National (US) Poll * February 10, 2010 * U.S. Voters Say Gays In Milita - Quinnipiac University

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February 10, 2010 - U.S. Voters Say Gays In Military Should Come Out, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Voters Want Military Trials For Terror Suspects

Word format Homosexuals should be able to openly serve in the U.S. military, American voters say 57 - 36 percent. Voters also say 66 - 31 percent the current policy of not allowing openly gay men and women to serve is discrimination, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
But by a 54 - 38 percent margin, American voters say gays in the military should face restrictions on exhibiting their sexual orientation on the job, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN- uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
Voters from military households with an active or reserve member or a veteran in their family split 48 - 47 percent on ending "don't ask; don't tell." Support for repeal is 72 - 23 percent among Democrats and 56 - 37 percent among independent voters. Republicans oppose repeal 53 - 40 percent. Men support repeal 51 - 44 percent; women support it 62 - 29 percent.
On other related questions, American voters say:
82 - 10 percent that the military should stop pursuing disciplinary action against gays who are outed against their will; 65 - 30 percent, including 57 - 38 percent among voters in military families, that ending "don't ask; don't tell" will not be divisive or hurt the ability to fight effectively; 50 - 43 percent that the Pentagon should not provide for domestic partners of gay personnel; Split 45 - 46 percent on whether heterosexual personnel should be required to share quarters with gay personnel.
"By a solid margin, American voters say go ahead and allow gays to openly serve in the military," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Voters think 2-1 that keeping gays from serving is discrimination. But they are much more mixed on exactly how the transformation of the military will occur and how the Pentagon should adjust to the needs of gay soldiers, sailors and Marines."
"Perhaps surprisingly, there is little difference among age groups on allowing gays to serve openly: 57 percent of those 18 to 34 years old support open service, along with 59 percent of voters 35 to 54 years old and 54 percent of those 55 or older," said Brown.
Terror Trials
American voters say 59 - 35 percent that 9/11 terrorism suspects should be tried in military courts rather than in civilian courts, as currently planned. Voters say 68 - 25 percent that terrorism suspects should not receive all of the constitutional protections afforded by a civilian trial. Democrats prefer civilian courts 48 - 45 percent. Support for military courts is 73 - 23 percent among Republicans and 61 - 33 percent among independent voters.
The suspect who allegedly tried to blow up an airliner on Christmas Day should be tried as an enemy combatant rather than as an ordinary criminal, voters say 76 - 19 percent. But voters approve 52 - 42 percent of the FBI's advice to the suspect of his right to remain silent.
"When it comes to how suspected terrorists should be treated by the American judicial system there is a significant gap between the American people and President Barack Obama," said Brown. "Although they give the President a 49 - 44 percent approval rating on handling terrorism, the devil is in the details. When it comes to his decision to treat suspected terrorists as common criminals deserving of civilian trials rather than as enemy combatants judged by military tribunals they are strongly in the other corner. There is a similar disconnect on the basic question of whether suspected terrorists should have the same rights as ordinary criminals.
"Voters agree, however, with the Obama administration decision to advise the suspect in the Christmas bombing attempt of his right to remain silent."
On another foreign policy matter, support for the war in Afghanistan remains stable and positive. Fifty-six percent of voters say the United States is doing the right thing fighting there, while 37 percent say America should not be there. This compares to 59 - 35 percent support in Quinnipiac University's January 14 survey. Americans approve of Obama's handling of Afghanistan 51 - 39 percent.
From February 2 - 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,617 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 1.9 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter.
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - foreign policy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 46% 16% 75% 43% 43% 49% 41% 76% 55% Disapprove 43 73 16 46 47 39 49 12 30 DK/NA 11 11 9 11 9 12 10 11 16 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Approve 49% 47% 43% 47% 46% 49% 44% Disapprove 41 44 44 41 46 44 53 DK/NA 10 9 13 12 8 7 2 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Approve 44% 54% 26% 33% 47% 53% 42% Disapprove 44 40 65 56 46 42 48 DK/NA 12 6 8 11 7 5 10
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy?
APPROVE....... High Low Feb 10 Jan 13 Dec 23 Dec 8 Nov 18 Apr 29 Jan 13 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 Approve 46 45 46 46 49 57 45 Disapprove 43 46 44 45 42 32 46 DK/NA 11 9 10 9 8 11 9
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the situation in Afghanistan?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 51% 38% 65% 49% 53% 50% 49% 67% 49% Disapprove 39 51 27 42 39 39 42 20 42 DK/NA 10 11 8 10 8 11 9 14 9 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Approve 49% 54% 49% 49% 52% 61% 64% Disapprove 44 39 37 41 40 34 31 DK/NA 7 7 14 11 9 5 5 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Approve 48% 60% 40% 47% 51% 58% 49% Disapprove 41 33 49 43 42 35 43 DK/NA 11 6 11 10 7 7 8
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Afghanistan?
