Reason-Rupe Surveys

October 2014 Reason-Rupe Poll

October 2014 Reason-Rupe Poll HTML TOPLINES

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Approvals Midterms Ebola Police
Criminal Justice Foreign Policy Bailouts Inversions/
Corporate Taxes
Birth Control FDA/Vaccinations Values Role of Government
       
1. Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction or in the wrong direction?
Right direction 30%        
Wrong direction 58%        
Neither (VOL.) 5%        
Don't Know/Refused 7%        
Total 100%        
             
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president? 
Approve 43%        
Disapprove 50%        
Don't Know/Refused 6%        
Total 100%        
    Approve Disapprove DK/Refused    
  Aug 2011 47 48 5    
  Dec 2011 49 47 5    
  Mar 2012 48 46 5    
  Sep 2012 51 46 4    
  Jan 2013 52 42 7    
  Feb 2013 51 43 6    
  May 2013 50 43 7    
  Sep 2013 43 51 6    
  Dec 2013 47 50 4    
  Apr 2014 43 51 6    
  Aug 2014 43 52 4    
  Oct 2014 43 50 6    
             
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy?
Approve 38%        
Disapprove 51%        
Don't Know/Refused 12%        
Total 100%        
    Approve Disapprove DK/Refused    
  Sep 2013 35 58 7    
  Aug 2014 37 53 9    
  Oct 2014 38 51 11    
             
4. Would you say President Obama's handling of foreign policy has been better or worse than former President George W. Bush's handling of foreign policy, or are they about the same?
Better 35%        
Worse 33%        
Same 28%        
Don't Know/Refused 5%        
Total 100%        
     Better Same Worse DK/Refused  
  Sep 2013 32 32 32 3  
  Oct 2014 35 28 33 4  
             
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the job the U.S. Congress is doing?
Approve 19%        
Disapprove 73%        
Don't Know/Refused 9%        
Total 100%        
    Approve Disapprove DK/ Refused    
  Aug 2011 14 81 5    
  Dec 2011 13 80 7    
  Mar 2012 15 78 6    
  Sep 2012 16 77 8    
  Jan 2013 17 74 9    
  Feb 2013 14 77 8    
  May 2013 16 75 9    
  Sep 2013 22 72 7    
  Dec 2013 20 74 6    
  Apr 2014 17 74 8    
  Aug 2014 18 75 7    
  Oct 2014 19 73 9    
             
6. Are you registered to vote in your precinct or election district or haven't you been able to register so far?
Yes, registered 80%        
No, not registered 20%        
Don't Know/Refused <1%        
Total 100%        
             
7. If November's election for Congress were held today, which party's candidate are you more likely to vote for in your district—[RANDOMIZE: Republican, Democrat], or some other party's candidate? (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS)
Republican Party's Candidate 33%        
Democratic Party's Candidate 42%        
Some other Party's Candidate 13%        
Don't Know 11%        
Refused 1%        
Total 100%        
             
8. Thinking about the candidate choices you have at different levels. [First,/Next,] would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat unsatisfied, or very unsatisfied with the [Candidates for House and Senate] (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS)
NET Satisfied 53%        
Net Dissatisfied 35%        
Very satisfied 9%        
Somewhat satisfied 44%        
Somewhat unsatisfied 20%        
Very unsatisfied 15%        
Don't Know/Refused 12%        
Total 100%        
             
9. Thinking about the candidate choices you have at different levels. [First,/Next,] would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat unsatisfied, or very unsatisfied with the [Candidates for state level offices] (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS)
NET Satisfied 57%        
Net Dissatisfied 33%        
Very satisfied 12%        
Somewhat satisfied 45%        
Somewhat unsatisfied 19%        
Very unsatisfied 14%        
Don't Know/Refused 10%        
Total 100%        
             
