15
10 Don't know 12
100 100
10. Now I have some questions related to the terrorist attacks that took
place last September 11th... How confident are you that U.S.
intelligence and law enforcement agencies will be able to prevent
future terrorist attacks in the United States in which large numbers
of Americans are killed? Are you...(READ)
Current 6/27-28/02
13 Very confident 10
47 Somewhat confident 48
25 Not too confident 24
13 Not at all confident 16
2 Don't know 2
100 100
11. In your opinion, how likely is it that more terrorist attacks will
be carried out against major U.S. cities, buildings or national
landmarks BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR 2002? Is it...(READ)
Very Somewhat Not too Not at all DK
Current Total 18 48 24 8 2 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 12 45 28 11 4 = 100
(12/13-14/01) 18 43 22 12 5 = 100
(10/11-12/01) 48 37 8 3 4 = 100
(10/4-5/01) 39 40 13 4 4 = 100
(9/27-28/01) 33 46 14 4 3 = 100
(9/20-21/01) 41 41 11 4 3 = 100
(9/13-14/01) 43 39 12 3 3 = 100
NOTE: Question wording from December 2001 read "In your opinion, how
likely is it that more terrorist attacks will be carried out against major
U.S. cities, buildings or national landmarks DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?"
Wording from June 2002 read " ... DURING THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY".
Wording from all other trends read " ... IN THE NEAR FUTURE".
12. If there is another terrorist attack against the United States in the
near future, do you think it will most likely involve...(READ)
Current 6/27-28/02
3 Airliners and skyjacking 4
34 Chemical or biological weapons 27
4 Nuclear weapons 3
26 Conventional explosives, such as a bomb 33
in a vehicle or on someone's person
14 A "dirty bomb" that spreads radioactive 12
material
19 Don't know 21
100 100
13. We'd like your opinion of how much, if anything, has been done since
September 11th to improve safety and security for Americans in some
different areas. (First,) how much do you think has been done to
improve safety and security...(INSERT-READ AND RANDOMIZE): A lot,
some, not too much, or nothing at all?
A lot Some Not too Nothing DK
a. At major business and
government buildings
Current Total 38 38 13 3 8 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 35 43 11 4 7 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 55 31 6 2 6 = 100
b. At national landmarks like
the Statue of Liberty or
Washington Monument
Current Total 35 34 8 3 20 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 34 36 10 3 17 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 43 30 7 2 18 = 100
c. At nuclear power plants
Current Total 33 30 9 4 24 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 30 32 13 4 21 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 43 27 8 5 17 = 100
d. At major dams and reservoirs
Current Total 19 35 15 7 24 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 17 34 19 8 22 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 27 31 13 7 22 = 100
e. At stadiums and sports arenas
Current Total 28 38 17 5 12 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 27 40 17 4 12 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 40 35 9 5 11 = 100
f. At major bridges and tunnels
Current Total 19 34 18 11 18 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 15 37 23 9 16 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 26 31 13 11 19 = 100
g. At theme parks
Current Total 16 30 21 12 21 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 11 28 25 12 24 = 100
(10/25-26/01) 20 32 14 10 24 = 100
h. At airports and on
commercial airplanes
Current Total 52 33 10 2 3 = 100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 56 31 8 1 4 = 100
i. At postal facilities
Current 26 37 16 9 12 = 100
NOTE: October 2001 question wording read "We'd like your opinion of how
much, if anything, has been done to improve safety and security for
Americans in some difference areas since the September 11th attacks and
the recent anthrax cases."
14. Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, do you personally feel a
lot less safe where you live and work, somewhat less safe, only a
little less safe, or not at all less safe than you did before?
A lot less Somewhat less A little less Not DK
at all
less
Current
Total 9 19 26 42 4 =100
Trends - Total
(6/27-28/02) 6 18 27 47 2 =100
(11/15-16/01) 13 20 26 39 2 =100
(11/8-9/01) 9 13 29 47 2 =100
(11/1-2/01) 11 15 29 43 2 =100
(10/25-26/01) 10 14 32 43 1 =100
(10/18-19/01) 9 15 27 46 3 =100
(10/11-12/01) 15 22 30 32 1 =100
(9/27-28/01) 11 20 29 39 1 =100
(9-13-14/01) 12 24 27 36 1 =100
NOTE: Trend question wording read "Since the September 11th attacks and
recent anthrax cases ... "
15. These days, do you and your family worry more about...(READ AND
ROTATE 1-2)
Current 6/27-28/02
63 The economy and the job situation 60
19 The threat of another terrorist attack 16
10 Both equally (VOL.) 12
7 Neither (VOL.) 11
1 Don't know 1
100 100
16. Please tell me which of the following, if any, you are doing NOW
because of concerns about terrorism. (First,) are you...(READ AND
RANDOMIZE) (as a result of concerns about terrorism), or not?
