October 2014 Reason-Rupe Poll

October 2014 Reason-Rupe Poll HTML TOPLINES

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%