10. Thinking about the candidate choices you have at different levels. [First,/Next,] would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat unsatisfied, or very unsatisfied with the [Candidates for local-level offices] (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS)
NET Satisfied 63%        
Net Dissatisfied 26%        
Very satisfied 18%        
Somewhat satisfied 45%        
Somewhat unsatisfied 14%        
Very unsatisfied 12%        
Don't Know/Refused 11%        
Total 100%        
             
11. How likely do you think an Ebola outbreak is in a US city? Would you say it is…
NET Likely 62%        
NET Unlikely 36%        
Very likely 23%        
Somewhat likely 39%        
Not too likely 25%        
Not at all likely 11%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
    Aug 2014 Oct 2014      
  NET-Likely 40 62      
  NET-Unlikely 56 36      
  Very Likely 11 23      
  Somewhat Likely 29 39      
  Not Too Likely 34 25      
  Not At All Likely 22 11      
  DK/Refused 4 2      
             
12. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of the police? (Is that very or somewhat (un)favorable?)
NET Favorable 72%        
Net Unfavorable 24%        
Very favorable 37%        
Somewhat favorable 35%        
Somewhat unfavorable 12%        
Very unfavorable 12%        
Don't Know/Refused 5%        
Total 100%        
             
TREND FOR COMPARISON
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of the police?
     Apr 2014        
  NET-Favorable 78        
  NET-Unfavorable 18        
  Very Favorable 42        
  Somewhat Favorable 36        
  Somewhat Unfavorable 10        
  Very Unfavorable 8        
  DK/Refused 4        
  NET-Favorable 78        
             
13. Do you think police officers are generally held accountable for misconduct, or not?
Yes 50%        
No 45%        
Don't Know/Refused 4%        
Total 100%        
    Yes  No DK/ Refused    
  Dec 2013 46 50 4    
  Oct 2014 50 45 4    
             
14. It has been reported that some police officers stop motorists or pedestrians of certain racial or ethnic groups because the officers believe that these groups are more likely than others to commit certain types of crimes. Do you approve or disapprove of this practice by the police? (Do you strongly or somewhat (dis)approve?)
NET Approve 25%        
NET Disapprove 70%        
Strongly approve 13%        
Somewhat approve 12%        
Somewhat disapprove 22%        
Strongly disapprove 48%        
Don't Know/Refused 5%        
Total 100%        
             
TREND FOR COMPARISON
It has been reported that some police officers stop motorists of certain racial or ethnic groups because the officers believe that these groups are more likely than others to commit certain types of crimes. This practice is known as racial profiling. Do you approve or disapprove of the use of racial profiling by the police?
    Approve Disapprove DK/Refused    
  National Conference for Community and Justice/PSRA, Jan 2005 19 75 6    
  NPR/Harvard/ Kaiser Survey, Oct 2001 21 75 3    
             
15. Do you think the number of cases of police officers using excessive force against civilians are going up, going down, or remaining about the same?
Going up 47%        
Going down 7%        
Remaining about the same 43%        
Don't Know/Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
TREND FOR COMPARISON
Do you think cases of police misconduct, such as the use of excessive force or covering up mistakes, have been increasing, decreasing, or have stayed about the same over the past decade?
    Aug 2014        
  Increasing 41        
  Decreasing 9        
  Staying About the Same 48        
  DK/Refused 2        
             
16. In general, do you think the police are too quick to use lethal force, or do they typically only use lethal force when necessary?
Too quick to use lethal force 45%        
Only use lethal force when necessary 49%        
Don't Know/Refused 6%        
Total 100%        
             
17. Would you favor or oppose eliminating mandatory minimum prison sentences for nonviolent offenders so that judges have the ability to make sentencing decisions on a case-by-case basis?
Favor 77%        
Oppose 17%        
Don't Know/Refused 6%        
Total 100%        
     Favor Oppose DK/ Refused    
  Dec 2013 71 24 5    
  Oct 2014 77 17 6    
             
