Supreme Court

Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job?

As you know, our federal government is made up of three branches: an executive branch, headed by the president: a judicial branch, headed by the U.S. Supreme Court: and a legislative branch, made up of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. First, let me ask you how much trust and confidence you have at this time in the executive branch headed by the president, the judicial branch headed by the U.S. Supreme Court, and the legislative branch, consisting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives -- a great deal, a fair amount, not very much, or none at all?

The judicial branch, headed by the U.S. Supreme Court

In general, do you think the current Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative, or just about right?

Trends for comparison: In its recent rulings, do you think the Supreme Court has been too liberal, too conservative, or just about right?

As you may know, Sonia Sotomayor is the federal judge nominated to serve on the Supreme Court. Would you like to see the Senate vote in favor of Sotomayor serving on the Supreme Court, or not?

How closely are you following the news about Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

(Asked of a half sample) From what you know about Sonia Sotomayor, do you think she would be too liberal, too conservative, or just about right as a Supreme Court justice?

(Asked of a half sample) Based on what you have heard or read about her, do you think Sonia Sotomayor's views on important issues are in the mainstream or do you think they are too extreme?

Would you like to see President Obama nominate a new justice who would make the Supreme Court -- [ROTATED: more liberal than it currently is, more conservative than it currently is] -- or who would keep the Court as it is now?

Which of the following best describes your view about whether the next Supreme Court justice is [RANDOM ORDER] -- do you think it is -- [RANDOM ORDER: essential that the next justice is (a woman/Hispanic/black), is it a good idea, but not essential, does it not matter to you, (or do you think it is) a bad idea]?

A. A woman

B. Hispanic

C. Black

Just your best guess, if Alito were confirmed to the Supreme Court, do you think he would -- or would not -- vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion?

How closely do you plan to follow the Senate confirmation hearings for Samuel Alito, which are scheduled to begin on Monday -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

Suppose that after his confirmation hearings you were convinced Samuel Alito would vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion. If that were the case, would you like to see the Senate vote in favor of Alito serving on the Supreme Court, or not?

Next, as you may know, President Bush will soon announce another nominee to the Supreme Court to fill the seat of retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Which of the following best describes your view about whether the next Supreme Court justice is [RANDOM ORDER] -- do you think it is -- [RANDOM ORDER: essential that the next justice is (a woman/someone who has experience judge/a conservative/someone who would vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision), is it a good idea, but not essential, does it not matter to you, (or do you think it is) a bad idea]?

A. A woman

B. Someone who has experience as a judge

C. A conservative

D. Someone who would vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion

Regardless of how you think the Senate should vote, would you say you are pleased or disappointed with George W. Bush's choice of Harriet Miers as the nominee to the Supreme Court?

Based on what you have heard or read about Harriet Miers, do you think she is among the most qualified people who could serve on the Supreme Court, is she qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, but many others are more qualified, or is she not qualified to serve on the Supreme Court?

Do each of the following make you feel more positive or more negative toward Harriet Miers? [RANDOM ORDER]

Would you like to see President Bush -- [ROTATED: continue to support his nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court (or) withdraw his nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court]?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

Now, turning to the Supreme Court. As you may know, after John Roberts is confirmed as Chief Justice, President Bush will soon announce ANOTHER nominee to the Supreme Court to fill the seat of retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Would you like to see President Bush nominate a new justice who would make the Supreme Court -- [ROTATED: more liberal than it currently is, more conservative than it currently is] -- or who would keep the Court as it is now?

How closely do you plan to follow the Senate confirmation hearings for John Roberts, which are scheduled to begin in September -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all closely?

As you may know, senators will be asking John Roberts about his views on a variety of subjects. On what subjects would you most like to hear John Roberts' views during his confirmation hearings? [OPEN-ENDED]

Do you think John Roberts should -- [ROTATED: answer questions from the Senators about his views on specific issues such as abortion or affirmative action, (or should he) only answer questions from the Senators about his general judicial philosophy]?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

Suppose the upcoming confirmation hearings indicate that John Roberts is qualified and has no ethical problems. Do you think U.S. Senators would be justified -- or unjustified -- in voting against him if they disagree with his stance on current issues such as abortion or affirmative action?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

Which do you think is more likely to occur during the Senate confirmation hearings for Roberts -- [ROTATED: a relatively easy process in which Republicans and Democrats come to an agreement, (or) a major fight between Republicans and Democrats that would drag on for a long time]?

When the U.S. Senate holds hearings on the John Roberts nomination, do you think Senators should insist that he explain his views on abortion before confirming him, or should he be allowed to refuse to answer questions about abortion?

If a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court favors keeping the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion, in your view, should that alone disqualify that person from serving on the Supreme Court, or not?

ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE

If a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court favors overturning the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion, in your view, should that alone disqualify that person from serving on the Supreme Court, or not?

ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE

As you may know, conservative and liberal groups have begun campaigns to influence the choice of who is picked to serve on the Supreme Court. These campaigns include advertisements and lobbying of Senators. Do you feel these campaigns will be helpful or harmful to getting the best person on the court?

As you may know, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case regarding whether a monument to the Ten Commandments can be displayed on the grounds of state government buildings in Texas and Kentucky. Do you think the U.S. Supreme Court should -- or should not -- allow the state governments to display that monument?

Suppose President Bush decides to nominate the person who he thinks is the best choice for the U.S. Supreme Court, but almost all the Democrats in the Senate oppose the nominee because they disagree with that person on important issues. Should President Bush -- [ROTATED: still nominate the person he thinks is best for the job, (or should he) nominate another well qualified person whom the Democrats find acceptable]?

Suppose almost all the Democrats in the Senate oppose President Bush's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court because they disagree with that person on important issues. Should the Democrats in the Senate -- [ROTATED: still vote to confirm the president's nominee unless they believe that the person is not qualified legally or ethically, (or should they) work to defeat the nomination to try to get the president to pick someone that is more acceptable to them]?