Variable catalogSubject C detail
= go to variable directory
= go to variable detail
= go to questionnaire (if applicable)
= expand/collapse subject
= active for full component
= partially active
CA — Current issues in general
CB — Economic issues
CC — Health and social welfare issues
CD — Foreign affairs
CE — Social issues
CF — Energy and environment
CG — Other issues
Most important problem
Schedule
Nat RCS
All dates
In your opinion, what is the most important problem facing the country today?
1
Gave answer (verbatim answer in CA01r1v)
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CA01
1, 998, 999
3
CA01r1v
Verbatim
255
Country going in right or wrong direction
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
9/3/08 – 11/3/08
Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction, or do you think things are seriously off on the wrong track?
1
Right direction
2
Wrong track
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CA02
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Children in US will be better or worse off
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/24/08 – 10/5/08
When children today in the United States grow up, do you think they will be better off or worse off than people are now?
1
Better off
2
Worse off
3
Same as now
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CA03
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
CBa — Economy overall
CBb — Taxes
CBc — Trade
CBd — Financial crisis
Country economic conditions better or worse than one year ago
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
All dates
Thinking about one year ago, in your opinion, were the economic conditions in this country much better than they are right now, somewhat better, the same, somewhat worse, or much worse?
1
Much better
2
Somewhat better
3
Same
4
Somewhat worse
5
Much worse
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBa01
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Personal economic situation better or worse than one year ago
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
All dates
Thinking about one year ago, was your personal economic situation much better than it is right now, somewhat better, the same, somewhat worse, or much worse?
1
Much better
2
Somewhat better
3
Same
4
Somewhat worse
5
Much worse
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBa02
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would better handle economy
Schedule
Nat RCS
8/27/08 – 11/3/08
Who would better handle the economy if they were elected president in 2008, Barack Obama or John McCain?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBa03
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Obama's economic plans are socialist
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/22/08 – 11/3/08
I'm going to read you a word that some use to describe Barack Obama's economic plans. Please tell me how well that word describes Barack Obama's economic plans. Please use a scale from zero to 10, where zero means it does not apply at all, and 10 means it applies extremely well. Of course you can use any number in between.
Socialism — how well does this describe Barack Obama's economic plans?
Number:
0 – 10
0 = does not apply at all
10 = applies extremely well
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBa04
0 – 10, 998, 999
3
Taxes should be cut or increased
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
All dates
I'm going to read you some options about federal income taxes. Please tell me which one comes closest to your view on what we should be doing about federal income taxes:
Taxes should be cut.
Taxes should be kept pretty much as they are.
Taxes should be raised if necessary in order to maintain current federal programs and services.
1
Cut taxes
2
Keep taxes as they are
3
Raise taxes if necessary
4
None of these
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb01
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Taxes will go up or down if McCain is president
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/8/08 – 11/3/08
If John McCain is elected president, do you think your federal taxes will go up, go down, or stay the same?
1
Go up
2
Go down
3
Stay the same
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb02
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Taxes will go up or down if Obama is president
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/8/08 – 11/3/08
If Barack Obama is elected president, do you think your federal taxes will go up, go down, or stay the same?
