Showing 1 – 50 of 814 results.
Curated
ABC News 9/11 Anniversary Poll, September 2006 (ICPSR 4665)
Released/updated on: 2008-01-24
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted September 5-7, 2006, is a part of a continuing series of monthly polls that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of political and social issues. The focus of this poll was the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way President George W. Bush was handling the presidency and issues such as the campaign against terrorism and the situation in Iraq. Information was collected on how closely respondents were following the upcoming congressional and gubernatorial election, whether they would vote for a Democratic or Republican candidate if the election for the United States House of Representatives were being held that day, and the single most important issue in their vote for Congress members. Other questions asked which political party they trusted to do a better job handling the main problems the nation would face over the next few years, and whether they approved of the way Congress and their own representative to the United States House of Representatives were handling their jobs. Views were also sought on the war in Iraq and Donald Rumsfield's handling of his job as Secretary of Defense. Respondents were asked how well they thought the campaign against terrorism was going, whether the country was safer from terrorism compared to before September 11, 2001, and whether Osama bin Laden would have to be captured or killed for the war on terrorism to be a success. Information was collected about the impact of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on respondents' lives, how concerned they were about the possibility of more major terrorist attacks in the United States, how much confidence they had in the government's ability to prevent another major terrorist attack, whether the federal government was intruding on the privacy rights of Americans in its investigation of possible terrorist attacks, and whether this intrusion was justified. Additional topics addressed the religion of Islam, new airport security measures, and how proud they felt to be an American. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, household income, voter registration and participation history, political party affiliation, political philosophy, employment status, marital status, and type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural).
Curated
ABC News Abortion/Cuba Poll, January 1998 (ICPSR 2506)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-13
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll sought respondents' views on the presidency, abortion, and Cuba. Those queried were asked if they believed that abortion is justifiable under the following circumstances: if the woman's life is endangered, the woman's mental and/or physical health is endangered, there is evidence that the baby is mentally and/or physically impaired, the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest, the woman is unwed and does not want the baby, or if the pregnant woman is a teenager. The January 1998 papal visit to Cuba was also addressed. Respondents were asked for their opinions of President Bill Clinton, Pope John Paul II, and Cuban President Fidel Castro. Additional topics covered Clinton's handling of Cuba, the impact of the Pope's visit on Cuba, whether Cuba posed a national security threat to the United States, whether United States vital interests were at stake, whether diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba should be reestablished, and whether the trade embargo and travel restrictions on Cuba should be lifted. Background information on respondents includes age, sex, education, race, ethnicity, religion, political party, political orientation, family income, interest in visiting Cuba, and personal experience involving abortion.
Curated
ABC News Angry Voter Poll, April 1992 (ICPSR 9942)
Released/updated on: 2007-04-02
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1992-04-08--1992-04-09
In addition to providing an ongoing evaluation of the Bush presidency and the 1992 presidential candidates and campaign, this survey addressed areas of potential discontent among the nation's voters. Respondents were asked to describe their feelings about the way the federal government worked, to express their approval of term limits for members of Congress and to indicate whether they agreed with a series of statements such as "It won't really make much of a difference who's elected this year," and "People like me don't have any say about what government does." Respondents also rated their level of confidence in the ability of government to solve problems and indicated whether their confidence level reflected the difficulty of the problems or the incompetency of the government. Respondents were also asked whether the elected leaders in Washington were really interested in solving the nation's biggest problems, whether the overall level of ethics and honesty in politics had fallen during the past ten years, and whether they thought that government was run by a few big interests looking out for themselves. In addition, respondents were queried on whether they thought that the current system of government needed drastic changes, or that the system itself was good but the people in government were not doing their jobs well enough. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, voter registration status, education, age, Hispanic origin, race, and sex.
Curated
ABC News Between Debates Horserace Poll, October 1996 (ICPSR 2165)
Released/updated on: 2008-08-05
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted October 7-8, 1996, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of political and social issues. The focus of this data collection was on the first presidential debate held October 6, 1996. Registered voters were asked their opinions of President Bill Clinton and his handling of the presidency, the economy, foreign affairs, and the situation between Israel and the Palestinians. Respondents familiar with the debate were asked who they believed won, President Bill Clinton or Republican candidate Bob Dole. Several questions asked about campaign advertisements and whether they affected respondents' intentions to vote, and for whom respondents planned to vote in the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. Additional topics addressed the possible 2000 presidential election match-up of Vice President Al Gore and vice-presidential candidate Jack Kemp, which qualities were most important in a president, and whether respondents expected life to be better or worse for the next generation of Americans. Demographic information collected on all respondents include sex, race, age, education level, political party affiliation, political philosophy, and voter registration status.
Curated
ABC News Bush National Intelligence Poll, May 2002 (ICPSR 3566)
Released/updated on: 2003-03-11
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll was undertaken to assess respondents reactions to and feelings about intelligence reports regarding terrorist threats on the United States before and after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, DC. Respondents were asked to give their views of President George W. Bush, his handling of the presidency, and the United States campaign against terrorism. Those polled also expressed their level of confidence in the government's ability to prevent further terrorist attacks against Americans in the United States. Respondents' opinions were elicited on the actions the government took or could have taken to prevent the September 11 terrorist attacks, and to prevent further terrorist attacks. In addition, respondents were queried about their knowledge of past news stories regarding intelligence reports, and they also gave their opinions on the Bush administration's follow-up on those intelligence reports. Other questions focused on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's response to a proposed investigation of Arabs taking flight-school training in the United States, and the United States Congress's investigation of the Bush administration's knowledge of terrorist threats before September 11, 2001, and its handling of that knowledge. Background information includes respondents' political affiliation, education, age, race, and gender.
Curated
ABC News Clinton Credibility Poll, August 1994 (ICPSR 3851)
Released/updated on: 2007-03-15
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted August 16, 1994, was undertaken to assess public opinion of President Bill Clinton, his presidency, and his administration. Respondents were queried on whether they approved of his performance as president, whether they felt that his administration had begun to alter the political atmosphere that hindered progress, whether they trusted Democrats or Republicans to better handle the problems the nation was facing, whether President Clinton's proposed changes were right for the country, whether they were satisfied with President Clinton's honesty and integrity, how much they felt President Clinton had accomplished during his presidency, and whether, based on his performance so far, he deserved a second term as president. Opinions were solicited on Bill Clinton's strength as a leader, his vision for the country, his effectiveness, and trustworthiness. Additional opinions were gathered on whether President Clinton or congressional Republicans were more responsible for the successes during his presidency, whether President Clinton made more or fewer mistakes than usual as president, whether he was able to deal with the nation's problems, and whether the media treated him fairly. Background information includes education, ethnicity, political orientation, sex, and year of birth.
Curated
ABC News Clinton Legacy Poll, January 2000 (ICPSR 2963)
Released/updated on: 2000-10-18
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, fielded January 26, 2000, sought respondents' views on the legacy that President Bill Clinton would leave following his final term in office. Respondents were asked for their opinions on Clinton's handling of the presidency, their impressions of Clinton, and their views on how he would be remembered in history. Those queried were asked to rate Clinton's accomplishments, leadership, judgment, and communication skills while president. Their views were also sought on whether the next president should move the country in a new direction or continue the Clinton era, whether Clinton or the Republican Congress would do a better job coping with the nation's main problems over the next year, and whether they would be sorry or glad to see Clinton leave office. A final question asked respondents if they would vote for Clinton or Texas governor George W. Bush, were Clinton allowed to seek a third term as president. Background information on respondents includes gender and political party.
Curated
ABC News Clinton Terrorism Poll, August 1998 (ICPSR 2634)
Released/updated on: 1999-02-25
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, fielded August 19, 1998, sought respondents' views on the presidency and on the United States' decision, earlier in the day, to launch missile attacks against sites in Afghanistan and Sudan that were suspected to have been used by terrorists who attacked two United States embassies in Africa earlier in the month. Respondents were asked whether they believed that the attacks would prove an effective deterrent against future acts of terrorism, whether they trusted President Bill Clinton to handle the United States' response to terrorism, and whether the attacks were for the purpose of combating terrorism or to shift public attention away from the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Those queried were also asked whether they believed that the situation involving Lewinsky had interfered with Clinton's ability to serve effectively as president. Background information on respondents includes sex and political party.
Curated
ABC News Daniloff Freedom Poll, September 1986 (ICPSR 8640)
Released/updated on: 2007-05-07
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey was conducted after the release of Nicholas Daniloff, a reporter who had been held by the Soviet Union on charges of spying. The United States government negotiated his release but denied that there was any connection between his release and the release of Gennadi Zakharov, a Soviet physicist who had been held by the United States on spying charges. Respondents were asked about: their knowledge of the Daniloff case, whether or not they thought there was a swap, if they considered the case a victory or a defeat for the United States, and their evaluation of how Reagan handled the case. Respondents were also asked to evaluate Reagan's handling of the hostage situation in Beirut, Lebanon. In addition, they were asked whether or not they expected any important accomplishments to come from the upcoming summit meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev in Iceland.
Curated
ABC News HMO Poll, November 1995 (ICPSR 6683)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-15
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll sought respondents' views on Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and a range of other issues. Respondents were asked to rate their current health insurance coverage based on the quality of care received, cost, personal attention received from the doctor, ability to make an appointment, ability to see medical specialists when necessary, and ability to receive the most sophisticated medical treatments. Respondents were also asked for their opinions of President Bill Clinton and his handling of the presidency, the economy, and foreign policy. They were also queried about the 1996 presidential and congressional elections, the recent Republican budget proposal, and with whom they placed the blame for the looming federal government shutdown. The situation in Bosnia was addressed, with questions covering the sending of U.S. troops to Bosnia, Congressional approval of the troop deployment, and whether America's vital interests were at stake. In addition, respondents were asked to name their favorite traditional Thanksgiving dinner food and to specify if they preferred white or dark meat. Demographic variables include age, race, sex, education, political party, political orientation, family income, voter registration history, and health insurance coverage.
Curated
ABC News Iran Poll, December 1986 (ICPSR 8853)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-14
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey was conducted following the request by the Justice Department that a special independent counsel be appointed to investigate the Iran-contra affair. Respondents were asked to rate Reagan's presidency, and to indicate whether they approved of having an independent counsel appointed and believed that its investigation would bring out all the facts. Respondents also were asked if they believed that Reagan only learned about the money for the contras the week before, whether he should resign if the investigation showed that he was lying about when he learned of the plan, if they felt that Reagan was in control of his presidency, and whether they thought George Bush was involved in the Iran affair. Demographic data on respondents are included.
Curated
ABC News Iran Poll, November 1986 (ICPSR 8643)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-14
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey was conducted on the evening of November 13, 1986, after President Reagan's press conference. Reagan spoke about United States arms shipments to Iran. Respondents were asked about their knowledge of the situation and their evaluation of Reagan's policy towards Iran. They were asked if they watched the press conference and if so, their opinion of what Reagan said was illicited. Political affiliation and sex were also recorded.
Curated
ABC News Iraq Poll, September 2002 (ICPSR 3555)
Released/updated on: 2005-12-15
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted September 12-14, 2002, was undertaken to assess public opinion on the potential war against Iraq. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way President George W. Bush was handling the situation with Iraq and Saddam Hussein, how important it was to force the Iraqi president from power, whether President Bush had a clear policy on Iraq, whether the Bush administration was overstating the level of threat from Iraq, whether it had done enough to win international support for taking military action against Iraq, whether Bush had presented enough evidence on why the United States should remove Saddam Hussein from power, and whether attacking/not attacking Iraq would create a greater risk of further terrorist attacks to the United States. Those polled also indicated their level of support for United States military action against Iraq. They were asked whether they would be for/against it if United States allies opposed such military action, if the United States used ground troops, if there was a significant number of United States military casualties, if Iraq agreed to let United Nations weapons inspectors back into the country, and if Iraq interfered or did not cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors. Background information on respondents includes gender, age, education, political party affiliation, race, and Hispanic origin.
Curated
ABC News Kosovo Peace Poll #2, June 1999 (ICPSR 2775)
Released/updated on: 1999-08-20
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, fielded June 10, 1999, sought respondents' views on the peace agreement reached between the United States and its European allies and Serbia. Those queried were asked for their opinions on President Bill Clinton's handling of the presidency and the situation in Kosovo, the peace agreement, which included a provision for an international peace-keeping force of 50,000, and whether Serbia could be trusted to carry out the terms of the peace agreement. Respondents were asked which side they thought won, whether they believed the peace agreement would last, and whether the allies should resume air strikes if Serbia did not carry out the terms of the peace agreement. An additional question addressed whether the United States should contribute monetarily to rebuild Kosovo. Background information on respondents includes sex and political party.
