FDU PublicMind - March 6, 2009 Release

Background Memo

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind was conducted by telephone from Feb. 25, 2009 through March 2, 2009 using a randomly selected sample of 751 registered voters statewide. The margin of error for 751 randomly selected respondents is +/- 4 percentage points. 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. PublicMind interviews are conducted by professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection is achieved by 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?

QuestionUS2: In general, do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?

Question: Given what you have heard or read at this point, do you approve or disapprove of the government’s efforts to support banks, investment firms, and insurance companies by loaning money to them?

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the government’s “stimulus bill” to put money into the economy by spending on roads, bridges, health care, education, and many other projects?

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the government’s loans to American car makers like General Motors and Chrysler?

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the government bill to help homeowners facing foreclosure on home mortgages they cannot afford?

By the way, have you heard of Rush Limbaugh? [If “yes,” ASK: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Rush Limbaugh? Would that be very… or somewhat…?]'

Question: When it comes to the role of Republicans in Congress, which comes closer to your view, Republicans in Congress should …or…?

Provide useful and vigorous criticism of the President’s proposals

Cooperate as much as possible with the President during this time of economic crisis.

Question: By the way, as far as your vote goes, if President Obama campaigns in New Jersey for Jon Corzine for governor, will it make you more or less likely to vote for Jon Corzine?

Question: When it comes to federal government help for New Jersey, how confident are you that New Jersey lawmakers will fairly allocate and wisely spend New Jersey’s portion of the national stimulus money….READ?

Very confident
Somewhat confident
Not very confident
Not at all confident