CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

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CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL For release: Sunday, August 24, 2008 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES: BARACK OBAMA, THE PARTY’S LEADERS, AND THE ISSUES July 16 - August 17, 2008 Delegates to the Democratic convention see Senator Barack Obama’s inspirational qualities as his greatest strength, and express enthusiasm for him as the Democratic nominee. They recognize his lack of experience as his greatest weakness, but four in 5 are confident he will win in November. Delegates hold highly sympathetic views of Senator Hillary Clinton. 85% have a favorable impression of her, higher than the seven in 10 Democratic voters who feel that way. On many policy matters, there is widespread agreement between Democratic delegates and the partisans they represent – they are in lockstep when it comes to economic concerns, the desire to extend health care coverage, and opposition to the war in Iraq. LOOKING AHEAD TO THE GENERAL ELECTION His ability to inspire is Barack Obama’s greatest strength as a presidential candidate, at least according to delegates to the Democratic national convention. 23% say so, ahead of bringing change to the country, volunteered by 13%. Being a good communicator, leadership skills, the ability to unite the country, and being a fresh face all tie for third place at 10% each. OBAMA’S MAIN STRENGTH AS A CANDIDATE Total Pledged to: Super- Delegates BO HRC delegates Inspirational/gives hope 23% 20% 26% 23% Would bring change 13 14 12 11 Good communicator 10 6 13 10 Leadership 10 12 7 11 Can unite Americans 10 11 9 10 New/fresh face 10 8 10 14 Intelligent 8 10 6 7 Clinton delegates are more likely than Obama delegates to cite Obama being a fresh face and a good communicator, while Obama delegates are more likely to cite leadership and his ability to unite Americans. Delegates agree on Obama’s greatest weakness as a candidate – inexperience – though Clinton delegates are much more likely to

Transcript of CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

Page 1: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL

For release: Sunday, August 24, 2008

6:00 P.M. EDT

DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES: BARACK OBAMA, THE PARTY’S LEADERS, AND THE ISSUES

July 16 - August 17, 2008

Delegates to the Democratic convention see Senator Barack Obama’s

inspirational qualities as his greatest strength, and express

enthusiasm for him as the Democratic nominee. They recognize his lack

of experience as his greatest weakness, but four in 5 are confident he

will win in November.

Delegates hold highly sympathetic views of Senator Hillary Clinton.

85% have a favorable impression of her, higher than the seven in 10

Democratic voters who feel that way.

On many policy matters, there is widespread agreement between

Democratic delegates and the partisans they represent – they are in

lockstep when it comes to economic concerns, the desire to extend

health care coverage, and opposition to the war in Iraq.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE GENERAL ELECTION

His ability to inspire is Barack Obama’s greatest strength as a

presidential candidate, at least according to delegates to the

Democratic national convention. 23% say so, ahead of bringing change

to the country, volunteered by 13%. Being a good communicator,

leadership skills, the ability to unite the country, and being a fresh

face all tie for third place at 10% each.

OBAMA’S MAIN STRENGTH AS A CANDIDATE

Total Pledged to: Super-

Delegates BO HRC delegates

Inspirational/gives hope 23% 20% 26% 23%

Would bring change 13 14 12 11

Good communicator 10 6 13 10

Leadership 10 12 7 11

Can unite Americans 10 11 9 10

New/fresh face 10 8 10 14

Intelligent 8 10 6 7

Clinton delegates are more likely than Obama delegates to cite Obama

being a fresh face and a good communicator, while Obama delegates are

more likely to cite leadership and his ability to unite Americans.

Delegates agree on Obama’s greatest weakness as a candidate –

inexperience – though Clinton delegates are much more likely to

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volunteer it than Obama delegates. Nearly six in 10 Clinton delegates

volunteer Obama’s lack of experience, compared with only 29% of

delegates pledged to Obama. Nearly as many Obama delegates – 24% -

say he doesn’t have any weaknesses as a candidate.

OBAMA’S MAIN WEAKNESS AS A CANDIDATE

Total Pledged to: Super-

Delegates BO HRC delegates

Inexperienced 42% 29% 58% 40%

His race 8 9 6 9

Foreign policy 6 6 7 2

Nothing 17 24 9 17

Most delegates originally elected as pledged to Hillary Clinton – 60%

-- say they support Obama’s nomination enthusiastically. That’s

fewer, however, than other delegates. Clinton delegates are more

likely than delegates overall to support Obama with reservations or

simply because he is the de facto nominee, and 5% say they don’t

support him.

