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To: H.R. Haldeman From: Harry Dent RE: "For Your Information" RE: letter from Dick Thompson (11/11/1971) about the attached portion from the recent survey concerning the Senate race in Idaho. Survey responses and letter attached. 3 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 11/22/1971
Idaho Voter Opinion Survey from July 10 - 23, 1971, released by Central Surveys, Inc. (Shenandoah, Iowa). 66 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 7/10/1971
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This file contains:
To: H.R. Haldeman From: Harry Dent RE: "For Your Information" RE: letter from Dick Thompson (11/11/1971) about the attached portion from the recent survey concerning the Senate race in Idaho. Survey responses and letter attached. 3 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Memo], 11/22/1971
Idaho Voter Opinion Survey from July 10 - 23, 1971, released by Central Surveys, Inc. (Shenandoah, Iowa). 66 pgs. [Subject: Campaign] [Report], 7/10/1971
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
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44
16
11/22/1971
Campaign
Memo
To: H.R. Haldeman From: Harry Dent RE:
"For Your Information" RE: letter from Dick
Thompson (11/11/1971) about the attached
portion from the recent survey concerning
the Senate race in Idaho. Survey responses
and letter attached. 3pgs
44
16
7/10/1971
Campaign
Report
Idaho Voter Opinion Survey from July 10 -
23, 1971, released by Central Surveys, Inc.
(Shenandoah, Iowa). 66pgs
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Page 1 of 1
File
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date:
November 22, 1971
TO:
H. R. HALDEMAN
FROM:
HARRY DENT ASD
Please handle
For your information
COMMITTEES SUBCOMMITTERS
JAMES A. McCLURE
INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS
1ST DISTRICT. IDAHO
IRRIGATION AND RECLAMATION
PARKS AND RECREATION
1234 Lo (SWORTH BOLDING
Congress of the United States
MINES AND MINING
(CODE 202) 225-6511
POST OFFICE AND CIVIL SERVICE
DISTRICT OFFICE
House of Representatibes
POSITION CLASSIFICATION
805 IDAHO STREET, ROOM 319
POSTAL OPERATIONS
BOISE. IDAHO 83702
Mashington, D.C. 20515
(CODE 206) 343-1421
RICHARD K THOMPSON
JAMES A. GOLLER
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
DISTRICT ASSISTANT
November 11, 1971
Att ched are a portion of the results from the recent survey
concerning the Senate race in Idaho. If you want a more
extensive rundown, I will get you the entire results, but
the attached are a pretty fair sampling no attempt made to
pick just samples that nake licClure look good.
The congressman asked me to say again that he has refused to
show these results to many good friends and supporters in an
effort to keep them from being broadcast to the press. He
would appreciate your secing that they be kept confidential.
Dick Thompson
fib.
QUESTION - Asked of Republicans only.
As ути: know, Sensor Len has amounced that he will not run
for re-election ROST year you NC must noticate someone to replace
him. 15 the primary election were belog held today who would
you vote for (Order of Following candidates were rototed.)
Jim McClure
32%
Robert Smylle
291
Goorge Hanson
19%
Bill Boxgeson
=
Juch Retring
31-
Don't know * no opinion - 131
QUESTION 54 asked of all repondents
If the elections for United States Sensior were being held today
who would you Vote for between
? (ender of candidates
were rotated relevit from by DAD PARTY) 3
Jia 48%
to
461
Tony
225
Verm Revensement 246
Undecided
30%
Undecided
30%
Rebert
Rebort Saylie (R) 334
Tony Parks (0).
36%
Vern Ravenscroft(4) 38%
Undecided
27%
Undecided
28%
H read n't
see
DETERMINED TO BE AN
File
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
E.O. 12065, Section 6-102
By EMPrise NARE, Date 5-23-80
Polls
CONFIDENTIAL
Voter Opinion Survey
IDAHO
July 10 - 23, 1971
Central Surveys, Inc.
Shenandoah, Iowa
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Number
i
INTRODUCTION
1
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ANALYSIS
6
SURVEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SECTION I - U.S. SENATE RACE - 1972
20
Job Rating of Senator Jordan
20
Specific Approval of Senator Jordan
21
Specific Disapproval of Jordan
22
Jordan's Support of the Administration
22
Jordan as a Candidate
24
Name Recognition of Potential Candidates
24
Impressions about Potential Candidates
25
Republican Choices of Candidates
26
Democratic Choices of Candidate
27
Job Rating of Lieutenant Governor Murphy
27
Job Rating of Congressman McClure
28
Job Rating of Orval Hansen
28
Job Rating and Specific Disapproval of Senator Church
SECTION II - STATE PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND RATINGS
30
Rating of Governor Andrus
30
Rating of State Legislature
31
Specific Approval of Legislature
31
Specific Disapproval of Legislature
31
Political Party Dominance in the Legislature
32
Sawtooth Mountain Area
32
Opinions about Timber Cutting
33
Opinions about Farm Labor
SECTION III - NATIONAL RATINGS AND ISSUES
35
Nixon Rating
35
National Issues and Problems
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Page
Number
SECTION IV - OTHER SURVEY QUESTIONS
37
News Sources and Credibility
38
Political Party Self-Identification
SUMMARIES OF VERBATIM COMMENTS
39
Ways Governor Cecil Andrus is Not Doing as Well as
He Should (Q.6-6c)
41
Ways Senator Jordan Has Done the Best Job (Q.8)
44
Ways Senator Jordan Has Not Done as Well as He
Should (Q.9)
46
Ways Senator Church Has Not Done as Well as He
Should (Q.10-10a)
48
Reasons for Objecting to Senator Jordan (Q.14b)
50
Things Liked about Last Legislative Session (Q.17-17a)
52-
Things Not Liked about Last Legislative Session
(Q.18-18a)
55
Changes or Improvements Needed in Farm Labor Situa-
tion (Q.24)
58
Good Idea to Unionize Farm Labor (Q.24a-24b)
59
Not a Good Idea to Unionize Farm Labor (Q.24a-24b)
INTRODUCTION
This report is based on a total of 500 interviews with permanent
residents of Idaho during the time period from July 10 through July 23,
1971. Interviews were made in respondents' homes in 43 precincts located
in 26 counties throughout the state. Interviews were also allocated ap-
propriately to reflect the vote contribution of the two congressional
districts.
The sample was based on the state-wide 1968 General Election for
the offices of President and U.S. Senate, and district-wide on the 1968
vote for Congress. A comparison of the vote in 1968 for each office and
the vote of the sample precincts is shown below:
Actual
Vote of
Vote
Sample Precincts
1968 President:
%
%
Nixon
56.8
56.3
Humphrey
30.7
31.8
Wallace
12.5
11.9
1968 Republican for U.S. Senate
39.7
39.2
1968 Republican for C.D. 1
59.4
58.0
1968 Republican for C.D. 2
54.5
54.5
Respondents for this survey include 92 who are between the ages of
17 and 25 years. The 1972 election will be the first vote for many of them.
All replies are based on the total of 500 interviews except where
otherwise indicated. Total answers to some questions may exceed 100 percent
in cases where multiple responses are possible.
A list of counties and precincts and the number of interviews al-
located to each is shown on the following pages.
Distribution of Interviews
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ONE
Number of
County
Precinct
Interviews
Ada
15
13
Ada
25
12
Ada
45
12
Ada
58
18
Ada
79
21
Canyon
East Nampa #2
16
Canyon
Lake
11
Canyon
Purple Sage
8
Kootenai
Fair
21
Nez Perce
Lewiston #6*
7
Nez Perce
Orchards #9
13
Bonner
Lincoln
13
Elmore
Mountain Home #3
14
Latah
Moscow #8
18
Shoshone
Pinehurst #1
9
Idaho
Grangeville #1
12
Idaho
Elk City
4
Idaho
Lowell
3
Clearwater
Orofino #3
12
Washington
E. Weiser
13
Gem
Hanna
10
Benewah
Plummer
10
C.D. #1 Total
270
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TWO
Number of
County
Precinct
Interviews
Bannock
Chubbuck #1
15
Bannock
Pocatello #18
14
Bannock
Pocatello #34
11
Bingham
Blackfoot #3
9
Bingham
Moreland #1
7
Bingham
Wapello
7
Bonneville
Idaho Falls #3
9
Bonneville
Idaho Falls #13
17
Bonneville
Idaho Falls #19
11
Twin Falls
Twin Falls #11
12
Twin Falls
Twin Falls #18
11
Twin Falls
Buhl #6
8
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TWO
(Continued)
Number of
County
Precinct
Interviews
Cassia
Oakley #2
9
Jefferson
Lewisville
11
Jerome
Hazelton
12
Minidoka
Rupert #7
10
Madison
Rexburg #4
18
Gooding
West Gooding
12
Fremont
St. Anthony #2
10
Blaine
Bellevue
9
Power
Rockland
8
C.D. #2 Total
230
GRAND TOTAL
500
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ANALYSIS
Senator Jordan receives a high measure of approval for the job he
is doing, and in conjunction, very little disapproval. However, when he is
tested (Q.14) against "someone else" he doesn't achieve a majority. In fact,
even among Republicans he receives support from only 51 percent. Granted,
it's easy to vote for "someone else" if loyalties aren't too strong; con-
trarily, it's reasonable to expect an incumbent of the dominant party to
make a better showing against "nobody."
In an effort to conciliate these differences, a purely speculative
exercise was performed in which the nine groups of Republicans, Democrats
and Independents who express their attitudes towards Jordan's candidacy
are cross-tabulated by the job rating responses. This tabulation is shown
below in actual numbers.
Job Rating (Q.7)
Number of
No
Respondents Approve Disapprove Opinion
Attitude toward Jordan's
Candidacy (Q.14) :
REPUBLICANS:
Should run in 1972
(122)
110
-
12
Should not run
(70)
40
9
21
No opinion
(48)
16
2
30
DEMOCRATS:
Should run in 1972
(74)
62
-
12
Should not run
(77)
36
25
16
No opinion
(61)
16
2
43
INDEPENDENTS:
Should run in 1972
(14)
10
-
4
Should not run
(13)
7
1
5
No opinion
(21)
6
1
14
The assignment of the preceding groups as Probable or Leaning for
Jordan, or Probable or Leaning Against Jordan, and Questionable is shown be-
low, along with the rationale used in support of the assignment.
