CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 q1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President? % Approve 89 90 88 84 Disapprove 7 7 7 9 DK/NA 5 3 5 7 q2 Regardless of your overall opinion of George W. Bush, what do you like best about him? Honesty and Integrity 18 17 18 Handling terrorist attacks 15 14 16 His approach/tough 10 11 9 Strong leader/good decisions 15 19 13 Stands up for country 4 3 4 His speeches 3 3 3 Morality/Religion/Christian 3 2 4 His advisors 2 3 1 Average guy/sensible 2 2 1 Just like him/he's good 2 3 2 Compassionate/caring 2 2 2 Nothing 4 4 4 Other 6 6 6 DK/NA 14 11 17 q3 Regardless of your overall opinion of George W. Bush, what worries you most about him being President? Nothing 29 31 26 Not experienced enough 9 10 8 Bringing U.S. into war 7 6 8 General handling of attacks 4 4 4 Too aggressive in reacting 3 2 3 The economy 3 4 3 Not smart enough 2 2 2 No foreign policy experience 2 2 3 Future - worries/handling 2 2 2 Other 14 14 9 DK/NA 25 23 26 q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon? Approve 90 91 89 85 Disapprove 6 6 7 7 DK/NA 4 3 4 8
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 2 q5 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good, fairly good, fairly bad or very bad? Aug01c % Very good 3 4 3 3 Fairly good 50 48 53 53 Fairly bad 33 36 31 33 Very bad 11 11 10 11 DK/NA 3 1 3 0 q6 Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Getting better 8 10 6 8 Getting worse 55 55 55 48 Staying about same 35 33 37 42 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 q7 Do you think federal spending on intelligence agencies like the C.I.A. should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? Oct 1991* Increased 63 67 59 5 Decreased 3 2 4 46 Kept the same 28 26 30 46 DK/NA 6 5 7 3 *Varied wording: During the cold war the C.I.A. spend about thrity billion dollars a year, mostly to spy on the Soviet Union. In today s world, do you think federal spending on intelligence agencies like the C.I.A. should be increased, decreased, or kept about the same? q8 Do you think the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon WILL mean that the United States will go to war, or not? Yes 85 84 87 68 No 8 10 6 15 DK/NA 7 6 7 17 q9 Do you think the U.S. SHOULD take military action against whoever is responsible for the attacks? Yes 92 94 90 85 No 5 4 5 6 DK/NA 3 2 5 8
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 3 q10 Do you think the U.S. SHOULD take military action against whoever is responsible for the attacks, even if it means that innocent people are killed? % Yes 67 72 62 68 No 23 21 25 17 DK/NA 10 7 13 15 q11 What if that meant going to war with a nation that is harboring those responsible for the attacks, then do you think the United States should take military action against whoever is responsible for the attacks? Yes 83 88 79 67 No 10 8 11 18 DK/NA 7 4 10 15 q12 What if that meant that many thousands of innocent civilians may be killed, then do you think the United States should take military action against whoever is responsible for the attacks? Yes 68 74 62 60 No 21 18 25 21 DK/NA 11 8 13 19 q13 What if that meant that thousands of American military personnel will be killed, then do you think the United States should take military action against whoever is responsible for the attacks? Yes 72 79 65 No 18 12 23 DK/NA 10 9 12 q14 What if that meant that the United States could be engaged in a war for many years, then do you think the United States should take military action against whoever is responsible for the attacks? Yes 72 79 66 No 20 15 24 DK/NA 8 6 10 q15 Do you think the United States SHOULD wait to take military action until we are certain who is responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, or should we take immediate military action against those who are suspects in the attacks? Wait until we're certain 78 76 80 Take immediate action 17 20 14 Already certain (Vol.) 2 2 2 DK/NA 3 2 4
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 4 q16 When do you think the U.S. should take military action - in the next few days, the next few weeks, the next few months, or longer than that? Few days 11 11 10 Few weeks 24 24 24 Few months 16 17 14 Longer than that 7 5 8 Never (Vol.) 1 1 1 As long as necessary (Vol.) 10 10 11 When we know for certain 25 27 24 DK/NA 6 5 8 q27 How much confidence do you have in the ability of the U.S. government to catch the people who planned the attacks -- would you say you're very confident they will be caught, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident? Very confident 56 58 53 62 Somewhat confident 36 33 39 29 Not too confident 6 7 6 5 Not at all confident 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 1 1 1 3 q28 How likely do you think it is that there will be another terrorist attack on the United States within the next few