SUPPORT FOR BARACK OBAMA AS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE

Total Pledged

Delegates to Clinton

Enthusiastic 82% 60%

With reservations 6 14

Because he’s the nominee 8 17

Don’t support him 2 5

Enthusiastic support may not be much of a measure of success in

November, however. 88% of delegates were enthusiastic about John

Kerry in 2004, and 92% were enthusiastic about Al Gore in 2000.

Democratic delegates are hopeful about the fall: 79% overall -

including 68% of pledged Clinton delegates – are confident that Obama

will win the election in November.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT OBAMA WILL WIN?

Total Pledged to: Super-

Delegates BO HRC delegates

Confident he will win 79% 89% 68% 81%

Real chance he could lose 15 7 24 10

60% of delegates think Obama will win in their states, with delegates

from the Northeast particularly optimistic.

WHO WILL WIN IN YOUR STATE?

Obama 60%

McCain 14

Toss up 24

Nine in 10 delegates representing states from the Northeast say that

Obama will take their state in November; including three in four who

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say Obama will have a big edge. Delegates from the West Coast also

think Obama will win big in their states, while many delegates from

Midwestern states think he will win, but it will be a closer race.

Democratic delegates from the South give the edge to McCain.

WHO WILL WIN IN YOUR STATE?

Northeast West Midwest South

Obama , big edge 74% 61% 34% 11%

Obama, narrow edge 15 16 28 13

McCain 1 6 9 33

Toss up 9 15 26 40

Few delegates are bothered by Obama’s decision not to participate in

public financing during the general election. Over three in four

delegates say it was the right thing to do.

SHOULD OBAMA HAVE REFUSED

PUBLIC FINANCING OF HIS CAMPAIGN?

Total Pledged to: Super-

Delegates BO HRC delegates

Yes 78% 88% 67% 77%

No 10 4 18 6

VIEWS OF THE CLINTONS

Hillary Clinton may not have won the nomination, but she is popular

with the delegates – and with Democrats overall. 85% of Democratic

delegates to the 2008 Convention have a favorable opinion of her –

including seven in ten of the delegates pledged to her victorious

rival and nine in 10 unpledged super-delegates. Fewer than one in

five Obama delegates view Senator Clinton unfavorably.

OPINION OF HILLARY CLINTON

Total Pledged to: Super-

Delegates BO HRC delegates

Favorable 85% 68% 99% 90%

Not favorable 8 18 1 4

Undecided/Don’t know 5 12 0 1

Opinion of Hillary Clinton is somewhat lower among Democratic voters

nationwide, though a clear majority (72%) still has a favorable

opinion of her. All registered voters nationwide, however, divide

almost evenly.

OPINION OF HILLARY CLINTON Democratic Democratic Total

Delegates Voters Voters

Favorable 85% 72% 45%

Not favorable 8 14 43

Undecided/Don’t know 5 14 12

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As for her husband, 79% of Democratic delegates have a favorable

opinion of former president Bill Clinton. His popularity is down

dramatically from four years ago, when 96% had a favorable opinion of

him. In fact, opinions of both Clintons are now less favorable than

they were among Democratic delegates at the 2004 Democratic

Convention.

OPINION OF THE CLINTONS

Hillary Clinton Now 2004

Favorable 85% 91%

Not favorable 8 2

Undecided/Don’t know 5 6

Bill Clinton Now 2004

Favorable 79% 96%

Not favorable 11 1

Undecided/Don’t know 9 3

OTHER DEMOCRATS AND ONE FORMER DEMOCRAT

81% of Democratic delegates also have a favorable of Michelle Obama.

But while she has a net favorable opinion among Democratic voters and

all voters nationwide, half of voters still have not formed an opinion

about her.

OPINION OF MICHELLE OBAMA

Democratic Democratic Total

Delegates Voters Voters

Favorable 81% 45% 28%

Not favorable 3 6 18

Undecided/Don’t know 15 49 53

Opinion of former Vice President and former Presidential candidate Al

Gore has risen since 2004 among Democratic delegates. 93% of

Democratic delegates now view him favorably, up 10 points since 2004.

