| |||
| |||
|
| U.S. Constitution Online | |
| FAQ Topics Messages Documents Timeline Kids Vermont | |
| Search Survey Support News Ads | USConstitution.net |
This site has conducted an unscientific survey on various issues since July of 1998. The results, while interesting in most cases, are to be taken with a grain of salt - the results can easily be skewed by an individual or group of individuals; the sample is, by nature, not representative (because it consists only of Web users who visit my site and bother to view the survey page and submit an opinion).
This page includes results from 2008. For results from other years, please go to the Main Results Page.
Question 119, June 2008 Barack Obama was again under fire for comments made at the pulpit at his Chicago church, this time by a visiting priest criticizing Hillary Clinton. There was a time when a candidate's religion and religious views were not fodder for the media. Are things better today than they used to be?
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| The time for "politeness" has passed - the increase in interest in a candidate's religion is a valid area of inquiry. | 133 | 28.00 |
| The candidates' religious views are private and raising them or calling them into question is wrong. | 177 | 37.26 |
| The apparent change in interest in the candidates' religion is an illusion - this has always been an important area of inquiry. | 165 | 34.74 |
| Total | 475 | 100.00 |
Question 118, May 2008 A poll released on May 1 indicates that President George Bush has the lowest approval rating of any modern president. What do you think? What is your opinion of how George Bush is doing right now?
| Response | Count | Percentage | Grouped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly Approve | 139 | 13.38 | 24.16 |
| Approve | 112 | 10.78 | |
| Neutral | 51 | 4.91 | |
| Disapprove | 79 | 7.60 | 70.93 |
| Stongly Disapprove | 658 | 63.33 | |
| Total | 1039 | 100.00 |
Question 117, April 2008 This primary season has been one of the most contentious in recent memory. The race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has been jovial at times, but mostly rancorous of late. Is this good, bad, or neither?
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Democrats: The process is hurting the party, and it should be changed so that the nomination can be settled quicker. | 100 | 24.33 |
| Democrats: The process is working as it should, with time for issues to be discussed. | 66 | 16.06 |
| Republicans: The ongoing bickering can only help my party's presumptive nominee. | 51 | 12.41 |
| Republicans: The ongoing bickering is indicative of what's wrong with the Democrats. | 68 | 16.55 |
| Republicans: The ongoing bickering is indicative of what's wrong with our political system. | 67 | 16.30 |
| Third Party: I don't care what the Democrats or Republicans do, my party is doing just fine. | 18 | 4.38 |
| Indifferent: Who cares - I don't even pay attention to the process until October anyway. | 41 | 9.98 |
| Total | 411 | 100.00 |
Question 116, March 2008 The military strategy known as "The Surge" has been underway in Iraq for a year. The strategy sent extra troops to Iraq to allow the military to accomplish specific goals in Iraq. U.S. troops, the military reports, have al Qaeda in Iraq forces on the run and that has allowed levels of violence in the country to diminish. American casualties have fallen, as have the number of violent attacks in the country. Critics have said, though, that the security gains are temporary and unless the U.S. is prepared to stay in Iraq indefinitely, there is little in permanent gains. Without a strong and stable government in Iraq and a strong and trusted military, Iraq will not be able to fend for itself. What do you think?
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| The success of the surge proves that Bush was right all along. | 171 | 28.36 |
| The success of the surge proves that our troops can accomplish any goal given to them. | 103 | 17.08 |
| The surge has been successful in spite of President Bush, not because of him. | 31 | 5.14 |
| All the surge has done is ensure that the war in Iraq will go on past the Bush presidency. | 149 | 24.71 |
| Successful or not, it is time to bring all of our troops home. | 149 | 24.71 |
| Total | 603 | 100.00 |
Question 115, February 2008 As you look at the presidential race this year, what issue is the one that is the most important to you at this time?
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| The War in Iraq | 157 | 20.79 |
| The Economy and Jobs | 144 | 19.07 |
| Health Care | 44 | 5.83 |
| Terrorism | 66 | 8.74 |
| Immigration | 117 | 15.50 |
| Energy | 15 | 1.99 |
| The Envionment | 34 | 4.50 |
| Foreign Policy | 49 | 6.49 |
| Taxes and Spending | 129 | 17.09 |
| Total | 755 | 100.00 |
Question 114, January 2008 Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL) has launched an Internet campaign to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney, charging that Cheney has violated the Constitution. Though the charges are vague, Wexler says "The serious charges against Cheney involve alleged crimes that are central to his duties of Vice-President; namely war and peace, the widespread violations of civil liberties, and the security of the United States and our covert agents." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has said that impeachment is "off the table." What do you think?
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Wexler is on the right track - there are some serious violations that need to be investigated. | 667 | 50.92 |
| Impeachment goes too far, but I think there should be a congressional investigation. | 110 | 8.40 |
| The election is right around the corner - let's just get that over with and forget about impeachment. | 111 | 8.47 |
| Wexler is nuts - Cheney has done nothing wrong and Wexler needs top find something else to complain about. | 422 | 32.21 |
| Total | 1310 | 100.00 |
