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By the People JOINING THE CONVERSATION BROADCASTS PARTNERS EVENTS WHAT IS BY THE PEOPLE?
EVENTSShifts in Public Opinion During the Deliberative Poll
Woman deliberating
 

January 13, 2003

All of the following statistically significant changes occurred between the initial telephone survey of the deliberative poll participants and the final interview at the end of the deliberative poll.

Is America better or worse after September 11th? (57% to 71%) (better)

Priority of ….
preventing spread of weapons of mass destruction (83% to 91%) (high priority)
fighting terrorism (82% to 90%) (high priority)
aiding poor countries (79% to 86%) (high priority)
protecting human rights (71% to 81%) (high priority)
promoting democracy (49% to 60%) (high priority)
aiding the interests of U.S. business abroad (45% to 58%) (high priority)
protecting weaker nations (33% to 41%) (high priority)

Better to stay at home (63% to 86%) (disagree)
U.S. should protect world from WMD (55% to 69%) (agree)

Increase spending on foreign aid (20% to 53%) (support)

Require higher gas mileage for vehicles (65% to 81%) (support)

Solve environmental problems through
International agreements (70% to 87%) (support)

Deal with world hunger or problems at home (53% to 29%) (choose "problems at home")
Deal with AIDS or problems at home (50% to 20%) (choose "problems at home")
Promote democracy or don't promote it (38% to 23%) (choose "don't promote it")

How important is following for promoting democracy:
Building democratic institutions (49% to 59%) (important)
Penalties for human rights violations (71% to 79%) (important)
Foreign aid (57% to 72%) (important)
Troops to keep the peace (44% to 56%) (important)

Amount of U.S. spending on foreign aid? (19% to 64%) (correct answer)
Bush position on global warming? (37% to 53%) (correct answer)
U.S. veto in World Trade Organization? (40% to 52%) (correct answer)
Highest African AIDS rates (54% to 68%) (correct answer)

Unilateral U.S. action to stop spread of WMD (58% to 44%) (support)
Unilateral U.S. action to stop terrorism (67% to 52%) (support)
U.S. work with U.N. to stop spread of WMD (85% to 92%) (support)
U.S. work with U.N. to stop mass killings (82% to 93%) (support)

How should U.S. deal with trade? (59% to 73%) (through international institutions)
Impact on employment of easier imports? (81% to 91%) (loss of some or many jobs)

Who takes lead role in resolving conflicts? (44% to 60%) (U.S. & Allies thru U.N.)
Who takes lead role in foreign assistance? (46% to 63%) (U.S. & Allies thru U.N.)

NOTE: WMD means "Weapons of Mass Destruction."