Data are from nationwide surveys of Americans 18 & older.

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USA Today/Gallup Poll. Feb. 14-15, 2009. N=1,029 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

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"As you may know, a single woman in California with six children recently gave birth to octuplets, or eight babies, after undergoing in-vitro fertilization. From what you know about this case, how do you feel toward this woman: very sympathetic, somewhat sympathetic, somewhat unsympathetic, or very unsympathetic?"

.

2/14-15/09

.

"Do you think these children will or will not receive adequate care, or don't you know enough to say?"

.

.

"What actions do you think the state of California should take in this matter? Should it remove some or all of the children from her care, provide her with some type of special assistance, or should it not do anything special in this matter?" Options rotated

.

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2009. N=1,027 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

"As you may know, the U.S. Postal Service is an independent agency of the U.S. government that has not received taxpayer funds since 1982. Now that the postal service is currently experiencing financial difficulties, which of the following would you most like to see done: provide government funding for the postal service, raise stamp prices significantly, or cut back on services, such as Saturday mail delivery and closing post offices?" Options rotated

.

1/30 - 2/1/09

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Dec. 12-14, 2008. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

.

MOST ADMIRED MAN
"What man that you have heard or read about, living today in any part of the world, do you admire most? And who is your second choice?"

Ranked according to number
of responses in 2008

Combined First and Second Choices

.

MOST ADMIRED WOMAN
"What woman that you have heard or read about, living today in any part of the world, do you admire most? And who is your second choice?"

Ranked according to number
of responses in 2008

Combined First and Second Choices

Associated Press-Ipsos poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Oct. 16-18, 2007. N=1,013 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

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"In general, do you believe in or do you not believe in [see below]?"

.

.

"Extra-sensory perception or ESP"

.

"Unidentified flying objects or UFOs"

.

"Ghosts"

    10/16-18/07

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"Spells or witchcraft"

.

"Have you, personally, as an adult or as a child, ever [see below]?"

.

.

"Woken up from sleep with sense of a strange presence in the room"

.

"Seen or believed yourself to be in the presence of a ghost"

    10/16-18/07

.

"Seen an unidentified flying object"

.

"Seen a monster in the closet of your bedroom"

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 11-14, 2008. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3 (for all adults).

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"Looking ahead to next year, are you more hopeful, or more fearful, about what the year 2009 holds in store for you personally?"

.

12/15-18/05

.

"How about for the world in general? Are your more hopeful, or more fearful, about what the year 2009 holds in store for the world in general?"

.

12/15-18/05

.

"Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel optimistic or pessimistic about [see below]?"

.

"The state of the national economy"

12/7-11/06

12/15-18/05

.

"Your own family's financial situation"

12/7-11/06

12/15-18/05

.

"The policies Obama will pursue"

.

"The situation in Iraq" Half sample (Form A)

12/7-11/06

12/15-18/05

.

12/7-11/06

12/15-18/05

.

"The country's ability to defend itself against terrorist attacks" Half sample (Form B)

12/7-11/06

12/15-18/05

.

"The situation in Afghanistan" Half sample (Form B)

Associated Press-AOL News Poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs. Dec. 12-14, 2006. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

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"I'm going to read you a list of items that may or may not happen in the year 2007. For each one, please tell me if it is very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely to happen in the year 2007. In 2007, how likely is it that [see below]? Is this very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely or not at all likely to happen in 2007?"

.

"Gas prices will go up"

    12/12-14/06

.

"The U.S. Congress will raise the minimum wage"

    12/12-14/06

.

"Global warming will get worse"

    12/12-14/06

.

"The United States will be hit with a major natural disaster"

    12/12-14/06

.

"Terrorists will attack somewhere in the world with biological or nuclear weapons"

    12/12-14/06

.

"The United States will be hit with a terrorist attack"

    12/12-14/06

.

"A U.S. state will legalize gay marriage"

    12/12-14/06

.

"Bird flu will arrive in the United States"

    12/12-14/06

.

"The United States will go to war with Iran"

    12/12-14/06

.

"A cure for cancer will be found"

    12/12-14/06

.

"The military draft will be reintroduced"

    12/12-14/06

.

"The United States will withdraw its troops from Iraq"

    12/12-14/06

.

"The United States will go to war with North Korea"

    12/12-14/06

.

"Jesus Christ will return to earth"

    12/12-14/06

.

"Scientists will find evidence of extraterrestrial life"

    12/12-14/06

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"Looking back at the year 2006, overall would you say this was a good year or a bad year for the COUNTRY?"

.

12/12-14/06

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"And looking back at the year 2006, overall would you say this was a good year or a bad year for YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?"

