Business News (2)

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Business Issues in the News (p. 2)

Polls listed chronologically. Data are from nationwide surveys of Americans 18 & older.

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Oct. 15-18, 2009. N=1,004 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.
						.
"Would you support or oppose the federal government putting limits on the salaries and other compensation that can be paid to top executives at the companies that received emergency government loans in the past year? ... Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?"
						.
		Strongly Support	Somewhat Support	Somewhat Oppose	Strongly Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/15-18/09	58	13	7	20	2

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Sept. 10-12, 2009. N=1,007 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.
						.
"How much blame do you think [see below] deserves for the country's economic situation: a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?"
						.
		A Great Deal	A Good Amount	Only Some	Hardly Any	None (vol.)
		%	%	%	%	%
						.
	"The Bush administration, for inadequate regulation of the financial industry"
	9/10-12/09	40	25	23	10	1
	7/15-18/09	42	20	23	11	1
	3/26-29/09	47	23	21	7	1
						.
	"The Obama administration, for not doing enough to turn the economy around"
	9/10-12/09	13	15	33	34	4
	7/15-18/09	14	17	28	34	4
	3/26-29/09	13	13	27	39	6

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. Sept. 3-8, 2009. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1.
						.
"How confident are you that the federal government has taken enough steps to ensure that a meltdown of the financial industry could not happen again in this country: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?"
						.
		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Too Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	9/3-8/09	3	27	38	32	1

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Aug. 28-31, 2009. N=1,010 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"What is your view of the Cash for Clunkers program, which allowed people to trade in cars with low gas mileage and get about four thousand dollars off the purchase of a new car? Would you describe that program as a success or a failure?"
						.
		Success	Failure	Mixed (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	8/28-31/09	55	40	3	2	.

CBS News Poll. Aug. 27-31, 2009. N=1,097 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"Do you think the federal government should put a limit on the amount of money that senior executives can earn at financial institutions, or do you think this is something the federal government should not be involved in?"
					.
		Should Put a Limit	Should Not Be Involved	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	ALL	46	46	8	.
	Republicans	24	70	6	.
	Democrats	64	29	7	.
	Independents	42	45	13	.

Diageo/Hotline Poll conducted by FD. July 9-13, 2009. Registered voters nationwide.
						.
"How confident are you loans made by the U.S. Treasury to banks and other financial institutions will be repaid: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?" N=395 (Form A), MoE ą 4.9
						.
		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Too Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	7/9-13/09	11	34	23	26	6
						.
"How confident are you loans made by the U.S. Treasury to U.S. automakers like GM and Chrysler will be repaid: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?" N=405 (Form B), MoE ą 4.9
						.
		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Too Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	7/9-13/09	10	28	28	32	2

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). June 12-15, 2009. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1.
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government providing loans and financial assistance to Chrysler and GM?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	6/12-15/09	39	53	8	.	.
						.
"As you may know, GM has recently gone into bankruptcy. When it emerges from bankruptcy, the federal government will temporarily own sixty percent of the company. Which of the following statements comes closer to your point of view about this? Statement A: This is the right approach, because without government involvement GM would have shut down operations, costing more jobs and making the recession worse. Statement B: This is the wrong approach, because it sets a bad example of the government getting too involved in the management of private companies, which goes against free market principles." Half sample (Form B), MoE ą 4.4
						.
		Right Approach	Wrong Approach	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	6/12-15/09	40	55	5	.	.

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 21-24, 2009. N=1,072 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Imagine if one or more of the big U.S. automakers filed for protection under bankruptcy laws while it reorganized its business structure. Do you think that would be a good thing or a bad thing for the auto industry in the long run, or would not make much difference either way?"
						.
		Good Thing	Bad Thing	Not Much Difference	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	4/21-24/09	43	21	31	5	.
						.
"Do you think it would be a good thing or a bad thing for the U.S. economy overall, or would not make much difference either way?"
						.
		Good Thing	Bad Thing	Not Much Difference	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	4/21-24/09	30	27	38	5	.
						.
"If one of the big U.S. automakers filed for protection under bankruptcy laws while it reorganized its business structure, would that make you more likely or less likely to consider buying a car from that company, or would it not make any difference in your consideration?"
						.
		More Likely	Less Likely	Not Make Any Difference	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	4/21-24/09	10	25	65	1	.

Cook Political Report/RT Strategies Poll. April 8-11, 2009. N=833 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.
						.
"Suppose another major bank or insurance company is on the verge of bankruptcy. If the Obama Administration determines that the new problem is similar to the situation that led to the Federal government's intervention to assist troubled banks and insurance companies in recent months, would you favor or oppose the Federal government intervening in a similar fashion to stabilize that major bank or insurance company on the verge of bankruptcy?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	4/8-11/09	28	62	9	.	.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. April 3-5, 2009. N=1,023 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"As you may know, the Obama administration has increased the federal government's involvement in the way some businesses and financial institutions are run. Do you think Obama's actions have gone too far, are about right, or have not gone far enough?"
						.
		Too Far	About Right	Not Far Enough		.
		%	%	%		.
	4/3-5/09	35	42	23		.
						.
"As you may know, General Motors and Chrysler have received several billion dollars in government assistance to prevent them from going into bankruptcy. If those auto companies say they need more federal money, do you think the government should give them any additional assistance, or should the government let them go into bankruptcy?"
						.
		Give Additional Assistance	Let Them Go Into Bankruptcy	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	4/3-5/09	22	76	2		.
						.
"If one or more of the major U.S. auto companies went into bankruptcy, what effect do you think that would have on the U.S. economy? Do you think that would cause a crisis, major problems, minor problems, or no problems at all for the U.S. economy?"
						.
		A Crisis	Major Problems	Minor Problems	No Problems	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	4/3-5/09	10	37	44	9	.
	12/19-21/08	15	51	28	5	.
						.
"And if one or more of the major U.S. auto companies went into bankruptcy, what effect do you think that would have on your personal financial situation? Do you think that would cause a crisis, major problems, minor problems, or no problems at all for you personally?"
						.
		A Crisis	Major Problems	Minor Problems	No Problems	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	4/3-5/09	3	11	30	55	.
	12/19-21/08	4	15	33	49	.
						.
"If you were shopping for a new car, how likely is it that you would buy a car from an auto company in bankruptcy: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?" N=510 (Form A), MoE ą 4.5
						.
		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Too Likely	Not Likely At All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	4/3-5/09	12	25	16	47	1
	12/19-21/08	10	24	21	44	1
						.
"If you were shopping for a new car, how likely is it that you would buy a car from an auto company in bankruptcy if you knew that the federal government would stand behind the warranty on the car you bought: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?" N=513 (Form B), MoE ą 4.5
						.
		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Too Likely	Not Likely At All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	4/3-5/09	24	33	15	27	1

Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. April 1-2, 2009. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.
						.
"What is your opinion of the Obama administration's efforts to help major U.S. banks and other financial institutions in danger of failing? In general, do you think the administration is taking the right approach, OR, is not doing what is needed to fix the problem, OR, should not be using government resources for this purpose?"
						.
		Taking Right Approach	Not Doing What's Needed	Shouldn't Be Using Gov't Resources	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	4/1-2/09	34	15	42	9	.
						.
"What is your opinion of the Obama administration's efforts to help U.S. auto companies in danger of going bankrupt? In general, do you think the administration is taking the right approach, OR is not doing what is needed to fix the problem, OR should not be using government resources for this purpose?"
						.
		Taking Right Approach	Not Doing What's Needed	Shouldn't Be Using Gov't Resources	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	4/1-2/09	34	16	43	7	.

USA Today/Gallup Poll. March 27-29, 2009. N=1,007 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Regardless of how you feel about the government's overall approach to addressing the nation's economic problems, we'd like to ask whether you approve or disapprove of several of its specific proposals. First, do you approve or disapprove of the federal loans given to General Motors and Chrysler last year to help them avoid bankruptcy?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	3/27-29/09	39	59	1	.	.

Diageo/Hotline Poll conducted by FD. March 26-29, 2009. Registered voters nationwide.
						.
"Has what you have seen, read or heard about bonuses for employees and executives of financial services companies made you more likely or less likely to support government programs to spend money to financially help companies in other industries?" Options rotated. N=396 (Form A), MoE ą 4.9.
						.
		More Likely	Less Likely	No Difference (vol.)	Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/26-29/09	11	63	15	5	7
						.
"Has what you have seen, read or heard about bonuses for employees and executives of financial services companies made you more likely or less likely to support increased government oversight and regulation of companies in the financial sector?" Options rotated. N=404 (Form B), MoE ą 4.9.
						.
		More Likely	Less Likely	No Difference (vol.)	Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/26-29/09	46	34	10	3	8

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. March 26-29, 2009. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"How much blame do you think [see below] deserve for the country's economic situation: a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?"
						.
		A Great Deal	A Good Amount	Only Some	Hardly Any	None (vol.)
		%	%	%	%	%
						.
	"Banks and other financial institutions, for taking unnecessary risks"
	3/26-29/09	56	24	15	4	-
						.
	"Large business corporations, for poor management decisions"
	3/26-29/09	57	23	14	5	1
						.
	"Consumers, for taking on too much debt"
	3/26-29/09	39	33	20	7	-
						.
"Would you describe yourself as angry or not angry about the role [see below] have/has played in the economic situation?"
						.
		Angry	Not Angry	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
						.
	"The Bush administration"
	3/26-29/09	60	39	2		.
						.
	"Large business corporations"
	3/26-29/09	68	31	1		.
						.
	"Consumers"
	3/26-29/09	41	56	2		.
						.
	"The Obama administration"
	3/26-29/09	21	77	2		.
						.
"Would you describe yourself as angry or not angry about the overall levels of compensation paid to top corporate executives?"
						.
		Angry	Not Angry	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/26-29/09	74	24	2		.

USA Today/Gallup Poll. March 21-22, 2009. N=2,019 adults nationwide.
						.
"Now, turning to the controversy about bonuses paid to executives at insurance company AIG, which received federal government bailout money. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way each of the following has handled this matter? How about [see below]?" N=1,012 (Form A), MoE ą 3
						.
		Satisfied	Dissatisfied	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	President Barack Obama
	3/21-22/09	54	39	8	.	.
						.
	Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
	3/21-22/09	28	54	18	.	.
						.
	Congress
	3/21-22/09	26	65	9	.	.
						.
	AIG management
	3/21-22/09	12	80	9	.	.
						.
"In your view, which of the following is most to blame for the fact that these bonuses were paid: President Barack Obama, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Congress, AIG management?" Options rotated. N=1,004 (Form B), MoE ą 3.
						.
			%			.
	AIG management		46			.
	Congress		19			.
	Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner		8			.
	President Barack Obama		7			.
	All equally (vol.)		7			.
	Unsure		12			.
						.
"How much of the bonus money that has been paid to AIG executives should be returned: all of it, half of it, or none of it?" Options rotated. N=1,003 (Form C), MoE ą 3.
						.
		All of It	Half of It	None of It	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/21-22/09	69	13	12	6	.
						.
	Asked of those who think all or half of the money should be returned: "In your view, which of the following would be the best way to recover the bonus money: have Congress pass a new law imposing heavy taxes on bonuses paid to executives at companies that receive bailout money, ask the AIG executives to voluntarily return the money, not pass a new law but try to recover the money through legal actions or as a condition of payment of additional bailout money?" Options rotated Combined responses to this question and preceding question:
						.
			%			.
	Ask to return voluntarily		27			.
	Try to recover through legal actions		26			.
	Impose heavy taxes on bonuses		25			.
	Should not return any		12			.
	Unsure		11			.

