THE TARRANCE GROUP, INC. LAKE SOSIN SNELL PERRY & ASSOCIATES B A T T L E G R O U N D ‘ 9 8 DECEMBER 7-9, 1997 N=1,000 REGISTERED VOTERS Hello, I'm _______________ of The Tarrance Group, a national survey research firm. We're talking to people long distance today about public leaders and issues facing us all. May I please speak with the youngest male in the household who is registered to vote? A. Are you registered to vote in your state? IF "NO", ASK: Is there someone else at home who is registered to vote? (IF "YES", THEN ASK: MAY I SPEAK WITH HIM/HER?) YES (CONTINUE). . . . . . . . . .100% NO (THANK AND TERMINATE). . . . . * Now, thinking for a moment about things in this country -- 1. Do you feel things in this country are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track? Right dirctn/strongly. . . . . . . 11% _______________________ Right dirctn/somewhat. . . . . . . 25% IF CHOICE MADE, ASK: UNSURE (DNR) . . . . . . . . . . . 14% And do you feel strongly or Wrong track/somewhat . . . . .16% somewhat strongly about that? Wrong track/strongly . . . . . . . 35% "*" = Value equals less than 0.5%. 2. Now, thinking for a moment about things in this country ... What do you think is the number one problem facing the country today? (DO NOT READ) Abortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Affirmative Action/Civil Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .* Agriculture/farming/ranching . . . . * AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Auto insurance . . . . . . . . . . . * Bosnia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Child care . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Clinton (President Bill) . . . . . .2% Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Corruption . . . . . . . . . . . . .2% Cost of living . . . . . . . . . . .1% Crime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13% Deficit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Drugs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10% Economy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5% Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . .6% Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Fast Track legislation . . . . . . . * Foreign affairs. . . . . . . . . . .1% Gangs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Government spending. . . . . . . . .1% Growth/overdevelopment . . . . .* Guns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Health care (cost/quality of). . . .1% Health insurance (cost/lack of). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .* Homeless/poverty . . . . . . . . . .2% Housing (costs/lack of). . . . . . . * Immigration. . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Inflation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Iraq/Saddam Hussein. . . . . . . . . * Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Loss of Industry . . . . . . . . . . * Medicare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Military spending. . . . . . . . . . * Moral/religious concerns . . . . . .4% Politicians/incumbents . . . . . . .4% Pollution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Racism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3% Senior citizens. . . . . . . . . . . * Social Security. . . . . . . . . . .1% 28% - CRIME & DRUGS Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2% 9% - ECONOMY & JOBS Tax breaks for wealthy . . . . . . . * 6% - BUDGET ISSUES Tax increases. . . . . . . . . . . . * 6% - EDUCATION Trade/NAFTA. . . . . . . . . . . . . * 6% - POLITICIANS/CORRUPTION Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . * 4% - MORAL/RELIGIOUS CONCERNS Unemployment . . . . . . . . . 2% 2% - TAXES Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3% 2% - FOREIGN AFFAIRS Wages/stagnant incomes . . . . . . . * War. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Welfare (reform) . . . . . . . . . .3% 17% - POCKETBOOK ISSUES OTHER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21% 56% - LIFESTYLE ISSUES UNSURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5% 3. And, would you say that the country as a whole is -- (ROTATE) -- better off, worse off -- or about the same as it was a year ago? IF BETTER OR WORSE: Much better off. . . . . . . . . . .5% Would that be much (better/worse) Somewhat better off. . . . . .17% or somewhat (better/worse)? About the same . . . . . . . . . . 53% Somewhat worse off . . . . . . . . 13% Much worse off . . . . . . . . . . 10% NONE OF THESE (DNR). . . . . . . . . * UNSURE (DNR) . . . . . . . . . . . .2% 4. And, when you think about how things are going in the country, which one of the following emotions best describes how you feel about things? (READ LIST AND ROTATE -- TOP TO BOTTOM / BOTTOM TO TOP) Enthusiastic . . . . . . . . . . . .4% Hopeful. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28% Uncertain. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19% Neutral. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9% Worried. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14% Bored. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Disappointed . . . . . . . . . . . 13% Angry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7% UNSURE/COMBINATION (DNR) . . . . . .3% And, turning to your personal financial situation for a moment -- 5. We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that you and your family are financially -- (ROTATE) -- better off, worse off -- or about the same as you were a year ago? IF BETTER OR WORSE: Much better off. . . . . . . . . . .7% Would that be much (better/worse) Somewhat better off. . . . . .17% or somewhat (better/worse)? About the same . . . . . . . . . . 58% Somewhat worse off . . . . . . . . 12% Much worse off . . . . . . . . . . .6% NONE OF THESE (DNR). . . . . . . . . * UNSURE (DNR) . . . . . . . . . . . .1% And thinking ahead to the future -- 6. Do you think that one year from now your personal financial situation and that of your family living with you will be -- (ROTATE) -- better off, worse off -- or about the same? IF BETTER OR WORSE: Much better off. . . . . . . . . . 12% Would that be much (better/worse) Somewhat better off. . . . . .24% or somewhat (better/worse)? About the same . . . . . . . . . . 50% Somewhat worse off . . . . . . . . .7% Much worse off . . . . . . . . . . .3% NONE OF THESE (DNR). . . . . . . . . * UNSURE (DNR) . . . . . . . . . . . .5% Thinking about the role of government in our lives ... 7. I'd like to read you two viewpoints. Please tell me which one comes closest to your own -- (ROTATE) -- Some people say / That government can help people and can work for average American families; Other people say Other people say / That government is not the solution to our problems and cannot be expected to help Some people say average American families. PROMPT: Which viewpoint comes closest to your own? Government can help. . . . . . . . 43% Government is not solution . . . . 50% BOTH EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . . . . . .3% NONE OF THE ABOVE (DNR). . . . . . .2% UNSURE (DNR) . . . . . . . . . . . .2% Now I would like to rate your feelings towards some people and organizations. For each one, please use a scale from zero to one hundred, with zero meaning a "very cold, unfavorable feeling", one hundred meaning a "very warm, favorable feeling", and fifty meaning neutral -- not particularly warm or cold. You can use any number from zero to one hundred -- the higher the number the more favorable your feelings are toward that person or organization. If you have no opinion or have never heard of that person or organization, please say so. Here's the first one ... (ROTATE QUESTIONS 8 - 11) 8. BILL CLINTON [Average Score = 47.2] Cold/unfavorable (1-49) . . .42% Neutral (50). . . . . . . . .16% Warm/favorable (51-100) . . .41% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 2% 9. AL GORE [Average Score = 42.9] Cold/unfavorable (1-49) . . .42% Neutral (50). . . . . . . . .22% Warm/favorable (51-100) . . .29% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 6% 10. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY [Average Score = 47.8] Cold/unfavorable (1-49) . . .34% Neutral (50). . . . . . . . .29% Warm/favorable (51-100) . . .34% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 3% 11. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY [Average Score = 48.5] Cold/unfavorable (1-49) . . .36% Neutral (50). . . . . . . . .27% Warm/favorable (51-100) . . .35% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 3% (END ROTATION) Still thinking about the 1998 elections for U.S. Congress -- 12. If the election for Congress were being held today, and you had to make a choice, would you be voting for: (ROTATE) the Republican candidate; OR the Democrat candidate ... in your district? Republican. . . . . 36% IF "UNDECIDED", ASK: Lean Republican . . . . . . . . . 4% And which party's candidate UNDECIDED (DNR) . . . . . . . . .21% do you lean toward at this Lean Democrat . . . . . . . . . . 4% time? Democrat. . . . . . . . . . . . .35% Now, thinking about the 1998 elections for U.S. Congress -- 13. Will you be voting -- * more for change and a new direction; OR * more to stay the course and keep things as they are? Change/new direction. . . . .72% Stay the course/keep things the same. . . . 18% COMBINATION/EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . . . . . . .1% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 9% And, thinking about your Member of Congress for a moment -- 14. Do you think your own Member of Congress has performed his or her job well enough to deserve re-election, or do you think it's time to give a new person a chance? Deserves re-election. . . . .42% UNSURE / DEPENDS ON OPPONENT (DNR) . . . . . . . . . 