18. Do you favor or oppose allowing nonviolent drug offenders who have served their sentences to vote?
Favor 73%        
Oppose 24%        
Don't Know/Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
19. Do you favor or oppose allowing nonviolent drug offenders who have served their sentences to petition a court to have their court records sealed, making them inaccessible to the public without a court order?
Favor 47%        
Oppose 48%        
Don't Know/Refused 5%        
Total 100%        
             
20. Just your impression, do you think the criminal justice system in the United States (treats white Americans more fairly than black and Hispanic Americans), (treats black and Hispanic Americans more fairly than white Americans), or are they treated about the same?
Treat white Americans more fairly 44%        
Treat black & Hispanic Americans more fairly 6%        
Treats them about the same 45%        
Don't Know/Refused 5%        
Total 100%        
             
21. In recent years, do you think too much has been made of the problems facing black people, too little has been made, or is it about right?
Too much 33%        
About right 37%        
Too little 23%        
Don't Know/Refused 7%        
Total 100%        
             
TREND FOR COMPARISON
In recent years, do you think too much has been made of the problems facing black people, too little has been made, or is it about right?
    Too Much Too Little Right Amount DK/ Refused  
  New York Times, June 2000 30 22 42 7  
  CBS/New York Times, July 2008 23 20 48 9  
  CBS/New York Times, Apr 2010 28 16 44 12  
  Reason-Rupe, Oct 2014 33 23 37 7  
             
22. Do you think the United States should increase its military presence around the world, decrease its military presence, or keep it at its current levels?
Increase military presence 28%        
Decrease military presence 36%        
Keep it at its current levels 33%        
Don't Know/Refused 4%        
Total 100%        
             
23. As you may know, members of Congress left Washington, DC, for a recess without holding a vote to authorize the use of military force against Islamic State insurgents, also known as ISIS or ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Do you think Congress should return to Capitol Hill before the November elections to hold a vote authorizing the continued use of military force in Iraq and Syria?
Should 78%        
Should not 16%        
Don't Know/Refused 7%        
Total 100%        
             
24. Which of the following do you think is the MAIN reason Congress has not yet held a vote on the authorization of military force against ISIS:
They don't have time 8%        
They don't want to put their vote on the official record 63%        
They don't believe President Obama needs their authorization 15%        
(VOL.) Some other reason (SPECIFY) 5%        
Don't Know/Refused 8%        
Total 100%        
             
25. As you may know, the United States is conducting air strikes against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Do you favor or oppose these air strikes?
Favor 66%        
Oppose 28%        
Don't Know/Refused 6%        
Total 100%        
             
26. Would you favor or oppose the United States sending ground troops to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria?
Favor 43%        
Oppose 52%        
Don't Know/Refused 6%        
Total 100%        
             
27. In order to defeat ISIS, do you think the United States will need to send a large number of GROUND troops to Iraq and Syria, a small number of troops, or will it not be necessary to send troops?
Large number 34%        
Small number 24%        
Not necessary 32%        
Don't Know/Refused 11%        
Total 100%        
             
28. How many months or years do you expect the current US military action against ISIS in Iraq and Syria to last? (ASKED OF FORM A)
MEAN 53 months        
MEDIAN 24 months        
Don't Know/Refused 20%        
             
29. As you may know, Congress passed a bill to arm Syrian rebels with US weapons to help fight against ISIS. Do you favor or oppose arming the Syrian rebels?
Favor 35%        
Oppose 55%        
Don't Know/Refused 10%        
Total 100%        
             
30. On a scale of 0 to 100 Percent, with zero being "least likely" and 100 being the "most likely," how likely do you think it is that the US weapons provided to Syrian rebels will one day be used against Americans soldiers or US allies? (ASKED OF FORM B)
MEAN 73 percent        
MEDIAN 78 percent        
Don't Know/Refused 4%        
             