1
Go up
2
Go down
3
Stay the same
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb03
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who opposed some of Bush tax cuts (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/14/08 – 1/27/08, 1/30/08 – 2/6/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president opposed some of the Bush tax cuts: {1/14/08 – 1/27/08 : Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney | 1/30/08 – 2/6/08 : Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney}?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CBb04rA
{1/14/08 – 1/27/08 : Giuliani}
CBb04rB
Huckabee
CBb04rC
McCain
CBb04rD
Romney
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb04rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb04rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb04rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb04rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who opposed some of Bush tax cuts (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/7/08 – 3/4/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president opposed some of the Bush tax cuts: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Huckabee
2
McCain
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb05
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who would eliminate some Bush tax cuts (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/14/08 – 1/29/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president would eliminate the Bush tax cuts for people above a certain income level: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CBb06rA
Clinton
CBb06rB
Edwards
CBb06rC
Obama
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb06rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb06rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb06rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who would eliminate some Bush tax cuts (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/30/08 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president would eliminate the Bush tax cuts for people above a certain income level: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Clinton
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb07
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would eliminate some Bush tax cuts
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president would eliminate the Bush tax cuts for people above a certain income level: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CBb08a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb08
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who favors tax cuts for working families and seniors
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/26/08 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president promises to provide a $1,000 tax cut for working families and no federal income tax for seniors earning under $50,000 per year: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Clinton
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CBb09a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb09
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors tax cuts for working families and seniors
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 9/2/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president promises to provide a $1,000 tax cut for working families and no federal income tax for seniors earning under $50,000 per year: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CBb10a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb10
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would provide more middle class tax cuts
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/2/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president would provide more tax cuts to the middle class: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CBb11a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb11
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate whose tax plan provides check to people who don't pay taxes
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/15/08, 10/20/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president proposes a tax cut plan that would provide a government check to millions of people who pay no federal income taxes: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CBb12a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb12
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors eliminating estate tax
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 8/30/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president favors completely eliminating the estate tax, that is the tax on property left by people who die: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: McCain. See also CBb13a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb13
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who favors abolishing IRS (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/14/08 – 1/24/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president supports abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, getting rid of the income tax and payroll tax, and putting in place a flat national sales tax that he calls the Fair Tax: Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CBb14rA
Giuliani
CBb14rB
Huckabee
CBb14rC
McCain
CBb14rD
Romney
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb14rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb14rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb14rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb14rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who favors abolishing IRS (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/31/08 – 2/6/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president supports abolishing the Internal Revenue Service: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CBb15rA
Huckabee
CBb15rB
McCain
CBb15rC
Romney
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb15rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb15rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CBb15rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who favors abolishing IRS (wording #3)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/7/08 – 3/4/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president supports abolishing the Internal Revenue Service: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Huckabee
2
McCain
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBb16
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor free trade agreements
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
5/30/08 – 11/3/08
Do you favor or oppose the federal government in Washington negotiating more free trade agreements like NAFTA?
[If favor:] Do you strongly favor or somewhat favor this? [If oppose:] Do you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose this?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBc01
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Candidate more likely to favor trade agreements
Schedule
Nat RCS
6/25/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate is more likely to support free trade agreements like NAFTA: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
See also CBc02a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBc02
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Scared or concerned by financial crisis
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/24/08 – 10/5/08
Would you say the problems currently facing financial institutions and the stock market make you feel scared, or do you feel concerned but not scared, or are you not concerned by those events?
1
Scared
2
Concerned
3
Not concerned
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBd01
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Party more responsible for financial crisis
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/23/08 – 11/3/08
Who is more responsible for the current financial crisis facing the United States: the Democrats in Congress or the Republicans in Congress?
1
Democrats
2
Republicans
3
Both equally
4
Neither
5
President Bush is responsible
6
Wall Street bankers are responsible
7
Other (verbatim answer in CBd02r7v)
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBd02
1 – 7, 998, 999
3
CBd02r7v
Verbatim
255
Favor proposed financial bailout plan
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/24/08 – 10/5/08
This week government announced a plan for the government to take over bad mortgages and other troubled investments from financial firms. This plan will cost billions of dollars and would aim to bring stability to the stock market and put big financial institutions on better financial footing. Do you approve or disapprove of this plan?
If you do not know enough about this to have an opinion, please just say so.
1
Approve
2
Disapprove
3
Depends
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBd03
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Favor passed financial bailout law
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/6/08 – 11/3/08
Last week Congress passed and the president signed legislation for the government to take over bad mortgages and other troubled investments from financial firms. This plan will cost billions of dollars and would aim to bring stability to the stock market and put big financial institutions on better financial footing. Do you approve or disapprove of this legislation?
If you do not know enough about this to have an opinion, please just say so.
1
Approve
2
Disapprove
3
Depends
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBd04
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who would freeze home foreclosures and mortgage rates
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/5/08 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president would freeze foreclosures on homes and mortgage interest rates: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Clinton
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Clinton. See also CBd05a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CBd05
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
CCa — Health care
CCb — Social insurance
CCc — Education
Favor government health insurance or current private system
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 6/8/08
Which do you think would be better for the country: having one health insurance program covering all Americans that would be administered by the government and paid for by taxpayers, or keeping the current system where many people get their insurance from private employers and some have no insurance?