17% New person a chance . . . . .41% 15. As you may know, the Republicans currently control Congress, while a Democrat is President. Which of the following statements is closer to your point of view? (ROTATE) -- To get more things done, I would like to see a Congress and a President of the same party; OR I prefer the President and Congress to be of different parties, because that way they can balance each other out. Same party (TO 17). . . . . .40% Different parties (TO 16) . . . . . . . . . 49% NO PREFERENCE (DNR) (TO 17) . . . . . . . . .7% UNSURE (DNR) (TO 17). . . . . 4% IF "DIFFERENT" IN QUESTION 15, THEN ASK: 16. And, would you prefer -- (ROTATE) -- a Democratic President and Republican Congress; OR a Republican President and Democratic Congress? DEM President/REP Congress. . . . . . . . . 43% REP President/DEM Congress. . . . . . . . . 28% SOME OTHER PARTY (DNR). . . . 1% NO PREFERENCE (DNR) . . . . .21% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 8% *** ASK OF EVERYONE *** (ROTATE Q17 & Q18) 17. And, do you approve or disapprove of the way Newt Gingrich is handling his job as Speaker of the House? Approve/strongly . . . . 8% IF CHOICE MADE, ASK: Approve/somewhat . . . . . .22% Would you say you strongly UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . .18% or somewhat (approve/ Disapprove/smwht. . . . .18% disapprove)? Disapprove/strongly. . . . . .34% 18. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job as President? Approve/strongly . . . .20% IF CHOICE MADE, ASK: Approve/somewhat . . . . . .32% Would you say you strongly UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 7% or somewhat (approve/ Disapprove/smwht. . . . .14% disapprove)? Disapprove/strongly. . . . . .27% (END ROTATION) Thinking once again about Bill Clinton -- 19. Whether you approve or disapprove of the way Clinton is handling his job as president, what is your impression of Bill Clinton as a person? Do you approve or disapprove of him? Approve/strongly . . . .22% IF CHOICE MADE, ASK: Approve/somewhat . . . . . .23% Would you say you strongly UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . .12% or somewhat (approve/ Disapprove/smwht. . . . .13% disapprove)? Disapprove/strongly. . . . . .30% 20. And, do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress as a whole is handling its job of dealing with important issues facing the country? Approve/strongly (TO 21-1) . . . . . . . . . 7% IF CHOICE MADE, ASK: Approve/somewhat (TO 21-1) . . . . . . . . 34% Would you say you strongly UNSURE (DNR) (TO 22). . . . .10% or somewhat (approve/ Disapprove/smwht (TO 21-2). . . . .25% disapprove)? Disapprove/strongly (TO 21-2) . . . . . 23% IF ANY "APPROVE" IN QUESTION 20, THEN ASK: 21-1. And, being as specific as you can, what are the one or two most important reasons why you approve of the way the U.S. Congress as a whole is handling its job of dealing with important issues facing the country? (PROBE: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?) Doing good job/getting things done/trying their best . . . . . . .15% Balance Clinton/checks & balances/keeps him in line. . . . . . . . 7% Balancing budget/reducing deficit/fiscally responsible . . . . . . 6% General approval/nothing negative. . . . . 4% Solving problems/dealing with issues . . . 3% Improved economy/no recession. . . . . . . 3% Lowering taxes/tax reform. . . . . . . . . 3% Welfare reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Better communication/work together . . . . 2% Religious/family values/moral issues . . . 2% Helping country/want what's good for country/right direction . . . 2% Increased employment/raised minimum wage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Improved/better than before. . . . . . . . 2% No wars/agree with foreign affairs . . . . 2% Study issues before making decisions . . . 2% More Republicans/agree with their views. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1% Iraq/Saddam Hussein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1% Military decisions/keeping America strong. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1% For the people/want public approval/involvement. . . . . . . . . . 1% Faster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1% Fighting crime and drugs. . . . .. . . . . 1% Health care/health insurance . . . . . . . 1% Contract with America. . . . . . . . . . . 1% Bills being passed . . . . . . . . . . . . 1% More honest/no cover-ups. .. . . . . . . . 1% Approve of some/disapprove of others . . . 1% Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1% Democrats do a better job . .. . . . . . . 1% Working with Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . 1% Take stand/send things back. . . . . . . . 