months ---- very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, not at all likely? Very likely 36 37 34 Somewhat likely 42 39 45 Not very likely 16 18 14 Not at all likely 4 4 4 DK/NA 2 2 3 q29 When you think about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, do you place a lot of blame, some blame or no blame at all on the United States intelligence agencies like the CIA and the FBI? A lot 10 9 12 Some 56 60 54 No blame at all 30 28 31 DK/NA 4 3 3 q30 When you think about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, do you place a lot of blame, some blame or no blame at all on United States policies in the Middle East over the years? A lot 14 15 12 Some 54 53 54 No blame at all 25 25 24 DK/NA 7 7 10
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 5 q31 When you think about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, do you place a lot of blame, some blame or no blame at all on security at U.S. airports? A lot 40 36 44 Some 48 51 45 No blame at all 11 12 11 DK/NA 1 1 0 q32 How much confidence do you have in the ability of the U.S. government to protect its citizens from future terrorist attacks -- a great deal, a fair amount, not very much, or none at all? Great deal 35 39 32 Fair amount 53 49 56 Not very much 10 10 11 None at all 1 1 1 DK/NA 1 1 0 q33 Do you think Americans will have to give up some of their personal freedoms in order to make the country safe from terrorist attacks, or not? Yes 79 77 80 74 No 19 21 17 21 DK/NA 2 2 3 5 q34 Do you think the United States SHOULD return to business as usual as soon as possible, or is it important to take more time before that happens? As soon as possible 85 89 83 59 Take more time 12 9 15 31 Mixed (vol.) 1 1 2 6 DK/NA 2 1 0 4 q35 Do you think the United States IS ready now to return to business as usual, or is it too soon for that? Ready 67 75 61 37 Too soon 25 20 30 47 Some ready/some not (vol.) 5 3 6 10 DK/NA 3 2 3 6 q36 When do you think the U.S. will be ready to return to business as usual - in the next few days, the next few weeks, several months, or longer than that? *AMONG THOSE WHO ANSWERED TOO SOON IN Q35 Next few days 6 7 5 28 Next few weeks 41 36 45 45 Several months 39 42 37 14 Longer than that 11 13 9 5 Never (vol.) 1 0 1 1 DK/NA 2 2 3 7
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 6 q37 How much confidence do you have in George W. Bush's ability to handle a crisis - a lot, some, a little, or none at all? A lot 66 70 62 Some 24 20 28 A little 7 6 7 None at all 2 2 2 DK/NA 1 2 1 q38 Do you think that George W. Bush has good judgment under pressure? Jun01b % Yes 81 81 80 45 No 10 9 12 33 DK/NA 9 10 8 22 q39 Do you think George W. Bush has strong qualities of leadership, or not? Yes 83 84 81 70 No 14 13 16 19 DK/NA 3 3 3 11 q40 Do you think George W. Bush has explained clearly enough how his administration is handling the terrorist attack on the United States or hasn't he explained it clearly enough? Has explained clearly 81 81 81 Has not explained 15 15 15 DK/NA 4 4 3 q41 Who do you have more confidence in to make decisions - George W. Bush, or his advisors, or do you have equal confidence in them all? Bush 5 4 5 Advisors 22 23 21 Equal in all 70 70 71 No confidence in any (Vol.) 1 1 1 DK/NA 2 2 2 q42 From what you know, since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, has the government done enough to make the country more secure against another terrorist attack or has the government not done enough? Done enough 61 63 58 Not done enough 30 27 32 DK/NA 9 10 10
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 7 q43 Do you think the United States knows who is responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, or not? United States knows 75 76 74 United States does not know 19 18 20 DK/NA 6 6 6 q44 From what you have heard or read so far, who do YOU think is responsible? Osama bin Laden 45 46 43 bin Laden & others 13 12 14 bin Laden & Saddam Hussein 6 7 5 Saddam Hussein 2 2 1 bin Laden & the Taliban 2 2 3 Muslims/Islamic fundamentals 2 3 1 Terrorists in general 2 2 2 Afghanistan/The Taliban 2 1 2 More than one country/group 2 2 2 Other 4 5 5 DK/NA 20 18 22 q45 Would you say you personally are very concerned about a terrorist attack in the area where you live, or not? Yes 32 22 41 39 No 66 76 57 59 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 q17 In a war against terrorists and the country or countries that harbor them, how many American soldiers would you expect to lose their lives --under one thousand, between one thousand and five thousand, or more than that? Under 1,000 28 32 25 Between 1,000 5,000 28 29 27 More than that 27 26 29 DK/NA 17 13 19 q18 If the U.S. takes military action, should that only be aimed at the terrorists who are responsible, or should it also be aimed at the country or countries harboring the terrorists? Only terrorists 27 21 32 Also countries harboring 65 70 61 It depends (vol.) 4 4 3 DK/NA 4 5 4 q19 In a war against terrorists and the country or countries that harbor them, do you expect the United States WILL use U.S. ground troops or not? Will use 79 82 76 Will not use 13 13 12 DK/NA 8 5 12
