CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #1, May 1992 (ICPSR 6077)

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This poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to comment on what they thought was the most important problem facing the country, and to give their approval rating of George Bush with respect to his handling of the presidency, foreign policy, and the economy. Questions were posed regarding respondents' vote intentions for the 1992 presidential election, their opinions of potential 1992 presidential candidates, the likelihood of their voting in either a Republican or Democratic presidential primary or caucus, their candidate preferences for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, and issues presidential candidates should emphasize. Those surveyed were asked about the concern of the presidential candidates for the needs and problems of Black people, the amount of attention the government had given to Blacks and other minorities, the best way for Blacks to gain their rights, and the impact of government programs in the 1960s on poor people. Respondents were queried regarding race relations in the United States, the state of race relations compared to ten years ago, Bush's handling of race relations, and the amount of progress that had been made since the 1960s to conquer racial discrimination. Questions pertaining to the Rodney King trial focused on the jury's verdict acquitting the Los Angeles policemen, whether the videotape of the beating showed enough for the respondent to make a judgment regarding the guilt of the policemen, who was to blame for the riots in Los Angeles, the effect of the riots on Blacks, and the reactions of Bush, Bill Clinton, and Ross Perot to the riots. Those surveyed were also asked whether Bush, Clinton, or Perot could best handle race relations, improve education, create job opportunities, ensure law and order, bring people of different races together, and increase hope that things could get better. Additional questions concerned ways to reduce racial tension and prevent riots, and the amount of money that should be spent on areas such as improving conditions for Blacks, assisting the poor, and funding welfare. Background information on respondents includes sex, age, race, education, religious preference, family income, political orientation, and party preference.

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