CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #4, October 2006

This poll, conducted October 27-31, 2006, 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 whether they approved of the way President George W. Bush was handling the presidency and issues such as foreign policy and the economy. Information was collected on how well members of the United States Congress were doing their jobs, whether the country was moving in the right direction, and the condition of the national economy. Those polled were asked how much attention they had paid to the 2006 election campaigns for Congress, the likelihood that they would vote and for whom, why they supported their candidates, their level of enthusiasm, which issues were most important in their vote, and whether their clergyman had endorsed a particular political candidate or party. Opinions were solicited on whether respondents had favorable opinions of United States Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, United States House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic party, and the Republican party. Views were sought on the effect that the controlling party in Congress might have on issues such as taxes, the minimum wage, and the threat of terrorism. A series of questions asked whether the United States did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq, whether United States troops should be removed from Iraq, which political party was likely to bring troops back from Iraq more quickly, and whether the next Congress should hold hearings to investigate the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. Additional topics included corrupt politics in Washington, DC, environmental protection, illegal immigration, North Korea's development of weapons, and whether gay couples should be allowed to marry or form civil unions. Demographic information includes voter registration status and participation history, political party affiliation, political philosophy, marital status, sex, religious preference, frequency of religious attendance, education level, age, household income, race, whether respondents had any children under the age of 18, household union membership, military service, length of time living at current residence, and type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural).