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Decision Making Information: A Study of National Attitudes, 04/27/1983-04/28/1983
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Decision Making Information: A Study of National Attitudes, 04/27/1983-04/28/1983
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Michael Deaver's Political Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Deaver, Michael: Files
Folder Title: [Decision Making Information] A
Study of National Attitudes, 04/27/1983-
04/28/1983
Box: 65
To see more digitized collections
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
Decision/Making/Information
Intelligent alternatives
for today's decision makers
6803 Poplar Place, Suite 300, McLean, Virginia 22101, (703) 556-0001
A STUDY OF NATIONAL ATTITUDES
April 27-28, 1983
RNC83-5
#29401
Decision/Making/Information
SURVEY SPECIFICATIONS
The following tables contain the aggregate results for questions asked
of the American public on behalf of the Republican National Committee
on the dates indicated below.
Project Director:
Richard B. Wirthlin
Internal Project Directors:
Lori A. Forman
Elizabeth Hawkins
Universe:
Adult Americans
(persons aged 18 and over)
Mode of Interview:
Telephone
Date(s) of Interviews:
April 27-28, 1983
Sample Size:
1000
Confidence Interval:
+3.1 in 95 out of 100 cases
Decision/Making/Information
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
POLITICAL CLIMATE
Right Direction/Wrong Track
2
Number One National Problem
4
PERCEPTIONS OF PRESIDENT REAGAN
Job Rating - General
7
Job Rating - Economy
10
Job Rating - Foreign Affairs
12
Reagan's Characteristics - Change
15
Reagan's Characteristics - Excellent/Good
16
Reagan's Characteristics - Only Fair/Poor
17
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Presidential Speeches: Exposure and Impression
19
Reason for Impression
25
Democratic Response: Exposure and Impression
45
OTHER DOMESTIC ISSUES
Rating Reagan's Economic Program - Help or Hurt the National
Economy
47
Reagan's Job Rating: Social Security
49
Social Security Benefits -- Increased or Decreased?
51
CENTRAL AMERICA
Reagan's Job Rating: E1 Salvador
53
Reagan's Job Rating: Nicaragua
54
El Salvador - National Elections
55
El Salvador - Solve Problems
56
El Salvador - Another Vietnam
57
E1 Salvador - Threat to U.S
58
Troops in E1 Salvador
59
Aid to E1 Salvador
60
Cuban Goals
61
Central America will Fall
62
E1 Salvador - Keep Promises
63
E1 Salvador - No Threat
64
1
Decision/Making/Information
POLITICAL CLIMATE
2
Decision/Making/Information
Right Direction/Wrong Track
"Generally speaking, would you say that things in this country are going in the
right direction, or have they pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?"
Feb
Jun
Sep
Jan
June
Sep
20-22
12-14
18-28
11-19
15-22
23-27
1981
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
Right direction
42
41
46
50
32
33
Wrong track
51
51
47
45
62
63
No opinion
8
8
7
5
6
4
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Right direction
33
35
40
38
40
Wrong track
64
59
56
56
56
No opinion
3
7
4
6
4
RIGHT DIRECTION
OR WRONG TRACK?
PERCENT
100
RIGHT
DIRECTION
90
WRONG
TRACK
80
NO
70
67
OPINION
66
60
56
3
50
40
40
30
33
28
20
10
Decision/Making/Information
5
3
.4
0
1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 1 1 3 4 4
1982
MONTH
1983
4
Decision/Making/Information
Number One National Problem
"What would you say is the single most important problem facing the United
States today, that is, the one that you, yourself, are most concerned about?"
Feb
Jul
Sep
Jan
June
Sep
20-22
16-18
18-28
11-19
15-22
23-27
1981
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
Unemployment
5
6
7
24
28
36
Inflation
38
31
30
17
15
12
Economy/Other
33
26
33
29
19
22
Domestic/Social
7
13
11
5
5
6
Crime/Drugs/Morals
8
10
8
10
15
7
Foreign Affairs/Defense
6
10
8
10
15
9
Government leadership
3
3
3
3
4
4
No problems/No opinions
1
2
1
3
4
4
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Unemployment
51
48
37
34
36
Inflation
5
7
8
6
8
Economy/Other
18
18
18
19
15
Domestic/Social
7
7
7
7
9
Crime/Drugs/Morals
4
5
9
9
8
Foreign Affairs/Defense
11
7
14
17
16
Government leadership
1
4
4
4
4
No problems/No opinions
2
3
3
4
4
NUMBER ONE PROBLEM
(NATIONAL)
PERCENT
100
UNEMPLOYMENT
90
INFLATION
80
OTHER
70
ECONOMIC
60
5
FOREIGN
52
AFFAIRS
50
OTHER
40
39
ISSUES
36
30
28
24
27
21
20
18
17
15
16
13
14
15
10
12
12
9
Decision/Making/Informati
8
4
5
0
1/81
1/82
4/82
7/82
10/82
1/83
3/83
4/83
4/83
DATE
6
Decision/Making/Informati
PERCEPTIONS OF PRESIDENT REAGAN
7
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan Job Rating -- General
President?" "Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ronald Reagan is handling his job as
Feb
Jun
Sep
Jan
Jun
Sep
20-22
12-14
18-28
11-19
15-22
23-27
1981
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
Approve
70
67
60
60
52
51
Disapprove
14
27
33
33
40
43
No opinion
16
6
7
7
8
6
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Approve
46
44
50
50
50
Disapprove
49
50
46
46
46
No opinion
5
5
4
4
4
REAGAN JOB RATING
GENERAL
PERCENT
100
APPROVE
90
DISAPPROVE
80
NO
70
OPINION
60
60
8
50
50
47
45
40
44
30
33
20
10
Decision/Making/Informati
7
8
6
0
1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 1 1 3 4 4
1982
MONTH
1983
JOB RATING: REAGAN
STRNGLY APPRV VS STRNGLY DSPPRV
PERCENT
100
STRONGLY
APPROVE
90
STRONGLY
DISAPPROVE
80
70
60
9
50
40
30
27
30
24
25
20
23
23
20
21
10
Decision/Making/Informati
0
1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 1 2 3 4 4
1982
MONTH
1983
10
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan Job Rating
Economy
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ronald Reagan is handling
?"
Mar
Jul
Oct
Jan
Jun
Sep
6-9
16-18
5-14
11-19
15-22
23-27
1981
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
Approve
63
61
66
57
45
44
Disapprove
23
33
28
40
51
52
No opinion
14
6
5
3
4
4
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Approve
38
40
44
47
49
Disapprove
58
57
54
52
49
No opinion
4
3
2
1
2
REAGAN JOB RATING
THE ECONOMY
PERCENT
100
APPROVE
90
DISAPPROVE
80
NO
70
OPINION
60
57
55
11
49
50
49
40
40
41
30
20
10
Decision/Making/Informati
3
4
2
0
1 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 1 1 3 4 4
1982
MONTH
1983
12
Decision/Making/Informati
Reagan Job Rating
Foreign Affairs
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ronald Reagan is handling foreign
affairs?"
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Change
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Approve
46
45
41
44
46
+ 2
Disapprove
44
40
49
48
46
- 2
No opinion
10
14
10
8
8
0
13
Decision/Making/Informati
Reagan Job Rating
Foreign Affairs
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ronald Reagan is handling
?"
Mar
Jul
Oct
Jan
Jun
Sep
6-9
16-18
5-14
11-19
15-22
23-27
1981
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
Approve
60
56
65
59
56
46
Disapprove
19
27
23
33
34
43
No opinion
21
16
12
8
10
11
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Approve
46
45
41
44
46
Disapprove
44
40
49
48
46
No opinion
10
14
10
8
8
REAGAN JOB RATING
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PERCENT
100
APPROVE
90
DISAPPROVE
80
NO
70
OPINION
60
59
56
14
50
50
46
46
40
37
30
33
34
20
10
10
13
Decision/Making/informati
8
8
0
1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 11 1 1 3 4 4
1982
MONTH
1983
15
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan's Characteristics
"Would you say that this is an ... excellent, good, only fair, or poor
description of Reagan?"
