FDU PublicMind - September 29, 2005 Release

Background Memo

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from September 21 through September 26 using a randomly selected sample of 635 registered, likely voters statewide aged 18 and over. The sampling error for 635 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: Now turning to recent events, how closely have you followed news about hurricane Katrina and its aftermath…?

Note: Sequence of the following two questions was varied randomly.

Question: How confident are you that the federal government could respond quickly and effectively to a large scale disaster here in New Jersey...?

Question: How confident are you that New Jersey's state government could respond quickly and effectively to a large scale disaster here in this state…?

Question: Have you or members of your family made any emergency plans, such as stocking up on food and water or mapping an escape route, in case a terrorist attack were to take place in your area?

Question: Do you expect that in the coming year the effects of Hurricane Katrina will hurt your household financially or not?

Question:. How worried are you that the price of gasoline and heating fuel will continue to be high?

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?