1% No impact on me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1% OTHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 2% DON'T KNOW / NO ANSWER . . . . . . . . . .28% IF ANY "DISAPPROVE" IN QUESTION 20, THEN ASK: 21-2. And, being as specific as you can, what are the one or two most important reasons why you disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress as a whole is handling its job of dealing with important issues facing the country? (PROBE: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?) Not doing their job/indecisive/ineffective . . . . . . . . . . . .17% Partisan politics/maneuvering/bickering. . . . . . . . . . . . . .14% Don't deal with important issues/waste time. . . . . . . . . . . . 9% Don't represent people/don't help people . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9% Out for themselves/self-interest/greedy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% Taxes/spending/budget . . . . .. . . . . . 6% Special interest groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% Campaign finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Welfare reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Too hard on Clinton/investigations/lack of support . . . . . . . . 3% Education/lack of funding. . . . . . . . . 2% Say things to get elected/don't keep promises. . . . . . . . . . . 2% Foreign affairs/Middle East. . . . . . . . 2% Family/moral issues/abortion . . . . . . . 2% Republicans/too many/dislike . . . . . . . 2% Too slow/too much red tape . . . . . . . . 2% Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Corrupt/dishonest/liars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Health care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Not holding Clinton accountable. . . . . . 1% NAFTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 1% OTHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 2% DON'T KNOW / NO ANSWER . . . . . . . . . . 4% *** SPLIT SAMPLE -- VERSION A *** 22A. And, do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job of dealing with important issues facing the country? Approve/strongly . . . . 9% IF CHOICE MADE, ASK: Approve/somewhat . . . . . .33% Would you say you strongly UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . .15% or somewhat (approve/ Disapprove/smwht . . . . 20% disapprove)? Disapprove/strongly . . . . . 23% *** SPLIT SAMPLE -- VERSION B *** 22B. And, do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job of dealing with important issues facing the country? Approve/strongly . . . . 8% IF CHOICE MADE, ASK: Approve/somewhat . . . . . .32% Would you say you strongly UNSURE (DNR) . . . . . . . .17% or somewhat (approve/ Disapprove/smwht . . . . 25% disapprove)? Disapprove/strongly . . . . .19% *** SPLIT SAMPLE -- VERSION A *** Now I would like to read you a list of issues that some people from this part of the country have said are important for government to deal with. Please tell me, for each one, whether you have more confidence in -- (ROTATE) -- President Clinton and the Democrats in Congress, OR the Republicans in Congress -- to deal with this issue. (READ LIST & ROTATE) CLINTON GOP & DEMS CONGRESS BOTH NEITHER UNSURE 23A. Protecting the middle class (DNR) (DNR) (DNR) (PROMPT: WHO DO YOU THINK COULD DO A BETTER JOB DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE -- [ROTATE NAMES] -- PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS, or THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS?) 45% 32% 3% 13% 8% 24A. Creating jobs 46% 29% 6% 10% 9% 25A. Reducing the deficit 33% 38% 6% 14% 9% 26A. Improving the health care system 43% 29% 5% 15% 7% 27A. Fighting crime and drugs 31% 35% 9% 13% 12% 28A. Holding the line on taxes 30% 45% 5% 11% 9% 29A. Reforming welfare 39% 40% 6% 9% 7% 30A. Dealing with foreign affairs 30% 46% 6% 6% 12% 31A. Improving education 47% 31% 8% 9% 6% 32A. Getting things done 34% 35% 7% 18% 7% 33A. Reforming campaign finance laws 21% 36% 4% 23% 15% 34A. Dealing with Medicare 41% 31% 4% 14% 10% 35A. Protecting the environment 52% 23% 6% 9% 10% 36A. Protecting children 48% 23% 14% 9% 7% 37A. Keeping America prosperous 32% 43% 7% 10% 9% 38A. Improving the economy 35% 39% 7% 10% 9% (END ROTATION) 39A. Sharing your values 33% 36% 7% 14% 10% IF "CLINTON & DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS" IN QUESTION 39A, THEN ASK: 40A-1. And, when you say that you have more confidence in President Clinton and the Democrats in Congress to share your values, what values are you thinking about? (PROBE: PLEASE TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT) Family values/home & family oriented issues. . . . . . . . . . . .17% Education/importance of/financing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10% Concern for people/needy/poor/lower class. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9% Health care/benefits . . . .7% Equal opportunity/equality for all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% Better quality of life/lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% Jobs/employment. . . . . . .5% For working people/middle class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% Helping elderly/Medicare & Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Ethics/integrity/honesty/moral values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Welfare. . . . . . . . . . .3% Humanitarian/helping your neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Environmental. . . . . . . .2% Women's rights/pro-choice/abortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Personal/things I agree with/like overall. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Welfare of nation/safety of country. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Better future. . . . . . . .2% Deficit/taxes/spending/using money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% OTHER. . . . . . . . . . . .7% DON'T KNOW / NO ANSWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7% IF "THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS" IN QUESTION 39A, THEN ASK: 40A-2. And, when you say that you have more confidence in the Republicans in Congress to share your values, what values are you thinking about? (PROBE: PLEASE TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT) Family values/home & family oriented issues/family unit. . . . . .20% Moral values/issues. . . . .9% Ethical integrity/honesty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7% Less government/less involvement in private life . . . . . . . . . 7% Religious/spiritual/Christian/Biblical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% My personal values/general values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% Pro-life/anti-abortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% Conservative values. . . . .5% Work ethic/individual responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Education/have choice/parent participation . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Concerned for middle class/working man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Welfare reform . . . . . . .2% Strong economy/economic security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Jobs/employment. . . . . . .2% Tax reform/reduce taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Medicare & Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Fighting crime/war on drugs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% OTHER. . . . . . . . . . . 10% DON'T KNOW / NO ANSWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% Now, I would like to read you a list of values that some people from this part of the country have said are important. Please listen as I read the list and tell me, for each one, whether you think (ROTATE) -- President Clinton and the Democrats in Congress, OR the Republicans in Congress -- better represents that value. (READ LIST & ROTATE) CLINTON GOP & DEMS CONGRESS BOTH NEITHER UNSURE 41A. Personal responsibility (DNR) (DNR) (DNR) (PROMPT: WHO BETTER REPRESENTS THIS VALUE -- [ROTATE NAMES] -- PRESIDENT CLINTON & THE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS, or THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS?) 29% 44% 6% 14% 7% 42A. Fairness 41% 30% 8% 13% 8% 43A. Opportunity 44% 35% 5% 6% 9% 44A. Work 39% 36% 9% 8% 9% 45A. Community 43% 29% 10% 8% 10% 46A. Hope 43% 33% 7% 8% 8% 47A. Ethics & honesty 22% 36% 5% 29% 8% 48A. Respect 30% 39% 8% 16% 8% 49A. Tolerance 55% 21% 6% 9% 9% (END ROTATION) *** SPLIT SAMPLE -- VERSION B *** Now I would like to read you a list of issues that some people from this part of the country have said are important for government to deal with. Please tell me, for each one, whether you have more confidence in -- (ROTATE) -- the Democrats in Congress, or the Republicans in Congress -- to deal with this issue. (READ LIST AND ROTATE) DEM GOP CONGRESS CONGRESS BOTH NEITHER UNSURE 23B. Protecting the middle class (DNR) (DNR) (DNR) (PROMPT: WHO DO YOU THINK COULD DO A BETTER JOB DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE -- [ROTATE NAMES] -- THE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS, or THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS?) 45% 29% 4% 14% 8% 24B. Creating jobs 42% 30% 8% 11% 9% 25B. Reducing the deficit 32% 38% 7% 16% 8% 26B. Improving the health care system 45% 29% 4% 14% 8% 27B. Fighting crime and drugs 29% 34% 12% 17% 9% 28B. Holding the line on taxes 31% 44% 5% 13% 6% 29B. Reforming welfare 35% 42% 7% 8% 7% 30B. Dealing with foreign affairs 28% 44% 9% 8% 11% 31B. Improving education 45% 27% 8% 13% 7% 32B. Getting things done 31% 34% 8% 20% 8% 33B. Reforming campaign finance laws 21% 35% 5% 25% 13% 34B. Dealing with Medicare 44% 29% 5% 12% 10% 35B. Protecting the environment 52% 20% 8% 11% 8% 36B. Protecting children 41% 21% 16% 12% 9% 37B. Keeping America prosperous 32% 38% 13% 9% 9% 38B. Improving the economy 35% 41% 9% 8% 7% (END ROTATION) 39B. Sharing your values 34% 33% 8% 16% 9% IF "DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS" IN QUESTION 39B, THEN ASK: 40B-1. And, when you say that you have more confidence in the Democrats in Congress to share your values, what values are you thinking about? (PROBE: PLEASE TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT) Education/importance of/financing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12% Concern for people/needy/poor/lower class. . . . . . . . . . . . .12% Family values/home & family oriented issues. . . . . . . . . . . .10% For working people/middle class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8% Jobs/employment. . . . . . .7% Better quality of life/lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% Environmental. . . . . . . .5% Personal/things I agree with/like overall. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% Deficit/taxes/spending/using money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% Health care/benefits . . . .3% Equal opportunity/equality for all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Helping elderly/Medicare & Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Ethics/integrity/honesty/moral values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Human rights/freedom/protection of rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Welfare. . . . . . . . . . .2% Humanitarian/helping your neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Women's rights/pro-choice/abortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Welfare of nation/safety of country. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% Better future. . . . . . . .2% Dislike Republican agenda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% OTHER. . . . . . . . . . . .4% DON'T KNOW / NO ANSWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5% IF "REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS" IN QUESTION 39B, THEN ASK: 40B-2. And, when you say that you have more confidence in the Republicans in Congress to share your values, what values are you thinking about? (PROBE: PLEASE TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT) Family values/home & family oriented issues/family unit. . . . . .15% Moral values/issues. . . . 12% Ethical integrity/honesty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7% Less government/less involvement in private life . . . . . . . . . 3% Religious/spiritual/Christian/Biblical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7% Pro-life/anti-abortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% Conservative values. . . . .2% Education/have choice/parent participation . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Concerned for middle class/working man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Strong economy/economic security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3% Jobs/employment. . . . . . .2% Tax reform/reduce taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% Patriotism/protection of country/national security . . . . . . . . 4% Government spending/fiscal policy/balanced budget. . . . . . . . . 4% Freedom/rights/protection of individual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6% OTHER. . . . . . . . . . . 16% DON'T KNOW / NO ANSWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% Now, I would like to read you a list of values that some people from this part of the country have said are important. Please listen as I read the list and tell me, for each one, whether you think -- (ROTATE) -- the Democrats in Congress, or the Republicans in Congress -- better represents that value. (READ LIST AND ROTATE) DEM GOP CONGRESS CONGRESS BOTH NEITHER UNSURE 41B. Personal responsibility (DNR) (DNR) (DNR) (PROMPT: WHO BETTER REPRESENTS THIS VALUE -- [ROTATE NAMES] -- THE DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS, or THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS?) 26% 42% 9% 16% 7% 42B. Fairness 37% 27% 11% 15% 10% 43B. Opportunity 38% 39% 9% 6% 9% 44B. Work 36% 39% 9% 10% 7% 45B. Community 45% 29% 11% 6% 9% 46B. Hope 42% 29% 11% 9% 8% 47B. Ethics & honesty 23% 31% 8% 30% 9% 48B. Respect 30% 34% 11% 16% 9% 49B. Tolerance 53% 21% 7% 8% 11% (END ROTATION) ** ASK OF EVERYONE ** Now, switching subjects and thinking specifically about tax cuts for a moment -- 50. Suppose Congress is planning on reducing taxes. Which would you prefer -- (ROTATE) -- * An across-the-board income tax cut for all taxpayers; OR * A targeted tax cut for families with children to use for education and child care? Across the board tax cut. . . . . 52% Targeted tax cut. . . . . . .40% COMBINATION/EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . .3% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 5% Still thinking about the tax issue -- 51. Which is more important -- * TAX CUTS, which reduce how much people pay in taxes overall; OR * TAX REFORM, which simplifies the rules that determine how much people pay? Tax cuts. . . . . . . . . . .28% Tax reform. . . . . . . . . .63% COMBINATION/EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . .4% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 5% *** SPLIT SAMPLE -- VERSION A *** As you may or may not have heard, beginning next year there may be a federal budget surplus -- 52A. If this happens, and there is a budget surplus next year, who would you credit for this accomplishment -- (ROTATE) -- * President Clinton; OR * the Republicans in Congress? President Clinton . . . . . .33% Republicans in Congress. . . . . . 