KAET-ASU Poll

Contact Dr. Bruce Merrill (480) 965-7051
Can be used after 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Bush Gains Support for War on Iraq - Loses Support on Economy and War on Terrorism

Arizonans Divided on Whether North Korea or Iraq is Bigger Threat Voters Divided on Phoenix Day Labor Center; Opposed to Use of Mexican Government Issued Identification Cards

A new statewide poll of registered voters conducted by KAET-TV/Channel 8 and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University between February 20 - 23, 2003 found that 56% of registered voters in Arizona approve of the way President Bush is handling the war on terrorism. Thirty-three percent (33%) disapprove and 11% offered no opinion. His support for the way he is handling terrorism declined from January when 60% approved, 28% disapproved and 12% had no opinion.

Support for Bush's handling of the economy also was down from January when 44% approved, 43% disapproved and 13% were undecided. This month, 41% approved, 48% disapproved and 11% had no opinion.

Approval of the way Bush is handling the situation in Iraq improved considerably since last month. In January 46% approved, 41% disapproved and 13% had no opinion. This month, 54% approve, 39% disapprove and 7% had no opinion.

Sentiment as to whether the situation in North Korea or Iraq is the bigger problem facing the United States was evenly divided. Thirty-seven percent (37%) felt Iraq was the bigger problem, 39% North Korea and 24% were undecided. Support or opposition to Bush's policies remains highly partisan. Republicans and self-identified political conservatives tend to heavily support Bush; Democrats and liberals are strongly opposed. Women tend to be less supportive than men of the way the President is handling the situation in Iraq. While 64% of male registered voters support the President's handling of Iraq, only 51% the women are supportive.

The poll also found that registered voters were split on whether the city of Phoenix's opening of a Day Labor Center where workers, some of whom are illegal immigrants, gather to find work is a good idea. Forty-four percent (44%) support the new center, 42% are opposed and 14% had no opinion.

Voters in Arizona said they favored a bill being considered in the state Legislature that would stop state and local governmental agencies from accepting identification cards issued by the Mexican government to illegal immigrants as valid I.D. Forty-seven percent (47%) favored the bill, 36% were opposed and 17% had no opinion.

Republicans and self-identified conservatives tended to oppose the Day Labor Center and the use of Mexican government-sponsored I.D. cards. Democrats were more supportive.

The statewide poll of 559 registered voters has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.1%. Fifty-one percent (51%) of those interviewed were female, 49% male. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 18% in Pima County, and 25% in the less populated counties. The sample was comprised of 44% Republicans, 36% Democrats and 20% independents.

1. First, do you approve or disapprove of the job President Bush is doing fighting the war on terrorism?


1.approve	56% (63)
2.disapprove	33 (37)
3.undecided	11
	100%