Probably
Job
for
Party
Run or Not
Rating
Jordan
Republican
Should run
Approve
110
Democrat
Should run
Approve
62
Independent
Should run
Approve
10
Total
182
Lean
Job
Toward
Party
Run or Not
Rating
Jordan
Republican
Should not
Approve
40
Republican
No opinion
Approve
16
Republican
Should run
No opinion
12
Total
68
GRAND TOTAL
250
Probably
Job
against
Party
Run or Not
Rating
Jordan
Republican
Should not
Disapprove or don't know
30
Republican
No opinion
Disapprove or don't know
32
Democrat
Should not
Disapprove or don't know
41
Democrat
No opinion
Disapprove or don't know
45
Independent
Should not
Disapprove or don't know
6
Independent
No opinion
Disapprove or don't know
15
Total
169
Lean
Job
against
Party
Run or Not
Rating
Jordan
Democrat
Should run
No opinion
12
Democrat
Should not
Approve
36
Total
48
GRAND TOTAL
217
Job
Party
Run or Not
Rating
Questionable
Democrat
No opinion
Approve
16
Independent
Should not
Approve
7
Independent
No opinion
Approve
6
Independent
Should run
No opinion
4
Total
33
Probable For Jordan -- All three groups say Jordan should run for re-election
and give approval of the job he is doing. These votes are as certain as pos-
sible at this point in time.
Lean Toward Jordan - All Republican groups. They would fall into line under
the most likely circumstances.
Probable Against Jordan - These are all double negatives. The Republicans -
no opinion - disapprove or no opinion - are likely very passive and may not
vote, which must be considered negatively.
Lean Against Jordan - These are Democrats without strong conviction, but would
probably be persuaded against Jordan with a reasonably good Democratic candi-
date.
Questionable - Rational reasons can be found to place each of these in differ-
ent categories. This certainly makes them questionable.
If this speculation approaches validity, Senator Jordan would have
to be considered as vulnerable. This is shown clearly when reduced to the
more familiar report format as shown below.
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Number of Respondents
(500)
(240)
(212)
(48)
Probably favor Jordan
50%
74%
29%
21%
Probably oppose Jordan
43
26
63
44
No preference
7
-
8
35
Realistically, a Republican "no preference" would be expected; also
of interest is the split of Independents. This no doubt reflects the combi-
nation of the younger voter considering himself more as an Independent and
failing to support Jordan as do his elders.
As mentioned before, this is speculative. Included in the specula-
tion is an arbitrary assignment of voters which in other eyes might be assigned
otherwise. Also assumed is a good attractive Democrat opponent and no one
emerges in this survey to that degree. At this time Ralph Harding and Vernon
Ravenscroft would have to be considered equal, but far from strong.
The most apparent dissatisfaction with Jordan as a candidate in 1972
is his age and tenure in office. It may well be from this point that the
younger voters deviate from supporting him. Certainly, they give Jordan
little support (39%) on the approval-disapproval rating and only 29 percent
suggest he run again as opposed to 37 percent who want "someone else." Senator
Church's approval-disapproval rating by the younger voters is 62 percent to
15 percent.
The five leading potential Republican CINC, ctres in terms of name
recognition are Orval Hansen, Bob Smylie, Jim McCluxe, Per: Cennarusa, and
Jack Murphy. All five have name recognition factors OVER 50 percent. All
but Smylie and Murphy rate "favorable" impression by more than half of
those who recognize their names. All but Smylie (33% have left "unfavorable"
impressions with only a relative few - 13 percent
Most voters have thought little if anything abo candidates for the
U.S. Senate in 1972. Of those who say Jordan should Not run again, only a
handful suggest a replacement, and Jim McClure is NAMED more often than any
other Republican. McClure is also named most by Tepublic ns as first and
second choice if Jordan is not a candidate. Harding is NAMED by only a few
more Democrats than Ravenscroft as the favorite foR The Democrat candidacy.
Other current officeholders all receive acceptable job ratings.
McClure, Hansen and Church all are highly rated, although Church is criti-
cized more than the congressmen. Andrus also receives a high approval rating,
but Murphy is rated by fewer than half, indicating (as IN name recognition) a
low profile among the voters.
The rating of the state legislature is about the same as the average
of other legislatures. No legislation stands out us f torable action by the
legislature, but failure to support education and the legislative pay raise
are stand-outs as criticisms.
President Nixon receives majority SUPPORT IN handling domestic prob-
lems, but he receives more disapproval than approval ON handling foreign prob-
lems.
Viet Nam, war, and the draft are still Named as the number one con-
cern by Idahoans. This is followed closely, though by concern over inflation.
SURVEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, percentages are based on a total of 500
respondents - 240 Republicans, 212 Democrats, and 48 Independents.
Q.1: About how long have you lived here in (name of town) (this area) ?
(Discontinue interview is less than 6 months)
Only those with at least 6 months residence
were interviewed - answers not tabulated.
Q.2: Generally, do you approve or disapprove of the way President Nixon is
handling problems here in the United States?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Approve
54%
70%
38%
44%
Disapprove
31
19
45
27
No opinion
15
11
17
29
Q.3: Generally, do you approve or disapprove of the way President Nixon is
handling the war in Viet Nam and other international problems?
Approve
43%
58%
29%
29%
Disapprove
44
30
57
54
No opinion
13
12
14
17
Q.4:
What problems facing the government and the country are you most concerned
about at the present time? What else?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Viet Nam war, draft
39%
38%
43%
23%
Inflation, high cost of living
33
35
33
19
Drugs, hippies, youth
20
25
18
4
Employment, unemployment, strikes
17
16
20
10
Welfare problems and programs,
poverty
16
15
15
19
Air and water pollution, ecology
9
11
7
8
Taxes, high taxes
7
8
7
2
Racial problems
7
8
7
4
Crime, law enforcement
6
9
5
-
Student unrest, demonstrations
5
6
3
6
Foreign affairs
4
4
2
8
Government spending
3
4
1
4
Farm problems and prices
2
3
2
2
Government officials
2
3
2
-
Schools, education
2
2
2
-
Urban renewal
2
2
1
2
Communism
1
2
1
2
Overpopulation
1
2
*
-
Pentagon papers, Dr. Ellsburg
1
*
1
2
Too much government control
1
1
*
-
Miscellaneous other problems
5
6
3
2
Can name no problems
9
8
9
21
*Less than 1/2 of 1 percent.
8.
Q.5: What problems facing the state of Idaho are you most concerned about at
the present time? What else?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Education, kindergarten
15%
17
13
6
Employment, unemployment
13
10
18
10
Air and water pollution, ecology
12
12
14
4
Taxes, sales tax, high taxes
11
12
11
10
Conservation
10
11
10
2
Law and order, youth, hippies
.7
7
5
10
Water problems, water rights
6
7
4
6
Inflation, economy
6
6
6
2
Welfare problems and programs,
poverty
4
4
4
4
Drug problems
4
8
2
-
State spending
3
4
3
-
The administration, the governor
3
5
1
2
Overpopulation of Idaho
3
3
3
-
White Cloud, mining
3
1
4
4
Farm problems, prices
2
3
2
2
Roads and highways
2
2
2
2
Dams on rivers
2
*
4
4
Mental health and state
hospitals
1
1
1
-
Urban renewal, housing
1
-
1
4
Miscellaneous other problems
6
6
7
4
Can name no problems
29
27
30
35
Q.6: Generally do you approve or disapprove of the way Cecil Andrus is handling
his job as governor?
Approve
60%
49%
74%
50%
Disapprove
16
23
8
17
No opinion
24
28
18
33
*Less than 1/2 of 1 percent.
Q.6a: (If DISAPPROVE) In what ways is he not doing as well as he should?
Total
Percent Asked
(16%)
Mention Rock Festival at Farra-
gut, hippies
4%
Hasn't carried out campaign
promises
3
Give personal criticisms
3
Refer to budget, spending
2
Could do more for education
1
Disapprove of views or policies
1
Express general disapproval
*
Miscellaneous other ways
2
Can name no ways
2
Q.7:
Generally do you approve or disapprove of the way Senator Len Jordan is
handling his job?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Approve
61%
69%
54%
48%
Disapprove
8
5
13
4
No opinion
31
26
33
48
Q.8:
In what ways is Senator Jordan doing the best job?
Give personal qualities or
qualifications
9%
12%
7%
4%
Promotes the state of Idaho
8
11
6
2
Refer to White Clouds, natural
resources, conservation
7
9
7
-
Express general approval
6
6
6
4
Relates back to people, sends
reports back to people
3
3
2
2
Works well with Frank Church
2
2
3
-
Approve of voting record, etc.
2
3
*
2
Works for agriculture, farmers
1
1
*
-
Refer to Viet Nam war policy
1
*
1
-
Miscellaneous other ways
1
2
-
-
Can name no ways
66
58
73
85
*Less than 1/2 of 1 percent.
Q.
9: In what ways, if any, is Senator Jordon not doing as well as he should?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Disapprove of policies and views
other than White Clouds, con-
servation, etc.
4%
4%
5%
-
Give personal criticisms
4
5
4
-
Express general disapproval
2
*
3
2%
Mention mining, White Clouds,
conservation, etc.
1
1
2
2
Backs Nixon administration
1
*
1
-
Miscellaneous other ways
1
1
*
2
Can name no ways
88
89
84
94
Q.10: Generally, do you approve or disapprove of the way Senator Frank Church is
handling his job?
Approve
63%
56%
74%
54%
Disapprove
21
30
14
10
No opinion
16
14
12
36
Q. 10a: (IF DISAPPROVE) In what ways is he not doing as well as he should?
Percent asked
(21%)
Give personal criticisms
7%
Mention foreign policy, stand
on the war
5
Disapprove of other policies,
views, stands
5
Working against the President
3
Express general disapproval
2
Miscellaneous other ways
1
Can name no ways
1
*Less than 1/2 of 1 percent.
