2006 Polling On Employment

ASSOCIATED PRESS/IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS/AOL
Conducted 12/12-14/06; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 12/31).

I'm going to read you a list of items that may or may not happen in the year 2007. For each one, please tell me if it is very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely to happen in the year 2007. In 2007, how likely is it that ________?

The United States will be hit with a 
 terrorist attack:

Very likely             18%
Somewhat likely         42
Not too likely          28
Not at all likely       10
Not sure                 2

Global warming will get worse:

Very likely             40%
Somewhat likely         34
Not too likely          16
Not at all likely        9
Not sure                 1

The United States will got to war with 
 North Korea:

Very likely              6%
Somewhat likely         20
Not too likely          44
Not at all likely       29
Not sure                 1

Terrorists will attack somewhere in the world
 with biological or nuclear weapons:

Very likely             23%
Somewhat likely         42
Not too likely          26
Not at all likely        8
Not sure                 1

The United States will withdraw its troops 
 from Iraq:

Very likely              6%
Somewhat likely         22
Not too likely          40
Not at all likely       31
Not sure                 1

The U.S. Congress will raise the minimum wage:

Very likely             38%
Somewhat likely         44
Not too likely          12
Not at all likely        6
Not sure                 0

Jesus Christ will return to earth:

Very likely             11%
Somewhat likely         14
Not too likely          25
Not at all likely       42
Not sure                 8

The United States will be hit with a major
 natural disaster:

Very likely             24%
Somewhat likely         46
Not too likely          21
Not at all likely        7
Not sure                 2

Bird flu will arrive in the United States:

Very likely             12%
Somewhat likely         38
Not too likely          36
Not at all likely       12
Not sure                 2

A cure for cancer will be found:

Very likely              7%
Somewhat likely         29
Not too likely          34
Not at all likely       29
Not sure                 1

The military draft will be reintroduced:

Very likely             12%
Somewhat likely         23
Not too likely          36
Not at all likely       29
Not sure                 0

Scientists will find evidence of 
 extraterrestrial life:

Very likely              5%
Somewhat likely         15
Not too likely          32
Not at all likely       47
Not sure                 1

A U.S. state will legalize gay marriage:

Very likely             24%
Somewhat likely         33
Not too likely          25
Not at all likely       17
Not sure                 1

Gas prices will go up:

Very likely             61%
Somewhat likely         32
Not too likely           4
Not at all likely        2
Not sure                 1

CBS NEWS
Conducted 11/12-13/06; surveyed 721 adults; margin of error +/-4% (release, 11/14).

With the Democrats in control of Congress now, do you think the minimum wage will go up, go down, or stay about the same?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Go up                       66% 55% 865 58%
Go down                      1   1   2   2
Stay about the same         30  44  13  34
Don't know/NA                3   0   0   6

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES
Conducted 10/27-31/06; surveyed 1,084 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 11/1).

(Asked of likely voters) If the Democrats take control of Congress in November, do you think the minimum wage will go up, go down or stay about the same?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Go up                       58% 51% 66% 55%
Go down                      1   1   1   1
Stay about the same         39  45  33  41
Don't know/NA                2   3   0   3

If the Republicans keep control of Congress in November, do you think the minimum wage will go up, go down or stay about the same?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Go up                       15% 24%  4% 18%
Go down                      2   1   2   2
Stay about the same         81  71  92  78
Don't know/NA                2   4   2   2

Conducted 9/15-19/06; surveyed 1,131 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 10/15). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Sometimes people would like to do more to help the environment, but find they can't because of limited time or money. How often do you personally do things in your own life specifically to try to help the environment, such as using public transportation or a bike, or trying to save energy -- a great deal, a fair amount, only once in a while or hardly ever?

                            All Rep Dem Ind
Great deal                  20% 11% 22% 26%
Fair amount                 38  39  41  35
Once in a while             29  38  25  26
Hardly ever                 12  10  11  13
Don't know/NA                1   2   1   0

Conducted 7/21-25/06; surveyed 1,127 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 7/28).

As you may know, the federal minimum wage is currently $5.15 an hour. Do you favor or oppose raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over the next two years, or not?

                            All Dem Ind Rep
Favor                       85% 94% 84% 75%
Oppose                      13   5  12  22

CENTER FOR AMERICAN VALUES IN PUBLIC LIFE
Conducted 8/9-23/06 by Braun Research Inc.; surveyed 2,502 adults; margin of error +/-2.5% (release, 9/21).

I'm going to read you some pairs of statements that will help us understand how you feel about a number of things. As I read each pair, tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own views -- even if neither is exactly right.

