Showing 1 – 28 of 28 results.
Curated
ABC News Ginsburg Poll, November 1987 (ICPSR 8885)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-30
Geographic coverage: United States
The nomination of Douglas Ginsburg to the Supreme Court was the topic of this poll. Respondents were asked if they agreed or disagreed that most people under age 40 and most important public officials have used the drug marijuana at least once, and that people who have used marijuana once or twice in their lives should not be allowed to hold public office or sit on the Supreme Court. Those respondents who answered that they had heard about the nomination of Ginsburg also were asked a series of specific questions about Ginsburg that dealt with his experience, qualifications, marijuana use, the investigations into a possible violation of government conflict of interest rules, and his wife. Demographic characteristics of respondents are included.
Curated
ABC News Poll, July 1991 (ICPSR 9758)
Released/updated on: 2007-07-03
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1991-07-25--1991-07-28
This data collection is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that evaluate the Bush presidency and solicit opinions on a variety of political and social issues. Topics covered include the economy, foreign affairs, the situation in the Persian Gulf, and the recession. In addition, respondents were questioned in depth regarding health care and health insurance. They were asked about the quality of health care, health insurance coverage, the health insurance system in the United States, whether they would choose an inexpensive health care program that did not allow them to choose their own doctors or an expensive one that permitted that choice, and whether they would prefer private health insurance or national health insurance. Respondents were also asked if they thought the Persian Gulf War was worth fighting, if the United States should bomb Iraq if the United States government believed Iraq was secretly trying to make nuclear weapons, if they approved of Clarence Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court, and if they had favorable impressions of certain persons, organizations, and countries. Among the other subjects addressed are the economic and political system changes of the Soviet Union, cutting the number of long-range nuclear missiles, the Middle East peace conference, the United States House of Representatives election in November, and AIDS testing. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, 1988 presidential vote choice, education, age, religion, social class, marital status, number of people in household, labor union membership, employment status, race, income, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News Supreme Court Nomination Poll, July 1991 (ICPSR 9612)
Released/updated on: 2007-09-18
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey focuses on the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court of the United States. Respondents were asked if they approved of the way the Supreme Court was doing its job, if the Supreme Court was becoming more conservative in its decisions, if they approved of Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court, if the Senate should only consider Thomas's background and qualifications or if it should consider his political views as well, and if Thomas should be confirmed only if he indicates that he would vote to overturn/uphold the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling that allowed a woman to have a legal abortion for any reason during the first three months of pregnancy. Respondents also were questioned about White House Chief of Staff John Sununu's use of government and corporate planes while he was not on official White House business. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, education, age, race, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Bork Vote Poll, October 1987 (ICPSR 8888)
Released/updated on: 2007-07-03
Geographic coverage: United States
The nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court was the subject of this survey. Respondents were asked if they approved of the nomination and why or why not, if they felt Bork was qualified, whether the Senate should consider both Bork's qualifications and political views in deciding upon his nomination, and whether a Senate candidate's opposition to Bork would make any difference to the respondent. Additional questions included whether respondents had received anything in the mail, received telephone calls, or seen advertisements either in support of or in opposition to Bork, and if they felt any groups or individuals had too much influence in the nomination process. Demographic characteristics of respondents are included.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Clarence Thomas Hearing Poll, September 1991 (ICPSR 9767)
Released/updated on: 2006-12-01
Geographic coverage: United States
The nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court was the central focus of this survey. Respondents were asked if they approved or disapproved of the nomination, whether the Senate should confirm Thomas's nomination, whether the Supreme Court was too conservative or too liberal in its decisions, and whether the presence of Thomas on the court would make the court more conservative or liberal. Respondents were also queried regarding their awareness of the Senate hearings on Thomas's nomination, if Thomas was one of the best available people for the job, and whether the Senate should consider Thomas's political views as well as his background and qualifications. Further questions included whether the respondent agreed or disagreed with Thomas's opposition to programs that gave minorities preference in jobs and education to make up for past inequalities, whether Thomas understood the concerns of most Black Americans, whether the respondent favored or opposed the 1973 ruling to legalize abortion and if Thomas should be confirmed on the basis of his support or opposition to legalized abortion, whether Thomas should have discussed his views on abortion laws at the confirmation hearings, and whether the opposition to the Thomas nomination by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and National Organization for Women (NOW) influenced the respondent's support for Thomas. Other topics covered in this survey include the Bush presidency, terms used to describe Black Americans, whom the respondent would vote for in a Democratic presidential primary or caucus, Israel and the Palestinians, and relations between Israel and the United States.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Clarence Thomas Vote Delay Polls, October 1991 (ICPSR 9766)