Curated
ABC News Lewinsky/Starr Poll, September 1998 (ICPSR 2636)
Released/updated on: 2008-09-10
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted September 9, 1998, sought respondents' views on the presidency and the ongoing investigation by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr into President Bill Clinton's statements under oath regarding his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Respondents were asked for their opinions on Clinton's trustworthiness, his ability to handle the nation's business, and his personal lifestyle, and whether they believed that Clinton did anything illegal in connection with the Lewinsky matter. Respondents were also asked about what they thought would be an appropriate resolution to the matter if it were determined that Clinton had had an affair and lied about it under oath, or if he had had an affair and encouraged Lewinsky to lie about it under oath. Possible resolutions to the matter included Clinton's resignation, impeachment by Congress, and a censure or official reprimand by Congress. Respondents were asked whether they believed that this scandal had damaged Clinton's ability to serve effectively as president. In addition, a series of questions addressed the motivation, handling, and future of the Starr investigation. A final question asked respondents whether they believed that Clinton's personal behavior was separate from his political behavior. Demographic information includes sex and political party affiliation.
Curated
ABC News Libya Poll, March 1986 (ICPSR 8578)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-14
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey was conducted after fighting broke out between Libyan and United States forces in the Bay of Sidra. Respondents were asked if they approve of Reagan's handling of the situation, if they believe that the United States has a right to have vessels in the Bay of Sidra, if the United States should be holding military exercises there, and whether or not they think that the military actions have been too tough. In addition, respondents were asked questions concerning the sending of military aid to Honduras and to the Nicaraguan rebels.
Curated
ABC News "Nightline" Haiti Poll, October 1993 (ICPSR 6291)
Released/updated on: 1997-05-16
Geographic coverage: United States
For this special topic poll, respondents were asked whether they approved of President Bill Clinton's handling of foreign affairs, the situation in Somalia, and the situation in Haiti. Specifically, they were queried as to whether Clinton had a clear policy on the situations in Somalia and Haiti and whether United States vital interests were at stake in either country. Questions covered whether the United States has the responsibility to take the leading role in world affairs, whether the United States should send United States troops to participate in United Nations peace-keeping efforts around the world, and whether those troops should be placed under United Nations command. Other questions focused on whether Clinton had consulted Congress enough regarding sending United States troops to participate in United Nations missions and whether Congress should have the power to prevent a president from sending troops to participate in such missions. Those queried were also asked whether they agreed with the United States oil embargo on Haiti and whether they supported sending United States troops to Haiti if democracy was not restored. The results of the poll were announced on the ABC television program "Nightline" the day the poll was taken. Demographic background variables include political orientation, sex, age, race, income, and education.
Curated
ABC News "Nightline" Iraq Poll, August 2002 (ICPSR 3562)
Released/updated on: 2005-12-15
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted August 29, 2002, was undertaken to assess opinions about Iraq. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way President George W. Bush was handling the situation with Iraq and Saddam Hussein, whether they favored United States forces taking military action against Iraq to force Saddam Hussein from power, whether they would favor military action if United States allies opposed such action, whether they thought the United States was headed for war with Iraq, how important they thought it was for the United States to force Saddam Hussein from power, whether President Bush had a clear policy on Iraq, whether Bush should get authorization from Congress before launching an attack, and who should have the final decision if the President and Congress disagreed on attacking Iraq. Respondents were also asked which would create a greater risk of further terrorism to this country: taking or not taking military action. Background information on respondents includes political party affiliation and gender.
Curated
ABC News 'Nightline' Kosovo Poll #2, March 1999 (ICPSR 2768)
Released/updated on: 1999-08-20
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, fielded March 26, 1999, sought respondents' views on United States involvement in the Serbian region of Kosovo and the air strikes, launched March 24, 1999, by the United States and its European allies, against Serbia. Those queried were asked whether they possessed a sound understanding of the conflict, whether President Bill Clinton had handled the situation appropriately, and whether America's vital interests were at stake in Kosovo. Respondents were asked whether they supported the air strikes against Serbia, whether they believed reports that the bombing had actually increased the attacks on Kosovar civilians by the Serbian forces, and whether peace in Kosovo was worth the loss of American soldiers' lives. An additional question addressed the March 26, 1999, conviction of Dr. Jack Kevorkian of second-degree murder, for causing the death of a terminally ill patient who asked for his assistance. The results of the poll were announced on the ABC television program "Nightline." Background information on respondents includes sex and political party.
Curated
ABC News "Nightline" Starr Report Poll #4, September 1998 (ICPSR 2641)
Released/updated on: 2008-09-26
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, fielded on September 13, 1998,
sought respondents' views on Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's
ongoing investigation of President Bill Clinton and the resulting
"Starr Report," submitted to the United States Congress on September
10, 1998. Respondents were asked whether they trusted Clinton on a
personal level, and their opinions were sought regarding Clinton's
honesty, trustworthiness, moral and ethical standards, and leadership
ability. They were also asked to comment on whether the president
should remain in office, resign, be impeached, or be censured, if it
were proven that he either lied under oath, encouraged former White
House intern Monica Lewinsky to lie under oath, or asked aides to
cover up his affair with Lewinsky. Those queried were asked for their
opinions of the Starr Report and the Clinton response to that report,
in which the White House argued against impeachment. Other items
probed for whether respondents believed Starr or Clinton, whether they
believed that the investigation had been fair or politically
motivated, and whether the investigation was about sex or serious
lawbreaking. In addition, respondents were asked whether they believed
that Congress should hold hearings, and whether the inclusion of the
sexual details of Clinton and Lewinsky's relationship were included in
the report as evidence or to embarrass the president. The results of
the poll were announced on the ABC television program "Nightline."
Background information on respondents includes sex, age, race, political
party affiliation, and education level.
Curated
ABC News Ohio State Poll, October 2004 (ICPSR 4238)
Released/updated on: 2006-01-06
Geographic coverage: United States, Ohio
This special topic poll, conducted October 14-17, 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, living in Ohio, were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush and how he was handling his presidency, of the state of the economy, and of their own financial situations during the Bush presidency. Questions posed to respondents concerning the 2004 presidential election addressed topics such as how closely they were following the election, their chances of voting, their candidate preferences, their perceptions of the candidates, and the most important issue in the presidential election. Respondents also were asked whether they voted in previous presidential elections, what was the most important issue on the voting ballot, about the war in Iraq, whether the United States was safer compared to 2001 prior to September 11, 2001, and whether respondents had been contacted by the Bush or Kerry campaign. Issues specific to Ohio were explored with questions about candidate preferences in the Ohio senate election and about an Ohio constitutional amendment concerning marriage. Background information includes age, children under 18 in the household, education, household income, marital status, military veteran status, Ohio region of residence, political party affiliation, political ideology, race, religious affiliation, sex, union membership status, voter registration status, whether the respondent voted in the 2000 presidential election, and if the respondent did vote in 2000, for whom the respondent voted: George W. Bush (Republican), Al Gore (Democrat), Ralph Nader (Independent), or Pat Buchanan (Independent).