Immigrants today strengthen the country because
 of their hard work and talents; or immigrants
 today are a burden on the country because they
 take jobs, housing, and health care:

First statement, strongly                   33%
First statement, not strongly               12
Second statement, not strongly              11
Second statement, strongly                  30
Neither/Both equally                         9
Refused                                      1
Don't know/remember                          3

The government should do everything possible to
 improve the standard of living of all Americans,
 or this is not the government's responsibility,
 each person should take care of themselves:

First statement, strongly                   44%
First statement, not strongly               11
Second statement, not strongly               9
Second statement, strongly                  26
Neither/Both equally                         8
Refused                                      0
Don't know/remember                          1

Success in life is influenced heavily by where we
 start and other forces outside of our control,
 or success in life is mostly within our own
 power to determine:

First statement, strongly                   14%
First statement, not strongly                6
Second statement, not strongly              12
Second statement, strongly                  60
Neither/Both equally                         5
Refused                                      0
Don't know/remember                          2

In foreign policy the best way to ensure peace
 is through military strength, or good diplomacy
 is the best way to ensure peace:

First statement, strongly                   21%
First statement, not strongly                5
Second statement, not strongly              13
Second statement, strongly                  48
Neither/Both equally                         9
Refused                                      0
Don't know/remember                          4

The best way to solve problems like crime and
 poverty is to change individual hearts one at
 a time, or The best way to solve problems like
 crime and poverty is to strengthen schools and
 provide jobs:

First statement, strongly                   11%
First statement, not strongly                3
Second statement, not strongly              12
Second statement, strongly                  67
Neither/Both equally                         6
Refused                                      0
Don't know/remember                          1

It is alright for doctors, nurses, and
 pharmacists to refuse to provide care for their
 patients when a treatment violates their
 personal religious values, or doctors, nurses,
 and pharmacists should fulfill their
 professional responsibility to care for their
 patients, even when a treatment conflicts with
 their personal religious values:

First statement, strongly                   17%
First statement, not strongly                5
Second statement, not strongly              13
Second statement, strongly                  60
Neither/Both equally                         2
Refused                                      0
Don't know/remember                          2

Humans evolved from earlier species, or God
 created humans in their present form:

First statement, strongly                   21%
First statement, not strongly                5
Second statement, not strongly               6
Second statement, strongly                  60
Neither/Both equally                         4
Refused                                      1
Don't know/remember                          3

Now, I'm going to read several statements about some other issues. For each statement, please tell me if you agree, agree strongly, disagree or disagree strongly.

The U.S. government should guarantee health
 insurance for all citizens, even if it means
 raising taxes:

Agree, strongly             35%
Agree                       30
Disagree                    19
Disagree, strongly          13
Refused                      0
Don't know/remember          2

Congress should approve an increase in the
 minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour:

Agree, strongly             58%
Agree                       25
Disagree                     9
Disagree, strongly           6
Refused                      0
Don't know/remember          1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Stricter
 environmental laws and regulations are worth the
 economic costs:

Agree, strongly             36%
Agree                       35
Disagree                    14
Disagree, strongly           8
Refused                      0
Don't know/remember          6

(Asked of Form B half-sample) We have a moral
 obligation to care for God's creation by
 supporting stricter environmental laws and
 regulations, even if it means greater economic
 costs:

Agree, strongly             37%
Agree                       35
Disagree                    17
Disagree, strongly           7
Refused                      1
Don't know/remember          5

Gay and lesbian people who meet all other
 qualifications should legally be able to adopt
 children:

Agree, strongly             22%
Agree                       27
Disagree                    17
Disagree, strongly          30
Refused                      1
Don't know/remember          3

CNN
Conducted 8/30-9/2/06 by Opinion Research Corporation; surveyed 1,004 adults; margin of error +/-4.5% (release, 9/7).

Do you favor or oppose Congress passing legislation that would raise the minimum wage?

Favor                       86%
Oppose                      13

FOX NEWS/OPINION DYNAMICS
Conducted 4/18-19/06; surveyed 900 registered voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 4/20).

As far as you know, has the total number of jobs in the United States gone up in the last year, gone down, or has it stayed about the same?

                                All Dem Rep Ind
Gone up                         45% 37% 57% 46%
Gone down                       28  34  21  27
Stay the same                   15  16  13  16
Don't know                      12  12   9  11

In fact, the total number of jobs has gone up and about 2.1 million jobs have been created in the last year. Does knowing this make you feel better or worse about the nation's economy or doesn't it make any difference?