Q.11:
(CARD) llere is a list of men active in politics and public affairs in
Idaho. Which ones have you heard of before?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Orval Hansen
79%
83%
76%
71%
Bob Smylie
77
83
75
54
Jim McClure
65
67
65
52
Pete Cennarusa
60
65
57
42
Ralph Harding
57
56
59
48
Vernon Ravenscroft
56
59
59
33
Jack Murphy
55
58
56
42
.
Tony Park
36
38
38
19
Larry Jackson
23
23
26
8
Bill Brauner
21
22
24
10
Ed Williams
18
16
21
17
F.W. (Bill) Bergeson
12
14
10
8
None
6
4
7
10
Q.11a:
(FOR EACH NAMED ON Q.11) Is your impression of Mr.
mostly
favorable or mostly unfavorable?
ORVAL HANSEN - Number
(396)
(200)
(162)
(34)
Favorable
59%
69%
51%
47%
Unfavorable
13
8
18
15
No opinion
28
23
31
38
BOB SMYLIE - Number
(384)
(200)
(158)
(26)
Favorable
49%
56%
44%
27%
Unfavorable
33
25
43
35
No opinion
18
19
13
38
JIM McCLURE - Number
(324)
(162)
(137)
(25)
Favorable
59%
71%
46%
52%
Unfavorable
9
3
18
-
No opinion
32
26
36
48
PETE CENNARUSA - Number
(298)
(157)
(121)
(20)
Favorable
56%
64%
46%
55%
Unfavorable
8
6
12
-
No opinion
36
30
42
45
Q.11a:
(Continued)
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
RALPH HARDING - Number
(283)
(134)
(126)
(23)
Favorable
39%
29%
48%
52%
Unfavorable
24
33
18
13
No opinion
37
38
34
35
VERNON RAVENSCROFT - Number
(282)
(141)
(125)
(16)
Favorable
45%
37%
54%
44%
Unfavorable
9
11
6
13
No opinion
46
52
40
43
JACK MURPHY - Number
(276)
(138)
(118)
(20)
Favorable
41%
46%
38%
30%
Unfavorable
9
6
12
10
No opinion
50
48
50
60
TONY PARK - Number
(181)
(91)
(81)
(9)
Favorable
54%
37%
70%
78%
Unfavorable
12
18
6
-
No opinion
34
45
24
22
LARRY JACKSON - Number
(114)
(55)
(55)
(4)
Favorable
40%
49%
31%
25%
Unfavorable
13
11
16
-
No opinion
47
40
53
75
BILL BRAUNER - Number
(107)
(52)
(50)
(5)
Favorable
31%
21%
40%
40%
Unfavorable
10
15
6
-
No opinion
59
64
54
60
ED WILLIAMS - Number
(91)
(39)
(44)
(8)
Favorable
44%
39%
55%
13%
Unfavorable
10
8
4
50
No opinion
46
53
41
37
F.W. (BILL) BERGESON - Number (59)
(34)
(21)
(4)
Favorable
24%
27%
14%
50%
Unfavorable
5
3
10
-
No opinion
71
70
76
50
Q.12: Generally, do you approve or disapprove of the way Jack Murphy is handling
his job as lieutenant governor?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Approve
43%
49%
40%
25%
Disapprove
5
2
7
4
No opinion
52
49
53
71
Q.13:
(C.D. #1 ONLY) Would you say Jim McClure is doing a good job as congressman
or not as well as he should in some ways?
Number of Respondents
(270)
(125)
(120)
(25)
Good job
63%
74%
57%
44%
Not doing a good job
15
6
25
12
No opinion
22
20
18
44
Q.13: (C.D. #2 ONLY) Would you say that Orval Hansen is doing a good job as
congressman, or not as well as he should in some ways?
Number of Respondents
(230)
(115)
(92)
(23)
Good job
63%
74%
52%
57%
Not doing a good job
17
12
22
17
No opinion
20
14
26
26
Q.14:
Would you like to see Senator Len Jordan run for another term in 1972, or
would you like to see someone else elected senator in 1972?
Prefer Jordan
42%
51%
35%
29%
Prefer someone else
32
29
36
27
No opinion
26
20
29
43
Q.14a: (IF PREFER SOMEONE ELSE) Who would you like to see elected? (Shown in
actual numbers rather than percent)
C.D. #1
C.D. #2
Jim McClure
5
Jim McClure
2.
George Hansen
1
George Hansen
2
Bill Brauner
1
Vernon Ravenscroft
2
Cecil Andrus
1
Tony Young
1
Jim Storcheff
1
Bill Brauner
1
Percy Swisher
1
Robert Smylie
1
Robert Smylie
1
Terry Crapo
1
Orval Hansen
1
"A Democrat"
1
14.
Q.14b: (IF PREFER SOMEONE ELSE ON Q.14) What is your objection to Senator Jordan?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Number of respondents
(160)
(70)
(77)
(13)
Age, been in too long, time
for a change
63%
71%
57%
54%
Not doing anything for Idaho
10
9
12
8
Give personal criticisms
8
6
10
-
Disapprove of other views,
policies, stands
8
3
13
-
Express general disapproval
4
-
5
15
Miscellaneous other ways
3
3
4
-
Can name no ways
11
13
7
31
Q.15: Senator Len Jordan is a Republican, as is the present administration. Do
you feel that Senator Jordan supports the Nixon administration too much, or
doesn't support the administration as much as he should?
Too much
16%
14%
22%
2%
Not enough
5
8
4
-
About right
20
23
19
8
No opinion
59
55
55
90
Q.16: Would you say that the state legislature did a good job, only a fair job,
or a poor job in the last session?
Good job
13%
11%
17%
6%
Fair job
46
50
42
42
Poor job
21
21
22
23
No opinion
20
18
19
29
Q.17: Is there anything the state legislature did in their last session that you
particularly liked?
Yes
18%
18%
19%
10%
No
38
36
38
46
No opinion
44
46
43
44
Q.17a: (If yes) What?
Percent asked
(18%)
Education, schools, voted
down kindergarten
5%
Taxes and budget
3
Wine and beer sales
2
18 year old vote
1
Updated probate procedures
1
Out-of-state hunter control
1
Legislators' compensation
1
Miscellaneous other ways
4
Nonspecific
1
Q.18: Is there anything the state legislature did in their last session that
you didn't like?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Yes
45%
44%
48%
42%
No
24
25
22
29
No opinion
31
31
30
29
Q.18a: (If yes) What?
Percent asked
(45%)
Education, kindergarten
15%
Increased their own wages
11
Too much time doing nothing
6
Taxes and budget
4
White Clouds, conservation
4
Mental and state hospitals
3
Nonspecific references to legis-
lation enacted
3
Wine and liquor sales
2
Reapportionment
2
Drug bills
1
Welfare problems and programs
1
Miscellaneous other ways
7
Nonspecific
2
Q.19: As you understand it, which political party has the most memebers in the
state legislature -- the Republican Party, or the Democratic Party?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
Republicans
55%
60%
54%
38%
Democrats
15
16
14
12
No opinion
30
24
32
50
Q.20: Some people want to make the Sawtooth Mountain Area a national park, under
the Federal Government, where hunting and grazing are not permitted. Others
want to make it a recreation area, with hunting and grazing permitted.
Which do you prefer, or would you rather leave it as it is now?
National Park
17%
13%
21%
17%
Recreation area
33
39
28
29
Leave as it is
40
39
42
38
No opinion
10
9
9
16
Q.21: From what you have heard, is the timber industry in Idaho cutting trees
faster than replanting can replace them, slower than the replacement rate,
or is it about in balance?
Faster
29%
27%
30%
31%
Slower
3
2
5
4
In balance
40
48
34
25
No opinion
28
23
31
40
Q.22: Do you think there should be more government control over the cutting
policies of the timber industry, less control, or about the same as now?
More
37%
32%
41%
46%
Less
13
20
8
4
About the same
31
31
32
23
No opinion
19
17
19
27
Q.23:
For making decisions about timber cutting policies, which government
agency would you have the most confidence in - the United States Forestry
Service, the State Forestry Service, or the United States National Park
Service?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
U.S. Forestry Service
32%
27%
39%
29%
State Forestry Service
46%
54%
38%
42%
U.S. National Park Service
6
5
6
6
No opinion
16
14
17
23
Q.24: Is there anything about the farm labor situation in Idaho that you think
should be changed or improved?
Wages and salaries
15%
13%
19%
10%
Migrant workers
14
13
17
4
Leave the farmers alone,
doing O.K. now
5
6
3
6
Farmers need more help
5
5
4
6
Cut farm support, subsidy
money
2
3
*
6
Should be unionized
1
1
1
2
Opposed to unions
1
1
-
-
Miscellaneous other ways
6
5
8
6
Can name no ways
54
55
51
63
Q.24a: (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED) Recently there have been efforts to unionize
farm workers in Idaho. Do you think that would be a good thing or a bad
thing?
Good thing
27%
14%
41%
33%
Bad thing
54
68
39
44
No opinion
19
18
20
23
*Less than 1/2 of 1 percent.
Q.24b. Why would it be (good) (bad) ?
Repub-
Demo-
Inde-
Total
licans
crats
pendents
GOOD
Number Saying "Good"
(135)
(33)
(86)
(16)
Set wages, minimum wages
47%
30%
53%
50%
Help members get needs
42
61
35
38
Stablize farm prices
4
3
4
6
Miscellaneous other ways
9
9
9
6
Can name no ways
5
3
6
6
BAD
Number Saying "Bad"
(268)
(164)
(83)
(21)
Opposed to unions
35%
38%
27%
38%
Too much restriction
24
24
25
10
Not good for farmers
19
18
19
24
Can't pay union wages
7
7
7
5
Economy, strikes
9
9
10
10
Miscellaneous other ways
6
4
8
5
Can name no ways
6
6
6
10
Q.25: What do you depend on mainly for news - the newspapers, TV, or radio?