Excellent/Good
Only Fair/Poor
Jan
Apr
% Imprvmnt
Jan
Apr
% Imprvmnt
Net
27-29
27-28
or (Erosion)
27-29
27-28
or (Erosion)
Change
Positive
Characteristics
Cares about the
needs of the
33
30
( 3)
67
69
( 2)
( 5)
elderly and poor
Effective in
getting things
39
47
6
59
52
7
13
done
Has the strong
leadership
45
49
4
53
49
4
8
qualities this
country needs
Negative
Characteristics
Will start an
unnecessary war
20
23
( 3)
76
73
( 3)
( 6)
16
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan's Characteristics -- Excellent/Good
"Would you say that this is an ... excellent, good, only fair, or poor
description of Reagan?"
May
Sep
Jan
Jun
Sep
Jan
12-17
18-28
11-19
15-22
23-27
7-10
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
1983
Cares about the needs of the
47
*
elderly and poor
40
37
33
32
Will start an unnecessary war
19
27
25
23
23
23
Effective in getting things done
78
71
69
51
52
45
Has the strong leadership qualities
77
68
*
this country needs
54
51
48
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
Cares about the needs of the
elderly and poor
33
30
30
30
Will start an unnecessary war
20
22
24
23
Effective in getting things done
39
44
46
47
Has the strong leadership qualities
this country needs
45
45
47
49
17
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan's Characteristics -- Only Fair/Poor
"Would you say that this is an
excellent, good, only fair, or poor
description of Reagan?"
May
Sep
Jan
Jun
Sep
Jan
12-17
18-28
11-19
15-22
23-27
7-10
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
1983
Cares about the needs of the
elderly and poor
52
*
59
62
65
66
Will start an unnecessary war
70
70
73
72
70
73
Effective in getting things done
20
28
30
47
46
53
Has the strong leadership qualities
this country needs
21
23
*
44
47
51
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
Cares about the needs of the
elderly and poor
67
69
69
69
Will start an unnecessary war
76
72
73
73
Effective in getting things done
59
55
53
52
Has the strong leadership qualities
this country needs
53
54
52
49
18
Decision/Making/Information
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
19
Decision/Making/Information
Presidential Speeches: Exposure and Impression
Joint Session
Televised
State of
Televised
of Congress
Address
the Union
Address
2/18/81
9/24/82
1/26/82
4/29/82
Exposure
Saw all
39
25
33
19
Saw part
25
20
22
21
Heard/Read later
18
19
14
15
Heard nothing
18
36
31
45
(TOTAL AUDIENCE)
(82)
(64)
(69)
(55)
Impression
(Based on Total Audience)
Favorably
78
56
61
42
Unfavorably
15
27
32
40
No opinion
18
17
7
18
Impression
(Based on Total Public)
Saw/Favorable
64
37
42
23
Saw/Unfavorable
12
17
22
22
Saw/No opinion
6
10
5
10
Heard nothing
18
36
31
45
20
Decision/Making/Information
Presidential Speeches: Exposure and Impression
Tax
MX
State of
Central
Proposal
Unemployment
Missle
the Union
America
8/16/82
10/13/82
11/22/82
1/25/83
4/27/83
Exposure
Saw all
20
10
18
23
15
Saw part
18
20
27
27
20
Heard/Read later
14
14
10
14
6
Heard nothing
48
56
45
36
59
(TOTAL AUDIENCE)
(52)
(44)
(55)
(64)
(41)
Impression
(Based on Total Audience)
Favorably
44
43
48
49
57
Unfavorably
43
45
38
43
33
No opinion
13
12
14
7
10
Impression
(Based on Total Public)
Saw/Favorable
23
19
26
31
23
Saw/Unfavorable
22
20
21
28
14
Saw/No opinion
7
5
8
5
4
Heard nothing
48
56
45
36
59
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES
Impression
Percent
100
Favorable
90
80
Unfavorable
70
No
Opinion
60
21
50
40
30
20
Decision/Making/Informati
10
ø
2/18/81
9/24/81
1/26/82
4/29/82
Date of speech
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES
Audience
Percent
50
Saw
All
45
Saw
40
Part
35
Heard
Later
30
X
22
25
Heard
Nothing
20
15
10
5
Decision/Making/Informati
0
2/18/81
9/24/81
1/26/82
4/29/82
Date of speech
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES
IMPRESSION
PERCENT
100
FAVORABLE
90
80
UNFAVORABLE
70
NO
OPINION
60
23
50
40
30
20
Decision/Making/Informati
10
0
8/16/82
10/13/82
11/22/82
1/25/83
4/27/83
DATE OF SPEECH
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHES
AUDIENCE
PERCENT
100
SAW
ALL
90
SAW
80
PART
70
HEARD
LATER
60
24
50
HEARD
NOTHING
40
30
20
10
Decision/Making/informati
0
8/16/82
10/13/82
11/22/82
1/25/83
4/27/83
DATE OF SPEECH
25
Decision/Making Information
Reason for Impression
"And why were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it) ?"
Percent
Foreign Policy in Central American /
E1 Salavdor - Positive
8
Foreign Aid to Central American /
E1 Salvador - Positive
6
Block Communism / Defend Our Continent /
Oppose Russia/Cuba
12
Averting War / Maintaining Peace
5
Good Speech / Doing a Good Job - General
14
Strong Leader / Outspoken / Straightforward
6
General Positive
5
Foreign Policy in Central America /
E1 Salvador - Negative
5
Foreign Aid to Central America /
E1 Salvador - Negative
9
Military Aid to Central America /
E1 Salvador - Negative
3
Possibility of War / Another Vietnam
4
Government Corruption in Central America
1
Poor Speech / President Reagan Not Doing
a Good Job - General
8
General Negative
5
Other / Refused / No Opinion
9
26
Decision/Making Information
Question 14A.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)
And why is that?
01. Foreign Policy in Central America / E1 Salvador - Positive -
because he's shown what he wants to do with E1 Salvador and those
other things. He stays with what he says. He may give in a
little but he still stays with what he wants / I believe he's
doing the right thing in E1 Salvador. I agree with his Monroe
Doctrine approach / he explained things I didn't understand. I
didn't know what was going on or whose side we are on and now I
understand why we need to be involved. We are on the E1
Salvadoran government's side / I just don't think you can expect
one man to be able to do everything. I like his concern for
other people and people as a whole / he did a good job on his
speech. He really showed a lot of concern for the people of E1
Salvador / he's meeting this issue head on and trying to do
what's best and what's right as the cockeyed Congress and the
other people let him do / I agree mostly on all the ideas even
though I'm a strong Democrat. All the issues on helping out in
E1 Salvador / he was telling people that we need to pay more
attention to E1 Salvador. People don't realize how close we are
to E1 Salvador and we need to help them out / he wants to help in
the situation over there in E1 Salvador. It's like the fighting
and bombing of the U.S. Embassy and if the U.S. should step in or
not / I have visited Central America. I'm familiar with the
problems there and I agree with Reagan's point of view / he made
strong points about the welfare of the country. He had good
views / it shows some insight into a logical thought out foreign
relations policy / there is some of those issues in there that
were important and some that weren't. It's neither here nor
there. Where he's sending that ambassador-at-large down there is
better than sending the military down there / he was holding his
ground on what he wanted for E1 Salvador. Standing firm on what
he wanted for E1 Salvador and I agree with that / I went along
with what he said. I agreed with his views on E1 Salvador / I
feel that he knew what he's talking about and he's doing what's
right for the country / I'm all for Reagan, he made sense to me.