Curated
ABC News Panama Poll #1, December 1989 (ICPSR 9433)
Released/updated on: 2007-07-03
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey focused on the United States military action in Panama. Respondents were asked if they approved of the way President George Bush was handling the situation, if they approved of the United States' having sent military forces to overthrow Manuel Noriega, if they would still approve if the action resulted in a large number of Panamanian civilian casualties, if the reasons Bush had given for invading Panama were good enough to warrant the action, and if sending military forces into Panama to overthrow Noriega was legal under United States law. Other topics covered include comparisons to Viet Nam, using similar military action in Nicaragua, the level of danger to Americans in Panama, Bush's trip to Colombia to discuss the drug problem, and if the action affected the respondents' feelings of pride in the United States. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, age, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News Panama Poll #2, December 1989 (ICPSR 9434)
Released/updated on: 2007-07-03
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey focused on the United States military action in Panama. Respondents were asked if they approved of the way President George Bush was handling the situation, if they approved of the United States' having sent military forces to overthrow Manuel Noriega, if they felt that the operation had been a success, if the reasons Bush had given for invading Panama were good enough to warrant the action, and if sending military forces into Panama to overthrow Noriega was legal under United States law. Additional questions included whether it bothered the respondent that only a few countries supported the United States' action, if the action could be called successful if Noriega remained free, and if the offer of a million dollar reward for turning in Noriega would work. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, age, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News Politics Poll #1, March 1992 (ICPSR 9883)
Released/updated on: 2007-07-03
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey assessed the political climate of the United States on March 11, 1992. Those surveyed were asked whether the country was going in the right direction, whether they placed more trust in President George Bush or the Democrats in Congress to do a better job with the economy, whether they placed more trust in the Democratic or Republican party to cope with national problems, and whether Congress should meet the March 20 deadline set by President Bush for acting on his economic proposals. Respondents were also asked whether they had favorable impressions of the presidential candidates, whether Bush, Bill Clinton, or Paul Tsongas could be trusted to do a better job on the economy, whether they were concerned about Tsongas's ability to serve effectively as president because he had had cancer, whether they were satisfied that Clinton had the honesty and integrity to serve effectively as president, and whether they were better off financially than when Bush became president in 1989. In addition, respondents were asked if the United States needed a president that could set the nation in a new direction after four years of George Bush, or whether the United States needed to continue moving in the direction in which Bush had been taking it. The survey also addressed issues related to Congress, including whether the respondent felt inclined to vote for the re-election of his/her United States Representative, whether term limits for representatives should be adopted, and how the respondent viewed the congressional check-writing scandal. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, voter registration status, education, age, race, income, and sex.
Curated
ABC News Poll, November 1990 (ICPSR 9561)
Released/updated on: 2007-07-03
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1990-11-01--1990-11-04
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 approval ratings for public officials (George Bush, Congress, the respondent's representative in Congress, Democrats, and Republicans) on the issues of job performance, handling of the economy, and handling of the situation caused by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the budget deficit reduction plan (and the income group that would be most affected by it), and the income group that Bush, Democrats, and Republicans cared most about. Respondents also were asked how important various political issues were to their vote choice on election day, if they planned to vote in the upcoming general election, for which party they would vote, and whether they would vote to re-elect their own representative. Other questions focusing on the situation in the Persian Gulf addressed the issues of the use of military force if necessary to ensure Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait, long-term military presence of the United States in the Gulf region, the use of military force should the economic embargo prove unsuccessful, the likelihood that the United States would go to war with Iraq, and Americans and other foreigners being held hostage by Iraq. Background information provided includes political alignment, registered voter status, 1988 presidential and congressional vote choices, education, age, race, income, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News Poll of Public Opinion on Crime, December 1982 (ICPSR 8100)
Released/updated on: 2005-11-04
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic 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. In this poll, respondents were questioned regarding their perceptions of crime and the criminal justice system. Questions assessed the respondents' fear of crime, perceptions of the seriousness of crime in the United States, evaluation of the judicial and penal systems, assessment of police performance, and confidence in the ability of the police to prevent crime. The poll also asked for respondents' opinions about President Ronald Reagan's policies, the state of the economy, and government spending. Demographic information was collected, including the respondent's sex, age, education level, race, and income level.
Curated
ABC News Poll of Public Opinion on Current Social and Political Issues, December 1981 (ICPSR 8020)
Released/updated on: 1992-02-16
Geographic coverage: United States
This special-topic 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. This data colletion focuses on President Ronald Reagan, Libya, and the economy. Respondents were asked to evaluate Reagan's presidency and his handling of the nation's economy, to give their opinions of United States relations with Libya, and to assess the impact of Reagan's economic policies on their personal financial situations. Demographic information including respondent's race, age, household income, and educational level was collected.
Curated
ABC News Poll on Nicaragua, March 1986 (ICPSR 8577)
Released/updated on: 2007-05-07
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey was conducted after President Reagan's speech of March 16, 1986. In his speech Reagan requested that Congress approve increased military aid to the Nicaraguan rebels (the contras). Respondents were asked if they had heard the speech, whether or not they approve of aid to the rebels, whether or not they approve of Reagan's handling of the situation in Nicaragua, and if they consider the situation in Nicaragua to be a threat to the security of the United States.
Curated
ABC News Poll, September 1993 (ICPSR 6285)
Released/updated on: 1997-05-16
Geographic coverage: United States
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 whether they approved of Bill Clinton's handling of his job as president, the nation's economy, foreign affairs, and the health care plan. Respondents were asked whether Clinton's health care plan was better or worse than the existing system and whether it was good for the long-term future of the nation. The quality of health care and health insurance coverage were also addressed. Respondents were asked whether the plan treated them fairly and whether Congress should pass Clinton's health care plan with or without changes. Other topics included the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), and whether the penny is a useful coin. Demographic background variables include political orientation, sex, age, race, income, and education.
