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To: H.R. Haldeman From: Gordon Strachan RE: "RNC Delaware Study." 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/17/1971
To: Gordon Strachan From: Jeb S. Magruder RE: "For Your Information." pertaining to Market Opinion Research's "Delaware Statewide Study (Volume I - Analysis)" (August, 1971). Study attached. 23 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/27/1971
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To: H.R. Haldeman From: Gordon Strachan RE: "RNC Delaware Study." 1 pg. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 6/17/1971
To: Gordon Strachan From: Jeb S. Magruder RE: "For Your Information." pertaining to Market Opinion Research's "Delaware Statewide Study (Volume I - Analysis)" (August, 1971). Study attached. 23 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 8/27/1971
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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44
13
6/17/1971
Campaign
Memo
To: H.R. Haldeman From: Gordon Strachan
RE: "RNC Delaware Study." 1pg
44
13
8/27/1971
Campaign
Memo
To: Gordon Strachan From: Jeb S. Magruder
RE: "For Your Information." pertaining to
Market Opinion Research's "Delaware
Statewide Study (Volume I - Analysis)"
(August, 1971). Study attached. 23pgs
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Page 1 of 1
June 17, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR:
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM:
GORDON STRACHAN
SUBJECT:
RNC Delaware Study
Tom Evans has directed Ed DeBolt to spend $35-40,000 studying
the effect of selective media and campaign devices on voters.
Canvass polling of test and control precincts will attempt
to assess the impact of targeted approaches to voters by
direct mail, telephone, and door-to-door personal persuasion.
The test is described in some detail in the Draft Memorandum
attached at Tab A. Magruder will advise the Attorney General
of this project sometime next week.
Rose Woods sent you a memorandum on June 9 suggesting that
a survey be conducted in Delaware. Her memorandum with
backup is attached at Tab B. A suggested response to Rose
Woods for your signature is attached at Tab C.
Attachments: Draft memorandum.
Memorandum from Rose Woods, dated June 9.
Suggested response to Rose Woods.
GS:elr
CITIZENS FOR THE RE-ELECTION OF THE PRES DE
August 27, 1971
FOR:
GORDON STRACHAN
FROM:
JEB S. MAGRUDER
Polls
For your information.
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
M
the
DELAWARE STATEWIDE STUDY
(Volume I -- Analysis)
August, 1971
FOREWORD
The purpose of this study was to assess voter opinions on a broad
range of national, state, county and city issues at a time between
elections, July 1971. Additionally, the study identified perceptions
of elected officials at national, state, county and city levels and
tested the ballot strength of a number of potential 1972 candidates.
Study Design
Personal interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted
with a representative sample of 601 registered voters in the State
of Delaware. Interviewing was done in the end of June and early July
1971 by professional interviewers under the direction of Market
Opinion Research, Detroit. The sample was a probability-proportionate+
to-size sample based on occupied dwelling units according to the 1970
U.S. Census figures for Delaware.
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
Sampling error on a sample of this size a: the 95% confidence level
is + 4.1%. This means that when a figure is cited in the sample,
the probability is 95 out of 100 that this figure is within + 4.1%
of the true figure among registered voters in Delaware.
As a check on the sample, respondents reported vote for President
in 1968 was checked against actual figures for Delaware:
Actual
Respondents'
Vote
Recall of Vote
1968
(Those Who Voted)
100%
100%
Nixon
45.1%
51.8%
Humphrey
41.8
41.3
Wallace
13.1
6.9
Although the figure for Nixon is slightly high and the figure for
Wallace slightly low, over-time recall tends to move slightly toward
the winner.
