New Hampshire residents continue to be pessimistic about the progress of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and support for the US having gone to war against Iraq matches an all-time low. However, approval of the Obama administration‚Äôs handling of the war in Iraq remains high

Survey Center, UNH

English

UNH Scholars' Repository

THE WMUR GRANITE STATE POLL THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SURVEY CENTER   February 16, 2011  NEW HAMPSHIRE PESSIMISTIC ABOUT AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ  By: Andrew E. Smith, Ph.D.  UNH Survey Center  www.unh.edu/survey-center  603/862-2226  DURHAM, NH – New Hampshire residents continue to be pessimistic about the progress of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and support for the US having gone to war against Iraq matches an all-time low. However, approval of the Obama administration’s handling of the war in Iraq remains high.  These findings are based on the latest WMUR Granite State Poll,∗ conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.  Five hundred twenty (520) randomly selected New Hampshire adults were interviewed by telephone between January 27 and February 6, 2011.  The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.3 percent.  Foreign Affairs  As the popular uprisings have flared in the Middles East, New Hampshire adults remain only marginally supportive of the Obama Administration’s handling of foreign policy.  Currently, 49% approve of how President Obama is handling foreign affairs, 46% disapprove, and 5% are neutral.  There is a partisan divide in approval of Obama’s handling of foreign affairs with 86% of Democrats, but only 19% of Republicans approving.                                                                  ∗ We ask that this copyrighted information be referred to as the Granite State Poll, sponsored by WMUR-TV, and conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Obama Approval:  Foreign Affairs The War in Afghanistan  Most New Hampshire adults believe the war in Afghanistan is going badly for the United States. In the most recent Granite State Poll, 57% of New Hampshire adults think the war in Afghanistan is going badly, 38% think it is going well, and 5% don’t know. The percentage of those who believe the war is going badly has declined somewhat from 65% in July to 57% today.    Presidential Approval on Afghanistan  While most think the war in Afghanistan is going badly for the United States, New Hampshire adults remain split in their opinions of how well President Obama is handling the situation there.  Currently, 49% of New Hampshire adults approve of his handling of Afghanistan, 43% disapprove, and 8% are neutral or don’t know. This measure is unchanged since July.    Democrats (67%) are most likely to approve of his handling of the situation in Afghanistan, while Republicans (56%) and political independents (46%) are most likely to disapprove.    Obama Approval: Handling Situation in Afghanistan How the War in Afghanistan is Going for the US Presidential Approval on Iraq         Approval of President Obama’s handling of the situation in has remained stable.  In the most recent WMUR Granite State Poll, 59% of New Hampshire adults approve of his handling of Iraq, 32% disapprove, and 9% are neutral.  Obama holds majority support from Democrats and from political independents – 77% and 54%, respectively. More Republicans approve (45%) than disapprove (41%) of Obama’s handling of the war in Iraq.    