Weak Ratings Confront Bush Ahead of State of the Union

Transcription

1 ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST POLL: BEFORE THE SOTU 1/26/06 EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AFTER 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 Weak Ratings Confront Bush Ahead of State of the Union A weakened George W. Bush faces the nation in his 5 th State of the Union address, beset by war fatigue, persistent discontent on the economy and other domestic issues, ethics concerns and rising interest in Democratic alternatives in this midterm election year. Bush s bottom-line job rating 42 percent of Americans approve of his work, 56 percent disapprove is the worst for a president entering his sixth year in office since Watergate hammered Richard Nixon. And Bush s is not a single-issue problem: More than half disapprove of his work in eight out of nine areas tested in this ABC News/Washington Post poll, from Iraq to immigration to health care. 100% 90% Start of Sixth-Year Approval Ratings ABC News/Washington Post and Gallup polls 80% % approve 70% 60% 60% 65% 58% 50% 40% 42% 45% 30% 26% 20% 10% 0% Bush Clinton Reagan Nixon Eisenhower Truman Some views look better for Bush. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the country s safer now than it was before Sept. 11, 2001, in many ways the fundamental demand of his presidency. Fifty-three percent still believe the war in Iraq has improved long-term U.S. security, its most basic rationale. And the president has won himself some daylight on the issue of warrantless wiretaps; 56 percent now call them justified.

2 But his challenges are many. Bush s overall approval rating has failed to sustain a slight gain last month from his career lows last fall; it s 10 points lower than a year ago, on the eve of his second inauguration. On Iraq, 55 percent say the war was not worth fighting and 60 percent disapprove of how Bush is handling it. On the deficit, 64 percent disapprove of his work; on health care 60 percent; on immigration 57 percent; on ethics 56 percent (see separate Jan. 27 analysis on ethics). Six in 10 say the economy s hurting. Six in 10 don t think Bush understands their problems. Fifty-three percent don t see him as honest and trustworthy. 90% 80% Approval of Bush's Handling of the Issues ABC News/Washington Post poll 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 52% 45% 52% 52% 46% 45% Approve 56% 56% 42% 42% Disapprove 60% 60% 51% 39% 38% 37% 34% 57% 32% 64% 20% 10% 0% Terrorism Economy Taxes Overall job Ethics in gov't Iraq Rx for elderly Health care Immigration Budget deficit OPPOSITION Bush s problems clearly benefit the opposition: Americans by a 16-point margin, percent, now say the country should go in the direction in which the Democrats want to lead, rather than follow Bush a 10-point drop for the president from a year ago, and the Democrats first head-to-head majority of his presidency. The Republican Party is feeling the pinch as well. The Democrats lead them by 14 points, percent, in trust to handle the nation s main problems, the first Democratic majority on this question since And the Democrats hold a 16-point lead in 2006 congressional election preferences, percent among registered voters, their best since Independents quintessential swing voters prefer the Democrats direction over Bush s by percent, and favor the Democrat over the Republican in congressional races by percent (the latter result is among independents who re registered to vote.). 2

3 Trust to Handle the Nation's Main Problems ABC News/Washington Post polls 65% 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 35% The Democrats The Republicans 30% 25% 20% 7/23/2000 4/22/2001 1/27/2002 7/15/2002 9/26/2002 9/26/ /27/ /15/2002 8/11/2003 6/5/ /2/ /18/2005 1/26/2006 Whether this shifts many seats in the elections 10 months off is far from assured. Not only are the powers of incumbency immense, there s also no broad anti-incumbency sentiment in the country; indeed 64 percent approve of their own representative s work. Still, some underlying shifts may give the Republicans pause, perhaps less for 2006 than for 2008 (admittedly a political lifetime away). The Democrats have narrowed the gap as the party with stronger leaders, now trailing by six points versus 16 points last fall. They lead by 16 points as the party with better ideas. And they ve held or improved their advantage over the Republicans in public trust to handle issues as disparate as the economy (now an 18-point Democratic lead), Iraq and lobbying reform. Handling the nation s response to terrorism is still the Republicans best issue both Bush s and his party s albeit by far less of a margin than in the past: Fifty-two percent now approve of Bush s work on terrorism (pale compared with his career-average 68 percent) and the Republicans hold a scant five-point lead over the Democrats in trust to handle it (down from a peak 36-point lead three years ago). Even with these weaker assessments, dealing with terrorism remains the wellspring of the president s support (and it s clearly the issue that got him re-elected). When he addresses the nation Tuesday night and when his party goes to the people in November it s certain to be central to their message. 3