1
One government program
2
Current system
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa01
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Increase competition or regulation in health care industry
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
5/30/08 – 9/23/08, 9/26/08 – 11/3/08
Which comes closer to your view when it comes to increasing access to affordable health care in the United States: the country should increase competition in the health insurance market or increase regulation of the insurance industry?
1
Increase competition
2
Increase regulation
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa02
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would better handle health care reform
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/8/08 – 11/3/08
Who would better handle Health care reform if they were elected president in 2008, Barack Obama or John McCain?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa03
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate whose health plan mandates everyone have insurance
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/14/08 – 1/24/08, 1/30/08 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president is proposing a health care reform plan that mandates that everyone have health insurance: {1/14/08 – 1/24/08, 1/30/08 – 2/3/08 : Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama | 2/4/08 – 5/22/08 : Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, both, or neither}?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Clinton
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Clinton. See also CCa04a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa04
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate whose health plan mandates children have insurance
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president is proposing a health care reform plan that mandates that children have health insurance: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CCa05a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa05
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would provide individuals/families money to buy health insurance (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
4/30/08 – 5/18/08
Which candidate or candidates would provide individuals $2,500 and families $5,000 to help them buy their own health insurance: John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CCa06rA
McCain
CCa06rB
Clinton
CCa06rC
Obama
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa06rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CCa06rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CCa06rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would provide individuals/families money to buy health insurance (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/19/08 – 5/22/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president would provide individuals $2,500 or families $5,000 to help them buy their own health insurance: John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CCa07rA
McCain
CCa07rB
Clinton
CCa07rC
Obama
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa07rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CCa07rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CCa07rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would provide individuals/families money to buy health insurance (wording #3)
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 9/23/08, 10/2/08 – 10/5/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president would provide individuals $2,500 or families $5,000 to help them buy their own health insurance: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa08
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would provide individuals/families money to buy health insurance (wording #4)
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/6/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president would provide uninsured individuals with a $2,500 credit or uninsured families with a $5,000 credit to help them buy their own health insurance: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa09
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who proposes taxing employer health benefits
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/6/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president proposes taxing the health benefits an employee receives from an employer: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: McCain. See also CCa10a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCa10
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would better handle Social Security and Medicare
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/8/08 – 11/3/08
Who would better handle Social Security and Medicare if they were elected president in 2008, Barack Obama or John McCain?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCb01
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Favor school vouchers
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/11/08 – 9/17/08
Do you favor or oppose vouchers which would help parents pay the cost of charter or private elementary or secondary schools for their children?
[If favor:] Do you strongly favor or somewhat favor this? [If oppose:] Do you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose this?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCc01
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors school vouchers
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/11/08 – 9/17/08
Which candidate running for president favors vouchers that would help parents pay the cost of charter or private elementary or secondary schools for their children: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: McCain. See also CCc02a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CCc02
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
CDa — Foreign affairs in general
CDb — Iraq
CDc — Homeland security / terrorism
CDd — Immigration
Republican candidate who would be best commander-in-chief
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/11/08 – 3/4/08
Which Republican candidate running for president do you think would do the best job being commander-in-chief of the military as president: {1/11/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney | 1/30/08 – 2/6/08 : Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney | 2/7/08 – 3/4/08 : Mike Huckabee or John McCain}?
1
{1/11/08 – 1/29/08 : Giuliani}
2
Huckabee
3
McCain
4
{1/11/08 – 2/6/08 : Romney}
5
Other (verbatim answer in CDa01r5v)
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa01
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
CDa01r5v
Verbatim
255
Democratic candidate who would be best commander-in-chief
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/11/08 – 5/29/08
Which Democratic candidate running for president do you think would do the best job being commander-in-chief of the military as president: {1/11/08 – 1/29/08 : Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama | 1/30/08 – 5/29/08 : Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama}?
