KAET-ASU Poll

Contact Dr. Bruce Merrill (480) 965-7051
Can be used after 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2003

ARIZONANS SUPPORT PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE WAY THE WAR IN IRAQ IS PROGRESSING

GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO RECEIVES HIGH EARLY RATINGS

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 March 27 - 30, 2003 found strong support for President Bush's decision to invade Iraq and strong approval for the way the war is being conducted. Seventy-two percent (72%) of all registered voters, 75% of those with an opinion, supported the invasion and seventy-eight percent (78%) felt the war is going better (10%) or about as well as they expected (68%).

Eighty-six percent (86%) of those interviewed felt it is either very (61%) or somewhat likely (25%) that coalition forces will find conclusive evidence that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Eleven percent (11%) felt it was not very likely (8%) or not likely at all (3%) such weapons would be found; 3% had no opinion.

Seventy-six percent (76%) of those interviewed foresaw a war that could go on for a considerable period of time. Fourteen percent (14%) said the war will be over in a few weeks and 10% were not sure.

A question regarding rules of engagement found that 68% of those surveyed felt that when Iraqi troops dress in civilian clothes and use civilians as human shields, coalition troops should fire back. Fourteen percent (14%) were opposed and 18% did not have an opinion. In all of the questions related to support for the war, Republicans and self-identified conservatives tended to be more supportive than Democrats and liberals. Interestingly, women felt no differently than men about firing back at Iraqi troops when they use human shields.

The survey also found Governor Napolitano received high marks for the job she is doing as governor of Arizona. Among all registered voters, 76% rated her excellent (20%) or good (56%); 7% gave her a poor (6%) or very poor (1%) rating. Seventeen percent (17%) felt they were not familiar enough with the job she is doing to give her a rating.

Among those with an opinion, 91% gave the governor excellent (24%) or good (67%) ratings while nine percent (9%) rated her performance as poor (8%) or very poor (1%). Napolitano's support cut across both partisan and ideological lines. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the Republicans, 95% of the Democrats, and 92% of the political independents gave her positive ratings. Ninety-six percent (96%) of the self-identified political moderates, 95% of the liberals, and 85% of those considering themselves conservatives said she was doing an excellent or good job.

The statewide poll of 588 registered voters has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.0%. Fifty-three percent (53%) of those interviewed were female, 47% male. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 16% in Pima County, and 25% in the less populated counties. The sample consisted of 42% Republicans, 36% Democrats and 22% independents.

Q1. Would you rate the job Janet Napolitano is doing as Governor of Arizona as

*Entries in parentheses are percentages for those with an opinion


Q2. Next, do you

Q3. Is the war in Iraq progressing

Q4. How likely do you think it is that U.S. and coalition forces will find conclusive evidence that Iraq has biological or chemical weapons of mass destruction? Is it

Q5. Do you think the war in Iraq is likely to be over in

Q6. It has been reported that some Iraqi troops dress in civilian clothes and fire from homes using civilians as shields. When that happens, do you think the coalition forces