                                All Dem Rep Ind
Better, a lot                   25% 16% 40% 21%
Better, a little                28  27  34  26
Worse, a little                  4   6   3   3
Worse, a lot                     4   4   2   5
No difference                   36  45  19  41
Don't know                       3   2   1   4

As far as you know, has the real disposable income of U.S. workers, that is, money left over after paying taxes, gone up in the last year, gone down, or has it stayed about the same?

                                All Dem Rep Ind
Gone up                         28% 23% 37% 26%
Gone down                       30  32  22  34
Stay the same                   28  29  26  29
Don't know                      15  16  15  10

In fact, the real disposable income of U.S. workers has gone up by more than two percent over the last year. Does knowing this make you feel better or worse about the nation's economy, or doesn't it make any difference?

                                All Dem Rep Ind
Better, a lot                   17%  9% 28% 19%
Better, a little                24  23  32  20
Worse, a little                  4   4   4   6
Worse, a lot                     3   4   1   5
No difference                   45  55  32  46
Don't know                       5   5   3   4

GALLUP
Conducted 11/9-12/06; surveyed 1,004 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 11/20).

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

Good time                   41%
Bad time                    53
No opinion                   5

Conducted 10/9-12/06; surveyed 1,001 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 10/16). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

Good time                   40%
Bad time                    54
No opinion                   6

Conducted 9/7-10/06; surveyed 1,002 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 9/18).

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

Good time                   41%
Bad time                    54
No opinion                   5

Conducted 8/7-10/06; surveyed 1,007 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 8/16). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

(Asked of respondents employed full or part-time) Have you ever telecommuted, that is, worked from your home using a computer to communicate for your job?

Yes, have                   32%
No, have not                68
No opinion                   *

(If "yes") Are you more likely to telecommute during regular business hours instead of going into the office, or more likely to telecommute after regular business hours or on the weekend in addition to going into the office? (rotated)

During regular business hours           40%
After regular business hours            50
Neither (vol.)                           7
No opinion                               3

(Asked of those who have telecommuted) If there are 20 workdays in a typical month, about how many days out of 20 would you telecommute from home instead of going into the office?

None                        17%
One-five                    48
Six-ten                      8
Eleven-fifteen               7
Sixteen-twenty              16
No answer                    3

Do you think people who work at home using their computers to connect to their business offices are more productive, less productive or just as productive as people who work in a business office?

More productive             20%
Less productive             18
Just as productive          55
No opinion                   7

Conducted 8/7-10/06; surveyed 1,007 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 8/14). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

Good time                   42%
Bad time                    53
No opinion                   5

Conducted 6/1-4/06; surveyed 1,002 adults; margin of error +/-3%. Subsample A: 616 adults employed full or part-time or unemployed adults looking for work; margin of error +/-4% (release, 6/6).

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

                            All Sub A
Good time                   41%  46%
Bad time                    53   50
No opinion                   6    4

Conducted 5/8-11/06; surveyed 1,002 adults; margin of error +/-3%. Subsample A: 607 adults employed full/part time or unemployed looking for work; margin of error +/-4% (release, 5/18). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

                            All Subsample A
Good time                   42%     46%
Bad time                    52      49
No opinion                   6       5

Conducted 4/10-13/06; surveyed 1,005 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 4/28).

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

Good time                   41%
Bad time                    53
No opinion                   6

Do you, personally, know anyone who has been laid off or lost their job within the last six months, or not?

Yes                         53%
No                          46
No opinion                   *

(Asked of those who are employed full or part-time) Thinking about the next twelve months, how likely do you think it is that you will lose your job or be laid off? Is it very likely, fairly likely, not too likely or not at all likely?

Very likely                  3%
Fairly likely                7
Not too likely              32
Not at all likely           57
No opinion                   *

(Asked of those who are employed full or part-time) If you were to lose your job, how likely is it that you would find a job just as good as the one you have now -- very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not at all likely?

Very likely                 29%
Somewhat likely             31
Not too likely              23
Not at all likely           16
No opinion                   1

Conducted 2/6-9/06; surveyed 1,002 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 2/17). Subsample A: 604 adults employed full or part-time or unemployed adults looking for work; margin of error +/-4%. A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Thinking about the job situation in America today, would you say that it is now a good time or a bad time to find a quality job?

                            All Sub A
Good time                   40%  42%
Bad time                    56   54
No opinion                   4    4

HARVARD UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF 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.

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

IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Conducted 9/11-13/06; surveyed 1,001 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 9/18). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Compared to 6 months ago, are you now more or less confident about job security for yourself, your family and other people you know personally?

More confident              44%
Less confident              41
No change (vol.)            14
Not sure                     1

Thinking of the last 6 months, have you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally lost their job as a result of economic conditions?

