CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll, February 2002

This poll 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, the campaign against terrorism, foreign policy, and the national economy, as well as their views on the Congress, members of the United States Senate, businesses, and the influence of these groups on the Bush administration. The poll elicited respondents' views on the permissibility of soft money contributions to political parties, the influence of allies' views on the United States' foreign policy actions, and on the United States justification of military actions against another nation. Respondents also answered a set of questions regarding their retirement savings, their impressions of Islam, recurrent federal budget, military spending, the United States propaganda regarding foreign views, and George W. Bush's skills in negotiating with world leaders. They also expressed their opinions on the Enron crisis and the Bush administration's knowledge regarding Enron and its collapse. A series of questions focused on United States military attacks on Afghanistan, the likelihood of another terrorist attack in the United States, the news media's coverage of the war in Afghanistan, and United States military actions against Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power. Respondents were asked to give their opinions about concern for civil liberties, the regular monitoring of communications of Americans, and the improvement and consequences of aircraft and airport security since September 11, 2001. Background information includes the respondents' voter registration status, marital status, political affiliation, children in household, religion, education, age, race, and income.