4 ISSUES It helps Bush and his party that terrorism continues to be one of the top items on the public s agenda; 59 percent say it should be one of the highest priorities for Bush and Congress, putting it alongside the situation in Iraq, cited by 60 percent. There are vast partisan differences in those two top issue choices: Seventy-nine percent of Republicans call terrorism a highest priority issue; that falls to about half of independents and Democrats alike (53 and 49 percent, respectively). And 70 percent of Republicans call Iraq top priority, compared with 51 percent of Democrats. Democrats, by contrast, are much more likely than Republicans to give top-priority mention to domestic issues such as Social Security, education, health care and prescription drug benefits. Lobbying reform, it s worth noting, comes out last on the list. That doesn t mean it s unimportant, just not a highest priority, probably because people are less apt to see it as impacting them directly. Highest Priority All Democrats Independents Republicans Iraq 60% 51% 63% 70% Terrorism Health care Economy Education Less govt. spending Social Security Budget deficit Disaster prep Rx for elderly Immigration Taxes Global warming Lobbying reform IRAQ In one notable change, approval of Bush s performance on Iraq has dropped back after a short-lived gain following the recent elections there. His approval rating went from 36 percent before the mid-december elections to 46 percent immediately afterward; now it s back down to 39 percent. The change came mainly among Republicans; their approval of Bush s handling of Iraq is down 11 points in this poll. NSA A better result for Bush, noted above, is the apparent lack of traction for critics of the warrantless NSA wiretaps. A clear majority now says such wiretaps are acceptable, 56 percent, compared with 43 percent who call them unacceptable. That compares with a closer percent split earlier this month. Warrantless wiretaps: Acceptable Unacceptable 1/26/06 56% 43 1/8/

5 In what may be a related result, there s also been an advance, albeit just to 50 percent, in the number of Americans who express confidence in the government s ability to prevent future terrorist attacks. This confidence is far higher among Republicans (71 percent) than it is among either independents or Democrats (45 and 40 percent, respectively). Still, the change on NSA wiretaps came equally among Republicans and independents; both now are eight points more likely to call such wiretaps acceptable. It s a small gain for Bush and his party but one of the few they have cause to celebrate. METHODOLOGY This ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Jan , 2006, among a random national sample of 1,002 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, PA. Analysis by Gary Langer. ABC News polls can be found at ABCNEWS.com at Media contact: Cathie Levine, (212) Full results follow (*= less than 0.5 percent). 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? Approve Disapprove No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin. 1/26/ /8/ /18/ /2/ /29/ /11/ /28/ /26/ /5/ /24/ /13/ /31/ /16/ /19/ /20/ /17/04 LV /16/04 LV /15/04 LV /3/04 LV /26/ /8/ /29/ /1/ /25/ /11/ /20/ /23/

6 4/18/ /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /14/ /7/ /16/ /29/ /13/ /30/ /13/ /7/ /11/ /10/ /22/ /30/ /16/ /9/ /3/ /23/03 68 NA NA 27 NA NA 4 3/20/03 67 NA NA 28 NA NA 5 3/2/ /23/03 60 NA NA 34 NA NA 6 2/9/ /1/ /28/ /27/ /20/ /15/ /4/02 LV /3/02 LV /2/02 LV /27/ /26/ /8/ /28/ /15/ /17/ /9/ /19/ /21/ /28/ /10/ /27/ /19/ /27/ /6/ /9/ /27/ /13/ /9/ /12/ /30/ /3/ /22/ /25/01 58 NA NA 33 NA NA 8 2/25/01 55 NA NA 23 NA NA Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling (ITEM)? 1/26/06 - Summary Table* 6

