Washington Post Virginia State Poll, August 2001

This special topic poll, conducted August 19-23, 2001, was designed to assess respondents' views on the upcoming November 6, 2001, Virginia gubernatorial election and the state of affairs in Virginia. Virginia residents were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush, Virginia governor Jim Gilmore and his handling of the governorship, Republican candidate Mark Earley, Democratic candidate Mark Warner, and Virginia's Republican and Democratic parties. Respondents were asked whether they were paying attention to the campaign, whether they intended to vote in the election, and for whom they would vote given a choice among Earley, Warner, and Libertarian candidate William Redpath. Views were sought on which candidate would work to hold taxes down, look out for the interests of people like the respondent, strengthen the state's economy, say anything to get elected, and improve transportation and the roads, and which candidate was best qualified to be governor. A series of questions addressed the campaign issues and the candidates' positions on those issues, including the importance of education, eliminating the Virginia state car tax, holding down taxes, improving transportation and roads, improving public education, strengthening the state economy, addressing gun control, and addressing abortion. Respondents were asked whether they preferred a governor who would move the state in a new direction or keep things the way they were, was a successful businessman, had been endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), was willing to spend his own money on the campaign, was strongly supported by conservative Christian groups, and/or had experience as an elected official. Additional topics covered whether northern Virginia residents had too much influence in state politics, whether respondents were upset that the Virginia legislature adjourned earlier in the year without passing a budget, how increased numbers of immigrants had affected their community, whether the administration of Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in Virginia schools should continue, and whether the death penalty was used fairly in Virginia. Background information on respondents includes age, gender, political party, political orientation, voter registration and participation history, employment status, marital status, education, religion, military service, children in household, average commute time, size of city of residence, household gun ownership, Hispanic origin, household income, length of Virginia residency, whether the respondent lived inside the "Beltway," and whether the respondent was employed by the "dot.com" (technology)industry.