Curated
ABC News Poll, September 1994 (ICPSR 3854)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-30
Geographic coverage: Cuba, Haiti, United States
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. Questions included the respondent's opinion on what the most important problem facing the United States was and approval ratings for President Clinton's handling of the presidency, the economy, foreign affairs, crime, and health care. Approval ratings were also tallied for the United States Congress and the Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Respondents were asked how much Congress had accomplished in the past year compared to years before and who was responsible (i.e., President Clinton or the parties in Congress). Respondents were asked if they believed certain political figures, including President Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, and the respondent's representative in Congress, were doing what was best for the country, their district, or their own political lives. Those polled were asked what they believed their representative in Congress should or should not be doing, and which political party was better at handling issues such as the economy and helping the middle class. Queries included the general functioning of the federal government and what, if any, changes were needed. Respondent opinions on the crime bill were gathered, as well as approval ratings on Congress's handling of the health care system. Other questions concerning health care included whether the respondent supported proposed changes to the health care system and whether the respondent believed that significant improvements would be made to the health care system. Respondents were also queried on what changes they would like to see in Congress -- for example, whether they would vote for their incumbent representative or the challenger. Respondents were asked if they believed that America's vital interests were at stake in the situation in Cuba and/or in Haiti and whether the United States should end its economic embargo against Cuba if certain conditions were met. Questions also solicited respondent views on whether they would support a military invasion of Haiti and if they believed that the United States would go to war with Haiti. Respondents' knowledge of bills passed in Congress within the past year was also assessed. Demographic information gathered includes political affiliation, voter registration status, voting record, political philosophy, level of education, religious preference, urban or rural residence, marital status, labor union status, working status, ethnicity, age, sex, yearly income, and willingness for call-back.
Curated
ABC News Post-Debate #1 Poll, October 2000 (ICPSR 3129)
Released/updated on: 2004-09-02
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll sought respondents' views on the presidential debate held on October 6th, 2000. Questions included how closely respondents were following the 2000 race for the presidency and how sure they were that they would vote on election day. Those polled were asked whom they would vote for, whether they had a favorable opinion of the candidates, and which candidate they felt would do a better job on issues such as education and the economy. Respondents were also asked to state which characteristics they believed that Governor Bush and Vice President Gore had, such as leadership and experience, and to indicate which candidate they believed had "won" the debate televised earlier in that week. Questions on popular social issues included whether respondents preferred small or large government, whether they supported the school vouchers initiative, whether they still would support the initiative if it meant less money for public schools, and what course of action they would take if they could receive school vouchers. Background information includes number of children respondent had under the age of 18, political identification, voting record, political philosophy, level of education, age, ethnicity, annual household income, and sex.
Curated
ABC News Post-State of the Union Address Poll, January 2003 (ICPSR 3773)
Released/updated on: 2003-08-07
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted January 28, 2003, was undertaken to assess public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues following the State of the Union Address earlier that evening. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, the economy, the situation with Iraq and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and the cost, availability, and coverage of health insurance. Those polled were asked whether they supported or opposed United States military action against Iraq to force Hussein from power, whether their support or opposition would change if the United Nations opposed such action, and whether they supported or opposed an invasion by United States ground troops with significant military casualties. Views were sought on whether Bush had presented enough evidence to justify the use of military force in Iraq, whether United Nations weapons inspectors should be given additional time to search for weapons of mass destruction, and whether Iraq provided direct support to the al Qaeda terrorist group. A series of questions focusing on the State of the Union Address covered whether respondents approved or disapproved of Bush's message, whether Bush made a good case for going to war with Iraq, and whether the speech made respondents more or less confident in Bush's ability to handle the economy, the situation with Iraq, and the cost, availability, and coverage of health insurance. Background information on respondents includes gender and political party.
Curated
ABC News Pre-Election Poll, November 1994 (ICPSR 3871)
Released/updated on: 2006-11-13
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted November 3-6, 1994, was undertaken to assess public opinion prior to election day. Respondents were polled on President Bill Clinton's handling of the presidency, their satisfaction with the way the federal government worked, whether the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job dealing with the main problems facing the country, and the condition of the national economy. Questions regarding the upcoming United States House of Representatives election asked respondents how closely they were following it, the likelihood that they would vote, whether they would vote for the Democratic or Republican candidate, whether they planned to re-elect their own representative in Congress, and how often they voted in state elections when there was no presidential race. Background variables include sex, age, ethnicity, education, household income, political party affiliation, and voter participation and registration history.
Curated
ABC News Pre-Election Poll, November 2002 (ICPSR 3768)
Released/updated on: 2003-10-09
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted October 31, 2002, was undertaken to assess respondents' views prior to the November 2002 elections. Respondents were asked about their past voting history, the likelihood that they would vote in the November 2002 elections, and their political party preference. Respondents were also asked to give their opinions on how President George W. Bush and his administration were handling the following: the war on terrorism, Social Security, the economy, health care, prescription drug benefits, and the war with Iraq. They were asked whether these issues affected their voting selections and if so, in what way. Opinions of President George W. Bush, his effectiveness as a leader, and his effect on the November 2002 elections were solicited. In addition, respondents asked about what the priorities of the nation should be, the current state of the national economy, and their personal financial situation. Background information includes age, education, ethnicity, household income, sex, religious orientation, political orientation, and whether the respondent lived in an urban, suburban, or rural area.
Curated
ABC News Pre-Election Spot Poll: New Hampshire, 1988 (ICPSR 8996)
Released/updated on: 2006-12-20
Geographic coverage: United States, New Hampshire
Time period: 1988-02-01--1988-02-07
This survey was conducted prior to the New Hampshire primary held on February 16, 1988. Respondents were asked if they were registered to vote, their party designation, if they intended to vote in the Democratic or Republican presidential primary, for whom they would vote if the primary were held that day, towards which candidate they were leaning, the strength of their support, and any candidates they definitely would not vote for. Additional questions sought the respondent's opinions on which party had a better chance of winning in November, the Reagan presidency, and the two most important issues in the presidential campaign. Background information on respondents includes education, age, religion, race, sex, income, voting history, and political orientation.