Released/updated on: 2006-12-13
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection consists of telephone surveys concerning the delay of the vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas due to the charge by former co-worker Anita Hill that he sexually harassed her on the job. Demographic information on respondents includes sex, race, age, state of residence, and political party alignment. Parts 1 and 2 (October 8 and 9 Polls), conducted the day the vote was delayed and the day after, examined whether respondents had heard or read about the charge of sexual harassment brought against Clarence Thomas, whether they approved of the Senate's delaying the confirmation vote in order to look into the charge, and whether the Senate should confirm Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court. Respondents were also asked whether the charge of sexual harassment had changed their opinion on whether to support Thomas, whether the charge, if true, would be reason enough for the Senate to reject his nomination, and whether the charge against Thomas was true according to their best guess. Additional questions probed respondents' opinions on the way the Senate had handled the Thomas nomination, whether the respondent was more likely to believe the man or the woman if a woman said she was sexually harassed on the job by a man, and if the respondent had ever been sexually harassed at work. Part 3 (October 12 Poll), in addition to repeating questions from Parts 1 and 2, examined how closely the respondent had been following the news about charges of sexual harassment brought against Clarence Thomas, whether Hill or Thomas was the more believable witness, whether Thomas was qualified to be a Supreme Court justice, whether Bush could have selected a more qualified candidate, and if the respondent had ever been sexually harassed outside the job. Part 4 (October 13 Poll) replicated previous questions and probed new areas, such as whether Clarence Thomas had been treated fairly or unfairly as a Supreme Court nominee, whether Anita Hill had been treated fairly or unfairly, and whether the person who leaked Anita Hill's Senate Judiciary Committee statement to the news media should face criminal charges. Additional questions included whether respondents approved/disapproved of various people and groups who had been involved in the Senate hearings on Thomas, whether respondents had discussed the issue of sexual harassment with other people as a result of the charge against Thomas, whether the attention given to the issue of sexual harassment would make men be more careful in the way they relate to women in the workplace, whether sexual harassment of women in the workplace is a problem in this country, and whether the Senate investigation of the sexual harassment accusation would end up being a good or a bad thing for the country. Part 5 (October 14 Poll) repeated previous questions and added a new query addressing the issue of whether the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the sexual harassment charge against Clarence Thomas should have been held in private, in public, or not at all.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Monthly Poll #1, January 2006 (ICPSR 4654)
Released/updated on: 2008-03-13
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted January 5-8, 2006, 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 give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, ethics in government, and the United States campaign against terrorism. Views were sought on whether the war in Iraq was worth fighting, and whether the federal government was doing enough to protect the rights of American citizens and people suspected of involvement in terrorism. A series of questions addressed the level of honesty of members of the United States Congress, the level of corruption in federal, state, and local government, corruption charges against prominent lobbyist Jack Abrahmoff, and whether it should be legal for registered lobbyists to make campaign contributions to congressional members or candidates, give them gifts, or organize fund raisers on their behalf. Additional questions asked about upcoming Senate confirmation hearings for federal Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and whether Alito would vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, political party affiliation, political philosophy, religious preference, and whether respondents considered themselves to be born-again Christians.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Monthly Poll, December 2004 (ICPSR 4239)
Released/updated on: 2006-01-06
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted December 16-19, 2004, 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 give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, foreign policy, and the economy, as well as their views on the war in Iraq, Social Security, the Supreme Court, and the November 2004 United States presidential election. Respondents were queried on specific Iraq issues such as whether the war in Iraq was worth the human and economic costs, whether the number of United States military casualties was acceptable, how military action in Iraq has affected the long-term security of the United States, and whether democratic elections in Iraq would occur and how honest and successful they would be. Questions about Social Security addressed the government's ability to pay benefits in the future, allowing Social Security contributors to use part of their contribution toward investing in the stock market, and whether and to what extent respondents would invest their contributions in the stock market. Other issues addressed were who President Bush would choose as a future Supreme Court nominee and the criteria he would use to make his choice, whether respondents were optimistic about the immediate and long-range future, and respondents' confidence in the 2004 United States presidential election process. Background information includes age, education, ethnicity/race, household income, marital status, political ideology, political party affiliation, religious affiliation, whether that religion was considered an evangelical one, whether the respondent voted in the 2004 United States presidential election, and if the respondent voted, for whom he or she voted: the incumbent George W. Bush (Republican), John Kerry (Democrat), or Ralph Nader (Independent).
