Thursday, April 13, 2006 : Today's National Polls

Today's polls are compiled by NationalJournal.com staff
and gathered in conjunction with The Hotline.
Questions and polling press releases should be directed
to polls@nationaljournal.com.

Please click here for links to other recently released national polls.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF POLITICS
College Students On Politics

Conducted 3/13-27/06; surveyed 1,200 college students; margin of error +/-2.8% (release, 4/12). A response of * indicates less than 1 percent.

All in all, do you think that things in the nation are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track?

Right direction                 30%
Wrong track                     59
Don't know                      12

Thinking about national issues for a moment, can you please tell me which issue concerns you most?

War/Terrorism                   43%
Economy                         10
Social issues                   19
Domestic issues                  7
Other                            2
Don't know                       7

In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job that George W. Bush is doing as president?

Approve                         33%
Disapprove                      59
Not sure                         8

Currently, there are at least three abortion cases that could go to the Supreme Court in the near future. Generally speaking, do you favor keeping Roe v. Wade and abortion law as is -- or do you favor setting a new legal precedent that would allow restrictions on abortion?

Keep Roe v. Wade                    57%
New precedent with restrictions     34
Don't know                           9

Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances or illegal in all circumstances?

Legal any circumstances         24%
Legal certain circumstances     62
Illegal all circumstances       12
No opinion                       2

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-mails of ordinary Americans on a regular basis?

Willing                         27%
Not willing                     70
Unsure                           3

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-mails of Americans that the government is suspicious of?

Willing                         41%
Not willing                     53
Unsure                           6

In general, how much confidence do you have that government agencies are able to correctly tell whose phone calls and e-mails should be monitored and whose should not? Do you have a great deal of confidence, a fair amount, not very much or none at all?

Great deal                       6%
Fair amount                     45
Not very much                   35
None at all                     12
Don't know                       2

If the 2008 election for president were being held today, and the candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican, for whom would you vote?

Hilary Clinton                  40%
John McCain                     40
Not sure                        20

Now, I'd like to switch gears and read you a group of statements. Please listen carefully because after I read each I would like you to pick any number from 1 and 5, where 1 means you strongly disagree and 5 means you strongly agree.

The best way to increase economic growth and
 create jobs is to cut taxes:

Strongly agree                   6%
Somewhat agree                  15
Neither agree or nor disagree   44
Somewhat disagree               24
Strongly disagree               10

Our country's goal in trade policy should be
 to eliminate all barriers to trade and
 employment so that we have a truly global
 economy:

Strongly agree                  10%
Somewhat agree                  24
Neither agree or nor disagree   42
Somewhat disagree               18
Strongly disagree                5

Basic health insurance is a right for all
 people, and if someone has no means of paying
 for it, the government should provide it:

Strongly agree                  41%
Somewhat agree                  32
Neither agree or nor disagree   15
Somewhat disagree                8
Strongly disagree                4

Qualified minorities should be given special
 preferences in hiring and education:

Strongly agree                   6%
Somewhat agree                  14
Neither agree or nor disagree   34
Somewhat disagree               25
Strongly disagree               21

Religious values should play a more important
 role in government:

Strongly agree                   7%
Somewhat agree                  13
Neither agree or nor disagree   19
Somewhat disagree               24
Strongly disagree               36

In today's world, it is sometimes necessary to
 attack potentially hostile countries, rather
 than waiting until we are attacked to respond:

Strongly agree                   8%
Somewhat agree                  17
Neither agree or nor disagree   29
Somewhat disagree               26
Strongly disagree               19

Protecting the environment should be as high a
 priority for government as protecting jobs:

Strongly agree                  26%
Somewhat agree                  36
Neither agree or nor disagree   24
Somewhat disagree               11
Strongly disagree                3

Homosexual relationships between consenting
 adults are morally wrong:

Strongly agree                  18%
Somewhat agree                   8
Neither agree or nor disagree   14
Somewhat disagree               14
Strongly disagree               46

If parents had more freedom to choose where
 they could send their children to school, the
 education system in this country would be much
 better:

Strongly agree                  15%
Somewhat agree                  25
Neither agree or nor disagree   25
Somewhat disagree               24
Strongly disagree               12

I am concerned about the moral direction of 
 the country:

