Link to results for September-October 2002 Poll

Link to the results of April 2003 Poll

Link to the results of November 2003 Poll

Link to results for September 2004 Poll

Results of April-May 2004 Poll
The poll reflects a random telephone sample of 513 people in the U.S. and has a--margin of error--of +/- 3.5 %. However questions 12, 14, 15, 20 and 27 reflect a sub-sample size of 162 and question 5 a sub-sample size of 128. All of the cross tabulations referred to in released articles were done on questions asked of the full sample of 513.

My name is _____________. I'm calling for Retro Poll.
This is not a sales call; we do public opinion polling, and your number was chosen at random for a brief interview. May I ask your first name?
_____________would you be able to take a few minutes of your time to respond to our poll on current U.S. government policies? (It takes about 10 minutes.)
Are you 16 or over?
Thank you

1. In your personal opinion which statement best describes the impact of the U.S. Government's War on Terrorism:

a) It prevents terrorism (31.6%)
b) It has had little impact on terrorism (21.2%)
c) It tends to create terrorists (23.8%)
d) none of the above/ not sure (23.4%)

In the rest of this poll, you will notice that the first half asks for factual information and the second half asks for your opinions. In the first part it is better to say you don't know than to guess the answer to any question. Few people will know all the answers so don't feel bad about saying you don't know. But please try and be honest and complete the poll. We'll tell you where to find the right answers to the factual questions later. Ok?

2. President Bill Clinton was impeached by Congress-but not removed from office--for lying about a sexual affair with a White House intern.

true (65.1%), false (21.8%), don't know (13.1%)

Correct answer: True

3. President Richard Nixon quit because of the Watergate scandal, involving the White House in breaking into offices and stealing files; and because he would have been impeached?

true (70.5%), false (9.2%), don't know (20.3%)

Correct answer: True

The Bill of Rights, passed in 1791, includes the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and provides for most of our civil rights. Which of the following are part of the Bill of Rights:

4. Guarantees accused persons the right to a speedy and public trial.

yes (56.5%), no (8.4%), don't know (35.1%)

Correct answer: Yes


5. Provides that accused persons shall not be coerced into testifying against themselves.

yes (55.1%), no (15.7%), don't know (29.1%)

Correct answer: Yes

6. Authorizes the Government to detain suspects indefinitely and punish them as it sees fit.

yes (15.1%), no (56.2%), don't know (28.7%)

Correct answer: No

7. Protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures by the Government in our private lives and homes.

yes (63.5%), no (11.1%), don't know (25.4%)

Correct answer: Yes


8. Is there evidence that Saddam Hussein worked with the 9-11 terrorists?

yes (25.2%), no (46.5%), don't know (28.3%)

Correct answer: No

9. Is there evidence that Saddam Hussein worked with Al Qaeda?

yes (39.3%), no (30.7%), don't know (29.9%)

Correct answer: No


10. Since the death penalty was restored in the U.S. how many convicted murderers awaiting execution have been later proven innocent and set free.

a) 7 (3.1%)
b) 49 (5.3%)
c) 112 (8.9%)
d) don't know (82.7%)

Correct answer: 112


Please answer whether the following statements are true, false or don't know regarding the war on terrorism and the Patriot Act:

11. The FBI uses national security letters to obtain our financial and other records from travel agents, car dealers, banks, the U. S. Postal Service, and other businesses, without a warrant?

true (41.3%), false (12.5%), don't know (46.2%)

Correct answer: True

12. Attorney General Ashcroft has instructed federal agencies that they may make available public records requested under the Freedom of Information Act regarding thousands of people arrested after 9/11.

true (37.1%), false (8.2%), don't know (54.7%)

Correct answer: False

13. Attorney General Ashcroft approved increased FBI surveillance of religious and political organizations and authorized the FBI to monitor many groups without a warrant or any evidence of wrongdoing.

true (48.2%), false (6.2%), don't know (45.6%)

Correct answer: True

14. Over 250 cities and towns and 3 states have passed resolutions concerning the USA Patriot Act. Do these resolutions

a) call for vigorous law enforcement of the Act (4.3%)
b) ask that it be strengthened (5.1%)
c) call for the removal of key provisions because they violate our democratic rights (21.9%)
d) don't know (68.7%)

Correct answer: C


15. The exemptions of SUVs and other large vehicles from certain taxes and earlier laws requiring higher gas mileage standards causes more rapid depletion of the world's energy supplies.

true (63.1%), false (15.0%), don't know (21.9%)

Correct answer: True

16. These exemptions lead to increased air pollution in U.S. cities.

true (59.7%), false (19.4%), don't know (20.8%)

Correct answer: True


The following questions ask for your personal opinion. If you have no opinion or your opinion is not among the choices, please so state.