Comparison by census statistics for Delaware on race in the adult
population showed the sample well within error limits:
Census
Sample
100%
100%
Negro/black
12.9%
11.0%
White and other
87.1
37.3
Not stated
--
1.7
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
For purposes of analysis the sample was divided:
Total
601
100%
By Voting behavior at Past State and National Election
Republican
193
32.3%
Ticket Splitter
172
28.6
Democrat
194
32.1
Marginal
42
7.0
By County
City of Wilmington
108
18.0
New Castle excluding Wilmington
313
52.1
Kent
87
14.5
Sussex
93
15.4
By Age
29 and under
90
14.9
30 39
138
22.9
40 - 59
230
38.2
60 and over
136
22.6
By Income
0 - $4,999
96
16.0
$5,000 - $9,999
197
32.8
$10,000 - $14,999
142
23.6
$15,000 and over
87
14.4
By Education
Less than high school graduate
197
32.8
High school graduate
227
37.8
More than high school graduate
165
27.5
By Date of Interview *
Before June 29, 1971
131
21.8
June 29 and after
470
78.2
*
Note: It should be kept in mind that those interviews that were
done before and after June 29 do not represent matched
samples. The Governor's message to the legislature simply
happened to occur in the middle of the interviewing. Because
of this, the before-and-after interviews are compared to the
total sample in terms of voting behavior following:
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
Total
Before 6/29
After 6/29
601
Republican
32.3
29.8
32.8
Ticket splitter
28.6
29.8
28.4
Democratic
32.1
38.2
30.6
Marginal
7.0
2.2
8.3
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
ISSUES
National
The Asian War receives the most mention as the most important
problem facing the nation at the present time, just as it did in a
poll of Delaware voters last September. It is also named by the largest
percentage as the "single most important problem." The war gets
particularly high mention from young voters. The second ranked problem
is cost of living and the economic structure, as it was last fall.
Compared to last fall, there is a marked drop in the mention of racial
integration, pollution/ecology, and youth unrest as important mentioned problems.
Most Important Problems Facing Our Nation
Named as Important
Problem (Multiple
Named as Single
Answers Allowed)
Most Important Problem
% Mention % Mention
% Mention % Mention
July 1971 Sept 1970
July 1971 Sept 1970
War/Asian conflict
61.6%*
60.8%
42.6%
38.5%
Cost of living/Economic
structure
26.5
30.2
10.3
7.0
Drugs/Dope/larcotics
25.0
18.2
9.3
5.8
Racial problems/Integration
16.3
27.7
5.2
11.5
Crime
12.0
17.2
2.3
5.0
Unemployment
11.5
--
3.8
--
Youth unrest/Generation gap
8.3
17.3
3.0
6.2
Pollution/Ecology/Smog/
Overpopulation
8.3
26.0
1.8
9.0
Taxes
6.0
--
1.3
--
Administration/Leadership
5.5
--
2.3
1
All othersless than 5% mention.
*75.6% mention among voters age 29 and under.
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
Voters were asked to rate nine selected national problems on a 0-10 scale
on which the more important they considered the problem, the higher a
rating they were to give it.
This measure is one of intensity and it is significant that, when the
voters are rating the relative importance of a series of issues to
them, both drugs and inflation move ahead of Vietnam. It is also signifi-
cant that unemployment emerges only in middle of the list in Delaware
when it is perceived as one of the most important issues nationwide.
When this data is analyzed in terms of voting groups, Republicans rate
inflation as the most important problem while ticket splitters rate
Vietnam as more important than inflation and equally as important as drugs.
Rate how important a broblem each one is at this time?
10=extremely important, 0=extremely unimportant
Voter Type
County
Total
Rep.
T-S
Dem.
Wil.
N.C.
Kent
Sussex
Drugs
9.0
8.8
9.0
9.5
9.1
9.1
8.9
9.0
Inflation/Cost
of living
9.0
9.0
8.8
9.3
9.1
9.0
9.0
8.9
Vietnam
8.9
8.8
9.0
9.1
8.8
9.0
8.9
8.8
Crime
8.9
8.7
8.8
9.2
8.8
8.9
8.7
9.0
Unemployment
8.5
8.1
8.2
9.0
8.4
S.5
8.3
8.4
Air/Water
pollution
8.0
7.9
7.8
8.3
7.3
8.3
8.1
7.8
Racial problems
7.9
7.7
7.8
8:4
8.0
7.5
7.5
8.1
Health care
7.7
7.1
7.7
8.4
8.1
7.8
7.4
7.2
Civil/Student
unrest
7.5
7.1
7.3
8.3
7.3
7.6
7.6
7.6
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
Over half of all voters perceive the nation as worse off than it was two
or three years ago, and this attitude is more prevalent among Democrats
than among Republicans or ticket splitters. Only 16% think the nation
is better off while 22% think it is in about the same shape.
Generally speaking, do you think the United States as a nation is better
or worse off than it was two or three years ago?
Voter Type
County
Total
Rep.
T-S
Dem.