Newspaper
64%
69%
62%
52%
TV
55
52
56
65
Radio
27
25
29
29
No opinion
2
2
1
6
Q.26: If you saw conflicting accounts of a news event, which would you be most
likely to believe - the newspapers or the TV?
Newspaper
33%
42%
25%
19%
TV
44
37
50
56
No opinion
23
21
25
25
Q.27:
In politics, do you usually consider yourself as a Republican or a Democrat?
Q.27a:
(If Indpendent, "vote for the man," etc.) Well, do you consider yourself
closer to the Democratic Party or closer to the Republican Party?
Total
Republican
32%
Lean Republican
16
Democrat
30%
Lean Democrat
13
Independent
9%
Q.28: (REPUBLICANS ONLY) If Senator Jordan is not a candidate for re-election,
which of the men on this list would be your first choice as the Republican
candidate for the Senate? (Asked of 240 Republicans)
Q.28a: Which would be your second choice?
First
Second
Choice
Choice
Total
(%)
(%)
(%)
James McClure
22
13
35
Orval Hansen
19
11
30
Robert Smylie
15
8
23
George Hansen
13
10
23
Don Samuelson
11
12
23
Pete Cennarusa
7
10
17
Jack Murphy
3
9
12
No opinion, no first
(or second) choice
10
17
-
Q.29: (DEMOCRATS ONLY) Which of the men on this list would you rather see as
the Democrat candidate for the Senate in 1972? (Asked of 212 Democrats)
Q.29a: Which would be your second choice?
First
Second
Choice
Choice
Total
(%)
(%)
(%)
Ralph Harding
25
13
38
Vernon Ravenscroft
23
11
34
Tony Park
11
9
20
Ed Williams
8
9
17
Bill Brauner
5
3
8
No opinion, no first
(or second) choice
28
27
-
SECTION I - U.S. SENATE RACE, 1972
Job Rating of Senator Jordan
(Q.7)
Senator Jordan enjoys a very respectable job rating by his constituents,
with 61 percent registering approval of the job he is doing and only 8 percent
indicating disapproval; the remaining 31 percent indicate they have no opinion
about the job he is doing. Opinions among Republicans are highly favorable
with 69 percent approving and only a minimal 5 percent registering disapproval.
Even Democrats are favorable, with 54 percent saying they approve of the job
Jordan is doing and only 13 percent disapproving.
There are no extraordinary differences from the over-all view in either
of the two congressional districts or in opinions of men and women. However,
attitudes of the voters under age 25 are significantly less favorable for Jordan
than the attitudes of "all other" voters. One significance of the difference is
the large proportion showing an "unawareness" of Senator Jordan in addition to
the higher disapproval rating. This comparison is shown in the following table.
Rating of Job Senator Jordan is Doing
No
Approve
Disapprove
Opinion
(Percentages read across)
Age 25 and under
39%
15
46
Over age 25
66%
6
28
Specific Approval of Senator Jordan
(Q.8)
Ways in which Senator Jordan is doing the best job are given by
34 percent of the voters. Jordan's personal qualities are named most
frequently (9%) as the way he is doing a good job with such comments as
"He stays with his own opinions - he doesn't sway with public opinion," "He
usually tries to be his own man," "He's down-to-earth and practical, and "He's
honest and sincere." Senator Jordan is credited with promoting and supporting
the state of Idaho by 8 percent and with having appropriate views on conservation
of natural resources, protection of the environment, etc., by 7 percent. Several
other types of favorable comments are made about Senator Jordan, and these may
be found in detail beginning on Page 41.
Only 13 percent of the voters under age 25 are able to name ways in
which Jordan is "doing the best job."
Specific Disapproval of Jordan
(Q.9)
Only 12 percent of the Idaho voters are able to express ways in which
Jordan is not doing as well as he should including 4 percent who disagree with
his policies, stands on views, etc. This group is made up mostly of complaints
about specific votes or stands such as "the SST vote," "He was for the ABM,"
"His Bureau of Land Management stand," etc. Some of the others comment about
his voting record generally and his attitude on foreign policy. Personal
criticisms are also named by 4 percent with some of these complaints referring
to Jordan's age and his tenure in office. Others complain that "He doesn't
speak up on issues enough," and "He's not aggressive as he should be."
These comments can be seen in detail beginning on Page 44.
Jordan's Support of the Administration
(Q.15)
There is not a prevalent feeling that Jordan is a rubber stamp for
the Nixon administration. In all, 59 percent say they have no opinion about
Jordan's support of the administration and an additional 20 percent respond
that his support of the administration is "about right.' This leaves only
21 percent who divide that he is supporting the administration too much (16%)
or not enough (5%). Differences in response from Republicans and Democrats
are not significant and neither are the differences in the two congressional
districts or among the age groups, except that voters under age 25 are more
inclined not to have an opinion about the degree of Jordan's support of the
administration.
Jordan as a Candidate
(Q.14, 14a & 14b)
Question 14 asks, "Would you like to see Senator Len Jordan run for
another term in 1972, or would you like to see someone else elected senator in
1972?" This question was followed by Question 14a, which asks those who say
they prefer someone else in response to Question 14 who they would like to see
elected, and 14b about reasons for objecting to Senator Jordan.
In reply to Question 14, 42 percent of the voters say they would like
to see Jordan run again, 32 percent indicate a preference for someone else, and
26 percent have no opinion. Jordan has the support of a bare majority of
Republicans (51%) while 29 percent indicate they would like to see someone else
run in 1972. Democrats, not surprisingly, indicate more support for "someone
else," with 36 percent SO indicating, and 35 percent saying they would like to
see Jordan run again. Independents divide about evenly.
The following table showing the division by survey subgroups indicates
only minor fluctuations between comparable groups except in the age group. Those
under age 25 indicate more support for someone else running while those over 25
show a plurality favorable to Jordan's candidacy.
Opinions of Survey Subgroups Toward Jordan's Candidacy
Run
Someone
No
Again
Else
Opinion
(Percentages read across)
First Congressional District
43%
34
23
Second Congressional District
41%
30
29
Men
45%
32
23
Women
40%
32
28
Under 25 years
29%
37
34
Over 25 years
45%
31
24
Of those who said that they would like to see someone else elected
senator in 1972, only 20 (of 160) are able to actually name a preference.
Unquestionably, Congressman McClure is frontrunner of those named, with five
respondents in the First District and two in the Second District naming him.
Only George Hansen is named by more than two. All those named are shown in
actual numbers in the Question and Answer Section of this report.
A single reason dominates the objections to Senator Jordan and this
is his age and tenure in office. This is named by 63 percent of those who say
they favor electing a new senator. The next most named objection is not working
for Idaho which is answered by 10 percent and 8 percent give a personal criticism
other than age. These responses may be seen in detail on Page 48.
Name Recognition of Potential Candidates
(Q.11)
In Question 11 respondents were handed a card exhibiting the names of
several men described as active in politics and public affairs in Idaho and asked
which ones they had heard of before. Congressman Orval Hanserr leads the group
followed closely by former governor Bob Smylie with name recognition factors of
79 percent and 77 percent respectively. There is no difference in the proportion
of Republicans who recognize the two men and no appreciable difference among
Democrats. Hansen receives most of his edge by being recognized by more Indepen-
dents.
Congressman Jim McClure ranks third with 65 percent, followed by Secretary
of State Pete Cennarusa at 60 percent. Grouped closely together are Democrats
Ralph Harding (57%) and Vernon Ravenscroft (56%). Lieutenant Governor Jack
Murphy is at 55 percent. Murphy's name is recognized by 58 percent of the
Republicans and 56 percent of the Democrats. The names of the other men listed,
Tony Park, Larry Jackson, Bill Brauner, Ed Williams, and Bill Bergeson are
recognized by fewer than half of the Idaho voters. These are detailed in the
Question and Answer Section on Page 11.
*Although the card explicity read Orval Hansen, the possibility of confusion with
George Hansen exists.
Impressions about Potential Candidates
(Q.11a)
A respondent who admitted recognizing the name of one or more of the
men on the card was then asked whether his impression of ti recognized person
was mostly favorable or mostly unfavorable. Among those whose names are
recognized by more than half of the respondents, Congressman Orval Hansen
and Jim McClure each receive favorable ratings from 59 percent of those who
recognize their names. Only 9 percent have unfavorable impressions of McClure
while 13 percent reply unfavorably about Hansen. The name of Pete Cennarusa is
also well received, with 56 percent replying favorably and only 8 percent unfavor-
ably. Vernon Ravenscroft and Jack Murphy receive similar ratings, each receiving
9 percent unfavorable and 45 percent and 41 percent favorable ratings respectively.
Of those who recognize the name of former governor Smylie, just under half (49%)
say they have a favorable impression about him while a third say their impression
of him is unfavorable; this includes one in four Republicans. Democrat Committeeman
Ralph Harding receives the next most unfavorable impressions with 24 percent; only
39 percent have a favorable impression of him.
Republican Choices of Candidate
(Q.28 & 28a)
Following the respondent's self indentification with a political party
(Q.27 & 27a) all those who identify themselves as Republican or leaning Republican
are asked which would be their first and second choice for a Republican candidate
for the U.S. Senate if Senator Jordan does not run for re-election. In response,
Jim McClure leads the other six candidates by being named most often as both
first choice and second choice. Congressman Orval Hansen is ranked second among
the first choices and third among the second choices giving him a total of first
and second choices which places him second behind McClure. A combination of
first and second choices ranks former governor Smylie, former congressman Hansen
and former governor Samuelson in a three-way tie. They are followed by Cennarusa
and Murphy. The following table shows the percent naming each as their first
and second choice and a total of percentage points each receives.
First
Second
Choice
Choice
Total
Jim McClure
22%
13%
35%
Orval Hansen
19
11
30
Bob Smylie
15
8
23
George Hansen
13
10
23
Don Samuelson
11
12
23
Pete Cennarusa
7
10
17
Jack Murphy
3
9
12
Don't know
10
17
-
Democratic Choices of Candidate
(Q.29 & 29a)
Democrats were asked to make a similar selection as Republicans in the
previous two questions to find their first choice for a candidate for the U.S.
