Political Attitudes Study

May 2009

Statement of Informed Consent This study involves research on political attitudes. Participation in the study is entirely voluntary. Subject who agree to participate will receive a payment of $8 for doing so, and there are no known risks associated with this study. Subjects may choose to end participation at any point in the study. Any personal information collected in this study is kept strictly confidential by the research team  and no published reports will provide any identifying information. The study takes approximately 30 minutes to complete on average. Upon completion you will be asked to choose a method for receiving your payment.

	Now that you have read the statement of informed consent, you may choose to participate. If you do choose to participate, please enter the access code you were given with the address for this survey.

	For verification, what is the second digit of your access code?
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	Are you registered to vote?
		Yes, I am registered
		No, I am not registered
		Don't know
		Refuse to answer

	In 2008 Barack Obama ran on the Democratic ticket against John McCain for the Republicans. Which candidate did you vote for in that election?
		Barack Obama
		John McCain
		Other
		I did not vote
		Don't recall
		Refuse to answer

	Please specify for whom you voted.

	When you vote do you usually get a feeling of satisfaction from it, or do you only do it because it's your duty?
		Feel satisfied
		Because of duty
		Don't know
		Refuse to answer

	We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives. Here is a seven-point scale on which the political views that people might hold are arranged from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Where would you place yourself and the following politicians on this scale?
		Extremely Liberal		Liberal		Slightly Liberal		Moderate		Slightly Conservative		Conservative		Extremely Conservative		Don't Know		Refuse to Answer
	Yourself
	John McCain
	Barack Obama
	George W. Bush
	Bill Clinton

	If you had to choose, would you consider yourself a liberal or a conservative?
		Liberal
		Conservative
		Moderate
		Don't know
		Refuse to answer

	In your opinion, what is the single most important problem facing the United States today?

	Some people don't pay much attention to politics. How about you? Would you say that you have been very interested, somewhat interested or not very interested in politics in the last 12 months?
		Very interested
		Somewhat interested
		Not very interested
		Don't know
		Refuse to answer

	Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a  Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or something else?
		Republican
		Democrat
		Independent
		Other
		No preference

	Would you call yourself a strong Democrat or a not very strong Democrat?
		Strong
		Not very strong
		Don't know

	Would you call yourself a strong Republican or a not very strong Republican?
		Strong
		Not very strong
		Don't know

	Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or closer to the Democratic party?
		Republican
		Neither
		Democratic
		Don't know
		Refuse to answer

	If you had to choose one, would you rather participate in a Democratic or Republican primary election?
		Republican
		Democratic

	Some people think the government should provide fewer services, even in areas such as health and education, in order to reduce spending. Other people feel it is important for the government to provide many more services even if it means an increase in spending. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - Provide many more services
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		4 - Keep services at current level
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		7 - Provide many fewer services
		Haven't given it much thought

	Some people feel the government in Washington should see to it that every person has a job and a good standard of living. Others think the government should just let each person get ahead on their own. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - Government should see to jobs/good living standard
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		7 - Each person should get ahead on their own
		Haven't given it much thought

	As you know, in our tax system people who earn a lot of money have to pay higher rates of income tax than those who earn less.  Some people think that those with high incomes should pay even more of their income in taxes than they do now.  Others think that the rates shouldn't be different at all -- that everyone should pay the same portion of their income, no matter how much they make. And of course, other people have opinions somewhere in between. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - Increase tax rates for high income
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		4 - Keep tax rates as they are now
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		7 - Have the same tax rate for everyone
		Haven't given it much thought

	Present governmental regulations with regard to pollution and other environmental problems limit full use of some energy and mineral resources.  Do you think the government should relax environmental protection regulations to increase the use of these resources, or should the government make regulations tougher, even though this might increase the cost of energy and other products? Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - Make regulations tougher
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		4 - Keep regulations unchanged
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		7 - Relax regulations a lot
		Haven't given it much thought

	Some people feel that the ownership of firearms should be severely limited, while others feel the 2nd Amendment should be interpreted to mean that there should be virtually no limits on gun ownership. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - There should be very strict limits on gun ownership
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		7 - There should be virtually no limits on gun ownership
		Haven't given it much thought

	Some people feel that school vouchers help kids escape failing public school while forcing those schools to improve performance or risk losing all funding, while others feel vouchers take money away from the public schools that are in most need of additional funding. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - Vouchers help kids escape failing schools and force those schools to shape up
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		7 - Vouchers take money away from public schools that need the money most of all
		Haven't given it much thought

