time aspen ideas festival 2011 full report

SURVEY METHODOLOGY •  From June 1, 2011 to June 8, 2011, Penn Schoen Berland conducted 2,017 interviews with

the adult general population of the United States. Of the 2,017 interviews completed, 1,008 interviews were conducted by phone and 1,009 interviews were conducted online.

•  The data presented in this study is reflective of the U.S. Census Bureau demographic statistics in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, income, education, region, and urbanicity.

1

Sample Size Margin of Error General Population (All), including: 2,017 ±2.18%

Male 968 ±3.15% Female 1,049 ±3.03% Age 18-29 444 ±4.65% Age 30-44 545 ±4.20% Age 45-64 686 ±3.74% Age 65+ 343 ±5.29% Democrats 625 ±3.92% Republicans 585 ±4.05% Independents/Undecided 807 ±3.45% Less than $75K annual income 1,392 ±2.63% $75K+ annual income 524 ±4.28% College degree 629 ±3.91% No college degree 1,357 ±2.66% White 1372 ±2.65% African-American 242 ±6.3% Hispanic 262 ±6.05%

KEY FINDINGS The Decade’s Defining Moment: September 11, 2001

•  41% of respondents cite September 11, 2001 as the single most important event of the past decade

•  63% of Americans think that the events of 9/11 weakened the U.S. and only 6% believe that the country has completely recovered from the events of 9/11

•  71% are satisfied with the government’s response to September 11, 2001 (23% not satisfied) and 41% say the government could have taken additional actions to respond to the events (35% say no additional actions should have been taken)

A Decade of Decline

•  68% of respondents think the past decade has been one of decline for the United States as a country, while only 23% believe the U.S. has progressed as a country in the past 10 years

•  71% of Americans believe that the U.S. is in a worse position today than it was a decade ago, while only 11% think the country is in a better position

•  47% say the past decade was one of the worst decades in the past century, 32% say it was about the same as other decades in the past century, while only 13% believe it was one of the best

Americans Blame their Political Leaders, not Terrorists, for the Decline

•  Among the 71% of respondents who think the country is in a worse position, there is a clear consensus that their leaders are most to blame: 23% most blame the Bush Administration, 20% blame the Obama Administration, and 16% cite the U.S. Congress

•  Only 7% of the American people who think the U.S. is now in a worse position than a decade ago believe that terrorist groups are most to blame for it

©PENN, SCHOEN & BERLAND ASSOCIATES, LLC. 2

KEY FINDINGS (CONTINUED) The Enemy is Within: Economic Issues are Paramount

•  66% think the greatest threats to long-term stability in the United States come primarily from within the United States, not from outside (27%)

•  75% say that economic concerns present a greater threat to the current stability of the U.S. than national security concerns – only 18% think the reverse is more accurate

•  Only 10% of Americans think that these internal threats are being addressed very effectively (another 32% say somewhat effectively, but 53% say not effectively)

•  62% of respondents think that the U.S. is too involved in international affairs (10% say that it is not involved enough) and 83% say the U.S. needs to focus on domestic, not international, issues in the next decade – only 12% say the focus should be international

A Major Terrorist Attack is Likely in the Next Decade

•  78% say it is likely that a major terrorist attack will take place in the U.S. in the next decade (35% say very likely and 43% say somewhat likely)

•  49% of respondents are concerned that they will become a victim of terrorism in the next decade (versus 48% who say they are not concerned about the possibility)

•  41% of Americans think that the killing of bin Laden has increased the threat of terrorism against the U.S. (19% say it has decreased the threat) and only 31% say the killing of bin Laden gives them a sense of closure (56% say the killing does not give them closure)

Time to Leave Afghanistan; Democratic Elections in Middle East Perceived to Have Little Impact on U.S. National Interests

•  2 in 5 Americans think that President Obama’s timeline to end U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan by 2014 is too slow, 38% think it is about right, while 10% perceive the timeline as too fast

•  Fewer than 3 in 10 Americans expect that the new governments in Tunisia and Egypt will be friendlier towards the U.S. or will work to reduce terrorism, while the rest expect no change (1 in 3) or a turn for the worse (1 in 5)


NEW YORK • WASHINGTON • DENVER • SEATTLE • LOS ANGELES • SAN FRANCISCO • AUSTIN• LONDON • HONG KONG • BEIJING • DUBAI

THE DECADE’S DEFINING MOMENT: SEPTEMBER 11, 2001


THE DECADE’S DEFINING MOMENT: SEPTEMBER 11, 2001


What was the single most important EVENT in the past decade? OPEN-END

13%

15%

1%

1%

2%

3%

3%

5%

7%

9%

41%

Don’t know

Other

Reelection of George W. Bush

Passage of the Healthcare bill

Housing market crash

The war on terror

War in Iraq

Death of Osama bin Laden

Economic recession

Election of Barack Obama

September 11, 2001

Showing All

9/11 IS SEEN AS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT OF THE DECADE BY EVERY SUB-GROUP


What was the single most important EVENT in the past decade? OPEN-END

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Income

College Attainme

nt Race

M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I <$75k >$75k No Yes White AA Hisp

September 11, 2001 41 40 41 46 45 39 31 36 46 41 38 46 38 48 43 27 39 Election of Barack Obama 9 9 9 7 8 11 8 15 4 8 9 9 9 8 7 24 9

Economic recession 7 8 7 7 5 9 8 7 8 7 6 9 7 7 8 7 6

Death of Osama bin Laden 5 4 6 6 6 4 5 5 4 6 6 4 5 4 5 5 8

The war on terror 3 2 4 3 4 3 3 2 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 4

War in Iraq 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 2

Housing market crash 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 0 2

Reelection of George W. Bush 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1

Passage of the Healthcare bill 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0

Others 15 16 13 11 15 15 18 14 14 16 15 15 15 14 14 15 17

Don't Know 13 14 13 15 12 10 20 14 14 13 16 8 15 9 14 14 12

22% 41% 18% 12%

A great deal Somewhat Not very much Not at all

63% THINK THE EVENTS OF 9/11 AT LEAST SOMEWHAT WEAKENED THE UNITED STATES


Showing All

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Income College Attainment Race


WEAKEN (TOTAL) 63 57 67 63 62 62 64 65 61 62 65 59 63 62 61 63 69 A great deal 22 20 23 19 22 24 18 25 17 22 23 20 23 19 18 29 34

Somewhat 41 37 44 44 40 38 46 40 44 40 42 39 40 43 43 34 35

NOT WEAKEN (TOTAL) 30 37 24 28 31 32 31 29 34 28 29 38 29 34 32 28 23

Not very much 18 22 14 19 19 17 19 16 20 18 18 20 18 19 19 15 15

Not at all 12 15 10 9 12 15 12 13 14 10 11 18 11 15 13 13 8

Don’t know 7 5 9 10 7 7 4 6 5 10 7 4 8 4 6 8 9

To what extent did the events of 9/11 weaken the U.S.?

30% 56% 14%

Mostly positive Mostly negative Don't Know

MAJORITY SAYS 9/11 HAS HAD A MOSTLY NEGATIVE LONG-TERM IMPACT


Showing All

•  However, 3 in 10 Americans believe that the long-term impact of 9/11 has been mostly positive on the United States

All



Mostly positive 30 33 27 28 29 31 32 30 34 27 30 29 30 29 31 35 21

Mostly negative 56 54 58 58 59 52 57 54 54 59 54 61 54 60 55 49 59

Don’t know 14 13 15 14 12 17 12 16 12 14 16 10 16 10 14 16 20

Looking back on the events of 9/11, would you say that their long-term impact on the United States was…

6% 51% 33% 5%

Completely Mostly A little Not at all

ONLY 6% BELIEVE THE COUNTRY HAS RECOVERED FROM 9/11 COMPLETELY


Showing All

•  Republicans are more likely than Democrats or Independents to think that the U.S. has recovered from the events of 9/11

All



RECOVERED (TOTAL) 57 59 55 58 56 55 57 57 63 51 55 59 56 59 58 51 53

Completely 6 7 5 8 4 6 4 6 5 6 5 7 6 6 5 10 6

Mostly 51 52 50 50 52 49 53 51 58 45 50 52 50 53 53 41 47

NOT RECOVERED (TOTAL) 38 37 40 35 39 40 41 39 33 42 39 40 39 39 37 42 43

A little 33 31 35 28 34 35 36 33 30 35 34 33 34 33 32 36 37

Not at all 5 6 5 7 5 5 5 6 3 7 5 7 5 6 5 6 6

Don’t know 5 5 6 7 6 5 2 3 4 8 5 2 5 2 5 8 4

To what extent do you think that the United States has recovered from the events of 9/11?