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Poll #1, October 1991 (ICPSR 9755)
Released/updated on: 2007-05-17
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1991-10-15--1991-10-20
This data collection is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that evaluate the Bush presidency and solicit opinions on a variety of political and social issues. Topics covered include the economy, foreign affairs, the most important problem facing this country, who was most responsible for doing something about this problem, and which political party better represented the interests of poor people, rich people, and the middle class. In addition, respondents were questioned on whether they thought people in government wasted a lot of money and whether most of them were dishonest. Respondents were also asked if they had a favorable impression of certain people who might run in the presidential election, whom they would vote for if the House of Representatives election were held that day, and toward which candidate they were leaning. Other subjects addressed included whether respondents supported a federal law requiring businesses with more than 50 employees to allow workers 12 weeks of unpaid leave and a federal law giving unemployed people as much as 20 weeks of extra unemployment benefits, whether the United States should cut military spending because of the changes in the Soviet Union, and whether the Senate should have confirmed Clarence Thomas's nomination to the Supreme Court. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, 1988 presidential vote choice, education, age, religion, social class, marital status, number of people in household, labor union membership, employment status, race, income, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, August 1987 (ICPSR 8849)
Released/updated on: 2007-07-09
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that evaluate the Reagan presidency and solicit opinions on a variety of political and social issues. Topics covered include United States support of the Nicaraguan contras and the Iran arms sale, Reagan's involvement before and after the fact, the conduct and testimony of various people who appeared before the congressional committee, and the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Demographic characteristics of respondents also were recorded.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, June 2005 (ICPSR 4328)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-08
Geographic coverage: United States
This monthly poll, undertaken June 2-5, 2005, queried respondents on a number of national issues. Respondents were asked to evaluate the performances of President George W. Bush, the United States Congress, and their own Representatives. The survey solicited respondents' opinions on social security plans, the war in Iraq, the national economy, and the war on terror. They were also asked about their feelings on the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, surveillance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and if the United States was protecting its citizens. The survey also sought respondents' opinions on President George W. Bush, United States Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain, and the Democratic and Republican parties. Other questions pertained to respondents' personal debt, vacation plans, and their opinions about global warming, stem cell research, Supreme Court nominations, oil drilling in Alaska, nuclear power plants, and whether or not respondents smoked. Demographic information included political affiliation, political ideology, education, age, religious affiliation, sex, race, and income.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, May 1994 (ICPSR 6625)
Released/updated on: 2007-11-20
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted May 12-15, 1994, 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 give their opinions of President Bill Clinton and his handling of the presidency and issues such as crime and the situation in Haiti, and whether he was doing a better job handling the economy and foreign affairs than former President George H.W. Bush. Views were sought on Clinton's health care plan, the nomination of Stephen G. Breyer to the United States Supreme Court, and the ability of the federal government to solve problems. A series of questions addressed Clinton's handling of the Haitian refugees attempting to enter the United States by boat, whether he could be trusted to make the right decisions regarding the United States role in world affairs, and whether his handling of foreign affairs was creating anti-American feelings overseas. Those polled also gave their opinions of First Lady Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, former Vice President Dan Quayle, Reform Party founder Ross Perot, and Senator Bob Dole, and specific questions asked whether Quayle and Perot were qualified to be president. Other questions focused on President Clinton's role in the Whitewater investigation, the sexual harassment charges made against him by former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones, and whether respondents would vote for a Democrat or Republican candidate if the upcoming United States House of Representatives election were held that day. Additional topics covered life after death, spirits, souls, near-death experiences, reincarnation, heaven, hell, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and extraterrestrial life. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, marital status, labor union membership, employment status, household income, education level, perceived social class, type of residential area (e.g., urban, rural, etc.), religious preference, political party affiliation, political orientation, and voter registration status and participation history.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Poll, September 1987 (ICPSR 8891)
Released/updated on: 2008-05-15
Geographic coverage: United States