	There is much concern about the rise in medical and hospital costs, and over the fact that many people do not have health insurance.  Some feel that there should be a government insurance plan which would cover all medical and hospital costs.  Others feel that medical expenses should be paid by individuals, and through private insurance like Blue Cross. And some people feel government should provide subsidies to help people buy private insurance plans. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - Government insurance plan
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		4 - Government subsidies for private insurance
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		7 - Private insurance plans
		Haven't given it much thought

	Some people feel that the government in Washington should make every possible effort to improve the social and economic position of blacks and other minority groups, even if it means giving them preferential treatment.  Others feel that the government should not make any special effort to help minorities because they should help themselves. Still others take positions in the middle of this issue. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought much about it?
		1 - Government help for minorities
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		7 - Minorities should help themselves
		Haven't given it much thought

	There has been a great deal of talk lately about the question of same sex couples. Which statement below best describes your position on gay marriage?
		Same-sex couples should have full marriage rights as all other couples.
		Same-sex couples should enjoy similar rights as married couples, but it should not be called marriage.
		I oppose same-sex marriage but see no reason to amend the Constitution to ban it.
		Marriage should be defined as being between a man and a women only and no other legal arrangement should be allowed.
		Haven't given it much thought

	Now we would like you to think for a moment about something during last year’s Presidential campaign that made you feel angry. Please use the space below to tell us about that event and why it made you feel angry in as much detail as you can recall. It is okay if you do not remember all the specifics, but please try your best to explain what it was like to experience anger about the event.

	Now we would like you to think for a moment about something during last year’s Presidential campaign that made you feel anxious. Please use the space below to tell us about that event and why it made you feel anxious in as much detail as you can recall. It is okay if you do not remember all the specifics, but please try your best to explain what it was like to experience anxiety about the event.

Now we would like you to think for a moment about something during last year’s Presidential campaign that made you feel enthusiastic. Please use the space below to tell us about that event and why it made you feel enthusiastic in as much detail as you can recall. It is okay if you do not remember all the specifics, but please try your best to explain what it was like to experience enthusiasm about the event.

Now we would like you to take several minutes to learn about three potential candidates for your party's primary for an open seat in the United States House of Representatives. After learning about each of the three candidates, you will be asked to choose between them. Please do your best to learn everything that you would need to learn about them in order to be confident in your choice.

	Please tell me which issue position you would like learn first:
		Smith's Position on Jobs and Unemployment		Brown's Position on Jobs and Unemployment		Taylor's Position on Jobs and Unemployment
		Smith's Position on Taxes		Brown's Position on Taxes		Taylor's Position on Taxes
		Smith's Position on Gay Marriage		Brown's Position on Gay Marriage		Taylor's Position on Gay Marriage
		Smith's Position on Affirmative Action		Brown's Position on Affirmative Action		Taylor's Position on Affirmative Action
		Smith's Position on the Environment		Brown's Position on the Environment		Taylor's Position on the Environment
		Smith's Position on Health Care		Brown's Position on Health Care		Taylor's Position on Health Care
		Smith's Position on Gun Control		Brown's Position on Gun Control		Taylor's Position on Gun Control
		Smith's Position on School Choice		Brown's Position on School Choice		Taylor's Position on School Choice

Smith's Position on Jobs and Unemployment Smith would require employers to spend 1.5% of their payrolls on job training programs, or else they would pay a comparable amount into a Government fund that would finance job training.  Apprenticeship programs would be developed in which high school students and recent graduates could learn skills "to make them more employable."

Smith's Position on Taxes Smith says our tax system is one of the most regressive in the world, and proposes a two-pronged attack for tax reform: (1) eliminate social security taxes entirely (but not social security benefits, which would remain untaxed); (2) increase current tax rates from 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, and 35% to 8%, 15%, 25%, 30%, 35%, and 50%; a plan Smith claims would reduce the total federal tax burden for those with incomes under $25,000, keep it about the same for people in the $25,000 - $55,000 range, raise it slightly for people earning more than $55,000, and "raise it 15% for people making over $200,000.

Smith's Position on Gay Marriage Smith supports full marriage rights for same-sex couples at both the state and federal level.  Smith believes that it is wrong for the government to discriminate, and that this is a fundamental issue of equality and civil rights.  As such, Smith opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment and all similar state proposals to deny same-sex couples full marriage equity.