CBS News Poll. March 20-22, 2009. N=949 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"How much confidence do you have in Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner's ability to handle the nation's financial crisis: a lot, some, not much, or none at all?"
						.
		A Lot	Some	Not Much	None at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/20-22/09	13	41	20	15	11
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government providing money to banks and other financial institutions to try to help fix the country's economic problems?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Depends (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	41	50	7	2	.
	3/12-15/09	37	53	6	4	.
	2/18-22/09	39	50	7	4	.
	2/2-4/09	42	47	8	3	.
	12/4-8/08	46	44	5	5	.
						.
"Which best describes your feelings about Barack Obama's policies toward the nation's banks and financial institutions: mostly relieved that those institutions might start lending to home buyers and businesses again, or mostly resentful that the policies could benefit irresponsible managers and bankers?"
						.
		Mostly Relieved	Mostly Resentful	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/20-22/09	41	49	10		.
	3/12-15/09	40	48	12		.
						.
"Which comes closer to your view about companies receiving federal bailout money? (1) It is acceptable for these companies to pay bonuses to whomever they choose. OR, (2) It is acceptable to pay bonuses to only mid- and lower-level employees who do not earn large salaries. OR, (3) It is unacceptable for these companies to pay employees any bonuses no matter who gets them."
						.
		Acceptable For All	Acceptable For mid- and Lower-levels	Unacceptable To Pay Any Bonuses	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	6	26	65	3	.
						.
"How much have you heard or read about the 165 million dollars in bonuses that the insurance company AIG, one of the companies that received money from the federal government, is paying to some of its executives: a lot, some, not much or nothing at all?"
						.
		A Lot	Some	Not Much	Nothing	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	57	29	10	4	.
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of Barack Obama's handling of the situation with AIG and its payment of bonuses?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/20-22/09	41	42	17		.
						.
"Do you think the media is spending too much time, too little time, or the right amount of time on the bonuses paid to AIG executives?"
						.
		Too Much	Too Little	Right Amount	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	40	12	43	5	.
						.
"Do you think Barack Obama is spending too much time, too little time, or the right amount of time on the bonuses paid to AIG executives?"
						.
		Too Much	Too Little	Right Amount	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	24	21	45	10	.
						.
"Do you think Congress is spending too much time, too little time, or the right amount of time on the bonuses paid to AIG executives?"
						.
		Too Much	Too Little	Right Amount	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	26	35	28	11	.
						.
"Which best describes your feelings about AIG paying bonuses to some of its executives: are you angry, bothered but not angry, or are you not bothered by this?"
						.
		Angry	Bothered	Not Bothered		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/20-22/09	50	38	12		.
						.
"As you may know, the insurance company AIG received federal assistance money this year, and recently paid some of its executives many millions of dollars in compensation bonuses. The CEO of the company said those bonuses were agreed to before the company ran into financial trouble, and there were contracts with employees that legally required them to make the payments. Which comes closer to your view: AIG really had to pay the bonuses, or AIG could have found a way not to pay them?"
						.
		Had to Pay	Could Have Not Paid	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/20-22/09	13	83	4		.
						.
"Even if AIG is legally obligated to pay these bonuses to their executives, do you think the federal government should or should not try to recover any of the money?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/20-22/09	77	20	3		.
						.
"Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Banks and financial institutions need to pay some employees large bonuses in order to hire and retain people with the necessary expertise."
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Depends (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	23	71	4	2	.
						.
"How many AIG executives who have received bonuses do you think will give at least some of the money back: most of them, about half of them, few of them, or none of them?"
						.
		Most	About Half	A Few	None	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/20-22/09	11	14	44	25	6
						.
"How much control do you think members of the Obama Administration had over whether or not AIG paid the bonuses: a lot, some, not much, or no control at all?"
						.
		A Lot	Some	Not Much	None at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	3/20-22/09	12	28	22	29	9
						.
"Should the Obama Administration have prevented AIG from paying the bonuses, or would this have been too much government involvement in how the company is run?"
						.
		Should Have Prevented	Too Much Involvement	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/20-22/09	56	34	10		.
						.
"One suggestion has been to tax bonuses paid to executives at the rate of 90% if their company is receiving federal bailout money. Would you approve or disapprove of doing this for high income employees?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/20-22/09	51	44	5		.
						.
"The federal government has given AIG more than 170 billion dollars in loans to prevent it from going into bankruptcy. If AIG needs more money to stay in business, should the federal government give it additional financial assistance, or not?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Depends (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/20-22/09	15	76	4	5	.

Gallup Poll. March 17, 2009. N=1,012 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Turning to reports that insurance company AIG -- one of the companies that received bailout money from the federal government -- is paying bonuses to its executives, how do you, personally, feel about these bonuses: outraged, bothered, or not particularly bothered?"
						.
		Outraged	Bothered	Not Bothered	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/17/09	59	26	11	3	.
						.
"Which comes closer to your thinking about this matter? The government should not intervene because the AIG bonuses were part of existing contracts in place before the bailout money was given to AIG. OR, The government should take actions to try to block or recover any bonuses paid to AIG executives because the company was given government bailout money." Options rotated
						.
		Not Intervene	Block, Recover Bonuses	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	3/17/09	17	76	8	.	.

