Datasets on Political Topics

You may download any of the datasets below from the Roper Center website.

2004 Presidential Election/George W. Bush/ Homosexual Marriage/2004 SuperBowl

Study# USHARRISINT2004-02
Survey firm: Harris Interactive
Survey sponsor: Time Magazine and Cable News Network
Dates: February 5-6, 2004
Sample: National adult
Sample size: 1,000
Variables: 88
Major topics covered:
George W. Bush vs. John Edwards (2); George W. Bush vs. John Kerry (2); George W. Bush vs. Wesley Clark (2); George W. Bush job performance (6); George W. Bush should keep Dick Cheney as running mate in 2004/should choose someone else (1); direction of country (1); importance of problems for government to address (8); U.S. was right/wrong in going to war with Iraq (1); war with Iraq worth it (2); how much attention paying to 2004 presidential election right now (1); trust George W. Bush/have some doubts and reservations about him (1); believe/do not believe what President Bush says about certain issues (5); inability of U.S. to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq has/has not made respondent less likely to trust George W. Bush on other issues (1); 2004 Democratic presidential candidates (4); John Kerry should/should not choose John Edwards as a running mate if he wins the nomination (1); John Kerry (12); George W. Bush (12); think accusation that George W. Bush was AWOL during Vietnam War is/is not true (1); fact that John Kerry represents Massachusetts makes respondent more/less likely to vote for him since Massachusetts is more liberal than most other states (1); homosexual marriages (3); homosexual relationships (2); Janet Jackson's breast exposure during Super Bowl halftime show (3); how likely to vote in 2004 elections (3); how often usually vote in presidential elections (1).

2003 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion

Study# USMISCAJC2003-AJO
Survey firm: Market Facts, Inc.
Survey Sponsor: American Jewish Committee
Dates: November 25-December 11, 2003
Sample: Self-Identified Jews selected from the Market Facts consumer mail panel
Sample size: 1,000
Variables: 130
Major topics covered:
George W. Bush handling of US campaign against terrorism (1); War with Iraq (1); Threat of terrorism against US (1); Close to Israel (1); Care about Israel (2); Jews in Israel and US closer (1); US/Israel relations (1); Lasting peace between Israel and Arabs (1); Goal of Arabs (1); Israel relations with Palestinian authority (1); Palestinian state (1); Jerusalem as a united city (1); Jewish settlements in West Bank (1); American Jews support Israel government (1); US exert strong leadership (1); US and Europe make decisions jointly (1); US take action alone in international crisis (1); World Trade Center attacks reflect true teaching of Islam (1); Feelings toward countries (19); Government feels toward Israel (18); Vote in 2000 (1); Bush vs. Democratic Candidates (5); Increase number of immigrants allowed (1); Tax payer funds for social service (1); Government aid to Religious schools (1): US achieve energy independence (1); Pledge of Allegiance (1); Importance of being Jewish (1); Qualities most important (1); Belong to Synagogue (1); Anti-Semitism (14).

Taylor 2003 TransAtlantic Trends Survey

Study# MCMISC2003-GMF
Survey firm: Taylor Nelson Sofres (Nelson Sofres/GMF Poll #2003-GMF)
Field dates: June 10-25, 2003
Sample: Adults residents of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Sample size: 8,013
Sample notes: 1000 respondents were interviewed in each country (except 1003 in France, 1009 in the Netherlands, 1001 in the United States).
Variables: 151
Major topics covered:
Think it will be best for future of own country if take an active part/stay out of world affairs (1); how desirable is it that U.S. exert strong leadership in world affairs (1); how desirable is it that U.S./European Union exert strong leadership in world affairs (1); approve/disapprove of the way President of the United States George Bush is handling international politics (1); government spending (3); position about United States and European Union in international affairs (1); role for the European Union in international affairs (1); superpower status for the European Union (5); possible international threats to the United States/Europe in the next ten years (6); feelings toward some countries/institutions/people (18); United Nations does/does not need to be strengthened (1); overall opinion of the United Nations (1); Europe and the United States have grown closer/further apart/remained about the same in recent years (1); European Union/United States of America is more important to own country's vital interests today (1); war in Iraq was/was not worth the loss of life and other costs of attacking Iraq (1); would/would not support own government's decision to take part in military action against North Korea if North Korea acquired weapons of mass destruction (4); would/would not support own government's decision to take part in military action against Iran if Iran acquired weapons of mass destruction (4); what should be done when a country is harboring dangerous international terrorists (4); what should be done if a country is threatening with nuclear weapons a neighbor country (4); proposals to help resolve the Arab/Israeli conflict (12); agree/disagree that European Union is not as powerful militarily as the U.S. but can still have influence to solve world problems by other tools (1); agree/disagree that U.S. and Europe should act more independently in the world (1); agree/disagree that Israel deserves our support because it is the only democracy in the Arab world (1); agree/disagree that economic power is becoming more important in world affairs than military power (1); agree/disagree that war is necessary to obtain justice under some conditions (1); agree/disagree that when vital interests of own country are involved it is justified to bypass the U.N. if needed (1); agree/disagree that Europeans are too preoccupied with their own affairs and are unwilling to take responsibility for dealing with world problems (1); agree/disagree that Europeans and Americans have different social and cultural values (1); remember/do not remember some of the names of the five countries which have permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council (11).