38% COMBINATION/EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . 10% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . .19% Still thinking about the possibility of a federal budget surplus -- 53A. If there is a surplus, how do you think the additional money should be spent -- (RANDOMIZE) -- * cutting taxes; * paying down the national debt; * restoring cuts in spending to programs like education that were part of the balanced budget agreement; OR * protecting Medicare and Social Security? Cutting taxes . . . . . . . . 8% Paying down the national debt. . . 28% Restoring cuts in spending. . . . 19% Protecting Medicare/Social Security . . . . 37% COMBINATION/EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . .5% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 3% *** SPLIT SAMPLE -- VERSION B *** As you may or may not have heard, beginning next year there may be a federal budget surplus -- 52B. If this happens, and there is a budget surplus next year, who would you credit for this accomplishment -- (ROTATE) -- * the Democrats in Congress; OR * the Republicans in Congress? Democrats in Congress . . . .32% Republicans in Congress. . . . . . 36% COMBINATION/EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . 13% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . .20% Still thinking about the possibility of a federal budget surplus -- 53B. If there is a surplus, how do you think the additional money should be spent -- (RANDOMIZE) -- * cutting taxes; * paying down the national debt; * investing the surplus in education; OR * protecting Medicare and Social Security? Cutting taxes . . . . . . . . 7% Paying down the national debt. . . 30% Investing in education. . . .20% Protecting Medicare/Social Security . . . . 32% COMBINATION/EQUALLY (DNR) . . . . .9% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 2% ** ASK OF EVERYONE ** 54. When thinking about politics and government, do you consider yourself to be... (READ LIST, ROTATE TOP TO BOTTOM, BOTTOM TO TOP) Very conservative . . . . . .18% Somewhat conservative . . . .40% MODERATE (DNR) . . . . . . . . . . 10% Somewhat liberal. . . . .22% Very liberal . . . . 7% REFUSED (DNR) . . . . . . . . 3% 55. Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? IF REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, Republican/strong . . . . .18.2% ASK: Would you call yourself a strong or Republican/not strng . . . .11.3% a not very strong (Republican/Democrat)? Lean Republican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.0% TOTAL REPUBLICAN. . . .35.5% Independent . . . . . . . .23.0% Lean Democrat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.0% IF INDEPENDENT OR ANYTHING Democrat/not strong . .13.5% ELSE, ASK: Do you think of yourself Democrat/strong . . . .18.0% as closer to the Republican Party or the TOTAL DEMOCRAT. . 36.5% Democratic Party? NO PREFERENCE (DNR) . . . . 3.1% OTHER (DNR) . . . . . . . . 1.2% REFUSED (DNR) . . . . . . . 0.7% Now, just a few final questions for statistical purposes only -- 56. What is your age, please? 18-34 . . . . . . . . . . . .26% 35-44 . . . . . . . . . . . .24% 45-64 . . . . . . . . . . . .32% 65 or over. . . . . . . . . .18% 57. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (DO NOT READ, JUST RECORD) Some grade school . . . . . . 2% Some high school. . . . . . . 7% Graduated high school . . . .25% Technical/vocational. . . . . 3% Some college. . . . . . . . .25% Graduated college . . . . . .23% Graduate/professional school. . . . . .13% REFUSED (DNR) . . . . . . . . 1% Now, thinking about the election for President that was held in 1996 -- 58. Which candidate for President of the United States did you vote for? Was it -- (ROTATE) -- Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, or Ross Perot? Bill Clinton. . . . . . . . .45% Bob Dole. . . . . . . . . . .35% Ross Perot. . . . . . . . . .10% OTHER (DNR) . . . . . . . . . 3% REFUSED (DNR) . . . . . . . . 5% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 3% And, thinking about the elections for U.S. Congress that were held in November of 1996 -- 59. In the election for Congress in your district, did you vote for the -- (ROTATE) -- Republican candidate, or the Democrat candidate? Republican. . . . . . . . . .42% Democrat. . . . . . . . . . .42% INDEPENDENT (DNR) . . . . . . 1% NONE (DNR). . . . . . . . . . 2% DID NOT VOTE (DNR). . . . . . 6% UNSURE (DNR). . . . . . . . . 