Senate. Democrat National Committeeman Ralph Harding has a slim lead over State
Representative Vernon Ravenscroft in both first and second choices. These two
far outdistance the other three potential candidates measured. These comparisons
can be made in the table below.
First
Second
Choice
Choice
Total
Ralph Harding
25%
13%
38%
Vernon Ravenscroft
23
11
34
Tony Park
11
9
20
Ed Williams
8
9
17
Bill Brauner
5
3
8
No choice
28
27
-
Job Rating of Lieutenant Governor Murphy
(Q.12)
Fewer than half attempt to rate the job Jack Murphy is doing as
lieutenant governor. Of those who do make the attempt, 43 percent approve of
the job while 5 percent register disapproval. A bare majority of Republicans
attempt to rate Murphy and there is little disapproval. Fewer than half of the
Democrats make the attempt, and only three in each ten Independents rate Murphy.
Differences between the two congressional districts are not significant,
although he does slightly better in the First than in the Second District. This
comparison, and a comparison between the two principal age groups is shown in
the table below.
Job Rating of Jack Murphy
No
Approve
Disapprove
Opinion
(Percentages read across)
First Congressional District
45%
3
52
Second Congressional District
40%
6
54
Under age 25
37%
8
55
Over age 25
44%
4
52
Job Rating of Congressman McClure
(Q.13)
Jim McClure is rated as doing a good job among 63 percent of the First
District voters and only 15 percent are critical. This compares favorably with
McClure's last job rating (March 1970) which was 56 percent favorable and 15
percent unfavorable. It also compares favorably with Central Surveys' average of
congressman which is 57 percent favorable, 13 percent unfavorable and 30 percent
with no opinion. Among Republicans, opinions divide 74 percent approval to
6 percent disapproval; among Democrats the division is 57 percent approval and
25 percent disapproval. Independents approve nearly 4 to 1.
Job Rating of Orval Hansen
(Q.13)
Opinions about the job Orval Hansen is doing as congressman divide
63 percent approval to 17 percent disapproval. As in the case of Congressman
McClure this rating is favorable in comparison to Central Surveys' average.
Hansen does well among Republicans with opinions dividing 74 percent favorable
to 12 percent unfavorable, and among Democrats opinions divide 52 percent
approval to 22 percent disapproval. Independents approve 57 percent to 17
percent.
Job Rating and Specific Disapproval of Senator Church
(Q.10 & 10a)
The job Frank Church is doing as U.S. Senator is approved by 63 percent
of the Idaho voters while 21 percent register disapproval. Only 16 percent ex-
press no opinion. Opinions among Democrats are highly favorable, dividing 74
percent to 14 percent, and even among Republicans there is relatively little dis-
contentment with opinions dividing 56 percent approving and 30 percent disapproving.
Independents divide 54 percent to 10 percent.
There is little difference in opinions in the two congressional districts
or between men and women. The younger voters and the older voters approve of
Church in nearly identical proportions of 62 percent and 64 percent respectively
and the younger voters are less critical with only 15 percent expressing disapproval
compared to 22 percent of the over 25 voters.
The most disapproval expressed for Senator Church is of a personal
nature which is given by 7 percent of the voters followed by 5 percent who say
they disagree with his policies, stands, etc., and another 5 percent who dis-
approve of his views of foreign policy including Viet Nam. A few criticisms
are named by smaller proportions. These may be seen in detail in the verbatim
section of this report beginning on Page 46.
SECTION II - STATE PROBLEMS, ISSUES, AND RATINGS
Rating of Governor Andrus
(Q.6 & 6a)
Governor Andrus is currently enjoying the approval of 6 in 10 voters
in Idaho as opposed to only 16 percent who voice disapproval. Democrats regis-
ter approval by a 9 to 1 ratio and nearly half (49%) of the Republicans indicate
they approve of Andrus' action so far.
When asked in what ways Andrus is not doing as well as he should,
more complain of his handling of the rock festival at Farragut than any other
thing, although nearly as many express personal criticisms such as "He's not
big enough for the job," "He's not competent," "He's ineffective," etc. A
similar number express disapproval that he has not delivered on campaign
promises.
Rating of State Legislature
(Q.16)
The immediate past state legislature rates reasonably well in com-
parison to Central Surveys' average rating of state legislatures and a small
improvement over the 1970 rating. These comparisons are made in the following
table.
Rating of State Legislature
No
Good
Fair
Poor
Opinion
(Percentages read across)
1971 Idaho
13%
46
21
20
1970 Idaho
11%
47
21
21
Central Surveys' Average
16%
44
21
19
Specific Approval of Legislature
(Q.17 & 17a)
Only 18 percent of the Idaho voters say the legislature did some-
thing that they liked, while 38 percent say they did nothing they liked and
44 percent say they don't know if the legislature did anything they liked.
When those who replied affirmatively that the legislature had done
something they liked were asked to specify what things they liked - education,
taxes, and wine sales were named most frequently, followed by a number of
things named less frequently. Nothing really dominates the responses.
Specific Disapproval of Legislature
(Q. 18 & 18a)
When asked if the legislature did anything they disliked, 45 percent
of the Idaho voters were able to reply affirmatively as opposed to only 24 per-
cent who replied negatively and 31 percent who had no opinion.
When asked to explain their dislikes, 15 percent mention education
and a number of these are in light of legislative failure to require kinder-
garten. An additional 11 percent register displeasure over the legislative
pay increase.
Political Party Dominance
in the Legislature
(Q.19)
A majority of Idaho voters (55%) say the Republicans have the ma-
jority of state legislature and only 15 percent say the Democrats are in
majority.
Sawtooth Mountain Area
(Q.20)
When asked to express a preference whether the Sawtooths should be
a national park, recreation area, or leave as is, 17 percent say they would
prefer making the area a national park, while 33 percent express preference
for the recreation area and 40 percent say the area should be left as it is
now.
Only 13 percent of the Republicans say it should be a national park
and the remaining Republicans with a preference divide evenly between develop-
ing a recreation area or leaving the Sawtooths as is. Democrats are more
widely opinionated, with 21 percent saying they should become a national
park, 28 percent in favor of developing a recreational area, and 42 percent
say the area should be left alone.
Opinions about Timber Cutting
(Q.21, 22, & 23)
More Idahoans (40%) say to their knowledge timber cutting is about
"in balance" with timber growth, while 29 percent say that timber is being
harvested more rapidly than growth, and 3 percent say cutting is slower.
Republicans are more inclined to think that harvesting and growth are in
balance with 48 percent SO indicating, while only 34 percent of the Democrats
believe the program to be in balance.
Even though the largest proportion of voters say the timber cutting
is "in balance" more voters (37%) say there should be more government control
than there is at the present time, while only 13 percent indicate favoring less
government control of timber cutting.
Opinions about which regulatory agency should have control over
timber cutting policies in Idaho divide 32 percent favoring the U.S. Forest
Service, 46 percent favoring the Idaho Forest Service and 6 percent favoring
the U.S. National Park Service. Republicans are 2 to 1 in favor of the state
forest service over the federal, while Democrats divide about evenly.
Opinions about Farm Labor
(Q.24, 24a & 24b)
When Idaho voters are asked if there is anything about the farm
labor situation in the state that should be changed, only 46 percent are
able to name any ways or suggestions about changing them. Among those who
do offer suggestions more refer to wages, and migrant workers living con-
ditions than anything else. Only 2 percent (10 voters) mention unionization
of farm workers in the state.
Opinions about unionization of farm workers divide 54 percent op-
posed to 27 percent favorable, a 2 to 1 ratio of opposition. Republicans
are strongly opposed, their opinions dividing 68 percent to only 14 percent
in favor of farm unions. Democrats split nearly evenly with 41 percent in-
dicating preference for the unions and 39 percent in opposition.
Of those who say that unionization of farm workers would be a good
thing, more mention higher wages than any other reason for unionizing. Others
are less specific and simply indicate that unionization would help the members
achieve their needs.
Those who oppose the unions for farm workers voice a general opposi-
tion to unions most frequently as the reason they would think the union would
be bad. Answers that it would be too restrictive and too many controls on
the farm economy, and concern over the farmers also account for a large pro-
portion of those who would oppose farm workers unionization.
SECTION III - NATIONAL RATINGS AND ISSUES
Nixon Rating
(Q.2 & 3)
Approval of the way President Nixon is handling problems here in the
United States is expressed by 54 percent of the Idaho voters while 31 percent
voice disapproval. Nixon continues to have strong support from Republicans,
with opinions dividing 70 percent favorable to 19 percent unfavorable. It is
a different story among Democrats, though, with only 38 percent expressing
approval of Nixon's domestic programs and 45 percent expressing disapproval.
Responses about Nixon's handling of Viet Nam and other international
situations are less than desirable for the president with opinions dividing
about evenly. In all, 43 percent approve of Nixon's international stands
and 44 percent register disapproval. A majority of Republicans continue to
support Nixon with 58 percent registering approval and 30 percent disapproval.
Democrats are quite opposite with only 29 percent approving of Nixon's foreign
stands and 57 percent registering disapproval.
(It should be noted that Nixon's trip to Red China was announced
with interviewing about two-thirds completed and with relatively little time
for the resulting favorable press reaction to be transmitted through survey
results.)
National Issues and Problems
(Q.4)
When Idaho voters are asked what problems facing the government
and the country they are most concerned about at the present time, five
issues dominate the answers. These five concerns and the proportions express-
ing them are listed below:
Viet Nam and the draft
39%
Inflation
33%
Drugs and hippies
20%
Unemployment
17%
Welfare
16%
A number of other things are named by smaller proportions including
pollution, racial problems, taxes, student unrest, and a variety of other
problems.
SECTION IV - OTHER SURVEY QUESTIONS
News Sources and Credibility
(Q.25 & 26)
In Question 25, Idaho voters were asked what news source they de-
pended on mainly - the newspaper, television, or radio. In reply, 64 per-
cent say the newspaper is their primary news source, 55 percent name tele-
vision and only 27 percent say radio. Both Republicans and Democrats name
newspapers as their primary news source while Independents name TV most
frequently. There are some differences as to the primary news source
among some of the survey subgroups which àre shown in the following table.
