National (US) Poll * July 28, 2005 * U.S. Voters Want Anti-Terror F - Quinnipiac University

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July 28, 2005 - U.S. Voters Want Anti-Terror Funds Based On Need, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Security Measures Should Not Curb Civil Liberties

Federal anti-terrorism funds should be distributed based on need, going where the threat is greatest, rather than by population, American voters say 64 - 29 percent in a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. This is even though most Americans don't think their community is likely to be attacked.
A total of 85 percent of American voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that there will be a terror attack somewhere in the U.S., "causing large numbers of lives to be lost," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
But only 39 percent of voters think an attack on their community is "very likely" or "somewhat likely." A total of 85 percent of Americans believe they and their families are "very safe" or "somewhat safe" from an attack similar to the bombings in London.
Only 7 percent of American voters have made any changes in their daily routine as a result of the London bombings, while 92 percent are going on with their life as usual. Eighteen percent say they are less likely to ride mass transit, with 63 percent who say they still use mass transit and 17 percent who say they never ride mass transit anyway.
"Most Americans feel safe from a terrorist attack and believe such an attack will happen 'somewhere else' in the U.S. - so send the anti-terror money where it's needed," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"For almost every American, life goes on as usual."
American voters say 46 - 41 percent that the federal government has not provided enough money and assistance to help emergency services in their local community deal with terror.
Voters disapprove 49 - 46 percent of the way President George W. Bush is handling terror.
By a 61 - 33 percent margin, American voters say increased government security measures should not violate their basic civil liberties. Republican voters share this view 51 - 42 percent, with Democrats opting for civil liberties 67 - 28 percent and independent voters saying protect liberties 63 - 33 percent.
"We want to be safe, but don't push us around, American voters are telling Uncle Sam," Carroll said.
From July 21 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 920 registered voters nationwide. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and nationwide as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling terrorism?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 46% 85% 22% 41% 53% 41% Disapprove 49 12 74 55 44 54 DK/NA 4 3 5 4 3 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling terrorism?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 28 Dec 16 May 26 May 5 Dec 10 Jul 28 2005 2004 2004 2004 2003 2005 Approve 46 53 51 54 59 46 Disapprove 49 43 43 37 36 49 DK/NA 4 4 6 8 5 4
19. 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 13% 7% 17% 15% 9% 17% Smwht likely 26 22 29 28 19 31 Not very likely 32 39 27 28 35 29 Not likely at all 27 29 26 27 35 21 DK/NA 2 3 1 2 2 2
TREND: 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? (* = All Adults)
Jul 28 Feb 21 Dec 10 2005 2002 2001* Very likely 13 10 6 Smwht likely 26 27 19 Not very likely 32 33 35 Not likely at all 27 27 37 DK/NA 2 3 4
20. 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 40% 36% 45% 37% 37% 42% Smwht likely 45 49 41 48 44 46 Not very likely 10 10 10 9 12 8 Not likely at all 4 3 3 3 5 2 DK/NA 1 2 1 2 2 1
TREND: 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. (* = All Adults)
Jul 28 May 5 Feb 21 Dec 10 2005 2004 2002 2001* Very likely 40 26 31 31 Smwht likely 45 50 49 43 Not very likely 10 16 14 17 Not likely at all 4 5 3 7 DK/NA 1 3 4 3
21. Now, thinking about yourself and your immediate family - How safe do you think you and your immediate family are from attacks similar to the ones that occurred in London this month - very safe, somewhat safe, not very safe, or not safe at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very safe 37% 48% 31% 33% 45% 30% Smwht safe 48 44 49 50 42 52 Not very 9 6 12 10 8 10 Not at all 5 - 7 6 3 6 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 1 2
22. As a result of the recent terrorist attacks in London, have you or members of your family gone about day-to-day life as usual or have you made some changes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Life as usual 92% 96% 91% 92% 93% 92% Made some changes 7 3 8 8 7 8 DK/NA - 1 - - - -
23. Do the recent terrorist attacks in London make you less likely to ride on mass transit or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes, less likely 18% 14% 23% 16% 12% 24% No 63 64 60 67 70 57 NEVER RIDE(VOL) 17 20 15 16 17 18 DK/NA 1 2 2 - 2 1
24. Do you think the federal government has or has not provided enough money and assistance to police, hospitals, and firefighters in your local community to deal with the threat of terrorism in your community?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Has 41% 54% 29% 42% 50% 33% Has not 46 33 59 43 37 53 DK/NA 13 13 12 15 13 14
25. Should federal anti-terrorism funds be distributed on the basis of need, that is to cities where the threat is greatest, or should they be distributed based on population?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Based on need 64% 75% 56% 63% 66% 61% Based on Population 29 21 34 29 25 32 DK/NA 8 4 9 8 8 7
26. 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. (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 33% 42% 28% 33% 30% 36% (B) Shld'nt violate civil liberties 61 51 67 63 64 59 DK/NA 6 6 5 4 6 6
TREND: 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.
Jul 28 Feb 21 2005 2002 (A) All steps 33 31 (B) Shldn't violate 61 64 Civil liberties DK/NA 6 4