Yes No DK
a Avoiding air travel
Current Total 22 77 1 = 100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 21 78 1 = 100
b. Avoiding travel in general,
and staying close to home
Current Total 15 84 1 = 100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 22 77 1 = 100
c. Avoiding large cities like
New York and Washington,
D.C.
Current Total 16 83 1 = 100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 23 75 2 = 100
d. Avoiding crowded public
places like theme parks
and sports arenas
Current Total 15 84 1 = 100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 19 80 1 = 100
e. Avoiding people who appear to
be Arab or Middle Eastern
Current 11 87 2 = 100
NOTE: Trend question wording read "We're interested in how, if at all,
you and your family's plans for this year's Fourth of July holiday have
been affected by concerns about terrorism. Are you or your family..."
17. In which of the following ways, if any, has your life changed since
September 11th? Have you...(INSERT-READ AND RANDOMIZE), since
September 11th or not?
Yes No DK
a. Prayed more or attended religious
services more often
Current 37 63 * = 100
b. Spent more time with your family
Current 56 43 1 = 100
c. Gotten more involved in volunteer
or community-service activities
Current 24 75 1 = 100
d. Felt more patriotic
Current 75 25 * = 100
e. Decided to change your job or
career plans
Current 8 92 * = 100
18. On a somewhat different topic... In order to curb terrorism, do you
think it will be necessary for the average person to give up some civil
liberties, or not?
Yes No DK
Current Total 47 47 6 = 100
Trends
(6/27-28/02) 46 46 8 = 100
(1/9-13/02) 55 39 6 = 100
(9/20-21/01) 63 32 5 = 100
(4/97) 29 62 9 = 100
(3/96) 30 65 5 = 100
(4/95) 49 43 8 = 100
NOTE: Trends from January 2002, 3/96 and 4/97 from Pew Research Center.
Trend from 4/95 from Los Angeles Times
19. Based on what the Bush Administration has done so far and proposes to
do in response to terrorism, do you think they are going too far in
restricting civil liberties in this country, not far enough, or are
handling this situation just about right?
Current 6/27-28/02 11/29-30/01 9/27-28/01
16 Too far 13 11 8
20 Not far enough 24 14 17
58 About right 57 72 72
6 Don't know 6 3 3
100 100 100 100
20. We'd like your opinion of some things that have been done - or might
be done - to improve security and protect against terrorism in the
United States. For each one, tell me if you strongly favor it, are
willing to accept it if necessary, or think it goes too far. (First,)
what about...(INSERT-READ AND RANDOMIZE)?
SF - Strongly Favor
WA - Willing to Accept
TF - Goes too far
SF WA TF DK
a. More restrictions on air
travel, such as requiring earlier
arrival at the airport, using
metal detectors to search passengers
at random, and not allowing any
sharp objects to be carried
on the plane
Current 60 31 8 1 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 62 32 5 1 =100
b. Making it easier for intelligence
and law enforcement agents to
monitor people's private
telephone conversations and e-mail
Current 11 25 62 2 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 12 28 57 3 =100
c. Public libraries giving intelligence and law
enforcement agents access to the names of people
who have borrowed books or other materials that
might be used in planning a terrorist attack
Current 40 35 23 2 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 41 38 18 3 =100
d. ID checks at all workplace and public buildings
Current 42 39 17 2 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 43 44 11 2 =100
e. Random ID checks on the streets
and highways
Current 20 33 45 2 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 18 38 42 2 =100
f. Using race, religion, or ethnicity as a factor
in determining who is a suspected terrorist
Current 12 26 59 3 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 14 34 48 4 =100
g. Detaining people at airports SOLELY
because of their religion
Current 6 11 80 3 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 6 15 76 3 =100
h. Giving government the power to
detain LEGAL IMMIGRANTS suspected
of crimes indefinitely,
without review by a judge
Current 24 23 49 4 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 25 31 39 5 =100
i. Giving government the power to
detain AMERICAN CITIZENS
suspected of crimes indefinitely,
without review by a judge
Current 13 21 63 3 =100
Trend
(6/27-28/02) 18 26 52 4 =100
END OF INTERVIEW. THANK RESPONDENT: That completes the interview. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
CONTACT: Rosanna Maietta of Newsweek, +1-212-445-4859
Web site: http://www.newsweek.msnbc.com/
NOTE TO EDITORS: BROADCASTERS: To interview Senior Editor Marcus Mabry, call Rosanna Maietta at 212-445-4859.
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Thank you, sir!
Not really .. isn't Neweek where Harold Fineman reports ..
The same Fineman that is itching for Hilda to run for President??
Interesting as to the big variation from this to the LAT poll.
If I had to wager, I'd say his approval rate is probably hovering somewhere between 65% and 70%.
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