31. How do you think the United States should pay for the military action in Iraq and Syria against ISIS? Should they pay for it by:
Borrowing money 6%        
Raising taxes 8%        
Raising taxes only on the wealthy 34%        
Cutting spending on entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare 4%        
Cutting other federal spending 35%        
Don't Know 11%        
Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
32. If federal spending has to be cut to pay for the military action, what type of spending would you cut FIRST?
Education 3%        
Infrastructure and Transportation 17%        
Medicare or Social Security 7%        
Safety Net Programs Such as Welfare, Medicaid, Unemployment, and Food Stamps 19%        
Science and Medical Research 9%        
Veterans Programs 2%        
Or some other program? (SPECIFY) 23%        
Don't Know 16%        
Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
33. Do you think the US War in Iraq (reduced the threat of terrorism), (increased the threat of terrorism,) or didn't make much of a difference?
Reduced 14%        
Increased 38%        
Didn't make a difference 45%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
34. If you can recall, did you support or oppose the US invasion of Iraq when it started in 2003?
Support 39%        
Oppose 51%        
(VOL.) Did not have an opinion 6%        
Don't Know 5%        
Refused <1%        
Total 100%        
             
TREND FOR COMPARISON-MARCH 2003
Would you say that you support the war in Iraq or do you oppose the war in Iraq? (Pew Research Center, March 20-24, 2003)
  Support 72        
  Oppose 23        
  Don't Know/ Refused 5        
             
35. Looking back now on the 2008 financial crisis…Do you think the government definitely did the right thing, probably did the right thing, probably did the wrong thing, or definitely did the wrong thing by providing money in 2008 to banks and financial institutions who were in financial trouble?
NET Right Thing 40%        
NET Wrong Thing 54%        
Definitely Right Thing 11%        
Probably Right Thing 29%        
Probably Wrong Thing 21%        
Definitely Wrong Thing 33%        
Don't Know/Refused 5%        
Total 100%        
             
36. Looking back now on the 2008 financial crisis…Do you think the government definitely did the right thing, probably did the right thing, probably did the wrong thing, or definitely did the wrong thing by providing money in 2008 to General Motors and Chrysler?
NET Right Thing 43%        
NET Wrong Thing 52%        
Definitely Right 17%        
Probably Right 26%        
Probably Wrong 21%        
Definitely Wrong 31%        
Don't Know/Refused 5%        
Total 100%        
             
TREND FOR COMPARISON-NOVEMBER 2008
As you know, the government is potentially (committing)/(investing) billions to try to keep financial institutions and markets secure. Do you think this is the right thing or the wrong thing for the government to be doing? (American National Election Studies 2008 Time Series)
  Right Thing 54        
  Wrong Thing 38        
  Don't Know/Refused 8        
             
37. As you may know, some businesses choose to re-locate their headquarters out of the country to reduce the amount they pay in US taxes on revenue they earn in other countries. Do you think the federal government should or should not make it more difficult for US businesses to move out of the country to reduce the amount they pay in taxes to the U.S.?
Should make it more difficult 66%        
Should not make it more difficult 30%        
Don't Know/Refused 4%        
Total 100%        
             
38. As you may know, the US has one of the highest corporate income tax rates among industrialized countries. Do you favor raising US corporate tax rates, keeping US corporate tax rates where they are now, lowering US corporate tax rates to match those of other industrialized countries, or lowering US corporate tax rates below those of other industrialized countries?
Raise 14%        
Keeping Same 35%        
Lowering to match industrialized countries 32%        
Lowering below industrialized countries 11%        
Don't Know/Refused 7%        
Total 100%        
             
39. Some businesses move from one state to another to lower their taxes. Do you think this is an acceptable or unacceptable reason for a business to relocate to another state? (ASKED OF FORM A)
Acceptable 63%        
Unacceptable 34%        
Don't Know/Refused 4%        
Total 100%        
             