Opposition toward the US having gone to war with Iraq is at an all time high.  Currently, only 35% of Granite Staters support the US having gone to war with Iraq, 60% oppose it, and 4% are neutral.     Support for War In Iraq Obama Approval: Handling Situation in Iraq  Can the US Win?  Granite Staters continue to be pessimistic about the U.S. winning the war in Iraq.  Currently, only 34% of New Hampshire adults think the U.S. can win the Iraq War, 53% think the U.S. cannot win, and 13% don’t know.  Republicans continue to be the most optimistic about U.S. prospects of victory in Iraq but now, less than half of Republicans (48%) believe the U.S. can win. Optimism about winning the war in Iraq among Republicans has been declining since President Obama was elected.  Democrats continue to be the least optimistic with only 18% thinking winning the Iraq war is possible.       Percent Believing US Can Win by Party ID Granite State Poll Methodology  These findings are based on the latest WMUR Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.  Five hundred twenty (520) randomly selected New Hampshire adults were interviewed by telephone between January 27 and February 6, 2011.  The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.3 percent.   The data have been weighted to adjust for numbers of adults and telephone lines within households, respondent sex, and region of the state.  In addition to potential sampling error, all surveys have other potential sources of non-sampling error including question order effects, question wording effects, and non-response.    Presidential Approval - Foreign Affairs  “GENERALLY SPEAKING, do you approve or disapprove of the way President Obama is handling FOREIGN AFFAIRS?”   Approve Neutral Disapprove (N) Feb. ‘11 49% 5% 46% (515) Sept. ‘10 49% 7% 45% (511) July ‘10 50% 6% 44% (503) Apr. ‘10 52% 6% 42% (504) Feb. ‘10 53% 7% 40% (494) Oct. ‘09 52% 8% 40% (499) July ‘09 63% 9% 29% (552) Apr. ‘09 65% 8% 26% (496) Feb. ‘09 53% 32% 15% (607)    Presidential Approval - Handling of Situation in Iraq  “Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Obama is handling the situation with Iraq?”   Approve Neutral Disapprove (N) Feb. ‘11 59% 9% 32% (513) Sept. ‘10 60% 7% 33% (512) July ‘10 52% 12% 35% (498) Apr. ‘10 56% 17% 27% (504) Feb. ‘10 61% 9% 29% (492) Oct. ‘09 56% 19% 25% (496) July ‘09 65% 10% 24% (554) Apr. ‘09 71% 10% 19% (498) Feb. ‘09 55% 32% 13% (609)   Support for War in Iraq  “Do you support or oppose the United States having gone to war with Iraq?”   Support Neutral Oppose (N) Feb. ‘11 35% 4% 60% (518) Sept. ‘10 38% 5% 57% (512) July ‘10 38% 6% 57% (501) Apr. ‘10 42% 5% 53% (507) Feb. ‘10 40% 6% 54% (491) Oct. ‘09 41% 8% 51% (499) July ‘09 40% 6% 54% (553) Apr. ‘09 42% 7% 51% (502) Feb. ‘09 37% 5% 57% (616) Sept. ‘09 37% 7% 53% (544) July '08 37% 6% 57% (511) Apr. '08 40% 3% 57% (498) Feb. ‘08 38% 5% 57% (548) Sep. ‘07 40% 6% 54% (506) July ‘07 35% 6% 59% (516) Apr. ‘07 37% 5% 58% (510) Feb. ‘07 40% 5% 55% (525) Sept. ‘06 42% 4% 54% (510) July ‘06 47% 6% 47% (500) Apr. ‘06 46% 5% 49% (496) Feb. ‘06 47% 5% 48% (500) Oct. ‘05 45% 4% 50% (502) July ‘05 48% 5% 48% (493) Apr. ‘05 52% 3% 45% (489) Feb. ‘05 47% 6% 47% (537) July ‘04 47% 6% 47% (498) Apr. ‘04 59% 4% 37% (536) Feb. ‘04 54% 3% 33% (509) Oct. ‘03 65% 5% 30% (496) June ‘03 69% 4% 20% (513) Apr. ‘03 77% 4% 20% (506) Can US Win in Iraq?  “Do you think the United States can win or cannot win the war in Iraq?”    