Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from October 4 through October 9 using a randomly selected sample of 602 likely voters statewide aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 602 adults is +/- 4 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: How would you rate the job George W. Bush is doing as President—excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Question: As you may know, the President recently nominated a new member of the US Supreme Court. How important to you is it that he nominate a women for this position, rather than a man…?

Question: How important is it to you that the President nominate a minority for a position on the court, such as a black or Hispanic,..?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Democratic Analysis
Republican Analysis
Tabular Results