FDU PublicMind - January 12, 2005 Release

Background Memo

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from Jan. 2 to Jan. 9 using a randomly selected sample of 800 registered voters statewide aged 18 and over. The sampling error for 800 adults is +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence Survey results are also subject to non-sampling error. This kind of error, which cannot be measured, arises from a number of factors including, but not limited to, non-response (eligible individuals refusing to be interviewed), question wording, the order in which questions are asked, and variations among interviewers. All PublicMind interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Cedar Knolls, NJ. Professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection >is achieved through computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected.

The wording and order of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: In your opinion, do you believe that the country is moving in the right direction or do you believe it has gotten off on the wrong track?

Question: In your opinion, do you believe that … is moving in the right direction or do you believe it has gotten off on the wrong track?

the country
New Jersey

Question: How would you rate the job George W. Bush is doing as President—excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Question: How would you rate the job… is doing as…—excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Bush / the president
Codey / governor

Question: How well is the U.S. military effort in Iraq going…?

Question: Considering everything, do you think the United States did the right thing in going to war with Iraq, or do you think it was a mistake?