American Public Opinion and US Foreign Policy, 2002: General Public

Study# USHARRISINT2002-CCFR
Survey firm: Harris Interactive
Survey Sponsor: The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations
Date: June 1-30, 2002
Sample: National Adult
Sample size: 3,262
Sample notes: The sample contains: 2862 telephone interviews, and 400 personal in-home interviews
Variables: 412
Major topics covered: Interest in news (4); trust in Washington (1); biggest problems facing U.S. (3); biggest foreign policy problems facing U.S. (3); activity in politics (1); contacted elected official about foreign affairs (5); Dick Cheney (1); party majority in House of Representatives (1); expand/cut back federal government programs (9); hunch about what percentage of budget goes to foreign aid (1); expand/cut back spending by European governments (2); Congress role in foreign policy (1); people/groups influential on foreign policy (6); how much influence people/groups should have on foreign policy (6); U.S. presidents successful in foreign policy (4); favor/oppose giving economic aid to other nations (1); favor/oppose different types of foreign aid (6); economic aid to people/nations increased/decreased/kept same/stopped (8); favor/oppose selling military equipment to other nations (1); military bases overseas (11); too many/too few troops in other countries (2); U.S. role as world leader today vs. ten years ago (1); European Union role as world leader today vs. ten years ago (1); Japan role as world leader today vs. ten years ago (1); influential countries (9); countries play greater/lesser role in next ten years than today (9); economic or military strength more important in determining power (1); should/should not take active part in world affairs (3); should other countries be active in world affairs (2); Bush Administration job performance (14); U.S. vital interest in other countries (30); opinion of other countries (28); opinion of American and foreign leaders (16); opinion of people and organizations (12); U.S./Japanese relations (1); lesson of 9-11 (1); possible threats to U.S. vital interest (20); circumstances that would justify U.S. using troops (18); invade Iraq (1); favor/oppose U.S. helping Saudi Arabia if invaded by Iraq (1); favor/oppose U.S. helping South Korea if attacked by North Korea (1); U.S. role of 'world policeman' (2); possible use of nuclear weapons by U.S. (1); possible foreign policy goals of U.S. (20); U.S. should/should not participate in treaties/agreements (5); international institutions (8); U.S. should/should not support international criminal court (1); important countries to U.S. (2); NATO (8); Europe and U.S. should/should not have specialized roles in world (1); U.S./European Union as superpowers (1); role of European Union (1); U.S. and European Union should/should not be more willing to make decisions jointly (1); international peacekeeping operations (2); U.S. should/should not take action alone in responding to international crises (1); strengthening the U.N. (3); favor/oppose U.S. paying U.N. dues in full (1); economic sanctions (5); diplomatic relations (5); trade (5); independent Palestinian state (3); taking sides in Middle East conflict (2); European Union involvement in Middle East conflict (1); 9-11 attacks represent true teachings of Islam (1); view of Muslims (1); combating international terrorism (14); reliable/unreliable U.S. partners in war on terrorism (7); tariffs (1); free trade (1); standards for countries with international trade agreements (2); U.S. and World Trade Organization (1); fair/unfair trade with U.S. (5); support/oppose biotechnology in agriculture/food production (1); labeling of genetically modified food (1); immigration (2); globalization (12); missile defense system (1).