Strongly agree                  24%
Somewhat agree                  30
Neither agree or nor disagree   24
Somewhat disagree               14
Strongly disagree                8

Recent immigration into this country has done
 more good than harm:

Strongly agree                   8%
Somewhat agree                  23
Neither agree or nor disagree   40
Somewhat disagree               17
Strongly disagree               10

Religious groups should campaign for candidates 
 for political office:

Strongly agree                   5%
Somewhat agree                  11
Neither agree or nor disagree   29
Somewhat disagree               26
Strongly disagree               29

I feel more comfortable voting for a candidate
 who openly talks about his or her religion:

Strongly agree                  14%
Somewhat agree                  19
Neither agree or nor disagree   34
Somewhat disagree               17
Strongly disagree               16

I'm optimistic about the country's future:

Strongly agree                  13%
Somewhat agree                  33
Neither agree or nor disagree   32
Somewhat disagree               16
Strongly disagree                5

At the present time, do you think religion as a whole is increasing its influence on American life or losing its influence?

Increasing                      43%
Losing                          48
Don't know                       8

(If "increasing") Would you say that this is generally a good thing or a bad thing?

A good thing                    39%
A bad thing                     52
Don't know                       9

(If "losing") Would you say that this is generally a good thing or a bad thing?

A good thing                    18%
A bad thing                     69
Don't know                      13

Thinking about political campaigns -- how much importance do you place on a candidate's religion when casting your vote?

A lot                           10%
A little                        25
Not much                        31
None                            34
Don't know                       1

Using the same kinds of possible choices, I'd like to ask you some questions about U.S. foreign policy. Please listen carefully because after I read each statement, I would like you to pick any number from 1 and 5, where 1 means you strongly disagree and 5 means you strongly agree.

The U.S. has a moral obligation to spread freedom
 and democracy across the world:

Strongly agree                   7%
Somewhat agree                  18
Neither agree or nor disagree   28
Somewhat disagree               26
Strongly disagree               21

The U.S. should work to spread freedom and
 democracy even if it involves significant U.S.
 casualties:

Strongly agree                   2%
Somewhat agree                   9
Neither agree or nor disagree   24
Somewhat disagree               32
Strongly disagree               31

The US should work to spread freedom and democracy
 even if it results in the election of groups that
 may be hostile to U.S. interests:

Strongly agree                   4%
Somewhat agree                  13
Neither agree or nor disagree   29
Somewhat disagree               29
Strongly disagree               23

The U.S. should work to spread freedom and
 democracy even if it involves significant
 taxpayer dollars:

Strongly agree                   4%
Somewhat agree                  15
Neither agree or nor disagree   32
Somewhat disagree               32
Strongly disagree               17

The U.S. should work to spread freedom and
 democracy across the world:

Strongly agree                  11%
Somewhat agree                  23
Neither agree or nor disagree   33
Somewhat disagree               21
Strongly disagree               12

In cases of genocide or ethnic cleansing the U.S. 
 should commit troops to prevent such acts:

Strongly agree                  33%
Somewhat agree                  33
Neither agree or nor disagree   20
Somewhat disagree                7
Strongly disagree                5

It is important for the U.S. to be respected by
 the rest of the world:

Strongly agree                  27%
Somewhat agree                  36
Neither agree or nor disagree   23
Somewhat disagree                9
Strongly disagree                5

The U.S. should stop the development of nuclear
 weapons in other countries, even if it requires
 unilateral military action:

Strongly agree                  10%
Somewhat agree                  23
Neither agree or nor disagree   37
Somewhat disagree               22
Strongly disagree                9

The U.S. should stop the development of nuclear 
 weapons in Iran, even if it requires unilateral
 military action:

Strongly agree                  10%
Somewhat agree                  22
Neither agree or nor disagree   37
Somewhat disagree               20
Strongly disagree                9

Which of the following statements comes closer to your point of view? The United States should take the lead in solving international crises and conflicts OR The United States should let other countries and the United Nations take the lead in solving international crises and conflicts.

U.S. lead                       24%
U.N. lead                       72
Don't know                       4

(If "U.S. lead") Is your response based more on your level of confidence in the United States or a lack of confidence in the United Nations?