25% 46% 15% 8%

Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Not very satisfied Not at all satisfied

7 IN 10 ARE AT LEAST SOMEWHAT SATISFIED WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO 9/11


Showing All

•  Younger Americans (18-29) and Independents are least likely to be satisfied with the response

All



SATISFIED (TOTAL) 71 72 71 64 69 75 79 71 83 62 71 75 70 74 73 66 67

Very satisfied 25 27 24 19 26 29 26 24 35 19 27 23 26 24 26 26 26

Somewhat satisfied 46 45 47 45 43 46 53 47 48 43 44 52 44 50 47 40 41

NOT SATISFIED (TOTAL) 23 23 22 25 26 21 18 23 12 29 23 22 22 24 20 25 25

Not very satisfied 15 15 15 16 17 13 13 15 9 18 16 12 15 14 13 16 16

Not at all satisfied 8 8 7 9 9 8 5 8 3 11 7 10 7 10 7 9 9

Don’t know 6 6 7 11 6 5 4 6 4 9 6 3 8 2 6 9 8

Looking back, how satisfied are you with the government’s response to 9/11?

21%

27%

38%

14%

Too much money Not enough

Just the right amount Don't know

27% THINK THE U.S. HAS NOT SPENT ENOUGH MONEY TO PROTECT ITSELF FROM TERRORISM


Showing All

•  Independents are more likely than Democrats or Republicans to say the U.S. has spent too much money securing the country from terrorism

All



Too much money 21 23 20 25 25 18 17 19 16 27 22 20 20 26 21 19 23

Not enough 27 28 26 16 24 33 30 23 35 23 27 28 28 24 28 29 24

Just the right amount 38 37 39 44 39 34 38 45 37 34 37 42 38 40 38 37 39

Don’t know 14 13 15 15 12 14 15 12 12 16 14 10 14 11 14 15 14

Do you think the U.S. has spent too much money securing the country from terrorism, not enough, or just the right amount of money?

MOST THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE DOMESTICALLY WAS JUSTIFIED


Showing All

•  Independents, young Americans (18-29), and those with a college degree are less likely than other sub-groups to be satisfied with the domestic response

All



Went too far 26 31 22 30 29 23 24 24 21 32 26 28 24 33 26 20 30

Justified 62 60 64 52 59 68 69 65 71 53 62 66 63 62 63 64 57

Don’t know 12 9 14 19 12 9 7 11 8 15 12 7 13 6 10 16 13

Do you think the government’s response to 9/11 within the United States, including the Patriot Act, enhanced security at airports, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security went too far and encroached on American civil liberties or was

the response justified as a means of protecting American citizens?

26% 62% 12%

Went too far Justified Don't Know

PLURALITY SAYS THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ADDITIONAL ACTIONS AFTER 9/11


Showing All

•  Men, Hispanics, and those with an annual income exceeding $75,000 are the three sub-groups most likely to say that the government should have taken additional actions

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Income College

Attainment Race


Yes 41 46 37 38 45 42 37 41 37 44 40 46 41 43 39 45 46

No 35 34 36 39 35 33 34 34 40 32 35 37 34 37 36 32 32

Don’t know 24 20 27 23 19 25 29 25 22 24 25 17 25 20 24 23 22

41% 35% 24%

Yes No Don't Know

Thinking about the government’s response to 9/11, were there additional actions that you think SHOULD HAVE been taken?

ADDITIONAL ACTIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN AFTER 9/11


IF ADDITIONAL ACTIONS (N=831): What actions should have been taken? OPEN-END

13% 16%

1% 1% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2%

3% 3%

4% 5% 5%

11% 12%

19%

Don't know

Other

Focused more on the U.S.

Less political correctness

The government should have told the truth

Earlier/quicker investigation

More international diplomacy

The government did a good job

Cut ties to countries that harbor terrorists

More for families of the victims

Should not have rushed to war so fast

Just did not like the way the govt. handled things

Taken warnings more seriously

More intelligence

Better transportation and border security

Should have gone after the right people

More aggressive/rapid response

All



Yes 26 29 23 26 30 27 18 31 17 29 24 34 22 34 25 30 25

No 55 54 56 51 54 55 63 48 69 51 56 54 57 53 57 50 53

Don’t know 19 16 21 23 16 18 20 21 14 20 20 12 21 13 18 20 23

1 IN 4 SAYS SOME OF THE U.S. ACTIONS AFTER 9/11 SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN


Showing All

•  Democrats, those with a higher level of income, and those respondents with a college degree are more likely than other sub-groups to say that some actions that were taken should not have been taken as a response to 9/11

26% 55% 19%

Yes No Don't Know

Thinking about the government’s response to 9/11, did the government take actions that you think should NOT have been taken?

ACTIONS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO 9/11

•  Those who say the U.S. should not have taken certain actions following 9/11 primarily cite the invasion of Iraq


IF ACTIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN (N=526): What actions should not have been taken? OPEN-END

* A word cloud is a visual representation of free-form text, with a larger font size indicating a greater number of respondents referenced the term in their response

39% 55% 6%

Yes No Don't Know

2 IN 5 SAY THEIR DAILY LIVES ARE STILL AFFECTED BY THE EVENTS OF 9/11


Showing All

•  Hispanics are most likely to say that the events of 9/11 still affect their daily lives, while those respondents age 18-29 are least likely to say they feel the effect of the events on a daily basis

All



Yes 39 37 40 34 43 40 36 39 41 37 37 45 38 41 36 45 48

No 55 56 54 58 52 52 61 54 55 56 55 52 55 54 59 44 43

Don’t know 6 7 6 8 5 8 3 7 4 7 7 3 7 4 5 12 9

Did the events of 9/11 change your life in ways that still affect your day-to-day life?

WAYS 9/11 STILL AFFECTS PEOPLE’S DAILY LIVES TODAY

•  Increased caution while traveling and dealing with enhanced airport security are the primary ways Americans say their life is still affected by 9/11


IF STILL AFFECTED (N=783): In what ways? OPEN-END


81% 12% 7%

The U.S. felt more vulnerable than ever to a potential attack Did not really change the country emotionally Don't Know

4 IN 5 THINK THE COUNTRY FELT MORE VULNERABLE THAN EVER AFTER 9/11


Showing All

All



The U.S. felt more vulnerable than ever to a potential attack

81 80 82 76 81 84 84 82 83 80 80 85 79 85 84 74 80

Did not really change the country emotionally

12 12 11 14 12 10 12 11 12 12 12 10 12 10 10 16 12

Don’t know 7 7 6 9 7 7 4 7 5 8 7 5 8 4 6 10 9

After the events of 9/11 do you think the country went through an emotional change– do you think the U.S. felt more vulnerable than ever to a potential attack or did the events of 9/11 not

really change the country emotionally?

71% 19% 10%

Mostly united Mostly divided Don't Know

THE EVENTS OF 9/11 MOSTLY UNITED AMERICANS


Showing All

•  Hispanics are more likely than white Americans or African-Americans to say that the impact of the 9/11 events has been mostly divisive on Americans

All



Mostly united 71 71 71 63 69 75 78 73 75 66 70 74 71 70 73 70 62

Mostly divided 19 20 18 25 21 16 15 19 16 22 18 21 17 24 18 18 25

Don’t know 10 9 11 13 10 9 7 8 9 12 12 5 12 6 9 13 13

Looking back on the events of 9/11, would you say that their impact has mostly divided Americans or mostly united them?

57% 27% 16%

Working together Working against each other Don't Know

MOST THINK AMERICANS ARE WORKING TOGETHER MORE SINCE 9/11


Showing All

•  Independents are less likely than Republicans and Democrats to say that Americans are working together more since 9/11

All



Working together 57 53 61 56 56 60 56 67 59 48 58 55 60 50 55 64 63 Working against each other 27 31 23 30 27 25 25 22 24 32 25 33 23 35 28 23 22

Don’t know 16 16 16 14 17 15 19 11 17 19 17 12 17 15 17 13 16

Since the events of 9/11, do you think Americans are working together more to achieve common objectives, or are they working against each other more?

48% 37%

All


Attainment Race


Necessary conversation about the allegiance to the United States

48 52 44 40 45 50 57 37 66 43 47 52 46 51 51 38 40

Senselessly raised intolerance toward minorities

37 35 39 44 38 36 27 48 22 38 36 38 36 38 35 41 43

Don’t Know 15 14 17 15 17 14 15 14 12 19 17 10 18 11 14 21 17

A NECESSARY CONVERSATION ABOUT ALLEGIANCE OR MORE INTOLERANCE?


Showing All

•  Republicans, respondents age 65+, and men are more likely to say that 9/11 led to a necessary conversation, while young Americans (18-29), Democrats, and minorities are more likely to say it raised intolerance towards minorities

The events of 9/11 led to a necessary

conversation about the

allegiance to the United States of certain groups of

people.

The events of 9/11 senselessly

raised intolerance toward minorities

living in the United States.

Which is closer to your view?

