Questionnaires Wave 2 — primaries questionnaire

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Last night, how many hours, if any, did you watch television between 6 and 11 pm?

Did not watch TV between 6 and 11 last night

1

Less than 1 hour

2

Between 1 and 2 hours, but less than 2 hours

3

Between 2 and 3 hours, but less than 3 hours

4

Between 3 and 4 hours, but less than 4 hours

5

Between 4 and 5 hours, but less than 5 hours

6

5 hours

7

Skipped

999

From which of the following sources have you heard anything about the presidential campaign?

Accept multiple answers:

Television news programs (morning or evening)

A

Newspapers

B

Television talk shows, public affairs, or news analysis programs

C

Internet sites, chat rooms, or blogs

D

Radio news or radio talk shows

E

News magazines

F

1 = yes

2 = no

Have not heard anything about the presidential campaign

3

Skipped

999

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from television news or talk programs [Q2rA_2 = 1 or Q2rC_2 = 1].

Which of the following programs do you watch regularly on television? Please check any that you watch at least once a month.

Accept multiple answers:

The Simpsons

A

ABC News Nightline

B

ABC World News

C

Today Show

D

NBC Nightly News

E

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

F

BET News

G

Fox News

H

Good Morning America

J

CBS Evening News

K

CBS Morning News

L

CNN Headline News / Newsroom

M

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

N

America This Morning

P

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Q

1 = yes

2 = no

None of the above

X

Skipped

999

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from television news or talk programs [Q2rA_2 = 1 or Q2rC_2 = 1].

Below are some additional television programs. Which of these do you watch regularly? Please check any that you watch at least once a month.

Accept multiple answers:

60 Minutes

A

The Late Show with David Letterman

B

The O'Reilly Factor

C

The Early Show

D

Ellen DeGeneres Show

E

Face the Nation

F

Fox and Friends

G

Brothers and Sisters

H

Frontline

J

Hannity and Colmes

K

Hannity's America

L

Hardball with Chris Matthews

M

Heartland with John Kasich

N

24

P

Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer

Q

1 = yes

2 = no

None of the above

X

Skipped

999

In general, how interested are you in politics and public affairs?

Very interested

1

Somewhat interested

2

Slightly interested

3

Not at all interested

4

Skipped

999

Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a ...

Republican

1

Democrat

2

Independent

3

Another party, please specify:

4

No preference

5

Skipped

999

Ask only if think of self as a Republican [Q6_2 = 1].

Would you call yourself a ...

Strong Republican

1

Not very strong Republican

2

Skipped

999

Ask only if think of self as a Democrat [Q6_2 = 2].

Would you call yourself a ...

Strong Democrat

1

Not very strong Democrat

2

Skipped

999

Ask only if think of self as an Independent or of another political party, or have no party preference [Q6_2 = 3 – 5, 999].

Do you think of yourself as closer to the ...

Republican Party

1

Democratic Party

2

Skipped

999

Party ID — most recent answer (7-point scale):

Strong Republican

1

Not strong Republican

2

Leans Republican

3

Independent / other / undecided

4

Leans Democrat

5

Not strong Democrat

6

Strong Democrat

7

In general, do you think of yourself as ...

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Skipped

999

We'd like to get your feelings toward some people.

Please rate the person on a thermometer that runs from 0 to 100 degrees. Rating above 50 means that you feel favorable and warm toward the person. Rating below 50 means that you feel unfavorable and cool toward the person.

The (first / next) person is __. Where on the thermometer would you rate __?

[Show response scale as thermometer from 0 to 100.]

George W. Bush

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Hillary Clinton

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 1/29/08.

John Edwards

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 1/29/08.

Rudy Giuliani

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Barack Obama

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 2/7/08.

Mitt Romney

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 1/8/08.

Fred Thompson

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

John McCain

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Mike Huckabee

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/3/08 – 2/28/08.

Michael Bloomberg

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/24/08 – 2/25/08.

Bill Clinton

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/26/08 – 3/31/08.

Ralph Nader

Number: 0 – 100

0 = unfavorable

100 = favorable

Don't know who person is

101

Don't know enough about person

102

Skipped

999

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from newspapers [Q2rB_2 = 1].

What newspaper or newspapers do you read regularly? Please list their complete names as well as you can, along with the city where they are published.

Accept multiple answers:

Newspaper #1:

A

City of publication #1:

B

Newspaper #2:

C

City of publication #2:

D

1 = gave answer

2 = did not give answer

Skipped

999

Ask only if think of self as Democrat or lean Democrat [PARTY_2 = 5 – 7].

If you had to choose this week to vote for one of the primary candidates to be the presidential nominee for the Democratic party, which candidate would you vote for?

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Joe Biden}

1

Hillary Clinton

2

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Chris Dodd}

3

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : John Edwards}

4

{1/1/08 – 3/4/08 : Mike Gravel}

5

{1/1/08 – 1/24/08 : Dennis Kucinich}

6

Barack Obama

7

{1/1/08 – 1/9/08 : Bill Richardson}

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/7/08.

Ask only if would vote this week for Democratic candidate (and think of self as Democrat or lean Democrat) [Q24_2 = 1 – 8].

Suppose, for one reason or another, [candidate would vote for in Q24_2] is not chosen as the Democratic candidate. Who would be your second choice for the Democratic nominee for president?

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Joe Biden}

1

Hillary Clinton

2

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Chris Dodd}

3

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : John Edwards}

4

{1/1/08 – 3/4/08 : Mike Gravel}

5

{1/1/08 – 1/24/08 : Dennis Kucinich}

6

Barack Obama

7

{1/1/08 – 1/9/08 : Bill Richardson}

8

Other, specify:

9

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Ask only if think of self as Republican or lean Republican [PARTY_2 = 1 – 3].

If you had to choose this week to vote for one of the primary candidates to be the presidential nominee for the Republican party, which candidate would you vote for?

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani}

2

Mike Huckabee

3

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Duncan Hunter}

4

John McCain

5

Ron Paul

6

{1/1/08 – 2/7/08 : Mitt Romney}

7

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Fred Thompson}

9

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Ask only if would vote this week for Republican candidate (and think of self as Republican or lean Republican) [Q26_2 = 2 – 7, 9].

Suppose, for one reason or another, [candidate would vote for in Q26_2] is not chosen as the Republican candidate. Who would be your second choice for the Republican nominee for president?

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani}

2

Mike Huckabee

3

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Duncan Hunter}

4

John McCain

5

Ron Paul

6

{1/1/08 – 2/7/08 : Mitt Romney}

7

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Fred Thompson}

9

Skipped

999

Ask only on 3/8/08 – 3/31/08.

If the presidential election was held today and John McCain, the Republican, was running against Barack Obama, the Democrat, who would you vote for?

John McCain, the Republican

1

Barack Obama, the Democrat

2

Ralph Nader

3

Other, specify:

6

Don't know

7

Skipped

999

Ask only on 3/8/08 – 3/31/08.

If the presidential election was held today and John McCain, the Republican, was running against Hillary Clinton, the Democrat, who would you vote for?

John McCain, the Republican

1

Hillary Clinton, the Democrat

2

Ralph Nader

3

Other, specify:

4

Don't know

5

Skipped

999

If you had to choose this week to vote for either the Republican or Democratic party's candidate for president, do you think you would probably vote for the Republican candidate, the Democratic candidate, or a third party candidate?

Republican candidate

1

Democratic candidate

2

Third party candidate

3

Not sure yet

4

Depends on the candidates

5

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/1/08 – 3/31/08.

Ask only if rated favorability of Clinton [Q12_2 = 0 – 100].

Is there anything in particular that you like or dislike about Hillary Clinton? If so, please fill in the boxes below.

Accept multiple answers:

I like:

A

I dislike:

B

1 = gave answer

2 = did not give answer

Nothing in particular

3

Don't know enough about this person

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/1/08 – 3/31/08.

Ask only if rated favorability of Obama [Q15_2 = 0 – 100].