OPINION OF AL GORE

Now 2004

Favorable 93% 83%

Not favorable 2 7

Undecided/Don’t know 4 9

The chair of the Democratic Party, Howard Dean, is viewed favorably by

65% of the delegates attending the 2008 Democratic convention, higher

than the 51% favorable rating that delegates gave to his predecessor,

Terry McAuliffe, in 2004. Obama delegates are much more favorably

inclined towards him than are delegates pledged to his losing rival,

Hillary Clinton. Only about half of pledged Clinton delegates have a

favorable opinion of Dean.

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OPINION OF HOWARD DEAN

Total Pledged to: Super-

Delegates BO HRC delegates

Favorable 65% 73% 52% 76%

Not favorable 13 6 25 6

Undecided/Don’t know 19 20 23 15

One person who would be persona non grata at this year’s convention is

former vice presidential nominee and 2004 presidential hopeful Joe

Lieberman, the former Democrat-turned-independent who caucuses with

the Democrats but has been campaigning for John McCain. Only 12% of

Democratic delegates have a favorable opinion of Senator Lieberman.

He is also unpopular with Democratic voters and voters overall.

OPINION OF JOE LIEBERMAN

Democratic Democratic Total

Delegates Voters Voters

Favorable 12% 12% 20%

Not favorable 69 36 27

Undecided/Don’t know 18 51 52

Back in August 2000, Senator Joe Lieberman was named the Democratic

nominee for Vice President. More than five times as many voters had a

favorable view of him as had an unfavorable one, and he was viewed

positively by both Republicans and Democrats.

That’s not true today. There is a party divide, and the Democrat-

turned-Independent is now much better liked by Republican voters than

he is by Democratic ones. Overall, more voters have a negative view

than a positive one.

OPINION OF LIEBERMAN

(Among Registered Voters)

Favorable Unfavorable Undecided Don’t Know Enough

TOTAL

Now 20% 27 23 29

8/2000 35% 6 15 42

DEMOCRATS

Now 12% 36 22 29

8/2000 47% 2 16 34

REPUBLICANS

Now 27% 18 30 23

8/2000 25% 11 16 46

INDEPENDENTS

Now 22% 26 16 35

8/2000 31% 5 14 48

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DELEGATES AND THE NATION’S DEMOCRATS: ON THE ISSUES

Ideologically, 2008’s delegates look quite like 2004’s – almost all

call themselves either moderates or liberals. While the nation’s

Democratic voters have some conservatives in their ranks (15%), there

will be few conservatives at the convention in Denver.

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Now 2004

Liberal 43% 41% 48% 26%

Moderate 50 52 34 36

Conservative 3 3 16 36

ISSUES

By a large margin, these delegates –like their voters – see the

economy and jobs as the most important campaign issue in their state.

70% mention it, up from 51% in 2004 and just 15% in 2000. Far fewer

delegates volunteer the war in Iraq this year than in 2004, while more

this year name the gas or oil crisis -- an issue not on delegates’

minds in 2004 or 2000.

MOST IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN ISSUE IN YOUR STATE

2008 2004 2000

Economy and jobs 70% 51% 15%

War in Iraq 6 14 --

Health care 6 8 19

Environment 4 1 3

Gas/oil crisis 3 -- --

Today’s Democratic voters are also especially focused on the economy.

It is their most-volunteered response (39%) on which issue will be

tops in their own state.

The Economy

Nearly all of the delegates to the Democratic convention think the

economy is in bad shape (including 63% who think it is very bad). 90%

think the United States is in a recession.

Voters nationwide also call the economy bad, though not quite at the

same rate as Democratic voters or delegates.

CONDITION OF THE ECONOMY

Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Good 2% 7% 20%

Bad 97 92 80

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Iraq

Like Democratic voters nationwide, Democratic convention delegates

overwhelmingly oppose the Iraq war, saying the U.S. should have stayed

out of it. Only 2% of them believe attacking Iraq was the right thing

to do.

MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ WAS…

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

Right thing 2% 14%

U.S. should have stayed out 95 84

This is much the same for delegates in 2008 as it was in 2004: then,

only 7% of delegates called the right thing.

Delegates also see the war going badly, as do Democratic voters.

IRAQ WAR IS GOING… Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

Very well 0% 2%

Somewhat well 22 26

Somewhat badly 44 38

Very badly 29 32

Delegates give a bit more credit to the troop surge for improving the

situation in Iraq than their voters do – one third say it has made

things better (even if it hasn’t made the overall war go well).