2 IN 5 SAY AMERICANS HAVE BECOME MORE TOLERANT OVER THE PAST DECADE


Showing All

All



More tolerant 39 39 39 36 42 40 35 39 42 36 37 42 38 40 38 41 41

Less tolerant 29 28 30 30 29 30 27 33 23 31 31 25 30 28 28 27 35

About the same 28 29 27 28 25 27 33 24 31 28 27 31 27 29 29 28 20

Don’t know 4 4 4 6 4 3 5 4 4 5 4 2 5 3 4 4 4

Do you generally think that Americans are more tolerant today of other people, less tolerant, or are they about as tolerant of other people as they were a decade ago?

39%

29%

28%

4%

More tolerant

Less tolerant

About the same

Don't know

SOME SAY AMERICANS HAVE BECOME LESS TOLERANT OF MUSLIMS


IF LESS TOLERANT (N=589): Which specific group or groups of people do you think Americans are less tolerant of than they were a decade ago? OPEN-END

13% 13%

3% 5% 5% 5%

6% 6%

7% 8% 8%

16% 20%

33%

Others Don't Know / No Response

Jews Middle class Americans

Working class Americans Caucasians

Seniors African-Americans

Upper class Americans Young adults

Gays and lesbians Hispanics

Immigrants Muslims

Showing All (N=589)

78% 14% 8%

Yes No Don't Know

9/11: A LASTING IMPACT ON HOW AMERICANS PERCEIVE MUSLIMS


Showing All

•  In each major sub-group approximately 3 in 4 say that the events of 9/11 have had a lasting impact on Americans’ tolerance of Muslims

All


Attainment Race


Yes 78 77 78 80 76 79 76 78 81 75 77 81 77 79 79 71 80

No 14 15 12 11 15 14 15 14 14 14 15 13 14 14 14 14 10

Don’t Know 8 8 9 9 10 7 9 9 5 11 9 6 9 7 7 15 10

Do you think the events of 9/11 have had a lasting impact on Americans’ tolerance of Muslims?


A DECADE OF DECLINE


23% 68% 9%

Progress Decline Don't Know

A DECADE OF DECLINE


Showing All

•  Fewer than 1 in 4 of respondents think that it has been a decade of progress; African-Americans are the most likely sub-group to say that the pass decade has been one of progress (43% versus 23% of all respondents)

All



Progress 23 24 22 27 24 20 20 32 14 22 23 23 24 21 18 43 29

Decline 68 69 67 60 67 72 72 56 79 69 67 70 66 71 74 46 58

Don’t Know 9 7 11 13 9 7 8 12 7 9 10 7 10 8 8 11 12

Overall, do you think the past decade has been one of progress or decline for the United States as a country?

7 IN 10 THINK THE COUNTRY IS IN A WORSE POSITION THAN IT WAS A DECADE AGO


Showing All

•  Republicans, seniors (age 65 and older), and white Americans are most likely to say that the country is worse off than it was a decade ago

All



Better 11 12 10 12 12 10 7 18 4 10 11 11 11 11 8 22 10

Worse 71 70 72 66 68 74 78 60 84 71 71 71 71 72 77 43 70

About the same 16 16 16 20 18 13 13 20 10 17 16 16 16 16 13 31 16

Don’t know 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 4 4

Generally speaking, do you think the U.S. is in a better or worse position than it was a decade ago, or is it about the same?

11%

71%

16%

2%

Better Worse About the same Don't know

THE RISING NATIONAL DEBT – THE MOST IMPORTANT TREND OF THE DECADE


Which of the following is the most important TREND of the past decade? OPEN-END

6% 4%

1% 1% 1%

2% 2% 2%

3% 3%

5% 5% 5%

7% 9%

13% 14%

16%

Don’t know Other

The decline of print media Arab Spring protests in the Middle East

The increasing number of independent voters The rise of online search

The 24-7 news cycle The U.S. population getting older

The U.S. population becoming more ethnically diverse Increasing role of women in the workplace and politics

The rise of social media The decline of home prices

Increasing immigration Spread of global terrorism

Increasing corporate greed Increased use of technology

U.S. jobs being sent overseas The rising national debt

Showing All

6% 28%

2% 3% 3% 4% 4% 4% 4% 5% 5%

8% 8%

10% 11% 12%

16% 17%

28%

Don't Know / No Response Other

Less government regulation Tax cuts

Fewer personal liberties More partisanship in Washington

Fear of terrorism More government regulation

Weaker partnerships with allies Rise of other global powers like China, India

Healthcare reform Weaker U.S. dollar

High fuel costs Loss of jobs to overseas

High government spending Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Higher unemployment Rising national debt

Weaker economy

WEAKER ECONOMY THE TOP REASON FOR THE U.S. BEING IN A WORSE POSITION


IF U.S. IS IN WORSE POSITION (N=1,440) Why do you think the U.S. is in a worse position than it was a decade ago? OPEN-END

Showing All (N=1,440)

AMERICANS WHO THINK THE U.S. IS IN A BETTER POSITION: THE TOP REASONS


IF U.S. IS IN BETTER POSITION: Why do you think the U.S. is in a better position than it was a decade ago? OPEN-END

20% 34%

1% 1% 1% 2%

4% 4% 5% 5% 5% 6% 6%

9% 16%

22%

Don't know Other

Tax cuts More government regulation Less government regulation

Death of Saddam Hussein Death of Osama bin Laden

Progress in Afghanistan Progress in Iraq

Healthcare reform Stronger partnerships with allies

More democracy in the Middle East Improvements in national security and safety

Stronger economy Technological advances

Barack Obama elected president

Showing All (N=214)

35% OF AMERICANS ARE WORSE OFF THAN THEY WERE A DECADE AGO


Showing All

•  Americans whose annual income is more than $75,000 are significantly more likely than those with a lower income to say their life has improved

All



Better 32 33 30 36 43 24 21 34 28 32 26 46 28 40 30 39 31

Worse 35 34 35 26 31 41 38 36 36 33 40 21 37 28 35 30 32

About the same 33 32 33 35 25 34 40 29 34 34 32 32 33 32 33 29 35

Don’t know 1 1 1 3 1 1 0 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1

Are you personally in a better or worse position than you were a decade ago, or is it about the same?

32%

35%

33%

1%


ONE OF THE WORST DECADES IN THE PAST CENTURY


Showing All

•  White Americans are significantly more likely than racial minorities to perceive it as one of the worst decades

All



One of the best 13 15 11 15 14 12 10 17 11 11 13 12 15 9 9 21 23

One of the worst 47 47 47 40 47 50 51 42 51 48 47 47 45 51 52 34 34

About the same 32 32 33 36 31 31 32 32 30 34 31 35 31 34 31 37 35

Don’t know 8 6 9 9 8 7 7 9 8 7 8 7 9 6 8 8 8

In your opinion, how does the past decade compare to the other decades in the past hundred years? Would you say this past decade has been one of the best in the past century, one of the

worst, or has it been about the same?

13%

47% 32%

8%

One of the best

One of the worst About the same

Don't know

17% 20% 25% 41% 37%

22% 22% 32% 23% 25% 31% 19% 9% 10%

14%

15% 16% 17% 23%

33% 41% 44% 48%

55%

70% 64% 55%

16% 38%

54% 32% 24% 24% 19% 15% 11%

Declined Improved Stayed the same

RESPONDENTS SAY THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE HAS DECLINED FOR MANY AMERICANS


Please indicate whether you think the overall quality of life has improved, declined, or stayed the same in the past decade for each of the following groups of people living in the United States.

Showing All

Gays and lesbians

Upper class Americans

Hispanics Immigrants African-

Americans

Muslims

Young adults

Caucasians

Jews

Seniors Middle class Americans Working class

Americans

DETERIORATED RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANY FOREIGN COUNTRIES


29% 17% 26% 19% 25% 17%

38% 31% 35% 14%

42%

14%

40% 47% 33%

4%

5% 5%

6% 7%

7%

10% 11% 12%

15%

19%

22%

24% 26%

33%

42% 58%

38%

62% 51%

62%

34% 38% 35%

59%

22%

51%

15% 13% 24%

Deteriorated Improved Remained the same

Showing All Iraq

Russia

Afghanistan

Israel

Egypt

Saudi Arabia

Pakistan

North Korea

Iran

Yemen

Libya

Syria

India

United Kingdom

China

In the past decade, has each of the following country’s relationship with the U.S. improved, deteriorated, or remained the same?


AMERICANS BLAME THEIR LEADERS, NOT TERRORISTS, FOR THE DECLINE


AMERICANS BLAME THEIR LEADERS


IF U.S. IS IN A WORSE POSITION : Which of these, if any, is most to blame for the U.S. being in a worse position than it was a decade ago?

Showing All (N=1,440) 2%

3% 2% 2%

3% 3%

5% 6%

7% 8%

16% 20%

23%

Don’t know

Other

Labor unions

Rising powers like China and India

Ordinary American people

Immigrants

Special interest groups

Wall Street

Terrorist groups

Corporate CEOs

The U.S. Congress

The Obama administration

The Bush administration

AMERICANS BLAME THEIR LEADERS FOR THE DECLINE


IF U.S. in a worse position: Which of those, if any, is most to blame for the U.S. being in a worse position than it was a decade ago?