7 Approve Disapprove No op. a. The situation in Iraq b. The US campaign against terrorism c. The federal budget deficit d. Ethics in government e. Prescription drug benefits for the elderly f. The economy g. Immigration issues h. Health care i. Taxes *Item a asked of full sample. Items b-e asked of half sample, items f-i asked of other half sample. Trend: a. The situation in Iraq Approve Disapprove No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin. 1/26/ /18/ /2/ /11/05 38 NA NA 62 NA NA 1 8/28/ /26/ /5/05 41 NA NA 58 NA NA 1 4/24/ /13/ /16/ /19/ /26/04 RV /29/04 RV /25/ /20/ /23/ /18/ /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /14/ /16/ /29/ /13/ /29/ /13/ /7/ /24/ /11/ /10/ /22/ /30/03 75 " " 22 " " 2 3/27/03* /23/ /20/ /17/ /9/ /23/ /9/ /5/ /1/

8 1/28/ /27/ /20/ /15/ /4/02 LV /3/02 LV /2/02 LV /27/ /26/ /14/ /29/02 52 " " 36 " " 12 *3/27/03 and previous: "The situation with Iraq and Saddam Hussein" b. The US campaign against terrorism Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /8/ /18/ /2/ /11/ /28/05* /5/ /24/ /13/ /16/ /19/ /26/04 RV /29/04 RV /25/ /20/ /23/ /18/ /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /29/ /13/ /13/ /7/ /30/ /9/ /1/ /27/ /20/ /15/ /4/02 LV /3/02 LV /2/02 LV /27/ /26/ /8/ /28/ /15/ /19/02* /21/02* /10/02* /27/ /19/01* /15/01* *Asked very/somewhat follow-up 8

9 c. The federal budget deficit Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /16/ /20/ /18/ /7/ /18/ /21/ /29/ d. Ethics in government Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /8/ /18/ e. Prescription drug benefits for the elderly Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /20/ /18/ /7/ /18/ /21/ /29/ /13/ /13/ /30/ /1/ f. The economy Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /18/ /2/ /11/ /28/ /5/ /24/ /13/ /16/ /19/ /26/04 RV /29/04 RV /25/ /20/ /23/ /18/ /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /16/ /29/ /13/ /13/ /7/ /11/

10 7/10/ /30/ /9/ /1/ /28/ /27/ /20/ /5/ /15/ /4/02 LV /3/02 LV /2/02 LV /27/ /26/ /8/ /28/ /15/ /21/ /27/ /19/ /6/ /9/ /30/ /3/ /22/ /25/ g. Immigration issues Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /18/ /28/ /16/ /18/ h. Health care Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /18/ /2/ /13/ /16/ /19/ /29/04 RV /25/ /20/ /18/04* /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /29/ /13/ /13/ /30/ /28/ /20/ /15/ *4/18/04 and previous: "The cost, availability and coverage of health insurance" 10

11 i. Taxes Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /16/ /29/04 RV /25/ /20/ /18/ /7/ /18/ /29/ /13/ /11/ /30/ /1/ /20/ /15/ Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Bush or not. 1/26/06 - Summary Table* No Yes No op. a. He is a strong leader * b. He is honest and trustworthy * c. He understands the problems of people like you d. He can be trusted in a crisis *Half sample asked items a,b, other half asked items c,d. Trend: a. He is a strong leader Yes No No op. 1/26/ * 12/18/ * 11/2/ * 9/11/ * 5/23/ /18/ /7/ /11/ /21/ /29/ /13/ * 4/30/ * 12/15/ /15/ /30/ /22/ /9/00 RV /6/00 RV /20/00 RV /10/00 RV /23/00 RV /23/ /11/ /2/ /11/