This data collection is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that evaluate the Reagan presidency and solicit opinions on a variety of political and social issues. Topics covered include an evaluation of the United States Supreme Court and the nomination of Robert Bork, 1988 presidential candidates and characteristics that would influence the vote of the respondent, the incidents involving Senator Joe Biden, and the candidacy of Jesse Jackson. Demographic characteristics of respondents also were recorded.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Souter Nomination Poll, July 1990 (ICPSR 9462)
Released/updated on: 2008-10-10
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey focuses on the nomination of David H. Souter to the United States Supreme Court. Respondents were asked if they favored the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that allowed abortion within the first three months of pregnancy, if a nominee's views on abortion should influence Senate confirmation, if they approved of Souter's nomination to the Supreme Court, and if they thought Bush should have appointed a minority or a woman to the Court. Respondents also were asked if the Senate should consider Souter's political views as well as his background and qualifications, if Bush should have ascertained Souter's political and legal views on major issues before nominating him, if the Senate Judiciary Committee should question Souter about his views on issues such as abortion, if they thought the nomination would become bogged down in politics in the Senate, and if Souter should be confirmed only if he said he would vote to overturn the Supreme Court's 1973 ruling. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, education, age, race, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Supreme Court Poll, July 2005 (ICPSR 4332)
Released/updated on: 2006-09-08
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll was undertaken to assess respondents' views concerning John G. Roberts, the United States Court of Appeals judge nominated to the United States Supreme Court by President George W. Bush. Respondents were queried as to whether they thought the United States Senate should confirm Roberts' nomination, and whether a senator who believed Roberts was qualified, but disagreed with his judicial philosophy, should vote against the nomination. They were also asked whether Democrats or Republicans in the Senate would be too aggressive or not aggressive enough during the confirmation hearing, and if, during the confirmation hearing, Roberts should answer questions about how he would have ruled on past cases that have come before the Supreme Court. Respondents were also asked if the Roe v. Wade case came before the court again, would they want Roberts to vote to uphold or to overturn the ruling. Respondents were queried as to whether they felt disappointment that President Bush did not nominate another woman to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, if the Supreme Court tended to be too conservative, too liberal, or balanced in its decisions, and on what criteria the United States Supreme Court should base its rulings. Demographic variables include race, gender, age, level of education, employment status, income, political party affiliation, political philosophy, and religious affiliation.
Curated
Simple Crosstabs
ANES 2016 Time Series Study (ICPSR 36824)
Released/updated on: 2017-09-19
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2016-09-01--2017-01-01
This study is part of the American National Election Study (ANES), a time-series collection of national surveys fielded continuously since 1948. The American National Election Studies are designed to present data on Americans' social backgrounds, enduring political predispositions, social and political values, perceptions and evaluations of groups and candidates, opinions on questions of public policy, and participation in political life. As with all Time Series studies conducted during years of presidential elections, respondents were interviewed during the two months preceding the November election (Pre-election interview), and then re-interviewed during the two months following the election (Post-election interview). Like its predecessors, the 2016 ANES was divided between questions necessary for tracking long-term trends and questions necessary to understand the particular political moment of 2016. The study maintains and extends the ANES time-series 'core' by collecting data on Americans' basic political beliefs, allegiances, and behaviors, which are so critical to a general understanding of politics that they are monitored at every election, no matter the nature of the specific campaign or the broader setting. This 2016 ANES study features a dual-mode design with both traditional face-to-face interviewing (n=1,181) and surveys conducted on the Internet (n=3,090), and a total sample size of 4,271. In addition to content on electoral participation, voting behavior, and public opinion, the 2016 ANES Time Series Study contains questions about areas such as media exposure, cognitive style, and values and predispositions. Several items first measured on the 2012 ANES study were again asked, including "Big Five" personality traits using the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), and skin tone observations made by interviewers in the face-to-face study. For the first time, ANES has collected supplemental data directly from respondents' Facebook accounts. The post-election interview also included Module 5 from the Comparative Study of Electorial Systems (CSES), exploring themes in populism, perceptions on elites, corruption, and attitudes towards representative democracy. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained interviewers using computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) software on laptop computers. During a portion of the face-to-face interview, the respondent answered certain sensitive questions on the laptop computer directly, without the interviewer's participation (known as computer assisted self-interviewing (CASI)). Internet questionnaires could be completed anywhere the respondent had access to the Internet, on a computer or on a mobile device. Respondents were only eligible to compete the survey in the mode for which they were sampled. Demographic variables include respondent age, education level, political affiliation, race/ethnicity, marital status, and family composition.