All

(N=1,440)


M (N=683)

F (N=757)

18-29

(N=295)

30-44

(N=369)

45-64

(N=508)

65+

(N=268)

D

(N=376)

R

(N=493)

I

(N=571)

<$75k

(N=992)

>$75k

(N=373)

No

(N=962)

Yes

(N=455)

White

(N=1062)

AA

(N=104)

Hisp

(N=183)

The Bush administration 23 19 26 31 25 21 13 45 7 21 24 17 24 22 17 54 33 The Obama administration 20 20 20 15 14 21 32 6 36 16 19 23 20 21 24 1 13

The U.S. Congress 16 21 11 10 15 17 21 9 20 16 16 16 16 16 18 9 12

Wall Street 6 7 6 5 7 7 4 6 6 6 5 8 6 7 5 10 9

Corporate CEOs 8 7 9 7 10 8 6 10 5 9 8 8 7 10 8 4 3

Special interest groups 5 5 4 3 6 5 3 3 5 5 4 6 4 5 4 3 7

Labor unions 2 2 1 1 1 2 3 0 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 0 2

Terrorist groups 7 6 8 12 7 6 4 7 5 9 8 5 8 5 7 6 9 Ordinary American people 3 4 2 7 5 1 1 3 2 5 3 4 3 4 3 2 7

Rising powers like China and India 2 2 2 1 2 1 4 2 3 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1

Immigrants 3 2 5 4 2 4 3 5 3 3 4 3 4 2 4 5 1

Other 3 3 3 1 4 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 1

None of these 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0

Don’t know 2 2 2 3 1 2 2 1 2 3 2 1 2 1 2 3 1


THE ENEMY IS WITHIN: ECONOMIC ISSUES ARE PARAMOUNT


66% 27% 7%

Within the U.S. Outside the U.S. Don't Know

2 IN 3 SAY THE ENEMY IS WITHIN


Showing All

•  Those Americans with a college degree and those whose annual income exceeds $75,000 are more likely than those without a degree or those respondents with less than $75,000 to think that major threats originate within the U.S.

All



Within the U.S. 66 69 63 62 70 65 64 62 68 66 62 76 62 75 68 55 59

Outside the U.S. 27 26 28 28 23 29 29 30 26 25 30 18 30 20 25 34 32

Don’t Know 7 5 10 10 7 6 7 7 6 8 7 6 8 5 7 11 9

Do the greatest threats to long-term stability in the United States come primarily from within the United States or do they come from outside the United States?

75% 18%

ECONOMIC, NOT NATIONAL SECURITY, CONCERNS PRESENT A GREATER THREAT


Showing All

•  White Americans are more likely than African-Americans or Hispanics to view economic concerns as a greater threat to the current stability of the U.S.

All


Attainment Race


Economic concerns present a greater threat to the current stability of the U.S.

75 76 75 72 77 77 73 74 81 73 73 84 72 84 80 63 67

National security concerns present a greater threat to the current stability of the U.S.

18 18 17 20 16 16 20 19 14 19 19 11 20 12 14 26 25

Don’t Know 7 6 8 8 7 6 7 7 4 9 7 5 8 4 6 11 8

Economic concerns present a

greater threat to the current stability

of the U.S.

National security concerns present a

greater threat to the current stability

of the U.S.


27% 27%

39% 44% 44% 45%

49% 53% 55% 56% 56% 58%

66% 67%

71% 71% 72% 73% 75% 77% 78%

Hamas Hezbollah

Government of North Korea Government of Iran

Illegal immigrants Rise of new powers like China and India

Partisan politics Taliban

Decline of moral values Domestic terrorists

Lack of high-paying jobs Al Qaeda

America's dependence on foreign energy Spread of nuclear weapons

American jobs being sent overseas America's education system falling behind

Weakening U.S. Dollar Rising healthcare costs

The budget deficit High government spending

Rising national debt

INTERNAL THREATS VERSUS EXTERNAL THREATS


Please indicate whether each of the following presents a major threat, minor threat, or no threat at all to long-term stability in the United States.

Showing % Major threat

Internal Threat External Threat

YOUNG AMERICANS LESS LIKELY TO VIEW AL QAEDA AND THE TALIBAN AS MAJOR THREATS


Please indicate whether each of the following presents a major threat, minor threat, or no threat at all to long-term stability in the United States. Showing % Major threat

All


College Degree

Race


Rising national debt 78 77 78 71 75 81 83 68 89 77 77 80 77 79 84 60 66 High government spending 77 73 80 69 77 77 84 68 88 75 78 73 78 73 80 61 73 The budget deficit 75 75 75 66 76 78 80 69 84 73 75 77 75 75 79 59 69 Rising healthcare costs 73 69 76 64 75 75 76 78 71 70 73 71 71 76 74 68 67 Weakening U.S. dollar 72 70 75 60 72 78 74 70 77 71 73 70 74 70 75 65 66 American jobs being sent overseas 71 71 72 54 71 80 76 77 72 67 72 70 73 69 76 67 59 America’s education system falling behind 71 70 73 68 74 73 71 74 69 71 69 76 70 76 72 70 72

Spread of nuclear weapons 67 65 68 63 65 71 67 67 70 64 69 61 69 62 66 68 68 America’s dependence on foreign oil 66 65 67 56 68 72 65 66 72 62 65 69 64 72 70 55 55 Al Qaeda 58 53 63 43 56 64 70 61 68 50 60 57 58 59 61 51 57 Lack of high-paying jobs 56 54 59 50 58 61 51 61 54 55 59 50 59 50 57 56 56 Domestic terrorists in the United States 56 49 63 49 57 60 57 56 63 52 59 48 59 51 57 60 54

Decline in moral values 55 52 58 47 58 57 60 46 67 55 58 48 58 49 58 52 47 Taliban 53 47 59 39 52 59 60 54 62 45 55 49 55 47 54 54 52 Partisan politics and political gridlock 49 50 48 32 47 55 60 49 52 45 48 52 47 53 53 42 33 Rise of new global powers like China and India 45 40 49 36 45 50 44 40 52 42 45 44 45 43 45 45 42

Illegal immigrants 44 45 42 29 39 49 60 35 57 41 47 36 48 36 49 35 18 Government of Iran 44 44 45 28 43 51 55 41 53 41 46 41 45 42 47 38 45 Government of North Korea 39 40 38 27 37 47 41 38 51 31 40 39 40 37 39 37 39 Hezbollah 27 33 21 17 25 32 35 23 36 22 27 28 26 28 29 22 23 Hamas 27 29 26 15 25 33 37 22 37 25 28 26 27 29 30 20 23

60% SAY THE COUNTRY IS ADDRESSING EXTERNAL THREATS AT LEAST SOMEWHAT

EFFECTIVELY


Showing All

All



EFFECTIVELY (TOTAL) 60 60 61 65 61 61 52 64 56 60 61 58 61 59 57 69 68

Very effectively 13 15 11 16 14 13 8 16 8 14 14 10 15 9 9 24 21

Somewhat effectively 47 45 50 49 47 48 44 48 48 46 47 48 46 50 48 45 47 NOT EFFECTIVELY (TOTAL) 29 33 27 23 28 30 40 26 36 28 29 33 27 34 33 18 23

Not very effectively 21 23 20 17 19 21 31 19 25 20 20 25 19 26 24 12 17

Not at all effectively 8 10 7 6 9 9 9 7 11 8 9 8 8 8 9 6 6

Don’t know 10 8 12 12 11 10 7 10 8 11 10 8 12 7 10 13 9

How effectively are we, as a country, addressing the threats that are OUTSIDE our control?

13% 47% 21% 8%

Very effectively Somewhat effectively Not very effectively Not at all effectively

All


Attainment Race


The threats affecting the long-term stability of the U.S. are mostly WITHIN our control as a country.

71 72 70 66 75 71 68 69 76 68 67 82 66 81 75 61 60

The threats affecting the long-term stability of the U.S. are mostly OUTSIDE our control as a country.

20 20 19 24 17 19 21 22 17 20 22 13 22 15 16 26 28

Don’t Know 9 8 11 9 8 10 11 9 7 12 11 4 12 5 9 13 12

71% 20%

THE MAJOR THREATS ARE WITHIN OUR CONTROL AS A COUNTRY


Showing All

•  African-Americans and Hispanics are the two sub-groups most likely to say that the threats affecting the long-term stability are mostly outside the country’s control

The threats affecting the long-

term stability of the U.S. are mostly

WITHIN our control as a country.

The threats affecting the long-

term stability of the U.S. are mostly OUTSIDE our control as a

country.


10% 32% 36% 17%

Very effectively Somewhat effectively Not very effectively Not at all effectively

ONLY 10% THINK THAT INTERNAL THREATS ARE BEING ADDRESSED VERY EFFECTIVELY


Showing All

•  53% of respondents think that the country is not effectively addressing the threats that are within its control

How effectively are we, as a country, addressing the threats that are WITHIN our control?

