POLL NEW YORK CITY POLL Aug. 23-27, 2006 Total N = 838 Results are based on the total citywide sample unless otherwise noted. An asterisk indicates registered respondents. TRENDS ARE BASED NEW YORK TIMES POLLS, EXCEPT: OCT. 1998 - OCT. 2000, OCT. 6-9, 2001, JUNE AND AUG. 2002, JULY 2003 AND AUG. 2006 NYT/CBS NEWS APRIL 1985 - JUNE 1990, MAY 1993 - OCT. 1994 NYT/WCBS-TV. 1. What's your long range view for the city -- do you think that ten or fifteen years from now, New York City will be a better place to live than it is now, a worse place, or about the same? Better Worse Same Better & worse DK/NA 11/73 1 38 32 26 4 8/77 27 42 18 13 12/77 38 34 17 11 12/7-14/81 30 40 22 7 1/5-10/85 30 31 27 5 6 1/4-6/87 26 35 31 4 5 1/10-12/88 24 42 28 6 6/11-17/89 22 48 24 1 5 6/17-10/90 20 51 24 4 11/2-12/91 19 58 17 5 5/10-14/93 22 50 23-5 3/1-6/97 28 36 29 1 6 8/5-12/01 34 25 32 1 9 10/6-9/01 54 11 26 1 8 10/27-11/1/01 51 12 26 2 9 6/4-9/02 41 20 31 1 6 8/25-29/02 33 23 38 1 6 1/11-15/03 34 26 32 2 7 6/6-11/03 30 33 29 1 7 8/31-9/4/03 34 31 26 1 8 4/16-21/04 33 28 32 2 6 8/20-25/04 30 32 30 1 6 2/4-13/05 28 29 36 3 4 6/21-26/05 31 29 33 2 5 8/22-28/05 30 26 37 1 5 10/21-26/05 36 24 34 1 5 8/23-27/06 30 29 34 2 5
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 6/4-9/02 48 26 26 8/25-29/02 47 31 22 10/12-16/02 47 41 12 1/11-15/03 31 53 16 6/6-11/03 24 65 11 7/13-27/03 25 67 8 8/31-9/4/03 32 57 11 4/16-21/04 38 46 16 8/20-25/04 40 49 11 2/4-13/05 43 45 12 6/21-26/05 50 35 15 8/22-28/05 59 31 11 10/21-26/05 67 23 10 8/23-27/06 63 22 15 3. What is your biggest concern about living in New York City? 8/25-29/02 8/31-9/4/03 8/23-27/06 Terrorism/more attacks/might happen again/not over yet 11 11 10 Sept. 11/effects of Sept. 11 1 - - High cost of living/prices are too high/inflation 7 16 16 Rent/housing costs 7 6 17 Taxes too high 2 4 3 The economy/jobs & unemployment 10 11 6 Crime & violence 14 14 14 School system/education 5 6 4 Quality of life (pollution, overcrowding) 8 9 6 City services - 3 1 Transportation/traffic 4 2 4 City government/leaders - 1 - Foreigners/immigration 2 2 3 Racism/prejudice/discrimination 1 - - Safety/Not enough security/ don t feel safe 7 4 5 Homelessness 1 1 1 Nothing 2 1 1 Other 5 2 4 DK/NA 12 8 6 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 2
4. Looking ahead about four years, if it were entirely up to you, would you want to be living where you are now, or would you want to be living somewhere else in New York City, or outside the city? Living Elsewhere in Outside where now in NYC NYC DK/NA 4/27-5/3/85 44 15 40 1 8/5-12/01 42 21 35 3 10/6-9/01 55 12 31 2 6/4-9/02 47 16 34 3 8/25-29/02 40 17 42 1 1/11-15/03 38 17 42 3 6/6-11/03 42 13 42 3 8/31-9/4/03 40 11 47 3 4/16-21/04 43 14 41 2 8/20-25/04 40 12 47 2 2/4-13/05 41 16 41 2 6/21-26/05 47 14 38 2 8/22-28/05 46 14 38 1 8/23-27/06 42 15 41 2 Varied wording: Looking ahead about four years, if it was entirely up to you, would you want to be living in New York City, or would you want to be living somewhere else? In NYC Somewhere else DK/NA 12/7-14/81 48 48 4 1/5-10/85 54 42 4 6/17-20/90 38 59 3 11/2-12/91 37 60 3 3/1-6/97 49 47 4 8/5-12/01 62 35 3 10/6-9/01 67 31 2 6/4-9/02 63 16 3 8/25-29/02 57 43 1 1/11-15/03 55 42 3 6/6-11/03 55 42 3 8/31-9/4/03 51 47 3 4/16-21/04 57 41 2 8/20-25/04 52 47 2 2/4-13/05 57 41 2 6/21-26/05 60 38 2 8/22-28/05 60 38 1 8/23-27/06 57 41 2 5. Do you have a lot of confidence, some confidence, or no confidence that your neighbors would help you in an emergency? A lot Some None DK/NA 12/77 55 27 14 4 12/7-14/81 46 35 16 2 11/2-12/91 32 40 23 5 3/1-6/97 43 34 21 2 10/6-9/01 60 29 8 2 6/4-9/02 50 34 14 2 8/25-29/02 57 29 12 2 8/31-9/4/03 58 29 11 1 8/23-27/06 51 30 17 2 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 3