Can Win Cannot Win Don’t Know  (N) Feb. ‘11 34% 53% 13% (514) Sept. ‘10 35% 48% 17% (507) July ‘10 35% 48% 17% (497) Apr. ‘10 44% 39% 16% (502) Feb. ‘10 37% 49% 14% (489) Oct. ‘09 44% 43% 13% (491) July ‘09 40% 46% 15% (549) Apr. ‘09 43% 45% 12% (486) Feb. ‘09 44% 41% 15% (597) Sept. ‘08 45% 41% 14% (532) July '08 38% 52% 10% (511) Apr. '08 34% 56% 10% (495) Feb. ‘08 35% 53% 12% (544) Sep. ‘07 32% 55% 13% (503) July ‘07 32% 57% 11% (504) Apr. ‘07 35% 55% 10% (512)    Presidential Approval - Handling of Situation in Afghanistan  "Now, let's talk about the war in Afghanistan. Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Obama is handling the situation with Afghanistan?"   Approve Neutral Disapprove (N) Feb. ‘11 49% 8% 43% (508) Sept. ‘10 48% 7% 45% (508) July ‘10 47% 9% 45% (494)    How is the War in Afghanistan Going for the U.S.?  “What is your impression of how the war in Afghanistan is going for the United States right now?  Would you say it is going very well … somewhat well … somewhat badly … or very badly?"    Going Well Going Badly Don’t Know  (N) Feb. ‘11 38% 57% 5% (519) Sept. ‘10 37% 58% 5% (513) July ‘10 29% 65% 6% (503) Apr. ‘10 50% 45% 6% (511) Feb. ‘10 34% 59% 7% (494) Oct. ‘09 22% 70% 8% (500) July ‘09 36% 53% 12% (556) Apr. ‘09 29% 56% 15% (498) Feb. ‘09 29% 56% 14% (619)       Presidential Approval Rating - Foreign Affairs   Approve Neutral Disapprove (N=) STATEWIDE 49% 5% 46% 515  Registered Democrat 86% 4% 10% 117 Registered Undeclared 52% 5% 42% 214 Registered Republican 15% 6% 79% 149  Democrat 86% 4% 11% 190 Independent 48% 4% 48% 83 Republican 19% 6% 75% 235  Liberal 80% 4% 16% 105 Moderate 60% 5% 34% 211 Conservative 17% 4% 79% 181  Get most news from Local TV news 45% 5% 50% 152 National TV news 46% 4% 49% 130 Radio 73% 8% 19% 49 Newspapers 61% 6% 34% 62 Internet 43% 5% 52% 82 Other 34% 0% 66% 32  McCain/Palin Voter 14% 6% 80% 217 Obama/Biden Voter 82% 5% 14% 235 Other 46% 3% 51% 26 Did Not Vote in 2008 47% 0% 53% 21  Union household 63% 3% 34% 67 Non-union 47% 5% 48% 444  10 yrs or less in NH 46% 1% 53% 91 11 to 20 years 53% 11% 37% 87 More than 20 years 48% 5% 47% 336  18 to 34 62% 7% 31% 49 35 to 49 41% 8% 52% 125 50 to 64 56% 3% 41% 201 65 and over 41% 6% 53% 132  Male 47% 5% 48% 249 Female 51% 5% 45% 266  High school or less 44% 6% 50% 79 Some college 40% 6% 54% 107 College graduate 51% 4% 44% 202 Post-graduate 55% 5% 40% 127  Less than $30K 47% 9% 44% 40 $30K to $60K 45% 5% 50% 84 $60K to $75K 55% 0% 45% 50 $75K to $100K 60% 5% 36% 56 $100K or more 49% 3% 48% 142  Attend services 1 or more/week 40% 6% 55% 129 1-2 times a month 48% 2% 49% 53 Less often 53% 5% 41% 152 Never 53% 5% 42% 163  North Country 46% 6% 48% 41 Central / Lakes 53% 4% 43% 88 Connecticut Valley 48% 6% 46% 78 Mass Border 41% 5% 54% 145 Seacoast 62% 3% 34% 88 Manchester Area 45% 5% 50% 72  First Cong. Dist 48% 5% 47% 234 Second Cong. Dist 49% 5% 46% 276 Presidential Approval Rating - Iraq   Approve Neutral Disapprove (N=) STATEWIDE 59% 9% 32% 513  Registered Democrat 79% 9% 12% 117 Registered Undeclared 58% 7% 35% 209 Registered Republican 45% 12% 43% 151  Democrat 77% 6% 17% 191 Independent 54% 4% 42% 80 Republican 45% 14% 41% 235  Liberal 67% 9% 24% 105 Moderate 69% 8% 24% 212 Conservative 41% 12% 47% 177  Union household 74% 2% 24% 68 Non-union 56% 10% 33% 441  10 yrs or less in NH 58% 9% 33% 91 11 to 20 years 59% 14% 26% 87 More than 20 years 59% 8% 33% 334  18 to 34 57% 13% 30% 47 35 to 49 51% 14% 35% 126 50 to 64 68% 4% 28% 201 65 and over 52% 11% 37% 136  Male 