ABC News/Washington Post Poll, December 2003

This poll, fielded December 18, 2003, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, foreign policy, and the economy, as well as their views on the situation in Iraq, education, prescription drug benefits for the elderly, the cost, availability, and coverage of health insurance, the federal budget deficit, the United States campaign against terrorism, and Medicare. Those surveyed were asked about their voter registration status and who they would vote for if the 2004 presidential election were to take place that day. Questions sought respondent views on whether they trusted either former Vermont Governor Howard Dean or President Bush to handle national affairs, the war on terrorism, health care, Social Security, and education, and whether they would vote for a candidate who supported or opposed the war with Iraq and the recent tax cuts. A series of questions about the Iraq War focused on whether the war was worth fighting, if the war with Iraq had made the United States safer, whether President Bush had a clear plan for Iraq, and whether the Iraq War would be justified only if weapons of mass destruction were found. Those queried were also asked how the United States had changed since President Bush had been in office. Questions regarding the 2004 Democratic presidential race for the White House asked respondents who they preferred to see as the Democratic presidential candidate, what they considered was the most important issue in deciding which Democratic candidate to vote for, and how they would assess Howard Dean's personal and political qualities. Respondents were also asked how closely they followed the news on Medicare, and whether they approved or disapproved of recent changes made in the Medicare system. Demographic information includes party identification, political ideology, highest level of education completed, religion, age, labor union membership status, race, total combined income, Hispanic nationality, and Internet usage.