1
Clinton
2
{1/11/08 – 1/29/08 : Edwards}
3
Obama
4
Other (verbatim answer in CDa02r4v)
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa02
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
CDa02r4v
Verbatim
255
Candidate who would be best commander-in-chief (question position #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
3/21/08 – 4/9/08
Which candidate running for president do you think would do the best job being commander-in-chief of the military as president: John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama?
1
McCain
2
Clinton
3
Obama
4
Other (verbatim answer in CDa03r4v)
998
Don't know
999
No answer
See also CDa04 for alternate question position.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa03
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
CDa03r4v
Verbatim
255
Candidate who would be best commander-in-chief (question position #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
4/10/08 – 5/29/08
Which candidate running for president do you think would do the best job being commander-in-chief of the military as president: John McCain, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama?
1
McCain
2
Clinton
3
Obama
4
Other (verbatim answer in CDa04r4v)
998
Don't know
999
No answer
See also CDa03 for alternate question position.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa04
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
CDa04r4v
Verbatim
255
Favor negotiating with enemy nations
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/30/08 – 9/3/08
Do you favor or oppose the president of the United States negotiating with nations the United States considers as enemies?
[If favor:] Do you strongly favor or somewhat favor this? [If oppose:] Do you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose this?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa05
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Candidate more likely to negotiate with enemy nations
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/30/08 – 8/30/08
Which candidate is more likely to negotiate with America's enemies: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
See also CDa06a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa06
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
McCain would move too quickly on military action or spend too much time on diplomacy
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/6/08 – 11/3/08
If John McCain is elected president, what would concern you more about his handling of problems with other countries: that he might move too quickly to take military action and not spend enough time on diplomacy, or that he might spend too much time on diplomacy and not move quickly enough to take military action?
1
Move too quickly to take military action
2
Spend too much time on diplomacy
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa07
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Obama would move too quickly on military action or spend too much time on diplomacy
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/6/08 – 11/3/08
If Barack Obama is elected president, what would concern you more about his handling of problems with other countries: that he might move too quickly to take military action and not spend enough time on diplomacy, or that he might spend too much time on diplomacy and not move quickly enough to take military action?
1
Move too quickly to take military action
2
Spend too much time on diplomacy
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa08
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Obama will move too quickly on military action or spend too much time on diplomacy
Schedule
R
Now that that Barack Obama has been elected president, what concerns you more about his handling of problems with other countries: that he might move too quickly to take military action and not spend enough time on diplomacy, or that he might spend too much time on diplomacy and not move quickly enough to take military action?
1
Move too quickly to take military action
2
Spend too much time on diplomacy
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDa09
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
US should withdraw or keep troops in Iraq
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
All dates
I'm going to read you some plans for United States policy in Iraq. Please tell me which one comes closest to your own position:
The US should withdraw all troops from Iraq as soon as possible.
The US should set a deadline for withdrawing its troops if the Iraqi government doesn't show definite progress.
The US should keep its troops in Iraq until a stable government is established.
1
Withdraw as soon as possible
2
Set withdrawal deadline
3
Keep troops until stable government
4
None of these
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb01
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Leaving Iraq would increase or decrease terrorism risk
Schedule
Nat RCS
All dates
If the United States military leaves Iraq, do you think that would increase the risk of terrorism in the US, decrease risk of terrorism in the US, or not make a difference, one way or another?
1
Increase
2
Decrease
3
Make no difference
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb03
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
US will succeed at goals in Iraq
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 1/10/08, 9/4/08 – 11/3/08
Regardless of what you think about the original decision to use military force in Iraq, do you now believe that the United States will definitely succeed, probably succeed, probably fail, or definitely fail in achieving its goals in Iraq?
1
Definitely succeed
2
Probably succeed
3
Probably fail
4
Definitely fail
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb04
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Iraq war has made US safer
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 1/10/08
Do you think the war with Iraq has made the United States safer or less safe from terrorism?