Feb 10 Jan 13 Dec 23 Dec 8 Nov 18 Oct 7 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 51 45 47 45 38 42 Disapprove 39 45 43 45 49 40 DK/NA 10 10 10 11 12 17
10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - terrorism?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 49% 19% 79% 44% 46% 52% 43% 80% 51% Disapprove 44 72 15 48 49 39 50 12 35 DK/NA 8 8 6 8 6 9 7 8 14 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Approve 54% 49% 44% 53% 45% 46% 56% Disapprove 38 45 47 39 48 49 40 DK/NA 8 6 8 8 6 5 3 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Approve 48% 52% 31% 39% 43% 57% 40% Disapprove 44 43 63 55 51 39 55 DK/NA 8 5 6 6 6 4 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling terrorism?
Feb 10 Jan 13 2010 2010 Approve 49 48 Disapprove 44 44 DK/NA 8 8
19. Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Right thing 56% 72% 43% 58% 63% 50% 62% 28% 42% Shouldn't be inv 37 21 51 36 32 41 32 61 50 DK/NA 7 7 7 6 5 9 6 11 8 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Right thing 47% 63% 55% 48% 66% 69% 60% Shouldn't be inv 47 33 35 43 30 27 35 DK/NA 6 4 10 9 4 4 5 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Right thing 52% 66% 65% 66% 58% 62% 62% Shouldn't be inv 40 29 28 28 36 32 32 DK/NA 7 5 7 6 6 6 6
TREND: Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now?
Feb 10 Jan 14 Dec 23 Dec 8 Nov 18 Oct 7 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 Right thing 56 59 51 57 48 52 Shouldn't be inv 37 35 41 35 41 37 DK/NA 7 6 8 8 11 11
20. Which do you think is more important - to try 9/11 terror suspects in an open trial in civilian court so the world can see how the American system works or to try 9/11 terror suspects in military courts to better assure security of trials?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Civilian courts 35% 23% 48% 33% 35% 35% 33% 47% 44% Military courts 59 73 45 61 61 57 62 47 55 DK/NA 6 5 7 6 5 7 6 6 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Civilian courts 43% 33% 31% 40% 31% 29% 35% Military courts 50 62 61 53 64 66 62 DK/NA 7 4 8 7 5 5 3 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Civilian courts 36% 32% 26% 28% 29% 33% 29% Military courts 58 62 68 65 65 59 65 DK/NA 6 6 6 7 5 8 6
21. Which do you prefer - to make sure that the 9/11 suspects receive the constitutional protections afforded in a civilian trial or to make sure that the 9/11 suspects are not eligible for all of those constitutional protections by having a military trial?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Receive protections 25% 11% 36% 23% 25% 24% 23% 32% 31% Not eligible 68 83 56 69 68 67 71 57 60 DK/NA 8 6 8 8 7 8 7 12 9 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Receive protections 31% 25% 21% 26% 24% 27% 34% Not eligible 64 70 68 66 72 67 59 DK/NA 5 6 11 8 4 6 6 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Receive protections 23% 28% 13% 18% 19% 22% 21% Not eligible 69 64 80 74 74 71 71 DK/NA 7 8 8 8 7 7 8
22. Now I would turn to the case involving the man who tried to blow up a commercial airliner on Christmas Day. Do you think the accused Christmas Day attacker should be tried as an enemy combatant or as an ordinary criminal?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Enemy combatant 76% 86% 69% 76% 74% 78% 77% 75% 74% Ordinary criminal 19 11 26 19 22 16 18 19 20 DK/NA 5 3 5 5 4 6 4 6 6 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Enemy combatant 74% 77% 77% 76% 77% 77% 72% Ordinary criminal 19 19 19 20 19 18 25 DK/NA 6 4 4 5 4 5 2 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Enemy combatant 78% 71% 84% 80% 82% 81% 80% Ordinary criminal 17 23 13 16 15 16 16 DK/NA 5 6 3 4 3 3 4
23. As you may know, the accused Christmas Day attacker was advised of his right to remain silent by the FBI. Do you approve or disapprove of the accused Christmas Day attacker being advised of his right to remain silent?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 52% 43% 63% 50% 50% 54% 51% 61% 55% Disapprove 42 52 32 45 45 39 44 32 39 DK/NA 6 6 6 5 4 7 6 7 6 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Approve 65% 56% 39% 54% 55% 50% 64% Disapprove 31 39 54 41 42 43 35 DK/NA 4 5 7 6 4 7 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Approve 50% 56% 41% 47% 47% 50% 47% Disapprove 43 39 53 48 48 38 47 DK/NA 6 5 6 6 5 12 6
32. Federal law currently prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the military. Do you think this law should be repealed or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 57% 40% 72% 56% 51% 62% 58% 51% 61% No 36 53 23 37 44 29 36 41 32 DK/NA 6 7 5 7 5 8 6 8 7 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Yes 57% 59% 54% 56% 58% 59% 66% No 35 36 39 38 36 36 24 DK/NA 8 5 7 6 6 5 10 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Yes 54% 67% 41% 49% 63% 63% 48% No 40 27 51 45 31 37 47 DK/NA 7 6 8 6 6 - 5
TREND: Federal law currently prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the military. Do you think this law should be repealed or not?
