CBS News/New York Times Pre-Presidential Debate Poll, September 1988

This survey sought respondents' views before the first presidential debate on September 25, 1988. Respondents were asked their opinions of the Republican and Democratic candidates for president and vice-president, how likely they were to vote in the presidential elections in November of 1988, how they would vote in the election, how they would vote if only voting for president or vice-president, and what they thought should be the most important issue in the election. Respondents were questioned about Dukakis's and Bush's competence and judgment, their abilities to deal with international crisis, manage the federal government, and handle the national defense. They also were asked if George Bush was hiding information about the Iran-Contra matter and if Dan Quayle was qualified to be president. In addition, respondents were asked whether they would watch the presidential debate, how much difference they expected the debate to make in their voting decision, and which candidate was the better debater. They were questioned about their previous voting behavior and about their attention to the presidential campaign. Background information on individuals includes party affiliation, liberal to conservative identification, employment status, farm employment, marital status, age, income, religious preference, labor union membership, ethnicity, and education.