12 2/27/ /6/ /16/ /15/ /31/ /2/ /14/ b. He is honest and trustworthy Yes No No op. 1/26/ * 12/18/ /2/ /23/ /18/ /7/ /11/ /29/ /13/ /15/ /15/ /30/ /22/ /5/00 LV /4/00 LV /24/00 LV /15/00 LV /15/00 RV /6/00 RV /23/00 RV /23/ /15/ /31/ /2/ /14/ c. He understands the problems of people like you Yes No No op. 1/26/ /2/ /11/ /28/ /24/ /16/ /23/ /18/ /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /29/ /13/ /30/ /15/ /15/ /27/ /30/ /22/ /4/00 LV /24/00 LV /15/00 RV

13 10/9/00 RV /6/00 RV /20/00 RV /23/ /11/ /2/ /11/ /27/ /6/ /16/ /15/ /31/ /2/ /14/ d. He can be trusted in a crisis Yes No No op. 1/26/ /2/ /11/ /23/ /30/ /22/ /15/ /2/ (and 5) If the election for the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2006 were being held today, would you vote for (the Democratic candidate) or (the Republican candidate) in your congressional district? (IF OTHER, NEITHER, DK, REF) Would you lean toward the (Democratic candidate) or toward the (Republican candidate)? Net Leaned Vote: Dem Rep Other Neither Will not No cand. cand. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opin. 1/26/06 All /26/06 RV /18/05 All /18/05 RV /2/05 All /2/05 RV /4/02 LV /3/02 LV * /2/02 LV * /27/02 LV /26/02 All /26/02 RV /26/02 LV /15/02 All /15/02 RV /27/02* RV NA /6/00 RV /23/00 RV /27/00 RV /31/99 RV /2/99 RV * 5 3/14/99 RV /14/99 RV /30/99 RV /1/98 RV * 2 13

14 10/25/98 RV /18/98 RV /28/98 RV * 4 8/21/98 RV /12/98 RV * 6 1/31/98 RV /19/98 RV /8/96 RV /29/96 RV /22/96 RV /15/96 RV /4/96 RV * 5 8/29/96 RV /28/96 RV /27/96 RV /26/96 RV /25/96 RV /24/96 RV /19/96 RV /18/96 RV /15/96 RV /14/96 RV /13/96 RV /12/96 RV /11/96 RV /10/96 RV /4/96 RV /30/96 RV * 3 5/22/96 RV /10/96 RV * 4 1/21/96 RV /1/95 RV * 3 11/6/94 RV /31/94 RV /23/94 RV /9/94 RV /11/94 RV /7/94 RV /27/94 RV /21/91 RV * 4 7/28/91 RV * 3 6/2/91 RV /4/90 RV * 3 10/14/90 RV * 3 9/9/90 RV * 3 7/24/90 RV /21/90 RV /21-10/10/88 RV /19/88 RV /22/85 RV * 3 10/16/84 RV NA 5 9/11/84 RV NA 1 7/8/84 RV NA 1 10/27/82 RV NA NA 3 10/11/82 RV NA NA 9 9/13/82 RV NA NA 6 11/22/81 RV " NA NA 7 *1/27/02 and previous: No "other candidate" option recorded 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress is doing its job? Approve Disapprove No opinion 14

15 1/26/ /8/ /18/ /2/ /28/ /5/ /29/ /30/ /26/ /15/ /21/ /27/ /19/ /9/ /30/ /22/ /31/ /2/ /6/ /14/ /14/ /20/ /19/ /13/ /7/ /1/ /25/ /18/ /28/ /21/ /12/ /12/ /4/ /31/ /30/ /25/ /24/ /19/ /13/ /27/ /8/ /24/ /9/ /5/ /30/ /22/ /10/ /7/ /19/ /1/ /17/ /19/ /29/ /31/ /23/ /11/ /26/ /27/ /27/ /23/ /14/ /8/ /26/

