The Mood Of America 2003 Peter D. Hart A Time of Uncertainty

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart The Changing Mood Of America

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Concern About Our Institutions 9% 10% 12% 15% 22% 24% 25% 27% 60% 82% I have a great deal/quite a bit of confidence in this institution: The military Small business (The Penthouse) News media Religious leaders Pharmaceuticals Accountants (The Basement) Financial industry Large corporations Auto dealers Stock brokers (The Gutter)

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Bush Approval Ratings: Overall, Foreign Policy, and Economy

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart 2004 An Eon Away If President Bush runs for reelection in 2004, do you think you will probably vote for for President Bush or a Democratic candidate? Bush Gephardt Bush Lieberman 51% 32% 50% 35% Vote for Bush Other/NS Vote for Democratic candidate

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart 2004 An Eon Away If President Bush runs for reelection in 2004, do you think you will probably vote for for President Bush or a Democratic candidate? Vote for Bush Vote for Democratic candidate Other/NS Vote for Bush Vote for Democratic candidate Other/NS Today

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart 2004 The Democrats If the 2004 Democratic Primary for president were held today, for which of the following candidates would you vote? Joe Lieberman Richard Gephardt John Kerry John Edwards Carol Moseley Braun Bob Graham Howard Dean Al Sharpton Undecided

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart The Bush Profile On Probation George W. Bush Compassionate Foreign policy challenges Right domestic policies Economic policies 49/31 41/32 36/31 33/37 NowThen 56/ /25 Honor Roll Honesty Personal popularity Dealing w/terrorism Strong leadership George W. Bush 60/23 56/32 64/28 56/23 NowThen 50/24 62/23 76/19 73/10

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart President Bush: Like Father, Like Son? Approval Rating Dow Jones Avg. Unemployment Economy Foreign Policy Strong Leader Compassionate 81% positive , +11.5% 6.5% 44% approval 83% approval 67% 27% % positive , -2% 5.8% 49% approval 70% approval 56% (Jan 03) 49% (Jan 03) 2003

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Divided On The Issues 39% 38% 41% 46% 52% 71% 51% 46% 45% 42% 38% 19% Education, health, environment Rx drugs for seniors Social Security Economy Tax policy War on terrorism

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? The Economy 2% 10% 4% 48% 36% Fairly Good Fairly Bad Not sure Very Good Very Bad

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Support For Bush Tax Cuts DO NOT pass tax cut: federal budget in deficit, costs of war are unknown Pass tax cut: needed to stimulate economic growth

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Patriotic Proud Joyful Group One Worried Anxious Dis- appointed Group Two Two Views Of The War 28% 17% Hopeful 45% Group 1 Group 2

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Positive View Of The War 76% support taking military action to remove Hussein. Majorities say U.S. successful in minimizing civilian casualties, removing Hussein, making U.S. secure. 73% believe U.S. didnt underestimate Iraqi military.

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Worried View Of The War l 71% see most challenges in Iraq ahead of us. l 34% say U.S. standing in world has declined; 32% say it has increased. l Majorities do not support U.S. military action against North Korea, Syria, Iran.

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart The Environment: Too Much/Too Little 44% 40% 30% 68% 58% 51% Jan/March 1992 Apr-00 Mar-03 U.S. Government is doing too much/about the right amount in protecting the environment U.S. Government is doing too little in protecting the environment 14% of Americans say they are active participants in the environmental movement

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Bush on the Environment Job on protecting the environment Environmental protection is being... 9% 35% Strengthened Weakened 44% 43% Good job Poor Job

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Environmental Concerns Pollution of rivers, lakes Pollution of drinking water Toxic waste soil contamination Water supply maintenance air pollution Damage to ozone layer Loss of tropical rainforests Plant/animal extinction Global warming Acid rain 85% 82% 78% 67% 65% 58% 48%

Mood of America 2003/Peter D. Hart Enviro Rules For The Future 1. Appreciate the times 2. All environmental problems not equally supported 3. Put the issues in human terms 4. Tap into values 5. Develop more win/win strategies

The Mood Of America 2003 Peter D. Hart A Time of Uncertainty