2002 European World Views Survey

Study# MCMORI2002-GMF
Survey Sponsor: The German Marshall Fund of the United States
Survey firm: MORI Research Inc.
Dates: June 1-July 6, 2002
Sample: National adult residents of Great Britain, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France, and Germany
Sample size: 6,001
Sample notes: 1000 respondents were interviewed in each country (1001 in France).
Variables: 138
Major topics covered:
Most important issues facing country today (2); government programs expanded/cut back/kept the same (2); U.S. government programs expanded/cut back/kept the same (2); know the name of the U.S. President (1); how much influence certain countries have in the world (1); desirable for U.S. to exert strong leadership in world affairs (1); desirable for the EU to exert strong leadership in world affairs (1); economic/military strength more important in determining a country's overall power and influence (1); best for future of own country to be active or stay out of world affairs (1); Bush Administration's handling of problems (7); EU or U.S. more important for vital interests of own country (1); U.S. and EU as superpowers (1); European Union (2); willing for Europe to be superpower even if greater military expenditures (1); possible threats to vital interest of own country/Europe in next ten years (11); feelings toward certain countries (8); NATO still essential/no longer essential (1); expansion of NATO (6); NATO headquarters (1); approve/disapprove of own country's military troops used in certain situations (6); Europe and U.S. should/ should not specialize their roles in the world (1); U.S. should/should not invade Iraq (1); own government should/should not take part in military action against Iraq (4); Favor/oppose establishment of an independent Palestinian state (1); Favor/oppose measure to combat international terrorism (5); Agree/disagree that American foreign policy contributed to 9/11 attacks (1); U.S. using attacks to enforce will or protecting itself from future attacks (1); Should/should not strengthen international institutions (4); U.S./Japan practice fair/unfair trade with Europe (2); Support/oppose biotechnology/genetic manipulation in agriculture and food production (2); Globalization good/bad (4).

VNS 2002 Election: National Election Day Exit Poll
Study# USVNS2002-NATELEC
Field date: November 5, 2002
Sample size: 17,872
Major topics covered:
Senatorial election (1); gubernatorial election (1); direction of country (1); national priorities (1); House election (3); George W. Bush job performance (3); support/oppose U.S. military action against Iraq (1); economy (2); member of Religious Right (1); personal finances (1); view of government's responsibility (1); Congress job performance (1); reason for vote for Congress (1); worried about another terrorist attack (1); 2000 presidential election (1); problems with voting (1); tax cuts (1); political parties been influenced by large corporations (1); 2004 presidential election (1); stock market (1).

American Muslims Poll

Study# USZOGBY2001-MUSLIMS
Survey firm: Zogby Group International
Survey Sponsor: The Project MAPS: Muslims in American Public Square, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (CMCU), Georgetown University
Dates: November 8-19-December 7-9, 2001
Sample: American Muslims adults
Sample size: 1,781
Variables: 115
Major topics covered:
Voting intention (2); 2000 Presidential Election Vote (2); Political parties (3); Political Activism (8); Most important issues (2); Community activities (10); Image of Islam in education system (1); Muslims involved in American improvement (1); Muslims and politics (3); Muslims and interfaith activities (1); America is immoral (1); Religion in America (1); Why US is targeted for terrorism (1); George W. Bush handling terrorist attacks (2); Patriotism (1); Terrorist attacks (3); Military action in Afghanistan (2); Middle East (7); Opinion of Americans towards Muslims/Arabs (4); Important issues (21); Opinions of congress (1); Muslim religion (14).

Polling & Democracy

Study# USPSRA2001-POL015A
Survey firm: Princeton Survey Research Associates
Survey Sponsor: Kaiser Family Foundation in collaboration with Public Perspective magazine
Dates: January 3-March 26, 2001
Sample: National adult
Sample size: 1,206
Variables: 119
Major topics covered:
Important Issues (4); Public Opinion Polls (37); Confidence in Public (9); Officials Understanding of Public (12); Influence of Public (2); Judgement to make decisions (26)

VNS 2000 Election: National Election Day Exit Poll

Study# USVNS2000-NATELEC
Field date: November 7, 2000
Sample size: 13,225
Major topics covered:
Issue in deciding presidential vote (2); Government doing too much or too little (1); Bill Clinton a factor in voting decision (1); First time voting (1); Quality in deciding presidential vote (1); Voted Republican/Democrat/other (3); Religious Right (1); Abortion (1); Financial Situation (1); 1996 Presidential vote (1); Economy (3); Direction of Country (1); Bill Clinton responsibility for economy (1); Bill Clinton job performance (1); Opinion of Bill Clinton (1); Attend religious services (1); Feelings if Al Gore wins (1); Feelings if George W. Bush wins (1); Pollicies of next president (1); Candidate that reflects view of government role (1); Candidate say anything to get elected president (1); Prescription drugs (1); Social Security in the Stock Market (1); Tax Cut plan (1); Presidential Knowledge (1); Al Gore too liberal/conservative (1); George W. Bush too liberal/conservative (1); Federal Budget surplus (1); Federal government priorities for failing schools (1); favor/oppose stricter gun control laws (1); Worried about the stock market (1); Unfair candidate attacks (1); Gun owner (1); What new president should do first (1); Think Al Gore is honest/trustworthy (1); Think George W. Bush is honest/trustworthy (1); Environment or economy more important (1); Life for next generation better/worse than today (1); Important presidential abilities (1); Country should stay on course/start over (1); Candidate to best handle international crisis (1); Lieberman's religion (1); want child to grow up to be president (1); U.S. military stronger/weaker in last 8 years (1); Support John McCain (1); Bill Clinton remembered for leadership or scandals (1); Use internet (2); Bill Clinton scandals a factor in voting (1).