Feb 10 Apr 30 2010 2009 Yes 57 56 No 36 37 DK/NA 6 7
33. Some people say that not allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military is discrimination. Do you agree or disagree?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Agree 66% 50% 80% 65% 58% 73% 65% 75% 69% Disagree 31 46 18 32 40 23 32 24 28 DK/NA 3 4 2 3 2 3 3 2 3 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Agree 73% 66% 60% 67% 64% 68% 75% Disagree 24 32 36 31 34 30 24 DK/NA 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Agree 64% 72% 46% 56% 70% 79% 58% Disagree 33 25 49 41 28 21 39 DK/NA 3 3 4 3 3 - 2
TREND: Some people say that not allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military is discrimination. Do you agree or disagree?
Feb 10 Apr 30 2010 2009 Agree 66 60 Disagree 31 36 DK/NA 3 6
34. Some people say that allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military would be divisive for the troops and hurt their ability to fight effectively. Do you agree or disagree?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Agree 30% 44% 17% 31% 38% 23% 31% 25% 29% Disagree 65 50 81 64 59 71 64 72 68 DK/NA 5 6 2 5 4 5 5 3 3 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Agree 27% 31% 32% 30% 30% 34% 24% Disagree 69 65 62 65 67 61 72 DK/NA 4 4 6 4 3 5 4 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Agree 32% 26% 46% 37% 27% 24% 38% Disagree 64 70 48 57 69 73 57 DK/NA 5 4 6 5 5 3 5
TREND: Some people say that allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military would be divisive for the troops and hurt their ability to fight effectively. Do you agree or disagree?
Feb 10 Apr 30 2010 2009 Agree 30 35 Disagree 65 58 DK/NA 5 7
35. Do you think the military should aggressively pursue disciplinary action against gay service members whose orientation is revealed against their will by third parties or should this practice be ended?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Disciplinary action 10% 15% 6% 10% 13% 7% 10% 10% 16% End practice 82 74 88 82 78 84 82 83 77 DK/NA 8 11 6 8 9 8 9 7 8 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Disciplinary action 12% 10% 9% 12% 8% 9% 4% End practice 80 84 80 78 86 86 95 DK/NA 8 6 11 10 6 5 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Disciplinary action 12% 5% 16% 12% 8% 9% 14% End practice 79 89 71 78 83 87 78 DK/NA 9 6 13 10 9 4 8
36. Do you think gay military personnel should face any restrictions on exhibiting their sexual orientation on the job or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes/Restrictions 54% 65% 41% 58% 57% 51% 57% 46% 47% No restrictions 38 26 53 35 37 40 35 49 48 DK/NA 8 9 6 8 6 9 8 5 5 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Yes/Restrictions 44% 58% 57% 53% 57% 59% 47% No restrictions 48 36 34 40 36 35 50 DK/NA 7 6 9 7 7 7 3 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Yes/Restrictions 54% 54% 67% 65% 49% 55% 59% No restrictions 38 39 25 27 42 37 33 DK/NA 8 7 9 9 8 8 8
37. Do you think the Pentagon should be responsible to provide for the domestic partners of gay personnel or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes/Provide 43% 27% 59% 40% 40% 46% 42% 48% 50% No/Shldn't provide 50 65 34 53 56 44 51 41 49 DK/NA 8 8 6 8 5 10 7 11 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Yes/Provide 51% 46% 33% 40% 48% 49% 53% No/Shldn't provide 40 49 59 53 48 44 36 DK/NA 9 5 8 7 3 7 11 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Yes/Provide 39% 53% 24% 33% 43% 58% 38% No/Shldn't provide 54 40 67 59 49 40 55 DK/NA 8 7 9 8 8 2 7
38. Do you think heterosexual military personnel should be required to share quarters with gay personnel or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes/Required 45% 33% 56% 46% 44% 47% 45% 49% 48% No/Not required 46 57 39 45 50 43 46 45 50 DK/NA 8 10 6 9 6 10 8 7 2 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... 50- 100- 18-34 35-54 55+ <50k 100k 250k >250k Yes/Required 46% 50% 40% 44% 50% 47% 52% No/Not required 49 43 50 48 43 47 45 DK/NA 5 7 10 7 7 6 3 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Households Yes/Required 43% 53% 33% 40% 48% 54% 43% No/Not required 49 40 59 52 45 41 49 DK/NA 9 7 9 8 7 5 9