6. Is your image of New York City a good one or a bad one? IF "MIXED IMAGE", SAY: Is it mainly good or mainly bad? Good Bad DK/NA 11/2-12/91 54 36 10 3/1-6/97 77 16 7 10/6-9/01 93 4 3 6/4-9/02 86 9 5 8/25-29/02 85 9 6 8/31-9/4/03 82 13 5 8/20-25/04 79 16 4 8/23-27/06 85 9 6 9. How likely do you think it is that there will be another terrorist attack on the United States within the next few months -- very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, not at all likely? Very Somewhat Not too Not at all likely likely likely likely DK/NA 10/6-9/01* 38 37 10 9 7 6/4-9/02 30 40 13 8 9 8/25-29/02 19 37 24 13 7 8/31-9/4/03 17 39 27 12 5 8/23-27/06 21 36 21 14 8 10. Since September 11th, do you think the government in Washington is doing enough to help protect New York City from terrorist attacks, or not? Enough Not enough DK/NA 6/4-9/02 46 44 10 8/25-29/02 57 34 8 8/31-9/4/03 50 42 8 8/20-25/04 45 47 8 8/23-27/06 34 58 8 11. Do you think of the war with Iraq as part of the war on terrorism, or do you think of it as separate from the war on terrorism? IF YES, ASK: Is it a major part of the war on terrorism, or a minor part of the war on terrorism? Major part Minor part Not part DK/NA 8/23-27/06 22 10 58 11 12. In the five years since Sept. 11, do you think the federal government has done all it could reasonably be expected to do to make the country safe from future terrorist attacks, or could the government have done more? Done all could be expected Could have done more DK/NA 8/23-27/06 25 72 3 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 4
13. Do you think the federal government has done all it could reasonably be expected to do to improve airport security since September 11, 2001, or could it have done more? Done all could be expected Could have done more DK/NA 8/23-27/06 35 62 3 14. Who do you think is currently winning the war against terrorism -- the United States and its allies, neither side, or the terrorists? U.S. and allies Neither side Terrorists DK/NA 8/23-27/06 23 40 26 11 15. Would you say you are personally very concerned about another terrorist attack in New York City, or not? Yes No DK/NA 10/6-9/01 74 25 1 6/4-9/02 70 28 1 8/25-29/02 62 36 2 1/11-15/03 70 27 3 8/31-9/4/03 68 29 3 4/16-21/04 72 27 1 8/20-25/04 66 33 1 2/4-13/05 60 37 3 8/22-28/05 67 30 2 8/23-27/06 69 30 1 16. Do you think New York City is adequately prepared to deal with another terrorist attack, or not? Yes No DK/NA 1/11-15/03 35 54 11 4/16-21/04 33 58 9 8/20-25/04 39 51 11 8/22-28/05 31 59 10 8/23-27/06 39 51 10 17. Do you think New York City is adequately prepared to deal with a biological or chemical attack, or not? Adequately prepared No adequately prepared DK/NA 8/25-29/02 18 69 13 8/31-9/4/03 14 71 15 8/23-27/06 13 74 13 18. Do you think the security measures currently in place in New York City subways are sufficient, or not? Yes No DK/NA 8/25-29/02 22 64 15 8/31-9/4/03 25 65 11 4/16-21/04 24 64 11 8/20-25/04 28 57 14 8/22-28/05 29 65 6 8/23-27/06 26 66 8 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 5
19. If something like the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th ever happened again, how much would you trust the government to tell the truth about possible dangers, like contaminated air or water -- a lot, some, not much or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA 8/23-27/06 10 25 31 30 4 20. Earlier this month, as you probably know, several people were arrested in England accused of planning to blow up airplanes flying from England to the United States. Do you think that the planned attacks represented a major terrorist threat to the United States, a minor terrorist threat, or not much of a threat? Major threat Minor threat Not a threat DK/NA 8/23-27/06 68 18 10 4 23. As of today, would you say your daily routine has gotten pretty much back to normal, or are you