.

12/12-14/06

.

"Overall, are you optimistic or pessimistic about what the year 2007 will bring for the COUNTRY?"

.

12/12-14/06

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"Overall, are you optimistic or pessimistic about what the year 2007 will bring for YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?"

.

12/12-14/06

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 15-18, 2005. N=approx. 500 adults nationwide. Fieldwork by TNS.

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"Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel optimistic or pessimistic about the country's ability to respond to natural disasters?"

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12/15-18/05

Gallup Poll. Dec. 17-19, 2004. N=1,002 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

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"As I read a series of statements, please tell me which you think is more likely to be true of 2005.

.

"A year of economic prosperity, or a year of economic difficulty?"

.

.

"A peaceful year, more or less free of international disputes, or a troubled year, with much international discord?"

.

.

"A year when America will increase its power in the world, or a year when American power will decline?"

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Gallup Poll. July 25-28, 2005. N=1,010 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

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"Next, I have a few questions about World War II. As you may know, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 near the end of World War II. Looking back, would you say you approve or disapprove of using the atomic bomb on Japanese cities in 1945?"

.

7/25-28/05

7/20-23/95

12/94

11/91

7/90

.

For comparison:
"Do you approve or disapprove of using the new atomic bomb on Japanese cities?"

.

8/10-15/45

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"Now I'd like you to think about the effect of dropping the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Do you think dropping the atomic bombs saved American lives by shortening the war, or not?"

.

7/25-28/05

7/20-23/95

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"Do you think that dropping the atomic bombs saved more Japanese lives than would have been lost if the war had continued, or did dropping the bomb COST more Japanese lives?"

.

7/25-28/05

7/20-23/95

Pew Research Center survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Nov. 9-27, 2005. N=1,500 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

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"In March, Congress passed a bill that required the federal courts to hear the case of Terri Schiavo, the brain damaged Florida woman who later died after her feeding tube was removed. Do you believe that Congress did the right thing in getting involved in the case, or do you think Congress should have stayed out of the case?"

.

Unsure

The Harris Poll. April 5-10, 2005. N=1,010 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.

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"Do you approve or disapprove of the way each of the following handled the case involving Terri Schiavo? . . ."

.

"Terri Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo"

.

"Terri Schiavo's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler"

.

"The federal and Supreme Courts"

.

"The Florida courts"

.

"Florida Governor Jeb Bush"

.

"President George W. Bush"

.

"U.S. Congress"

.

"The Florida legislature"

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 1-2, 2005. Adults nationwide.

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"Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the Terri Schiavo case?" N=1,040, MoE ± 3.

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4/1-2/05

.

"Turning now to Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman who had been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990, and whose parents and husband disagreed over whether she should be kept alive. As you may know, the feeding tube that was keeping Terri Schiavo alive was removed on March 18th, and she died this past Thursday. Based on what you have heard or read about the case, do you think that the feeding tube should or should not have been removed?" Form A (N=519, MoE ± 5)

.

4/1-2/05

.

"Turning now to the case of Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman whose feeding tube was removed on March 18th and who died this past Thursday. Based on what you have heard or read about the case, do you think that the feeding tube should or should not have been removed?" Form B (N=521, MoE ± 5)

.

4/1-2/05

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"Do you approve or disapprove of Congress' involvement in the Terri Schiavo case?" N=1,040, MoE ± 3.

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4/1-2/05

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. March 29-30, 2005. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.

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"Do you agree or disagree with the decision to remove Terri Schiavo's feeding tube?"

.

.

"If you were in Terri Schiavo's place, what would you want your guardian to do? Would you have your guardian remove the feeding tube or keep the feeding tube inserted?"

.

.

"Some people say that removing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was an act of murder, while other people say it was an act of mercy. Which is closer to your opinion?" Options rotated. If "neither" or "unsure": "Which is closer to your opinion?"

.

.

"The feeding tube that was keeping Terri Schiavo alive was removed about 10 days ago. If Schiavo's feeding tube had been kept inserted, do you believe there is any chance that down the road she could have improved?"

.

.

"If it were up to you, who would you put in control of Terri Schiavo's care as her legal guardian: her spouse or her parents?"

.

.

.

.

"Do you think the actions Republicans took in the Terri Schiavo case will help them or hurt them in the next election?"

.

.

"Do you think the actions Democrats took in the Terri Schiavo case will help them or hurt them in the next election?"

.

.

"How closely have you been following the case of Terri Schiavo, a brain-damaged woman at the center of a national legal battle over her life? . . ."

.

.