8% 60. Are you or is any member of your household a member of a labor union, a teachers' union, or a federal, state or local government employee? IF "LABOR UNION" ASK: And would that be a TRADE union or a SERVICE union? YES - Trade union . . . . . . 7% YES - Service union . . . . . 3% YES - Teachers' union . . . . 6% YES - Government employee . . . . . . .13% YES - Multiple union household. . . . . 2% TOTAL UNION HOUSEHOLD . . . .31% NO - Non-union household. . . . . . . .68% UNSURE / REFUSED (DNR). . . . 1% 61. Sex (BY OBSERVATION) ASK OF EVERYONE: Are you employed outside the house, are you a homemaker, or are you retired? Male/employed . . . . . . . .36% Male/homemaker. . . . . . . . 1% Male/retired . . . . . . . . 9% Male/not in labor force . . . 2% Female/employed . . . . . . .32% Female/homemaker. . . . . . . 8% Female/retired . . . . . . .11% Female/not in labor force . . . . . . . 1% MALE/REFUSED (DNR). . . . . . 1% FEMALE/REFUSED (DNR). . . . . .* 62. What is your current marital status? Are you -- single and never married, married, separated, divorced, or widowed? Single (TO 64). . . . . . . .20% Married (TO 63). . . . . 63% Separated (TO 64) . . . . 2% Divorced (TO 64) . . . . .8% Widowed (TO 64) . . . . . 7% UNSURE/REFUSED (DNR)(TO 64). . . . .1% IF "MARRIED" IN QUESTION 62, THEN ASK: 63. Does your spouse work, part-time or more, outside the home? Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . .69% No. . . . . . . . . . . . . .31% 64. Do you have children under the age of 18 living at home? Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . .35% No. . . . . . . . . . . . . .65% 65. What is your religious affiliation? IF BAPTIST, ASK: Is that Southern Baptist or some other Baptist church? (DO NOT READ RESPONSES, JUST RECORD) AME (Africa Methodist Episcopal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1% Lutheran. . . . 6% Assemblies of God. . . . . . . . 1% Mennonite . . . . .* Baptist/American . . . . . . . . 5% Methodist/United Methd. . . . . .7% Baptist/Missionary or Independent or Mormon/Latter Day Saints. . . . .1% Primitive or other . . . . . . 3% Nazarene. . . . . .* Baptist/Southern . . . . . . . . 9% Non-denominational. . . . . 3% Bible Church . . . . . . . . . . .* Other Protestant. . . . . . 9% Christian Church . . . . . . . . 6% Pentecostal/Charismatic . . . . .2% Christian Reformed Church. . . . .* Presbyterian/United Presbyterian. . . . . .2% Church of Christ . . . . . . . . 1% Quaker/Amish. . . . . . . . .* Church of God. . . . . . . . . . .* Reformed Church/America . . . . . * Disciples of Christ. . . . . . . .* Roman Catholic. . . . . . .17% Episcopalian . . . . . . . . . . 1% Seventh Day Adventist . . . .* Evangelical. . . . . . . . . . . .* United Church of Christ . . . . . * Friends. . . . . . . . . . . . . .* OTHER (SPECIFY) . . . . . . 9% Fundamentalist . . . . . . . . . .* None (TO 68). . . . . . . .11% Eastern/Greek Orthodox . . . . . .* DK/REFUSED (TO 68). . . . . 3% Jewish . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2% IF CHOICE MADE IN Q65, ASK: 66. Do you consider yourself to be a born-again or evangelical Christian? Born-again/evangelical. . . .45% Not born-again. . . . . . . .46% REFUSED (DNR) . . . . . . . . 9% IF CHOICE MADE IN Q65, ASK: 67. And how often do you attend religious services? (DO NOT READ - RECORD ONLY) Every week/Once a week or more . . . . . . 50% Several times a month. . . . . . . . . . . 12% Once a month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8% Several times a year . . . . . . . . . . . 14% Only on holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6% NEVER/DON'T ATTEND . . . . . . . . . . . . .8% UNSURE/REFUSED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2% ** ASK OF EVERYONE ** 68. And just to make sure we have a representative sample, please tell me your race -- (DO NOT READ) -- White (TO 69). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80% Black (TO 69). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10% Hispanic / Latino (TO 70). . . . . .4% Asian/Pacific American (TO 69). . . . . .1% Native American (TO 69) . . . .1% Other (SPECIFY)(TO 69). . . . .3% UNSURE/REFUSED (DNR)(TO 70). . . . . . . . .2% FOR ALL RESPONSES EXCEPT "HISPANIC / LATINO" IN QUESTION 83, ASK: 69. And, do you consider yourself a Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish-speaking American? Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4% No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95% UNSURE / REFUSED (DNR) . . . . . . . . . . .2% 70 - 72. RECORD REGION OF COUNTRY FROM SAMPLE SHEET: Northeast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.1% Midwest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.4% South. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.4% South Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.2% Central Plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.3% Mountain States. . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.1% West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.4%