Smith's Position on Affirmative Action Smith is a strong advocate of affirmative action programs, feeling that something should be given back to minorities because of past wrongs. Smith often quotes Lyndon Johnson on this issue: "If we stand passively by while the center of each city becomes a hive of deprivation, crime and hopelessness, if we become two people, the suburban affluent and the urban poor, each filled with mistrust and fear of the other, then we shall effectively cripple each generation to come."

Smith's Position on the Environment Smith is a strong proponent of environmental legislation, believing that the Environmental Protection Agency should strengthen and do more to enforce its regulations to minimize industrial pollution. Smith would increase federal efforts to clean up toxic waste dumps, and would support a bill making the production of Styrofoam and other non-biodegradable material illegal. Smith has called for holding another "Earth Summit" in the United States in 2011 to see "how far we have come" since the first such summit, "and how far we still have to go."

Smith's Position on Health Care Smith believes we can provide universal health insurance coverage. Changes are needed in a system where drug companies block generic drugs and force people to buy more expensive drugs. Mental health should be provided on parity with other health care and a strong Patients' Bill of Rights is needed to ensure quality care.

Smith's Position on Gun Control Smith often quotes an alarming statistic: "Over 50,000 children and teenagers were killed by firearms in the United States between 1979 and 1992."  Smith would ban the sale of any type of gun that is designed "primarily to kill people," including all hand guns, machine guns, and all types of assault weapons.

Smith's Position on School Choice Smith is a strong supporter of early childhood programs such as Head Start. Smith is strongly against school vouchers because vouchers take money away from public schools and lead to less accountability.  Smith opposed No Child Left Behind because it does not sufficiently meet the goals that Smith feels are necessary for improving our public school system.

Brown's Position on Jobs and Unemployment Brown would allocate an additional $10 billion over five years for skill training, including grants to individuals of up to $3,000 to help defray the cost of training and counseling and job referral assistance.  All workers would be eligible, but emphasis would be on helping workers who lose jobs because of lower military spending and the shift to the "new economy."

Brown's Position on Taxes   Brown has called for increasing the tax rate paid by people with incomes over $200,000 to 35%, and would also tax their social security benefits, saying that "there is no reason for wealthy senior citizens to not pay taxes on social security income." Brown has proposed the complete elimination of capital gains tax on stocks held for more than five years, and tax cuts to businesses for research and development, claiming they are "the key for future economic expansion."

Brown's Position on Gay Marriage Brown believes that this is an issue of legal equality, but Brown does not support "same-sex marriage".  Rather, Brown supports civil unions which would give same-sex couples many of the rights and benefits currently enjoyed by married couples.  Since the Federal Marriage Amendment would preclude this recognition, Brown strongly opposes it.

Brown's Position on Affirmative Action Brown supports affirmative action programs, believing that they will help even out the large inequalities found in almost every aspect of the lives of minorities. Brown would support further efforts by the federal government to promote Civil Rights, such as expanding the Voting Rights Acts of 1965 and 1985 to explicitly guarantee the rights of Americans who do not speak English to be able to vote with a ballot printed in their native language.

Brown's Position on the Environment Brown has proposed limiting the emission of "warming gases" (e.g., hydrocarbons) to 1994 levels and a 20% improvement in U.S. energy efficiency by the year 2012, and supports the international fight against global warming. "These proposals will cost some jobs," admits Brown, "as inefficient, polluting companies" are forced to "clean up their acts." But ultimately more jobs will be created in the rapidly growing "green" sectors of the economy.

Brown's Position on Health Care   Brown pledges a better health plan for every Medicaid patient. One of the biggest health care problems facing the US is AIDS, and therefore a stronger commitment is needed to research and treatment options.  Brown also believes that controlling underage smoking is a key to health care reform, since prevention is bound to limit future costs. Medicare should provide coverage for prescription drugs.

Brown's Position on Gun Control Brown is in favor of tight restrictions on the access to guns in general, including a safety course requirement for all gun owners, increased license fees, trigger locks and background checks.  Brown strongly advocates the elimination of junk handguns that are used in many crimes.

Brown's Position on School Choice Brown is strongly against vouchers believing that they drain public schools of both resources and support.  Brown originally supported No Child Left Behind, but believes that the program has been largely underfunded.  Brown is also a strong supporter of lowering class size.