Still, like many Democratic voters, many delegates see no impact at

all.

TROOP SURGE IN IRAQ HAS MADE THINGS…

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

Better 36% 28%

Worse 8 18

No impact 45 43

Delegates are in line with their voters on the future of U.S. troop

levels: they overwhelmingly want them decreased or removed altogether.

U.S. TROOP LEVELS IN IRAQ SHOULD BE…

(Among Democratic Delegates)

Increased 1%

Kept same 3

Decreased 57

Remove all 34

In CBS News polling this summer, most Americans said they would only

be willing to have large numbers of troops remain in Iraq at most one

or two more years.

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Health Care

Democratic delegates view providing health care coverage to those

without it as a more serious problem than keeping the cost of health

care down for average Americans.

WHICH IS MORE SERIOUS HEALTH CARE PROBLEM?

(Among Democratic Delegates)

Coverage for uninsured 77%

Keep health care costs down 13

Nearly all also think that it is important to provide health care

coverage for all Americans even if it means raising taxes. Few would

keep taxes low and risk having some people uninsured. Voters

nationwide also look for coverage, though a quarter do not.

WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT?

Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Health care coverage for all/raise taxes 94% 90% 67%

Keep taxes low/some without health coverage 3 7 27

Environment vs. Energy

Given the high price of gas over the past few months, more than a

third of Democratic delegates recognize the need for the country to

explore new sources of energy -- 37% say that is a higher priority for

the government than protecting the environment. About the same

percentage volunteer they want the government to do both. Voters

nationwide are even more directly in favor of developing new sources

of energy.

HIGHER PRIORITY FOR GOVT:

Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Protecting environment 25% 30% 21%

Developing new sources of energy 37 53 63

Both (vol.) 36 14 14

Democratic voters nationwide are divided over the idea of offshore

drilling, but 63% of all voters favor it. In a CBS News/New York Times

Poll taken in July, six in ten Americans said that the rise in gas

prices was causing them financial hardship, and they expressed higher

support for building nuclear power plants than they had at any time

since the 1970’s.

Immigration

Delegates are much less likely than rank-and-file Democrats to call

illegal immigration a serious issue. Almost half of delegates think it

is not serious at all.

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Neither group, however, calls it as serious a problem as voters

nationwide do.

HOW SERIOUS IS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ISSUE?

Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Very serious 15% 36% 49%

Somewhat serious 39 32 29

Not too/not at all 44 29 21

Delegates overwhelmingly say illegal immigrants currently working in

the U.S. should have a path to citizenship. Few think those workers

should be forced to leave the U.S. or even have guest worker status.

On this, delegates are more favorable toward a path to citizenship

than rank-and-file Democrats, one-quarter of whom want those workers

to leave the U.S. altogether.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WORKING IN THE U.S. SHOULD… Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Stay, apply for citizenship 68% 50% 40%

Stay, keep jobs, but no citizenship 18 24 26

Leave jobs, leave U.S. 6 23 31

Gun Control

On the hot-button issue of gun control, most delegates – and

Democratic voters -- stand on the side of enacting stronger gun

control laws.

GUN CONTROL LAWS SHOULD BE MADE…

Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

More strict 62% 71% 52%

Less strict 4 3 11

Kept as they are 29 24 36

Same Sex Marriage

More than half of Democratic delegates favor allowing same sex

marriage, an increase of eleven points since 2004.

SAME SEX COUPLES SHOULD BE ALLOWED: Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Now 2004

To legally marry 55% 44% 49% 34%

To legally form civil unions 35 43 19 24

No legal recognition 5 5 29 39

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But three in ten Democratic voters want NO legal recognition of same-

sex partnerships.

Tax Cuts

80% would like the Bush tax cuts enacted in 2001 to be allowed to

expire. Just 7% want them made permanent. A similar question was

asked in 2004; then, most delegates also wanted to permit the tax cuts

to expire.

Religion

Democratic delegates split over whether religion ought to be part of a

campaign – half say candidates should discuss their own religious

views. This is more welcoming of the discussion than rank-and-file

Democrats, and even more so than all voters.

RELIGION SHOULD BE…

Democratic Democratic All

Delegates Voters Voters

Discussed by candidates 50% 36% 42%

Not part of a campaign 43 59 55

Terrorism

Concerning the broader fight against terrorism, delegates are very

concerned that the government is currently restricting too many civil

liberties as it tries to defend the nation against attack.