65% 8% 27% 248 Female 52% 11% 37% 265  Get most news from Local TV news 48% 11% 41% 151 National TV news 66% 5% 29% 129 Radio 74% 11% 16% 49 Newspapers 60% 5% 35% 62 Internet 56% 16% 28% 84 Other 64% 5% 31% 30  High school or less 48% 10% 42% 80 Some college 52% 14% 34% 107 College graduate 61% 9% 30% 201 Post-graduate 67% 6% 28% 125  Less than $30K 46% 7% 47% 39 $30K to $60K 55% 8% 37% 84 $60K to $75K 58% 14% 28% 50 $75K to $100K 66% 6% 28% 56 $100K or more 67% 8% 25% 142  Attend services 1 or more/week 53% 10% 36% 128 1-2 times a month 55% 11% 34% 53 Less often 63% 10% 27% 152 Never 60% 7% 32% 163  North Country 54% 4% 42% 40 Central / Lakes 67% 8% 25% 88 Connecticut Valley 56% 9% 35% 79 Mass Border 59% 6% 35% 145 Seacoast 58% 14% 28% 86 Manchester Area 55% 15% 30% 74  First Cong. Dist 55% 11% 34% 235 Second Cong. Dist 61% 8% 31% 278  Support / Oppose US War in Iraq   Support Neutral Oppose (N=) STATEWIDE 35% 4% 60% 518  Registered Democrat 17% 2% 81% 118 Registered Undeclared 30% 6% 64% 214 Registered Republican 55% 4% 41% 151  Democrat 12% 1% 87% 191 Independent 30% 7% 63% 83 Republican 55% 6% 39% 236  Liberal 9% 2% 89% 104 Moderate 29% 3% 68% 213 Conservative 58% 6% 36% 182  Union household 29% 3% 68% 69 Non-union 36% 4% 59% 446  10 yrs or less in NH 41% 4% 55% 90 11 to 20 years 28% 7% 66% 87 More than 20 years 36% 4% 61% 340  18 to 34 45% 1% 53% 49 35 to 49 41% 7% 52% 125 50 to 64 33% 3% 64% 204 65 and over 30% 5% 65% 137  Male 40% 6% 54% 252 Female 31% 3% 66% 267  Get most news from Local TV news 39% 4% 56% 153 National TV news 39% 4% 57% 130 Radio 21% 6% 72% 49 Newspapers 27% 6% 67% 62 Internet 31% 5% 64% 85 Other 49% 0% 51% 32  High school or less 33% 6% 60% 81 Some college 38% 4% 59% 108 College graduate 33% 5% 63% 202 Post-graduate 38% 3% 58% 127  Less than $30K 23% 3% 74% 41 $30K to $60K 36% 4% 60% 86 $60K to $75K 36% 5% 60% 50 $75K to $100K 27% 2% 71% 55 $100K or more 38% 4% 58% 142  Attend services 1 or more/week 45% 5% 51% 131 1-2 times a month 35% 4% 60% 53 Less often 34% 6% 60% 153 Never 28% 3% 70% 163  North Country 39% 6% 55% 41 Central / Lakes 32% 3% 65% 90 Connecticut Valley 33% 4% 63% 80 Mass Border 40% 5% 54% 145 Seacoast 28% 6% 67% 88 Manchester Area 38% 2% 60% 74  First Cong. Dist 35% 5% 60% 236 Second Cong. Dist 35% 4% 61% 282 Can US Win War in Iraq?   Can Cannot Don't  Win Win Know (N=) STATEWIDE 34% 53% 13% 514  Registered Democrat 19% 65% 16% 117 Registered Undeclared 29% 60% 11% 210 Registered Republican 48% 36% 16% 152  Democrat 18% 70% 12% 190 Independent 25% 61% 14% 81 Republican 48% 38% 14% 236  Liberal 10% 72% 18% 103 Moderate 30% 60% 10% 212 Conservative 52% 34% 14% 181  Union household 23% 64% 13% 68 Non-union 35% 51% 14% 443  10 yrs or less in NH 28% 64% 8% 90 11 to 20 years 34% 57% 9% 86 More than 20 years 35% 49% 16% 337  18 to 34 45% 44% 11% 49 35 to 49 31% 58% 11% 126 50 to 64 31% 55% 14% 200 65 and over 36% 47% 16% 137  Male 41% 43% 15% 250 Female 26% 62% 12% 264  Get most news from Local TV news 35% 49% 16% 153 National TV news 36% 54% 10% 131 Radio 27% 60% 13% 48 Newspapers 32% 53% 15% 60 Internet 28% 55% 18% 84 Other 46% 49% 5% 31  High school or less 37% 44% 19% 81 Some college 33% 52% 16% 109 College graduate 31% 60% 9% 199 Post-graduate 37% 48% 15% 125  Less than $30K 31% 51% 18% 41 $30K to $60K 38% 46% 16% 83 $60K to $75K 23% 67% 10% 50 $75K to $100K 30% 51% 19% 55 $100K or more 38% 54% 9% 142  Attend services 1 or more/week 42% 44% 15% 127 1-2 times a month 33% 55% 13% 53 Less often 31% 55% 14% 