Curated
ABC News Pre-State of the Union Address Poll, January 2003 (ICPSR 3772)
Released/updated on: 2003-09-25
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted January 27, 2003, was undertaken to assess public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues on the eve of the State of the Union Address. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, the economy, the United States campaign against terrorism, and the situation with Iraq and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Those polled were asked whether they supported or opposed United States military action against Iraq to force Hussein from power, whether their support or opposition would change if the United Nations opposed such action, and whether they supported or opposed an invasion by United States ground troops with possible military casualties. Views were sought on whether Bush had presented enough evidence to justify the use of military force in Iraq, whether United Nations weapons inspectors should be given additional time to search for weapons of mass destruction, and whether the burden of proof regarding the existence of weapons of mass destruction lay with the United States or with Iraq. Respondents were asked whether they were concerned that the Bush administration would act too quickly and/or without international support, whether Iraq posed an immediate threat to United States interests, and whether Bush had overstated the level of threat facing the United States from Iraq. Background information on respondents includes gender and political party.
Curated
ABC News Reagan Press Conference Poll, November 1986 (ICPSR 8644)
Released/updated on: 2006-12-13
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey was conducted on the evening of November 19, 1986 after President Reagan's press conference. Reagan spoke about United States arms shipments to Iran. Respondents were asked to evaluate Reagan's job performance and his handling of world affairs, relations with Iran, and dealings with terrorists. They were also asked whether they believe Reagan was telling the truth about arms shipments and whether Schultz and/or other advisors should resign. Respondents were asked if they watched the press conference and if so, their opinion of what the president said was recorded.
Curated
ABC News Reagan Speech Poll, December 1987 (ICPSR 8924)
Released/updated on: 2006-12-12
Geographic coverage: United States
The summit meeting negotiations between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev were the subject of this survey. Respondents' opinions were sought on the United States-Soviet Union arms agreement, Reagan's handling of the summit, the degree to which Gorbachev can be trusted, and the overall state of relations between the two countries. Those respondents who had seen or heard any of Reagan's broadcast speech of December 10, 1987 also were asked if the speech made them more confident of Reagan's ability to negotiate with the Soviets. Demographic characteristics of respondents are included.
Curated
ABC News Religion Poll, March 1997 (ICPSR 2179)
Released/updated on: 2006-12-01
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll sought respondents' views on the Bill Clinton presidency, while primarily focusing on the presence of religion in respondents' lives. Those queried were asked to explain their religious upbringing and to compare it to their current feelings toward religion. Respondents were asked for their opinions on anti-Semitism, interracial marriage, interfaith marriage, jokes about the Pope, and the Bible's message regarding the differences between Blacks and whites. A series of questions asked respondents whether they believed in the following Christian tenets: Jesus Christ died on the cross, Jesus Christ is the son of God, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and the existence of God. Additional topics covered whether God is a man or a woman, whether Jews were responsible for the death of Christ, and the meaning of the Bible's stories to the respondent. Demographic variables include age, education, race, sex, and religion.
Curated
ABC News Saddam Hussein Capture Poll, December 2003 (ICPSR 3944)
Released/updated on: 2004-10-01
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic 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. The focus of this data collection was on the situation in Iraq and the recent capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Those surveyed were asked to give their approval rating of President George W. Bush and his handling of the situation in Iraq. Respondents were asked to assess the costs/benefits of the Iraq War and to comment on whether they thought it was worth fighting or not, if they had heard of the capture of Saddam Hussein, and whether they thought that his capture meant "the big challenges facing the United States in Iraq are over." Those polled were asked for their opinion on whether the capture of Saddam Hussein would help to restore peace and stability in Iraq, would help to end attacks on United States and coalition forces in Iraq, would contribute to long-term peace and stability in the Mideast, and would also contribute to the long-term security of the United States. Respondents were asked if they believed that United States forces should leave Iraq now that Saddam Hussein had been captured, or if the forces should remain in Iraq until a stable government was in place. Additional questions included whether those surveyed felt that Saddam Hussein should be put on trial by an Iraqi tribunal or a United Nations tribunal, and what punishment they preferred for him. Respondents' perceptions of the progress in Iraq was also measured. Demographic information includes political affiliation and gender.
Curated
ABC News September 11th Adult Poll, September 2002 (ICPSR 3553)
Released/updated on: 2005-12-15
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted September 5-8, 2002, was undertaken to assess respondents' feelings a few days before the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, as well as to gauge their opinions on the way the United States was dealing with the war on terrorism. Those polled described their feelings both right after the September 11th attack and one year later. They were asked what they were doing when they first heard about the attacks, whether they had problems sleeping or felt depressed because of terrorist attacks and the war against terrorism, whether they planned to change their normal routines on the first anniversary of the September 11th attack, whether the terrorist attacks changed their country and their personal lives, whether they became suspicious of people of Arab descent, and whether they felt that they personally could be victims of a terrorist attack. Another subject of this survey was the war on terrorism. Respondents commented on the way the United States was handling the campaign against terror, rated the president's performance and that of other officials/institutions/organizations that were dealing with the events of September 11th and the war on terrorism, and indicated whether they thought the campaign against terror was going well in general. They also identified countries that did "enough or not enough" to support the United States campaign against terrorism, and evaluated the job done by the United States in terms of preventing further terrorist attacks, breaking up the al Qaeda network, improving United States intelligence, and reorganizing government agencies. Respondents provided their views on whether the United States was doing enough in its anti-terrorism campaign to win the support of other countries and Muslims around the world, whether the anti-terrorism activities of the federal government were posing a threat to their constitutional rights, and whether the Bush administration was accurately describing the level of threat the country was facing from terrorism. With regard to Osama bin Laden, respondents were asked how confident they were that the United States would capture or kill Osama bin Laden and if the war on terrorism could be a success without capturing or killing him. Those polled expressed their concerns about the possibility of further terrorist attacks, and their confidence in the ability of the United States government to prevent them. Some questions focused on flying, including whether respondents had flown on a commercial airplane after September 11, 2001, whether they worried about flying because of the risk of terrorism, and whether airport security was better than before September 11, 2001. Additionally, respondents were asked whether terrorism or the economy was a bigger problem, whether they were optimistic or pessimistic about the future of their country, whether spending time with their families was important to them, how proud they were to be Americans, whether they were displaying an American flag, and if so, when they started doing that. Background information on respondents includes gender, age, education, religion and religiosity, political party affiliation, political orientation, race, Hispanic origin, children under age 18 living at home, and subjective size of community.