MORE CONCERNED THAT GOVERNMENT IS…

(Among Democratic Delegates)

Not enacting strong enough anti-terror laws 11%

Restricting civil liberties 79

Four years ago Democratic delegates felt much the same way.

__________________________________________________________________ The CBS News/New York Times Delegate Poll was conducted July 16-August 17,

2008 with a random sample of 970 Democratic delegates. The error due to

sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on

the entire sample. Interviews were conducted via phone; if a delegate

preferred, he or she could complete the survey online. Online interviewing

was conducted by CfMC, a San Francisco-based research software company.

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CBS NEWS/New York Times Poll

Democratic Delegate Survey

July 16-August 17, 2008

q1 FOR FUTURE RELEASE

q5 And who will you vote for on the floor of the convention?

2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

Clinton 18

Obama 75

Edwards 0

DK/NA 7

q6 Was there ever a time this year when you supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic

nomination, or not?

** AMONG SUPERDELEGATES **

%

Yes 43

No 52

DK/NA 5

q7 How would you describe your feelings about Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee --

would you say you enthusiastically support him; support him but have reservations about

him; support him only because he is the likely party nominee; or do you not support him

yet?

2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

%

Enthusiastic 82

With reservations 6

Party nominee 8

Don't support him 2

DK/NA 2

q8 How many years have you been active in Democratic party politics?

Average number of years 23

q9 Have you ever attended a national convention as a delegate or as an alternate before?

Yes 43

No 57

DK/NA 0

90 Which one(s) did you attend?

%

2004 29

2000 23

1996 18

1992 16

1988 11

1984 7

1980 5

1976 3

1972 2

Before 1972 2

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q11 Are you very confident that Barack Obama will win the presidential election in

November, or do you think there is a real chance he could lose?

2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

%

Confident he will win 79

Real chance he could lose 15

DK/NA 6

q12 How would you describe Barack Obama’s chances of carrying your state against John

McCain? Would you say Obama is the favorite, or McCain is the favorite, or would you call

it a toss-up?

IF OBAMA OR McCAIN: Would you say he has a big edge, or only a narrow one?

Obama favorite, big edge 42

Obama favorite, narrow edge 18

McCain favorite, big edge 5

McCain favorite, narrow edge 9

Toss-up 24

DK/NA 2

q13 What do you think will be the most important campaign issue in your state?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

Economy / jobs 70 39

Health Care 6 9

War in Iraq 6 7

Environment 4 5

Gas/Heating Oil Crisis 3 13

Other 9 10

DK/NA 2 17

q17 What would you say is Barack Obama’s main STRENGTH as a presidential candidate?

Inspirational/Gives hope 23

Would bring change 13

Good speaker/communicator 10

Leadership 10

Can unite Americans 10

New/fresh face 10

Intelligent 8

Young 4

Honesty/Integrity 4

Other 6

Everything 2

DK/NA 0

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q18 What would you say is Barack Obama’s main WEAKNESS as a presidential candidate?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

%

Inexperienced 42

Race 8

Foreign Policy 6

Everything 4

Too young 3

Policies too vague 3

Nothing 17

Other 8

DK/NA 9

q19 Do you think of Barack Obama as more of a liberal, a moderate or a conservative?

Liberal 33 50

Moderate 56 32

Conservative 1 10

DK/NA 10 8

q20 Do you agree with Barack Obama’s decision not to participate in public financing

during the general election, or do you think he should have accepted public funds?

Agree with decision 78

Should have accepted public 10

DK/NA 12

q21 Is your opinion of Hillary Clinton favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't

you heard enough about Hillary Clinton yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 85 72

Not favorable 8 14

Undecided 5 13

Haven't heard enough 0 1

Refused 2 1

q22 Is your opinion of Howard Dean favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you

heard enough about Howard Dean yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 65

Not favorable 13

Undecided 16

Haven't heard enough 3

Refused 3

q23 Is your opinion of Michelle Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you

heard enough about Michelle Obama yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 81 45

Not favorable 3 6

Undecided 8 16

Haven't heard enough 7 33

Refused 1 0

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q24 Is your opinion of Bill Clinton favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you

heard enough about Bill Clinton yet to have an opinion?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Favorable 79 71

Not favorable 11 16

Undecided 9 10

Haven't heard enough 0 3

Refused 1 0

q25 Is your opinion of Al Gore favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard

enough about Al Gore yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 93

Not favorable 2

Undecided 4

Haven't heard enough 1

Refused 0

q26 Is your opinion of Joe Lieberman favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you

heard enough about Joe Lieberman yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 12 12

Not favorable 69 36

Undecided 16 22

Haven't heard enough 2 29

Refused 1 1

q27 Thinking specifically about the current system that the Democratic Party uses to pick

its nominees, would you say you are very satisfied with it, somewhat satisfied, not too

satisfied, or not at all satisfied with it?

