Interesting results from CNN/Gallup/USA Today poll:
How likely do you think it is that Bush would appoint someone to the U.S. Supreme Court who would let their religious beliefs inappropriately influence their legal decisions: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?
33% Very Likely
30% Somewhat Likely
23% Not Too Likely
12% Not At All Likely
2% Unsure
How likely do you think it is that the Democrats in the Senate would attempt to block Bush’s nominee for inappropriate political reasons: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?
58% Very Likely
28% Somewhat Likely
23% Not Too Likely
6% Not At All Likely
6% Unsure
What they really need to do is show the union of the two groups. For insance, 35% of the respondants feel it is not too likely, not at all likely or are unsure about whether the dems will be overly political in their opposition. What is the overlap between this group, and the 33% of respondants who feel that it is very likely Bush will nominate an overly religious judge.
You can’t just look at these responses in a vaccum.
“Inappropriate” is an interesting word. It means whatever a particular person wants it to mean in a particular situation.
Inappropriate in this case simply captures a “trust” or no-confidence distrust of the President or Congress.
Eric, what I’d be more interested in are called the “cross-tabs” (this may be precisely what you mean by “union”)– how did the 33% on the first question respond to the second question.
I suspect that a large number of people distrust the president but also distrust Congress even if the president picked a fair candidate. They’re fed up with everyone, so to speak. I also suspect, that at the margins, the President is less distrusted than Congress, so he may be winning this one. The two questions seem to show that, but without cross-tabs, its hard to be sure.
Your second set of numbers adds up to 121%. Please update.