Is there anything in particular that you like or dislike about Barack Obama? If so, please fill in the boxes below.

Accept multiple answers:

I like:

A

I dislike:

B

1 = gave answer

2 = did not give answer

Nothing in particular

3

Don't know enough about this person

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/1/08 – 2/7/08.

Ask only if rated favorability of Romney [Q16_2 = 0 – 100].

Is there anything in particular that you like or dislike about Mitt Romney? If so, please fill in the boxes below.

Accept multiple answers:

I like:

A

I dislike:

B

1 = gave answer

2 = did not give answer

Nothing in particular

3

Don't know enough about this person

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/31/08 – 3/31/08.

Ask only if rated favorability of McCain [Q18_2 = 0 – 100].

Is there anything in particular that you like or dislike about John McCain? If so, please fill in the boxes below.

Accept multiple answers:

I like:

A

I dislike:

B

1 = gave answer

2 = did not give answer

Nothing in particular

3

Don't know enough about this person

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/8/08 – 3/31/08.

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from the Internet [Q2rD_2 = 1].

Please list any Internet sites or blogs that you visit regularly, that is, at least once a month, that provide you with information about the presidential campaign.

Accept multiple answers:

Site #1:

A

Site #2:

B

Site #3:

C

Site #4:

D

Site #5:

E

1 = gave answer

2 = did not give answer

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 2/7/08.

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from the Internet [Q2rD_2 = 1].

Are there any Internet sites or blogs that you visit regularly which include information or discussion of the presidential campaign?

Yes

1

No

2

Skipped

999

In your opinion, what is the most important issue facing the US today?

Taxes

1

Education

2

War on terrorism

3

Situation in Iraq

4

Economy/jobs

5

Moral issues

6

Health care

7

Other, please specify:

8

Skipped

999

Ask only if named most important issue [Q37_2 = 1 – 8].

Which candidate do you think would do the best job dealing with [most important issue facing the US in Q37_2]?

Hillary Clinton

1

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : John Edwards}

2

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani}

3

{1/1/08 – 3/5/08 : Mike Huckabee}

4

John McCain

5

{2/26/08 – 3/31/08 : Ralph Nader}

6

Barack Obama

7

{1/1/08 – 2/7/08 : Mitt Romney}

8

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Fred Thompson}

9

Other, specify:

10

Skipped

999

Regardless of who you might vote for, who do you think is most likely to win the Democratic nomination for president?

[Prompt once if no response:] Please just give us your best guess.

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Joe Biden}

1

Hillary Clinton

2

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Chris Dodd}

3

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : John Edwards}

4

{1/1/08 – 3/4/08 : Mike Gravel}

5

{1/1/08 – 1/24/08 : Dennis Kucinich}

6

Barack Obama

7

{1/1/08 – 1/9/08 : Bill Richardson}

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Ask only if named Democratic candidate most likely to win nomination [Q39_2 = 1 – 8].

Who do you think is second most likely to win the Democratic nomination?

[Prompt once if no response:] Please just give us your best guess.

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Joe Biden}

1

Hillary Clinton

2

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Chris Dodd}

3

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : John Edwards}

4

{1/1/08 – 3/4/08 : Mike Gravel}

5

{1/1/08 – 1/24/08 : Dennis Kucinich}

6

Barack Obama

7

{1/1/08 – 1/9/08 : Bill Richardson}

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Ask only if named Democratic candidates most likely to win nomination [Q40_2 = 1 – 8].

Do you think [candidate most likely to win Democratic nomination in Q39_2] will beat [candidate second most likely to win in Q40_2] by a lot or by just a little?

By a lot

1

By just a little

2

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Regardless of who you might vote for, who do you think is most likely to win the Republican nomination for president?

[Prompt once if no response:] Please just give us your best guess.

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani}

2

Mike Huckabee

3

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Duncan Hunter}

4

John McCain

5

Ron Paul

6

{1/1/08 – 2/7/08 : Mitt Romney}

7

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Fred Thompson}

9

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Ask only if named Republican candidate most likely to win nomination [Q42_2 = 2 – 7, 9].