still dealing with changes caused by the attacks on the World Trade Center? Normal Still dealing Never back normal DK/NA 10/6-9/01 52 44 1 3 10/27-11/02/01 50 44 3 3 6/4-9/02 66 29 2 3 8/25-29/02 70 27 1 2 8/31-9/4/03 67 29 1 3 8/20-25/04 70 27 2 2 8/22-28/05 63 32 2 4 8/23-27/06 64 31 2 3 24. How do you think most New Yorkers feel these days about their own safety from terrorist attacks? Do you think most New Yorkers generally feel safe from terrorist attacks, feel somewhat uneasy, or feel in danger? Safe Uneasy In danger DK/NA 8/25-29/02 16 63 16 5 8/31-9/4/03 15 61 19 5 8/20-25/04 15 59 20 5 8/23-27/06 19 55 21 5 25. What about you personally? Do you generally feel safe from terrorist attacks, feel somewhat uneasy, or feel in danger? Safe Uneasy In danger DK/NA 8/25-29/02 35 48 14 3 8/31-9/4/03 29 50 18 3 8/20-25/04 30 53 12 5 8/23-27/06 36 47 16 2 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 6
26. About how often do you think about Sept. 11 -- every day, every week, once in a while, or hardly ever? Daily Weekly Once in a while Hardly ever Never DK/NA 8/25-29/02 36 23 35 4 1 1 8/31-9/4/03 24 18 48 8 1 1 8/23-27/06 29 17 47 5 1 1 27. At any time since the attacks, did you feel nervous or edgy? IF YES, ASK: Do you still feel nervous or edgy? Yes, still Yes, but having nervous not now No DK/NA 10/6-9/01 1 42 21 37-6/4-9/02 2 32 30 37-8/25-29/02 28 34 37-8/31-9/4/03 34 29 35 1 8/23-27/06 40 30 30-1 Question read: Since the attacks, have you felt nervous or edgy? 2 Question read: At any time since the attacks, have you felt nervous or edgy? 28. Since Sept. 11, the government has issued warnings about possible terrorist attacks on Americans abroad and in the United States. Do you think the warnings have been useful, or harmful, or neither? Useful Harmful Neither DK/NA 8/25-29/02 52 13 28 7 8/31-9/4/03 55 7 32 6 8/20-25/04 46 17 33 4 8/23-27/06 49 9 38 4 29. In the months after the terrorist attacks, do you think the public was told the truth about the quality of the air in downtown Manhattan after the terrorist attacks, or not? IF NOT, ASK: Do you think the air was safer than the public was told or do you think the air was more dangerous than the public was told? No one knew how dangerous Told truth Air safer Air more dangerous it really was DK/NA 8/23-27/06 14 2 75 2 7 32. What is your impression of how well the redevelopment of lower Manhattan is going? Would you say very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly? Very well Somewhat well Somewhat badly Very badly DK/NA 8/23-27/06 8 45 21 14 12 TREND from QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY: Very well Somewhat well Somewhat badly Very badly DK/NA 7/02 22 50 12 4 12 5/03 12 50 20 8 10 9/03 12 50 18 8 11 5/05 13 41 23 13 10 10/05 9 38 27 15 12 3/06 10 33 28 19 10 4/06 8 36 27 20 9 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 7
33. Who do you think should have the major role in decisions about the development of the World Trade Center site - Mayor Bloomberg or Governor Pataki? Bloomberg Pataki Both equally Neither/other Victims families DK/NA 8/23-27/06 52 22 9 9 1 7 TREND from QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY: Bloomberg Pataki DK/NA 5/03 58 23 20 9/03 54 25 21 5/05 60 24 17 10/05 65 18 17 3/06 68 17 15 4/06 67 15 18 34. What do you think should be done at the site of the World Trade Center? Should the entire site be set aside for a memorial, OR, in addition to a memorial, should the site include office buildings, stores and other commercial activity? Just a memorial Also other activity No memorial DK/NA 1 6/4-9/02 25 68 6 8/22-28/05 26 68 1 6 1 Question read: What do you think should be done at the site of the World Trade Center? Should the entire site be set aside for a memorial, OR, in addition to a memorial, should the site include apartment buildings, office buildings, stores and other commercial activity? No memorial was not a coded response. 