2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

%

Very satisfied 21

Somewhat satisfied 46

Not too satisfied 19

Not at all satisfied 12

DK/NA 2

q28 Do you think the current system the Democratic Party in your state uses to select

delegates needs to be changed, or do you think it works well the way it is?

IF CHANGE: Do you think it needs major changes or only minor changes?

Needs major changes 16

Needs minor changes 17

Works well as is 65

DK/NA 2

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q29 How do you think it should be changed?

** THOSE WHO SAID CHANGES IN Q29 **

%

Change caucus to primary 15

Select delegates more fair 14

Pledged delegates only 8

Same day National Primary 4

Same day Regional Primaries 3

Change primary to caucus 2

Nothing 1

All delegates bound/pledge 1

Not penalized for early pr 1

Rotate dates for states 1

Other 33

DK/NA 17

q30 Do you think the campaign for the Democratic nomination which ended in early June has

1) helped the party's chance of winning the presidential election in November, or 2) hurt

the party's chance of winning in November, or 3) not had any effect on the election in

November?

2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

%

Helped 57

Hurt 10

No effect 29

DK/NA 4

q31 Thinking about the way the Democratic Party has seated the delegates from Michigan

and Florida, do you think all of the delegates from Michigan and Florida should have been

seated with full votes, or none of the delegates from these states should have been

seated, or are you satisfied with the way Michigan and Florida delegates have been seated

at the convention?

Should have seated all 31

Seated none 8

Satisfied with outcome 54

DK/NA 7

q32 Thinking about the order in which states hold their presidential primaries and

caucuses, do you think Iowa and New Hampshire should continue to hold the first two

contests, or do you think other states should be allowed to go first?

IA and NH always first 29

Other states allowed first 57

DK/NA 14

q33 As you may know, the Democratic Party selects its nominee based on a mix of

superdelegates and the elected delegates won in the states. In 2012, do you think this

system should be changed, so the party uses only elected delegates to choose the nominee,

or not?

Changed, use only elected 34

Not 55

DK/NA 11

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q34 Which comes closer to your view: Government should do more to solve national

problems; or Government is doing too many things better left to businesses and

individuals?

2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

%

Government should do more 83

Government is doing too much 9

DK/NA 8

q35 Which comes closer to your view: Government should do more to promote traditional

values; or Government should not favor one set of values over another?

Do more 12

Should not favor 79

DK/NA 9

q36 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very

good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad?

2008 Aug08a1

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Very good 0 0

Fairly good 2 7

Fairly bad 34 41

Very bad 63 51

DK/NA 1 1

q37 Right now, do you think the United States is in an economic recession, or not?

Yes 90

No 8

DK/NA 2

q38 Looking back, do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military

action against Iraq, or should the U.S. have stayed out?

Did the right thing 2 14

Should have stayed out 95 84

DK/NA 3 2

q39 How would you say things are going for the U.S. in its efforts to bring stability

and order to Iraq? Would you say things are going very well, somewhat well, somewhat

badly, or very badly?

Very well 0 2

Somewhat well 22 26

Somewhat badly 44 38

Very badly 29 32

DK/NA 5 2

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q40 As you may know, the United States has sent a troop surge to Iraq. From what you have

heard or read, would you say the troop surge is making the situation in Iraq better,

making it worse, or is it having no impact on the situation in Iraq so far?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Making it better 36 28

Making worse 8 18

No impact 45 43

Don't know/No answer 11 11

q41 From what you have seen or heard about the situation in Iraq, what should the United

States do now - should the US increase the number of US troops in Iraq, keep the same

number of US troops in Iraq as there are now, decrease the number of troops in Iraq, or

remove all its troops from Iraq?

