ABC/WaPo poll of various hot-button issues

[Verily]

There's a whole ton of interesting stuff here. Gun control support continues to decline, gay marriage support spikes, Cuba is popular, people don't think too hard about the environment, etc.

http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1089a6HotButtonIssues.pdf

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Diplomatic relations with Cuba?

Yes: 66% (+5 on 2008)
No: 27% (-2)

End the Cuba trade embargo?

Yes: 57% (+13 on 2002)
No: 36% (-12)

Allow travel to Cuba?

Yes: 55% (+6 on 2002)
No: 40% (-5)

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Consider using torture sometimes?

Yes: 48% (+8 on January 2009)
No: 49% (-9)

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Regulate greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes: 75% (no previous poll)
No: 21%

Concerned that regulation of greenhouse gases might increase prices?

Yes: 77% (no previous poll)
No: 22%

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Stricter gun control?

Yes: 51% (+1 on 2008)
No: 48% (+3)

Would stricter gun control reduce crime?

Yes: 42% (-7 on 2007)
No: 57% (+7)

Best way to curb gun crime?

Enforce current laws: 61% (+9 on 2007)
Enact new laws: 27% (-2)

Anyone in your house own a gun?

Yes: 41% (-1 on 2008)
No: 58% (nc)

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Support gay marriage?

Yes: 49% (+13 on 2006)
No: 46% (-12)

Recognize out-of-state gay marriages in your state?

Yes: 53% (no previous poll)
No: 43%

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Gov't. doing enough to stop illegal immigration?

Yes: 23% (+6 on 2007)
No: 74% (-7)

Support path to citizenship if fine is paid and requirements met?

Yes: 61% (+12 on 2007)
No: 35% (-11)

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Support legalizing marijuana? [Note: not medical specifically]

Yes: 46% (+7 on 2002)
No: 52% (-1)

[Marokai Backbeat]

Support gay marriage?

Yes: 49% (+13 on 2006)
No: 46% (-12)

Very. Awesome.

[Holmes]

But they said that gun control is at an all time low, right? Seems to be a trend nowadays.

[Verily]

Support gay marriage?

Yes: 49% (+13 on 2006)
No: 46% (-12)

Very. Awesome.

Support for gay marriage generally overpolls by 5-10 points (depending on demographics, closer to 10 points nationally but at a miniscule level in some locales), of course.

[Rob]

These numbers indicate that the American people are far in advance of their elected officials.

[Verily]

But they said that gun control is at an all time low, right? Seems to be a trend nowadays.

Well, sort of. The gap between support and opposition is at an all-time low. But support for stricter control was a point lower in 2008, although opposition was lower in that poll, too.

[Linus Van Pelt]

Why do you say people "don't think too hard about the environment"? The right position, after all, on carbon regulation is that it is needed even though it will probably raise prices on certain things, at least in the short term before economies of scale get going on renewable generation, more energy-efficient transportation and manufacturing, etc.

Also, any idea why allowing travel to Cuba polls worse than trade or diplomatic relations with it?

[Rowan]

No other poll has support for gay marriage that high. Quinnipiac poll released the same day has it at 38%.

[Marokai Backbeat]

No other poll has support for gay marriage that high. Quinnipiac poll released the same day has it at 38%.

I've seen some with similar numbers.

[Rowan]

No other poll has support for gay marriage that high. Quinnipiac poll released the same day has it at 38%.

I've seen some with similar numbers.

Cite please? I don't really care about the issue of gay marriage, but the poll just seemed to be an outlier.

[Lief 🗽]

Wow. Gay marriage has moved so far in such a short amount of time. I think that, as weird as it may seem, the Prop 8 defeat was one of the best things that could have happened to the marriage equality movement.

I'm also pleased that Americans have become more enlightened on every issue but their silly guns.

[Sam Spade]

The trending is useful to a certain extent (and I suspect probably correct), but you got to remember that this poll (and the CBS one) have a wacky sample that makes the poll pretty close to garbage territory.

[Holmes]

No other poll has support for gay marriage that high. Quinnipiac poll released the same day has it at 38%.

Mmhmm. I saw that too. It's probably in the middle of the two polls.