Primary News Source*
No
Newspaper Television Radio Opinion
(Percentages read across)
First Congressional District
63%
50
23
2
Second Congressional District
67%
60
33
1
Under age 25
42%
61
27
2
All others
69%
53
27
2
*Answers add to more than 100 percent because multiple answers were given.
The most significant information is the obvious impact of tele-
vision on the young voter as opposed to those over age 25.
Voters were then asked which of the three sources they would most
likely believe, and more (44%) name television than ther of the other two
media. Newspapers are named by 33 percent and radio by 23 percent. Again,
television dominates the source most credible to youth, with 69 percent of
them naming TV as the source they would most likely believe and only 20 per
cent naming newspapers. The over 25 voters divide almost evenly with 36 per-
cent giving the most credance to newspapers and 38 percent crediting tele-
vision as the most accurate news source.
melitical Party Self-Identification
27 & 27a)
By self-identification 48 percent of the Idaho voters identify them-
selves as Republican or leaning Republican and 43 percent as Democrat or lean-
ing Democrat, leaving 9 percent as Independent voters. The following table
shows the party identification of survey subgroups, including the number of
young people that identify themselves as Independents; this is a concern ex-
pressed by both political parties.
Classify Selves As:
Republican Democrat Independent
(Percentages read across)
First Congressional District
46%
44
10
Second Congressional District
50%
40
10
Men
45%
45
10
Women
50%
40
10
Under age 25
48%
39
13
Over age 25
48%
43
9
Ways Governor Cecil Andrus Is Not Doing As Well As He Should
q.6: "Generally, do you approve or disapprove of the way Cecil Andrus is handling
his job as governor?"
Q.ba: (If DISAPPROVE) "In what ways is he not doing as well as he should?"
(80 mention various ways; 420 name none)
19 mention the handling of the Rock Festival at Farragut, hippies, etc.: "He
allowed the Rock Festival that was called a church picnic at Farragut," "The
Farragut thing," "I don't like the way he condoned the festival at Farragut,"
"The thing up at Farragut he should have stopped it," "He could have done
something about the rock festival and didn't," etc.
15 express personal criticisms: "He's not big enough for the job," "He's not
competent,' "He leans too far left for me," "He puts emphasis on the wrong
things, "He's hiding behind a name trying to put something over on the
voters," "He is ineffective," etc.
13 say he hasn't carried out campaign promises, isn't doing anything, etc.: "He
was going to do so much and hasn't done anything, "He has not backed up what
he advertised,' "He hasn't carried out campaign promises,' "He preaches a lot
but isn't doing anything for the people," "He hasn't done anything," etc.
8 refer to budget, overspending, etc.: "I don't like the way he is handling
the budget, "He's been cutting down too much on essentials, "The budget
is out of line," "Overspending," "He is already in the red," etc.
8 disagree with other policies, stands, views, etc.: "He passed a law making use
of drugs a misdemeanor,' "I don't agree with his lack of law enforcment,"
"He's out for the 18 year old vote trying to please the 18 year olds,"
"His stands on some moral issues, "I don't like his stand on the White Cloud
area," etc.
6 say he could do more for schools, education, etc.: "He cut funds for higher
education," "I disapprove of his kindergarten program,' "He didn't get the
kindergarten program like he said he would," etc.
2 express general disapproval: "I don't like him" or "Well, if you don't like
them, they don't do as you like."
10 give miscellaneous other ways.
1 "He kicked Chet Multin out."
1 "Gambling."
1 "Counselors buying buildings."
1 "He's for industry in Idaho and I'm not unless it's agriculture."
1 "I don't like the way they run St. Anthony's reform school. "
1 "On migrant workers - he rushed in too fast with government help."
1 "Giving too much attention to the southern part of the state."
1 "The game department wouldn't be in the condition it is if he was a
better governor. "
1 "He said he would slow out-of-staters from hunting and hasn 't."
1 "He's not doing much better with resources. "
11 express no opinions.
Ways Senator Jordan Has Done The Best Job
Q.8: "In what ways is Senator Jordan doing the best job?"
(167 mention various ways; 333 name none)
45 mention personal qualities.
7 "He stays with his own opinions doesn't sway with public opinion,"
"He listens to all sides - seems to be real sensible," "He's real
careful about following public opinion," "He usually tries to be his
own man," etc.
5 "He's more conservative," "I agree with his conservative approach,"
etc.
5 "He's more honest thanmost politicans," "He's just an all around
politican - does what he can for everybody,' "He's a Republican,"
"He doesn't bend to politics in his decisions,' etc.
28 "He's a solid citizen, thoughtful - - not a lot of noise,' "Down to earth
and practical, "Honest and sincere,' "Just a common fellow, "He's a
good man," "He's basically a stable person," "He's calm and collected,"
etc.
41 mention his work for the state: "He has the interests of Idaho at heart,"
"He is working for the good of Idaho and the country," "He never forgets his
home state, "He's done the best he could for the people," "He represents
the state of Idaho more than his own self he's not selfish, "Idaho comes
first with him," "He does something for Idaho problems, "He's working hard
for Idaho," etc.
36 mention natural resources, conservation, the environment, etc.
11 "I liked his opposition to Hells Canyon Dams," "He came out on the dams
on the Snake River recently,' "He is working to keep the dam off this
river," "Moritorium on dams," etc.
8 "He knows about our water problems," "He is protecting our water rights,"
"The water rights of Idaho - fighting against letting any water to
California," "The way he's trying to keep our Snake River water in Idaho,"
etc.
5 "Conservation," etc.
5 "Preserving our natural resources,' "His resources program,' "He's
working hard for Idaho's natural resources,' etc.
3 "Ile is good for our forests,' "Preserving the forests is good" or
"He is working to keep wilderness areas as they are now."
2 "Going along with doing away with mining in White Clouds" or "He was
right on the mining issues."
1 "He is using care not to be overly committed to the environmentalists
viewpoints.
1 "He uses good judgement about ecology in this state."
28 express general approval: "He does the right things," "He is doing quite
well, "I like him," "He's doing a good job,' "I like everything in general,"
"He's made a good governor, "I just like him," "I really like the man, etc.
13 refer to his relating back to the people, etc.
6 "He relates back to the people, "He thinks what is best for his people,"
"He takes an interest in people,' etc.
5 "He answers if you write to him," "He sends a report of what he is doing
to all of his people," etc.
1 "He is appealing to the young people."
1 "He is never to busy to listen to people."
11 say he works well with Frank Church, etc.: "He's voted the same as Senator
Church on issues I've been interested in," "He works well with Senator Church,"
"He works with Senator Church for the good of Idaho," "He and Church are
working together,' "He and Church make a good team,' etc.
9 agree with other stands, policies, views, etc.: "He's supporting the bills,"
"He votes according to my feelings,' "I agree with his views,' etc.
4 refer to agriculture, farming, etc.: "He's got a little more sense in dealing
with farmers," "He's trying to help farmers, "He's interested in agriculture,"
etc.
j refer to his Viet Nam and draft policies: "He's backing Nixon on the war in
Viet Nam and the Middle East, " "He's against the Viet Nam war," or "I like
his views on the voluntary draft program. 11
5 give miscellaneous other answers.
2 "Domestic affairs within the nation" or "Domestic affairs."
1 "He has good ideas on education."
1 "The gun registration law."
1 "He is against inflation."
333 express no opinions.
Ways Senator Jordan Has Not Done As Well As He Should
4. 0.9: "In what ways, if any, is Senator Jordan not doing as well as he should?"
(62 mention various ways; 438 name none)
20 disagree with policies, stands, views, etc.
6 "Jordan always votes against Idaho," "I disagree with his voting record,"
"I don't like the way he votes," etc.
3 "His foreign policy," "I don't like his foreign policy," etc.
11 "He got Albion out of here and it's always irked me about that," "Has
done nothing for drugs, " "He should do more to change our estate and
probating fees and filing," "Made a poor choice on railroad,' "SST vote,"
"His Bureau of Land Management stand,' "Stands he takes on national
issues, "He doesn't support the Indians as well as he should, "He
was for ABM," "He voted for a 42% wage raise for himself,' etc.
19 express personal criticisms.
.7 "Getting a little old," "He's too old for the job," "He's been in office
too long," etc.
7 "He doesn't speak up on issues enough," "Not as aggressive as he should'
be," "Doesn't do much," etc.
3 "I don't believe he is sincere," "He's not sincere enough," etc.
2 "He's too conservative."
9 express general disapproval: "He could do better," "He's not really doing
his job,' "I don't like Jordan," etc.
7 mention ecology, dams, etc.
4 "Too much against these dams," "He wants to stop building dams," "He is
against the dams on the Snake River," or "Dam moratorium."
1 "He spends too much time on the ecology issue."
1 "Pushing the national park in the Sawtooths - keep National Parks out."
1 "I don't agree with him on the White Clouds area."
4 say he backs Nixon administration: "He favors Nixon's gradual withdrawal,"
"Kind of a Nixon man, " "He tries to vote too much with the Nixon administration,
too much too suit me," or "He is a Nixon 'yes' man."
4 give miscellaneous other answers.
1 "There's not enough economy."
1 "In our case we had a boy who wanted in the Naval Academy. Dworshak put
our son on the list and then died. Jordan would not honor Dworshak's
appointment."
1 "He did away with normal schools when he was governor."
1 "He should tell the out-of-staters to get out of Idaho."
438 express no opinions.
Ways Senator Frank Church Has Not Done as Well As He Should
Q.10: "Generally, do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Church is
handling his job?"
10a: (IF DISAPPROVE) "In what ways is he not doing as well as he should?"
(Asked of 106 who "disapprove" on Q.10 -
some name more than one way)
37 express personal criticism.
6 "Frank Church is a politician who has been impressed with what he says,"
"I think he is strictly a politician," "The saddest case in politics -
a dirty campaigner,' etc.
7 "He's out for headlines and Frank Church," "Too much personal publicity,"
"He's a publicity hound," etc.
6 "He talks too much," "He talks plenty but never does anything," "Church
shoots off his mouth too much," etc.