153 Never 29% 58% 12% 162  North Country 45% 45% 10% 42 Central / Lakes 33% 54% 13% 87 Connecticut Valley 26% 61% 13% 79 Mass Border 35% 54% 11% 147 Seacoast 23% 57% 19% 87 Manchester Area 44% 40% 16% 73  First Cong. Dist 33% 52% 14% 233 Second Cong. Dist 34% 53% 13% 281 Presidential Approval Rating - Afghanistan   Approve Neutral Disapprove (N=) STATEWIDE 49% 8% 43% 508  Registered Democrat 68% 7% 25% 114 Registered Undeclared 53% 6% 41% 208 Registered Republican 29% 10% 61% 150  Democrat 67% 7% 26% 187 Independent 49% 5% 46% 80 Republican 35% 9% 56% 233  Liberal 61% 9% 29% 104 Moderate 57% 8% 35% 209 Conservative 31% 7% 62% 176  Union household 61% 3% 36% 68 Non-union 47% 8% 44% 436  10 yrs or less in NH 49% 5% 46% 90 11 to 20 years 46% 10% 44% 87 More than 20 years 50% 8% 42% 330  18 to 34 58% 10% 31% 47 35 to 49 51% 9% 40% 125 50 to 64 53% 5% 42% 197 65 and over 38% 10% 52% 136  Male 52% 8% 40% 247 Female 46% 8% 46% 261  Get most news from Local TV news 43% 9% 48% 150 National TV news 51% 4% 45% 128 Radio 68% 6% 26% 46 Newspapers 58% 6% 36% 61 Internet 41% 12% 47% 84 Other 47% 14% 38% 30  High school or less 43% 6% 50% 80 Some college 43% 12% 45% 107 College graduate 56% 7% 37% 197 Post-graduate 47% 7% 46% 123  Less than $30K 44% 3% 53% 38 $30K to $60K 46% 8% 46% 83 $60K to $75K 50% 8% 42% 48 $75K to $100K 55% 4% 41% 56 $100K or more 56% 7% 37% 142  Attend services 1 or more/week 43% 10% 47% 127 1-2 times a month 55% 7% 38% 53 Less often 56% 7% 37% 151 Never 46% 7% 47% 161  North Country 50% 3% 47% 40 Central / Lakes 53% 12% 35% 87 Connecticut Valley 40% 5% 54% 77 Mass Border 50% 7% 42% 144 Seacoast 49% 9% 42% 85 Manchester Area 51% 7% 42% 74  First Cong. Dist 49% 8% 43% 233 Second Cong. Dist 49% 7% 43% 275  How is the War in Afghanistan going for the US?   Well Badly Don’t Know (N=) STATEWIDE 38% 57% 5% 519  Registered Democrat 36% 59% 5% 117 Registered Undeclared 37% 56% 8% 213 Registered Republican 42% 55% 3% 153  Democrat 34% 62% 4% 191 Independent 39% 51% 10% 83 Republican 41% 55% 5% 238  Liberal 28% 68% 4% 105 Moderate 38% 56% 6% 213 Conservative 43% 53% 4% 182  Union household 43% 53% 5% 69 Non-union 37% 57% 5% 447  10 yrs or less in NH 26% 66% 8% 91 11 to 20 years 32% 65% 3% 87 More than 20 years 42% 52% 5% 340  18 to 34 37% 55% 8% 49 35 to 49 38% 60% 2% 126 50 to 64 39% 54% 7% 204 65 and over 37% 59% 5% 137  Male 44% 52% 4% 252 Female 32% 61% 7% 267  Get most news from Local TV news 43% 53% 5% 152 National TV news 38% 55% 7% 130 Radio 40% 54% 6% 49 Newspapers 43% 52% 4% 62 Internet 22% 72% 6% 85 Other 45% 51% 3% 32  High school or less 40% 51% 9% 80 Some college 38% 59% 3% 109 College graduate 40% 55% 5% 203 Post-graduate 33% 61% 6% 127  Less than $30K 41% 54% 4% 40 $30K to $60K 43% 53% 4% 86 $60K to $75K 25% 65% 10% 50 $75K to $100K 44% 54% 2% 56 $100K or more 39% 58% 3% 142  Attend services 1 or more/week 35% 57% 8% 131 1-2 times a month 50% 50% 0% 53 Less often 42% 54% 4% 152 Never 33% 61% 6% 163  North Country 50% 49% 1% 42 Central / Lakes 32% 66% 2% 89 Connecticut Valley 39% 54% 7% 80 Mass Border 33% 61% 6% 147 Seacoast 35% 57% 7% 88 Manchester Area 50% 45% 6% 74  First Cong. Dist 37% 55% 7% 235 Second Cong. Dist 38% 58% 4% 284   

New Hampshire Pessimistic About Afghanistan And Iraq 2/16/2011

https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1278&amp;context=survey_center_polls

New Hampshire Pessimistic About Afghanistan And Iraq 2/16/2011

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

UNH Scholars' Repository