CBS News Poll. March 12-15, 2009. N=896 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Do you think providing government money to banks and other financial institutions is necessary to get the economy out of recession, or would the economy probably improve without doing that?"
						.
		Necessary	Improve Anyway	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/12-15/09	41	48	11		.
						.
"Are the problems facing the banks and financial institutions mostly the result of the companies' management strategies and decisions, or are they mostly the result of economic conditions outside the companies' control?"
						.
		Management	Economic Conditions	Neither/ Both (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/12-15/09	75	17	4	4	.
						.
"Which do you think is a better approach to the problems facing banks and financial institutions in the U.S.? (1) The government should provide money to some companies in the financial industry, since those companies have a large impact on the U.S. economy and employ thousands of people. OR, (2) The government should not provide more money to those companies, because the economy will be better off if these companies are allowed to succeed or fail on their own."
						.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	3/12-15/09	37	56	7		.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. March 12-15, 2009. N=1,019 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Do you favor or oppose the federal government providing assistance to homeowners who cannot pay their mortgages?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	3/12-15/09	56	43	1	.	.
	2/18-19/09	63	36	2	.	.
	10/17-19/08	58	40	3	.	.
						.
"What should the federal government do about the nation's largest banks if they are in danger of going out of business? Do you think the government should take over those banks temporarily, provide those banks with more money but not take them over, or allow them to go out of business?"
						.
		Take Over Temporarily	Provide with More Money, Not Take Over	Allow to Go Out of Business	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/12-15/09	39	18	41	1	.

Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. March 4-5, 2009. N=1,203 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.
						.
"We'd like your views about how much the federal government has spent so far to help certain groups affected by the financial crisis. What about federal spending to help [see below]? Do you think there has been too much, too little, or about the right amount?"
						.
		Too Much	Too Little	About Right	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	"Large banks and other financial institutions in danger of failing"
	3/4-5/09	62	8	21	9	.
						.
	"U.S. auto companies in danger of going bankrupt"
	3/4-5/09	58	12	24	6	.
						.
	"Homeowners facing foreclosure or who have already lost their homes to foreclosure"
	3/4-5/09	29	40	22	9	.
						.
"Temporary nationalization is another way for the federal government to deal with large banks in danger of failing. This is where the government takes over a failing bank, cleans its balance sheets, and then quickly sells it off. In general, which do YOU think is the better way to deal with failing banks: government financial aid WITHOUT any government control of the bank, OR, nationalization, where the government takes temporary control?"
						.
		Aid Without Gov't Control	National- ization	Neither/Other (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	3/4-5/09	29	56	11	4	.

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Feb. 20-22, 2009. N=1,013 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"As you may know, the federal government has taken many steps to deal with problems in the economy in recent months. Please tell me whether, in general, you favor or oppose the government doing each of the following. How about [see below]?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	"Funding new government programs to help create jobs"
	2/20-22/09	83	17	1		.
						.
	"Giving aid to state governments in serious financial trouble"
	2/20-22/09	67	30	3		.
						.
	"Giving aid to homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure"
	2/20-22/09	64	33	3		.
						.
	"Giving aid to U.S. automakers who are in danger of going bankrupt"
	2/20-22/09	41	58	1		.
						.
	"Giving aid to U.S. banks and financial companies in danger of failing"
	2/20-22/09	39	59	2		.
						.
"As you may know, in December the federal government gave 17 billion dollars in loans to General Motors and Chrysler to keep those auto manufacturers from going bankrupt. Earlier this week, General Motors and Chrysler asked the government for 21 billion dollars in additional loans as part of restructuring plans they submitted to the Treasury Department. Do you think Congress should or should not approve these additional loans?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/20-22/09	25	72	3		.
						.
"Just your best guess, do you think one or more of the big three U.S. auto companies will go out of business, or will all three find a way to survive?"
						.
		Go Out of Business	Find a Way To Survive	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/20-22/09	47	51	2		.
	12/12-14/08	40	57	3		.
						.
"Turning now to the housing market: From what you have heard or read about the Obama administrations proposals to help reduce the number of home foreclosures, do you think these proposals will make the housing market a lot better, a little better, will they make no difference, will they make the housing market a little worse, or a lot worse?" Options rotated
						.
		A Lot Better	A Little Better	No Difference	A Little Worse	A Lot Worse
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/20-22/09	6	54	21	9	6
						.
"Just your best guess, do you think the Obama administration's home mortgage plan will or will not help stabilize housing prices in your community?"
						.
		Will	Will Not	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/20-22/09	46	48	6		.
						.
"Do you think providing government aid to certain homeowners who cannot pay their mortgages is necessary, or not necessary to help stabilize the U.S. housing market?"
						.
		Necessary	Not Necessary	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/20-22/09	59	38	3		.
						.
"Do you think providing government aid to certain homeowners who cannot pay their mortgage is fair, or unfair?"
						.
		Fair	Unfair	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/20-22/09	46	51	4		.
						.
"Turning to a different subject: Do you favor or oppose the federal government temporarily taking over major U.S. banks in danger of failing in an attempt to stabilize them?" N=500 adults (Form A), MoE ą 5
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/20-22/09	54	44	3		.
						.
"Do you favor or oppose the federal government temporarily nationalizing major U.S. banks in danger of failing in an attempt to stabilize them?" N=513 adults (Form B), MoE ą 5
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/20-22/09	37	57	6		.

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Feb. 19-22, 2009. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"On another economic issue, would you support or oppose the federal government using 75 billion dollars to provide refinancing assistance to homeowners to help them avoid foreclosure on their mortgages?"
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	2/19-22/09	64	35	2	.
					.
"The federal government has provided 25 billion dollars in loans to two of the big U.S. automakers and put in place a government board to oversee their restructuring. These automakers now say they need an additional 14 billion dollars in government loans in order to stay out of bankruptcy. Do you support or oppose providing these additional government loans to the U.S. automakers?"
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	2/19-22/09	30	68	2	.