Curated
Assessing the Consequences of Politicized Confirmation Processes, 2005-2006 (ICPSR 31841)
Released/updated on: 2011-10-13
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2005-05-16--2005-07-19, 2006-01-19--2006-02-13, 2006-05-24--2006-06-21
The data collection represents a loose collaboration between Georgetown University's Center for Democracy and Civil Society (CDACS) and the European Social Survey (ESS). These data contain responses from three separate interviews referred to as Wave One (t1), Wave Two (t2), and Wave Three (t3). Wave One data are from the United States Citizenship, Involvement, Democracy (CID) Survey, and consisted of in-person interviews with a representative sample of 1,001 Americans. The CID survey is a study of American civic engagement, social capital, and democracy in comparative perspective, and it provides perspective on citizen participation in both the public and private realms. The CID survey is integrated with several elements of a module from the 2002 version of the ESS, which was administered in 22 European countries. In addition to the replicated questions from the ESS, the CID survey includes questions related to the themes of social capital, activities in formal clubs and organizations, informal social networks and activities, personal networks (strong and weak ties), the composition and diversity of ties and associations, trust (in other people, the community, institutions, and politicians), local democracy and participation, democratic values, political citizenship, social citizenship, views on immigration and diversity, political identifications, ideology, mobilization and action, and tolerance (concerning views and attitudes, least-likes groups, and racial stereotypes). Wave Two data was collected during the Alito Confirmation Process through re-interviews via telephone of 335 respondents who had completed the 2005 (Wave One) survey. Wave Three data was obtained after the Alito Confirmation Process, comprising re-interviews via telephone of 259 individuals who particpated in Wave Two. Both Wave Two and Wave Three included questions regarding respondents' political affiliations, views on politics and social issues, and trust in groups of people and institutions. In addition the survey queried respondents concerning their knowledge and opinion of the United States Supreme Court and Congress, Supreme Court judges, the confirmation of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, as well as advertisements about the process, and their opinion on the rulings of the Supreme Court. Demographic variables include: Wave One - age, gender, race, marital status, religious affilitation and participation, highest level of education (respondent and respondent's partner), employment status (respondent and respondent's partner), income, nationality, and citizenship; Wave Two - has no demographic variables; Wave Three - age, gender, race, and religious affiliation and participation. Also included are attributes of the interviewer and interviewer observations.
Curated
CBS News Monthly Poll #1, July 2005 (ICPSR 4396)
Released/updated on: 2007-01-31
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted July 13-14, 2005, 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 give their opinions of how President George W. Bush was handling the presidency and issues such as foreign policy and Social Security. Respondents were asked to voice their concerns about what they viewed as the most important problem facing the country, and to give their opinions of the condition of the national economy and how well Congress was doing its job. A series of questions addressed the success of the war against terrorism and the war in Iraq, whether the the United States would be successful, whether troops should be withdrawn, whether the Iraq war was a part of the war on terrorism, and the likelihood of another terrorist attack against the United States. The survey included questions on whether the federal government had done enough to increase safety since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Respondents were also asked for their opinions on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Several questions focused on the United States Supreme Court, Supreme Court Justices, the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, and whether Supreme Court justices should take public opinion and their own personal views into account when deciding cases. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, religious affiliation, frequency of religious service attendance, education level, household income, marital status, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter registration status, for whom the respondent voted in the 2004 presidential election, whether there were children in the household, and whether there were teens in the household.
Curated
CBS News Monthly Poll #2, July 2005 (ICPSR 4397)
Released/updated on: 2007-01-24
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted July 29-August 2, 2005, 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 give their opinions of the way President George W. Bush was handling the presidency and issues such as foreign policy and Social Security. They were also asked to voice their concerns about what they viewed as the most important problem facing the country, to give their opinions of the condition of the national economy and the Republicans and Democrats in the United States Congress, and to rate how well Congress was doing its job. A series of questions addressed the success of the war against terrorism and the war in Iraq, whether the result of the war with Iraq was worth the costs, whether it was a part of the war on terrorism, the likelihood of another terrorist attack against the United States, and whether Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Several questions focused on the United States Supreme Court, Supreme Court Justice nominee John Roberts, the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion, how important it was that the Senate understood Roberts' position on abortion before voting on his confirmation, and whether Supreme Court justices should take public opinion and their own personal views into account when deciding cases. Views were also sought on White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and the recent investigation into the disclosure of the identity of an undercover Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent to news reporters, whether someone in the Bush Administration was responsible, and whether the leak was a mistake or part of a wider effort to discredit critics of the Bush Administration. Additional topics focused on immigration, NASA and the Space Shuttle, the death penalty, same-sex marriage, abortion, physician-assisted suicide, how often respondents watched network television news programs, and whether they felt that Democrats and Republicans shared their values and goals. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, religious affiliation, frequency of religious service attendance, education level, household income, marital status, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter registration status, for whom the respondent voted in the 2004 presidential election, whether there were children in the household, whether a member of the household was currently in college, and whether the respondent or a family member was serving in the United States armed forces.