Increase 1

Keep the same 3

Decrease 57

Remove all troops 34

Don't know/No answer 5

q42 Which of these do you think is more important - providing health care coverage for

all Americans, even if it means raising taxes for some Americans, OR holding down taxes,

even if it means some Americans do not have health care coverage?

Providing healthcare for all 94 90

Holding down taxes 3 7

Don't know/No answer 3 3

q43 If you had to say, which do you think is a more serious problem right now - keeping

health care costs down for average Americans, OR providing health insurance for Americans

who do not have any insurance?

Keeping costs down 13

Providing for the uninsured 77

DK/NA 10

q44 How serious a problem do you think the issue of illegal immigration is for the

country right now--very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all

serious?

Very serious 15 36

Somewhat serious 39 32

Not too serious 34 21

Not at all serious 10 8

Don't know/No answer 2 3

Page 18: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

q45 Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently working

in the U.S.? 1. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs, and to eventually apply for

US citizenship. 2. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs only as temporary guest

workers, but not to apply for US citizenship. 3. They should be required to leave their

jobs and leave the US.

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Allowed to say and apply 68 50

Stay as guest worker 18 24

Required to leave jobs and 6 23

Don't know/No answer 8 3

q46 Right now, which do you think should be a higher priority for the government --

protecting the environment, or developing new sources of energy?

Protecting the environment 25 30

Developing new sources 37 53

Both (vol.) 36 14

DK/NA 2 3

q47 Many of the tax cuts passed in 2001 were temporary and are set to expire in a few

years. Should those tax cuts be made permanent or should they be allowed to expire?

Made permanent 7 34

Allowed to expire 80 47

Depends (Vol.) 8 3

Don't know/No answer 5 16

q48 What is your personal feeling about abortion: 1. It should be permitted in all cases;

2. It should be permitted, but subject to greater restrictions than it is now; 3. It

should be permitted only in cases such as rape, incest and to save the woman’s life;

OR 4. It should ONLY be permitted to save the woman’s life?

Permitted in all cases 58 33

Permitted with restriction 18 20

Only rape/incest/life of woman 10 32

Only to save life 2 11

Not permitted at all (vol. 0 2

DK/NA 12 2

q49 Which of these comes closest to your view?...1. Abortion should be generally

available to those who want it. 2. Abortion should be available but under stricter limits

than it is now. 3. Abortion should not be permitted?

Generally available 70 43

Available but under strict 20 40

Not permitted 3 16

DK/NA 7 1

Page 19: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

q50 Which comes closest to your view? 1. Gay couples should be allowed to legally

marry OR 2. Gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not legally marry OR

3. There should be no legal recognition of a gay couple's relationship?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Should be allowed to marry 55 49

Allow civil unions 35 19

No legal recognition 5 29

DK/NA 5 3

q51 Which concerns you more right now — that the government is failing to enact strong

anti-terrorism laws, or that the government is enacting new anti-terrorism laws which

excessively restrict the average person’s civil liberties?

Fail to enact 11

Enact laws that are excess 79

Neither 3

DK/NA 7

q52 Should presidential candidates discuss the role of religion in their lives or is this

something that should not be part of a presidential campaign?

Should discuss 50 36

Not part of campaign 43 59

DK/NA 7 5

q53 In general, do you think gun control laws should be made more strict, less strict, or

kept as they are now?

More strict 62 71

Less strict 4 3

Kept as they are now 29 24

Don't know/No answer 5 2

q55 Some people say that political conventions are outdated and no longer needed since

the presidential nominees are now selected before the conventions. Other people say

political conventions are needed to show the public who members of the parties are and

what they stand for. Which do you think? Are political conventions still needed or not?

Still needed 88 66

Not needed 9 30

DK/NA 3 4

q56 What do you think the chances are that the Democrats will have at least 60 seats in

the Senate after the elections in November -- excellent, pretty good, fair, or poor?

Excellent 31

Pretty good 47

Fair 18

Poor 2

DK/NA 2

Page 20: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

q57 How much do you think it would help Barack Obama in your state if Bill Clinton

actively campaigns for him -- would it help him a lot, some, not much, or not at all?

** 2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES **

%

A lot 44

Some 33

Not much 13

Not at all 6

DK/NA 4

q59 How much do you think it would help Democratic candidates in your state if Barack

Obama actively campaigns for them -- would it help them a lot, some, not much, or not at

all?