All


Attainment Race


EFFECTIVELY (TOTAL) 42 39 43 46 41 41 36 54 33 39 44 36 45 35 36 61 51 Very effectively 10 10 9 10 10 9 9 14 6 9 11 6 12 5 7 23 12

Somewhat effectively 32 29 34 36 31 32 27 40 27 30 33 30 33 30 29 38 39

NOT EFFECTIVELY (TOTAL) 53 56 49 45 54 53 60 40 64 53 50 62 48 63 59 30 39 Not very effectively 36 35 36 34 36 34 41 31 43 34 35 40 33 42 39 23 28

Not at all effectively 17 21 13 11 18 19 19 9 21 19 15 22 15 21 20 7 11

Don’t know 6 4 7 9 5 5 4 6 3 8 6 2 8 2 4 9 11

How effectively are we, as a country, addressing the threats that are WITHIN our control?

INTERNAL THREATS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED MORE EFFECTIVELY

•  The economy, jobs, government spending, budget deficit, national debt, immigration, healthcare, and education are the primary threats within our control that Americans do not feel are being addressed effectively


IF NOT EFFECTIVELY (N=1,040): What specific threats that are WITHIN our control, are not being addressed effectively? OPEN-END


28% 62% 10%

Right direction Wrong direction Don't know

MAJORITY THINKS THE COUNTRY IS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION


Showing All

All


Attainment Race


Right direction 28 28 29 34 32 25 21 48 10 26 28 30 28 29 21 55 36

Wrong direction 62 63 60 53 58 66 69 41 84 61 62 63 61 62 71 31 50

Don’t Know 10 9 11 12 10 9 10 11 6 13 10 7 11 9 9 13 15

Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction or in the wrong direction?

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS THINKS THE NEXT GENERATION WILL BE WORSE OFF


Showing All

•  African-Americans are the only ones more likely to say that the next generation will be better off than people are now

All



Better 29 32 27 35 31 27 24 38 21 29 29 30 29 30 25 45 30

Worse 52 53 52 43 51 56 60 43 63 52 53 52 52 53 57 36 47

Same 11 9 13 18 10 10 9 11 10 13 11 12 11 11 10 12 17

Don’t know 7 6 8 5 8 8 8 8 6 6 7 6 7 6 8 7 5

When children in the U.S. grow up, do you think they will be better off or worse off than people are now?

29%

52%

11%

7%


41% 44% 15%

Bright future ahead Best days behind it Don't know

AMERICANS ARE SPLIT ON THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES


Showing All

Overall, do you think the United States has a bright future ahead or are its best days behind it?

All



Bright future ahead 41 43 38 48 42 38 35 53 34 37 39 45 39 45 37 52 48

Best days behind it 44 42 45 36 45 45 51 33 51 47 45 42 45 40 47 31 38

Don’t Know 15 14 16 16 14 17 13 14 15 16 15 13 16 14 16 17 14

•  Respondents age 18-29 are optimistic about the country’s future, while those age 65 and older are significantly more pessimistic

62%

10%

23%

6%

Too involved

Not involved enough Involved as much as it should be Don't know

3 IN 5 THINK THE U.S. IS TOO INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS


Showing All

•  Interestingly, Republicans are more likely than Democrats or Independents to say that the U.S. is too involved in international affairs

All



Too involved 62 63 61 53 65 63 63 56 67 62 63 60 63 59 65 50 59

Not involved enough 10 11 8 13 9 9 7 11 7 10 10 9 10 8 8 14 13 Involved as much as it should be 23 21 25 27 20 23 24 28 21 21 22 27 21 29 22 26 23

Don’t know 6 5 6 7 5 5 6 5 5 7 6 4 7 4 6 10 5

Do you think the United States is too involved in international affairs, not involved enough, or is it involved as much as it should be?

PLURALITY SAYS THE COUNTRY’S INFLUENCE ABROAD HAS INCREASED


Showing All

•  Younger Americans think the influence has grown, while older respondents are more likely to think that the role the U.S. plays internationally has diminished

All



Increased 35 35 34 43 41 30 23 39 29 35 36 32 36 31 33 43 34

Diminished 29 31 27 16 24 33 46 21 39 28 27 35 25 38 34 16 20

About the same 31 29 33 35 29 32 27 33 29 31 31 29 32 28 29 33 39

Don’t know 5 4 6 7 6 4 4 7 4 6 6 3 7 3 4 8 7

Thinking about the past decade, do you think the United States’ influence in the international affairs has increased, diminished, or stayed about the same?

35%

29% 31%

5%

Increased

Diminished

About the same

Don't know

83% 12% 5%

Domestic issues International affairs Don't Know

AMERICANS WANT THEIR LEADERS TO FOCUS ON DOMESTIC ISSUES


Showing All

•  Those respondents with a college degree are more likely than those without a degree to say the country needs to focus on domestic issues in the next decade

All



Domestic issues 83 85 82 75 83 87 87 80 89 82 82 87 81 88 87 70 79

International affairs 12 10 13 19 12 8 9 15 7 12 12 10 13 9 9 21 13

Don’t Know 5 5 5 6 6 5 3 5 4 5 5 3 6 3 4 9 7

In your opinion, what is more important for the United States to focus on in the next decade?

AMERICANS WANT THEIR LEADERS TO FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY AND JOBS


Which one of the following issues do you think the president and Congress should focus on right now?

2%

5%

3%

4%

4%

5%

5%

9%

18%

46%

Don’t know

Other

Terrorism and national security

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Immigration

Fuel costs

Moral values/ family values

Health care

Deficit and government spending

Economy and jobs

Showing All


AMERICANS SAY A MAJOR TERRORIST ATTACK IS LIKELY IN THE NEXT DECADE


35% 43% 13% 4%

Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely

4 IN 5 THINK A MAJOR TERRORIST ATTACK IN THE U.S. IS AT LEAST SOMEWHAT LIKELY IN

THE NEXT DECADE


Showing All

All



LIKELY (TOTAL) 78 76 82 71 77 81 85 76 85 77 78 80 78 79 82 73 76 Very likely 35 32 39 24 35 41 38 32 41 34 36 35 35 35 37 32 33

Somewhat likely 43 44 43 47 42 40 47 44 44 43 42 45 43 44 45 41 43

NOT LIKELY (TOTAL) 17 21 14 25 18 14 13 20 13 19 17 17 17 18 15 19 22

Not very likely 13 15 12 18 14 12 10 16 10 14 13 14 13 15 12 14 14

Not at all likely 4 6 2 7 4 2 3 4 3 5 4 3 4 3 3 5 8

Don’t know 4 3 5 4 5 5 2 4 3 5 5 3 5 3 4 8 3

How likely do you think it is that a major terrorist attack will take place in the U.S. in the next decade? Do you think it is…?

WASHINGTON D.C. AND NEW YORK CITY ARE PERCEIVED THE MOST LIKELY TARGETS


All



Washington D.C. 30 28 31 33 29 28 29 29 31 29 30 31 28 32 31 24 28

New York 27 29 26 24 27 28 32 26 28 28 27 29 27 27 27 30 25

Los Angeles 14 15 14 18 14 14 12 15 15 14 13 18 14 15 13 13 21

Chicago 4 6 3 5 3 5 4 4 5 3 5 4 5 4 5 4 3

Houston 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 3

Philadelphia 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1

Boston 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1

Other 5 4 6 2 6 6 5 6 4 4 6 3 5 5 5 5 4

Don’t know 17 15 18 15 18 17 15 16 15 18 17 13 18 14 16 22 15

If there is another major terrorist attack in the U.S. in the next decade, in which city is it most likely to take place?

17% 5%

1% 1%

2% 4%

14% 27%

30%

Don’t know Other

Philadelphia Boston

Houston Chicago

Los Angeles New York

Washington D.C.

Showing All

17% 32% 28% 20%

Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned

49% ARE AT LEAST SOMEWHAT CONCERNED ABOUT BECOMING A VICTIM OF TERRORISM IN

THE NEXT DECADE


Showing All

All



CONCERNED (TOTAL) 49 42 56 46 50 51 47 51 51 46 51 44 52 43 45 57 61

Very concerned 17 14 20 17 16 19 16 22 15 15 19 12 20 11 12 27 28 Somewhat concerned 32 28 36 29 34 32 31 29 36 31 32 32 32 32 33 30 33 NOT CONCERNED (TOTAL) 48 56 40 51 47 46 52 45 47 50 45 55 44 55 52 34 36

Not very concerned 28 29 26 27 27 28 31 26 29 28 26 31 25 33 31 16 19 Not at all concerned 20 27 14 24 20 18 21 19 18 22 19 24 19 22 21 18 17 Don’t know 3 2 3 4 4 3 1 3 1 4 4 1 4 1 2 9 3

How concerned are you that you will become a victim of a terrorism in the next decade?

