2004 Public Opinion Survey Detail

Since January of 2002, the last national election year, have you worked as a volunteer — that is, for no pay at all or for only a token amount — for a candidate running for national, state, or local office?

Since January of 2002, have you worked as a volunteer on a campaign either for or against a ballot proposition or a ballot measure?

Since January of 2002, did you contribute money to an individual candidate, party group, a political action committee, or any other organization that supported a candidate or a ballot proposition?

In the past 12 months, have you initiated any contacts with a federally elected official or their staff — I mean someone in the White House or a Congressional or Senate office — either in person or by phone, letter or email? (Please don't count any contacts you have made as a regular part of your job.)

In the past two years, have you taken part in a protest, march, or demonstration on some national or local issue other than a strike against your employer?

Other than the things already mentioned, in the past 12 months have you volunteered your own time to work with others in your community to try to deal with some problem, or to provide some kind of service?

Whose responsibility is it to determine if a law is constitutional or not? Is it the President, the Congress, the Supreme Court?

How much of a majority is required for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to override a presidential veto?

Do you happen to know which party currently has the most members in the House of Representatives in Washington? If yes, which party has the most members?

Would you say that one of the parties is more conservative than the other on the national level? If yes, which party is more conservative?

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?

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. Which of the following statements best describes you?

Since January of this year, 2004, please tell me if you have worked as a volunteer — that is, for no pay at all or for only a token amount — for a candidate running for national, state, or local office?

Did you work as a volunteer for any political party?

Did you work as a volunteer for any campaign for or against a ballot measure?

Since January of this year, 2004, did you contribute money to an individual candidate, party group, a political action committee, or any other organization that supported a candidate or a ballot proposition?

During the last year, 2004, did you write, call, or email your Representative in the House?

If you have contacted your Representative in the House during the last year, how did you contact them?

After contacting your Representative in the House, how satisfied were you?

During the last year, 2004, did you write, call, or email one of your Senators?

If you have contacted one of your Senators during 2004, how did you contact them?

After contacting your Senator, how satisfied were you?

Has any member of Congress contacted you by phone, mail, or email this year to inform you about what is going on in Congress?

Did you find the information from that member of Congress very helpful, somewhat helpful, neither helpful or not helpful, not very helpful, or not at all helpful?

Some people seem to follow what's going on in government and public affairs most of the time, whether there's an election going on or not. Others are not that interested. Would you say that you follow what's going on in government and public affairs most of the time, some of the time, only now and then, or hardly at all?

Some people don't pay much attention to political campaigns. How about you? Would you say you were very interested, somewhat interested, or not really interested in following the campaigns this year?

What is your main source of information about the U.S. Congress?

Thinking about the daily newspapers in your area, would you say this is a source that you completely trust, somewhat trust, neither trust nor distrust, somewhat distrust, or completely distrust?

Thinking about your local television news, would you say this is a source that you completely trust, somewhat trust, neither trust nor distrust, somewhat distrust, or completely distrust?

Thinking about the national television network news programs, meaning those on ABC, CBS or NBC, would you say this is a source that you completely trust, somewhat trust, neither trust nor distrust, somewhat distrust, or completely distrust?

“Citizens in a democracy have a responsibility to communicate with their elected congressional members.” Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree?

“Citizens in a democracy have a responsibility to know how their elected congressional members vote on major issues in Congress.” Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree?

“Citizens in a democracy have a responsibility to contribute time or money to organizations in their community.” Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree?

“Citizens in a democracy have a responsibility to help solve problems in their community.” Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree?

“Citizens in a democracy have a responsibility to vote.” Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree?

How much of the time do the decisions that the U.S. Congress make affect your life — just about always, most of the time, only some of the time, or almost never?

How much of the time do the country's elected members of Congress have their own constituents' interests in mind when they vote in Congress — just about always, most of the time, only some of the time, or almost never?

How much of the time do the country's elected members of Congress have special interests in mind when they vote in Congress — just about always, most of the time, only some of the time, or almost never?

Based on the overall results of this past election, do you happen to know which party will have the most seats after the newly elected U.S. House of Representatives is sworn in — the Democrats or the Republicans, or will those two parties have an equal number of seats?

Based on the overall results of this past election, do you happen to know which party will have the most seats after the newly elected U.S. Senate is sworn in — the Democrats or the Republicans, or will those two parties have an equal number of seats?

Who do you believe should be most responsible for handling the fight against international terrorism?

Who do you believe should be most responsible for handling the post—war situation in Iraq?

Who do you believe should be most responsible for handling education?

Who do you believe should be most responsible for handling the economy?

Who do you believe should be most responsible for acting on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission?