KAET-ASU Poll

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Contact Dr. Bruce Merrill (970) 927-0922
Can be used after 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 26, 2003

HIGH SUPPORT FOUND FOR BISHOP O'BRIEN'S RESIGNATION; TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN CATHOLIC CHURCH LOW

ARIZONA VOTERS CONTINUE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN PRESIDENT BUSH'S HANDLING OF WAR IN IRAQ

VOTERS CONTINUE TO GIVE GOVERNOR NAPOLITANO HIGH MARKS - RATE HER HIGHER THAN LEGISLATURE

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 June 19 - 22, 2003, found almost unanimous agreement with Bishop Thomas O'Brien's decision to resign as head of the Phoenix Diocese. Those surveyed were asked if they had an opinion on the Bishop's resignation. Eighty-nine percent said they did, and of those, 98% agreed O'Brien should have resigned.

The survey also revealed the controversy surrounding the bishop's resignation may have negatively affected the image of the Catholic Church. When asked how much trust and confidence they had in a number of important institutions, of all those interviewed 35% said they had a great deal (10%) or some (25%) trust and confidence in the Catholic Church. Among those with an opinion about the Catholic Church, 41% had a favorable opinion. In comparison, among those with an opinion about other important institutions, the percentages were: Protestant Churches (75%), American media (63%), Arizona public schools (60%), the Democratic Party (60%), the Republican Party (59%), the Mormon Church (44%) and Child Protective Services 42%.

The survey also found that registered voters in Arizona continue to support President Bush's decision to invade Iraq. Sixty-seven percent (67%) felt the president was justified in attacking Iraq. In addition, a majority (55%) believed weapons of mass destruction will eventually be found in Iraq. The poll also found that 61% of those interviewed felt Bush has not intentionally misled the American public about weapons of mass destruction being in Iraq. As expected, Republicans and self-identified political conservatives tended to be considerably more supportive of Bush than Democrats and self-identified liberals.

Finally, the poll found that 68% of all registered voters approved of the job Janet Napolitano is doing as governor of Arizona, 17% disapproved and 15% offered no opinion. Among those with an opinion, the governor received an 80% approval rating. Democrats were more likely than Republicans, 94% to 67%, to feel the governor was doing a good job. In comparison, 40% of all registered voters approved of the job the Arizona Legislature did in the recently completed Legislative session, 31% disapproved and 29% held no opinion. Among those with an opinion, the Legislature's approval rating was 56%.

The statewide poll of 398 registered voters has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.9%. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 17% in Pima County, and 24% in the less populated counties. The sample was 40% Republican, 38% Democrat and 22% independent. Fifty-two percent of those interviewed were female; 48% male.

1. Let's start with the American media. Would you say you have

1. a great deal.	6% (6)*
2. some	55 (57)
3. little	27 (29)
4. no trust and confidence in the American media	8 (8)
5. dk*/no opinion	4
	100%