All



LIKELY (TOTAL) 77 77 77 71 74 81 83 76 84 74 77 82 76 80 81 68 68 Very likely 36 36 37 30 36 41 37 35 40 35 37 38 36 36 37 38 33 Somewhat likely 41 41 40 41 38 40 46 41 44 39 40 44 40 44 44 30 35 NOT LIKELY (TOTAL) 13 16 10 16 15 10 10 12 9 16 13 12 12 15 11 15 17

Not very likely 10 13 7 10 13 8 8 9 8 11 10 10 9 12 9 8 12 Not at all likely 3 3 3 6 2 2 2 3 1 5 3 2 3 3 2 7 5 Don’t know 10 7 13 12 11 10 6 12 7 11 10 6 12 6 8 16 15

36% 41% 10% 3%

Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely

77% THINK A CYBER-WARFARE TERRORIST ATTACK IS AT LEAST SOMEWHAT LIKELY IN

THE NEXT 10 YEARS


Showing All

How likely is it that terrorists will use cyber-warfare to disrupt financial markets or power grids in an attack against the U.S.? Is it…?

47% 41% 12%

Foreign terrorists Home-grown terrorists Don't Know

2 IN 5 THINK THE NEXT ATTACK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY DOMESTIC TERRORISTS


Showing All

•  Unlike the rest of the sub-groups, African-Americans are more likely to think that the next terrorist attack would be carried out by domestic terrorists rather than foreign terrorists

All



Foreign terrorists 47 46 48 49 45 46 49 46 48 47 45 50 46 49 48 37 47

Home-grown terrorists 41 43 39 36 42 42 43 43 43 38 42 39 41 40 41 47 38

Don’t know 12 11 14 15 14 12 8 11 9 16 12 10 13 10 11 16 15

If a major terrorist attack were to take place in the U.S., do you think it is more likely to be carried out by foreign terrorists or home-grown terrorists?

53% 33% 14%

Increase spending No additional money Don't Know

MAJORITY WANTS MORE MONEY SPENT ON THE SECURITY OF TRAINS, PORTS


Showing All

•  Young Americans (age 18-29) are significantly less likely to say that the government should increase spending to improve security of trains and ports

All


College Attainmen

t Race


Increase spending 53 54 52 42 53 57 58 58 53 49 53 55 53 53 51 62 59

No additional money 33 34 33 42 35 28 30 30 35 35 34 32 33 36 36 25 27

Don’t know 14 13 14 16 12 15 12 12 12 16 13 13 14 11 14 13 14

Do you think the United States should increase spending to improve security of trains, ports, and other less secure areas, or should the U.S. not spend additional money to

secure them as tightly as airports?

FEW VIEW THE GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AS CAPABLE OF PREVENTING AN ATTACK


For each of the following individuals and groups, please indicate how confident you are that they are capable of protecting the United States from a terrorist attack.

Showing All 16%

19%

20%

23%

24%

30%

41%

44%

47%

52%

56%

56%

68%

85%

34%

37%

39%

61%

50%

40%

46%

41%

40%

39%

34%

35%

21%

8%

50%

45%

41%

16%

26%

30%

13%

15%

13%

10%

9%

9%

11%

8%

Jon Huntsman

Tim Pawlenty

Michele Bachmann

Sarah Palin

Newt Gingrich

Mitt Romney

The Democratic Party

The Republican Party

The TSA

Barack Obama

The federal government

Local law enforcement

The CIA

The U.S. military Confident Not Confident Don't know

41%

19% 31%

9%

Increased Decreased No effect Don't know

PLURALITY SAYS THE KILLING OF BIN LADEN HAS INCREASED THE THREAT OF TERRORISM


Showing All

•  Only 19% of Americans think that the killing has decreased the threat

All



Increased 41 34 46 46 40 40 36 41 39 42 42 36 44 33 40 41 47

Decreased 19 23 16 19 19 20 17 24 17 17 18 24 17 23 18 23 20

No effect 31 37 27 27 28 31 43 26 38 31 30 35 28 39 34 20 27

Don’t know 9 6 11 8 13 9 3 9 6 10 10 5 11 5 8 15 7

In your opinion, has the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces increased the threat of terrorism against the United States, decreased, or has it had no effect on the threat of

terrorism against the U.S.?

37% 56% 7%

Yes No Don't Know

THE KILLING OF BIN LADEN GIVES A SENSE OF CLOSURE TO FEWER THAN 2 IN 5 AMERICANS


Showing All

•  Only 27% of those respondents age 65 and older say that bin Laden’s death has given them a sense of closure for 9/11

All



Yes 37 37 36 42 37 37 27 42 36 33 37 38 36 36 35 39 42

No 56 56 56 47 58 56 66 51 59 58 56 58 55 60 60 51 46

Don’t know 7 7 8 11 6 6 7 6 5 9 7 4 9 4 6 10 12

Does the killing of Osama bin Laden give you a sense of closure for September 11, 2001?

THE MEANING OF CLOSURE


IF GIVES A SENSE OF CLOSURE (N=738): What does this closure mean to you? Please be as specific as possible. OPEN-END

10% 10%

1% 1% 1%

2% 2% 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 5%

6% 8%

9% 13% 13%

Don't Know Other

Fewer reasons to have our troops in the ME Can now focus on other issues

Our government did a good job Time to move on

Revenge We got Al Qaeda's leader

One less terrorist in the world A good thing in general

Makes me happy that he is gone Closure for those affected directly Closed one chapter of our history

We can expect retaliation Fewer/no terrorist attacks in the future Achieved our goal and sent a message

Makes me feel safer Justice has been served

The mastermind of 9/11 is gone

Showing All

All



Defeated Al-Qaeda 6 7 5 7 8 5 2 6 5 5 6 4 6 4 3 9 12 Set it back some but not defeated it 60 64 57 57 62 62 61 64 65 55 58 69 57 67 64 58 49

Not made much impact 27 24 29 24 24 27 33 22 27 30 27 25 28 24 27 21 27

Don’t know 8 5 10 12 7 7 4 8 3 11 8 3 9 4 6 13 12

6%

60% 27%

8%

Defeated Al Qaeda

Set it back some but not defeated it Not made much impact Don't know

ONLY 6% THINK THE UNITED STATES HAS DEFEATED AL QAEDA


Showing All

•  3 in 5 believe that we have set the terrorist group back, but not defeated it Do you think we have defeated Al Qaeda, set it back some but not defeated, or not made

much impact?

41%

8% 41%

11%

The U.S. and its allies Terrorist groups

Neither side

Don't know

2 IN 5 THINK THE U.S. AND ITS ALLIES ARE WINNING THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM


Showing All

All



The U.S. and its allies 41 46 35 41 38 42 41 45 43 35 41 43 40 42 40 47 40

Terrorist groups 8 8 8 10 7 9 7 6 10 9 9 6 9 7 8 7 8

Neither side 41 38 43 36 46 39 41 38 38 45 38 45 39 45 42 32 40

Don’t know 11 7 14 14 9 10 10 10 9 12 12 6 13 6 10 14 11

Who do you think is currently winning the war against terrorism – the U.S. and its allies, neither side, or the terrorist groups like Al Qaeda?

MAJORITY THINKS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION POLICIES HAVE MADE THE U.S. AT LEAST

SOMEWHAT SAFER


Showing All

All



SAFER (TOTAL) 54 61 48 54 52 54 60 37 79 50 53 60 53 56 60 35 43 Much safer 14 17 12 14 14 15 15 6 29 11 14 17 14 15 16 8 10

Somewhat safer 40 44 36 40 38 39 45 31 50 39 39 43 39 41 44 27 33

LESS SAFE (TOTAL) 35 32 38 33 36 37 30 52 14 36 35 34 34 37 30 53 41

Somewhat less safe 17 17 17 17 16 17 16 21 11 18 16 17 16 19 16 17 19

Much less safe 18 15 21 16 20 20 14 31 3 18 19 17 18 18 14 36 22

Don’t know 11 8 14 14 12 9 10 11 7 14 12 6 13 7 10 13 16

Would you say the policies of the Bush Administration have made the U.S. much safer from terrorism, somewhat safer, somewhat less safe, or much less safe from terrorism?

14% 40% 17% 18%

Much safer Somewhat safer Somewhat less safe Much less safe

13% 44% 16% 15%

Much safer Somewhat safer Somewhat less safe Much less safe

57% THINK THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION POLICIES HAVE MADE THE U.S. AT LEAST

SOMEWHAT SAFER


Showing All

All



SAFER (TOTAL) 57 58 56 63 64 56 41 79 34 57 56 62 56 58 49 80 70 Much safer 13 13 12 12 14 13 10 24 4 10 12 14 13 12 8 31 16

Somewhat safer 44 45 44 51 50 43 31 55 30 47 44 48 43 46 41 49 54

LESS SAFE (TOTAL) 31 32 29 21 24 34 49 11 57 26 31 31 29 33 39 10 17

Somewhat less safe 16 16 15 16 15 15 20 8 26 14 16 15 15 16 19 6 10

Much less safe 15 16 14 5 9 19 29 3 31 12 15 16 14 17 20 4 7

Don’t know 12 10 14 16 12 11 10 10 8 16 13 8 14 9 12 11 14

Would you say the policies of the Obama Administration have made the U.S. much safer from terrorism, somewhat safer, somewhat less safe, or much less safe from terrorism?