CBS News/New York Times Poll. Feb. 18-22, 2009. N=1,112 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"The federal government is providing money to banks and other financial institutions to try to help fix the country's economic problems. How much have you heard or read about this: a lot, some, not much or nothing at all?"
						.
		A Lot	Some	Not Much	Nothing at All	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	2/18-22/09	37	39	17	7	.
						.
"Do you think the Obama administration's proposals to help the banking system will mostly benefit all Americans by addressing a big economic problem, or will it only benefit bankers?"
						.
		All Americans	Only Bankers	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/18-22/09	29	59	12		.
						.
"Do you think the Obama administration's economic plans would give the federal government too much control over banks and financial institutions, OR not enough control over banks and financial institutions, OR the right amount of control over banks and financial institutions?"
						.
		Too Much	Not Enough	Right Amount	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	2/18-22/09	28	29	34	9	.
						.
"When it comes to the companies that are receiving financial assistance from the government, do you think the federal government should or should not put a limit on the amount of money that senior executives at those companies can earn?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/18-22/09	83	11	6		.
						.
"The federal government has given some of the major U.S. auto companies more than 13 billion dollars in loans to prevent them from going into bankruptcy. Some of those auto companies now say they need more money. Should the federal government give them additional financial assistance, or not?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Depends (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	2/18-22/09	22	68	4	6	.
						.
"The Obama administration has a plan to help homeowners refinance their mortgages, avoid foreclosure, and make more credit available for mortgages. Do you think the federal government should provide this financial help to homeowners, or shouldn't the federal government do this, or don't you know enough yet to say?"
						.
		Should	Shouldn't	Don't Know Enough	Help Only Some (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/18-22/09	61	20	14	3	2
						.
"Thinking about the banks and financial institutions that are receiving financial assistance from the government, how much confidence do you have that the money they receive is being used in a way that will help improve the national economy: a lot of confidence, some confidence, not much confidence, or no confidence at all?" Asked Oct. 20-22 only; N=614
						.
		A Lot	Some	Not Much	None	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/20-22/09	2	39	39	18	2
						.
"Which comes closer to your view about the Obama administration's proposal to address the housing crisis? (1) I am mostly relieved that steps are being taken to help people facing foreclosure. OR, (2) I am mostly resentful that the plan could help homeowners who may have taken out mortgages they weren't certain they could pay. OR, (3) I haven't heard enough about the proposal to say." Asked Oct. 20-22 only; N=614
						.
		Mostly Relieved	Mostly Resentful	Haven't Heard Enough	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	2/20-22/09	35	35	26	4	.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Feb. 18-19, 2009. N=1,046 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Two of the major U.S. auto companies have asked the government for a program that would provide them with several billion dollars in assistance. The auto companies say they may go into bankruptcy without that assistance. Based on what you have read or heard, do you favor or oppose this program?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	2/18-19/09	37	61	2	.	.
						.
"As you may know, last fall Congress and President Bush approved a government program that would spend up to seven hundred billion dollars to provide assistance to banks and other large financial institutions. About half that money has already been spent. Do you think Congress and President Obama should or should not provide the remaining money to banks and other financial institutions?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	2/18-19/09	36	62	2	.	.

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. Feb. 12-17, 2009. N=1,001 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.1.
						.
"Thinking about the financial rescue package that was approved by Congress last year to help stabilize banks and the financial industry, do you think that rescue package succeeded in preventing even more serious damage to the economy, did even more damage to the economy than would have happened otherwise, or had no real effect on the condition of the economy?"
						.
		Prevented More Damage	Did More Damage	Had No Real Effect	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	2/12-17/09	16	32	47	5	.

The Harris Poll. Feb. 10-15, 2009. N=1,010 adults nationwide.
						.
"Overall, would you say that Wall Street and what it does benefits the country a lot, benefits it somewhat, harms it somewhat or harms the country a lot?"
						.
		Benefits a Lot	Benefits Somewhat	Harms Somewhat	Harms a Lot	Other (vol.)/ Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/10-15/09	17	37	25	14	7
						.
"Please say if you tend to agree or disagree with the following statements about Wall Street. . . ."
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
						.
	"Recent events have shown that Wall Street should be subject to tougher regulations"
	2/10-15/09	87	10	3		.
						.
	"Wall Street firms should only pay bonuses when they are doing well and making good profits"
	2/10-15/09	78	20	2		.
						.
	"Most people on Wall Street would be willing to break the law if they believed they could make a lot of money and get away with it"
	2/10-15/09	71	27	2		.
						.
	"Wall Street is absolutely essential because it provides the money business must have for investments"
	2/10-15/09	62	32	5		.
						.
	"In general what is good for Wall Street is good for the country"
	2/10-15/09	37	59	3		.
						.
	"Most successful people on Wall Street deserve to make the kind of money they earn"
	2/10-15/09	30	66	4		.
						.
	"In general people on Wall Street are as honest and moral as other people"
	2/10-15/09	26	70	4		.
						.
"Financial institutions in New York paid over 18 billion dollars in bonuses for 2008 when their shareholders lost large amounts of money. Knowing this, do you agree or disagree with the following statements? . . ."
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
						.
	"These bonuses should be returned and the money should instead be paid out to the shareholders"
	2/10-15/09	83	14	3		.
						.
	"In order to attract and retain the top talent, these companies need to pay out these large bonuses"
	2/10-15/09	22	76	2		.