Curated
ABC News September 11th Anniversary Poll, September 2003 (ICPSR 3939)
Released/updated on: 2004-03-30
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted September 4-7, 2003, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on a range of political and social issues. The poll was conducted a few days before the second anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. 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, and the situation in Iraq. Those polled were asked whether terrorism or the economy was a bigger problem, whether they supported the Bush administration's policy on Iraq and the United States military presence there, whether the number of United States military casualties was acceptable, and how well the United States was doing in restoring order in Iraq. Specific questions asked whether the war in Iraq was worth fighting, whether it was part of or separate from the war against terrorism, whether it would decrease terrorism in the long run, and whether it would be a success if Saddam Hussein was not killed or captured. Respondents were asked to rate the performance of groups, institutions, and individuals in dealing with the events of September 11, 2001, and the war on terrorism. They were also asked to evaluate the job done by the United States in preventing terrorist attacks, winning the cooperation of other countries in fighting terrorism, breaking up the al Qaeda network, improving United States intelligence, and reorganizing government agencies. Questions sought respondent views on whether Osama bin Laden had to be captured or killed in order to win the war on terrorism, and whether other countries had done enough to support the United States campaign against terrorism. Respondents were asked to comment on their feelings about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, how often they thought about it, whether it changed the United States and the respondent's life, whether the changes were long- or short-term, big or small, positive or negative, if spending time with family was important to them, how concerned they were about being a victim of a terrorist attack, and how concerned they were about the possibility of more terrorist attacks in the United States. A series of questions addressed whether respondents worried about flying because of the risk of terrorism, if the respondent had flown on a commercial airplane since September 11, 2001, if airport security was better than before the attacks, whether security measures were justified, the usefulness of the government's threat alert system, and whether the United States was safer from terrorism than before the attacks. Opinions were also solicited on whether the United States government was doing enough to protect the rights of American citizens, Arab-Americans, non-citizens, and terrorist suspects, if the federal government was intruding on the respondent's personal privacy rights and whether this was justified, and whether it was more important for the FBI to investigate possible terrorist threats even if it intruded on personal privacy, or for the FBI not to intrude on personal privacy, even if it limited its ability to investigate possible threats. Respondents were also polled on whether they would support or oppose the federal government holding suspected terrorists without trial and using physical torture in an attempt to get information from them. Additional questions addressed whether respondents felt they had a good understanding of the beliefs of Islam, whether it taught respect for the beliefs of non-Muslims, and if their opinion of Islam was favorable or unfavorable. Background variables include age, sex, education, ethnicity, religion, political orientation, political party affiliation, subjective size of community, and household income.
Curated
ABC News September 11th Teen Poll, August 2002 (ICPSR 3561)
Released/updated on: 2005-12-15
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted August 25-28, 2002, was undertaken to assess opinions of teens about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Teens were asked whether they were optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the country, whether they were optimistic or pessimistic about their personal future, how proud they were to be an American, what they planned to do after high school, how involved they felt their parents or guardians were in their lives, how much stress they had in their lives, whether they felt depressed, and how safe they felt in their day-to-day lives. They were also asked how safe they would feel flying in an airplane, being in a tall building, being in a big city, or being in a crowded place. Other survey questions queried the teen respondents about how often they thought about the terrorist attacks that took place in New York and Washington, DC, on September 11, 2001, whether their lives had changed since then, and whether they had made any changes in their personal plans for the future because of the attacks. Respondents were also asked if their parents had made any new rules about where they were allowed to go, whether they had to check in with their parents, whether they felt they knew how their parents felt about what happened September 11, 2001, and whether they felt the same way about the attacks as their parents. Teens were also asked if, right after the attacks, they had felt frightened about what happened, scared that there might be more terrorist attacks, worried about their own personal safety, worried about the safety of any friends or relatives, confused about who would do this and why, angry at the people who had perpetrated the attacks, or confident that the United States would handle the problem, and whether they continued to feel those things now. Additional questions probed for whether they had trouble sleeping right after the attacks or trouble now, whether they felt they had a good basic understanding of Islam, and whether they had heard any other kids or adults say prejudiced things about Muslims, Arabs, or Arab-Americans. Background information on respondents includes age, gender, education, and whether they lived in a large city, suburb, small town, or rural area.
Curated
ABC News State of the Union Poll, January 1986 (ICPSR 8572)
Released/updated on: 2007-09-20
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey was conducted after President Reagan's 1986 State of the Union address. Respondents were asked to rate Reagan's performance as president, to identify the country's major problems and to describe the state of the economy. They were also asked their opinion of: the likelihood of a war involving the United States in the near future, the likelihood of a terrorist attack against the United States, whether they favor cutting spending or raising taxes (or both) to reduce the federal budget deficit, and whether they favor tax reform measures that reduce tax rates but eliminate many of the current tax deductions. Political affiliation and sex were also recorded.
Curated
ABC News State of the Union Poll, January 1995 (ICPSR 3835)
Released/updated on: 2007-09-20
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, fielded January 24, 1995, was undertaken to assess respondents' views on the 1995 State of the Union Address delivered by President Bill Clinton. Respondents were polled immediately following the address on whether they had watched any of it, whether they approved or disapproved of most of what President Clinton said, and whether they supported or opposed specific proposals such as raising the minimum wage, giving tax breaks to middle class families with children, continuing funding for Americorps, and spending more money to enforce laws against illegal immigration. Opinions were solicited on whether President Clinton or the Republicans in Congress was taking a stronger leadership role in government and whether it was a good or bad thing, whether the country should go in the direction that President Clinton or the Republicans in Congress wanted it to go, and whether Clinton deserved a second term as president. Respondents were also asked whether they had watched any of the O.J. Simpson trial live on television that day. Background variables include sex and political party affiliation.
Curated
ABC News Super Tuesday Pre-Election Tracking and Primary Election Exit Polls, 1988 (ICPSR 8995)
Released/updated on: 2006-01-18
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 1988-01-28--1988-03-08
This study consists of four surveys conducted in 16 of the 21 states that held primary elections on Super Tuesday, March 8, 1988. Parts 1-3 are telephone surveys conducted from late January through early March. In Parts 1 and 2, respondents were asked if they were registered to vote, their party designation, if they intended to vote in the Democratic or Republican presidential primary, for whom they would vote if the primary were held that day, toward which candidate they were leaning, the strength of their support, and any candidates they definitely would not vote for. Additional questions sought the respondent's opinions on which party had a better chance of winning in November, the Reagan presidency, and the two most important issues in the presidential campaign. In Part 3, a sample of respondents from Parts 1 and 2 were recontacted by phone and asked for whom they would vote if the primary were being held that day, toward whom they were leaning, and the strength of their support. In Part 4, voters were asked to fill out questionnaires as they exited the polling places. They were asked whether they voted in the Democratic or Republican primary, and for whom they voted. Voters given the long form of the questionnaire were queried on additional topics including the Reagan presidency and items important in making their choice that day. Background information on all respondents in this collection includes education, age, religion, race, sex, income, voting history, and political orientation.