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 8 q20 In a war against terrorists and the country or countries that harbor them, do you expect the United States WILL use cruise missile attacks, or not? Will use 81 85 77 Will not use 7 7 8 DK/NA 12 8 15 q21 In a war against terrorists and the country or countries that harbor them, do you expect the United States WILL attempt assassinations, or not? Will attempt 63 63 62 Will not attempt 25 27 23 DK/NA 12 10 15 q22 Do you think a war against one or more countries who harbor terrorists will last just a few weeks, or do you think it is more likely to continue for several months, or do you think it's more likely to continue for a year or longer? Jan 1991* Few weeks 3 2 4 29 Several months 26 23 28 42 Year or longer 68 73 63 21 DK/NA 3 2 5 8 *Varied wording: If the United States went to war against Iraq, do you think the war would be over in just a few weeks,or do you think it is more likely to continue for several months, or do you think it s likely to continur for a year or longer? q23 Do you expect that fighting against terrorists will be more difficult than fighting against the kinds of enemies we have had in past wars, less difficult, or about the same? More difficult 78 81 75 Less difficult 3 2 4 Same 17 15 18 DK/NA 2 2 3 q24 Which of the following do you expect to happen? 1. The United States military will be involved in a conventional war, including sending over ground troops, 2. The U.S. military will get involved, but only in short term raids on suspected terrorist camps, or 3. The U.S. military will not get involved? Conventional war 50 49 51 Raids only 40 41 39 Won't get involved 1 0 1 Combination (Vol.) 4 6 3 DK/NA 5 4 6 q25 In any war against terrorists, do you expect the United States will win or not? Will win 84 85 84 Will not win 8 9 6 DK/NA 8 6 10
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 9 q26 Do you think that is very likely or somewhat likely? Very likely 73 74 71 Somewhat likely 18 19 18 DK/NA 1 1 1 Will not win/dk in q25 8 6 10 q46 Are you a frequent air traveler, do you fly only occasionally, or have you never flown? % Frequent air traveler 14 15 14 14 Fly occasionally 70 72 67 67 Never flown 15 12 18 18 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 q47 Would you be willing or not willing to arrive three hours early for any flight you might be taking within the United States? *AMONG FREQUENT AND OCCASSIONAL FLYERS* Willing 85 85 86 85 Not willing 13 13 13 13 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 q48 In order to reduce the threat of terrorism, would you favor or oppose having more security checkpoints with guards and metal detectors at public events and public buildings, even if that meant you personally would spend at least an hour or more waiting in line and going through security checkpoints every time? Favor 87 83 90 86 Oppose 11 15 8 11 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 q49 In order to reduce the threat of terrorism, would you be willing or not willing to allow government agencies to monitor the telephone calls and e-mail of ordinary Americans on a regular basis? Willing 45 42 48 39 Not willing 51 55 46 53 DK/NA 4 3 6 8 q50 In order to reduce the threat of terrorism, would you be willing or not willing for the government to require everyone in the United States to carry a national electronic identification card, or 'smart card' that would have detailed information about each person? Willing 56 56 56 Not willing 38 40 36 DK/NA 6 4 8
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 10 q51 Should legal immigration into the United States be kept at its present level, increased, or decreased? % Present level 29 29 30 29 Increased 11 11 10 10 Decreased 57 57 56 53 DK/NA 3 3 4 8 q52 Do you think the United States has made it too easy for people from other countries to enter the U.S., or not? Made it too easy 83 82 84 80 Has not made it too easy 15 16 14 15 DK/NA 2 2 2 5 q53 Everybody has fears about different things. How do you feel about flying in an airplane -- would you tell me whether you're afraid of it, whether it bothers you slightly, or whether you're not at all afraid of it? Jul96b Afraid of it 22 10 34 21 Bother slightly 33 32 35 33 Not at all afraid 43 57 30 45 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 q54 Did the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon make you more likely to fly, less likely, or didn't it have much effect on whether or not you will fly? More likely 3 2 4 Less likely 36 28 44 No effect 60 69 51 DK/NA 1 1 1 q55 I'd like to get your attitude toward the people of the Middle East. In general, would you say your feelings toward the people of the Middle East today are friendly or unfriendly? Friendly 51 52 51 Unfriendly 33 32 33 It depends (Vol.) 6 7 5 DK/NA 10 9 11 q56 How likely do you think it is now that Arab Americans, Muslims and immigrants from the Middle East will be singled out unfairly by people in this country - very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely? Very likely 50 51 50 46 Somewhat likely 40 39 40 41 Not too likely 7 8 5 8 Not at all likely 2 1 2 3 DK/NA 1 1 3 2