CBS News Poll. Feb. 2-4, 2009. N=864 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Would you like to have the government own and control the banks?"
						.
		Yes	No	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	2/2-4/09	14	76	10		.
						.
"Who do you trust more to decide how money that the federal government provides to banks and financial institutions should be spent: the federal government or the financial institutions themselves?"
						.
		Federal Government	Financial Institutions	Both (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	2/2-4/09	54	27	3	8	8

Diageo/Hotline Poll conducted by FD. Jan. 21-24, 2009. N=800 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3.5.
					.
"As you may recall, last October, Congress passed and President Bush signed into law a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, referred to as TARP, to aid the financial sector by purchasing failing bank assets. The FIRST half of that money, $350 billion, was authorized and distributed late last year. Last week, the Senate approved the second HALF of that money, which will soon be distributed. In your opinion, was the approval of $350 billion to aid the financial sector a bad idea or a good idea?" Options rotated
					.
		Bad Idea	Good Idea	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	1/21-24/09	56	32	13	.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Dec. 19-21, 2008. N=1,013 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"As you may know, a financial advisor named Bernard Madoff has been accused of running an illegal scheme in which many people lost millions of dollars. Do you think Madoff is an isolated case that does not reflect on other financial advisors and institutions, or do you think Madoff's behavior is common among financial advisors and institutions?"
						.
		Isolated	Common	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/19-21/08	23	74	3		.
						.
"The federal government will provide some of the major U.S. auto companies with more than thirteen billion dollars in loans in order to prevent them from going into bankruptcy. In exchange for the loans, the government wants the auto companies to produce plans by the end of March that show how they would become viable businesses in the long run. Do you favor or oppose this decision?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose			.
		%	%			.
	12/19-21/08	63	37			.
						.
"If the major U.S. auto companies ask for more money next year, do you think the federal government should give them any additional assistance, or should the government let them go into bankruptcy?"
						.
		Additional Assistance	Bankruptcy	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/19-21/08	28	70	2		.
						.
"Thinking about the thirteen billion dollars in loans that the auto companies are getting right now, how much of that money do you think they will be able to pay back to the government? Do you think the auto companies will be able to pay back all of that money, most of it, some of it, only a little of it, or do you think the auto companies will not be able to pay any of that money back?"
						.
		All	Most	Some	Only a Little	None
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/19-21/08	14	14	31	18	22
						.
"In general, do you have a positive or a negative opinion of each of the following groups of people? . . ."
						.
		Positive	Negative	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
						.
	"Executives at the major U.S. auto companies"
	12/19-21/08	17	82	1		.
						.
	"The leaders of the auto workers' union"
	12/19-21/08	38	61	2		.
						.
	"People who work at the major U.S. auto companies"
	12/19-21/08	73	25	2		.

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 11-14, 2008. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"The federal government is considering loaning up to 14 billion dollars to the Big Three U.S. automakers and putting in place a government board to oversee their restructuring. Some people say it's a bailout those companies don't deserve, and that they'd be better off reorganizing under bankruptcy laws. Other people say it's necessary to protect auto workers and save a key part of the U.S. economy. On balance, do you support or oppose this plan?" Options rotated
						.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/11-14/08	42	55	3		.
						.
"Do you think the automakers' problems are mainly the fault of the bad economy or mainly the fault of their own management?" Options rotated
						.
		Bad Economy	Own Management	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/11-14/08	22	75	3		.
						.
"Say the loan plan is not approved and one or more of the automakers has to go under protection of bankruptcy laws while they try to restructure themselves. Do you think that would be good for the economy, bad for the economy, or would not make much difference either way?"
						.
		Good	Bad	No Difference	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	12/11-14/08	17	36	43	4	.

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Dec. 9-10, 2008. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"How would you rate the overall quality of cars and trucks made by U.S. auto companies? Are they better, worse or the same as foreign cars?"

		Better	Worse	Same	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/9-10/08	20	40	36	5

"Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government giving the big three U.S. automakers billions of dollars in loan money?"

		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/9-10/08	37	58	5

"Do you think U.S. car companies will survive on their own, without government loan money; survive only if the government loans them money; or fail, with or without the government loan?"

		Survive On Their Own	Survive With Loan	Fail	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/9-10/08	31	36	25	8

"If U.S. automakers receive a government loan, how likely do you think it is that they will eventually pay back the money: very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not at all likely?"

		Very Likely	Somewhat Likely	Not Very Likely	Not at All Likely	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/9-10/08	14	34	27	23	2

"If U.S. automakers go out of business, how much do you think it would hurt the nation's economy: a great deal, some, not much, or not at all?"

		A Great Deal	Some	Not Much	Not at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/9-10/08	67	26	4	2	2

"Which one of the following do you think is most to blame for the U.S. auto industry's troubles: labor unions, company management and executives, government regulations, or economic conditions?"

		Management, Executives	Labor Unions	Economic Conditions	Government Regulations	Combination/ Other (vol.)/ Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/9-10/08	43	15	13	4	25

Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll. Dec. 6-8, 2008. N=1,000 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"As you may know, the three U.S. automakers -- General Motors, Ford and Chrysler -- appeared before Congress to say that their companies are on the verge of bankruptcy and to ask for taxpayer-funded loans to help them survive. Do you think the government should or should not rescue the three U.S. automakers?"

		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	12/6-8/08	47	42	11

"If the federal government does not provide assistance to the three automakers and the American automobile companies go out of business, would that be a major problem, or a minor problem, or not a problem at all for the country?"

