National (US) Poll * February 21, 2002 * Ground Zero Should Include Mem - Quinnipiac University

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February 21, 2002 - Ground Zero Should Include Memorial, Offices, Housing, U.S Voters 2 - 1 Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; 80 Percent Expect Another Major Terror Attack In U.S.

By a 61 - 30 percent margin, U.S. voters say New York's World Trade Center - Ground Zero - should be rebuilt with a memorial to the victims, plus office and apartment buildings, rather than using the entire site for a memorial only, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.
Men support the mixed-use plan 67 - 25 percent, while women back it 55 - 36 percent.
The proposed federal settlement, which would give families of September 11th terror victims an average award of $1.6 million each is "about right," 56 percent of U.S. voters say. Families should get more money, 10 percent of voters say, while 23 percent say they should get less money and 11 percent are undecided.
All families should get about the same amount in the federal settlement, 50 percent of voters say, while 32 percent say the settlement should be based on family needs and 15 percent say the settlement should be based on potential earnings of the victims.
"There's a debate in New York City about what to do at the wounded land that once held the World Trade Center. America's advice to New York: Let a memorial share the site with offices and apartment buildings," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Remember the past, but build for the future, voters say."
"Americans also think the federal government's proposal to pay families of those who died September 11 is fair. The only real difference of opinion is whether every family should get about the same amount or whether the awards should be based on need," Carroll said.
From February 13 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,107 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent. Attitudes on Terror
The government's efforts to fight terrorism should stop short of violating basic civil liberties, 64 percent of American voters say, while 31 percent say the government should do whatever it takes to fight terrorism, even if civil liberties are violated.
Another terrorist attack in the near future somewhere in the U.S., with a large loss of life is "very likely," 31 percent of voters say, while 49 percent say it is "somewhat likely;" 14 percent say it is "not very likely" and 3 percent say it is "not likely at all."
A major terrorist attack in their own community is "very likely," 10 percent of voters say, while 27 percent say it is "somewhat likely;" 33 percent say it is "not very likely" and 27 percent say it is "not likely at all."
The government should continue its policy of nationwide terrorism alerts to the general public, 76 percent of American voters say, while 21 percent say these alerts should be sent only to law enforcement officials.
Nineteen percent of American voters say they are afraid to fly, while 27 percent say flying bothers them slightly and 53 percent say they are not at all afraid to fly.
"Overwhelmingly, Americans believe the World Trade Center and the Pentagon won't be the last terrorist targets," Carroll said.
"But two-thirds of us believe the Bill of Rights should not be a casualty of the war on terror."
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201
19. Which comes closer to your view; (A) The government should take all steps necessary to prevent additional acts of terrorism in the United States even if it means your basic civil liberties would be violated. or (B) The government should take steps to prevent additional acts of terrorism but not if those would violate your basic civil liberties.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom (A)..all steps regardless of civil liberties 31% 39% 24% 32% 32% 31% (B)..should not violate civil liberties 64 58 71 64 65 63 DK/NA 4 3 5 5 3 6
21. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a terrorist attack in your community causing large numbers of lives to be lost? Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very likely 10% 7% 13% 8% 7% 12% Smwht likely 27 26 28 26 24 29 Not very likely 33 36 33 30 33 32 Not likely at all 27 29 24 32 33 22 DK/NA 3 2 3 4 3 4
22. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a terrorist attack in the United States causing large numbers of lives to be lost? Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very likely 31% 32% 31% 29% 28% 33% Smwht likely 49 48 51 51 51 48 Not very likely 14 17 10 13 15 13 Not likely at all 3 2 3 3 3 3 DK/NA 4 1 5 3 4 3
23. If the government believes a terrorist attack may occur somewhere in the United States, do you think it is better for the government to issue a nationwide alert to all Americans, or to issue an alert only to law enforcement officials?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Nationwide alert 76% 75% 76% 73% 74% 77% Law enforcement only 21 20 20 25 23 19 DK/NA 3 4 3 2 3 4
35. As you may know, the U.S. government has offered the families of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks an average settlement of $1.6 million dollars. Do you think the government should offer the families of the victims more money, less money, or is it about right?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More money 10% 6% 12% 11% 9% 11% Less money 23 29 17 22 27 19 About right 56 56 60 54 54 59 DK/NA 11 9 11 12 10 11
36. Which comes closest to your view of how the government settlement money for the victims families should be distributed; A) The settlements should be based on the potential earnings of the person that died. B) The settlements should be based on the victim's families needs. or C) They should all get about the same.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A)..based on potential earnings. 15% 19% 11% 13% 17% 12% B)..based on families needs. 32 28 34 32 29 33 C)..should all get about the same. 50 49 52 50 49 51 DK/NA 4 3 3 5 4 3
26. Thinking about the World Trade Center site, do you think the entire site should be set aside for a memorial or do you think the site should include a memorial and some office buildings and apartment buildings?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Memorial only 30% 27% 35% 28% 25% 36% Include other buildings 61 64 55 65 67 55 DK/NA 9 9 9 7 8 10
34. How do you feel about flying in an airplane? Would you tell me whether you're afraid of it, whether it bothers you slightly, or whether you're not at all afraid of it?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Afraid to fly 19% 16% 25% 16% 11% 26% Bothers slightly 27 26 30 23 22 30 Not at all afraid 53 57 43 58 65 42 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 2 1
34. Are you a frequent air traveler, do you fly occasionally, or have you never flown?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Frequent traveler 13% 14% 12% 13% 15% 11% Fly occasionally 76 77 76 74 76 75 Never flown 11 9 12 13 8 14 DK/NA - - - - - -