Confidence in U.S.              51%
Lack of confidence in U.N.      44
Don't know                       6

(If "U.N. lead") Is your response based more on a lack of confidence in the United States or a belief that it is the role of the United Nations to solve international crises and conflicts?

Role of U.N.                    79%
Lack of confidence in U.S.      15
Don't know                       6

Which comes closest to your view about what the U.S. should now do about the number of U.S. troops in Iraq: The U.S. should send more troops to Iraq, the U.S. should keep the number of troops as it is now, the U.S. should begin to withdraw some troops, the U.S. should withdraw all its troops.

Send more troops                 3%
Keep number the same            23
Begin to withdraw               60
With draw all troops            12
Don't know                       2

Next, I am going to read you a list of statements -- after I read each please pick any number from 1 and 5 where 1 means you strongly disagree and 5 means you strongly agree.

Healthcare policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  14%
Somewhat agree                  30
Neither agree or nor disagree   30
Somewhat disagree               16
Strongly disagree               10

Tax policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                   4%
Somewhat agree                  12
Neither agree or nor disagree   40
Somewhat disagree               25
Strongly disagree               18

Education policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  13%
Somewhat agree                  26
Neither agree or nor disagree   32
Somewhat disagree               16
Strongly disagree               11

Environmental policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  13%
Somewhat agree                  27
Neither agree or nor disagree   31
Somewhat disagree               18
Strongly disagree               11

U.S. foreign policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                   8%
Somewhat agree                  26
Neither agree or nor disagree   38
Somewhat disagree               17
Strongly disagree               10

Welfare policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  10%
Somewhat agree                  29
Neither agree or nor disagree   35
Somewhat disagree               15
Strongly disagree                9

Government response to Katrina is a question of
 morality:

Strongly agree                  22%
Somewhat agree                  28
Neither agree or nor disagree   26
Somewhat disagree               13
Strongly disagree               11

Affirmative action regarding college admissions
 is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                   9%
Somewhat agree                  19
Neither agree or nor disagree   36
Somewhat disagree               21
Strongly disagree               14

Stem cell research is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  23%
Somewhat agree                  28
Neither agree or nor disagree   25
Somewhat disagree               13
Strongly disagree               10

Abortion policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  34%
Somewhat agree                  28
Neither agree or nor disagree   20
Somewhat disagree               10
Strongly disagree                8

The minimum wage is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                   9%
Somewhat agree                  17
Neither agree or nor disagree   36
Somewhat disagree               24
Strongly disagree               14

Gay marriage policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  27%
Somewhat agree                  23
Neither agree or nor disagree   22
Somewhat disagree               12
Strongly disagree               15

Iraq War policy is a question of morality:

Strongly agree                  12%
Somewhat agree                  27
Neither agree or nor disagree   34
Somewhat disagree               15
Strongly disagree               12

Do you have an account on the web site "facebook.com?"

Yes                             76%
No                              23
Don't know                       1

(If "yes") Have you visited facebook.com in the last month?

Yes                             97%
No                               3
Don't know                       *

Have you ever used your facebook profile to promote a political candidate, event or idea?

Yes                             14%
No                              86
Don't know                       *

On the whole, do you believe students voluntarily post too much personal information about themselves on the Internet, too little personal information about themselves or the right amount of personal information about themselves?

Post too much                   65%
Do not post enough               1
Post right amount               30
Don't know                       4

Based on the current state of the economy, do you think it will be very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult or very difficult for students in your class to find a permanent job upon graduation?

Very easy                        5%
Somewhat easy                   32
Somewhat difficult              52
Very difficult                   8
Don't know                       2

Do you currently have student loans? (If "yes") How concerned are you about your ability to repay them?

Very concerned                  13%
Somewhat concerned              24
Not very concerned              18
Not at all concerned            10
Don't have loans                34

Since entering college, have you become more religious, less religious or stayed about the same?

More religious                  17%
Less religious                  16
Stayed about the same           66
Don't know                       *

Since entering college, have you become more spiritual, less spiritual or stayed about the same?

More spiritual                  25%
Less spiritual                   7
Stayed about the same           66
Don't know                       1

How important would you say religion is in your own life?

Very important                  36%
Fairly important                34
Not very important              19
Not at all important            10
Don't know                       1