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Press Release

September 2004
WCVI - MirRam Group Survey
606 Interviews Among Hispanic Voters
Margin of Error +/-4%

A. GENDER (BY OBSERVATION)

50% Male 50% Female

B. LANGUAGE OF INTERVIEW

24% Spanish 76% English

 

SCREENERS

 

1. Are you 18 years of age or older and of Hispanic origin or descent?

2. Are you registered to vote at this address? (IF YES, ASK) With which political party are you registered to vote?

59% REGISTERED-Democrat 25% REGISTERED-Republican 13% REGISTERED-Independent/Unenrolled 2% REGISTERED-Other

3. In general, which language do you use most often? (READ 1-5)

4. Which nationality group are you mainly descended from? (READ LIST IF NECESSARY. ACCEPT MULTIPLE RESPONSES)

3% Puerto Rican 1% Dominican 1% Cuban 49% Mexican 1% Colombian *% El Salvadorian *% Ecuadorian 2% Guatemalan *% Honduran *% Nicaraguan *% Panamanian *% Costa Rican 1% Brazilian 15% Other (South American, Chilean, Peruvian, Argentinean, Venezuelan, Uruguayan, Paraguayan) 23% Other 4% Don’t know/Refused

 

VOTING AND THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

 

Now thinking about the job George W. Bush is doing as President and the upcoming elections for President and other offices…

5. How would you rate the job George Bush is doing as President? Would you say he is doing an excellent job, good, not so good, or a poor job?

6. And how would you rate the job George Bush is doing serving the Hispanic community? Would you say George Bush is doing an excellent job, good, not so good, or a poor job serving the Hispanic community?

NEW MEXICO ONLY:

7. How would you rate the job Bill Richardson is doing as Governor? Would you say he is doing an excellent job, good, not so good, or a poor job?

85% Almost certain 7% Probably 5% 50-50 2% Won’t vote 1% Don’t know/Refused

ASK IN COLORADO, NEW MEXICO AND NEVADA AND
IF Q8 = 1-3: (LIKELY GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS)

9. Thinking about the elections in November, if the election for President were held today and the candidates were [ROTATE] Republican George Bush, Democrat John Kerry, and Reform Party candidate Ralph Nader, for whom would you vote?

[IF UNDECIDED/REFUSED, ASK: Toward which candidate are you leaning?]

ASK IN ARIZONA AND IF Q8 = 1-3: (LIKELY GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS)

9.Y. Thinking about the elections in November, if the election for President were held today and the candidates were [ROTATE] Republican George Bush and Democrat John Kerry for whom would you vote?

[IF UNDECIDED/REFUSED, ASK: Toward which candidate are you leaning?]

10. Please choose the top 3 MOST important issues to you in determining your vote for President. (RECORD FIRST/SECOND/THIRD CHOICE)

25% Public education reforms 6% Legalizing school vouchers 10% Legalization for undocumented workers 33% Health care access 25% Strengthening jobs and wages 26% Homeland Security 35% War in Iraq 5% Crime 7% Building more affordable housing 24% Social Security 12% Raising the minimum wage 12% Balancing the budget 11% Tax cuts 3% Other 4% Don’t know/Refused

11.

ASK IN NEVADA AND IF Q8 = 1-3: (LIKELY GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS)

11.X Again thinking about the elections in November, if the election for Senate were held today and the candidates were [ROTATE] Republican Richard Ziser and Democrat Harry Reid, for whom would you vote?

[IF UNDECIDED/REFUSED, ASK: Toward which candidate are you leaning?]

ASK IN COLORADO AND IF Q8 = 1-3: (LIKELY GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS)

11.Y Again thinking about the elections in November, if the election for Senate were held today and the candidates were [ROTATE] Republican Pete Coors and Democrat Ken Salazar, for whom would you vote?

[IF UNDECIDED/REFUSED, ASK: Toward which candidate are you leaning?]

12. Overall, which candidate would you say is making more of an effort to reach out to the Hispanic community, (ROTATE) George Bush or John Kerry?

29% George Bush 41% John Kerry 9% Both 10% Neither 12% Don’t know/refused

Now I am going to read you a list of words and phrases people use to describe the candidates for President. For each word or phrase I read, please tell me which political candidate that word or phrase describes better – [ROTATE] George W. Bush or John Kerry.

13. Cares about people like you

30% George W. Bush 48% John Kerry 5% Both 10% Neither 6% Don’t know *% Refused

14. Honest and trustworthy

30% George W. Bush 41% John Kerry 4% Both 15% Neither 9% Don’t know 1% Refused

15. Strong leader

42% George W. Bush 38% John Kerry 6% Both 6% Neither 8% Don’t know *% Refused

16. Out of touch with the average American

45% George W. Bush 31% John Kerry 8% Both 5% Neither 10% Don’t know 1% Refused

17. Understands the needs of the U.S. Latino community

28% George W. Bush 39% John Kerry 5% Both 12% Neither 15% Don’t know 1% Refused

Now I am going to read you a list of different issues facing the Hispanic community. Generally speaking, I would like you to tell me which candidate you trust more to have the right approach to dealing with each issue I read.

18. The economy and jobs

57% Trust Kerry more 29% Trust Bush more 3% Trust both equally 5% Trust neither 6% Don’t know/Refused

19. National security

41% Trust Kerry more 45% Trust Bush more 5% Trust both equally 3% Trust neither 6% Don’t know/Refused

20. Health care

56% Trust Kerry more 29% Trust Bush more 3% Trust both equally 5% Trust neither 7% Don’t know/Refused

21. Education

51% Trust Kerry more 35% Trust Bush more 4% Trust both equally 5% Trust neither 6% Don’t know/Refused

22. Environment

56% Trust Kerry more 24% Trust Bush more 4% Trust both equally 6% Trust neither 10% Don’t know/Refused

23. Crime

41% Trust Kerry more 35% Trust Bush more 6% Trust both equally 8% Trust neither 9% Don’t know/Refused

24. War on drugs

36% Trust Kerry more 35% Trust Bush more 6% Trust both equally 11% Trust neither 12% Don’t know/Refused

25. Abortion

37% Trust Kerry more 34% Trust Bush more 2% Trust both equally 8% Trust neither 20% Don’t know/Refused

26. Foreign policy

44% Trust Kerry more 39% Trust Bush more 2% Trust both equally 5% Trust neither 10% Don’t know/Refused

27. Taxes

48% Trust Kerry more 36% Trust Bush more 2% Trust both equally 8% Trust neither 6% Don’t know/Refused

28. Immigration

41% Trust Kerry more 33% Trust Bush more 4% Trust both equally 9% Trust neither 13% Don’t know/Refused

 

29. Thinking specifically about the economy, how would you rate the condition of the nation’s economy today – excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

And thinking about the Bush tax cuts…

30. In your opinion, how much did you and your family benefit economically from President Bush’s tax cuts – a great deal, a lot, some, a little, or not at all?

6% A great deal 7% A lot 20% Some 25% A little 39% Not at all 3% Don’t know/Refused

31. Please tell me whether you personally agree or disagree with the following statement regarding the Bush tax cuts: The federal government has enough money to finance the education and health care systems, to pay for the war in Iraq, and to keep the Bush tax cuts in place. Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with this statement?

32. When it comes to the tax cuts, do you think the federal government should: (READ)

12% Keep the all of the current tax cuts in place. 36% Keep the tax cuts for low-income and middle-class families but repeal the tax cuts for corporations and high-income taxpayers. 37% Repeal all of the tax cuts and use the money to fund the education and health care systems instead. 3% None of the above 9% Don’t know 2% Refused

33. Right now, which is more important for President Bush to focus on, the economy or the war on terrorism?

48% Economy 31% War on Terrorism 17% Both 1% Neither 3% Don’t know/Refused

34. Do you think the U.S. should keep military troops in Iraq until a stable government is established there, or do you think the U.S. should bring its troops home as soon as possible?