Wil.
N.C.
Kent
Sussex
Better off
16.0%
22.8%
12.2%
11.9%
8.3%
18.8%
17.2%
14.0%
Worse off
56.6
52.8
55.2
61.3
64.8
53.0
52.9
62.4
About the same
22.0
21.2
25.0
20.6
20.4
22.4
25.3
19.4
Don't know
5.5
3.1
7.6
6.2
6.5
5.8
4.6
4.3.
Main reasons given among the 56.5%
The 16% who think the nation is
who think the nation is worse off
better off said:
are:
War
29.7%
War situation is better
39.6%
Inflation/Economy
17.4
Economy improving/Coping
Unemployment
13.2
with inflation
13.5
Drugs in U.S. and Vietnam
12.1
Country is holding its
Not enough money in
own
12.5
circulation/Space
Young people facing
expenditures
10.6
problems/Less college
No crime control/Law
demonstrations
8.3
enforcement
10.0
People's attitudes
10.6
U.S. image slipped in
relation with other
countries
8.2
- 3 -
Vietnam
Given three plans the U.S. could follow in dealing with the Vietnam
situation, half of respondents choose: "Continue to withdraw troops
but with no fixed deadline." In a second question as to whether some
troops should remain until all P.O.W.s are released, there is extremely
strong support for leaving some troops until the P.O.W.s are freed.
This is particularly strong in Kent- and Sussex Counties (79%) and
among Republicans (71%).
Of the 3 different plans the U.S. could follow in dealing with Vietnam,
which one do you prefer?
Voter Type
County
Cty.
City. N.C.
of less
Total Rep. T-S Dem. Marg. Wilm. Wilm. Kent Sussex
Withdraw all U.S.
troops immediately 21.1% 17.1% 19.8% 24.7% 28.6% 27.8% 17.6% 21.8% 24.7%
Withdraw all U.S.
troops by
12/31/71
21.6 21.2 27.3 18.0 16.7 20.4 22.0 27.6 16.1
Continue to with-
draw troops but
with no fixed
deadline
50.7 56.5 48.8 47.9 45.2 37.0 54.6 47.1 57.0
Don't know
6.5 5.2 4.1 9.3 9.5 14.8 5.8 3.4 2.2
- 4 -
MARKET OPINION RESEARCH
Which of the following two plans in dealing with Vietnam are you most
in favor of?
Voter Type
County
Cty.
City N.C.
of less
Total Rep. T-S Dem. Marg. Wilm. Wilm. Kent Sussex
Retaining some forces
in South Vietnam
until all P.O.W.s
are released
65.9% 71.0% 64.0% 63.4% 61.9% 54.6% 62.0% 79.3% 79.6%
Withdrawing all our
troops regardless
of P.O.W.
situation
16.3 13.5 17.4 17.5 19.0 18.5 17.9 10.3 14.0
Don't know
17.8 15.5 18.6. 19.1 19.0 26.9 20.1 10.3 6.5
Delaware Issues
According to the respondents surveyed, the most important problems facing
Delaware are financial. This is a change from September 1970 when they
named ecology and racial problems as the top two issues, and this change
appears to be only partially as a result of the recent financial problems
in Dover. Even among those interviewed before the Governo S special
message to the General Assembly, finances and unnecessary spending were
the most frequently mentioned problems The frequency of mention of
finances did, however, double after June 29, 1971. Prior to then it was
mentioned by 21.4% as an important problem facing Delaware but after the
29th 42.1% mentioned it as an important state problem. None of the other
issues mentioned appear to have been affected by this incident. As an
issue, state finances are of much greater importance to Republicans (41%)
and ticket splitters (45%) than Democrats (27%).
ersonal
Financial problems including inflation, taxes, and the cost of living
are the main problems facing Delaware voters and their families. Mention
of finance-related issues far exceeds any other concerns and greatly
outstrips personal concern about the war. Naming of financial problems
is even higher among respondents in high income families than in those
with the lowest incomes. Nearly one-fifth of respondents, however, say
their family has no problems.
What are the most important problems you and your family are facing at
the present time? (Multiple mentions allowed)
Income
Total
0 -
$5,000-
$10,000-
$15,000
Sample
$4,999
$10,000
$14,999
and over
Inflation/Cost of living
28.5%
21.9%
28.9%
30.3%
40.2%
Finances/Money problems
20.6
18.8
24.4
22.5
17.2
Taxes
12.8
6.3
12.7
15.5
11.5
TOTAL FINANCIAL
61.9
47.0
66.0
68.3
68.9
Other Problems Named:
Health
6.3
7.3
6.6
2.1
8.0
Unemployment
6.3
11.5
6.1
4.2
6.9
War/Vietnam
5.2
5.2
3.6
5.6
8.0
Drugs/Drug abuse
5.5
4.2
3.6
9.2
5.7
Education/Cut in education
budget
5.0
1.0
1.5
9.9
9.2
Raising a family
4.3
1.0
5.6
2.8
4.6
Crime
4.8
5.2
3.0
7.7
3.4
None/No problems
18.5
29.2
16.8
14.8
12.6
Don't know
10.8
8.3
10.7
7.7
12.6
All others less than 3% mention.
- 15 -
Asked which of their problems the government should help them solve,
30.8% of voters say "none/no problems.' Those who think the government
should help them name primarily financial problems inflation/cost of
living (22.3%), finances/money problems (16.3%) and taxes (9.3%). Named
next is war/Vietnam with only 4.0%.
Despite this large concern about money, most respondents said their
family was as well or better off as a year or two ago. This may indicate
that even though many people have more money today than they did a year
or two ago, continuing inflation and unemployment have made them
apprehensive about the future. Expectedly, more of those with incomes
over $10,000 felt better off while more of those in the lowest income
group felt worse off. Income groups are probably the main explanation
of why Democrats and those in the City of Wilmington expressed more feeling
of being worse off (23.2% and 28.7% respectively) than did the total
sample (20.5%).
Overall, are you and your family better off, worse off or about in the
same situation as you were a year or two years aco?
Income
Total
0 -
$5,000-
$10,000-
$15,000
Sample
$4,999
$10,000
$14,999
and over
Better off
30.3%
17.7%
25.4%
47.9%
40.2%
About the same
46.4
44.8
48.2
38.7
47.1
Worse off
20.5
35.4
21.8
11.3
12.6
Don't know
2.8
2.1
4.6
2.1
--
- - 16 -
PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON
Ballot Strength
President Nixon was run on a series of secret ballots against Senator
Muskie, Senator Humphrey, and Senator Kennedy both with and without
George Wallace on the ballot as a third party candidate and with and
without Vice President Agnew on the ballot. When the Vice President
was included on the ballot with the President, Senator Jackson of Washington
was run as the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate with each of the
three Democratic presidential candidates.
Without Wallace on the ballot and without any Vice Presidential candidate
the President runs slightly behind Kennedy (4%), virtually even with
Humphrey and ahead of Muskie (8.8%). When Wallace is added to the
ballot, the President runs even with Kennedy, slightly ahead of Humphrey
(3%) and well ahead of Muskie (15%). In Delaware Wallace draws his
support about equally from ticket splitters and Democrats but gets
virtually no support from Republicans.
The introduction of Vice President Agnew as the President's running mate
and of Henry Jackson as the Democratic candidates running mate adds
from 5% to 10% net to the President's vote against all of the potential
Democratic candidates both with and without Wallace on the ballot.
The difference between Agnew being on the ballot and not being on the
ballot is clearly with Republicans.
- 17 -
The President's committed vote with Republicans increases markedly
when Agnew is added to the ticket while there is a negligible effect
with ticket splitters and Democrats.
Perhaps the most significant finding in the presidential data is that
there is an extremely high undecided vote, approaching 50% on several
of the test ballots. This abnormally large undecided appears to be a
true undecided as a number of the undecided voters were questioned in
detail about their choice for President and the vast majority said that
they didn't know whanthey would vote for. Furthermore, many of them
indicated that they were not very excited about any of the potential
candidates. There were also indications that there is a low level of
believability that any President can or will improve the situation in
most of the major national issue areas.
- 18 -
1
residential ballots
Total
Rep.
T-S
Dem.
Wilm.
N.C.
