Reason-Rupe 2014 August Survey
REASON-RUPE POLL TOPLINE RESULTSRELEASED: AUGUST 2014 The Reason-Rupe August 2014 Poll interviewed 1,000 adults on both mobile (500) and landline (500) phones, including 291 respondents without landlines, from August 6-10, 2014 from the continental United States and the District of Columbia using live telephone interviews. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.7%. For Form A respondents (n=500), the margin of error is +/- 5.2%. For Form B respondents (n=500), the margin of error is +/- 5.2%. Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI) conducted the survey. Interviews were done in English by Braun Research Incorporated. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. When feasible, answer choices within questions were rotated or randomized. For more methodological information, please visit https://reason.com/reason-rupe-poll-methodology.. The poll questionnaire, crosstabs, and analysis can be found at reason.com/poll Don't know/Refused responses are voluntary. Due to rounding, accumulated responses may not total 100%. Responses less than 1% are denoted by a "*". | ||
| 1. Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction or in the wrong direction? | ||
| • | Right direction | 33% |
| • | Wrong direction | 60% |
| • | Neither (VOL.) | 3% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president? | ||
| • | Approve | 43% |
| • | Disapprove | 52% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? | ||
| • | Approve | 37% |
| • | Disapprove | 53% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 10% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the job the U.S. Congress is doing? | ||
| • | Approve | 18% |
| • | Disapprove | 75% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 5. When it comes to priorities, would you rather see Congress prioritize policies aimed at reducing income inequality OR policies aimed at promoting economic growth?) | ||
| • | Reduce income inequality | 20% |
| • | Promote economic growth | 74% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 6. Do you think Barack Obama has expanded the power of the presidency too much, not enough, or has he not expanded the power of the presidency? | ||
| • | Too Much | 42% |
| • | Not Enough | 21% |
| • | Hasn't Expanded Presidential Power | 30% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| READ TO ALL: Thinking about the next congressional elections that will be coming up later this year… | ||
| 7. Are you registered to vote in your precinct or election district or haven't you been able to register so far? | ||
| • | Yes, registered | 82% |
| • | No, not registered | 18% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | *% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 8. What are the chances that you will vote in the November midterm elections? | ||
| • | Absolutely certain to vote | 55% |
| • | Very likely to vote | 20% |
| • | Chances are 50/50 | 13% |
| • | Unlikely to vote | 11% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 1% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 9. If the election for the US House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate OR the Democratic candidate in your district? (ASKED OF LIKELY VOTERS) | ||
| • | Republican Party's Candidate | 41% |
| • | Democratic Party's Candidate | 42% |
| • | Don't Know | 15% |
| • | Refused | 2% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 10. Which of the following outcomes would you most want to see happen as a result of the Congressional elections being held later this year (2014)?… Republicans control Congress, Democrats control Congress, or neither Republicans nor Democrats control Congress? (ASKED OF LIKELY VOTERS) | ||
| • | Republicans control Congress | 33% |
| • | Democrats control Congress | 29% |
| • | Neither controls | 34% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 3% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 11. Of the following issues, which one would you say is MOST important to your vote for Congress this year? | ||
| • | The economy | 33% |
| • | Immigration | 13% |
| • | National security and foreign policy | 13% |
| • | Health care | 11% |
| • | Education | 18% |
| • | Same-sex marriage | 2% |
| • | Abortion | 2% |
| • | The environment | 4% |
| • | Other (VOL.) | 1% |
| • | Not voting/Not registered (VOL.) | 1% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 1% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 12. What economic issue is most important to your vote this year? (ASKED OF LIKELY VOTERS) | ||
| • | Taxes | 9% |
| • | The budget deficit | 13% |
| • | Government spending | 24% |
| • | Jobs | 23% |
| • | The gap between rich and poor | 23% |
| • | Regulations on business | 6% |
| • | Other (VOL.) | 1% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | <1% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| READ TO ALL: Changing topics… | ||
| 13. When it comes to negotiating a long-term peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, do you think the United States should..? | ||
| • | NET MORE INVOLVED | 21% |
| • | NET LESS INVOLVED | 53% |
| • | NET CURRENT INVOLVEMENT | 21% |
| • | Be more involved than it has been | 21% |
| • | Be less involved | 17% |
| • | Continue its current level of involvement | 21% |
| • | Stay out of it entirely | 36% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 14. As you may know, some US citizens have contracted Ebola in Africa. How likely do you think an Ebola outbreak is in a US city? Would you say it is…? | ||
| • | NET LIKELY | 40% |
| • | NET UNLIKELY | 56% |
| • | Very likely | 11% |
| • | Somewhat likely | 29% |
| • | Not too likely | 34% |
| • | Not at all likely | 22% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| READ TO ALL: Throughout its history, America has passed amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Recently there has been discussion of some new amendments. | ||
| 15. Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would give states the power to repeal a federal law or regulation if half of the state legislatures representing half the national population vote to repeal the law? | ||
| • | Favor | 50% |
| • | Oppose | 42% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 8% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 16. Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment to allow the president to veto certain parts of a bill, including spending, without vetoing everything in the bill, also known as a line-item veto. | ||
| • | Favor | 48% |
| • | Oppose | 45% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 17. Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget? | ||
| • | Favor | 74% |
| • | Oppose | 20% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 5% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 18. Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that allows Congress and state governments to regulate campaign contributions to and spending by candidates for office? | ||
