CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll #1, May 2002

This poll is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President George W. Bush and his handling of the presidency, the campaign against terrorism, foreign policy, and the economy, as well as their impressions of John Ashcroft and Cardinal Bernard Law. They also expressed their opinions on the Cuba trade embargo set by the United States and on the meaning of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution with regard to the right to bear arms. A series of questions focused on the crisis in the Middle East involving Israel and the Palestinians, Yasir Arafat, the way George W. Bush was handling the situation involving Israel and the Palestinians, and the role played by the United States in the Middle East. Respondents also gave their opinions on the status of the war in Afghanistan and the outcomes of this war, the likelihood and seriousness of another terrorist attack in the United States, and the possibility that scientists might be able to clone human beings, as well as the Catholic Church's handling of recent charges of sex abuse of children and teenagers by priests. Respondents also expressed their concerns about personal safety since September 11, 2001, and the actions taken to improve personal security since the terrorist attacks. Background information includes the respondent's political party, voter status, marital status, religion, education, income, race, age, and gender.