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 11 q57 Do you think Arab Americans are more sympathetic to terrorists than other American citizens are, or not? % Are more sympathetic 26 28 25 28 Are not more sympathetic 62 62 63 51 DK/NA 12 10 12 21 q58 Do you sense that anti-arab feelings in this country are on the rise, on the decline, or staying about the same? On the rise 68 70 67 On the decline 1 1 2 Staying about the same 26 26 26 DK/NA 5 3 5 q59 These days, do you ever have any negative feelings toward Arabs because of the attack? Yes 24 27 22 No 74 71 76 DK/NA 2 2 2 q60 Does the fact that Arab terrorists are thought to have attacked the U.S. make you feel that Arabs are less trustworthy today, more trustworthy, or doesn't that affect your opinion? Less trustworthy 28 26 30 More trustworthy 1 0 1 Doesn't affect opinion 68 72 65 DK/NA 3 2 4 q61 Do you think the Federal government should or should not provide money to the airline industry to help them get out of their financial crisis? Should 79 78 80 Should not 16 18 14 DK/NA 5 4 6 q62 In general, do you have a good image or a bad image of New York City? Mar98a % Good image 84 84 85 61 Bad image 10 11 8 29 DK/NA 6 5 7 10 q63 Do you approve or disapprove of the way New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is handling the attacks on the World Trade Center? Approve 95 96 94 Disapprove 1 1 2 DK/NA 4 3 4
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 12 q64 If you could afford it and had the vacation time, would you take a trip to New York City in the next six months, or not? Yes 61 65 58 No 34 31 37 NYC Resident 4 4 4 DK/NA 1 0 1 q65 If you could afford it and had the vacation time, would you take a trip to a major American city in the next six months, or not? IF LIVE IN A MAJOR CITY: Would you travel to another major city other than where you live? Would 80 86 75 Would not 19 13 23 DK/NA 1 1 2 q66 Right now, do you think the United States is in an economic recession, or not? 9/12/01 Yes 63 63 63 48 No 32 32 31 42 DK/NA 5 5 6 10 q67 Right now, do you think the United States is NEAR an economic recession, or not? In recession now 63 63 63 48 Near recession 24 24 23 26 No 10 10 10 20 DK/NA 3 3 4 6 q68 Before the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, did you think the U.S. economy was in a recession, or not? In recession before 40 43 38 Not in recession before 21 19 23 DK/NA 2 1 2 Not in recession/dk in q66 37 37 37 q69 Have the terrorist attacks had an effect on the way you and your family spend money - --- are you less likely to spend money, more likely or hasn't it affected the way you spend money one way or the other? Less likely 17 13 20 More likely 4 4 3 No effect 79 82 77 DK/NA 0 1 0 q70 Do you frequently attend professional sporting events, occasionally attend, or do you never attend professional sporting events? Frequently attend 8 11 5 Occasionally attend 46 50 42 Never attend 46 39 52 DK/NA 0 0 1
CBS News/New York Times Poll: Going to War? September 20-23, 2001 13 q71 Have the terrorist attacks made you more or less likely to attend a professional sporting event or hasn't it affected your attendance at professional sporting events? **ATTEND SPORTING EVENTS** More likely to attend 1 1 2 Less likely to attend 10 10 12 No effect 87 89 86 DK/NA 2 0 0 q72 Do you consider yourself very patriotic, somewhat patriotic, or not very patriotic? June 1991 % Very patriotic 72 74 70 55 Somewhat patriotic 24 23 24 37 Not very patriotic 3 2 3 5 DK/NA 0 1 3 3 q74 Have the September 11th attacks had an effect on the way you and your family invest your money - are you now more likely to invest in the stock market, less likely, or haven't the attacks affected the way you invest one way or the other? More likely 13 18 7 Less likely 22 19 25 No effect 64 63 65 DK/NA 1 0 3 q79 Have you or anyone in your household bought or sold stocks since the market re-opened after the Sept. 11th attacks? **AMONG INVESTORS** Yes, bought 8 11 4 Yes, sold 1 1 2 Yes, both 2 2 1 No 88 85 90 DK/NA 1 1 3 q77 Have you or any member of your household made any contributions or donations to organizations assisting victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon? Yes 68 70 67 No 30 28 32 DK/NA 2 2 1 UNWEIGHTED Total Respondents 1216 WEIGHTED Total Men 531 579 Total Women 685 637