"Terri Schiavo has been in what doctors call a persistent vegetative or coma-like state for 15 years, with no higher brain activity. Her husband says that Terri would not want to be kept alive artificially in this state. He has asked that the feeding tube that keeps her alive be removed. Her parents disagree, saying that Terri would not want to die this way, and contend that her condition could be improved. A Florida judge upheld her husband's request to remove the feeding tube. Do you agree or disagree with the decision to remove her feeding tube?"

.

.

"Congress met in a special session this past weekend to pass legislation moving the Schiavo case from the Florida state courts, which have repeatedly ruled to remove the feeding tube, to the federal court system. Regardless of your opinion on the Schiavo case, do you think it was right for Congress to intervene in this matter, or not?"

.

.

"How about President Bush, who signed the legislation this weekend moving jurisdiction to the federal courts? Was it right for him to intervene, or not?"

.

.

"Do you think that Congress and the President's intervention had more to do with their values and principles, or more to do with politics?"

.

.

"If your congressman voted to move the Schiavo case to the federal courts, would this make you more likely to vote for him or less likely?"

.

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. March 22, 2005. N=620 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.

.

"As you may know, Terri Schiavo is a Florida woman in a persistent vegetative state who was being kept alive through the use of a feeding tube. The feeding tube was removed on Friday, an action that will result in her death within about two weeks. A federal judge made a ruling in the case today. First: Do you agree with the federal judge's decision that resulted in the feeding tube being left unattached, or do you disagree and think the federal judge should have ordered the feeding tube to be re-attached?"

.

3/22/05

.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way each of the following has handled the case involving Terri Schiavo? How about [see below]?"

.

The media

George W. Bush

.

"Just your best guess -- If the feeding tube that was helping to keep Terri Schiavo alive were reinserted on a permanent basis, how much of a chance do you think there is that she would eventually show significant improvement in her brain activity: a very good chance, a good chance, a slight chance, or no chance whatsoever?"

.

3/22/05

.

"As you may know, Michael Schiavo said his wife, Terri, told him that she would not want to be kept alive by artificial means. Do you think he is definitely telling the truth, probably telling the truth, probably not telling the truth, or definitely not telling the truth?" Options rotated

.

3/22/05

CBS News Poll. March 21-22, 2005. N=737 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4 (for all adults).

.

"Terri Schiavo has been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990. Terri's husband says his wife would not want to be kept alive under these circumstances and he wants her feeding tube removed. Terri's parents believe her condition could improve and they want the feeding tube to remain. How closely have you been following news about the case? Have you been following it very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?"

.

.

"What do you think should have happened in this case? Should the feeding tube have been removed or should it have remained?" Partial sample (N=321)

.

.

"What should happen now? Should the feeding tube be re-inserted, or not?" Partial sample (N=321)

.

.

"Do you think this case ought to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, or not?"

.

.

"Do you think Congress and the President should be involved in deciding what happens to Terri Schiavo, or is this a matter Congress and the President should stay out of?"

.

.

"Regardless of your opinion about the Terri Schiavo case, in general, do you think the federal government should decide whether it is legal for family members to remove a patient from life support, or should each state government decide, or are these issues something the government should stay out of?"

.

.

"Congress has passed a bill that would require Terri Schiavo's case to be heard in U.S. federal court. Do you think Congress passed this bill because they really care about what happens in this case, or do you think they passed the bill to advance a political agenda?"

.

.

"Do you think that Congress' actions in this case would make it easier for Congress to intervene in the lives of individual Americans in the future?" If Yes: "Are you concerned about that, or not?"

.

ABC News Poll. March 20, 2005. N=501 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.5. Fieldwork by TNS.

.

"How closely have you been following the case of Terri Schiavo, the woman at the center of a life-support controversy in Florida? Have you been following this issue very closely, somewhat closely, not so closely or not closely at all?"

.

3/20/05

.

"Schiavo suffered brain damage and has been on life support for 15 years. Doctors say she has no consciousness and her condition is irreversible. Her husband and her parents disagree about whether she would have wanted to be kept alive. Florida courts have sided with the husband and her feeding tube was removed on Friday. What's your opinion on this case? Do you support or oppose the decision to remove Schiavo's feeding tube?"

.

3/20/05

.

"If you were in this condition, would you want to be kept alive, or not?"

.

3/20/05

3/10-13/05

.

"Florida state courts have heard the Schiavo case. Federal courts have said they don't have jurisdiction because it involves Florida law only. Would you support or oppose a new federal law requiring the federal courts to review the Schiavo case? This probably would mean reinserting the feeding tube until the case goes through the federal courts."

.

3/20/05

.

"Regardless of your preferences in the Schiavo case, do you think it is appropriate or inappropriate for Congress to get involved in this way?"