Curated
CBS News Monthly Poll, August 2005 (ICPSR 4398)
Released/updated on: 2007-01-24
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted August 29-31, 2005, 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 give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency and issues such as the economy and Hurricane Katrina. A series of questions focused on the effects of the recent rise in gasoline and oil prices, who or what was responsible, whether prices were expected to rise in coming months, and whether higher gasoline prices would change their travel plans, driving habits, future car purchases, or lead to household spending cuts. Questions involving the war in Iraq included whether it was worth the costs, whether President Bush was accurately describing the situation in Iraq, what the possible effects of a withdrawal of United States troops would be, and what was the likelihood that Iraq would become a stable democracy. Views were also sought on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, including how important it was that the United States Senate understood his position on issues such as abortion before confirming his appointment, whether the Republican and Democratic parties would be able to work together to conduct a fair and non-partisan confirmation hearing, and whether he would be confirmed. Additional topics addressed airport security, the success of the United States' war against terrorism, Cindy Sheehan (the peace activist who camped outside President Bush's ranch in Texas), and how often respondents watched network television news programs. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, marital status, education level, household income, political party affiliation, political philosophy, religious preference, voter registration status, for whom the respondent voted in the 2004 presidential election, whether there were college students and children under 18 living in the household, and whether the respondent or a family member was currently in the United States armed forces.
Curated
CBS News Monthly Poll, July 2009 (ICPSR 27801)
Released/updated on: 2010-09-09
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, fielded July 9-12, 2009, 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 whether they approved of the way Barack Obama was handling the presidency, foreign policy, the situation in Iraq, health care and the economy, whether they thought things in the country were on the right track, their rating of the national economy and whether they thought the economy would get better. Respondents were also asked questions about the economic recession including how long they thought it would last, whether they believed the stimulus package made the economy better, whether the stimulus package would make the economy better in the future, whether the federal government should spend money to stimulate the national economy, whether it was acceptable to raise the deficit to create jobs and stimulate growth, and whether the federal budget deficit affected the respondent's family's financial situation. Several questions about health care were asked including whether President Obama would be able to bring about significant health care reform in his first term, whether respondents would favor government administered health insurance plans, and whether the respondent would consider public health care that anyone could join at any age. Opinions were sought about Sarah Palin, whether respondents heard about her resignation as Governor of Alaska, the reason she resigned, whether she would have the ability to be an effective president, whether the media was harder on her than other political figures, and whether respondents thought she would run for president in 2012. Other topics that were covered included, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, North Korea's development of weapons, Michael Jackson, the United States space program, marijuana, Barack Obama's Supreme Court Justice nominations, how the federal government should use taxpayer's money, how the deficit should be handled, personal finances, and job security. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, marital status, education level, household income, political party affiliation, political philosophy, perceived social class, religious preference, whether the respondent considered themselves to be a born-again Christian, and voter registration status and participation history.
Curated
CBS News/New York Times Clarence Thomas Nomination Poll, September-October 1991 (ICPSR 9781)
Released/updated on: 2009-06-02
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1991-09-01--1991-10-01
This data collection consists of a series of surveys focused primarily on issues related to the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, both before and after charges of sexual harassment were brought against Thomas by former aide Anita Hill. The September 3-5 Poll included queries regarding the respondent's opinion of Clarence Thomas, such as whether the Senate should vote to confirm Thomas, whether the Supreme Court would become more liberal or conservative if Thomas's appointment was confirmed by the Senate, and whether Bush nominated Thomas because he is Black. Additional questions included whether Thomas's decisions as a Supreme Court justice would be impacted because he is Black, whether Thomas was "turning his back on his own people" by not taking a liberal position on affirmative action, and whether his opposition to most forms of affirmative action made respondents feel more or less favorable toward him. Questions concerning the confirmation of Supreme Court nominees included whether the Senate should consider how a nominee might vote on major issues, whether a nominee's personal history and character should be considered, and whether endorsements by groups such as the NAACP or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce should be considered. Other topics covered in the September 3-5 Poll included the Bush presidency, job discrimination against Blacks and women, welfare, and abortion. The October 9 Panel Survey focused on issues relative to the charges of sexual harassment brought against Clarence Thomas by Anita Hill, including whether the respondent thought the charges were true, whether the Senate treated the charges as seriously as they should have when the charges were first made, if the presence of more women in the Senate would have caused the Senate to consider the charges more seriously, whether Thomas should be confirmed if the charges are true, and whether it was proper for the Senate to delay its vote on Thomas' confirmation in order to hear more testimony regarding the charges. Additionally, female respondents were asked if they had ever experienced sexual harassment on the job and male respondents were asked if their behavior at the workplace had ever been interpreted as sexual harassment by a female co-worker. Respondents were also asked whether sexual harassment could include unwanted sexual conversations without physical contact. The October 13 Panel Survey posed new questions, including the respondent's opinion of Anita Hill, if the respondent watched the live broadcast of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings and whose testimony they watched more, whether Hill and Thomas had been treated fairly in the hearings, whether Thomas and Hill had told the entire truth in their testimonies, and whether the respondent believed Hill or Thomas more. Additional questions focused on whether the Senate Judiciary Committee had been tougher or easier on Thomas because he is Black, whether the questions and testimony had been appropriate for a public hearing, whether Thomas should take a lie detector test because Anita Hill had done so, and if any good came from having the hearings. The October 14 Panel Survey addressed new questions, including whether Thomas should be confirmed if there is doubt about whether the charges are true, whether the Senate Judiciary Committee made progress in clearing up the charges, and if women would be more or less willing to report incidents of sexual harassment as a result of the hearings.