| • | Favor | 57% |
| • | Oppose | 36% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 19. Suppose this amendment also allowed Congress and states to regulate activities by individuals and groups, such as blogging or publishing a book that support or oppose a political candidate. Would you still favor the amendment, or would you now oppose it? | ||
| • | Still favor | 15% |
| • | Now oppose | 75% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 20. As you may know, Congress sometimes exempts itself and its members from some of the laws it passes. Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would require members of Congress be subject to ALL laws they pass? | ||
| • | Favor | 84% |
| • | Oppose | 13% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 2% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 21. Do you think judges have interpreted the US Constitution in a way that gives the government more power than it should have, less power than it should have, or about the right amount of power? | ||
| • | More | 47% |
| • | Less | 9% |
| • | About the right amount | 37% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| Would you say you have a very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion of the following words and phrases… | ||
| 55. Socialism | ||
| • | NET FAVORABLE | 36% |
| • | NET UNFAVORABLE | 58% |
| • | Very favorable | 9% |
| • | Mostly favorable | 26% |
| • | Mostly Unfavorable | 27% |
| • | Very Unfavorable | 31% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 56. Capitalism | ||
| • | NET FAVORABLE | 55% |
| • | NET UNFAVORABLE | 38% |
| • | Very favorable | 22% |
| • | Mostly favorable | 33% |
| • | Mostly Unfavorable | 21% |
| • | Very Unfavorable | 17% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 57. Free Market System | ||
| • | NET FAVORABLE | 69% |
| • | NET UNFAVORABLE | 21% |
| • | Very favorable | 28% |
| • | Mostly favorable | 41% |
| • | Mostly Unfavorable | 13% |
| • | Very Unfavorable | 8% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 9% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 58. Government-managed economy | ||
| • | NET FAVORABLE | 31% |
| • | NET UNFAVORABLE | 66% |
| • | Very favorable | 6% |
| • | Mostly favorable | 25% |
| • | Mostly Unfavorable | 31% |
| • | Very Unfavorable | 35% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 59. In just a few words, how would you define socialism? | ||
| • | Government Control | 20% |
| • | Equality/Sharing | 8% |
| • | Govt Taking Care of/Helping People | 7% |
| • | Redistribution/Makers v Takers/Handouts | 7% |
| • | Working Together/For the People | 3% |
| • | Being Social/Getting Along | 3% |
| • | Communism/Similar to | 2% |
| • | Associated w/ Leaders/Dictator | 2% |
| • | To Each According to Needs/Capacity | 1% |
| • | Govt Control of Health Care | 1% |
| • | Favor it/It Works | 2% |
| • | Against It/Doesn't Work | 9% |
| • | Other | 5% |
| • | Don't Know What Socialism Is | 25% |
| • | Refused | 2% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| READ TO ALL: Next…as I read the following pairs of statements, please tell me which comes closer to your own opinion. | ||
| 60. Please tell me which comes closer to your own opinion… | ||
| • | "We need a strong government to handle today's complex economic problems" | 40% |
| • | "People would be better able to handle today's problems within a free market with less government involvement." | 56% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 61. 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? | ||
| • | Government should promote traditional values | 47% |
| • | Government should not favor any particular set of values | 49% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 62. If you had to choose, would you rather have a smaller government providing fewer services, or a bigger government providing more services? | ||
| • | Smaller government providing fewer services | 54% |
| • | Larger government providing more services | 42% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 5% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 63. GENDER | ||
| • | Male | 49% |
| • | Female | 51% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 64. AGE | ||
| • | 18-24 | 13% |
| • | 25-34 | 16% |
| • | 35-44 | 16% |
| • | 45-54 | 18% |
| • | 55-64 | 17% |
| • | 65+ | 17% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 2% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 65. In politics today, do you consider yourself a: | ||
| • | Republican | 23% |
| • | Democrat | 33% |
| • | Independent (Includes Leaners) | 35% |
| • | Something Else | 6% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 3% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 66. Party Identification (DERIVED, Independent Leaners Sorted) | ||
| • | Democrat | 33% |
| • | Independent-Lean Democrat | 15% |
| • | Independent (Excludes Leaners) | 11% |
| • | Independent-Lean Republican | 14% |
| • | Republican | 23% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 67. Thinking about your overall political philosophy, would you describe yourself as: | ||
| • | Conservative | 31% |
| • | Moderate | 25% |
| • | Liberal | 18% |
| • | Libertarian | 5% |
| • | Progressive | 7% |
| • | Or something else? | 9% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 4% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 68. Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or not? | ||
| • | Supporter | 23% |
| • | Not a supporter | 69% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 8% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 69. 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 | 16% |
| • | Post-Grad | 11% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 1% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 70. Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18 now living in your household? | ||
| • | Yes | 27% |
| • | No | 73% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | <1% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 71. Race/Ethnicity | ||
| • | White | 66% |
| • | African-American | 11% |
| • | Hispanic | 14% |
| • | Other | 7% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 2% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 72. What is your household income category? | ||
| • | <$30,000 | 24% |
| • | $30,000 but less than $45,000 | 16% |
| • | $45,000 but less than $60,000 | 14% |
| • | $60,000 but less than $75,000 | 14% |
| • | $75,000 but less than $90,000 | 9% |
| • | $90,000 but less than $110,000 | 7% |
| • | $110,000 but less than $150,000 | 5% |
| • | $150,000 but less than $250,000 | 2% |
| • | $250,000 or more | 2% |
| • | Don't Know/Refused | 7% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 73. Region | ||
| • | Northeast | 18% |
| • | Midwest | 22% |
| • | South | 37% |
| • | West | 23% |
| • | Total | 100% |
| 74. Community Type | ||
| • | Rural | 20% |
| • | Suburban | 45% |
| • | Urban | 35% |
| • | Total | 100% |