35. Would you be willing or not willing to work in one of the higher floors of a new building at the World Trade Center site? Willing Not willing Don't work in office DK/NA 8/25-29/02 39 53 3 4 8/31-9/4/03 31 62 4 3 6/21-26/05 43 52 1 4 8/22-28/05 41 52 2 5 8/23-27/06 40 56 2 2 36. Would you be comfortable or not comfortable to a high floor in new buildings at the World Trade Center site for example, would you be willing to eat at a rooftop restaurant or visit an observation deck, or not? Comfortable Not comfortable DK/NA 8/25-29/02 1 53 43 3 1 8/31-9/4/03 45 53 2 8/23-27/06 49 47 3 1 Varied wording: Would you be comfortable going high up in new buildings at the World Trade Center site for example, would you be willing to eat at a rooftop restaurant or visit an observation deck, or not? 37. How much have you heard or read about the Freedom Tower, the building planned for the World Trade Center site a lot, some, not much or nothing at all? A lot Some Not much Nothing at all DK/NA 6/21-26/05 25 40 23 10 1 8/22-28/05 24 38 25 10 3 8/23-27/06 18 38 31 12 1 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 8
38. Do you think the Freedom Tower should be built, or not? RESULTS ONLY INCLUDE THOSE WHO SAID THEY KNOW A LOT OR SOME ABOUT THE TOWER Yes No DK/NA 6/21-26/05 57 31 12 8/22-28/05 57 34 9 8/23-27/06 62 26 13 39. Currently, the Freedom Tower is designed to be the tallest building in the country. Do you think its height will make it more of a target for terrorists, or less of a target for terrorists or doesn't its height make any difference in whether or not the Freedom Tower is a target for terrorists? More Less No difference DK/NA 8/23-27/06 46 3 48 3 40. How much have you heard or read about the plans for the 9/11 memorial at the World Trade Center site a lot, some, not much, or nothing at all? A lot Some Not much Nothing at all DK/NA 8/23-27/06 22 37 34 7 1 41. Do you approve or disapprove of the current plans for the 9/11 memorial at the World Trade Center site? RESULTS ONLY INCLUDE THOSE WHO SAID THEY KNOW A LOT OR SOME ABOUT THE MEMORIAL Approve Disapprove Approve some (vol.) DK/NA 8/23-27/06 60 18 5 16 42. Where should most of the money come from to build the 9/11 memorial at the World Trade Center site -- the government or private donations? Government Private donations Both Neither/Other DK/NA 8/23-27/06 53 23 21-3 45. Do you think the friends and relatives of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks have too much influence in how Ground Zero is being developed, too little influence in how Ground Zero is being developed, or is the amount of their influence about right? Too much Too little About right No influence at all DK/NA 8/23-27/06 25 23 38 1 14 46. Some people who lived or worked in downtown Manhattan at or near the World Trade Center site have said they have health problems because of the terrorist attacks. Do you think the government should be financially responsible for their medical bills, or not? IF YES, ASK: Which branch of government -- the federal government, the state or the city? Federal State City Government not responsible Combination DK/NA 8/23-27/06 51 6 9 12 16 6 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 9
