Terrorism in the United States

How worried are you that you or someone in your family will become a victim of terrorism -- very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all?

As a result of the September 11^th terrorist attacks, do you think Americans have permanently changed the way they live, or not?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

As a result of the September 11^th terrorist attacks, have you permanently changed the way you live, or not?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

Do you consider the September 11th terrorist attacks to be the most memorable news event of your lifetime, or not?

Which of the following comes closest to what you are most likely to do on the anniversary of the September 11^th terrorist attacks next week? Will you -- recognize it in a formal way, such as by attending an organized memorial service or taking the day off from work, recognize it in an informal way, such as by saying a prayer, observing a moment of silence, or watching news coverage of the events, or not do anything different from what you do most days?

Generally speaking, do you think Americans do -- [ROTATED: too much, the right amount, or too little] -- to recognize the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks?

Do you think it is appropriate or inappropriate for -- [ITEMS ROTATED] -- the memorial services that will be held at ground zero in New York City on September 11th?

A. Former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, to participate in

B. New York Senator, Hillary Clinton, to attend

(Asked of a half sample) As you may know, in his presidential campaign, Rudy Giuliani often refers to his experience as mayor of New York City during the September 11th terrorist attacks. Which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: he should refer to his role in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks because it is a legitimate way for him to demonstrate his qualifications to be president, (or) he should not refer to his role in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks in order to avoid gaining politically from a tragedy]?

(Asked of a half sample) Do you think Rudy Giuliani's experiences as mayor during the September 11th terrorist attacks makes him much better qualified to handle the terrorism issue as president than if he had not had this experience, does it make him somewhat better qualified, or does it not make him any better qualified to handle the terrorism issue?

How likely is it that there will be further acts of terrorism in the United States over the next several weeks -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

How much confidence do you have in the Bush administration to protect its citizens from future acts of terrorism -- a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or none at all?

How much confidence do you have in the U.S. government to protect its citizens from future terrorist attacks -- a great deal, a fair amount, not very much, or none at all?

As a result of the events that occurred on September 11^th, would you say that now you are less willing to -- [RANDOM ORDER], or not?

A. Fly on airplanes

B. Go into skyscrapers

C. Attend events where there are thousands of people

D. Travel overseas

Do you think it is likely -- or not likely -- that terrorists will -- [RANDOM ORDER] -- in the U.S. within the next five years?

A. Shoot down an airplane with a shoulder-fired missile

B. Smuggle explosives onto an airplane

C. Set off a suicide bomb in a crowded location

D. Crash a hijacked airplane into a building

E. Set off a bomb that contains nuclear or biological material

In the past year, have you and your family discussed plans for how you would respond to a terrorist attack in your local community, or have you not talked about this?

Would you say the new security measures at airports around the country since the September 11^th, 2001 terrorist attacks have been an effective part of the government's overall strategy to prevent terrorism, or not?

Are there any security measures currently used in airports that you think should be stopped because they are not effective in preventing terrorist attacks? [Which measures do you think should be stopped?] [OPEN-ENDED]

Do you think the September 11^th, 2001 terrorist attacks and reports of other planned attacks have permanently changed the rules for how Americans fly, or do you think at some point in the future the current rules could be relaxed or eliminated?

Next, please tell me if you would favor or oppose each of the following as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States. How about -- [random order]?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

A. Requiring Arabs, including those who are U.S. citizens, to undergo special, more intensive security checks before boarding airplanes in the U.S.

B. Banning airline passengers from carrying on board any luggage including purses, computers, and briefcases

Next, please tell me how effective each of the following security procedures would be as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States -- very effective, somewhat effective, not too effective, or not effective at all? [RANDOM ORDER]

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

A. Requiring Arabs, including those who are U.S. citizens, to undergo special, more intensive security checks before boarding airplanes in the U.S.

B. Banning airline passengers from carrying on board any luggage including purses, computers, and briefcases

C. Running all checked luggage through metal detectors and other screening devices

D. Conducting much stricter background checks for airport workers

As you may know, new security requirements were put in place at U.S. airports after a terrorist plot was recently uncovered in London. Airline passengers are now prohibited from carrying most liquids or gels onto airplanes. Do you think this new requirement is an appropriate response, or does it go too far?

Suppose you were taking a flight and had to submit to various security checks before boarding the airplane. Regardless of whether you think it is necessary, would you, personally, find each of the following to be annoying, or not? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. Disposing of any liquids or gels or putting them into checked baggage

B. Removing your shoes and belt

C. Having an airport security agent touch you or your clothing as part of a search for prohibited items

Suppose you had to take a trip that people usually take by plane. In order to avoid the hassles associated with air travel these days, would you seriously consider using an alternative means of transportation, such as car, bus, or train, or would you probably fly?

Do you think it is a good or bad thing for Hollywood to be making movies about the September 11^th terrorist attacks?

Just your best guess, do you think it is likely -- or unlikely -- that there will be a major terrorist attack in the United States in 2006?

Just your best guess, do you think it is likely -- or unlikely -- that Osama bin Laden will be captured or killed in 2006?

Thinking back to the September 11^th, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, did you feel at the time that your life had changed in any way or didn't you feel that way?

In general, do you feel your life is completely back to normal, somewhat back to normal but not completely, or not yet back to normal?

[COMBINED RESPONSES]

Do you think your life will ever completely return to normal at some point in the future, or don't you feel that way?

[COMBINED RESPONSES]

Generally speaking, do you think things in the country are completely back to normal, somewhat back to normal but not completely, or not yet back to normal?

Do you think the country will ever completely return to normal at some point in the future, or don't you think so?