I like the way he's handling the situation in E1 Salvador / I
agree with him that the situation in Central America is dangerous
and we should help them get out of it before it gets too out of
hand / it's time to do something, things are getting pretty close
to a hard landing. Something should have been done long ago / I
thought he presented the issue rather forthrightly. People have
accused us of doing things covertly and I was impressed with how
he brought it out in the open. What we are trying to do in E1
Salvador / because he was trying to explain to the people why he
is doing what he is doing, why we should help E1 Salvador / I
think he's doing it from his conscience, getting involved with
Central America / he knows more than we know about E1 Salvador
and Nicaragua / mainly his speech was about Central America. I
do believe America should do something to protect that country.
27
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)
And why is that?
01. (Continued) Again, I think that anything happens in the future
will have a repercussion on the United States / I liked the part
where he emphasized the importance of helping Latin America / I
go all with what he is doing. I'm a little scared of the
Russians and Cubans in there. They claim they are not responsi-
ble, but they are / I think he's right in trying to help the
Salvadorans and in protecting the U.S. / I think he is right
about what he is doing with E1 Salvador, good man, he knows what
he is talking about / mainly because a decision had to be made on
the foreign policy / he covered the situation in E1 Salvador and
Nicaragua very effectively. He used facts and photos, air strips
for logistical support / well he outlined his plans of how he was
going to handle the crisis in Nicaragua. He talked about sending
a, I believe, Democratic senator over to negotiate. He is a very
good speaker and it's easy to follow and understand him / he
(Reagan) recognizes a need for strength in the Caribbean. the so
called Democratics including Kennedy didn't use the Monroe
Doctrine and we got in trouble / the closeness. Proximity of
Central America the emphasis. I approve of the U.S. policy in
Central America / I agreed with what he said. Just in what he's
trying to do. In the policies he stated.
02. Foreign Aid to Central America / E1 Salvador - Positive - Reagan
presents himself well. He seemed to have a lot of support for
his views by Congress. I'm not in a position to know what is
going on in Nicaragua or E1 Salvador but if what Reagan says is
true I fully support his actions. Giving monetary support was
the way I took it / because I believe what he said is correct. I
think something has to be done to help those people and people of
other countries / I just heard a commentary on the radio about
the speech which I agreed with overall. I agreed on what they
were saying that we need to send help to Central America and that
we didn't want any missiles within five minutes of our border /
basically his idea for aid to Central America is good. They do
need some aid and we shouldn't just give them cold hard cash /
because he told us what was going on in Nicaragua and Central
American and where our money would go. He told us things other
presidents wouldn't have. He gave us more information on things
we should know about / he talked more in favor of economically
giving aid to Central America rather than giving them guns / he
talked about the poor people chased out of their homes in E1
Salvador and we need to help them. He remarked a couple of times
that he has no intention of sending troops / because he thinks
like I do, he said that 77% of every dollar is spent for economic
reasons, and they have free elections. He spoke of them getting
help from Cuba and I agree with him / he seem to have a good plan
on how to help the people in E1 Salvador and still have them help
28
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
02. (Continued) themselves. He assured us there wasn't going to be
another Vietnam. He was honest, he put the decision on Congress'
lap about whether or not aid was going to be given to E1 Salvador
/ because it gave us an insight into some of the things down
there. I don't think we know or he knows the true picture down
there but I was impressed by the way he pointed it out down
there. I think we're a long way off but who can measure money
against lives / I think he hit the key that we really have to be
involved in and care, in other words it's in our front yard, have
to be concerned. We have to do something about it. The involve-
ment is funding and we need funding for Central America / because
I believe the man is honest and I believe that the man is right
in trying to do something down there. I don't know that our
money will do anything or not but we need to do something and I
don't want us to send our fighting men down there / I think the
military aid should be sent as long as we don't send any troops /
he's asking lots of money, I agree if we do nothing to help get
those people on the right track there's trouble. Russia and Cuba
should keep the hell out of it and everyone else / he seems to
know what he's talking about. He said what needs to be done and
how to do it. The government in E1 Salvador needs our help,
money / I can't think of anything right off hand. This is an
oppressed country, somebody has to keep us out / instead of
sending men, he will be arming them militarily, spiritually /
Central America mainly. I don't think we should keep giving them
money. I think we should give them weapons. I think we should
put some men down there and get it over with / because he wanted
to help those people get started. His heart was in the right
place / he thought along the line that we have to help those
South American countries down there / because what he's doing is
helping these people so that in the future these countries won't
be destroyed. His intentions are good / at first I was favorably
impressed at the President's determination to save E1 Salvador.
His want to send them aid. Then Senator Dole came on and he
seemed to have some good arguments. Overall I was favorably
impressed. I have a gut feeling that Reagan is right.
03. Block Communism / Defend Our Continent / Oppose Russia / Cuba -
communism. I don't want communism getting into this country. I
was in Vietnam and I know what it's like. If missiles were
allowed and they decided to attack us we wouldn't stand a chance.
It would put us in a prime attack position / because of what he
said about making a stand on issues like Russia and stopping
communism. Our neighbors have to know our position on this. It
would be terrible if we could not help our neighbors. We need to
help the countries that are close and protect them in defense and
from any propaganda from the communists. Geographically we
should take care of Central America / he gave a good description
29
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
03. (Continued) of problems and how to handle E1 Salvador and
Nicaragua and its neighboring countries held by Cuba. The only
way to help is send more aid and teach military instructions / I
think when any group of people are out to stop a free election
they cannot be for the people. This country is based on freedom.
We can't sit back and let dictators take over the world / all the
different things and how he brought them out like things in
different countries and the military. You wonder what is going
to happen and what are we going to do in South America? It is a
thorn in our side unless we do something about it. It's that or
Russia or Cuba / he seems to have a good understanding of the
situation in South America and he wants to educate the people of
this country as to why we should be concerned with what is
happening in that area and how it relates to our safety and
security / I like the idea of a working democracy and keeping
communism out of the United States. Nicaragua is not far away
and it is a good place to have on our side / he described the
situation correctly in Central America. It appears that people
from Russia and Cuba are instigating the problems there and he
exposed them / because I have lived through it so long. Cuba is
behind all this. During the Bay of Pigs the pilots were ready to
go in and then Kennedy wouldn't let them go in there. When we
called off our air force Castro went in and all our men were
prisoners. If we don't help Central America who is at our back
door we'll have another thing that happened in Europe. A take
over by the Russians and the Balkan states were given away / I
think the illness is with Congress and laid at Congress' door-
step. How can we defend ourselves if we're not willing to do so
at home. Reagan laid the problem at Congress' doorstep. How can
we defend ourselves abroad if we are not willing to do so at home
/ I think he said some things that needed saying. He told the
people some of the things that are going on down there that maybe
people didn't realize like the way that Cuba and other communist
governments are trying to cause the Latin American countries to
go communist too and how close the Latin American area is tied to
the U.S. It's not so far away as people think / I agree with
him. The problems are getting close to home and something has to
be done / the vulnerability of the U.S. vs. a communist
government and the democracy of the U.S. / the point being that
we're talking about defending this continent as adverse to one
abroad. Close to home. Training and support is the main issue
and not American bodies / he came over beautifully, it was the
best speech he'd ever given. He sold me that the communists were
coming in and it's a real problem / I liked it because we do have
responsibilities to take position considering where this country
stands. Whether we should get involved any more is questionable
/ he's straight on the issue of Central America and the things
that could happen in this area could hurt us and cause communism
30
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
03. (Continued) to spread through out Central America and Mexico
therefore endangering the security of the United States / because
he is doing what we have to do. He said we need to help E1
Salvador's government and all governments in that region to
prevent communism / he explained everything, he gave more details
than he normally does. E1 Salvador and what's really going on.
They need for us to help them or there could be a take over by
the Cubans / I agreed that we shouldn't let the Central American
countries go into the communist hands. Since Vietnam everyone is
afraid to stand up for their rights / seems we have to do
something to keep Castro away from Flordia and the United States.
I think it is important to send more money but not more troops /
everyone has their head in the sand, they don't realize the
problem of communism. We lost Cuba and some of the other places
in Latin America and we can't afford to loose any more to
communism / if we don't do something we'll have Russia in our
backyard. Already Cuba has all those missiles / I believe what
he said is true, we will have the Russians in short order in a
little while if they keep on, they'll be here / we don't want the
communists to take over us and he made that plain in his speech /
I'm against world communism, I'm conservative but slightly
militant. Straighten out problems in Nicaragua and protect the
United States / he laid out what's going on down there, the fact
that Cuba and Nicaragua have too strong of a foothold down there
/ I think we need to stop E1 Salvador somewhere before they come
over here / because from what I've read what he said seemed to
made a lot of sense. Particularly when he said the communists
are making so many inroads and that we must do something to
counteract it and bolster democracy in that country / I feel
there is a need to do something about the countries that are near
our borders. Can't put our heads in the sand. He needs more
support from the people of this country / he kept recalling back
to World War II. Why couldn't we realize the importance of the
Latin American conflict. How the communists could take over.
When he said he wouldn't send any of our troops there, they don't
need them / I thought he articulated the issue very well, what he
said made sense. He said about need for U.S. troops, right to
democracy, country beset by outside folks, which is true, from
watching Russia and Cuba / I think we should keep Central America
Anti-communist. Just don't want any communists on this planet /
I think something has to be done about E1 Salvador, I am worried
about the spread of communism / I saw what he was trying to do
and he showed other countries that we would not be taken over
like other little countries. We will help other countries to
protect freedom and by doing so make us stronger / the
President's promise to help Mexico. These people are our
neighbors and their problems should be ours as well.
31
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
03. (Continued) Stratigically, they serve as a buffer to all the
Communist infiltration in Central America. It will give our own
country more protection / because he used good reason. There's
no sense in us letting the communists get into Central America.
We need to protect ourselves / I feel that our neighbors to the
south are areas where we had to be involved. Since they are so
close to us. It could be difficult because the communism there
would affect us / he tried to make the people aware of what is
going on there. The communists are taking over / I agreed with
his text. If we don't get it stopped pretty soon it will be at
our own back door. "It" is the spread of communism. We have to
hold our ground. We have to get the politicians out of it / It
was a move to get aid to E1 Salvador which I think they need.
He's looking out for the Country and he knows that Communism is
at the back door and we have to do something about that / I agree
with the policy dealing with San Salvador. We should support the
government to resist communism / he wants to send money down to
Central America and keep the communists out. He wants to stop
the rebels / because he has to stop the communists before they
get to our back door. You can't stop them by talking about it.
We need to help stop the communists / his plans for our economy.
I believe that our economy is turning around right now and I
believe that it is now time to get behind our President. His
plans for Mexico. We should help them to protect us from Cuba /
I think he is absolutely right. It is a vital place and what
happens to it directly affects. We will be in real trouble if we
lose out there / I agree it is necessary that citizens know the
situation in Central America is serious / you cannot have Russia
or Cuba getting too close to E1 Salvador or our border lines / I
like the point that the country has to remain strong especially
in our own hemisphere. We need to show Europe that we still have
power and guts / I felt he was trying to give a decent
explanation of our involvement in Central America. We can not
afford to have a communist threat in our backyard.
04. Averting War / Maintaining Peace - I just watched his address and
it seems he doesn't want to get us into a war / he has to protect
the country and hold the peace / I think something has to be done
in South America and Central America. There needs to be more
humane treatment to the people to stop this war down there and
get the guerillas out / being against the border line country of
Nicaragua and trying to keep the whole western hemisphere away
from war / the right approach to stop war in the future and
putting the money into our country and democracy. Like he said
in his speech, they're closer to Texas than Washington / if the
facts as presented this evening are true then I'm in favor. That
we will try to reach a peace negotiation in Central America / I
agreed with everything he said about the problems in E1 Salvador.
32
Decision/
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
04. (Continued) I'm sure he will take care of all the problems there
without having to start an unnecessary war / he said he was gonna
keep us out of war. Help E1 Salvador, why, maybe that'll help
them since they're our allies / I think he will try to keep us
out of a war / he wants to help other countries out but still
keep us out of war / he made sense, I heard him talk about
foreign affairs and he said that he didn't want to go to war and
I approve of that because I am of age to go to war if we had one
/ to impress people necessarily, something to do with freedom, to
keep us out of war, doing whatever to keep us from going / it
seems like there's a chance of something happening, but he said
he wasn't trying to start a war. He said it was moral support to
the other countries. I don't think that we should be giving them
money, but if that's the only way we're going to be secure, then
I think he's doing the right thing / because he wants to keep
peace. He tries to avoid war and conflict / he claims to be
doing things to help the country. He's trying to keep us out of
war and at peace / we don't want to send our boys to war, because
we don't want another war / Reagan says he won't put us in war
and my husband is in the National Guard and I don't want him to
go to war. This is what impressed me most about his whole speech
/ I thought he talked mighty good. He's trying to do right and
help them stop a war. We need to help those people / it seems he
does not try to do everything he says he will. He makes a
statement and tries his best to do what he said. If he says that
he will do his best to keep us out of war, he will / I was
favorably impressed that Reagan will not send troops to E1
Salvador.
05. Good Speech / Doing a Good Job - General it was a good speech.
he means what he says. He's doing his best / it seems that he is
trying to tell us what's going on and the dangers involved. It
seems he is trying to prepare us for something / because of the
way he explained the situation like it was never explained that
way before in the media. It's a little easier for the American
people to back somebody who presented the facts / well, I believe
everything he said. We should give him a chance to do a good
job. Those Democrats won't give him a chance / I think that the
problem with this country is if everyone doesn't approve of his
speech then maybe other countries will have trouble accepting it.
I just agree with the President / doing right things by what he
said in his speech. I agreed with his views / he seemed to be
handling things pretty well on his part / I think he's doing
good. He did a very good job on it. He spoke good / he just
gave a good speech. He came across favorably / because he
doesn't shout and he is a good man. He does his work very well /
he is taking a different approach, committed and doing what he
has to do / I think he's a good President as far as I am
33
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
05. (Continued) concerned. I was impressed with it / he's always
showing good on TV. He's a professional actor. I give him
credit. I'll say he does a fair job / I agree with what Reagan
has to say and I also enjoy the way he says it / I think he's
trying to keep trouble out of our country / said right thing,
we'd better do something about Central America, agree 110% with
everything in speech and everything Ronald Reagan does as
President / the senators all thought the speech was very good.
He wants to protect Central America / on the issues of E1
Salvador situations he had some really good points. He was
letting the country know / I think he is doing all that can be
expected at this time, nothing can happen overnight / fairly
candid, that was the main thing. I guess I agree with some of
the views / the man is trying to do good for the country. I feel
congress and the senate are put in for the use of the people but
are not helping. When a person is put in there they should work
for the people / he sounds sincere, I think that he would really
try to do what is the best thing, what is fair and reasonable. I
don't think he is trying to rush and get into a war / it sounded
like he was very concerned about what he said / he's sincere in
his work, means what he says, he keeps promises and he's alright
/ he has so much opposition for the country and certainly knows
what he's doing, he's got my. back up / everything he said was
positive and it sounded good and the Congressmen seemed impressed
with what he had to say / he sounded sincere / things were
brought up I didn't know anything about. Things were explained
in greater detail. I didn't know other countries were helping
Nicaragua. I didn't know anything about an airstrip on a small
island / he comes across as if he knows what he's doing. He
seems like when he speaks he relates to the everyday person.
I've heard other political leaders talk and it seems like they're
talking to the rich people. I like the way he comes across with
his ideas, it seems like he's leveling with the American people /
I think he has an air of authority that comes across very well.
I was impressed because he stays up on what is going on and
doesn't depend on anyone else to let us know / he sounded good.
He sounded like he had thought through what he wanted to say and
he said it very well / I thought he was articulate, he was well
versed in his subject, considering he knew Senator Dodd was going
on right after him. I wish Reagan would have come on a little
stronger than he did in his views, I'm for Reagan all the way / I
feel he is trying. It takes a good man to do the best he can, I
liked his speech / I believe that some of the things he said were
applauded very much by the people listening to him. He had to
wait to go on, that impressed me very much / I agreed completely
with the format, I feel he got the point across to the congress /
I think his presentation is excellent. Probably one of his best
delivered speeches. He said problems in Latin America could
34
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
05. (Continued) affect our nation. One of the best speeches he made,
very convincing / I am very much in agreement with Mr. Reagan and
I feel he is the best man we've had in office for many years. He
is on top of situations and very knowledgeable. The foreign
countries and of course this country / he's a positive speaker
and he seems real positive. We'll just have to see how it comes
out, it could all turn into hamburger or chop suey, we'll just
have to wait and see / Reagan was well informed on E1 Salvador
issue. He had sound reasoning about what he said. He way he
approached his plan to take on E1 Salvador issue / because he was
more stressful and able to sell his idea to congress in the
speech he made / mostly because of his presentation, what I like
about is that he's not overly concerned with his political image.
He's consistent yet flexible and he's trying to do what he thinks
is right / I liked what he said, he's the right man / he is
trying to do what is right and I am behind him 100%. He is a
good President, we as Americans need to get behind him and back
him up / I like the way he talks. I like listening to him, he
makes a lot of sense, he is a very fluid speaker. I also think
he isn't memorizing anything. I think he knows what he is saying
without reading it / I think he reiterated what he said all along
with which I agree / he got up there and told it exactly like it
is. He put it direct to the American people / it was well
accepted by the people, this is Reagan country / over all he is
trying to do something to get the country back on its feet. I
don't feel anyone could do any better considering the shape the
country was in when he took office / he comes across pretty good.
When he gives a speech he uses graphic illustrations which is
very effective. No, just he is all right / he was wellspoken. I
like the way he presented himself. His overall presentation was
strong. He clarified himself very well / he's an excellent
speechmaker and actor. I can't remember the context of the
speech, just Reagan's appearance. / I liked his delivery last
night. He got his point across, I thought. I didn't watch the
whole thing so I really couldn't get too specific / I don't know
a lot about it but I think that he (Reagan) is operating under
difficult conditions and he's doing as well as he can. No,
there's nothing specific that I could name that I was favorably
impressed by / he's a good speaker, honest. He's trying to do
what's best for his country. He's doing the best he can / he
presented himself very well. He is good in front of the T.V.
camera / he defended his views on E1 Salvador and his manner of
speech makes his viewpoint convincing. He is a good talker and
holds your interest.
35
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
06. Strong Leader / Outspoken / Straightforward - to me he seemed
very straightforward. I feel he tells you what he feels. I feel
he's lived long enough to have some experience and insight / I
think he is an honest politician. When he says something you can
believe him, like he said he was going to lower taxes and even
though the Democrats stood in his way he did it. He is trying to
create jobs to get the people off welfare and unemployment and on
the job / because he lays out to Congress exactly what should be
done and that's what I would do / I find him to be a very sincere
individual. He doesn't play politics as much as his predecessors
and discusses issues honestly / because he is very firm and in
control. He believes that what he is doing is right. America
needs a leader like him. He is doing what he thinks is best.
When he finishes a speech you know exactly where he stands. He
states firmly his decisions and informs the people of his
policies. At the present time America can do no better than
Ronald Reagan / the man is very good at what he does running the
business of the country. He is very well prepared and puts his
point across better than any President. He can make a simple man
understand the issues and gets his point across / he makes a lot
of sense and is very supporting / we know what we're up against
and where we're going in life. I think President Reagan has got
us on the right track / usually he presents the issues fairly and
clearly. Nicaragua is opposing the other Central American
countries / I think he's very determined where he's going to go.
He said exactly what he was going to do. He's very straight-
forward and I like that / because he is a very convincing person,
but as far as the facts of what he is telling you, you start to
wonder / Reagan is especially articulate. He sells very well.
He knows how to market and sell his ideas and programs / he put
everything in order and he sounded so sure of himself and made a
lot of sense to me / he's an honest man and a man of his con-
victions. I have a strong feeling for Ronald Reagan. I support
his ideas strongly. We're better off than a few years ago before
he got elected / I think he's finally taking a sense of
leadership. He's finally giving the congress a definite precise
meaning of what he's going to do. In other words he's not his
same old wishy-washy self. It kind of defined who our friends
are and who are not, it gave us all quite a bit to think about as
far as defending our own continent / because he is a strong
leader and he's trying to make congress see the light. He knows
what has to be done and he's the best president we've had in
years. He has gotten more things done than any other President /
I thought he was straightforward and honest and told the people
how he stood. I thought he answered the questions that were
thrown at him fast and direct and I think a lot of people agree
with me / he laid it on the line, what we got to do / I believe
in the man. I think he's a strong leader, he's got money
36
Decision/Making
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
06. (Continued) so he's not in it for that, maybe a little
self-esteem / I am basically pro-Reagan. I feel that his
leadership qualities are great, and he will stand up for what is
right / he tells people the way things are / Ronald Reagan is
putting out a lot of "strong" talk and that's what we need. We
need to let other countries know what we will do and what we
won't do. We need big bad talk and that's what Ronald Reagan has
done / I believe everything he says. I believe the man means
everything he says. I don't think he says things just cause he
wants to be president again.
07. General Positive I just thought it wasn't very interesting but
it seemed like he had some good topics to talk about / I only saw
the beginning of his program, starting with E1 Salvador with the
United States / I was favorably impressed. I heard it but no one
thing stands out / he basically has all the right ideas but he's
not quite sure how to carry them out / I think he has a good idea
of what the situation is down there. I don't think that his plan
is the right one but there might be a better way / the main
reason is that he answered questions more the way you wanted him
to answer them / I was very impressed from what the news said / I
liked some suggestions that were said / I am a strong believer in
him and he made a lot of sense / I find what he says makes sense.
I agree that there are problems there / I think he's got the
right ideas on what we need to do in the country. He's helping
the farmers with government programs. He's trying to get money
back into circulation like the Pick Program to try to reduce
produce -- we've taken a cut in milk prices, but we know what
he's trying to do / because of the way the majority of the people
reacted on TV to the show / this was about E1 Salvador / I think
he's closer to the situation than anyone else and I trust him to
do what he thinks is best / I believe in what he says on any
issue. I think he's a good president and I believe in what he
says / I didn't know too much about what he was talking about but
I think he got his point across / I think Reagan has a strong
stand on foreign policy, but then a poor stand on the domestic
policy / I liked what he said about E1 Salvador but I can't tell
you exactly what / I have experience on Central America and I
speak Spanish. I would do what he is doing, but I think there
are better answers. I don't have those answers / he says he is
going to do better and I'm looking forward to that.
37
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
08. Foreign Policy in Central America / E1 Salvador - Negative - I
think the facts he gave were impressive but I don't think we
should get involved. He wants us to get involved but we have
enough problems at home that we need to take care of. We can't
be big brother to everyone / it's just double-talk. He should
stay away from the Latin American countries. He should help
Mexico because they are our closest neighbor. We could work with
Mexico on the natural gas they have and in doing so help the U.S.
and its economy / I think they should stay out of E1 Salvador's
problems / I think he is blowing it out of proportion. I am not
impressed with the way he is handling Central America / I agree
with some of his viewpoints on social security, like make some of
the more wealthy pay so everyone gets benefits. I disagree with
his stand in the E1 Salvador situation / it's the same stuff I've
heard peddled for the past four or five years. It's the same
damned policy we heard since Nixon. We could have done a lot
better for the past 18 or 19 years. It's been one goof right
after another. Just like Kissinger letting the Shah of Iran
raise the price of oil from $2 a barrel to $30 a barrel and it
almost broke our country / I just don't agree with his policies
and the way he's handling the situation / I feel he's just
running a communist scare tactic. He should let other Central
American countries take care of it -- the problems that Reagan's
trying to handle / from what I understand, the situation is not
as bad in E1 Salvador as Ronald Reagan tells the American people.
I don't think Reagan really knows what's going on either. I'm
afraid Reagan will convince the public to get involved in the war
/ I don't like the way he's handling the problem in E1 Salvador.
I wonder if he's really sure of what he's doing and how much
trouble it's going to get us into / I agree with Reagan that
there is a real threat of a communist government, but I disagree
with Reagan's approach. Reagan's backing of the present
government is hyprocritical -- that government is not humane, it
keeps the rich powerful families in power. They prolong the
suffering of most of the people of E1 Salvador / he wants to
raise the American flag and get us in trouble. We're not getting
the truth, this American doctor who started 2 hospitals and 15
clinics said that he's never seen any Cuban's there and no Moscow
backed troops. He's only seen American weapons, we're just not
getting the true story / he has a way of simplifing issues. He's
a good public speaker but I just don't agree with his philosophy
or how to handle E1 Salvador. He amplifies his view, without
giving credance to other views / I don't think the way he's
handling the situation in E1 Salvador is right / just on general
principles of how he's running the government and getting
involved in the policies of other countries / because he's taking
care of E1 Salvador's problems. Well we should take care of our
own problems before any other country. We shouldn't get to
38
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
08. (Continued) involved or it might lead us to war / I was
unfavorably impressed with his politics. I don't agree with the
president that guerilla activity is linked with the communists /
my main concern is that there is more involvement in E1 Salvador.
I do not agree with that. The involvement / I just can't
understand why we should get involved with such a small country /
Reagan's concentration should be at home rather than abroad. He
was too concerned with foreign countries benefit.
09. Foreign Aid to Central America / E1 Salvador - Negative - well,
the money he wants for E1 Salvador. He's giving it to the wrong
people. He's giving it to the rich. He just has a lack of
knowledge of how to deal with foreign affairs / well, I think
he's spending the taxpayer's money very foolishly. He should
stay home and mind his own business. It looks like another
Vietnam episode / there's less money going to E1 Salvador than
there is going into video machines -- I doubt that / I just
didn't like it. The idea of E1 Salvador and the aid that he
wants to give them. Because there are more things that need to
be dealt with / I tried to listen very carefully and liked his
views. But I think we have too many problems here at home that
should come first. I think the amount of money we give out to
other countries is way too much. Other countries are always in
trouble. There are too many people out of work and on welfare
for us to give so much money. We should come first / try to get
more money for the multi-industrial complex / because Reagan
didn't give a complete answer to the problem of E1 Salvador / the
same old thing he's trying to make E1 Salvador a bigger thing
than it really is. He's trying to shift the public's attention.
The real issues in this country are the domestic issues. Instead
of giving all this money away in aid to some country that's
really not going to do us a whole lot of good, why not give it to
the people in our back yard. Just disagreed with him wanting to
give aid to E1 Salvador / I don't agree with the foreign policy
in that region of the world. I don't agree with the amount of
money they're spending there because they won't get a return from
what is spent there / I don't think we should give out aid, to
other countries, we don't consider human rights / mainly because
I don't agree with his views. Because he's spending too much
money on military purposes in E1 Salvador / it seems what he does
normally in face of rampant communism. He panicked simply
because of USSR movements in Central America. Being in our front
yard is the phase he used, a panic location. I don't think it's
the way he says it is / he wants to do to much for foreigners and
not enough for us / I am against giving money to Central America
in any case / I disapprove of his ideas in Nicaragua and in E1
Salvador. I don't approve of giving military aid, I do approve
of economic and medical aid / he should take care of the poor
39
Decision/Making/Informati
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
09. (Continued) and the elderly here instead of giving money to all
these other countries / don't believe he is going on the right
road to solving the problem. Spending extra money is not going
to solve the problem / I don't like Reagan or his speeches. I
believe the man has good intentions to bring about peace in South
America but history repeats itself. We sent over money and
advisors to Vietnam and then had to send over troops because our
advisors were being killed and that is what will probably happen
here. Our government is justified in sending over money because
of communism but all the communists will do is move into Honduras
or some other place. We shouldn't send money to anyone, period.
We have enough problems at home to take care of / because of what
he had to say about E1 Salvador. He wants to send more aid to
them. We are spending enough already / I strongly disagree with
his tactics in foreign affairs because of politicing with U.S.
money to start a police action so he could be re-elected. We
need to stay out of the Middle-East and their affairs, we should
stay clean of this / the spending arms, use money somewhere else,
maybe in something in our country or space technology / the
speech was good but the more money we put down there the more
killing they're going to do / because of the money he wants to
send out I can see training E1 Salvador but not sending them
money. I also think it's good to help them in terms of building
and cropping, but not just giving them free money / he's trying
to do what's right I don't think he's right in asking for more
money, but overall his speech impressed me / could be spent in
other ways, like helping starving people, things like farmers / I
don't quite understand the things he does, can't see why he wants
to help foreign countries when there are hungry children here in
the U.S. / well, we can afford to spend 600 million dollars for a
war in South America but we can't create jobs / I don't approve
of what he's doing, he's spending our money needlessly. There
are other places to spend our money right here / I thought the
Democrats told it like it is. It's the wrong track, the wrong
way to go. Putting 6 million down in Central America isn't
right, he didn't get his message across like the Democrats did /
I am sure he is going about this thing the wrong way. He can
intervene more peacefully. He can send people instead of arms.
I don't approve of all that money being spent / I think we need
more money spent here in the U.S. before we spend it overseas.
I'm afraid we might have to go to war. My husband is a sailor
and I wouldn't want to see him go to war. We have plenty of
problems right here that have to be solved / the way he talks.
It ain't no good. He's spending it on war and he's taking it
away from the old people. He's spending all that money on war
and he's cutting medicare, social security and all that from the
old folks / they are spending too much money in foreign countries
when so many people here need money and jobs.
You
40
Question 14A continued.
Decision/Making/Information
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
09. (Continued) can't buy friendship. America should come first when
it comes to tax money / I sort of feel like the Democratic guy
said. We are giving money out to E1 Salvador but the money is
going in someone else's pockets / I thought it was ridiculous
with him constantly sending all that money overseas to improve
their lives, when he has so many out of work and going hungry.
He has cut the food stamp program and little kids and old people
are going hungry / I don't like the way he wanted to do stuff.
We should stop giving money away to countries. All countries.
Let us start at home where we are and people need food and
housing / he is handling the situation wrong. He wanted to add
more money and that won't work.
10. Military Aid to Central America / E1 Salvador / Arms - Negative -
he seems to still be saying we should supply arms to E1 Salvador.
I don't agree. He says there would not be war but it has gone in
that direction / I don't think we should be too involved in
Central America. We need to use methods available to us such as
negotiations. We don't need arms / because I don't think we need
to send guns and ammunition down to E1 Salvador. They should
fight their own battles. I just didn't agree with it / the
commentator for ABC news, David Brinkley, said the Democrats had
a far less emotional appeal. Reagan used a more dramatic appeal
having the congressional audience clapping thunderously to his
remarks. We have no business sending arms to E1 Salvador. I
disagree with Reagan's position totally / although he said we
would stay I have mixed emotions. I know if we don't help to arm
them well then Russia will. I really don't want anyone else in
there / I don't believe we should be sending any troops over or
any aid to E1 Salvador / as far as the country is concerned they
need more food, housing and education rather than tanks and
military supplies. It just isn't going to solve anything. I
feel they could be fighting a very long time. The country needs
leadership and to get this they need to be educated / because I
think he is using the military to solve the problems in foreign
affairs, with the situation in E1 Salvador / he is trying to do
something for those people but I don't know if he is going about
it in the right way. We shouldn't send them guns / we should not
get involved in that aspect of that government. The military we
should not be involved that deeply / he's for more arms and
military training for E1 Salvador / I disapprove of the military
solution. I do not think we should be sending money to E1
Salvador. The problems there is that their economy is in a
shambles. We should send economic not military aid / I don't
think that the problems in Central America can be solved by
interference. The problems are economic not military / I don't
care for his proposals for E1 Salvador. The military escalation.
I don't like it because it doesn't get our Latin American allies
involved in the negotiations. We don't ask their advice and they
are closer to it.
41
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
11. Possibility of War / Another Vietnam - I don't agree with his
policies in Latin America. I think he might get us involved in a
war / he brought out the fact that E1 Salvador and the guerillas
aren't treating the civilians right. The countries have turned
against us. The only thing I dislike is that we send military
people there and it could be like Vietnam / about the Soviets.
He's worried about who has the most bombs. We're all gonna die
anyway. That's the part I'm most worried about / I think that
he's leading us in the same direction that we went with Vietnam.
Instead of helping those people he's getting them deeper in
trouble and wasting our money too / I think he is a movie actor
and I don't believe the man or anything he says. The way he
talked about what's going on in E1 Salvador and the Middle East.
I think he's a war monger / I just don't think we should be there
at all. I just don't think we should be involved at all. I feel
it could lead us into another Vietnam. I go along with the
Senator from Connecticut / I feel that the only difference
between E1 Salvador and Vietnam is that now were pouring money
into E1 Salvador and Vietnam we sent soldiers / it just sounds
like he's trying to get a war started / because he's going into
affairs which shouldn't concern him it will lead to another
Vietnam. The U.S. should try to remain absolutely neutral, on
account of the Vietnam war / regardless of what he has said about
E1 Salvador not being a Vietnam. I feel that if he is going to
have advisers there it could go more military / I don't believe
what he said. And it looks like another Vietnam. He has said too
many in the past that were wrong / because all this help we are
giving E1 Salvador I feel it can get us into another Vietnam war.
I think we need to insist on human rights and they should improve
themselves more before we give them anymore help / He is a great
speaker but the content of the speech was not what I wanted to
hear. He is probably going to get us into another war down
there. That country is just too far away for us to be involved
and wasting all that money down there, we should be spending that
money here at home / I feel that Ronald Reagan knows that we need
to stimulate the economy but I don't think it should be at the
cost of someone else's life. America has always been stimulated
by war (I, II, Korea, Bay of Pigs, Vietnam). The economy was on
the upbeat. He is trying to stimulate the economy / I doubt the
information. I wonder how far the U.S. can get involved. If
they couldn't manage Vietnam, how can they handle this? South
America and Central America / he is going to start a war there
and nobody in America wants that to happen.
42
Decision/Making/Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
12. Government Corruption in Central America - I think that he needs
to have someone advise him about what is going on down there.
The government is all corrupt / the people who we are supporting
don't have a good track record. The people have a history of
corruption / because of the explanation Mr. Dobbs made after his
speech, Dobbs made more sense to me. The corruption of the E1
Salvadoran government. He's backing the wrong government, they
are corrupt.
13. Poor Speech / President Reagan Not Doing a Good Job General - I
don't think he's doing his job right. He's more concerned with
the rich. I don't like him / he's trying to push the blame on
other people in government to a certain extent. He's not taking
all the blame / because I don't think he knows what he is doing.
He's been saying that things are getting better but there are no
results. Like the economy, he says he's been doing things to
help but like I said there's no results / I don't agree with most
of the things he said / I don't approve of the way he's doing
things. For instance, the cut in social security. I used to get
it and then they cut me out and I can't find a job / I just think
that he talks alot but doesn't do what he is talking about / just
think he thinks he's still acting, he did not impress me /
because he was careless about our incomes in regard to social
security / the speech didn't jive with the facts. Senator Dodd
thought its the wrong approach that Reagans taking by sending
money to E1 Salvador / from the parts that I seen I just don't
think it was as effective in communication skills to me. He
didn't keep my attention, I've heard it all before, nothing new /
because I disagree with him on all issues / I am wondering about
what his purpose was. He tells people he wants peace and not
have the communists take over but I wonder what he's able to do,
he has so much conflict in Washington / don't know why, I voted
for him things to do he didn't do he increased taxes on gas /
just because he is not getting everything done that he should be
doing he is taking away benefits from senior citizens / I think
he is a poor president. He got us in a depression. he has lied
to us before and I assume he is lying now / I really didn't like
what he said / I disapprove of mostly what he's doing. I don't
like what he plans on doing either, I don't agree with what he
says / He didn't tell us too much / don't believe he can predict
everything, he tells you one thing and does another / because he
didn't define his policies well, he didn't offer any solutions /
he is just talking not hitting the core of what he does offer / I
just think he is incapable, he can't handle his job, he does not
impress me at all. He is wishy-washy he says one thing and does
another / everything he says he doesn't do, he started like he
was going to be a good president. he made the U.S. worse than it
has ever been. There is no work for people and helping people of
43
Decision Information
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
13. (Continued). other countries is no good. He should worry about
America / living in New Mexico I know a lot of people who are in
Central America and I don't think. Reagon knows a thing about
Central America. There is a high class and a low class of people
and Reagan doesn't understand that / I think the man talks
through his hat. He acts as if he is on a stage. He says he's
going to do things for the elderly and get jobs but he hasn't
done anything about it. He can, but doesn't / he is not an
impressive person. He is a sorry leader. He has not done for
the economy. He also has not done anything for the poor or the
people who need it / I cut him off. I turned off the T.V. I was
annoyed. He is more concerned with foreign people and not
American people / because I don't think Ronald Reagan is telling
the truth. He's bringing out the good points - not everything.
It was a political speech. He's running for President again / I
think he misrepresented his whole act. I don't think he
completely explained our role and involvement with the E1
Salvador thing / he's lying to the people about defense. He's
saying that the military is in worse shape than it actually is /
he says one thing and jumps to another conclusion. He never
comes out with the right points. He keeps skipping around in his
speeches. He should be direct with his points / he decided one
thing and sticks to that. He does not budge whether an
alternative is present or not. He has the right goals in mind
but is overlooking the fact that military confusion will
continue. He "used" the media to get his point across. His
plans are not cognizant and he is going over congress' head to
get them done.
14. General Negative - I really don't know who is telling the truth.
He is saying one thing and the Democrats are saying another / he
seems to be talking about the same problems but although he is
trying it seems a solution is never reached. I didn't hear the
whole speech / I'm prejudiced against Ronald Reagan / most things
he said, he's going to do he can't because they won't let him / I
don't like anything about him. A lot of things that he said were
true like the condition of our country, E1 Salvador and all that
/ just a couple of comments that I heard were from Democrats and
they were downgrading the statements about aid / he talks with a
forked tongue. He talks about the same things all the time, just
politics is all / you get his point of view when you watch him,
but when you get the other side you have to evaluate it. That's
why my feelings are mixed. Ronald Reagan is too one sided / it
was just a political speech. it was a movement of politics / it
was all a lot of hogwash / because we served in Guatamala in the
mission it's grossly mishandled / the things he said / didn't
think that the speech was important, it didn't cover nothing
important / I don't think we're getting the whole story / I don't
44
Decision/Making/Informati
Question 14A continued.
Were you favorably or unfavorably impressed with the speech (or what
you have heard about it)?
And why is that?
14. (Continued) think he's dynamic or forceful enough. I think he's
playing a role, that's not good for America, his administration
frightens me / I don't think I can remember any specifics. I
just didn't like the whole speech. Maybe because I don't like so
many things that he does / I just read a paragraph about the
speech. I am a Democrat. I do not really remember much about
what Reagan said / he talks, he's play acting. He's on stage. I
can't take him sincerely. He says things now - then later he
does something else.
15. Other / Refused / No Opinion - the way I understand it this
country is going to go into 2 school systems, private and public.