1
Safer
2
Less safe
3
No difference
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb05
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Candidate who would better handle Iraq war
Schedule
Nat RCS
8/27/08 – 11/3/08
Who would better handle the war in Iraq if they were elected president in 2008, Barack Obama or John McCain?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb06
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who opposed Iraq war (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/14/08 – 1/29/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president was opposed to giving President Bush authorization to wage war in Iraq: Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CDb07rA
Clinton
CDb07rB
Edwards
CDb07rC
Obama
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb07rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDb07rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDb07rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who opposed Iraq war (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/30/08 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president was opposed to giving President Bush authorization to wage war in Iraq: {1/30/08 – 2/3/08 : Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama | 2/4/08 – 5/22/08 : Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, both, or neither}?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Clinton
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb08
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who opposed Iraq war
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president opposed the war in Iraq: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CDb09a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb09
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Iraq surge is making situation better or worse
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/28/07 – 4/9/08
As you may know, the United States has increased the number of troops sent to Iraq. Do you think this troop surge is making the situation in Iraq better, making it worse, or is it having no impact on the situation in Iraq so far?
1
Making better
2
Making worse
3
No impact
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb10
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who first advocated Iraq surge (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/14/08 – 2/6/08
Which Republican candidate running for president was the first to criticize former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for conduct of the Iraq War and the first to advocate the increase in troops known as the surge: {1/14/08 – 1/29/08 : Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney | 1/30/08 – 2/6/08 : Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney}?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CDb11rA
{1/14/08 – 1/29/08 : Giuliani}
CDb11rB
Huckabee
CDb11rC
McCain
CDb11rD
Romney
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb11rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDb11rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDb11rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDb11rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who first advocated Iraq surge (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/7/08 – 3/4/08
Which Republican candidate running for president was the first to criticize former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for conduct of the Iraq War and the first to advocate the increase in troops known as the surge: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Huckabee
2
McCain
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb12
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who first advocated Iraq surge (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 8/30/08
Which candidate running for president was the first to criticize former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for conduct of the Iraq War and the first to advocate the increase in troops known as the surge: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb13
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who first advocated Iraq surge (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
9/2/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president was the first to call for an increase in the number of troops as a way to make Iraq more stable, known as the surge: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDb14
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Iran threat requires military action
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 5/29/08
Which comes closer to your opinion?
Iran is a threat to the United States that requires military action now.
Iran is a threat that can be contained with diplomacy now.
Iran is not a threat to the United States at this time.
1
Requires military action
2
Can be contained with diplomacy
3
Not a threat
4
None of these
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDc01
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who called for Iranian military unit to be designated a terrorist organization
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic presidential candidates, if any, voted for a resolution in Congress which called on the Bush administration to designate a special Iranian military unit called the Revolutionary Guard, a foreign terrorist organization?
Multiple answers accepted:
CDc02rA
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Biden}
CDc02rB
Clinton
CDc02rC
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Dodd}
CDc02rD
{12/17/07 – 1/29/08 : Edwards}
CDc02rE
{12/17/07 – 3/25/08 : Gravel}
CDc02rF
{12/17/07 – 1/24/08 : Kucinich}
CDc02rG
Obama
CDc02rH
{12/17/07 – 1/9/08 : Richardson}
CDc02rZ
Other (verbatim answer in CDc02rZv)
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Clinton
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDc02rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rE
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rF
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rG
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rH
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rZ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDc02rZv
Verbatim
255
Candidate who favors closing Guantanamo Bay
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president favors closing the base at which alleged enemy fighters are held at Guantanamo Bay: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CDc03a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDc03
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor path to citizenship for those in US illegally (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
All dates
I'm going to read you a proposal some have made regarding immigration. Please tell me whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose it: provide a path to citizenship for some illegal aliens who agree to return to their home country for a period of time and pay substantial fines.
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd01
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor path to citizenship for those in US illegally (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/8/08 – 3/2/08
I'm going to read you a proposal some have made regarding immigration. Please tell me whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose it: provide a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants who agree to return to their home country for a period of time and pay substantial fines.
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd02
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor path to citizenship for those in US illegally (wording #3)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/8/08 – 3/2/08
I'm going to read you a proposal some have made regarding immigration. Please tell me whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose it: provide a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants who agree to return to their home country for a period of time and pay substantial fines.
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd03
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor building fence along Mexico border
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 9/10/08
I'm going to read you a proposal some have made regarding immigration. Please tell me whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose it: increase border security by building a fence along part of the US border with Mexico.