40. Some states give special tax credits and taxpayer-funded subsidies to businesses to entice them to move from other states. Do you favor or oppose your state providing subsidies and special tax credits to businesses that move from other states? (ASKED OF FORM B)
Favor 45%        
Oppose 47%        
Don't Know/Refused 8%        
Total 100%        
             
41. Next, do you think it should be legal or illegal for adult women to purchase birth control pills or patches over the counter without a doctor's prescription?
Legal 70%        
Illegal 26%        
Don't Know/Refused 4%        
Total 100%        
             
TREND FOR COMPARISON
Do you think it should be legal or illegal for adult women to purchase birth control pills or patches over the counter without a doctor's prescription?
    Legal Not Legal DK/Refused    
  May 2013 66 30  4    
  Oct 2014 70 26 4    
             
42. Do you think doctors should be allowed to prescribe their patients pharmaceutical drugs that have not yet been approved by the Federal Drug Administration or FDA, or should this be prohibited?
Allowed 27%        
Prohibited 68%        
Don't Know/Refused 6%        
Total 100%        
             
43. When it comes to childhood diseases, like measles, mumps, and whooping cough, should all children be required to get vaccinations or should parents be able to decide whether or not to vaccinate their children?
All children should be required 60%        
Parents should be able to decide not to 37%        
Don't Know/Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
44. Should children who have NOT been vaccinated from diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough be allowed or not allowed to attend public schools?
Allowed 44%        
Not Allowed 52%        
Don't Know 3%        
Refused 1%        
Total 100%        
             
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements, using a scale from 1 to 7 in which 1 means you totally disagree and 7 means you totally agree:
             
45a. "People should be allowed to keep what they produce, even if there are others with greater needs"
1-Totally Disagree 11%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 6%        
3-Slightly Disagree 10%        
4-Neutral 18%        
5-Slightly Agree 17%        
6-Somewhat Agree 11%        
7-Totally Agree 25%        
Don't Know/Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
45b "The world would be a better place if we let unsuccessful people fail and suffer the consequences"
1-Totally Disagree 30%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 10%        
3-Slightly Disagree 10%        
4-Neutral 13%        
5-Slightly Agree 10%        
6-Somewhat Agree 7%        
7-Totally Agree 16%        
Don't Know/Refused 3%        
Total 100&        
             
45c. "Even if people try hard they often cannot reach their goals"
1-Totally Disagree 11%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 6%        
3-Slightly Disagree 11%        
4-Neutral 13%        
5-Slightly Agree 22%        
6-Somewhat Agree 11%        
7-Totally Agree 24%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
45d. "People who produce more should be rewarded more than those who just tried hard"
1-Totally Disagree 18%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 7%        
3-Slightly Disagree 8%        
4-Neutral 16%        
5-Slightly Agree 17%        
6-Somewhat Agree 11%        
7-Totally Agree 21%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
45e. "A distaste for hard work usually reflects a weakness of character"
1-Totally Disagree 19%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 7%        
3-Slightly Disagree 9%        
4-Neutral 15%        
5-Slightly Agree 14%        
6-Somewhat Agree 10%        
7-Totally Agree 23%        
Don't Know/Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
45f. "People need to stand on their own two feet no matter what"
1-Totally Disagree 11%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 7%        
3-Slightly Disagree 8%        
4-Neutral 14%        
5-Slightly Agree 17%        
6-Somewhat Agree 9%        
7-Totally Agree 33%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
45g. "Sometimes the government needs to make laws that keep people from hurting themselves"
1-Totally Disagree 11%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 6%        
3-Slightly Disagree 7%        
4-Neutral 12%        
5-Slightly Agree 17%        
6-Somewhat Agree 13%        
7-Totally Agree 33%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
45h. "People should be free to do dangerous and self-destructive things, as long as they don't put others at risk."
1-Totally Disagree 34%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 7%        
3-Slightly Disagree 7%        
4-Neutral 9%        
5-Slightly Agree 13%        
6-Somewhat Agree 9%        
7-Totally Agree 19%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
45i. "If people work hard they almost always get what they want"
1-Totally Disagree 17%        
2-Somewhat Disagree 8%        
3-Slightly Disagree 10%        
4-Neutral 15%        
5-Slightly Agree 19%        
6-Somewhat Agree 10%        
7-Totally Agree 21%        
Don't Know/Refused 1%        
Total 100%        
             