The elite will get the best teachers and students and the rest
about 80% will suffer. This country can not afford this / I was
impressed until I heard the comment by the senator. The aid is
skimmed by the elite money is being put away in Swiss banks.
It's all pretty confusing. I hope we don't become involved in
there. E1 Salvador.
45
Decision/Making/Information
Democratic Response: Exposure and Impression
1982
1983
1983
State of Union
State of Union
Central America
Exposure
Saw all
11
9
10
Saw part
12
15
10
Heard/Read later
6
6
3
Heard nothing
71
70
77
(TOTAL AUDIENCE)
(29)
(30)
(23)
Impression
(Based on Total Audience)
Favorably
42
48
43
Unfavorably
42
38
36
No opinion
16
14
21
Impression
(Based on Total Public)
Saw/Favorable
12
14
10
Saw/Unfavorable
12
11
10
Saw/No opinion
5
4
3
Heard nothing
71
70
77
46
Decision/Making/Information
OTHER DOMESTIC ISSUES
47
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan's Economic Program
"From what you've heard and read, do you feel that, on the whole, Reagan's
economic program will help or hurt the economy?"
Feb
Jun
Sep
Jan
Jun
Sep
20-22
12-14
9-13
11-19
15-22
23-27
1981
1981
1981
1982
1982
1982
Help
78
60
71
59
51
56
Hurt
13
29
21
32
41
37
No opinion
8
11
8
9
8
7
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
Help
51
52
60
56
54
Hurt
43
41
34
39
36
No opinion
6
7
6
5
10
REAGAN ECONOMIC PROGRAM
HELP OR HURT THE NAT'L ECONOMY?
PERCENT
100
HELP
90
HURT
80
70
NO
OPINION
60
59
54
48
50
47
47
45
40
42
36
32
30
20
11
Decision/Making/Information
10
10
8
9
0
1
3
3
4
5
5
6
7
8
9
10
10
11
11
1
1
3
4
4
1982
MONTH
1983
49
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan Job Rating
Social Security
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ronald Reagan is handling
?"
Jul
Sep
Jan
Jan
Mar
Apr
16-19
23-27
7-10
27-29
17-21
7-10
1982
1982
1983
1983
1983
1983
Approve
40
36
35
35
33
35
Disapprove
52
55
57
58
60
60
No opinion
8
9
8
6
7
5
Apr
27-28
1983
Approve
43
Disapprove
52
No opinion
5
REAGAN JOB RATING
SOCIAL SECURITY
PERCENT
100
APPROVE
90
DISAPPROVE
80
NO
70
OPINION
62
60
60
52
50
52
50
40
43
40
35
30
29
20
Decision, Decision/Making/Information
10
9
8
5
5
0
7
8
9
10
10
11
11
1
1
3
4
4
1982
MONTH
1983
51
Decision/Making/Information
Social Security Benefits -- Increased or Decreased?
"In regard to social security payments, is it your impression that Ronald
Reagan has increased or reduced social security benefits?"
Feb
Jun
Sep
Jan
Jan
Mar
25-6
15-22
23-27
7-10
27-29
17-21
1982
1982
1982
1983
1983
1983
Increased
12
17
27
20
*
*
Reduced
54
49
50
45
*
*
No change
26
34
18
25
*
*
No opinion
8
-
5
10
*
*
Apr
Apr
7-10
27-28
1983
1983
Increased
19
21
Reduced
60
55
No change
15
17
No opinion
6
7
52
Decision/Making/Information
CENTRAL AMERICA
53
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan Job Rating -- E1 Salvador
"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ronald Reagan is handling the
situation in E1 Salvador?"
Approve
36%
Disapprove
44
No opinion
20
54
Decision/Making/Information
Reagan Job Rating -- Nicaragua
"Have you heard or read anything recently about Nicaragua? And do you approve
or disapprove of the way Ronald Reagan is handling the situation in Nicaragua?"
April 7-11
April 27-28
(%)
(%)
No
57
62
Yes/Approve
13
17
Yes/Disapprove
22
15
No opinion
8
6
55
Decision/Making Information
E1 Salvador -- National Elections
"The fact that the leftist guerrillas in E1 Salvador refuse to take part in
national elections is strong evidence that they, themselves, believe that most
of the citizens of E1 Salvador do not support their cause and they must
continue to resort to violence rather than to the ballot box."
April 7-11
April 27-28
(%)
(%)
Agree strongly
25
27
Agree somewhat
33
24
Disagree somewhat
15
16
Disagree strongly
11
17
No opinion
16
16
56
Decision/Making/Information
E1 Salvador -- Solve Problems
"The problems in E1 Salvador have been very much in the news recently. I'm
going to read you a series of statements others have made about the situation
there and our relations with the Salvadoran government. For each statement,
again tell me whether you agree or disagree with what is said."
We should let those who live in E1 Salvador solve their problems
without any help from the United States.
March 6-9
March 25-29
March 17-21
April 27-28
1981
1982
1983
1983
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Agree strongly
27
30
33
28
Agree somewhat
22
21
24
18
Disagree somewhat
29
24
25
25
Disagree strongly
17
18
15
25
No opinion
5
7
3
4
57
Decision/Making Information
E1 Salvador -- Another Vietnam
"The problems in E1 Salvador have been very much in the news recently. I'm
going to read you a series of statements others have made about the situation
there and our relations with the Salvadoran government. For each statement,
again tell me whether you agree or disagree with what is said."
The kind of help we are now providing E1 Salvador could easily get us
into another Vietnam.
March 6-9
February 13-14
March 17-21
April 27-28
1981
1982
1983
1983
(%)
(%)
(%)
(%)
Agree strongly
37
36
45
35
Agree somewhat
28
32
30
28
Disagree somewhat
17
16
11
14
Disagree strongly
11
9
9
17
No opinion
7
7
5
6
58
Decision/ Making Information
E1 Salvador: Threat to U.S.?
"Suppose the rebel forces take over E1 Salvador and set up a pro-communist
government. Would that endanger the national security of the United States, or
not?"
ABC
D/M/I
3/18-21/82
4/27-28/83
(%)
(%)
Yes
66
67
No
27
26
No opinion
5
7
59
Decision/Making/Information
Troops in E1 Salvador
"If the E1 Salvadoran government cannot defeat the Cuban-backed rebels, Ronald
Reagan will send American soldiers to fight in E1 Salvador."
Agree strongly
21%
Agree somewhat
23
Disagree somewhat
18
Disagree strongly
32
No opinion
6
60
Decision/Making/Information
Aid to E1 Salvador
"Three-quarters of the aid we give to E1 Salvador is in the form of food and
fertilizers, only a quarter of it is military assistance."
Agree strongly
13%
Agree somewhat
23
Disagree somewhat
17
Disagree strongly
18
No opinion
29
61
Decision/Making/Information
Cuban Goals
"The goal of Cuba and Nicaragua is to set up communist governments in the
entire region from the Panama Canal to Mexico."
Agree strongly
37%
Agree somewhat
28
Disagree somewhat
11
Disagree strongly
9
No opinion
15
62
Decision/Making/Informati
Central America Will Fall
"If the U.S. does not stop Russian and Cuban efforts to set up a communist
government in E1 Salvador then Honduras, Guatemala and other countries in
Central America will be next."
Harris
DMI
3/12-16/82
4/27-28/83
(%)
(%)
Agree
66
75
Disagree
26
16
No opinion
8
9
63
Decision/Making/Informati
E1 Salvador: Keeping Promises
"Not only has the new government of E1 Salvador promised reforms, democracy and
free elections, but it has also begun delivering on those promises."
Agree strongly
6%
Agree somewhat
23
Disagree somewhat
23
Disagree strongly
19
No opinion
29
64
Decision/Making/Information
E1 Salvador: No Threat
"E1 Salvador is so small and so far away that it can't possibly constitute a
threat to our well-being."
Agree strongly
9%
Agree somewhat
11
Disagree somewhat
26
Disagree strongly
49
No opinion
5