47. How likely do you think it is now that Arab Americans, Muslims and immigrants from the Middle East will be singled out unfairly by people in this country -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely? Very Somewhat Not too Not at all likely likely likely likely DK/NA 10/6-9/01 52 33 8 3 4 8/25-29/02 33 40 12 9 6 8/31-9/4/03 34 37 15 8 5 8/23 27/06 34 39 13 8 6 48. Do you consider yourself very patriotic, somewhat patriotic, or not very patriotic? Very Somewhat Not very DK/NA 8/25-29/02 47 40 10 2 8/31-9/4/03 43 41 10 5 8/23-27/06 50 36 11 3 49. Do you think the government is sometimes justified to lie to the public, or is lying to the public never justified? Justified Not justified Depends DK/NA 8/23-27/06 27 58 11 4 50. Do you think New Yorkers who have moved into the City since 9/11 had different reactions to September 11th than New Yorkers who were living in the City then, or do you think their reactions were pretty much the same? New York on 9/11/01 All DK anyone move different same Depends in since 9/11 DK/NA 8/23-27/06 43 47 2 2 7 53. Were you living in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks? IF YES, ASK: Were you physically in New York City at the time of the terrorist attacks or were you somewhere else on that day? Yes, living NYC/ Yes, living NYC/ Yes on 9/11 No on 9/11 No DK/NA 8/31-9/4/03 83 9 8 8/20-25/04 79 11 10 8/22-28/05 77 14 9-8/23-27/06 79 11 10 - New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 10
54. Do you or any of your friends or relatives know someone who was hurt or killed on 9/11? Yes No DK/NA 10/6-9/01 1 59 41-6/4-9/02 1 55 44 1 8/24-29/02 61 38-8/31-9/4/03 66 33-8/20-25/04 63 36 1 8/22-28/05 63 37 1 8/23-27/06 62 37-1 Question read: Do you or any of your friends or relatives know someone who is missing, hurt or killed in the terrorist attack? 55. IF YES, ASK: Do you personally have a close friend or relative who was hurt or killed on 9/11? Yes No DK/NA 10/6-9/01 1 20 39 6/4-9/02 1 22 34 8/25-29/02 29 33-8/31-9/4/03 27 40 8/20-25/04 25 38 8/22-28/05 25 38 8/23-27/06 23 39 1 Question read: Do you personally have a close friend or relative who is missing, hurt or killed in the terrorist attack? 56. Do you personally know anyone who is an immigrant from an Arab country? IF YES, ASK: Would you say they are a close friend or not? Arab close Know Arab, Self or friend not close No family DK/NA 8/23-27/06 14 25 60 - - 59. How long have you lived in New York City? Less than 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 Over 40 one year years years years years years DK/NA 8/23-27/06 4 15 22 18 15 26 1 In what borough do you NOW live? Bronx Brooklyn Manhattan Queens Staten Island 8/23-27/06 15 30 21 29 6 What is your religious preference today? Protestant Catholic Jewish Muslim Other None DK/NA 8/23-27/06 23 39 8 3 8 15 4 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 11
Are you now married, widowed, divorced, or have you never been married? Married Widowed Divorced Separated Never married DK/NA 8/23-27/06 43 6 10 3 37 1 Generally speaking, do you usually consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or what? Rep Dem Ind DK/NA 8/23-27/06 14 52 20 14 How would you describe your views on most political matters? Generally do you think of yourself as liberal, moderate, or conservative? Liberal Moderate Conservative DK/NA 8/23-27/06 25 40 26 9 What was the last grade in school you completed? Not a Some College H.S. grad H.S. grad college grad Post grad Refused 8/23-27/06 24 24 24 14 12 1 How old are you? 18-29 30-44 45-64 Over 64 Refused 8/23-27/06 23 32 28 16 - Are you of Hispanic origin or descent, or not? Hispanic Not Hispanic Interviewed in Spanish DK/NA 8/23-27/06 15 73 11 1 Are you white, black, or some other race? White Black Asian Other Refused 8/23-27/06 49 27 6 15 3 Was your TOTAL family income in 2005 UNDER or OVER $50,000? IF UNDER, ASK: Was it under $15,000, between $15,000 and $30,000 or was it between $30,000 and $50,000? IF OVER, ASK: Was it between $50,000 and $75,000, or between $75,000 and $100,000, or was it over $100,000? Under $15,000- $30,000- $50,000- $75,000- Over $15,000 $29,999 $49,999 $74,999 $100,000 $100,000 Refused 8/23-27/06 11 17 17 20 12 11 12 Gender Male Female 8/23-27/06 47 53 New York Times/CBS News New York City Poll 12