Who do you think is second most likely to win the Republican nomination?

[Prompt once if no response:] Please just give us your best guess.

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani}

2

Mike Huckabee

3

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Duncan Hunter}

4

John McCain

5

Ron Paul

6

{1/1/08 – 2/7/08 : Mitt Romney}

7

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Fred Thompson}

9

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Ask only if named Republican candidates most likely to win nomination [Q43_2 = 2 – 7, 9].

Do you think [candidate most likely to win Republican nomination in Q42_2] will beat [candidate second most likely to win in Q43_2] by a lot or by just a little?

By a lot

1

By just a little

2

Skipped

999

Thinking about the general presidential election in the fall, regardless of which party you personally like best, do you think the Republican candidate will win the presidency, that the Democratic candidate will win the presidency, some other party will win, or is it too close or too early to call?

Probably the Republican candidate

1

Probably the Democratic candidate

2

Probably another party's candidate

3

Too close or too early to call

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

In your opinion, which of the Republican candidates would give the Republican party the best chance of winning the presidency in November?

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani}

1

Mike Huckabee

2

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Duncan Hunter}

3

John McCain

4

Ron Paul

5

{1/1/08 – 2/7/08 : Mitt Romney}

6

{1/1/08 – 1/21/08 : Fred Thompson}

8

Skipped

999

In your opinion, which of the Democratic candidates would give the Democratic party the best chance of winning the presidency in November?

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Joe Biden}

1

Hillary Clinton

2

{1/1/08 – 1/3/08 : Chris Dodd}

3

{1/1/08 – 1/29/08 : John Edwards}

4

{1/1/08 – 3/4/08 : Mike Gravel}

5

{1/1/08 – 1/24/08 : Dennis Kucinich}

6

Barack Obama

7

{1/1/08 – 1/9/08 : Bill Richardson}

8

Skipped

999

How much would you say you know about each of these people? For each name, please tell us whether you know quite a lot, a fair amount, a little, or almost nothing at all about this person.

Ask only on 1/25/08 – 3/31/08.

Hillary Clinton

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/25/08 – 3/31/08.

Barack Obama

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/25/08 – 1/29/08.

John Edwards

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/25/08 – 1/29/08.

Rudy Giuliani

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/25/08 – 2/7/08.

Mitt Romney

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/25/08 – 3/31/08.

John McCain

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/25/08 – 3/5/08.

Mike Huckabee

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/26/08 – 3/31/08.

Ralph Nader

Quite a lot

1

A fair amount

2

A little

3

Almost nothing

4

Skipped

999

Using this scale that ranges from extremely liberal to extremely conservative, where would you place each of these candidates? Just click "don't know" if you don't know enough to rate the person.

Hillary Clinton

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 1/29/08.

John Edwards

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 1/29/08.

Rudy Giuliani

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

Barack Obama

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 2/7/08.

Mitt Romney

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 1/8/08.

Fred Thompson

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Mike Huckabee

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

John McCain

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/26/08 – 3/31/08.

Ralph Nader

Extremely liberal

1

Liberal

2

Slightly liberal

3

Moderate, middle of the road

4

Slightly conservative

5

Conservative

6

Extremely conservative

7

Don't know

8

Skipped

999

In talking to people about elections, we often find that a lot of people were not able to vote because they weren't registered, they were sick, or they just didn't have time. Did you happen to vote in the 2004 presidential election?

Yes

1

No

2

Skipped

999

Ask only if voted in 2004 presidential election [Q65_2 = 1].

Which candidate did you vote for in the 2004 presidential election?

John Kerry (Democrat)

1

George W. Bush (Republican)

2

Ralph Nader (Green)

3

Another candidate, please specify:

4

Skipped

999

We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days.

Would you say that you and your family living here are better off, worse off, or just about the same financially as you were a year ago?

A lot better off

1

A little better off

2

A little worse off

3

A lot worse off

4

Just about the same

5

Skipped

999

Thinking about the economy in the country as a whole, would you say that over the past year the nation's economy has gotten better, stayed about the same, or gotten worse?