Center for Survey Research & Analysis Poll: The First Amendment

Study# USCSRA1999-1STAMEND
Survey Sponsor: The Freedom Forum
Date: February 26-March 24, 1999
Sample: National adult
Sample size: 1,001
Variables: 93
Major topics covered: Most important freedom (1); First Amendment (35); Flag Burning (1); Rights used in last year (7); Companies using First Amendment (15); Web site that lists abortion doctors (2); Freedom of the press (11); Media (2); Banning books (2); Internet (3); Religion (1); Attend religious services (1).

50th Anniversary of the State of Israel

Study# ISLAT1998-408
Survey firm: Los Angeles Times
Survey sponsor: The Yedieth Ahronoth
Dates: March 12-23, 1998
Sample: Israeli adults residing in Israel
Sample size: 1,011
Variables: 73
Major topics covered:
Israel's greatest accomplishment (2); Israel's greatest shortcomings(2); Relations between Israel and other group (8); prime minister election (1); Direction of the country (1); Impressions of political leaders (3); Impression of U.S. (1); U.S. relations (3); Jewish population (2); Jewish community (5); Israel's policies (2); U,S, and Israel's relations (3); Net angahu and peace process (1); Gasser Arafat and peace process (1); Oslo Accords (6); Government in Israel (1); Marriages and conversions in Israel (1); Women Babies (1); Jews cultural or ethnic group (2); Religion (2); Offend service on the high holy days (1); Household use of religious objects (3); Fast on Yom Hippo (1); Keep Kosher at home (1); Belief in God (1); Religious traditions (1); Jewish people's power in U.S. (1); family die in the Holocaust (1); U.S. Jewish population (1); Marriage to a non-Jew (2); Children's religious up-bringing (1)

Taxes Study

Study# USICR2003-NPR012
Survey sponsor: Kaiser Family Foundation/NPR/Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government
Survey firm: ICR--International Communications Research
Dates: February 5-March 17, 2003
Sample: National adult
Sample size: 1,339
Variables: 150
Major topics covered:
Economy (1); personal finances (1); trust federal government in Washington to do what is right (1); more important having the government provide needed services/cutting taxes (2); present federal tax system (2); federal income tax (1); lowering taxes/keeping down the federal deficit more important (1); lowering taxes/maintaining spending levels on domestic programs more important (1); which kinds of taxes dislike the most (1); what should tax system be used for (1); has/has not been a federal tax cut in the past two years (1); how does federal income tax system work (1); Social Security/Medicare taxes (1); terms related to taxes and the federal tax system (5); think Americans pay higher/smaller/same percentage of income in taxes than citizens of Western European countries (1); high/middle/lower income group pays highest percentage of their income in total federal taxes in U.S. (2); groups that pay/do not pay their fair share of federal taxes (4); fair share of tax deductions and credits (1); is/is not responsibility of government to reduce differences in income (2); most bothersome thing about taxes (1); cheating on taxes (2); flat-rate tax system (8); complexity of current federal income tax system (6); think it is fair/unfair that one family pays less tax than another family with the same income for different reasons (5); proposal to do away with personal income taxes on corporate dividends (3); cutting certain taxes would/would not stimulate the economy (4); President Bush's 2001 tax cuts (4); family would/would not benefit from income tax cuts (1); what would do with a $300 per person tax rebate (1); federal estate tax (16); national sales tax (8); decisions made in last year in order to pay less taxes (3); what income level makes someone wealthy (6); pay more federal income tax/Social Security and Medicare tax over the course of a year (1); Republicans/Democrats would do the best when it comes to dealing with the federal tax system (1); own/rent home (1); own stocks (2); have ever done certain things in order to pay less in taxes (4); did/did not itemize deductions last year (1); eligible/not eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit last time filed (2); more closely share President Bush's/Democrats' views on federal tax cuts (1).

