SOCIAL ISSUES & POLICY
Americans Generally Satisfied With State of Nation This July 4th
7/3/00 -- The majority of the American public is satisfied with the current state of affairs in the United States on this year's July 4th. Satisfaction ratings for most aspects of American life, including the economy, education, and the opportunity to get ahead, have increased over the past several years. Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe that the United States rates favorably in the eyes of the world. Americans also believe that the U.S. is the leading military power in the world and one of the leading economic powers.
View full release: http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr000703.asp
Slim Majority of Americans Think Death Penalty Applied Fairly in This Country
6/30/00 -- The death penalty has been at the forefront of national news and presidential politics recently. The issue at stake in this election is not whether the death penalty should be allowed, but whether or not it is applied fairly in this country. The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted June 23-25, shows that just over half of Americans -- 51% -- believe that the death penalty is applied fairly in this country, while 41% believe it is applied unfairly. A near-majority of Americans (49%) approve of the way George W. Bush has handled death penalty cases as governor of Texas, while 30% disapprove and 21% have no opinion. Perhaps more importantly, most people (68%) say that Bush's handling of the death penalty will have no effect on whether or not they would vote for him for president. Sixty-six percent of Americans today say they support the death penalty, which is unchanged from February of this year, but significantly lower than previous years.
View full release: http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr000630.asp
Related link -- Poll Topics: A-Z -- Death Penalty: http://www.gallup.com/poll/indicators/inddeath_pen.asp