40% Keep troops 52% Bring home 3% Both/Depends 4% Don't know/Refused

 

Now thinking about the issue of health care and the Hispanic community…

35. Which ONE of the following do you consider the most serious problems facing the health care system today? Is it….

(READ AND ROTATE RESPONSES)

20% That many Latinos lack health insurance coverage 11% That the Medicare/Medicaid system may run short of funds in coming years 6% The poor quality of doctors and healthcare professionals 14% The rising cost of prescription medications 26% The rising cost of health insurance 15% All of the above 1% None of the above 1% Other 6% Don’t know/Refused

36. As you may know, Congress passed a new Medicare law that includes some coverage of prescription drug costs and changes the way Medicare covers other medical expenses for senior citizens. Overall, would you say you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat DISapprove, or strongly DISapprove of these recent changes?

37. In your opinion, does the Medicare legislation go too far, not far enough, or is it about right in how much it covers prescription drugs for seniors?

8% Too far 61% Not far enough 18% About right 10% Don’t know 2% Refused

 

Now I would like to ask you some questions pertaining to the issue of immigration…

38. Do you think there are too many, too few, or about the right amount of immigrants living in the United States today?

46% Too many 8% Too few 30% Right amount 16% Don’t know/Refused

39. Which of the following statements comes closer to your own point of view when it comes to the issue of immigration?

ROTATE

26% Statement A: The U.S. should allow some undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. to stay in this country for several years as long as they are working. These individuals would be required to return to their countries after no more than six years.

OR

55% Statement B: The U.S. should grant permanent residency to undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. who pass a background check and who can show they have been working here for at least two years. 8% Neither 3% Both/Depends 7% Don’t Know/Refused

 

ARIZONA ONLY: Switching topics slightly…

39X. This November, voters will be asked to vote on Arizona’s Proposition 200, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, photo ID to vote, and proof of eligibility and immigration status to receive non-federal public benefits, such as welfare. If the election were held today, would you vote yes or no to approve Proposition 200? (IF “UNDECIDED/NOT SURE,” ASK: Which way would you say you are leaning?)

60% Yes, 4% Undecided, lean Yes 29% No, 2% Undecided, lean No 2% Undecided/Don’t know 3% Refused

40.
41.

Now, I’d like to ask you just a few questions for statistical purposes only.

42. What is your age please?

10% 18-24 14% 25-34 29% 35-49 9% 50-54 15% 55-64 20% 65+ 1% Don’t know/Refused

43. What is the last grade of school you completed, or the highest degree you’ve received? (PROBE IF LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL FOR LAST GRADE COMPLETED. DO NOT READ LIST)

*% Grades 1 & 2 1% Grades 3 & 4 4% Grade 5-8 6% Grades 9-11 28% High school grad 29% Some college 21% College graduate 8% Post-grad 2% Don’t know/Refused

44. Are you presently:

17% Single 62% Married 9% Divorced 2% Separated 7% Widowed 2% Unmarried/living as a couple with someone 1% Don’t know/Refused

At this time, let me remind you that all of your answers will be kept strictly confidential.

45. In what country were you born? If you were born in Puerto Rico, please say so.

75% United States 16% Mexico *% Puerto Rico 1% Cuba *% Dominican Republic *% El Salvador 1% Colombia 5% Other 1% Don’t know/Refused

46. How long have you lived in the United States?

1% Less than 5 years 3% 6-10 years 4% 11-15 years 6% 16-25 years 10% More than 25 years 75% Entire life 2% Don’t know/Refused

47. Are you currently employed full-time outside the home, employed part-time outside the home, are you self-employed, unemployed but looking for work, retired, a student, or a homemaker?

42% Employed full-time 7% Employed part-time 7% Self-Employed 7% Unemployed 26% Retired/Disabled 3% Student 7% Homemaker 1% Don’t know/Refused

48. If you added together your entire household’s income, in which of the following income categories would your family fall? Would that be: (READ 1-9)

7% $10,000 or less 12% $10,000-$20,000 13% $20,001-$30,000 12% $30,001-$40,000 11% $40,001-$50,000 9% $50,001-$60,000 6% $60,001-$70,000 9% $70,001-$100,000 6% More than $100,000 14% Don’t know/Refused

C. State

23% Arizona 25% New Mexico 25% Colorado 27% Nevada