Curated
CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #1, January 2006 (ICPSR 4610)
Released/updated on: 2007-12-19
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted January 5-8, 2006, 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 give their opinions on the current direction of the country, the most important problem the country is facing, the national economy, the war in Iraq, abortion, and affirmative action. Respondents were also asked about the way President George W. Bush was handling certain issues, such as the economy, the war in Iraq, and terrorism and whether or not they approved of the overall job performance of President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and the United States Congress. The survey queried respondents about the ethics and corruption in political parties and their confidence in the government to protect them from terrorism. The survey also contained questions about the Supreme Court, and the nomination of Samuel Alito. The next section of the survey addressed the Patriot Act, wiretapping by government agencies, airport security, and immigration. Additional questions solicited opinions on foreign and domestic automobiles and television viewing habits. Background information on respondents includes military service, voter registration status, party identification, marital status, sex, religious preference, education record, age, ethnicity, and income.
Curated
CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #2, January 2006 (ICPSR 4611)
Released/updated on: 2008-01-25
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted January 20-25, 2006, 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 give their opinions on the current direction of the country, the most important problem the country was facing, the national economy, the war in Iraq, abortion, and affirmative action. Respondents were also asked about the way President George W. Bush was handling certain issues, such as the economy, the war in Iraq, and terrorism, and whether or not they approved of the overall job performance of President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and the United States Congress. The survey queried respondents about ethics and corruption in political parties and about their confidence in the government's ability to protect them from terrorism. The survey also contained questions about the United States Supreme Court, and the nomination of Samuel Alito. The next section of the survey addressed the Patriot Act, wiretapping by government agencies, airport security, and immigration. Additional questions solicited opinions on foreign and domestic automobiles and television viewing habits. Background information on respondents includes military service, voter registration status, party identification, marital status, sex, religious preference, education record, age, ethnicity, and income.
Curated
CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #2, September 2005 (ICPSR 4401)
Released/updated on: 2007-05-08
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted September 9-13, 2005, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the current presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, foreign policy, the economy, the United States campaign against terrorism, the situation with Iraq, and the needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Those polled expressed their opinion on whether they felt Bush was a strong leader that understood the problems facing the respondent. Respondents were also queried on how confident they felt about George W. Bush's ability to make the right decisions concerning the war in Iraq and dealing with the problems faced by those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Furthermore, respondents were asked how much they thought George W. Bush cared for Blacks, the poor, those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and people like the respondents, themselves. A series of questions asked the respondents if they would be willing to pay premiums to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. These included more taxes and higher prices for gasoline. Additionally, a group of questions concerning gas prices asked how the prices affected the respondent, if the Bush Administration had a clear plan for keeping gas prices down, how much influence the president had in controlling gas prices, and if they thought gas prices would go up, down, or stay the same in the next few months. Respondents were also queried on what they felt about the appointment of Appeals Court Judge John G. Roberts to the United States Supreme Court, what they thought of him, his level of conservatism, and if the Senate should scrutinize him more since he was nominated for chief justice. Those queried were also asked about the war in Iraq including whether President Bush had a clear exit strategy for the American troops, and if the war was preventing him from dealing with domestic issues. Demographic variables include race, sex, age, level of education, income, voter registration status, political ideology, party affiliation, evangelical Christian, veteran status, and religion.