69% 15%

16%

Knowingly harbored Osama bin Laden

Did not know his location

Don't know

7 IN 10 THINK THAT PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS KNOWINGLY HARBORED BIN LADEN


Showing All

•  Young Americans (age 18-29) are the least likely among all sub-groups to think that Pakistani government officials knew where bin Laden was hiding

All



Knowingly harbored Osama bin Laden 69 73 66 54 69 77 74 68 78 65 69 72 68 73 72 66 63

Did not know his location 15 12 17 23 15 10 12 18 10 15 14 14 15 14 13 15 17

Don’t know 16 14 18 23 15 13 14 14 13 20 16 14 18 13 14 20 20

Do you think Pakistani government officials were knowingly harboring Osama bin Laden, or did they now know his location?

26%

23% 18%

19%

13%

Improve

Scale back

Break off the relationship entirely Keep it where it is now

Don't know

18% WANT THE U.S. TO BREAK OFF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH PAKISTAN


Showing All

All



Improve 26 27 26 35 27 23 22 33 21 26 26 28 24 31 24 33 32

Scale back 23 23 23 16 25 25 27 19 28 23 21 31 21 28 26 17 14 Break off relationship entirely 18 18 18 12 19 20 18 20 18 17 20 13 20 13 18 15 22

Keep it where it is now 19 22 17 21 17 18 22 18 21 19 19 20 19 19 18 22 21

Don’t know 13 10 17 16 12 14 11 11 12 16 14 9 16 9 14 14 11

Do you think the U.S. should seek to improve its relationship with Pakistan, scale back the relationship, break off the relationship entirely, or should it keep the

relationship where it is now?

77% 3% 12%

8%

Cut back

Increased

Kept about the same

Don't know

3 IN 4 WANT THE U.S. TO CUT BACK ITS FOREIGN AID TO PAKISTAN


Showing All

•  Older Americans and Republicans are especially in favor of cutting back America’s military and non-military aid to Pakistan

All



Cut back 77 78 76 66 76 80 83 73 82 75 76 80 75 79 80 63 71

Increased 3 4 3 4 5 2 0 4 2 3 4 2 4 1 2 8 6

Kept about the same 12 12 12 16 10 12 12 16 10 11 12 13 11 14 11 15 13

Don’t know 8 6 10 13 8 6 5 8 5 10 8 5 9 5 7 13 10

In 2011 the United States government has promised roughly $4.5 billion in military and non-military aid to Pakistan. In the future, do you think the amount of aid to

Pakistan should be…?


TIME TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN; DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN MIDDLE EAST PERCEIVED TO HAVE LITTLE IMPACT ON U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS


10%

40%

38%

12%

Too fast Too slow About right Don't know

2 IN 5 WANT THE U.S. TO END ITS COMBAT OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN SOONER THAN 2014


Showing All

•  Only 46% of Democrats think that the Obama Administration’s timeline is about right

All



Too fast 10 13 8 9 7 11 15 5 21 7 10 11 9 13 12 5 6

Too slow 40 38 42 42 42 38 40 42 34 44 41 38 41 38 41 28 44

About right 38 38 37 39 37 40 34 46 33 35 37 41 37 40 34 55 37

Don’t know 12 10 13 10 14 12 11 7 13 14 12 10 13 8 12 12 13

The Obama Administration plans to end the U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan by 2014. Do you think the pace of the planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan is too fast, too

slow, or about right?

34%

27% 27%

13%

Increased Decreased No effect Don't know

ONLY 27% BELIEVE THAT THE AFGHAN WAR HAS DECREASED THE THREAT OF TERRORISM


Showing All

All



Increased 34 32 35 40 37 30 29 36 27 37 36 28 36 30 31 41 39

Decreased 27 33 21 26 27 28 24 28 29 24 24 35 23 34 28 23 29

No effect 27 26 27 20 23 29 37 24 34 24 26 28 26 28 30 20 17

Don’t know 13 8 17 14 12 13 11 12 10 15 14 8 15 8 12 16 14

In your opinion, has the U.S. Military involvement in Afghanistan increased the threat of terrorism against the United States, decreased, or has it had no effect on the threat of

terrorism against the U.S.?

MAJORITY SAYS NO DEAL SHOULD EVER BE MADE WITH THE TALIBAN


All



The United States should encourage the government of Afghanistan to pursue a deal with the Taliban to stabilize the country

22 25 19 28 23 18 22 24 16 25 22 21 22 22 18 31 30

No deal should ever be made with the Taliban 63 64 63 55 62 69 63 61 74 57 62 68 61 67 67 55 56

Don’t Know 15 12 18 17 15 13 16 15 10 18 16 11 17 11 15 15 14

22% 63%

Showing All

The United States should encourage the government of

Afghanistan to pursue a deal with

the Taliban to stabilize the

country

No deal should ever be made with

the Taliban


25%

24% 34%

17%

Friendlier towards the U.S. More hostile towards the U.S. Make no difference in the relations with the U.S. Don't know

3 IN 4 DO NOT EXPECT FRIENDLIER GOVERNMENTS IN TUNISIA AND EGYPT


Showing All

All



Friendlier towards the U.S. 25 26 24 28 24 26 19 32 23 20 24 28 23 29 24 33 21

More hostile towards the U.S. 24 27 22 23 25 23 29 20 28 25 25 24 25 22 25 21 27

Make no difference in the relations with the U.S.

34 34 33 32 33 34 36 30 35 35 33 35 34 34 35 29 30

Don’t know 17 13 21 18 18 17 16 18 14 20 18 13 18 16 17 18 22

Do you think democratic elections in the Middle East countries like Tunisia and Egypt will produce governments that are….?

29%

18% 36%

16%

Will work to reduce terrorism Might foster terrorism

Will make no difference in regards to terrorism Don't know

FEW EXPECT THE NEW GOVERNMENTS IN TUNISIA AND EGYPT TO WORK TO REDUCE

TERRORISM


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Will work to reduce terrorism 29 29 30 35 29 28 25 37 25 26 29 31 28 32 28 36 30

Might foster terrorism 18 21 16 15 19 17 22 11 25 19 17 23 18 19 20 9 14 Will make no difference in regards to terrorism 36 38 35 31 35 39 40 32 38 38 36 36 36 37 38 32 34

Don’t know 16 13 19 18 17 16 14 19 11 17 17 11 18 12 14 22 22

Do you think democratic elections in the Middle East countries like Tunisia and Egypt will produce governments that are….?

12%

8%

16%

17%

20%

28%

Don't know

Other

North Korea getting nuclear weapons

Middle East turmoil

Iran getting nuclear weapons

Al Qaeda launching attacks against the U.S

AL QAEDA'S ATTACKS WOULD POSE A GREATER THREAT THAN OTHERS


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Attainment Race


Al Qaeda launching attacks against the U.S. 28 24 31 28 31 27 25 31 24 28 28 28 29 26 26 33 33

Iran getting nuclear weapons 20 24 16 19 16 20 26 18 24 19 19 23 19 20 22 12 17

Middle East turmoil 17 19 15 14 18 18 17 17 18 16 17 19 15 21 18 19 11 North Korea getting nuclear weapons 16 14 18 19 17 15 12 17 16 15 16 16 16 16 15 18 18

Other 8 8 8 6 6 9 9 6 8 8 8 6 7 8 8 3 7

Don’t know 12 10 13 14 12 11 10 11 9 13 12 8 13 9 11 15 14

Which of the following would pose the greatest threat to peace and stability in the U.S.?


APPENDIX: ADDITIONAL FINDINGS


THE MOST IMPORTANT TRENDS OF THE DECADE


What was the single most important TREND in the past decade? OPEN-END

All


Attainment Race


The rising national debt 16 20 14 16 15 16 20 10 22 17 15 21 15 20 19 10 12 U.S. jobs being sent overseas 14 15 14 12 12 17 16 14 16 13 14 14 15 13 15 14 9

Increased use of technology 13 11 15 16 13 13 10 15 11 14 13 13 13 14 13 17 11

Increasing corporate greed 9 10 8 6 9 11 8 11 6 9 8 11 8 10 10 6 7

Spread of global terrorism 7 7 7 7 6 9 8 7 10 6 7 8 6 10 8 6 9 The decline of home prices 5 6 4 5 5 5 4 5 6 4 5 6 5 5 5 3 9

Increasing immigration 5 5 4 4 5 4 7 5 4 5 6 2 6 2 4 4 7 The rise of social media 5 4 5 7 6 4 1 6 4 4 4 6 5 5 4 7 6 The U.S. population becoming more ethnically diverse

3 2 3 3 3 1 3 3 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 6 4

Increasing role of women in the workplace and politics

3 1 4 3 4 2 2 4 2 3 3 1 3 1 1 6 5

The U.S. population getting older 2 3 2 1 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 0 3

The rise of online search 2 2 3 3 4 2 1 3 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 4 4 The 24-7 news cycle 2 1 2 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 3 2 2 1 Arab Spring protests in the Middle East 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 0

The decline of print media 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 0 The increasing number of independent voters 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

Other 4 4 4 3 3 4 7 2 5 5 4 3 4 3 4 2 5 Don’t know 6 5 8 7 7 5 6 6 6 6 7 3 8 2 6 7 7

EACH SUB-GROUP PERCEIVES THE ECONOMY AND JOBS AS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES

TO FOCUS ON


•  Democrats are more likely than other groups to say the government needs to focus on the economy and jobs, while Republicans are more likely than other to cite deficit and government spending as the top priority

Which one of the following issues do you think the president and Congress should focus on right now?