7 "Should put more effort on representing the people than on himself,"
"He's more interested in Frank Church than Idaho,' "He's not represented
Idaho as much as he is representing Frank Church," etc.
2 "He's a bit of a trouble maker" or "He always seems to cause trouble."
3 "Too changeable.'
1 "A little flamboyant.'
1 "The less I see of him the better he's not truthful - self-centered."
1 "He latches on to the 'in problems' and his interest is short."
1 "I don't think he's as powerful a man as he should be with his seniority."
1 "He's a subversive brking hand-in-glove with the Reds. He's just like
Kissinger who is a Red. too."
1 "He's a sick man."
26 disagree with other policies, stands, views, etc.
4 "He's for the national park in our mountain area and other wilderness
areas. We don't need any more tourist attractions,' "He wants to close
up our areas for wilderness. To Hell with that, let's develop them so
they can be used and produce revenue," etc.
2 "No interest in poor people - not creating jobs" or "Playing politics
with retired people and poverty.'
2 "He is wrong on White Cloud" or "He's making too much of an issue over
over White Cloud."
1 "His stand on environment is wrong."
3 "He's too liberal minded," etc.
3 "He's too far left for me."
1 "I disapprove of his railroad vote."
1 "He's not for rural Idahoans."
1 "I don't like his views on disrupting organized military service."
8 "I don't like his views on a lot of things," "I don't agree with his
opinions," "I don't like his philosophy,' etc.
24 mention foreign policy, Viet Nam, etc.: "I've never approved of his 'dove'
stand,' "I don't agree with his foreign policy, " "I don't like his war stand,"
"I don't like his approach to the war problems," etc.
17 say he is not backing the president or the administration: "His views con-
tradict with the administration, "He's always talking against the administra-
tion," "He's trying to oppose the President too much, "He's not backing our
President," etc.
8 express general disapproval: "Everything in general, nothing specific,"
"I just don't like him," "I don't think too much of him," etc.
3 give miscellaneous other answers.
1 "He keeps Idaho in the news."
1 "He campaigned against the gun law and then wasn't in Washington to vote
on it."
1 "He's trying to get a lot of votes by raising impossible questions."
5 express no opinion.
Reasons for Objecting to Senator Jordan
Q.14b: (IF PREFER SOMEONE ELSE ON 0.14) "What is your objection to Senator Jordan?"
(Asked of 160 who favor someone else on Q.14
some give more than one reason)
101 mention age, need someone new, been in too long, etc.: "Too old," "He's
been in there too long, "Need someone younger, 11 "We need new blood, " "When
they get that old, they ought to retire and go fishing, "Age is against
him he's slipping, "He's too old of a man for another term," "He's been
in long enough - time for a change,' "He's been in too long - I'd like to
see a young man get in," "There are too many older men in Congress. We
need more newer and younger men, 11 "Senate is composed of quite elderly
people who are not in contact with present day problems, "He's been in
politics too long, "All politicans need to be changed when they ve been
there too long, "He's getting a little lax - maybe he's tired, etc.
16 say he's not doing anything for Idaho, etc.: "He hasn't been doing anything,"
"He doesn't get things done he should,' "He talks a lot but does nothing,"
"He doesn't do all he can for Idaho, "He just isn't for Idaho," etc.
12 refer to views, policies, and stands, etc.: "Too much time on the White
Clouds issue, "He is too much for big business, "I didn't like his ABM
vote," "He sold out by getting rid of gambling, "He closed normal school
at Lewiston," "I don't like his views on the Hells Canyon Dams," "His Viet
Nam stand, "He votes with the administration too much," etc.
12 mention personal criticism: "He's a poor excuse for a Senator," "Too
conservative, "Pretty quiet," "Seems to play politics in the old way,"
"He's not dynamic enough, "He's a Republican, "I didn't like him as a
governor," etc.
6 express general disapproval: "I've never approved of him," "I don't like
him,' "He doesn't impress me," etc.
5 give miscellaneous other answers.
2 "Should have a termination date in office" or "I just think they should
have a term limitation.'
1 "Anyone would be better."
1 "I'd just like to see more competition for the job."
1 "Just that I'm a Democrat."
18 express no opinions.
Things Liked about Last Legislative Session
Q.17: "Is there anything the state legislature did in their last session that you
particularly liked?"
Q.17a: (If yes) "What?"
(Asked of 89 who say yes on Q.17 -
some mention more than one thing)
24 refer to education, schools, kindergarten, etc.: "Got more money for the
school systems, "Appropriations for the universities, "They voted down
kindergarten, "The school aid plan, "Kindergarten issue, "Appropriations
for smaller schools, "They held down school taxes as much as possible, etc.
13 mention taxes, budget, etc.: "More equitable taxation, " "The budget, " "They
held the line on spending and taxes, "I liked the concern for the budget
and cutting corners, "The house bill providing tax relief for elderly, "Try-
ing to hold down on our taxes,' etc.
12 refer to wine sales, etc.: "They passed that wine deal," "Permitting wine
sales in grocery stores, "The wine sale law," "Allowing wine and beer sales
on Sundays,' "They allowed various state districts to allow wine sales on
local options," etc.
7 mention lowering the voting age to 18, etc.: "Lowering the voting age," "The
18 year old vote," etc.
5 refer to out-of-state hunter control: "Cut down on out-of-state hunters,"
"Raised out-of-state hunters' fees, "Out-of-state hunters' license quota,"
etc.
5 mention updating probate procedures, courts, etc.: "Updated the criminal
code, "Updated probate procedures, "Improved probate laws," etc.
5 mention legislators' compensation: "They raised their wages," "Raised their
expenses, "Had the courage to vote themselves a raise," etc.
18 give miscellaneous other answers.
2 "Good on abortion bill" or "Glad they defeated the abortion bill."
2 "Lowering of marijuana and drug charges to misdemeanors" or "The drug
bill."
3 "The pollution - the laws on sprays and things, " "Trying to cut pollu-
tion, " or "Protecting the ecology and not the mining. "
1 "Cut down strip mining. "
1 "They did a good job for welfare - we're getting more now. "
1 "Work on state parks."
1 "Changing fraternals to insurance "company regulations - could have gone
even farther. "
1 "The potato deal - slowed down NFO marketing deal. "
1 "The community action program with Indians."
1 "Redistricting was good. "
1 "State road construction."
i "What they did on the irrigation districts and highway districts. "
1 "They raised unemployment pay. "
1 "Passed a dredging bill I liked."
7 are nonspecífic.
Things Not Liked about Last Legislative Session
Q.18: "Is there anything the state legislature did in their last session that
you didn't like?"
Q.18a: (If yes) "What?"
(Asked of 227 who say yes on Q.18 -
some mention more than one thing)
73 mention education, schools, kindergarten, etc.: "The kindergarten issue,"
"The kindergarten bill - they should have it," "They don't help education
enough, "Cut drivers education,' "Should have supported public school
kindergarten," "I wish they would appropriate more for education,' "The
sales tax allocation didn't go to schools, "They let education down,"
"The kindergarten issue - should be available to everyone but not be
compulsory, " etc.
55 refer to increasing their own compensation: "Raised their own salaries,"
"They raised their wages against the vote of the people, "Let people vote
on a raise, then they turned around and ignored the vote," "The first thing
on the agenda was voting themselves a raise, "Raised their own salary.
They needed more than they were getting, but didn't do it right. Our
representative was here in Idaho Falls all the time, "They didn't deserve
a pay raise,' etc.
28 say they took too long, wasted too much time, etc.: "They messed around
when they should have been working, " "Took too long, "Too much dallying
around should have done more, "They don't do anything when they are in
session, just a big booze party, " "They wasted too much time," "It was a
do nothing session, etc.
21 refer to taxes, budget, spending, etc.: "The budget - they fought more than
they accomplished,' "They handled the budget poorly, "Left the budget in a
mess," "They raised property taxes, "They diverted tax money from the high-
way fund, "I don't like the sales tax," "They changed the inheritance tax
structure,' "Nickel and dime taxation is not good, "Disabled veterans have
no tax break," "They should have given more tax money to cities," etc.
18 mention White Cloud, conservation, etc.: "The White Cloud mining district,"
"Not protecting our resources, "Not enough appropriated to the Park Board,"
"The mixup on dam and wildlife near Rexburg, "They don't need the dam in
Swan Valley," "Fish and game laws," "They didn't move fast enough on White
Clouds," etc.
15 mention mental health hospitals, state hospitals, etc.: "Cutting back on
mental hospital funds, "Moving the state hospitals, Should have made a
larger appropriation to the mental health program, "Mental health was not
handled too good,' etc.
14 refer nonspecifically to legislation enacted: "Too many bills passed too
fast," "Shouldn't have passed any laws we'd be better off," "Handled
too many petty issues and overlooked important things,' "Passing unpopular
laws," etc.
11 refer to the liquor and wine bill: "I don't think the wine bill was a good
idea, "The idea of liquor and wine sales in grocery stores, "I don't like
the wine law and beer on Sunday," etc:
10 mention reapportionment: "Reapportionment, "The reapportionment mess - lack
of doing anything, "I don't like the bickering over reapportionment, "They
spent too much time arguing on reapportionment, etc.
7 refer to drug control: "The drug law," "Changing possession of narcotics
to a misdemeanor," "The drug amendment," etc.
5 mention welfare programs, etc.: "Not strict enough in welfare," "I've been
trying to get help since I was blinded," "Increased welfare of those who
pay no taxes," etc.
35 give miscellaneous other answers.
8 "They shouldn't have given 18 year olds the vote," "I don't approve of
the 18 year old vote, etc.
6 "Approved law to be 18 to drive farm vehicles," "Passed a discriminatory
bill against farm labor,' "The farm negotiation wasn't handled properly -
they ignored the labor groups," etc.
3 "Didn't come up with an abortion bill," "They could reconsider the abor-
tion laws,' or "Abortion bill."
2 "Not enough for road funding" or "More funding for roads."