The other poll was the CBS one, with the three way question. Support was at 42%, civil unions at 25% and no recognition at 28%.

[Alcon]

This poll is a little hurting for Republicans, probably even moreso than the Republican Party is right now (bah dum ching.)

I agree with Rowan -- the gay marriage numbers are also too good to be true, but interesting.  Even a 10-point gap on the issue would probably mean the issue has gained plurality support across New England and probably the Pacific Northwest.  California - tsk.

Stricter gun control?

Yes: 51% (+1 on 2008)
No: 48% (+3)

Would stricter gun control reduce crime?

Yes: 42% (-7 on 2007)
No: 57% (+7)

Am I missing a rational interpretation where this makes sense? 

[Torie]

I just sent this poll off to my congressman's aide for his enjoyment and pleasure, asking him what Campbell's position was on gay marriage and legalized pot. 

[Eraserhead]

Mostly good stuff but what's with the torture question?

[Verily]

Why do you say people "don't think too hard about the environment"? The right position, after all, on carbon regulation is that it is needed even though it will probably raise prices on certain things, at least in the short term before economies of scale get going on renewable generation, more energy-efficient transportation and manufacturing, etc.

True to some extent, but "concern" implies that it is a significant factor against greenhouse gas restrictions while the people widely support those. I agree that in principle it is correct that greenhouse gas restrictions should be implemented and that they would raise prices--but I disagree that raising prices is a "concern".

Whatever, maybe I'm a semantic stickler.

[Verily]

Why do you say people "don't think too hard about the environment"? The right position, after all, on carbon regulation is that it is needed even though it will probably raise prices on certain things, at least in the short term before economies of scale get going on renewable generation, more energy-efficient transportation and manufacturing, etc.

Also, any idea why allowing travel to Cuba polls worse than trade or diplomatic relations with it?

The trade and travel questions were asked to half-samples (the diplomatic relations was asked to the full sample), so the half-sample for travel might have just skewed a bit more anti-Cuba than the half-sample for trade. (Diplomatic relations shouldn't be surprising; people widely support diplomatic relations with everyone.)

[Torie]

This poll is a little hurting for Republicans, probably even moreso than the Republican Party is right now (bah dum ching.)

I agree with Rowan -- the gay marriage numbers are also too good to be true, but interesting.  Even a 10-point gap on the issue would probably mean the issue has gained plurality support across New England and probably the Pacific Northwest.  California - tsk.

Stricter gun control?

Yes: 51% (+1 on 2008)
No: 48% (+3)

Would stricter gun control reduce crime?

Yes: 42% (-7 on 2007)
No: 57% (+7)

Am I missing a rational interpretation where this makes sense? 

It is an aesthetic thing. If I were totally self indulgent, and felt my aesthetics should be enacted into law, I would favor tightening the screws even more on gun ownership. I don't like them. That might explain some of the difference.

I did get a more pro gun when empirical evidence (albeit controversial), suggested that looser gun laws might actually reduce crime, e.g. concealed carry. If the evidence suggested that it increased crime, I would favor states ripping guns out of the cold dead hands of those who resist.

On this one, I am a data oriented kind of guy. The rest is crap. YMMV.

[© tweed]

End the Cuba trade embargo?

Yes: 57% (+13 on 2002)
No: 36% (-12)


Support legalizing marijuana? [Note: not medical specifically]

Yes: 46% (+7 on 2002)
No: 52% (-1)

[ilikeverin]

Regulate greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes: 75% (no previous poll)
No: 21%

Concerned that regulation of greenhouse gases might increase prices?

Yes: 77% (no previous poll)
No: 22%

These sorts of findings always interest me.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Regulate greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes: 75% (no previous poll)
No: 21%

Concerned that regulation of greenhouse gases might increase prices?

Yes: 77% (no previous poll)
No: 22%

These sorts of findings always interest me.

To all of those who want government regulation of "greenhouse gases," I ask that pending such legislation, you show your true devotion to the cause, and personally (voluntarily) stop emitting such gases yourself.

Notable among such gases is Carbon Dioxide.

So, please, those of you who claim to want government regulation to save the environment from greenhouse gases, show your real commitment, and stop emitting Carbon Dioxide now!

You'd be amazed at how much that would improve the environment.