ABC News/Washington Post Terrorist Attack Poll #1, September 2001

This special topic poll, conducted September 11, 2001, was
undertaken to assess respondents' reactions to and feelings about the
terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center towers in New
York City, damaged the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and resulted in a
plane crash in Pennsylvania, earlier that day. Respondents were asked
whether they believed that the United States government did all it
reasonably could do to try to prevent the attacks, whether they were
confident in the ability of the United States government to prevent
further terrorist attacks against America, and whether they were
concerned that someone they knew or their community might be a victim
of future acts of terrorism. Assuming that the United States is able
to identify the groups and/or nations responsible for the attacks,
those queried were asked whether they would support taking military
action in response, whether they would support such action if it meant
war, and whether military action should be taken against countries
that assist or shelter known terrorists. The poll gauged respondents'
level of confidence in the ability of the United States government to
find and punish those responsible and assessed whether respondents
were willing to give up some liberties to crack down on terrorism. In
addition, those surveyed were asked whether they did any of the
following on that day: contacted family and friends, stayed home or
left work early, watched or listened to broadcast news, prayed for the
victims and their families, and/or changed their daily
routines. Background information on respondents includes age, gender,
employment status, Hispanic origin, and size of community in which
they resided.