FDU PublicMind - October 27, 2006 Release

Background Memo

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from October 18 through October 24 using a randomly selected sample of 502 likely voters statewide. The sampling error for 502 respondents is +/-4.4 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 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 general, do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?

Question: Now, turning to Iraq… 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?

Question: Have you heard of [rotate list]? If you haven't just tell me. [If yes, ask:] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of …? Would that be very or somewhat?

Mike Castle
Dennis Spivak
Karen Hartley Nagle
Michael Berg

Question: Now, turning to a different election, this November there will also be an election for the House of Representatives in Washington. Do you plan to vote for… or… ? [If “don't know,” ask “which way do you lean?”]

Question Ordering: Questions about President Bush and the military action in Iraq were placed either before questions about the Senate race or after the questions about the Senate race.

Stem Cell Research: In general, would you say you support federal funding of stem cell research or do you oppose it?