Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind was conducted by telephone from March 24 through March 30, 2008 using a randomly selected sample of 800 registered voters statewide.

The sampling error for 800 is +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence.  Sample error for subgroups varies with the size of the subgroup. 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 professionally trained interviewers using a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection >is achieved through computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a land-line phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected. Results are mathematically weighted to match known demographics.

Question US1: 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 US2: In general, do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?

Question US3: Now, turning to Iraq… How well is the U.S. military effort in Iraq going…?

• Very well
• Fairly well
• Not too well
• Not at all well

Question US4:  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: And in the November election for President of the United States, which candidate are you most likely to support if the candidates are…and… ?  [If “don’t know,” (VOL) ASK: “which way to you lean?”]

• Hillary Clinton
• John McCain
• Barack Obama

Question: Thinking about all three candidates for president--[ROTATE] McCain, Clinton, and Obama--Who is your 1st choice, your second choice and your last choice?

Question: As you know, the Democratic nomination for President has not been settled yet. How worried are you that the on-going contest will hurt the Democrats’ chances in November…READ? [Democrats Only]

• Very worried
• Somewhat worried
• Just a little
• Not at all

[Democrats Only] Question: Some people have suggested that either Clinton or Obama should withdraw and let the other have the nomination?  Do you think one of the candidates should withdraw? [If “yes” ASK: “which one?”]

Question: Some people have suggested that Clinton and Obama should run together on the same ticket for President and Vice-President. Do you think this is a good idea or bad idea?

Question: If they run together, who should be the candidate for President…or…?

Question: It may be in the end that the Democratic Party’s super-delegates will decide who wins the party’s nomination.   How confident are you that the party’s super -delegates will do what’s best for the Party…?

Question: By the way… do you know which candidate, Clinton or Obama, Governor Corzine is supporting for President?

Question: Governor Corzine will be a delegate to the national convention and has supported Hillary Clinton.  Should he continue to support Clinton at the national convention even if Obama has more delegates or should he switch?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results