Yes                         33%
No                          67
Not sure                     0

Now look ahead at the next six months. How likely is it that you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally will lose their job in the next six months as a result of economic conditions?

Extremely likely             6%
Very likely                 12
Somewhat likely             27
Not very likely             31
Not at all likely           23
Not sure                     1

Conducted 3/6-8/06; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 3/10).

Thinking of the last 6 months, have you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally lost their job as a result of economic conditions?

Yes                         34%
No                          65
Not sure                     1

Now look ahead at the next six months. How likely is it that you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally will lose their job in the next six months as a result of economic conditions?

Extremely likely             7%
Very likely                 12
Somewhat likely             26
Not very likely             33
Not at all likely           21
Not sure                     1

Conducted 2/6-8/06; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 2/11). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Compared to 6 months ago, are you now more or less confident about job security for yourself, your family and other people you know personally?

More confident          43%
Less confident          39
No change (vol.)        16
Not sure                 2

Thinking of the last 6 months, have you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally lost their job as a result of economic conditions?

Yes                     34%
No                      66
Not sure                 *

Now look ahead at the next six months. How likely is it that you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally will lose their job in the next six months as a result of economic conditions?

Extremely likely         8%
Very likely             11
Somewhat likely         27
Not very likely         33
Not at all likely       20
Not sure                 1

Conducted 1/3-5/06; surveyed 1,001 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 1/9).

Compared to six months ago, are you now more or less confident about job security for yourself, your family and other people you know personally?

More comfortable            37%
Less comfortable            44
No change (vol.)            17
Not sure                     2

Thinking of the last six months, have you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally lost their job as a result of economic conditions?

Yes                         40%
No                          60
Not sure                     0

Now look ahead at the next six months. How likely is it that you, someone in your family or someone else you know personally will lose their job in the next six months as a result of economic conditions?

Extremely likely             8%
Very likely                 11
Somewhat likely             32
Not very likely             32
Not at all likely           15
Not sure                     2

LATINO COALITION
Conducted 12/17-20/05 by Latino Opinions; surveyed 1,000 Hispanic adults; margin of error +/- 3.1%. Registered voter subsample: 393 registered voters; margin of error +/- 4.9%.(release, 1/5).

Would you approve or disapprove of new laws to make sure that employers can only hire workers who are in the United States legally?

All adults
Strongly support            26%
Somewhat support            11
Somewhat oppose             10
Strongly oppose             45
Don't know/Refused           8

Registered voters
Strongly support            36%
Somewhat support            14
Somewhat oppose             10
Strongly oppose             31
Don't know/Refused           9

LOS ANGELES TIMES/BLOOMBERG
Conducted 12/8-11/06; surveyed 1,489 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 12/12).

Do you think Congress should pass legislation that will increase the minimum wage, or not?

                                All Dem Ind Rep
Should pass legislation to
 increase the minimum wage      77% 93% 77% 61%
Should not pass legislation
 to increase the minimum wage   19   5  18  35
Don't know                       4   2   5   4

Conducted 9/16-19/06; surveyed 1,517 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 9/22).

Generally speaking, has your household income and the tax cuts you received in recent years kept up with the rising energy prices and other household costs, or has your household income not been able to keep up with the rising costs?

                                All Dem Ind Rep
Kept up with rising energy
 prices and other costs         42% 34% 37% 55%
Not been able to keep up with
 rising costs                   53  61  58  38
Doesn't apply to me (vol.)       3   3   2   4
Don't know                       2   2   3   3

NBC NEWS/WALL STREET JOURNAL
Conducted 7/21-24/06; surveyed 1,010 adults; margin of error +/-3.1% (release, 7/28).

Now I'm going to mention a number of areas that people say they are concerned about for the next generation that is growing up now. For each area, please tell me whether you feel that things will be better, about the same, or worse for the next generation.

(Asked of half-sample A) The safety and security 
 of the country:

Things will be better                       28%
Things will be about the same               27
Things will be a little worse               21
Things will be much worse                   20
Not sure                                     4

(Asked of half-sample A) The quality of public 
 school education:

Things will be better                       27%
Things will be about the same               25
Things will be a little worse               23
Things will be much worse                   21
Not sure                                     4

(Asked of half-sample B) The quality of jobs
 available in America:

Things will be better                       24%
Things will be about the same               26
Things will be a little worse               25
Things will be much worse                   22
Not sure                                     3

(Asked of half-sample B) The quality of
 health care:

Things will be better                       24%
Things will be about the same               20
Things will be a little worse               24
Things will be much worse                   29
Not sure                                     3

(Asked of half-sample A) The United States'
 position as the world's economic leader:

Things will be better                       21%
Things will be about the same               30
Things will be a little worse               27
Things will be much worse                   18
Not sure                                     4

(Asked of half-sample B) The United States'
 position as the world's leader of freedom and
 democracy:

Things will be better                       21%
Things will be about the same               32
Things will be a little worse               23
Things will be much worse                   19
Not sure                                     5

(Asked of half-sample A) The environment:

Things will be better                       17%
Things will be about the same               22
Things will be a little worse               26
Things will be much worse                   32
Not sure                                     3

(Asked of half-sample B) Affordable housing:

Things will be better                       12%
Things will be about the same               22
Things will be a little worse               31
Things will be much worse                   32
Not sure                                     3

(Asked of half-sample A) Morals and values:

Things will be better                       12%
Things will be about the same               25
Things will be a little worse               23
Things will be much worse                   37
Not sure                                     3

(Asked of Form B half-sample) The affordability
 of college:

Things will be better                        8%
Things will be about the same               14
Things will be a little worse               31
Things will be much worse                   44
Not sure                                     3

Do you favor or oppose raising the minimum wage from five dollars and fifteen cents an hour to seven dollars and twenty-five cents an hour?

Strongly favor              59%
Somewhat favor              17
Somewhat oppose             10
Strongly oppose             10
Not sure                     4

PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Conducted 6/14-19/06; surveyed 1,501 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 6/27).

(Asked of registered voters) As I name some issues that are in the news these days, please tell me how important the issue is to you personally.

The nation's economy:

Very important              80%
Somewhat important          17
Not too important            1
Not at all important         1
Don't know/Refused           1

The situation in Iraq:

Very important              74%
Somewhat important          20
Not too important            2
Not at all important         2
Don't know/Refused           2

Immigration:

Very important              58%
Somewhat important          29
Not too important            7
Not at all important         5
Don't know/Refused           1

Gay marriage:

Very important              34%
Somewhat important          17
Not too important           12
Not at all important        33
Don't know/Refused           4

Global warming:

Very important              44%
Somewhat important          31
Not too important           10
Not at all important        11
Don't know/Refused           4

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Terrorism and
 homeland security:

Very important              74%
Somewhat important          19
Not too important            4
Not at all important         2
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) A constitutional
 amendment to ban flag burning:

Very important              49%
Somewhat important          18
Not too important           10
Not at all important        22
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) The federal budget
 deficit:

Very important              56%
Somewhat important          30
Not too important            8
Not at all important         4
Don't know/Refused           2

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Education:

Very important              82%
Somewhat important          15
Not too important            2
Not at all important         1
Don't know/Refused           *

(Asked of Form A half-sample) The job situation:

Very important              66%
Somewhat important          23
Not too important            6
Not at all important         4
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Environmental
 policy:

Very important              52%
Somewhat important          36
Not too important            8
Not at all important         3
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Eliminating the
 inheritance tax:

Very important              44%
Somewhat important          25
Not too important           13
Not at all important        13
Don't know/Refused           5

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Government
 surveillance programs in the U.S.:

Very important              44%
Somewhat important          29
Not too important           13
Not at all important        11
Don't know/Refused           3

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Abortion:

Very important              43%
Somewhat important          26
Not too important           12
Not at all important        15
Don't know/Refused           4

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Health care:

Very important              79%
Somewhat important          16
Not too important            4
Not at all important         1
Don't know/Refused           *

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Taxes:

Very important              68%
Somewhat important          23
Not too important            6
Not at all important         2
Don't know/Refused           1

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Social Security:

Very important              75%
Somewhat important          21
Not too important            3
Not at all important         1
Don't know/Refused           *

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Energy policy:

Very important              64%
Somewhat important          29
Not too important            3
Not at all important         2
Don't know/Refused           2

Increasing the minimum wage:

Very important              52%
Somewhat important          26
Not too important           14
Not at all important         8
Don't know/Refused           *

Conducted 2/8-3/7/06; surveyed 2,000 adults; margin of error +/-2.5% (release, 3/30). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

I'm going to read you some pairs of statements that will help us understand how you feel about a number of things. As I read each pair, tell me whether the first statement or the second statement comes closer to your own views -- even if neither is exactly right.