War Tracking Poll

Study# USPEW2003-03WAR
Survey firm: Princeton Survey Research Associates
Survey sponsor: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Field dates: March 20-April 7, 2003
Sample: National adult
Sample size: 3,620
Variables: 228
Major topics covered:
George W. Bush job performance (3); feelings about life (1); news about war in Iraq (21); military force in Iraq (3); learned about war in Iraq (3); TV news broadcast in respondent's area (1); personal financial situation (2); economic conditions in the U.S. (1); George W. Bush and improving the economy (1); press job performance (1); Americans' views about war in Iraq (3); news of war: pro-American or neutral (9); U.S. to rebuild Iraq (1); pay for cost of war in Iraq (1); accurate picture of war in Iraq (2); feeling depressed about the war (1); difficulty concentrating (1); trouble sleeping (1); feelings about TV coverage of the war (5); life changes as result of the war (7); victim of terrorist attacks (1); worries about the war (6); news dispatches from combat areas (1); Iraqi TV of U.S. POWs (1); U.S. winning the war in Iraq (1); children in the household (3); children following the war (4); children's feelings about the war (2); children talking about the war (9); using a computer (1); using the internet (28); email about war in Iraq (9); information about war in Iraq from the web (22); on-line discussion about the war in Iraq (2); using the internet regarding the war in Iraq (3).

Foreign Policy Iraq

Study# USUMARY2003-03
Survey firm: Program on International Policy Attitudes
Field dates: March 22-25, 2003
Sample: National adult
Sample size: 795
Sample notes: Interviews were conducted by Knowledge Networks. See documentation for details.
Variables: 158
Major topics covered:
Foreign policy problems (4); US dealing with International issues (17); US relations with other countries (5); Foreigners rating US foreign policy (2); George W. Bush authorizing invasion of Iraq without UN approval (2); US should punish countries that did not support US initiative to go to war (1); Support for war with Iraq (4); US use artillery shells with depleted uranium (1); US war with Iraq (1); US remain in Iraq after Saddam Hussein's government is toppled (1); Time to establish stable government (1); Democracy to Iraq (3); Who should be in charge of Iraq until stable government is formed (1); UN role in world (1); North Korea (3); Iran (4); UN relevant to matters in world (1); Terror attacks (1); Muslim feeling toward US (1); US getting cooperation from other countries (1); Cooperation for war on terrorism (1); Arab-Israeli conflict (1); US has the authority to over throw another government (1); US should feel more freely or less freely to use military action without UN consent (1).

What Did Bush Know? Survey

Study# USPSRA2002-NW04
Survey firm: Princeton Survey Research Associates
Survey sponsor: Newsweek
Field dates: May 16-17, 2002
Sample: National adult
Sample size: 1,002
Variables: 39
Major topics covered:
Bush job performance (2); Favorability of government organizations (1); Knowledge of 9/11 terrorist attack (10); Clinton job performance (1).

A Generational Look at the Public--Politics and Policy

Study# USPSRA2002-WPH015
Survey firm: Princeton Survey Research Associates
Survey sponsor: Kaiser Family Foundation/Washington Post/Harvard University
Field dates: August 2-September 1, 2002
Sample: National adult including an oversample of adults ages 55 and older
Sample size:2,886
Variables: 145
Major topics covered:
George W. Bush job performance (1); direction of country (1); Congress job performance 91); 2002 House of Representatives election (3); important issues in deciding vote for Congress (12); economy (1); trust Republicans/Democrats more to do better job in handling problems (17); important values (1); last five presidents before George W. Bush (1); trust government in Washington to do what is right (1); would rather have smaller government with less services/bigger government with more services (1); government regulation of business (1); government/individuals responsibility to improve standard of living of all Americans (1); U.S. foreign policy (2); patriotic (1); religion/spiritual values influence on politics (1); importance of religion in everyday life (1); Social Security (3); health care spending (1); Medicare (2); federal government's role in helping pay for certain costs (2); gays and lesbians should/should not have legal right to get married (1); favor/oppose providing parents with vouchers to send their children to private or religious schools (1); favor/oppose stricter gun laws (1); favor/oppose prayer in public schools (1); support/oppose affirmative action (1); favor/oppose U.S. military action in Iraq (1); satisfied/dissatisfied with life overall (1); personal finances (2); worried about certain things happening in next twelve months (6); general health of respondent (1); current employment status (2); retirement (2); paying attention to government and politics (2); how much elections make government pay attention to what people think (1); people have/do not have a say in what government does (2); Republican/Democratic parties are different/same (1); think people running government are crooked/not crooked (1); currently belong to AARP (1); which party usually vote for in Congressional and Presidential elections (1); 2000 presidential election (2); 2000 congressional election (2); member of labor union (1).

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