Curated
CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll, January 2005 (ICPSR 2827)
Released/updated on: 2006-12-11
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, conducted January 14-18, 2005, 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 give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency and issues such as the campaign against terrorism and the situation in Iraq. Those polled stated their opinions of Vice President Dick Cheney and the Republican and Democratic parties, how well the United States Congress was doing its job, and whether things were currently going better in the United States than five years ago. Respondents voiced their concerns about the most important problem facing the country, the condition of the national economy, their own household's financial security, and whether various things such as the federal budget deficit would be different by the end of President Bush's second term in office. Views were sought on Iraq's upcoming elections, how much the Bush Administration knew about the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq prior to the war, whether military action should have been taken against Iraq, and whether the United States was winning the war on terrorism. Additional questions focused on abortion, Social Security and other retirement savings, federal income tax cuts, the recent flat tax rate proposal, the type of Supreme Court Justices that President Bush would be likely to nominate, the upcoming presidential inauguration, the recent tsunami in South Asia, and the effect of new technologies on respondents' lives. Demographic variables include age, sex, race, household income, education level, political party affiliation, political philosophy, religious affiliation, marital status, whether there were children in the household, and for whom the respondent voted in the 2004 presidential election.
Curated
CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll, June 2009 (ICPSR 26950)
Released/updated on: 2010-03-26
Geographic coverage: United States
This poll, fielded June 12-16, 2009, is a 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 whether they approved of the way Barack Obama was handling the presidency and issues such as the economy and the federal budget deficit. Opinions were solicited about the most important problem facing the country, whether the country was moving in the right direction, the condition of the national economy, and the Republican and Democratic parties. Respondents were asked about their level of satisfaction with the quality and cost of health care in the United States, whether it was the responsibility of the federal government to guarantee health insurance for all Americans, whether the federal government or private insurance companies would do a better job providing coverage and holding down health care costs, and the possible effects of universal health care. Views were sought on health care reform proposals, such as requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance, taxing employer-paid health insurance benefits to pay for those who were uninsured, and requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage regardless of pre-existing medical conditions. Information was collected on the financial situation of the respondent's household, whether they had health insurance coverage, the source of their insurance coverage, and the affordability of basic medical care under their current health insurance plan. Additional topics addressed Roe versus Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States, gay marriage, affirmation action programs for minorities and low-income individuals, the Supreme Court and the nomination of federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, television political commentators, and the possible closure of the United States military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, marital status, household income, employment status, perceived social class, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voter registration status and participation history, religious preference, the presence of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 in the household, whether respondents had children under the age of 18 years, and whether they considered themselves to be a born-again Christian.
Curated
CBS News/New York Times October Politics Survey, October 15-17, 1991 (ICPSR 9801)
Released/updated on: 2011-03-18
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1991-10-15--1991-10-17
This survey focused on George Bush and the field of Democratic presidential candidates for the 1992 presidential election. Respondents were asked whether they approved of Bush's handling of the presidency, whether they would vote for Bush or for the Democratic nominee if the elections were held that day, and if there were any circumstances in which Bush supporters would change their votes to the Democratic candidate and vice versa. Respondents were also asked who they would like to see win the Democratic nomination, whether they were satisfied with the candidates, if the Democratic candidates had important differences, whether Mario Cuomo or Jesse Jackson should run for president in 1992, and whether the Democrats should nominate a liberal, a moderate, or a conservative. Those surveyed also considered whether a presidential candidate currently serving as governor could fulfill responsibilities to his or her home state and still run for president, whether marital infidelity, exaggerated war records, or homosexuality on the part of a candidate would influence the respondent to vote for someone else, whether Bush would be re-elected, and whether foreign policy or domestic issues would matter more in deciding how to vote. The survey posed additional questions, including whether Bush or a Democratic president would be more likely to do a better job of handling foreign policy and the economy, reducing the deficit, raise taxes, improving education, improving race relations, and improving health care, whether Bush or a Democratic president would be more likely to raise taxes, whether it would be preferable to have a candidate whose political experience was mostly outside Washington, whether most candidates for public office are financially corrupt and run because they want power and prestige, if a presidential candidate's opposition to the Persian Gulf War would influence the respondent's vote, whether the respondent would vote for a generally well-qualified Black presidential candidate if nominated by his or her party, and whether most White Americans would vote for a generally well-qualified Black presidential candidate if nominated by their party. Other questions involved the confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court and the Senate hearings on Anita Hill's sexual harassment charges against Thomas, limited terms for members of Congress, romantic relationships between men and women, and televised sports events.