Poor people today have it easy because
 they can get government benefits
 without doing anything in return           38%
Poor people have hard lives because
 government benefits don't go far
 enough to help them live decently          52
Neither/Both equally/Don't know
 Refused (vol.)                             10

Most people who want to get ahead
 can make it if they're willing to
 work hard                                  64%
Hard work and determination are no
 guarantee of success for most people       33
Neither/Both equally/Don't know
 Refused (vol.)                              3

Stricter environmental laws and
 regulations cost too many jobs and
 hurt the economy                           29%
Stricter environmental laws and
 regualtions are worth the cost             65
Neither/Both equally/Don't know
 Refused (vol.)                              6

The growing number of newcomers
 from other countries threaten
 traditional American customs
 and values                                 48%
The growing number of newcomers from
 other countries strengthens American
 society                                    45
Neither/Both equally/Don't know
 Refused (vol.)                              7

Immigrants today strengthen our
 country because of their hard work
 and talents                                41%
Immigrants today are a burden on our
 country because they take our jobs,
 housing and health care                    52
Neither/Both equally/Don't know
 Refused (vol.)                              7

Thinking now about job opportunities where you live, would you say there are plenty of jobs available in your community or are jobs difficult to find?

Plenty of jobs available                    37%
Jobs are difficult to find                  56
Lots of some jobs, few of others (vol.)      3
Don't know/Refused                           4

Conducted 1/4-8/06; surveyed 1,503 adults; margin of error +/-3% (release, 1/24). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

(Asked of Form A half-sample) Thinking now about job opportunities where you live, would you say there are plenty of jobs available in your community or are jobs difficult to find?

Plenty of jobs available                    33%
Jobs are difficult to find                  56
Lots of some jobs, few of others             6
Don't know/Refused                           5

(Asked of Form B half-sample) Thinking now about job opportunities where you live, would you say there are plenty of good jobs available or are good jobs difficult to find?

Plenty of good jobs available               28%
Good jobs are difficult to find             64
Lots of some jobs, few of others (vol.)      3
Don't know/Refused                           5

PUBLIC AGENDA
Conducted 9/5-18/06; surveyed 1,001 adults; margin of error +/-5% (release, 10/19).

What grade would you give the U.S. when it comes to achieving the following goals?

Helping other countries when natural 
 disasters strike:

A                           47%
B                           32
C                           12
D                            4
F                            4
Don't know                   1

Making sure we have a strong, well 
 supplied military:

A                           30%
B                           32
C                           20
D                            8
F                            7
Don't know                   2

Giving the war on terror all the attention 
 it deserves:

A                           25%
B                           31
C                           24
D                            8
F                            6
Don't know                   5

Hunting down anti-American terrorists:

A                           19%
B                           28
C                           25
D                           13
F                           11
Don't know                   4

Helping to create democracy in the rest of 
 the world:

A                           15%
B                           25
C                           30
D                           13
F                           10
Don't know                   6


Doing our best to bring peace between Israel and
 the Palestinians:

A                           13%
B                           25
C                           34
D                           10
F                           12
Don't know                   6

Doing our best to bring peace between Israel and
 the Arab world:

A                           12%
B                           26
C                           23
D                           17
F                           16
Don't know                   6

Helping improve the lives of people living in
 poor countries:

A                           13%
B                           25
C                           32
D                           12
F                           12
Don't know                   6

Living up to our ideals of human rights and
 justice in the way we conduct our foreign policy:

A                           13%
B                           27
C                           29
D                           13
F                           11
Don't know                   6

Stopping countries or groups from getting 
 nuclear weapons:

A                           13%
B                           23
C                           25
D                           18
F                           13
Don't know                   7

Succeeding in meeting our objectives in Iraq:

A                            7%
B                           24
C                           24
D                           17
F                           22
Don't know                   5

Succeeding in meeting our objectives in
 Afghanistan:

A                            8%
B                           22
C                           28
D                           17
F                           16
Don't know                   9

Protecting people or nations that are threatened
 with genocide or ethnic cleansing:

A                           11%
B                           23
C                           27
D                           15
F                           12
Don't know                  12

Conducting effective U.S. intelligence operations:

A                           12%
B                           29
C                           31
D                            9
F                            7
Don't know                  11

Having good relations with other countries:

A                           10%
B                           35
C                           29
D                           14
F                            8
Don't know                   4

Working with other countries to prevent 
 global warming:

A                            9%
B                           17
C                           25
D                           11
F                           21
Don't know                  16

Making international trade agreements that
 benefit the United States:

A                           11%
B                           25
C                           28
D                           13
F                           11
Don't know                  12

Stopping illegal drugs from coming into the
 country:

A                            6%
B                           11
C                           24
D                           19
F                           33
Don't know                   7

Having good relations and reputation with
 Muslim countries:

A                            5%
B                           14
C                           32
D                           17
F                           22
Don't know                   9

Protecting our borders from illegal immigration:

A                            6%
B                           12
C                           27
D                           23
F                           28
Don't know                   4

Protecting American jobs from moving overseas:

A                            7%
B                           11
C                           25
D                           21
F                           30
Don't know                   6

Preventing the spread of contagious diseases
 from around the world:

A                           18%
B                           36
C                           21
D                            8
F                            8
Don't know                   8

Limiting the amount of money we owe other
 countries:

A                            7%
B                           13
C                           26
D                           15
F                           21
Don't know                  19

Becoming less dependent on other countries for
 our supply of energy:

A                            8%
B                           15
C                           25
D                           26
F                           22
Don't know                   4

Is the following something that you worry about a lot, is this something you worry about somewhat or is this something you do not worry about?