Curated
ABC News Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Coup Poll, August 1991 (ICPSR 9757)
Released/updated on: 2007-09-18
Geographic coverage: United States
This survey focuses on issues related to the military takeover in the Soviet Union and the removal of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev from power. Respondents were asked if they approved of the way George Bush was handling the situation in the Soviet Union, whether the events in the Soviet Union posed a major threat to world peace, whether the economic and political reforms in the Soviet Union would continue under the new leaders, whether the new leaders could be trusted to honor the Soviet Union's international treaties, how likely it was that the Soviet Union would go back to hard-line communism, and whether the people who took power in the Soviet Union would be able to remain in power over the long term. Respondents were also questioned about whether the United States should cut long-range nuclear missiles, scale back sales of wheat to the Soviet Union, and help the republics that wanted to break away from the Soviet Union. They were also asked if they thought the Cold War would start again. Background information on respondents includes political alignment, age, sex, and state/region of residence.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post 100 Days Poll, April 1995 (ICPSR 3840)
Released/updated on: 2007-01-26
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, fielded in April 1995, was undertaken to assess respondent approval ratings on job performance for President Clinton, Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the Democrats and Republicans in Congress, the respondent's representative in Congress, and the United States Congress in general. Respondents were asked to evaluate the ability of Congress to deal with the big issues facing the country, how much Congress had accomplished within the past three months, and whether that represented a real change in the way Congress worked. Those polled were asked whether the Democrats and/or Republicans were doing what the respondent wanted done, and they were also asked to evaluate whether the Republicans in Congress or President Clinton was doing a better job with the main problems and needs of the country. On the subject of the Republicans in Congress, respondents were asked to evaluate how many of the items of the "Contract with America" they would support, and whether any of the items, in their view, had been accomplished. Respondents were also asked to evaluate President Clinton and Speaker Gingrich on traits such as strength in leadership, honesty, and trustworthiness. In addition, respondent views were solicited on issues such as privatization of welfare, line-item vetoes, and who they believed was responsible for failure of particular congressional initiatives, such as term limits. Demographic information gathered included political party identification, voter registration status, voting record, political philosophy, level of education, age, sex, religious preference, ethnicity, yearly household income, and willingness for call-back.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post 2004 Voters Poll, October 2003 (ICPSR 3943)
Released/updated on: 2004-04-07
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted October 26-29, 2003, was undertaken to gather voters' opinions regarding the upcoming 2004 presidential election. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way George W. Bush was handling the presidency, the economy, education, Social Security, taxes, health insurance, and international affairs, and how they rated the importance of these issues in deciding whom to vote for in the 2004 presidential election. Those polled were asked whether they believed President Bush understood people like themselves, whether he was a strong leader, and whether he was honest and trustworthy. A series of questions addressed the condition of the national economy, whether the respondent and most Americans were better or worse off financially than when George W. Bush first became president, and the degree to which President Bush was responsible for the federal budget deficit. Specific questions asked whether the war with Iraq was worth fighting, if it was separate from or part of the war on terrorism, whether the number of military casualties was acceptable or unacceptable, whether respondents would support or oppose Congress spending an additional 87 billion dollars for the war and rebuilding of Iraq, and whether it was more important to keep United States military forces in Iraq until civil order could be restored or to withdraw forces to avoid further military casualties. Questions were posed regarding how closely respondents followed the 2004 presidential election, whether they would vote for George W. Bush or a Democratic nominee for president, how likely they were to vote, whether the Republican and Democratic parties were being led in the right direction, how closely each party reflected the respondents' beliefs on important issues, whether the Democratic Party was too willing or not willing enough to compromise with President Bush, and whether there should be more than two major political parties. Democratic-leaning respondents were asked whom they would vote for in the Democratic presidential primary (Senator Joe Lieberman, United States Representative Dick Gephardt, Senator John Kerry, Senator John Edwards, civil rights activist Al Sharpton, former Vermont governor Howard Dean, United States Representative Dennis Kucinich, former Senator Carol Moseley Braun, or General Wesley Clark), how satisfied they were with the choice of Democratic nominees, which candidate had the best chance of defeating Bush, and whether respondents preferred a candidate who agreed with them on most issues or one who would have an easier time defeating Bush. Respondents were also polled on how much they felt they knew about the Democratic nominees and whether a candidate's personal qualities or positions on issues was most important. Additional questions asked respondents if they approved of the way the U.S. Congress was doing its job, how satisfied they were with the way the federal government and the political process worked, how well the United States campaign against terrorism was progressing, and whether they felt the federal government was threatening their own personal rights and freedoms. Background variables include age, sex, religion, education, ethnicity, subjective size of community, household income, political orientation, political party affiliation, if respondents were registered to vote, if they voted in the 2000 presidential election and if so, for whom (Republican George W. Bush, Democrat Al Gore, Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, or Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan), and if a household member was in military service, a military veteran, a reservist, or belonged to a labor union.
Curated
ABC News/Washington Post Afghanistan Attack Poll #1, October 2001 (ICPSR 3298)
Released/updated on: 2001-10-31
Geographic coverage: United States
This special topic poll, conducted October 7, 2001, was undertaken to assess respondents' reactions to and feelings about the United States military action in Afghanistan. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way President Bush was handling the response to terrorist attacks in the United States, and whether they supported United States air strikes on Afghanistan and sending a significant number of United States ground troops into that country. Those polled also gave their opinions on whether capturing or killing Osama bin Laden and his associates was a higher priority than overthrowing the Taliban government and how concerned they were about the possibility of further terrorist attacks in America. Respondents also tried to predict whether it would be a quick military action or a long war, and whether the military action in Afghanistan would make further terrorist attacks against the United States more or less likely. Opinions were elicited on whether the United States should have done more to find a diplomatic solution before attacking Afghanistan, whether the United States should mount a broader war against terrorism, whether the United States government was doing enough in its anti-terrorism campaign to win the support of Muslim people, and whether respondents supported the humanitarian aid for Afghans. Background information on respondents includes gender and political party affiliation.