Gotten a lot better

1

Gotten a little better

2

Gotten a little worse

3

Gotten a lot worse

4

Stayed about the same

5

Skipped

999

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from television news or talk programs [Q2rA_2 = 1 or Q2rC_2 = 1].

Below are some additional television programs. Which of these do you watch regularly? Please check any that you watch at least once a month.

Accept multiple answers:

Meet the Press

A

MSNBC Live

B

CSI: Miami

C

Out in the Open

D

Oprah

E

Law and Order

F

Situation Room

G

Special Report with Brit Hume

H

Larry King Live

J

CBS Sunday Morning

K

The Beltway Boys

L

The Big Story with John Gibson and Heather Nauert

M

20/20

N

The Fox Report with Shepard Smith

P

1 = yes

2 = no

None of the above

X

Skipped

999

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from television news or talk programs [Q2rA_2 = 1 or Q2rC_2 = 1].

Here is the last list of television programs. Please check any that you watch at least once a month.

Accept multiple answers:

Big Love

A

This Week with George Stephanopoulos

B

The View

C

Scrubs

D

Lou Dobbs

E

The Colbert Report

F

Anderson Cooper 360

G

Geraldo at Large

H

Countdown with Keith Olbermann

J

Dateline NBC

K

Family Guy

L

Studio B with Shepard Smith

M

Reliable Sources

N

Your World with Neil Cavuto

P

McLaughlin Group

Q

1 = yes

2 = no

None of the above

X

Skipped

999

Ask only if heard about presidential campaign from radio news or talk shows [Q2rE_2 = 1].

Which of the following radio programs do you listen to regularly? Please check any that you listen to at least once a month.

Accept multiple answers:

The Rush Limbaugh Show

A

The Sean Hannity Show

B

Michael Savage, The Savage Nation

C

The Glenn Beck Program

D

Bill O'Reilly, Radio Factor

E

Dr. Laura Schlessinger

F

Laura Ingraham

G

The Neal Boortz Show

H

The Mike Gallagher Show

J

The Jim Bohannon Show

K

The Clark Howard Show

L

The Mark Levin Show

M

Bill Bennett's Morning in America

N

The Jerry Doyle Show

P

NPR's All Things Considered

Q

1 = yes

2 = no

None of the above

X

Skipped

999

Thinking about the presidential primaries generally, do you think they are a good way of picking the best candidates, or a bad way of picking the best qualified candidates?

A good way of picking the best candidates

1

A bad way of picking the best candidates

2

Skipped

999

Ask only if think presidential primaries are a good way of picking candidates [Q72_2 = 1].

Is it a very good way to pick the best qualified candidates, or just a somewhat good way to pick the best candidates?

A very good way of picking the best candidates

1

A somewhat good way of picking the best candidates

2

Skipped

999

Ask only if think presidential primaries are a bad way of picking candidates [Q72_2 = 2].

Is it a very bad way to pick the best qualified candidates, or just a somewhat bad way to pick the best candidates?

A very bad way of picking the best candidates

1

A somewhat bad way of picking the best candidates

2

Skipped

999

The Republicans and Democrats use state primaries or caucuses and nominating conventions to select their presidential candidates. Do you think the system works well enough as it is now, or does it need some changes?

Works well enough as is

1

Needs changes

2

Skipped

999

Ask Q76_2 – Q78_2 only if think presidential nominating system needs changes [Q75_2 = 2].

Below are some proposed changes in the way the parties' presidential nominees are chosen. For each one, please tell us if you think this change would improve the system for selecting presidential candidates a lot, a little, or not at all.

A single national primary in which everyone in the country votes on the same day

A lot

1

A little

2

Not at all

3

Skipped

999

A series of regional primaries in which groups of states all vote on the same day, but the order the regions vote in changes with each election

A lot

1

A little

2

Not at all

3

Skipped

999

The current system of individual state primaries and caucuses, but in an order that changes with each election

A lot

1

A little

2

Not at all

3

Skipped

999

Overall, what's your impression of the candidates running for the Democratic presidential nomination? As a group, would you say they are an excellent group of candidates, a good group of candidates, a fair group of candidates, or a poor group of candidates?

