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USConstitution.net 2008 Survey Results

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 124, December 2008 In November, and again in December, the Big Three automakers (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) went to Congress to request government loans to help them bridge the gap that slow sales would bring while they gear up to produce more desirable cars in the coming years. Is this a worthwhile destination for tax dollars?

Response Count Percentage
Our system is supposed to reward success and punish failure - let the car companies sink or swim on their own. 461 68.40
The automotive industry is too important to our economy and must be supported. The companies should be given the loans and we should sit back and wait for the recovery. 36 5.34
The automotive industry is too important to our economy and must be supported. However, the government should insist on oversight and tight controls until the money is repaid. 137 20.33
The car companies, or some of them, should be nationalized so that essential projects like electric vehicles can be developed without needing to worry about the market. 40 5.93
Total 674 100.00

Question 123, November 2008 The presidential candidates for the 2008 election, according to OpenSecrets.org, raised over $1 billion for the campaigns. What do you think about this amount of money?

Response Count Percentage
This is just to be expected, and next time will just cost more. 265 24.20
This is one more reason that public financing should be required of all candidates. 689 62.92
Though this seems like a lot, this is the presidency of the United States. 141 12.88
Total 1095 100.00

Question 122, September/October 2008 For whom will you vote in November? (Note: this survey question combines September's and October's results.)

Response Count Percentage
Baldwin/Castle (Constitution) 382 3.25
Barr/Root (Libertarian) 334 2.84
Calero/Kennedy (Socialist Workers) 18 0.15
Keyes/Drake (Independent) 44 0.37
La Riva/Puryear (Socialism and Liberation) 24 0.20
McCain/Palin (Republican) 5680 48.33
McKinney/Clemente (Green) 55 0.47
Moore/Alexander (Socialist) 32 0.27
Nader/Gonzalez (Independent) 157 1.34
Obama/Biden (Democratic) 5007 42.60
Weill/McEnulty (Reform) 20 0.17
Total 11753 100.00

Question 122, October 2008 (part 2) For whom will you vote in November? (Note: this survey question is repeated from September - these are results for the month of October only.)

Response Count Percentage
Baldwin/Castle (Constitution) 239 3.32
Barr/Root (Libertarian) 206 2.86
Calero/Kennedy (Socialist Workers) 9 0.12
Keyes/Drake (Independent) 27 0.37
La Riva/Puryear (Socialism and Liberation) 12 0.17
McCain/Palin (Republican) 3587 49.80
McKinney/Clemente (Green) 25 0.35
Moore/Alexander (Socialist) 14 0.19
Nader/Gonzalez (Independent) 97 1.35
Obama/Biden (Democratic) 2974 41.29
Weill/McEnulty (Reform) 13 0.18
Total 7203 100.00

Question 122, September 2008 (part 1) For whom will you vote in November? (Note: this survey question is repeated in October - these are results for the month of September only.)

Response Count Percentage
Baldwin/Castle (Constitution) 143 3.14
Barr/Root (Libertarian) 128 2.81
Calero/Kennedy (Socialist Workers) 9 0.20
Keyes/Drake (Independent) 17 0.37
La Riva/Puryear (Socialism and Liberation) 12 0.26
McCain/Palin (Republican) 2093 46.00
McKinney/Clemente (Green) 30 0.66
Moore/Alexander (Socialist) 18 0.40
Nader/Gonzalez (Independent) 60 1.32
Obama/Biden (Democratic) 2033 44.68
Weill/McEnulty (Reform) 7 0.15
Total 4550 100.00

Question 121, August 2008 According to OpenSecrets.org, Barack Obama raised nearly $340 million by the end of June 2008, and John McCain raised over $145 million by the end of June. Other major party candidates raised almost $600 million for the primary races. Predictions are that McCain and Obama and their parties will have to raise over $500 million each to win the presidency. What do you think about the spending on the presidential race?

Response Count Percentage
Presidential campaigns should be publicly funded, and no funds beyond what the public gives should be allowed. 133 60.45
The amount is regrettable, because it means minor parties have no chance - but that's just the way it is. 40 18.18
This is a free country - candidates should be able to raise and spend whatever they want. 47 21.36
Total 220 100.00

Question 120 (July 2008) Each July, this survey will be offered, allowing us to track, over time, the political persuasion of our visitors. Questions are asked about party affiliation as well as economic and social ranking on a scale of 1 to 9 (1 being very conservative and 9 being very liberal).

Response Count Percentage Avg Econ Avg Soc
Other Parties 18 1.47
Communist Party 8 0.65 4.88 5.00
Constitution Party 98 7.98 2.11 2.24
Democratic Party 243 19.97 6.30 7.50
Green Party 38 3.09 7.05 8.08
Independent 220 17.92 3.73 4.68
Libertarian 149 12.13 2.42 5.08
Liberty Union 3 0.24 6.67 6.33
Natural Law 3 0.24 1.67 5.00
Reform Party 1 0.08 5.00 5.00
Republican Party 433 35.26 2.14 2.36
Socialist Party 14 1.14 8.43 8.43
Total 1228 100.00 3.55 4.41

Notable "Other" parties: Conservative, Pro-Christ, BPP

Economics ranking:

Response Count Percentage Grouped
1 = Very Conservative 358 29.15 59.28
2 177 14.41
3 193 15.72
4 81 6.60 23.54
5 = Moderate 154 12.54
6 54 4.40
7 106 8.63 17.18
8 38 3.09
9 = Very Liberal 67 5.46

Social ranking:

Response Count Percentage Grouped
1 = Very Conservative 348 28.34 49.02
2 139 11.32
3 115 9.36
4 50 4.07 17.10
5 = Moderate 114 9.28
6 46 3.75
7 115 9.36 33.87
8 111 9.04
9 = Very Liberal 190 15.47

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


URL: //www.usconstitution.net/constresults_2008.html