Taylor's Position on Jobs and Unemployment Taylor strongly encourages increased job training programs and expanded educational opportunities for displaced workers, and pledges support at the federal level.  Taylor firmly believes in the government as "the employer of last resort" during recessions, and would extend unemployment benefits "indefinitely, so that workers can get back on their feet."

Taylor's Position on Taxes Taylor would maintain most of the current tax system and believes it is "stupid and short-sighted" to reduce social security taxes because this would "undermine the long-term fiscal solvency" of the entire social security system.  Taylor sees no need for a reduced capital gains tax, which "only helps the big guys like IBM and General Motors."

Taylor's Position on Gay Marriage   Taylor believes in equal rights for all Americans and favors eliminating inequities in the law that disadvantage gays and lesbians.  However, Taylor believes that the issue of same-sex marriage should be decided at the state level.  Taylor opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Taylor's Position on Affirmative Action Taylor believes that affirmative action is the best way to advance civil rights, however, opposes any attempt to impose strict numerical quotas, instead arguing that full access to opportunity is a cornerstone of any effort to improve minority status in America.

Taylor's Position on the Environment Taylor says that the deteriorating environment is one of the gravest issues facing this country today, and would increase federal efforts to clean up toxic waste.  Taylor opposes "unreasonable" restrictions on business that drive American jobs overseas, however, and thinks that international efforts to fight global warming are necessary, but must be tempered with an understanding of their impact on the economy.

Taylor's Position on Health Care   Taylor would push for a basic health care package including acute and preventative care, prescription drugs, and other services. Employers with ten or more employees would be required to purchase health insurance from existing private insurance companies or participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Taylor's plan would be financed by a significant increase in federal taxes on cigarettes.

Taylor's Position on Gun Control Taylor reluctantly supported the "Brady Bill," including a waiting period before someone can purchase a gun.

Taylor's Position on School Choice Taylor initially supported No Child Left Behind, but claims that it was largely under funded and neglected.  Taylor proposed an amendment to fully fund No Child Left Behind, but did not succeed in passing such legislation. Taylor is against school vouchers and believes the most important thing we can do is to improve public education.

Smith's Position on Jobs and Unemployment Smith pledges to support the growth of jobs in this country by providing more training programs, mostly at the state level, and a greater emphasis on  education. Smith is confident that these two features combined will help the U.S. retain the jobs that it has, and expand its skilled labor force. Smith opposes further extension of unemployment benefits beyond what current laws mandate.

Smith's Position on Taxes   "We must restore the public's confidence in the fairness of the tax system,"  says Smith.  This will be accomplished by "aggressively going after those who do not pay their fair share of income taxes" and "eliminating unfair tax breaks, like 3- martini business lunches and 'entertainment' expense accounts."  Smith believes that no major overhaul of the system is necessary.

Smith's Position on Gay Marriage Smith opposes same-sex marriage, and supports efforts to ban it in the states.  However, Smith does not feel that it is necessary to amend the Constitution at this time.  Smith would, however, support such an action if the Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Smith's Position on Affirmative Action Smith agrees that minorities in our nation often need a leg up, however affirmative action as it has been implemented in the past can easily be perceived as discrimination against whites. Instead, Smith supports a program of affirmative access to jobs and services for all groups of people, regardless of race.

Smith's Position on the Environment Smith would start dealing with grave environmental issues on an international level, beginning with conferences of academics and local officials studying the problem. Smith also feels that solutions to cleaning up pollution exist at the community level, and that the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming are too restrictive and unrealistic, given the limited scientific evidence.

Smith's Position on Health Care   Smith proposes that everyone be guaranteed the right to buy a standard acute care insurance package, regardless of any pre-existing conditions through health insurance purchasing cooperatives, with government subsidies for low-income people. Medicaid would be eliminated and shifted to policies sold through the cooperatives. Smith's plan would be financed by using existing funds.

Smith's Position on Gun Control Smith claims to strongly support gun owners but believes that gun enthusiasts don't really need to own semiautomatic firearms and other clearly dangerous weapons.  Smith advocates controlling weapon possession through waiting periods, background checks, gun show restrictions and trigger locks.

Smith's Position on School Choice Smith supports vouchers and believes that vouchers would not take money away from public schools because the public schools would no longer have to pay the cost of educating students who choose to use a voucher to go to a private school. Smith strongly supports the goals of No Child Left Behind because it provides students with support and resources they need to get an appropriate education and also provides teacher with the tools to teach these students.

