CBS News/60 Minutes/Vanity Fair National Poll, May #2, 2011

This survey, fielded May 20-23, 2011, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked for their opinions of political figures President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, and former President George W. Bush. Respondents were asked if they felt the country was going in the right direction, how President Obama and Congress were handling their jobs, and how things were going in Washington. Opinions were sought about how much influence various groups such as large corporations, labor unions, Planned Parenthood, the National Rifle Association, and special interest groups had on the government, who benefits most from the policies of the federal government, whether Congress serves special interest groups, and whether the salaries and benefits of the members of Congress are too high. Further questions addressed whether a political candidate's marital status mattered when deciding who to vote for, and whether more investigations were necessary into the bankers and members of high finance that played a role in the economic crash of 2008. Respondents were also asked which issues they were most angry about including federal policies, the political parties, and religious issues. Additional topics include plans for travelling over the summer, whether respondents thought being a father was more difficult now than when they were a child, whether they flew an American flag on holidays such as the Fourth of July or Flag Day, ATM fees, hypothetical scenarios, and whether they had ever looked up a map of registered sex offenders. Respondents were also asked about the condition of the national economy, their household financial situation, whether they had a close family member or friend or knew anyone who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks, and if they supported the Tea Party movement. Demographic information included sex, age, race, education level, household income, employment status, marital status, whether the respondent had children, religious preference, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), and state of residence, type of phone(s), number of phones, political party affiliation, political philosophy, voting behavior, and whether the respondent is a born-again Christian.