Kent
Sussex
Nixon
33.0%
65.3%
30.1%
5.4%
29.1%
33.3%
34.9%
34.8%
Muskie
24.2
10.9
28.8
33.0
34.5
22.2
25.6
17.4
Undecided
42.8
23.8
41.1
61.6
36.4
44.4
39.5
47.8
Nixon
34.0
63.4
35.6
6.3
30.9
34.0
41.9
30.4
Muskie
19.9
9.9
20.5
27.7
30.9
16.7
23.3
15.2
Wallace
3.9
2.0
5.5
4.5
--
2.5
9.3
8.7
Undecided
42.2
24.8
38.4
61.6
38.2
46.9
25.6
45.7
Nixon-Agnew
38.01
75.0
32.3
8.5
20.8
46.4
40.9
27.7
Muskie-Jordan
25.4
13.0
25.3
40.2
47.2
15.2
34.1
25.5
Undecided
36.6
12.0
42.4
51.2
32.1
38.4
25.0
46.8
Nixon-Agnew
36.3
67.4
35.4
8.5
22.6
43.7
34.1
29.8
Muskie-Jackson
23.7
13.0
20.2
40.2
45.3
15.2
27.3
23.4
Wallace-LeMay
6.8
5.4
8.1
6.1
3.8
4.6
9.1
14.9
Undecided
33.2
14.1
36.4
45.1
28.3
36.4
29.5
31.9
Richard Nixon
23.5
43.6
27.4
4.5
21.8
22.2
32.6
21.7
Hubert Humphrey
24.5
11.9
17.8
40.2
34.5
24.7
23.3
13.0
Undecided
52.0
44.6
54.8
55.4
43.6
53.1
44.2
65.2
Nixon
23.5
42.6
27.4
4.5
20.0
23.5
30.2
21.7
Humphrey
20.9
10.9
13.7
33.9
36.4
19.8
16.3
10.9
Wallace
2.3
--
4.1
3.6
--
1.2
7.0
4.3
Undecided
53.3
46.5
54.8
58.0
43.6
55.6
46.5
63.0
Nixon-Agnew
31.2
58.7
30.3
6.1
18.9
37.7
25.0
29.8
Humphrey-Jackson
21.7
5.4
24.2
39.0
35.8
20.5
13.6
17.0
Undecided
47.1
35.9
45.5
54.9
45.3
41.7
61.4
53.2
Nixon-Agnew
28.1
51.1
30.3
3.7
22.6
32.5
22.7
25.5
Humphrey-Jackson
19.7
5.4
21.2
35.4
35.8
19.2
15.9
6.4
Wallace-LeMay
3.7
4.3
4.0
2.4
1.9
2.6
2.3
10.6
Undecided
48.5
39.1
44.4
58.5
39.6
45.7
59.1
57.4
Richard Nixon
23.5
44.6
26.0
4.5
18.2
24.7
23.3
26.1
Edward Kennedy
27.5
11.9
20.5
43.8
45.5
19.8
34.9
26.1
Undecided
49.0
43.6
53.4
51.8
36.4
55.6
41.9
47.8
Nixon
23.9
41.6
31.5
4.5
18.2
25.3
25.6
23.9
Kennedy
22.9
10.9
13.7
37.5
45.5
15.4
23.3
21.7
Wallace
2.3
--
4.1
3.6
--
1.9
7.0
2.2
Undecided
51.0
47.5
50.7
54.5
36.4
57.4
44.2
52.2
Nixon-Agnew
30.8
55.4
32.3
7.3
22.6
37.7
25.0
23.4
Kennedy-Jackson
22.0
8.7
27.3
29.3
47.2
13.9
13.6
27.7
Undecided
47.1
35.9
40.4
63.4
30.2
48.3
61.4
48.9
Nixon-Agnew
29.2
51.1
30.3
8.5
24.5
34.4
27.3
19.1
Kennedy-Jackson
19.3
7.6
21.2
26.8
43.4
11.3
15.9
21.3
Wallace-LeMay
4.1
4.3
5.1
2.4
1.9
2.6
2.3
12.8
Undecided
47.5
37.0
43.4
62.2
30.2
51.7
54.5
46.8
- T.S
Perceptions of President Nixon
The percentage of Delaware voters who approve of the way President Nixon
is handling his job currently runs 56.2%, while 32.3% disapprove and
11.5% have no opinion. Ticket splitters are close to the sample average,
while Republicans and Democrats are expectedly widely spread. While this
is a quite favorable rating, it is down slightly from the September 1970
Delaware poll. At that time the President's approval rating was 62.3%
and his disapproval 25.0%.
Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Nixon is handling his job?
Voter Type
County
Cty.
City
N.C.
of
less
Sample
Rep.
T-S
Dem.
Wilm.
Wilm.
Kent
Sussex
Approve
56.2%
77.2%
55.8%
36.1%
38.9%
61.7%
56.3%
58.1%
Disapprove
32.3
16.6
33.1
47.9
38.0
30.4
33.3
31.2
Don't know
11.5
6.2
11.0
16.0
23.1
8.0
10.3
10.8
The reasons given by the more than half who approve are:
Doing what he can/Trying to do a good job
44.4%
Improving Vietnam War
15.7
Inherited problems/Left with a mess
6.5
Little cooperation from Congress
6.5
Good as any man/Been a good President
6.8
Sincere/Honest
5.9
All others less than 5% mention
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The one-third who disapprove say:
War policies/Not acting fast enough
22.7%
Doing a poor job
17.0
Unemployment/Unemployment caused by foreign trade
9.8
Hasn't t provided dynamic leadership
7.2
Talks a lot but doesn't come to the point
7.2
Inflation/Not facing our economic situation
6.7
Dishonest/Insincere
7.2
Not for the common man
7.7
All others less than 5% mention
Asked in what area Nixon has done his best job, the highest and only
significant mention is "Vietnam" (34.3%). Nothing else gets even 5%
mention. In the 3-4% group are "increase in social security," "air
pollution," "foreign affairs," "makes people feel secure," "health
care/medicare.
#
Asked in what area Nixon has done his poorest job and the highest mention
is "not controlling inflation" (19.8%). Next comes "Vietnam" (16.8%),
"unemployment" (10.0%) and "racial disorders" (6.5%).
Separate questions were asked about each of a list of issues as to whether
President Nixon's actions on the issue caused the situation to become
better or worse. A majority perceive he has improved the situation by his
actions on Vietnam, health care, air/water pollution, civil/student unrest.
More perceive that he has made the situation better than see it as made
worse with regard to racial. problems. The perception that his actions
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have made situations worse rather than better is in the area of drugs,
crime, unemployment, and inflation/cost of living.
Interestingly, Republicans, ticket splitters, and Democrats all agree,
although to different degrees, on the areas which the President's actions
have improved or worsened the problem.
While income or education do not discriminate in this data, age is an
important variable. In those areas where the President is perceived as
having improved the situation, younger voters tend to approve of his
actions at a rate greater than the total sample. Conversely, on those
issues that the President is perceived as having done a poor job, older
voters (60 and over) are much more negative than the total sample. This
is particularly true of the unemployment, crime, and drugs.
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Did President Nixon's actions in these areas cause the situation to
become better or worse?
Voter Type
County
Cty.
City
N.C.
of
less
Total
Reo.
T-S
Dem.
Marq
Wilm
Wilm.
Kent
Sussex
Vietnam
Better
60.1%
77.2%
57.0%
45.4%
61.9%
47.2%
63.6%
57.5%
65.6%
Worse
28.0
15.5
29.7.
39.2
26.2
44.4
20.1
34.5
29.0
Don't know
12.0
7.3
13.4
15.5
11.9
8.3
16.3
8.0
5.4
Health Care
Better
58.4
65.3
62.2
49.5
52.4
52.8
52.7
71.3
72.0
Worse
24.6
17.1
23.8
32.5
26.2
32.4
25.9
18.4
17.2
Don't know
17.0
17.6
14.0
18.0
21.4
14.8
21.4
10.3
10.8
Air/Water Pollution
Better
58.2
67.9
57.6
50.5
52.4
46.3
59.4
62.1
64.5
Worse
27.1
19.7
28.5
32.0
33.3
38.9
22.4
25.3
31.2
Don't know
14.6.