Brown's Position on Jobs and Unemployment Brown plans to continue the job policies carried out by past presidents with only a few modifications.  Brown advocates tax breaks to companies that provide training or retraining programs to their laid-off workers. Brown opposes any further extension of unemployment benefits beyond what current laws mandate.

Brown's Position on Taxes   "I will repeat the pledge of my predecessors," goes Brown’s campaign stump speech, "No new taxes -- and that includes no taxes on social security benefits paid to our senior citizens."  Brown would reduce taxes on capital gains (profits made on stocks) to the lowest 15% level paid for any income as a way of encouraging investment and boosting the economy.

Brown's Position on Gay Marriage Brown believes that "traditional marriage" must be preserved.  Therefore, Brown opposes same-sex marriage, supports state efforts to ban it, and would also support a Constitutional amendment to ban it nationwide.

Brown's Position on Affirmative Action Brown feels that affirmative action programs promote discrimination and would end any federal role in such programs. Brown would, however, strengthen the Civil Rights Commission to prevent "blatant discrimination" against anyone, "regardless of race, color, or creed."

Brown's Position on the Environment Brown believes that preservation of the environment is a serious issue, but feels efforts should be focused on improving existing laws that protect the environment. Brown opposes most new federal activity in this domain and opposed the Kyoto Protocol measures believing that there is too little evidence of global warming.

Brown's Position on Health Care   Brown supports a basic Patients' Bill of Rights which would provide limited ability for patients to sue HMOs for negligent care. Brown would provide basic health insurance for the lowest income portion of the population. Tax deductions would be expanded for businesses and individuals who purchase health care policies.

Brown's Position on Gun Control Brown believes that citizens should have the right to bear arms and is against most gun control measures, but would accept restrictions on access to assault weapons.

Brown's Position on School Choice Brown is a strong support of No Child Left Behind and feels it is a huge step in the right direction for Americans who believe Big Government is not the solution to the problems with our educational system. Brown also supports school vouchers and believes we must continue to expand school choice options for parents with children in underachieving schools.

Taylor's Position on Jobs and Unemployment Taylor points to tax cuts for large corporations as the primary vehicle for fostering the expansion of the job market in this country.   Taylor opposes further extension of unemployment benefits beyond what current laws mandate and would close down all "make-work" programs run by government.

Taylor's Position on Taxes Taylor supports a flat tax.  "The tax code is complicated and unfair.  A flat tax would take the power away from the politicians and return it to the people.  A flat tax will help families, homeowners and charities." Taylor advocates a flat tax of 17% on earnings over $36,000.

Taylor's Position on Gay Marriage Taylor believes that homosexuality is immoral, and strongly opposes the idea of same-sex marriage.  Taylor also believes that the government should be in the business of promoting "family values", and that marriage should be defined strictly as "the union of a man and a woman".  Therefore, Taylor strongly believes that the institution of marriage must be protected and defended by whatever means necessary, including amending the U.S. Constitution to outlaw same-sex unions.

Taylor's Position on Affirmative Action Taylor staunchly opposes affirmative action, feeling that it creates more problems than it solves.  Taylor believes that if there are any discrimination problems, they should be handled by local agencies, rather than the federal government, and would eliminate all remaining affirmative action programs at the federal level.

Taylor's Position on the Environment Taylor is a strong proponent of alternate fuels and favors subsidies for ethanol. However, Taylor opposes expanded federal activity in this area, arguing that environmental concerns should be handled by the states.  Taylor is also opposed to the Kyoto Protocol to end global warming.

Taylor's Position on Health Care "I adamantly oppose any national health insurance program, whatever it is called." Instead, Taylor would rely on the existing health insurance system, using tax credits and subsidies to the very low income people to help them buy policies from private insurance companies. The credits would be financed by cutting back on Medicaid benefits, shifting the program to the private sector.

Taylor's Position on Gun Control Taylor opposes any restrictions on the "constitutional right of citizens to bear arms."

Taylor's Position on School Choice Taylor fully supports No Child Left Behind and believes current funding is sufficient. Taylor strongly favors school vouchers because they provide more parental choice, allow an alternative from chronically failing schools, and provide competition which ultimately leads to an improvement in school quality.

	Would you like to learn more information about one or more of the candidates, or are you now confident in your choice and ready to "vote"?
		I would like to learn more
		I am ready to choose between the 3 candidates