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd04
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who supported Bush immigration proposal
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 1/10/08
Which candidate or candidates supported the immigration bill proposal by President Bush?
Multiple answers accepted:
CDd05rA
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Biden}
CDd05rB
Clinton
CDd05rC
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Dodd}
CDd05rD
Edwards
CDd05rE
Giuliani
CDd05rF
Gravel
CDd05rG
Huckabee
CDd05rH
Hunter
CDd05rJ
Kucinich
CDd05rK
McCain
CDd05rL
Obama
CDd05rM
Paul
CDd05rN
{12/17/07 – 1/9/08 : Richardson}
CDd05rP
Romney
CDd05rQ
{12/17/07 – 12/19/07 : Tancredo}
CDd05rR
Thompson
CDd05rZ
Other (verbatim answer in CDd05rZv)
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd05rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rE
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rF
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rG
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rH
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rJ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rK
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rL
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rM
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rN
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rP
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rQ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rR
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rZ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd05rZv
Verbatim
255
Republican candidate who would secure borders then allow some illegal immigrants to become citizens (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/30/08 – 2/5/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president has an immigration plan that would, as a first step, secure the nation's borders, then, once that is done, allow people who entered the country illegally to have the opportunity to become citizens under certain conditions, but deport those who have committed crimes while in the United States: {1/30/08 – 2/3/08 : John McCain or Mitt Romney | 2/4/08 – 2/5/08 : John McCain, Mitt Romney, both, or neither}?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Romney
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd06
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who would secure borders then allow some illegal immigrants to become citizens (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/6/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president has an immigration plan that would, as a first step, secure the nation's borders, then, once that is done, allow people who entered the country illegally to have the opportunity to become citizens under certain conditions, but deport those who have committed crimes while in the United States: Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, or John McCain?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CDd07rA
Huckabee
CDd07rB
McCain
CDd07rC
Romney
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd07rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd07rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CDd07rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who would secure borders then allow some illegal immigrants to become citizens (wording #3)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/7/08 – 3/4/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president has an immigration plan that would, as a first step, secure the nation's borders, then, once that is done, allow people who entered the country illegally to have the opportunity to become citizens under certain conditions, but deport those who have committed crimes while in the United States: Mike Huckabee or John McCain?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Huckabee
2
McCain
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd08
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/30/08 – 9/3/08
Do you favor or oppose allowing driver's licenses to undocumented or illegal immigrants?
[If favor:] Do you strongly favor or somewhat favor this? [If oppose:] Do you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose this?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd09
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who favors driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/4/08 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic candidate or candidates running for president favors allowing driver's licenses for undocumented or illegal immigrants: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Clinton
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CDd10a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd10
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 9/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president favors allowing driver's licenses for undocumented or illegal immigrants: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CDd11a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CDd11
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
CEa — Abortion
CEb — Stem cell research
CEc — Gay rights
CEd — Other
Abortion should be available or restricted
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
All dates
Please tell me which of the following statements about abortion comes closest to your own view:
Abortion should be available to anyone who wants it.
Abortion should be available, but with stricter limits than it is now.
Abortion should not be permitted except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the woman is at risk.
Abortion should not be permitted under any circumstances.
1
Available to anyone
2
Available with stricter limits
3
Not permitted except for rape, incest, or life risk
4
Not permitted under any circumstances
5
None of these
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEa01
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors overturning Roe v. Wade (question position #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 2/10/08
Which candidate or candidates favors overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion?