16 1/17/ /9/ /18/ /8/ /2/ /15/ /21/ /2/ /14/ /4/ /16/ /21/ /23/ /14/ /23/88* /1/ /22/ / / / / / / / *1/23/88 and previous: Gallup 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your own representative to the U.S. House of Representatives in Congress is handling his or her job? Approve Disapprove No opinion 1/26/ /18/ /2/ /5/ /26/ /15/ /1/ /1/98 LV /18/ /18/98 LV /28/ /28/98 LV /12/ /19/ /5/ /31/ /23/ /11/ /26/ /27/ /17/ /9/ /18/ /2/ /15/ /21/ /2/ /14/ /23/

17 8. Overall, which party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you trust to do a better job in coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years? Both Neither Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) No opinion 1/26/ /18/ /2/ /5/ /11/ /15/ /27/02 LV /26/ /26/02 LV /15/ /27/ /22/ /23/ /2/ /6/ /14/ /14/ /18/ /18/98 LV /28/ /28/98 LV /21/ /12/ /31/ /19/ /8/ /15/96 RV /5/ /30/ /22/ /6/94 RV /31/ /23/ /11/ /26/ /27/ /14/ /17/ /8/ /7/ /11/ /8/ /2/ /15/ /21/ Do you think the country should go in the direction (Bush wants to lead it), go in the direction (the Democrats in Congress want to lead it), or what? Other Neither No dif. No Bush Democrats (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) opin. 1/26/ /16/ /19/ /9/ /30/

18 6/3/ /22/ Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor? --- Excellent/Good Not so good/poor ---- No NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor op. 1/26/ * 12/18/ * 11/2/ * 9/11/ /5/ * 4/24/ * 9/26/04 RV /29/04 RV * 7/25/ * 6/20/ * 4/18/ * 3/7/ /18/ /21/ /29/ * 9/13/ * 8/11/ * 4/30/ * 2/9/ * 1/20/ /15/ /4/02 LV /3/02 LV /2/02 LV * 9/26/ * 7/15/ /21/ * 1/27/ * 9/20/ /9/ * 7/30/ * 4/22/ * 1/15/ /27/00 LV * 10/26/00 LV * 6/11/ * 2/27/ * 10/31/ /2/ /14/ /1/ /1/98 LV * 10/13/ * 11. Which political party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you trust to do a better job (ITEM)? 1/26/06 - Summary Table Both Neither No Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) op. a. handling the situation in Iraq

19 b. standing up to lobbyists and special interest groups c. handling the economy d. handling the U.S. campaign against terrorism Trend: a. handling the situation in Iraq Both Neither No Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) op. 1/26/ /18/ /2/ /15/02* /27/02 LV /26/02 LV /26/ *12/15/02 and previous: "The situation with Iraq and Saddam Hussein" b. standing up to lobbyists and special interest groups Both Neither No Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) op. 1/26/ /18/ c. handling the economy Both Neither No Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) op. 1/26/ /2/ /15/ /27/02* LV /26/02 LV /26/ *10/27/02 and previous: "The economy and jobs" d. handling the U.S. campaign against terrorism Both Neither No Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) op. 1/26/ /2/ /15/ /27/02* LV /26/02 LV /26/ *10/27/02 and previous: "The war on terrorism" 12. Which political party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you think (ITEM): 1/26/06 - Summary Table Both Neither No Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) op. a. has stronger leaders b. has better ideas

