Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind was conducted by telephone from Feb. 18 through Feb. 24 using a randomly selected sample of 795 registered voters statewide.

The sampling error for 795 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 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…?

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 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: 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 do you lean?”] [Pairs of:]

• Hillary Clinton
• John McCain
• Barack Obama

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results