Multiple answers accepted:
CEa02rA
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Biden}
CEa02rB
Clinton
CEa02rC
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Dodd}
CEa02rD
{12/17/07 – 1/29/08 : Edwards}
CEa02rE
{12/17/07 – 1/29/08 : Giuliani}
CEa02rF
Gravel
CEa02rG
Huckabee
CEa02rH
{12/17/07 – 1/19/08 : Hunter}
CEa02rJ
{12/17/07 – 1/24/08 : Kucinich}
CEa02rK
McCain
CEa02rL
Obama
CEa02rM
Paul
CEa02rN
{12/17/07 – 1/9/08 : Richardson}
CEa02rP
{12/17/07 – 2/6/08 : Romney}
CEa02rQ
{12/17/07 – 12/19/07 : Tancredo}
CEa02rR
{12/17/07 – 1/21/08 : Thompson}
CEa02rZ
Other (verbatim answer in CEa02rZv)
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
See also CEa03 for alternate question position.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEa02rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rE
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rF
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rG
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rH
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rJ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rK
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rL
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rM
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rN
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rP
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rQ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rR
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rZ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa02rZv
Verbatim
255
Candidate who favors overturning Roe v. Wade (question position #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president favors overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEa03
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who supports constitutional amendment banning abortion
Schedule
Nat RCS
12/17/07 – 1/10/08
Which candidate or candidates supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion?
Multiple answers accepted:
CEa04rA
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Biden}
CEa04rB
Clinton
CEa04rC
{12/17/07 – 1/3/08 : Dodd}
CEa04rD
Edwards
CEa04rE
Giuliani
CEa04rF
Gravel
CEa04rG
Huckabee
CEa04rH
Hunter
CEa04rJ
Kucinich
CEa04rK
McCain
CEa04rL
Obama
CEa04rM
Paul
CEa04rN
{12/17/07 – 1/9/08 : Richardson}
CEa04rP
Romney
CEa04rQ
{12/17/07 – 12/19/07 : Tancredo}
CEa04rR
Thompson
CEa04rZ
Other (verbatim answer in CEa04rZv)
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEa04rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rE
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rF
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rG
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rH
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rJ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rK
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rL
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rM
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rN
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rP
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rQ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rR
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rZ
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEa04rZv
Verbatim
255
Favor federal stem cell research funding
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
10/3/08 – 11/3/08
Do you favor or oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research?
[If favor:] Do you strongly favor or somewhat favor this? [If oppose:] Do you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose this?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEb01
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors federal stem cell research funding
Schedule
Nat RCS
10/3/08 – 11/3/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: both. See also CEb02a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEb02
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor same-sex marriage or civil unions
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
12/17/07 – 8/28/08, 9/4/08 – 9/23/08
There has been much talk recently about whether gays and lesbians should have the legal right to marry someone of the same sex. Which of the following options comes closest to your position on this issue?
I support full marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.
I support civil unions or domestic partnerships, but not gay marriage.
I do not support any form of legal recognition of the relationships of gay and lesbian couples.
1
Full marriage rights
2
Civil unions or domestic partnerships
3
No legal recognition
4
None of these
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEc01
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Favor constitutional amendment allowing only man-woman marriage
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/8/08 – 5/29/08
Would you favor or oppose an amendment to the US Constitution that would allow marriage only between a man and a woman?
[If favor:] Would you strongly favor or somewhat favor the amendment? [If oppose:] Would you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose the amendment?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEc02
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who favors constitutional amendments against abortion and same-sex marriage (wording #1)
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/22/08 – 1/29/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president supports both a constitutional amendment prohibiting same sex marriages and a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion: Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, or Mitt Romney?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CEd01rA
Giuliani
CEd01rB
Huckabee
CEd01rC
McCain
CEd01rD
Romney
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEd01rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEd01rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEd01rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CEd01rD
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Republican candidate who favors constitutional amendments against abortion and same-sex marriage (wording #2)
Schedule
Nat RCS
2/11/08 – 3/4/08
Which Republican candidate or candidates running for president supports both a constitutional amendment prohibiting same sex marriages and a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Huckabee
2
McCain
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CEd02
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
CFa — Energy
CFb — Environment
Suspending gas tax for summer would affect gas prices
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/5/08 – 5/29/08
If the 18 cents per gallon federal tax on gas was removed for the summer, do you think the price you would pay at the pump during the summer would go higher, go lower, or stay about where it would have been if the tax were not removed for the summer?
1
Go higher
2
Go lower
3
Stay the same
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa01
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Suspending gas tax for summer would affect amount of driving
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/5/08 – 5/29/08
If the 18 cents per gallon federal tax on gas was removed for the summer, would you drive more, less, or about the same amount that you would have driven if the tax was not removed?