17. Should the U.S. have invaded Iraq?

yes (48.1%), no (43.0%), don't know (8.9%)


18. A legal review in California showed 76 system problems in death penalty procedures (similar to 85 problems found in Illinois) that led to unjust convictions. Should other states do as Illinois has done and put a moratorium on executions until unfairness in application of the death penalty has been addressed?

yes (57.0%), no (18.7%), don't know (24.4%)

19. In your opinion is the USA Patriot Act

a) having no impact on our civil rights (6.9%)
b) protecting our right to dissent and strengthening civil rights (15.0%)
c) removing important rights and Constitutional guarantees (27.8%)
d) not sure (50.3%)


20. U.S. forces were recently involved in the removal by force of Haiti's president Aristide. Do you favor an independent investigation of our government's role in removing a democratically elected president from office?

yes (47.2%), no (29.9%), don't know (22.9%)

21. Do you support or oppose the U.S.A. Patriot Act provision requiring the cooperation of local business people and professionals to turn over records of their clients and customers to federal agents and be sworn to silence about their actions?

support (25.8%), oppose (50.0%), don't know (24.2%)

22. The Federal Bureau of Prisons issued an emergency surveillance order permitting conversations between prisoners and their lawyers to be recorded without a warrant. Do you support or oppose this removal of confidentiality rights?

support (25.7%), oppose (62.9%), don't know (11.4%)

23. Do you support or oppose the USA Patriot Act authorizing government agents to enter your home and otherwise investigate you without cause, recording and copying any materials they wish to, and never telling you?

support (7.5%), oppose (87.2%), don't know (5.3%)

24. In the next question, pick the answer that you believe is the best. In your opinion why has the U.S. government exempted SUVs and other large-vehicle makers from earlier laws requiring higher gas mileage?

a) it improves the quality of our lives (9.7%)
b) it leads to larger profits for automakers and oil corporations (32.4%)
c) it encourages public support for U.S. control of oil rich nations (10.3%)
d) don't know/or none of the above. (47.6%)

25. When you have to decide between two presidential candidates in a primary race where one is closer to your beliefs but the other is said by media experts to be more likely to win, how likely are you to choose the one that the media say can win?

a) very likely (5.7%)
b) somewhat likely (8.2%)
c) not likely (74.9%)
d) don't know (11.2%)

26. President Bush misled the public and Congress by saying that Saddam's Iraq was an imminent threat to launch chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare against us. Do you think that misleading the public and Congress in this way in order to take the country to war is grounds for impeachment?

yes (38.9%), no (39.8%), don't know (19.5%), objected to
question (1.8%)


Do you support or oppose that the following policies be carried out by the U.S. government:

27. Creation of a national health fund providing total health care coverage for every American at all medical institutions, with the elimination of health insurance company profits and out of pocket patient costs.

support (71.6%), oppose (16.1%), don't know (12.3%)

28. The U.S. should support international attempts to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

support (75.6%), oppose (10.4%), don't know (13.9%)

29. Lengthy detention for anyone whom the U.S. government decides to arrest without their providing any criminal charges, proofs or trials.

support (11.8%), oppose (70.6%), don't know (17.6%)

30. The use, by the United States, of torture.

support (8.6%), oppose (79.8%), don't know (11.6%)

31. A requirement that the U.S. government must publicly provide proof that a nation has or is about to attack the U.S. before initiating warfare.

support (59.4%), oppose (24.5%), don't know (16.1%)

Please provide your
Age(32)______
Sex(33)_______
City (34)______________
State(35)_____________
Ethnicity(36)___________(NA=Native American, AP=Asian/Pacific Islander, AA=African American, LA=Latin American, CA=European-American, DS=Decline to State, BR=Biracial)

To those polled: Thank you so much for participating in our poll and for caring enough to share your views. For answers to the factual questions, please go to the answers page.