12.4
14.0
17.5
14.3
14.8
18.2
12.6
4.3
Civil/Student Unrest
Better
51.2
57.5
51.2
47.4
40.5
48.1
54.6
49.4
45.2
Worse
34.8
28.5
36.6
38.7
38.1
41.7
28.4
36.8
46.2
Don't know
14.0
14.0
12.2
13.9
21.4
10.2
16.9
13.8
8.6
Racial Problems
Better
47.9
57.5
44.8
42.8
40.5
38.0
46.6
57.5
54.8
Worse
38.3
28.0
43.0
42.8
45.2
51.9
34.5
36.8
36.6
Don't know
13.8
14.5
12.2
14.4
14,3
10.2
18.8
5.7
8.6
Drugs
Better
34.3
36.8
31.4
33.0
40.5
33.3
38.0
34.5
22.6
Worse
51.2
49.2
53.5
52.1
47.6
58.3
40.6
56.3
74.2
Don't know
14.5
14.0
15.1
14.9
11.9
8.3
21.4
9.2
3.2
Crime
Better
32.8
43.5
27.9
24.2.
42.9
25.9
32.6
47.1
28.0
Worse
50.2
38.3
52.9
60.3
47.6
62.0
42.8
47.1
64.5
Don't know
17.0
18.1
19.2
15.5
9.5
12.0
24.6
5.7
7.5
Unemployment
Better
22.6
29.0
22.1
17.5
19.0
14.8
20.8
35.6
25.8
Worse
62.2
52.8
65.1
68.6
64.3
75.0
59.4
58.6
60.2
Don't know
15.1
18.1
12.8
13.9
16.7
10.2
19.8
5.7
14.0
Inflation/Cost of Living
Better
14.0
23.8
9.9
7.2
16.7
13.9
16.0
11.5
9.7
Worse
75.2
62.2
83.1
81.4
73.8
80.6
68.7
85.1
81.7
Don't know
10.8
14.0
7.0
11.3
9.5
5.6
15.3
3.4
8.6
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Finally, 40.6% of voters think a change of national administration
would be good for the country, 32.9% think it would be bad and 26.5%
are undecided. Not unexpectedly, party past voting behavior identifies
who thinks it would be good to change (18.1% of Republicans, 55.7% of
Democrats and 48.3% of ticket splitters) and who thinks it would be bad
(56.0% of Republicans, 18.6% of Democrats and 26.7% of ticket splitters).
The number of voters who think that a change of administration would be
good for the country is greatest, predictably with young voters (46.7%),
and decreases as age increases. The number who think a change would
be bad remains fairly constant among the various demographic groups.
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VICE PRESIDENT AGNEW
In Delaware 47.9% of voters approve of the way Vice President Agnew
is handling his job and 28.0% disapprove. He has majority approval
from both Republicans (67.9%) and ticket splitters (53.5%). By areas
he has 38.9% approval in the City of Wilmington, 50.2% in New Castle
outside the city, 54.0% in Kent and 45.2% in Sussex Counties. His
disapproval is higher than the overall 28% only with Democrats (38.1%)
and in the City of Wilmington.
Over half. of those who approve of Agnew do so because he "says what
he thinks/speaks his mind" (55.2%). Next highest mentions are "does
his best" (12.8%) and "makes people think/interested in people" (6.9%).
One-fifth of those who disapprove of him do so because he "talks too
much/loud mouth" (19.6%). Other reasons are: "should use discretion/
no tact" (10.1%), "not doing anything" (15.5%), "don't like him" (11.9%)
and "attitude towards the press/fights with press" (6.5%).
Two further questions were asked concerning the Vice President's attacks
on the press and the believability of the media. Over half of those
surveyed think Vice President Agnew's attacks on the press have been
justified.
25 -
Have Vice President Agnew's attacks on the Dress been justified or not?
Total
Sample
Rep.
T-S
Dem.
Justified
53.4%
68.4%
59.9%
35.6%
Not justified
21.3
19.2
21.5
23.7
Don't know
25.3
12.4
18.6
40.7
Asked their own perception of the accuracy of the information they receive
in newspapers, on radio and TV, most respondents see it as about half
accurate and half inaccurate. This was similar among all voting behavior
groups and in the various areas of the state.
How accurate is the information you receive in newspapers, on radio
and TV?
Mostly accurate
22.3%
About half accurate/Half inaccurate
60.6
Mostly inaccurate
8.3
Don't know
8.8
Forty-two percent (42%) of Delaware voters (57.0% of Republicans, 45.9%
of ticket splitters, and 26.3% of Democrats) think President Nixon
should keep Vice President Agnew as his running mate for 1972. Twenty-
six percent (26%) say he should not, and the remaining 31.9% "don't know".
There are no major differences from the sample as a whole in any of
the demographic breaks on this question.
- 26 -