The way things are going for the United States
 in world affairs:

Worry a lot                 35%
Worry somewhat              48
Do not worry                16
Don't know                   2

The war in Iraq is leading to too many casualties:

Worry a lot                 55%
Worry somewhat              29
Do not worry                15
Don't know                   1

Terrorist groups may use biological, chemical
 or nuclear weapons to attack the U.S.:

Worry a lot                 47%
Worry somewhat              36
Do not worry                16
Don't know                   1

The war in Iraq is requiring so much money and
 attention that it may be distracting the U.S.
 from other threats in the world:

Worry a lot                 42%
Worry somewhat              36
Do not worry                21
Don't know                   1

Problems abroad may hurt our supply of oil and
 raise prices for American consumers:

Worry a lot                 46%
Worry somewhat              37
Do not worry                17
Don't know                   1

It may be too easy for illegal immigrants to come
 into the country:

Worry a lot                 39%
Worry somewhat              33
Do not worry                27
Don't know                   1

There may be growing hatred of the U.S. in 
 Muslim countries:

Worry a lot                 42%
Worry somewhat              36
Do not worry                20
Don't know                   1

The U.S. may be losing the trust and friendship
 of people in other countries:

Worry a lot                 34%
Worry somewhat              39
Do not worry                26
Don't know                   1

There may be another major terrorist attack
 against the U.S. in the near future:

Worry a lot                 45%
Worry somewhat              37
Do not worry                17
Don't know                   1

The U.S. may owe too much money to other countries:

Worry a lot                 27%
Worry somewhat              37
Do not worry                32
Don't know                   3

The growing power of China may be a threat to
 the U.S.:

Worry a lot                 30%
Worry somewhat              38
Do not worry                31
Don't know                   1

Protecting American jobs from moving overseas:

Worry a lot                 45%
Worry somewhat              36
Do not worry                19
Don't know                   *

Global warming:

Worry a lot                 33%
Worry somewhat              35
Do not worry                30
Don't know                   2

That our actions in the Mideast are aiding the
 recruitment of terrorists:

Worry a lot                 37%
Worry somewhat              37
Do not worry                24
Don't know                   2

The rise of Islamic extremism around the world:

Worry a lot                 38%
Worry somewhat              41
Do not worry                18
Don't know                   2

Do you think it's realistic or unrealistic to expect/believe that ________?

U.S. companies will keep jobs in the U.S. when
 labor is cheaper elsewhere:

Realistic                   26%
Unrealistic                 70
Don't know                   3

The U.S. government will be able to have U.S.
 companies keep jobs in the U.S. rather than
 outsourcing them overseas:

Realistic                   47%
Unrealistic                 50
Don't know                   3

The U.S. government will be able to maintain a
 stable supply of oil at a reasonable price:

Realistic                   41%
Unrealistic                 55
Don't know                   4

International cooperation can prevent 
 global warming:

Realistic                   58%
Unrealistic                 34
Don't know                   7

Conducted 1/10-22/06; surveyed 1,000 adults; margin of error +/-4% (release, 3/29). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

Some people say they are worried about various things, while others are not. I am going to read you several statements. For each statement, please tell me if this is something that you worry about a lot, is this something you worry about somewhat, or is this something you do not worry about?

The war in Iraq is leading to too many casualties:

Worry a lot                 56%
Worry somewhat              26
Don't worry                 17
Don't know                   *

Problems abroad may hurt our supply of oil and
 raise prices for American consumers:

Worry a lot                 55%
Worry somewhat              33
Don't worry                 11
Don't know                   *

Protecting American jobs from moving overseas:

Worry a lot                 52%
Worry somewhat              35
Don't worry                 12
Don't know                   1

The war in Iraq is requiring so much money and
 attention that it may be distracting the
 United States from other threats in the world:

Worry a lot                 44%
Worry somewhat              36
Don't worry                 19
Don't know                   *

Terrorist groups may use biological, chemical,
 or nuclear weapons to attack the United States:

Worry a lot                 43%
Worry somewhat              43
Don't worry                 14
Don't know                   *

There may be another major terrorist attack
 against the United States in the near future:

Worry a lot                 41%
Worry somewhat              42
Don't worry                 16
Don't know                   *

It may be too easy for illegal immigrants to
 come into the country:

Worry a lot                 41%
Worry somewhat              36
Don't worry                 22
Don't know                   1

There may be growing hatred of the United States
 in Muslim countries:

Worry a lot                 34%
Worry somewhat              42
Don't worry                 22
Don't know                   1

The United States is so concerned with its
 national security that it sometimes ends up
 violating the rights of its own citizens:

Worry a lot                 34%
Worry somewhat              35
Don't worry                 31
Don't know                   1

That our actions in the Middle East are aiding
 the recruitment of terrorists:

Worry a lot                 33%
Worry somewhat              40
Don't worry                 25
Don't know                   2

Global warming:

Worry a lot                 32%
Worry somewhat              37
Don't worry                 29
Don't know                   2

The rise of Islamic extremism around the world:

Worry a lot                 31%
Worry somewhat              45
Don't worry                 22
Don't know                   *

The United States may be losing the trust and
 friendship of people in other countries:

Worry a lot                 29%
Worry somewhat              43
Don't worry                 27
Don't know                   1

The growing power of China may be a threat to
 the United States;

Worry a lot                 29%
Worry somewhat              38
Don't worry                 32
Don't know                   *

The U.S. may owe too much money to other countries:

Worry a lot                 27%
Worry somewhat              34
Don't worry                 36
Don't know                   2

Accusations of U.S. torture and abuse of
 suspected terrorists may damage our reputation
 in the world:

Worry a lot                 24%
Worry somewhat              33
Don't worry                 42
Don't know                   1

The United States may not be doing enough to
 prevent contagious diseases like SARS, lethal
 flue and Mad Cow disease that come from other
 countries:

Worry a lot                 22%
Worry somewhat              41
Don't worry                 36
Don't know                   1

Is the following something our government can do a lot about, something about or not much about?

Decreasing our dependence on other countries for
 our supply of energy:

A lot                       50%
Something                   35
Not much                    12
Don't know                   3

Slowing illegal immigration to the United States:

A lot                       48%
Something                   37
Not much                    14
Don't know                   1

Preventing jobs from going overseas:

A lot                       44%
Something                   34
Not much                    21
Don't know                   1

Reducing the spread of contagious diseases:

A lot                       43%
Something                   41
Not much                    14
Don't know                   1

Reducing our debts to other countries:

A lot                       41%
Something                   39
Not much                    15
Don't know                   5

Preventing another major terrorist attack
 against the United States:

A lot                       39%
Something                   40
Not much                    19
Don't know                   2

Establishing good relations with moderate Muslims:

A lot                       35%
Something                   41
Not much                    20
Don't know                   4

Preventing the spread of weapons of mass
 destruction:

A lot                       35%
Something                   44
Not much                    19
Don't know                   2

Reducing global warming:

A lot                       30%
Something                   40
Not much                    26
Don't know                   5

Creating a democratic Iraq:

A lot                       22%
Something                   39
Not much                    35
Don't know                   4

WINSTON GROUP (R)
Conducted 3/4-5/06; surveyed 1,000 registered voters; margin of error +/-3% (release, 3/24).

Which party do you have more confidence in to handle the issue of ________, the Republican Party or the Democratic Party?

Education:

Republican                      37%
Democrat                        52

Social Security:

Republican                      35%
Democrat                        54

Health Care/Prescription drugs:

Republican                      33%
Democrat                        54

The economy:

Republican                      45%
Democrat                        47

Jobs:

Republican                      42%
Democrat                        49

War in Iraq:

Republican                      46%
Democrat                        43

Energy and gas prices:

Republican                      36%
Democrat                        51

Fiscal responsibility:

Republican                      41%
Democrat                        46

On a scale of 1-9, with 1 being not important at all and 9 being very important, how important or not important are the following issues to you: (rotated)

Border security                 7.42
Ethics and lobbying reform      6.78
Gas prices                      7.06
Recent scandals on Capitol Hill 6.07
Sale of U.S. port operations    6.93
Job creation                    7.41

WRIGHT CONSULTING (D)
Conducted 1/16-25/06 by KiSquared Research for MyDD.com; surveyed 1,004 registered voters; margin of error +/-3.1% (MyDD.com, 2/6). A response of * indicates less than 0.5 percent.

How would you describe the availability of good jobs at decent wages in your local area? Would you say such jobs are widely available, available but not easy to find, rarely available or not available at all?

Widely available                18%
Available, not easy             37
Rarely available                25
Not available                    9
Not sure/Don't know/Refused     11