2 "I was against the new court reform as passed" or "Some changed in law
enforcement needed. "
2 "They favor the Boise area and ignore north Idaho" or "Not enough con-
sideration to north part of Idaho. "
1 "The drunk driving law is bad."
1 "Letting railroads drop passenger trains wasn't good. "
1 "Keep trying to put more power in their own hands - taking it away from
the cities. "
1 "The new credit regulation bill is bad."
1 "Daylight Savings Time."
1 "Car license."
1 "Having to renew water permits. 11
1 "They should try to work together better."
1 "They didn't grant other state employees a pay increase."
1 "I'm against voting on bond issues if not a property owner."
1 "The Republicans voted as a party. "
1 "Neal Miller left and put Sanberg in which I didn't care for."
9 are nonspecific.
Changes or Improvements Needed in Farm Labor Situation
Q.24: "Is there anything about the farm labor situation in Idaho that you think
should be changed or improved?"
(500 respondents in sample)
69 refer to migrant workers, day laborers, etc.: "Take all these transient
workers and ship them back. It causes local unemployment," "We don't need
the migrant workers with all of our unemployment, "Should hire local rather
than migrant workers," "Should keep Mexican nationals out of Idaho,' "Quit
importing Mexican labor. We've already imported over 800 wetbacks this year
compared to 400 all of last year, " "There should be a restriction against
shipping Mexicans in to work as long as U.S. boys are out of work, "I don't
think migrant workers should come in without some control, etc.
55 mention wages, minimum wages, etc.: "Should have better wages," "Farm labor
could use higher wages, " "I'd like to see them get better pay, "Farm wages
have been the same for 20 years, 11 "Should be under a minimum wage, "They
are underpaid,' "Need better wage scale," "Wages are awfully low, "They should
adjust the pay scale - they hire 9 year olds to weed at 40 cents per hour,"
"Higher wages - not treat the people like slaves,' "Wages are low, but farmers
can't pay more," etc.
23 say to leave the farmer alone, doing O.K. now, etc.: "Farmers should be
allowed to do their own hiring and firing," "Farm situation is O.K. now,"
"Farmers don't need unions," etc.
23 mention more support for farmers, farmers need help, etc.: "Need some way
to help the little farmers, "They need more organization," "Should give the
farmers more to live on," "Something should be done to aid the farmers,'
"Raise prices farmers get - too much variation between farmers price and
retail, "Farmers need higher prices," "Farmers are burdened to death -
should have more help," "Should give farmers a better break they are going
broke," etc.
22 say living conditions should be improved, etc.: "Bad conditions should be
improved, "Labor camps should be improved, "They could find a way to make
migrant facilities adequate, "Should have better living conditions, but they
destroy anything decent," "Improve migrant housing, etc.
10 refer to subsidy money, cut farm support, etc.: "Government farm supports
are too high, " "They should not subsidize the farmers as much as they do,"
"Farmers get a tax break," "Don't like big subsidies for big farmers," "They
shouldn't give them money for not planting,' "Farmers have it made. They
pay no income tax and get a lot of benefits," etc.
7 say they should be unionized, etc.: "Could do something for the workers,"
"Should be unionized,' "Will have to let bargaining agencies in," etc.
3 say don't let unions in, etc.: "I'm afraid the 'grape boy will come in
and put the handle on potatoes,' "I dislike to see unions come into farm
labor,' or "Keep out the union organization."
30 give miscellaneous other answers.
10 "The law prohibiting kids under 16 from doing farm work," "The harvest
truckers have to be 21 which is wrong," "This law of not letting younger
people drive trucks is going to hurt the farmers,' "Let kids under 16
work on farms," etc.
2 "Farm labor is varied in its skill. Should have some credentials.
Farmers don't mind paying good wages for skilled help" or "Shortage of
good help."
1 "When a man owns a farm, I think he ought to have more priviledges in
doing as he pleases."
7 "If welfare handouts were less, labor would be more available," "Make
people work instead of giving them welfare," "They should have to work
for a living,' "Cut welfare and people will work," etc.
1 "Farm labor should be eligible for unemployment insurance after 30 days."
1 "If they would spend money on marketing and research we could create
markets."
1 "I don't think farmers should have to pay hospital bills."
1 "Improvements must be made by employers not government."
1 "Definite improvements in their relations. The workers are magnifying
their problems."
1 "It was better the old way."
1 "Always room for improvement. "
1 "Shouldn't import so many farm products."
1 "Should settle something one way or the other."
1 "Farmers have to take winter jobs."
268 say "I don't know."
Good Idea to Unionize Farm Labor
Q.24a: (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED) "Recently there have been efforts to unionize
farm workers in Idaho. Do you think that would be a good thing or a bad
thing?"
Q.24b: "Why would it be good?"
(Asked of 135 who say good on Q.24a -
Some give more than one reason)
64 mention wages, better pay, etc.: "They might get more money, "It would
stablize wages,' "Get better wages instead of working for the minimum,'
"It would provide them with better wages and better hours,' "It would tend
to raise the wage scale all over this area," "Everyone should have some say
on his wages,' "Give the common people decent wages," "It would guarantee a
wage rate," "Farmers would have to pay a wage no more slave labor, etc.
56 say it will help it's members, organize workers, etc.: "If you stand alone
you don't get any place, "It would organize them, "They would get what they
needed, "They need some organized representation," "Everything else is
unionized - they should be able to strike too, "It's necessary to give the
miniority groups strength,' "It would give them a voice in the economy," "It
might hold them together, "They are such a poor .group of people - it might
protect them,' "They can stick together and solve their problems faster,"
"It might help the migrant workers get better living conditions," etc.
5 refer to stablizing farm prices, etc.: "The farm products will be more
stable in price, "A farmer can get a fixed price for more products,' "It
would give more cost control for farmers," etc.
12 give miscellaneous other answers.
4 "I favor unions," "Any union is good," etc.
3 "If they don't get out of hand," "If they are kept under control," or
"If they don't go to extremes.
3 "Make more jobs for local people instead of the migrants," "Make the
farm workers employed and eliminate the drifters," or "It would get
rid of the cheap, worthless farm labor."
1 "Keep the big farmers from monoplizing."
1 "Good for laborers but bad for the farmers."
7 give no opinions.
Not a Good Idea to Unionize Farm Labor
Q.24a: (IF NOT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED) "Recently there have been efforts to
unionize farm workers in Idaho. Do you think that would be a good
thing, or a bad thing?"
Q.24b: "Why would it be bad?"
(Asked of 268 who say bad on Q.24a -
some give more than one reason)
93 say they are against unions, unions aren't needed, etc.: "Unions are
taking over too much now, "I don't care for unions," "We don't need
unions," "I'm annoyed with unions in the country as a whole," "I don't
believe in unions, "Unions stir up trouble," "Should eliminate all 1
unions now,' "I don't like to see unions come into farm labor,' "Unions
are over-running the country,' "I feel unions aren't needed in a place
like this," etc.
63 refer to control, too much restriction, corruption, etc.: "Unions would
run the workers, "More interested in controlling industry than in rais-
ing wages of laborers," "Big shots get in the unions and laborers get
nothing in the end," "Unions have too much power, "Unions are too much
like socialism - capitalistic system shouldn't have this, "Under Chevez
the system is very poor," "Too much power in the unions, "Too many rules
and regulations,' "Restricting the farmers too much," "Unions are running
our government, "Chevez doesn't seem to be a reliable person, "I feel
unions cut down on freedom - controls the workers too much," "Unions are
too graft ridden - no regard for workers," "Unions get corrupt control
too easily," etc.
50 say it will break the farmers, cause farms to collapse, etc.: "It will
be bad for the small farmers, "It will cause many farmers to go broke,"
"It would be hard for farmers," "Put farmers out of work and out of busi-
ness," "If you paid people union wages to hoe beets, it would break the
farmers, "They would push the farmers into a state of collapse," "It
would raise the cost of farming to a point where it would be unprofitable,"
"Farmers are having a rough time now, "The cost squeeze is already on
the farmers and this wouldn't help," etc.
24 mention the economy, strikes, etc.: "Unions overdo it with strikes,"
"Farmers can't afford strikes especially during the harvest season,
"The chance of a strike hurts the economy too much," "It would end up
like California with citrus fruit rotting on the tree," "Farmers could
be ruined by a strike - could ruin the whole area's economy, "They may
get the notion to strike in the middle of the harvest," "When the crops
get ready, they'v got to go to market - can't wait for holidays or 8
hour limits,' "With the economy and prices getting lower, farmers can't
afford it," etc.
19 mention wages, can't pay union wages, etc.: "Farmers can't afford to pay
union wages, "It would cost farmers too much," "They don't need to be
unionized to get minimum wages," "Union dues are too high," "Would raise
wages," "Farmers cannot be held to a fixed labor price," etc.
15 give miscellaneous other answers.
2 "It's more or less seasonal work" or "There's not enough year round
work for farm labor. "
1 "Some people use farm work as an extra source of income, but if it
was unionized, they'd be out."
1 "They' the commonest of labor there is. You can't rely on them to
handle anything except hoeing weeds. They can't operate equipment or
irrigate without overseeing them all the time."
1 "It just wouldn't work. It wouldn't be so bad among the pickers that
hire Mexicans to pick them, but over all it would be too expensive.'
1 The product's cost would raise more than it would help the workers. "
1 "Because there are farmers here who bring in foreign help (from Japan)
and unions would prohibit this. These workers are better than Indians
or Mexicans."
1 "Those that could hire workers would pay union wages but those who
couldn't afford it, would be left out."
1 "It would put teenage people out of work."
1 "The farm workers are not dealing with one big employer but many. The
workers would go to only the good jobs and the little guy would be out,
if unionized."
1 1 "They would want a per hour rate. I pay per amount of work. A man who
picks for me can earn as much as he wants, but I'm not going to house and
feed him, too. Besides, this year kids are dying to work."
1 1 "They must be educated to what union membership means."
1 "People need to be paid according to ability not by unionized wages."
1 "Unions are necessary. Farmers here have such big equipment they don't
need labor."
1 "Everything is too much union. I ordered a phone and can't get it now
because of the strike.'
17. give no opinion.