1
Drive more
2
Drive less
3
Same amount
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa02
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Suspending gas tax for summer would affect price of food
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/5/08 – 5/29/08
If the 18 cents per gallon federal tax on gas was removed for the summer, do you think the price of food carried to markets by trucks would go higher, go lower, or not be affected by the removal of the federal tax on gas for the summer?
1
Go higher
2
Go lower
3
Not be affected
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa03
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Suspending gas tax is good or bad idea
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 7/31/08
Would you say that suspending the federal gas tax is a good idea or a bad idea?
1
Good idea
2
Bad idea
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa04
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Favor suspending gas tax for summer
Schedule
Nat RCS
6/24/08 – 8/26/08
Do you favor or oppose suspending the federal gas tax for the summer months?
[If favor:] Do you strongly favor or somewhat favor this? [If oppose:] Do you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose this?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa05
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
McCain favors suspending gas tax for summer
Schedule
Nat RCS
4/28/08 – 8/26/08
Does John McCain support suspending the gas tax throughout the summer months this year, or not?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: yes. See also CFa06a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa06
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Clinton favors suspending gas tax for summer
Schedule
Nat RCS
4/28/08 – 6/8/08
Does Hillary Clinton support suspending the gas tax throughout the summer months this year, or not?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: yes. See also CFa07a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa07
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Obama favors suspending gas tax for summer
Schedule
Nat RCS
4/28/08 – 8/26/08
Does Barack Obama support suspending the gas tax throughout the summer months this year, or not?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: no. See also CFa08a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa08
1, 2, 998, 999
3
Favor lifting ban on coastal oil drilling
Schedule
Nat RCS
6/24/08 – 9/23/08
Do you favor or oppose lifting the federal ban on oil drilling in waters off the coast of the United States?
[If favor:] Do you strongly favor or somewhat favor this? [If oppose:] Do you strongly oppose or somewhat oppose this?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Neither favor nor oppose
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa09
1 – 5, 998, 999
3
Lifting ban on coastal oil drilling would affect gas prices
Schedule
Nat RCS
8/1/08 – 9/3/08
If the federal government lifts the ban on oil drilling in waters off the coast of the United States, do you think the price you would pay at the pump in the next year would go higher, go lower, or stay about where it would have been if the federal ban on offshore drilling were kept in place?
1
Go higher
2
Go lower
3
Stay the same
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa10
1 – 3, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors lifting ban on coastal oil drilling
Schedule
Nat RCS
6/24/08 – 9/23/08
Which candidate or candidates running for president favors lifting the federal ban on oil drilling off the coast of the United States: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: McCain. See also CFa11a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFa11
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Protecting environment or growing economy should be more important
Schedule
Nat RCS
R
6/2/08 – 11/3/08
I am going to read you a pair of statements. Please tell me which of the two statements comes closest to your opinion:
Protecting the environment should be a top priority, even if that means higher consumer prices.
Protecting the environment is important, but it is more important to keep the economy growing.
1
Environment should be top priority
2
More important to keep economy growing
3
Both equally
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFb01
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Candidate who favors cap and trade
Schedule
Nat RCS
5/23/08 – 9/22/08
Which candidate or candidates favors reducing pollution through a process called cap and trade: John McCain, Barack Obama, both, or neither?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
1
McCain
2
Obama
3
Both
4
Neither
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: both. See also CFb02a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CFb02
1 – 4, 998, 999
3
Democratic candidate who did most to pass Senate ethics reform
Schedule
Nat RCS
1/22/08 – 5/22/08
Which Democratic candidate running for president did the most in the United States Senate to pass ethics reform: {1/22/08 – 1/29/08 : Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama | 1/30/08 – 5/22/08 : Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama}?
[Probe if don't know:] Anything come to mind?
Multiple answers accepted:
CG01rA
Clinton
CG01rB
{1/22/08 – 1/29/08 : Edwards}
CG01rC
Obama
1
Yes
2
No
998
Don't know
999
No answer
Correct answer: Obama. See also CG01a for don't know prompt.
Data columns
Name
Codes
Width
CG01rA
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CG01rB
1, 2, 998, 999
3
CG01rC
1, 2, 998, 999
3