[COMBINED RESPONSES]

Thinking now about the government agencies responsible for preventing terrorist attacks in the United States, do you think the actions of these agencies since September 11, 2001 have made the country -- [ROTATED: a lot safer, a little safer, have they made no difference, have they made it a little less safe, (or) a lot less safe]?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

Thinking now about Congress and the role it has played in preventing terrorist attacks in the United States, do you think the actions of Congress since September 11, 2001 have made the country -- [ROTATED: a lot safer, a little safer, have they made no difference, have they made it a little less safe, (or) a lot less safe]?

[ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE]

How would you rate the way things are going for the United States in the war on terrorism? Would you say they are going -- very well, somewhat well, somewhat poorly, or very poorly?

Suppose there was a terrorist attack in your community. Do you think your local police, fire, and emergency services are -- very prepared, somewhat prepared, not too prepared, or not at all prepared -- to respond to such an attack?

Next, please tell me if you would favor or oppose each of the following as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States. How about -- [random order]?

ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE

A. Requiring Arabs, including those who are U.S. citizens, to carry a special ID

B. Requiring Arabs, including those who are U.S. citizens, to undergo special, more intensive security checks before boarding airplanes in the U.S.

C. Requiring every person going into an office building or public place to show ID

D. Requiring every person going into an office building or public place to go through a metal detector

E. Allowing police to stop people on the street at random to search their possessions

F. Making it easier for legal authorities to read mail, e-mail, or tap phones without the person's knowledge

Next, please tell me if you would favor or oppose each of the following as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States. How about -- [random order]?

ASKED OF A HALF SAMPLE

Do you think the federal government is -- [ROTATED: doing too much, doing the right amount, or not doing enough] -- to prevent acts of terrorism on mass transit systems, such as subways, buses, and trains?

Do you think the federal government is -- [ROTATED: doing too much, doing the right amount, or not doing enough] -- to prevent acts of terrorism on airplanes?

How likely is it that there will be further acts of terrorism in YOUR COMMUNITY over the next several weeks -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

Do you think there will -- or will not -- be a major terrorist attack in the United States over the next twelve months?

Generally speaking, do you think that things in the country are -- [ROTATED: completely back to normal, somewhat back to normal, but not completely, or not yet back to normal]?

Do you think the country will ever completely return to normal at some point in the future, or don't you think so?

[COMBINED RESPONSES]

Which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: there have been no additional terrorist attacks since September 11^th, 2001 because George W. Bush has been president, (or) there would have been no additional terrorist attacks since September 11^th, 2001 regardless of who had been president]?

[BASED ON 524 NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM A]

Which comes closer to your view about where terrorists would be likely to target an attack against the United States -- [ROTATED: only in New York City and other big U.S. cities, (or) any place in the U.S.]?

As you may know, an independent commission charged with investigating the September 11^th terrorist attacks released its findings in a report last week. Would you say you approve or disapprove of the 9/11 Commission's report about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, or haven't you heard enough about it to say?

As you may know, a proposal has been made to extend the 9/11 Commission's work for another 18 months while Congress and the president consider the commission's recommendations. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

Which comes closer to your point of view about the 9/11 Commission's recommendations -- [ROTATED: they require urgent action and Congress and the president should enact them immediately, (or) they are important, but Congress and the president should take the time they feel they need to adequately review and enact them]?

How likely is it that there will be a major act of terrorism in the United States before the presidential election or on Election Day itself -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

Do you think there was enough information available so that the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 could have been prevented, or not?

Overall, how much do you blame each of the following for the September 11^th terrorist attacks -- a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or not at all? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. The Bush administration

B. The Clinton Administration

Overall, how much do you blame the Bush administration for not taking the warnings about the al-Qaeda terrorist network seriously enough before the September 11^th terrorist attacks -- a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or not at all?

Overall, how much do you blame the Clinton administration for not taking the warnings about the al-Qaeda terrorist network seriously enough while in office -- a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or not at all?

Based on what you have heard or read, do you think the government agencies responsible for preventing terrorist attacks in the United States are in need of -- a complete overhaul, major reforms, minor reforms, or no reforms at all?

How closely have you been following the news about the federal commission investigating the September 11^th terrorist attacks -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

How closely have you been following the news about the charges made by former counter-terrorism official Richard Clarke that the U.S. government did not pay enough attention to the threat of terrorism before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

Who are you more likely to believe in this matter -- [ROTATED: Richard Clarke (or) current members of the Bush administration]?

Based on the information available to the Bush administration before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, do you think the Bush administration did -- or did not -- do all that could be expected to prevent the terrorist attacks?

Based on the information available to the Clinton administration in the 1990s, do you think the Clinton administration did -- or did not -- do all that could be expected to prevent terrorist attacks?

Do you think the Bush administration should have been able to prevent the terrorist attacks on September 11^th, or not?

Do you think the Bush administration is -- or is not -- covering up something about its handling of intelligence information concerning possible terrorist attacks before September 11, 2001?

Which comes closer to your view of George W. Bush's actions concerning terrorism after the terrorist attacks on September 11^th -- [ROTATED: Bush did not pay enough attention to the threat against the United States from al Qaeda because he was too concerned about Saddam Hussein, (or) Bush paid the right amount of attention to the threat against the United States from al Qaeda]?

Next I am going to read a list of things some people have done in order to prepare for a terrorist attack. For each one, please say if this is something you currently have or do not have. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. A stockpile of food and water in your home

B. A designated person outside your area whom your family members would contact in the event of a terrorist attack

C. An interior room in your house designated as a "safe room" in the event of an attack

Do you think George W. Bush's policies since September 11, 2001 have -- or have not -- addressed the fundamental security risks that existed before September 11^th?

In general, do you feel very optimistic, somewhat optimistic, somewhat pessimistic, or very pessimistic about the war on terrorism?