46. Next…as I read the following pairs of statements, please tell me which comes closer to your own opinion. First…
"We need a strong government to handle today's complex economic problems" 44%        
"People would be better able to handle today's problems within a free market with less government involvement." 50%        
Don't Know 5%        
Refused 1%        
Total 100%        
             
47. Some people think the government should promote traditional values in our society. Others think the government should not favor any particular set of values. Which comes closer to your own view?
Promote traditional values 48%        
Not favor any particular set of values 46%        
Don't Know 5%        
Refused 1%        
Total 100%        
             
48. If you had to choose, would you rather have a smaller government providing fewer services, or a larger government providing more services? (Is that Much/Slightly Smaller Govt w/ Fewer Services) (Much/Slightly Larger Govt w/ More Services?)
NET Smaller government/fewer services 47%        
NET Larger government/more services 46%        
Much Smaller Govt/A Lot Fewer Services 18%        
Slightly Smaller Govt/Fewer Services 34%        
Slightly Larger Govt/More Services 30%        
Much Larger Govt/A Lot More Services 11%        
Don't Know/Refused 7%        
Total 100%        
             
DEMOGRAPHICS
             
49. GENDER
Male 49%        
Female 51%        
Total 100%        
             
50. AGE
18-24 12%        
25-34 17%        
35-44 17%        
45-54 17%        
55-64 17%        
65+ 18%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
51. In politics today, do you consider yourself a:
Republican 24%        
Democrat 32%        
Independent (Includes Leaners) 33%        
Something Else 7%        
Don't Know 2%        
Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
52. Party Identification (DERIVED, Independent Leaners Sorted)
Democrat 32%        
Independent-Lean Democrat 18%        
Independent (Excludes Leaners) 12%        
Independent-Lean Republican 11%        
Republican 24%        
Don't Know 2%        
Refused 1%        
Total 100%        
             
53. Thinking about your overall political philosophy, would you describe yourself as:
Conservative 28%        
Moderate 24%        
Liberal 15%        
Libertarian 5%        
Progressive 10%        
Something Else 12%        
Don't Know 5%        
Refused 1%        
Total 100%        
             
54. Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or not?
Supporter 21%        
Not a supporter 68%        
Don't Know/Refused 11%        
Total 100%        
             
55. What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received?
High school or less 40%        
Some college 32%        
College 19%        
Post-Grad 8%        
Don't Know/Refused 2%        
Total 100%        
             
56. Race/Ethnicity
White 65%        
African-American 12%        
Hispanic 13%        
Other 7%        
Don't Know/Refused 3%        
Total 100%        
             
57. Would you describe yourself as a 'born-again' or evangelical Christian?
Yes, would 37%        
No, would not 59%        
Don't Know/Refused 4%        
Total 100%        
             
58. What is your household income category?
<$30,000 23%        
$30,000 but less than $45,000 17%        
$45,000 but less than $60,000 17%        
$60,000 but less than $75,000 10%        
$75,000 but less than $90,000 8%        
$90,000 but less than $110,000 5%        
$110,000 but less than $150,000 4%        
$150,000 but less than $250,000 3%        
$250,000 or more 3%        
Don't Know/Refused 10%        
Total 100%        
             
59. Region
Northeast 18%        
Midwest 22%        
South 37%        
West 23%        
Total 100%        
             
60. Community Type
Rural 19%        
Suburban 47%        
Urban 34%        
Total 100%