20 Trend where available: a. has stronger leaders Both Neither No Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) op. 1/26/ /2/ b. No trend. 13. Do you think it is better for the country to have a president (who comes from the same political party that controls Congress), or do you think it is better to have a president (from one political party and Congress controlled by another)? Same Different No difference/ party party no opinion 1/26/ /15/ /7/02* /10/01* /9/00* /22/ *Gallup. 14. For each issue I name, please tell me what kind of priority you think Bush and the Congress should give it - the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority than that? 1/26/06 - Summary Table* High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. a. The economy * * b. The situation in Iraq c. The U.S. campaign against terrorism * 1 d. Social Security * e. Taxes * 1 f. Global warming g. Immigration issues h. Health care * i. Reducing government spending * 1 j. The federal budget deficit k. Education * * l. Prescription drug benefits for the elderly m. Federal disaster preparedness * * n. Lobbying reform *Full sample asked items a-c; half sample asked d-i, other half asked j-n. Trend where available: a. The economy 20

21 High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ * * 1/16/ /30/ * 1 b. The situation in Iraq High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ /16/ * 1 4/30/ * 1 c. The U.S. campaign against terrorism High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ * 1 1/16/ * 1 4/30/ d. Social Security High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ * 1/16/ * 4/30/ * * e. Taxes High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ * 1 1/16/ * 1 4/30/ * 2 f. No trend. g. Immigration issues High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ /16/ h. Health care High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ * 1/16/ * 1 Compare to: The cost, availability, and coverage of health insurance High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 4/30/ * * i. No trend. j. The federal budget deficit 21

22 High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ /16/ k. Education High None No NET Highest High Lower (vol.) op. 1/26/ * * 1/16/ /30/ * l,m,n. No trend. 15 Previously released. 16. All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war with Iraq was worth fighting, or not? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? --- Worth fighting Not worth fighting -- No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly op. 1/26/ /8/ /18/ /2/ /28/ /26/ /5/ /24/ /13/ /16/ /19/ /3/04 LV /26/04 RV /8/04 RV /29/04 RV /25/ /20/ /23/ /6/04 49 NA NA 47 NA NA 5 4/18/ /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /14/ /16/ /29/ /13/ /13/ /7/ /24/ /11/ /10/ /22/ /30/03 70 " " 27 " " 4 2/2/92* 66 NA NA 32 NA NA 2 7/28/ /2/

23 3/4/91 86 " " 13 " " 1 *2/2/92 and previous: "the Persian Gulf war"; 3/4/91: this war 17. Do you think the war with Iraq has or has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States? IF YES: Has it contributed to the long-term security of the United States a great deal, or somewhat? Contributed Has No NET Great deal Somewhat not opin. 1/26/ /18/ /2/ /28/ /26/ /5/ /13/ /16/ /19/ /3/04 LV /26/04 RV /8/04 RV /29/04 RV /25/ /20/ /23/ /18/ /7/ /11/ /18/ /21/ /10/03* *"did or did not" 18. How much confidence do you have in the ability of the U.S. government to prevent further terrorist attacks against Americans in this country: a great deal, a good amount, only a fair amount or none at all? Confident Not confident --- No NET Grt.deal Good amt. NET Fair amt. None opin. 1/26/ * 9/11/ * 8/21/ * 9/8/04 RV /7/ /8/ * 7/15/ * 6/9/ * 5/19/ /10/ * 1/27/ /27/ /6/ /11/ /2/ /5/ * 5/14/ /20/ /28/ /3/ * 23

24 19. Compared to before September 11, 2001, do you think the country today is safer from terrorism or less safe from terrorism? IF SAFER: Would you say the country is much safer or somewhat safer? Safer Less No diff. No NET Much Somewhat safe (vol.) opin. 1/26/ * 8/21/ /3/04 LV /26/04 LV RV /8/04 RV /29/04 RV /18/ /7/ Previously released. 21. On another subject: as you may know, the National Security Agency has been investigating people suspected of involvement with terrorism by secretly listening in on telephone calls and reading s between some people in the United States and other countries, without first getting court approval to do so. Would you consider this wiretapping of telephone calls and s without court approval as an acceptable or unacceptable way for the federal government to investigate terrorism? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? Acceptable Unacceptable No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin. 1/26/ /8/ Previously released. 25 Held for release. ***END*** 24