Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind was conducted by telephone from September 17 through September 21 using a randomly selected sample of 601 likely voters statewide in Delaware and another 601 likely voters statewide in Alaska.  The sampling error for each population of 601 randomly selected respondents is +/- 4 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 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 land-line (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected.  The sample may be mathematically weighted to match known demographics of age, ethnicity and gender.

The questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: And in the upcoming elections for President of the United States, which candidate are you most likely to vote for…or….?

Question: Do you  have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of …?

Question: Do you think [NAME]  is a good choice for Vice President or not a good choice?

Question: Do you think [NAME] would make a good President or not?

Question: Which candidate for Vice President… or … is best described by…?

Question: Which candidate for Vice President… or …

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 Delaware… In your opinion, do you think things in Delaware are moving in the right direction or have they gotten off on the wrong track?

Question: Now, turning to Alaska… In your opinion, do you think things in Alaska are moving in the right direction or have they gotten off on the wrong track?

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the job Ruth Ann Minner is doing as governor? Would that be somewhat or strongly?

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the job Sarah Palin is doing as governor? Would that be somewhat or strongly?

On the issue of abortion, would you say you are…or …?

On the issue of guns, would you describe yourself as… or …?

Have you or anyone in your family ever met Sarah Palin/Joe Biden?

Does your household own an SUV or a truck?

Does your household have a gun?

Questions referred to in this release previously asked in Delaware

Question: How do you rate his chances of becoming the Democratic Party's Presidential candidate?

Question: How would you rate his chances of being picked to run for Vice-President?

Question:  You may know that Senator Joe Biden is running for President. Do you think he would make a good president or not?

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?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results

Copyright © 2008, Fairleigh Dickinson University. All rights reserved. FDU PublicMind Poll [Latest update 080924]