All


Attainment Race


Economy and jobs 46 46 45 43 48 49 39 55 40 42 45 46 45 48 45 50 48 Deficit and government spending 18 20 15 19 16 15 22 9 26 18 16 22 16 21 20 7 14

Health care 9 6 11 8 6 10 11 10 6 9 9 8 9 8 8 13 5

Fuel costs 5 6 5 7 6 5 2 5 4 6 6 5 6 4 5 7 3 Terrorism and national security 3 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 4

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan 4 4 4 3 3 5 4 5 3 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4

Immigration 4 5 3 5 4 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 1 8 Moral values/ family values 5 5 6 4 7 4 6 4 7 5 6 4 6 3 5 7 7

Other 5 5 5 4 5 5 7 4 5 6 6 4 5 5 5 4 4

Don’t know 2 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 0 3 1 1 2 0 1 3 4

OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG SUB-GROUPS


•  Only 28% of Hispanics believe that the overall quality of life for immigrants has improved over the past 10 years

Please indicate whether you think the overall quality of life has improved, declined, or stayed the same in the past decade for each of the following groups of people living in the United States. Showing % Improved/ Declined

All


Attainment Race


Gays and lesbians 55/11 57/11 54/10 52/16 53/11 58/9 58/8 53/14 57/10 55/9 51/11 69/10 53/12 61/10 59/9 49/11 42/19

Upper class Americans 48/15 50/16 46/13 39/14 48/14 52/14 53/18 51/13 39/19 52/13 48/16 50/12 47/16 51/11 49/14 48/22 41/13

Hispanics 44/19 50/17 37/20 37/21 42/19 46/18 51/18 40/20 50/14 42/21 43/19 48/17 44/18 44/21 45/17 43/18 40/27

Immigrants 41/24 40/24 41/24 32/31 37/24 47/21 47/21 33/30 49/18 40/24 40/25 44/25 41/22 39/28 43/22 41/20 28/41

African-Americans 33/24 35/25 31/23 28/16 33/26 32/28 41/24 30/25 36/23 33/24 32/23 35/27 33/22 33/28 34/22 26/37 33/18

Muslims 23/32 25/33 20/32 13/45 25/33 24/30 29/19 15/41 33/23 22/32 23/30 23/40 24/29 20/40 24/32 18/35 16/34

Young adults 17/54 18/53 15/54 21/45 20/54 14/56 11/59 18/51 15/62 18/50 17/53 18/57 18/51 14/60 15/57 18/45 24/45

Caucasians 16/38 16/42 15/35 20/24 19/33 12/47 11/49 20/28 11/50 16/37 16/39 16/38 17/37 13/41 9/47 38/15 21/21

Jews 15/16 18/16 13/16 16/11 20/12 13/19 11/22 13/11 14/23 17/15 14/16 19/17 16/15 14/18 11/18 22/15 21/12

Seniors 14/55 17/51 11/59 23/34 12/51 11/65 12/68 16/51 11/62 14/53 14/54 14/58 15/52 11/61 10/62 23/46 17/37

Middle class Americans 10/64 11/64 9/65 15/45 13/58 6/76 6/74 11/60 7/75 12/60 10/67 11/69 11/60 8/75 6/73 18/48 20/42

Working class Americans 9/70 11/68 8/72 13/53 14/64 5/81 7/79 10/69 7/76 11/67 10/63 8/79 10/66 9/78 5/79 14/58 18/47

U.S. RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES OVER THE PAST DECADE


In the past decade, has each of the following country’s relationship with the U.S. improved, deteriorated, or remained the same? Showing % Improved/ Deteriorated

All


Attainment Race


China 28/24 30/24 27/24 22/20 27/25 32/25 30/27 32/18 26/29 27/24 28/25 31/24 27/24 32/23 29/26 32/14 18/21

United Kingdom 26/13 31/14 21/11 29/8 23/12 26/13 28/17 30/10 22/18 26/10 25/12 29/15 25/12 29/14 24/14 24/10 34/6

India 24/15 28/16 20/14 18/10 22/15 28/17 26/17 23/15 24/19 26/12 22/16 30/16 21/16 30/14 22/16 27/11 26/11

Iraq 22/51 28/46 16/56 18/53 20/49 22/53 27/50 17/55 26/51 21/49 20/52 27/49 21/51 24/53 23/53 22/41 19/46

Russia 19/22 21/24 16/19 16/14 14/26 22/23 23/24 18/20 17/28 21/19 20/21 18/26 17/20 22/25 20/24 18/16 16/13

Afghanistan 15/59 19/58 11/60 13/60 17/57 15/59 12/60 11/63 18/57 15/57 14/60 19/57 13/59 18/57 15/60 16/45 11/62

Israel 12/35 14/34 11/37 10/32 10/34 16/37 12/40 12/34 12/42 13/32 13/35 11/38 13/34 11/38 11/38 22/27 12/35

Egypt 11/38 15/41 8/35 12/31 13/34 11/40 10/48 12/33 10/44 12/38 13/37 10/43 12/36 11/41 10/42 13/26 15/30

Saudi Arabia 10/34 13/30 7/38 11/36 11/32 11/34 5/36 11/34 8/37 11/32 10/36 11/33 10/35 9/33 8/36 16/26 16/30

North Korea 7/51 7/58 7/46 10/41 6/47 5/61 4/54 8/48 6/59 5/48 7/49 6/61 8/47 2/62 5/55 9/41 14/39

Pakistan 7/62 8/66 7/59 12/54 6/62 8/65 3/69 8/63 6/68 8/58 7/62 7/66 7/61 7/67 6/67 16/38 8/60

Iran 6/62 6/64 5/60 5/57 8/57 6/64 3/70 7/57 4/68 6/60 6/61 6/64 5/58 6/68 5/65 10/49 6/57

Yemen 5/38 8/44 3/32 6/21 6/34 4/47 5/48 6/35 6/43 4/37 5/37 6/44 5/34 6/46 4/42 8/28 8/28

Libya 5/58 5/66 5/51 9/43 5/55 4/64 4/72 6/58 4/67 6/52 5/57 6/67 5/54 5/68 4/64 9/40 8/51

Syria 4/42 4/50 4/36 5/27 3/42 5/46 1/58 4/40 3/49 4/39 3/43 5/45 4/39 4/49 3/47 6/27 6/37

AMERICANS VIEW THE U.S. MILITARY AS MOST CAPABLE OF PROTECTING FROM TERRORISM


For each of the following individuals and groups, please indicate how confident you are that they are capable of protecting the United States from a terrorist attack. Showing % Confident

All



The U.S. military 85 87 82 78 84 88 87 86 91 78 83 89 83 86 86 83 77 The CIA 68 71 65 66 68 67 72 70 73 62 65 81 64 75 68 69 63 The federal government 56 56 55 56 62 54 49 68 49 51 54 64 55 58 52 68 57 Local law enforcement 56 56 56 51 59 53 63 57 59 53 55 62 54 59 57 54 52 Barack Obama 52 52 50 59 61 48 32 76 28 49 46 52 51 51 43 75 60 The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

47 47 47 50 49 45 45 55 46 42 46 50 49 44 44 52 56

The Republican Party 44 47 40 43 42 43 47 25 74 35 41 52 45 42 48 30 35 The Democratic Party 41 40 43 52 43 40 32 68 20 38 41 43 43 39 33 66 52 Mitt Romney 30 33 28 31 27 29 36 20 46 27 30 34 29 32 33 17 28 Newt Gingrich 24 29 21 23 24 25 27 14 39 23 24 28 24 24 27 18 20 Sarah Palin 23 29 16 18 23 23 26 12 41 19 23 23 23 20 25 12 22 Michele Bachmann 20 26 15 22 19 18 25 15 29 17 21 19 21 19 20 19 20 Tim Pawlenty 19 24 15 18 19 15 27 13 30 15 18 20 19 19 20 13 17 Jon Huntsman 16 19 13 20 20 11 13 16 16 16 16 17 16 15 13 20 23

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