An excellent group of candidates

1

A good group of candidates

2

A fair group of candidates

3

A poor group of candidates

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 3/5/08.

Overall, what's your impression of the candidates running for the Republican presidential nomination? As a group, would you say they are an excellent group of candidates, a good group of candidates, a fair group of candidates, or a poor group of candidates?

An excellent group of candidates

1

A good group of candidates

2

A fair group of candidates

3

A poor group of candidates

4

Skipped

999

Would you say the press has been too easy, too tough, or fair in the way it has covered the presidential candidates over the past few months?

Too easy

1

Too tough

2

Fair

3

Too easy on some candidates, too tough on others

4

Skipped

999

How much do you feel that having elections makes the government pay attention to what the people think: a good deal, some, or not much?

A good deal

1

Some

2

Not much

3

Skipped

999

How much do you feel that political parties help to make the government pay attention to what the people think: a good deal, some, or not much?

A good deal

1

Some

2

Not much

3

Skipped

999

In general, do you think the best candidates win the elections, or is it just the candidates who raise the most money that get elected, or something in between?

Best candidates win

1

Candidates who raise the most money win

2

Something in between

3

Skipped

999

In some countries, people believe their elections are conducted fairly. In other countries, people believe that their elections are conducted unfairly. Do you believe presidential elections in the United States are generally ...

Very fair

1

Somewhat fair

2

Neither fair nor unfair

3

Somewhat unfair

4

Very unfair

5

Skipped

999

How much influence do you think the following have on the outcome of primary elections?

The outcome of the early primaries

Too much

1

About the right amount

2

Too little

3

Skipped

999

The news media

Too much

1

About the right amount

2

Too little

3

Skipped

999

Political advertising

Too much

1

About the right amount

2

Too little

3

Skipped

999

Voters

Too much

1

About the right amount

2

Too little

3

Skipped

999

Setting aside your own preferences and what you know about the current candidates for president, do you think — all else being equal — that a black candidate for president has more of a chance of winning, less of a chance of winning, or about the same chance as a white candidate for president?

Much more of a chance of winning

1

Somewhat more of a chance of winning

2

Somewhat less of a chance of winning

3

Much less of a chance of winning

4

About the same chance of winning

5

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 2/7/08.

Setting aside your own preferences and what you know about the current candidates for president, do you think — all else being equal — that a Mormon candidate for president has more of a chance of winning, less of a chance of winning, or about the same chance as a candidate of another religion?

Much more of a chance of winning

1

Somewhat more of a chance of winning

2

Somewhat less of a chance of winning

3

Much less of a chance of winning

4

About the same chance of winning

5

Skipped

999

Ask only on 1/1/08 – 2/7/08.

Would you personally be more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who is a Mormon, less likely to vote for him, or no more or less likely to vote for him?

A lot more likely to vote for him

1

Somewhat more likely to vote for him

2

Somewhat less likely to vote for him

3

A lot less likely to vote for him

4

No more or less likely to vote for him

5

Skipped

999

Setting aside your own preferences and what you know about the current candidates for president, do you think — all else being equal — that a female candidate for president has more of a chance of winning, less of a chance of winning, or about the same chance as a male candidate for president?

Much more of a chance of winning

1

Somewhat more of a chance of winning

2

Somewhat less of a chance of winning

3

Much less of a chance of winning

4

About the same chance of winning

5

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/24/08 – 3/31/08.

Recently, there has been some discussion about the role of "superdelegates" in selecting the presidential candidates for each party. Have you heard anything about superdelegates?

Yes

1

No

2

Maybe

3

Don't know

4

Skipped

999

Ask only on 2/24/08 – 3/31/08.

Ask only if have heard or might have heard about superdelegates [Q94_2 = 1, 3].

In your opinion, how should the superdelegates cast their votes at the party convention? Should they ...

Use their own judgment in deciding who to vote for

1

Vote for the candidate who received the most votes

2

Something else, please explain:

3

Skipped

999