A lot 66

Some 24

Not much 5

Not at all 2

DK/NA 3

q61 Have you personally made a donation to Barack Obama’s campaign, or not?

Yes 58

No 39

DK/NA 3

q62 Besides being a delegate to the 2008 Democratic convention, do you now hold a party

position?

Yes 51

No 48

DK/NA 1

q63 What position is that?

** THOSE WITH DEM PARTY POSITION **

%

Local 43

State/Regional 23

Nat'l Party position/Commi 14

State Legislature/Senate/A 6

Nat'l Committeeman/woman 4

U.S. Congress/House of Rep 1

State Party Chair 1

Everything 3

Nothing 1

DK/NA 4

q65 Do you now hold a publicly elected office?

Yes 30

No 70

DK/NA 0

Page 21: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

q66 What office is that?

** THOSE WHO HOLD ELECTED OFFICE **

%

Local 32

State Legislature/Senate/A 29

State/Regional 15

U.S. Congress/House of Rep 5

Mayor 4

Nat'l Party position/Commi 3

Governor 2

U.S. Senator (nat'l) 1

Lt Governor 1

State Sec'y of State 1

Everything 1

Other 4

DK/NA 2

q67 Have you ever held an elected office?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Yes 20

No 80

DK/NA 0

q68 Are you a member of a labor union?

Yes 24 10

No 76 89

DK/NA 0 1

q69 Have you yourself ever served in the U.S. armed forces or in the U.S. reserves?

Yes 14 7

No 86 93

DK/NA 0 0

q70 Are you a member of the National Rifle Association, or not?

Yes 3

No 97

DK/NA 0

q71 Was there any time when you thought of yourself as a Republican?

Yes 12 18

No 88 82

DK/NA 0 0

Q72 –q73 HELD FOR FUTURE RELEASE

Page 22: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

pphl How would you describe your views on most political matter?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Liberal 43 48

Moderate 50 34

Conservative 3 16

DK/NA 4 2

q74 Would you say you attend religious services every week, almost every week, once or

twice a month, a few times a year, or never?

Every week 23 24

Almost every week 13 10

Once or twice a month 19 13

A few times a year 30 33

Never 13 20

DK/NA 2 0

q75 Some people think of themselves as evangelical or born again Christians. Do you ever

think of yourself in either of these ways?

Yes 14 23

No 84 77

DK/NA 2 0

q76 How important is religion in your daily life? Is it extremely important, very

important, somewhat important, or not at all important?

Extremely important 22 26

Very important 32 24

Somewhat important 27 34

Not at all important 15 15

DK/NA 4 1

Page 23: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

q77 Other than politician or office holder, what is your occupation?

** 2008 DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES **

%

Legal professional 17

Retired 11

Education 8

Labor Management/Leader 5

Consultant/Management 4

Holds elected office/Party 3

Real Estate 3

Administrative/Manager/Sec’y 3

Medical professional 3

Other White Collar Jobs 3

Other Executive positions 3

Business owner/Self-employ 3

Student 3

Banking/Finance 2

Public relations/Advertising 2

Officeholder/political emp 2

Government worker 1

Accountant 1

Social Work 1

Computer programmer/Tech 1

Sales/Marketing 1

Insurance 1

Engineer/Scientist/Architect 1

Writer 1

Campaign worker/Lobbyist 1

CEO/President 1

Upper management/Director 1

Other Blue Collar Jobs 1

Construction worker/Skilled 1

Farmer/Rancher 1

Homemaker 1

Performing Arts 1

Other 1

Other/Everything 2

Nothing 4

DK/NA 2

q78 Do you or does any other member of your household own a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or

any other kind of firearm?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Yes, self 23 16

Yes, other 10 17

No 65 66

DK/NA 2 1

Page 24: CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL 6:00 P.M. EDT DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES

q80 Would you say that your total net worth is under $500,000, between $500,000 and $1

million, or over $1 million?

2008 Aug08a

Democratic Democratic

Delegates Voters

% %

Under $500,000 45

$500,000-$1 million 21

Over $1 million 22

DK/NA 12

race Are you white, black, Asian, or something else?

White or Caucasian 65 72

Black or African American 23 23

Asian 3 3

Something else 7 2

Refused 2 0

UNWEIGHTED WEIGHTED

Total Democratic Delegates 970

Total Democratic Voters 370 377