		Major Problem	Minor Problem	Not a Problem	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	12/6-8/08	62	26	8	4

CBS News Poll. Dec. 4-7, 2008. N=1,098 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government providing money to the big three U.S. automakers if it would help prevent them from going out of business or declaring bankruptcy?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Depends (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	ALL	45	44	6	5	.
	Republicans	35	57	5	3	.
	Democrats	56	33	6	5	.
	Independents	38	49	7	6	.
						.
"If the government does provide money to the big three automakers, should the government get a say in how these companies are managed, or should the government not be involved in the companies' management decisions?"
						.
		Should Get A Say	Should Not Be Involved	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	12/4-7/08	69	28	3	.	.
						.
"If the government does provide money to the big three automakers, should it require these automakers to build more cars that use alternative fuels, or should the government not be involved in deciding what kinds of cars these companies make?"
						.
		Require Alternative- Fuel Cars	Should Not Be Involved	Unsure	.	.
		%	%	%	.	.
	12/4-7/08	66	29	5	.	.
						.
"If one or more of the big three automakers were to go out of business, how much of an impact do you think that would have on the nation's economy? Do you think it would have a major impact, a minor impact, not much impact, or no impact at all?"
						.
		Major Impact	Minor Impact	Not Much Impact	No Impact	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	12/4-7/08	55	35	6	2	2
						.
"If you were in the market to buy a new car right now, would the economic problems of General Motors, Ford, or Chrysler affect whether or not you buy a car from them?" If yes: "Would you be more likely or less likely to buy a car from them?"
						.
		Yes -- More Likely	Yes -- Less Likely	No -- No Difference	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	12/4-7/08	11	31	55	3	.
						.
"Are the problems facing the big three auto companies mostly the result of the companies' management strategies and decisions, or are they mostly the result of economic conditions outside the companies' control?"
						.
		Management	Economic Conditions	Both/ Neither (vol.)	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	12/4-7/08	56	28	11	5	.

Gallup Poll. Dec. 4-7, 2008. N=1,009 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Would you favor or oppose the federal government giving major financial assistance to the big three U.S. automotive companies if they are close to going broke or declaring bankruptcy?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/4-7/08	43	51	6		.
	11/13-16/08	47	49	4		.
						.
	If oppose federal assistance (N=513, MoE ą 5): "Suppose one or more of the three major U.S. automotive companies was certain to fail unless the government provided assistance. In that case, would you favor or oppose the federal government providing assistance to the major U.S. automotive companies?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/4-7/08	18	79	3		.
	11/13-16/08	18	79	2		.
						.
"Please tell me whether you think each of the following deserves a great deal of blame, some blame, not much blame, or no blame at all for the problems faced by the three major U.S. auto companies. How about [see below]?"
						.
		A Great Deal	Some	Not Much	None at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
						.
	"The executives who run the U.S. auto companies"
	12/4-7/08	65	27	3	3	3
						.
	"The labor unions that represent many U.S. auto workers"
	12/4-7/08	34	41	11	11	3
						.
	"The current economic recession"
	12/4-7/08	29	51	9	8	3
						.
	"Government laws and regulations that affect the auto industry"
	12/4-7/08	17	46	18	14	5
						.
	"American consumers who decide to buy foreign cars rather than American cars"
	12/4-7/08	15	36	20	27	2

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 3-7, 2008. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"The big three automakers in the United States have asked for up to 34 billion dollars in loans from the government. Some people say it's a bailout those companies don't deserve, and that they'd be better off reorganizing under bankruptcy laws. Other people say it's necessary to protect auto workers and save a key part of the U.S. economy. On balance, do you support or oppose this plan?" Options rotated
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	ALL	37	54	10	.
	Democrats	42	47	11	.
	Independents	36	55	9	.
	Republicans	36	57	7	.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Dec. 1-2, 2008. N=1,096 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"The major U.S. auto companies have asked the government for a program that would provide them with several billion dollars in assistance. The auto companies say they may go into bankruptcy without that assistance. Based on what you have read or heard, do you favor or oppose this program?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/1-2/08	36	61	2		.
						.
"If the government provides several billion dollars in assistance to the auto companies, do you think that program would treat U.S. taxpayers fairly or unfairly?"
						.
		Fairly	Unfairly	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/1-2/08	29	70	2		.
						.
"And do you think that program would help the U.S. economy, or not?"
						.
		Help	Not Help	Unsure		.
		%	%	%		.
	12/1-2/08	45	53	1		.
						.
"If all of the major U.S. auto companies went into bankruptcy, do you think that would affect you and your family immediately, would affect you in a year or so, would eventually affect you, or would never affect you?"
						.
		Immediately	Year or So	Eventually	Never	.
		%	%	%	%	.
	12/1-2/08	15	19	43	23	.

ABC News Poll. Nov. 19-23, 2008. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
					.
"The big three automakers in the United States have asked for a 25 billion dollar loan from the government. Some people say it's a bailout those companies don't deserve, and that they'd be better off reorganizing under bankruptcy laws. Other people say it's necessary to protect auto workers and save a key part of the U.S. economy. On balance, do you support or oppose this plan?" Options rotated
					.
		Support	Oppose	Unsure	.
		%	%	%	.
	11/19-23/08	35	57	9	.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2008. N=1,017 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Do you think the Democrats or the Republicans are more responsible for the problems currently facing financial institutions and the stock market?"
						.
		Democrats	Republicans	Both Equally (vol.)	Neither (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/30 - 11/1/08	29	47	18	6	1
	9/19-21/08	24	47	20	8	2

Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll. Oct. 10-13, 2008. N=1,543 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"In general, do you think there is too much, too little, or about the right amount of government regulation of business?"
						.
		Too Much	Too Little	About Right	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	ALL	27	45	14	14
	Democrats	18	58	10	14
	Independents	23	53	11	13
	Republicans	43	24	22	11
						.
"As you may have heard, last week Congress passed a bill that provides up to seven hundred billion dollars to help stabilize the financial markets. Do you think lawmakers did the right or wrong thing for the country when it passed this financial package?"
						.
		Right Thing	Wrong Thing	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/10-13/08	44	37	19
						.
"How confident are you that the financial package will stabilize the market and keep the economy from getting worse: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all?"
						.
		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Too Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/10-13/08	5	39	29	19	8
						.
"Some people are saying that lack of regulation is partly responsible for the current financial and housing crisis. Do you agree or disagree with that?"
						.
		Agree	Disagree	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/10-13/08	73	19	8

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press survey. Oct. 9-12, 2008. N=1,485 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"How much do you think each of the following has contributed to the current problems with financial institutions and markets? [See below]. Would you say this has contributed a lot, some, not very much or not at all to the current financial problems?"
						.
		A Lot	Some	Not Very Much	Not at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
						.
	"People taking on more debt than they can afford"
	10/9-12/08	79	15	3	1	2
						.
	"Banks making risky loans"
	10/9-12/08	72	17	4	3	4
						.
	"Weak government regulation of financial institutions"
	10/9-12/08	46	34	8	4	8
						.
	"The financial system becoming too complicated"
	10/9-12/08	36	34	16	7	7
						.
	"Growing financial ties between the United States and other countries"
	10/9-12/08	35	37	15	6	7
						.
"Do you think the leaders of financial institutions are more greedy today than in the past, or about the same as they have always been?"
						.
		More Greedy	About the Same	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/9-12/08	60	37	3

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Neil Newhouse (R). Oct. 4-5, 2008. N=658 registered voters nationwide. MoE ą 3.8.
						.
"How much are you personally being affected by the crises on Wall Street and in the mortgage and housing markets: a great deal, some, only a little, or not at all?"
						.
		A Great Deal	Some	Only a Little	Not at All	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/4-5/08	20	29	25	25	1
						.
"The government has announced a plan to take over bad mortgages and other troubled investments from financial firms. This plan could cost the government as much as seven hundred billion dollars but would try to stabilize financial markets, make credit available to business and consumers, and protect some homeowners. Do you approve or disapprove of this plan? If you do not know enough about this to have an opinion, please just say so."
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/4-5/08	40	38	4	18
						.
"And, which one of the following statements best describes how you feel about the current plan to stabilize the Wall Street financial institutions? Given the financial conditions facing America, the federal bailout plan passed by Congress is the right approach to dealing with the problem. Given the financial conditions facing America, the federal bailout plan passed by Congress is not the best approach to dealing with the problem, but is necessary anyway. Given the financial conditions facing America, the federal bailout plan passed by Congress should not have been passed and dealing with the problem should be left to the markets and the private sector."
						.
		Right Approach	Not the Best, But Necessary	Left to Private Sector	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/4-5/08	11	54	29	6

CBS News Poll. Oct. 3-5, 2008. N=957 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the current economic crisis?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	21	70	9
	9/27-30/08	24	69	7
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling the current economic crisis?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	21	70	9
	9/27-30/08	25	67	8
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government providing money to financial institutions to avoid a financial crisis?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Depends (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	36	52	5	7
	9/27-30/08	43	43	5	9
						.
"Do you think the federal government should provide financial help to homeowners who are having trouble repaying their mortgages because their rates went up, or shouldn't the federal government do this?"
						.
		Should	Should Not	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	54	37	9
	9/27-30/08	60	35	5
						.
"Do you approve or disapprove of the economic bailout plan that was voted on by Congress this past week?"
						.
		Approve	Disapprove	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	31	51	18
						.
"Who do you think will benefit from the government money used in the plan: mostly just a few big investors and people who work on Wall Street, or homeowners and people throughout the country as well?"
						.
		Just Wall Street	People Throughout Country	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	60	30	10

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 3-5, 2008. N=1,006 adults nationwide. MoE ą 3.
						.
"As you may know, in the past few days Congress and President Bush approved a government program that would spend up to seven hundred billion dollars to provide assistance to banks and other large financial institutions. Based on what you have read or heard about this bill, do you favor or oppose it?" If oppose: "Would you have favored a different proposal to provide government assistance to financial institutions if some major changes were made, or do you think that the federal government should have stayed out of this matter and let the economy and the financial markets recover on their own?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose: Favor Different Proposal	Oppose: Government Stay Out	Oppose: Unsure Why	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	46	22	30	1	2
						.
"If banks and other financial institutions continue to have the kind of problems they are currently facing, would you favor or oppose another bill which would provide additional government assistance beyond the seven hundred billion dollars in the program that was recently approved?"
						.
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	22	76	2
						.
"Do you think the new program that Congress and the President recently approved will or will not prevent the economy from going into a deep and prolonged recession?"
						.
		Will Prevent	Will Not Prevent	No Recession Even Without New Program (vol.)	Unsure
		%	%	%	%
	10/3-5/08	43	51	3	3
						.
"How confident are you in the ability of each of the following to handle the current financial crisis: very confident, somewhat confident, not very confident, or not confident at all? . . ." N=510 adults (Form A), MoE ą 4.5
						.
		Very Confident	Somewhat Confident	Not Very Confident	Not at All Confident	Unsure
		%	%	%	%	%
	Barack Obama
	10/3-5/08	29	39	14	19	-
						.
	John McCain
	10/3-5/08	14	36	26	23	-
						.
	Democratic leaders in Congress
	10/3-5/08	11	46	24	19	-
						.
	Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke
	10/3-5/08	9	48	22	18	3
						.
	Republican leaders in Congress
	10/3-5/08	7	36	31	25	-
						.
	Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson
	10/3-5/08	6	46	23	20	4
						.
	George W. Bush
	10/3-5/08	4	22	26	47	-

Earlier polling on business issues

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