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Attacks on U.S. Soil
With John Zogby
President and CEO of Zogby International
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT
Last Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, in a horrific series of events, two hijacked planes hit and destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center, one plane crashed into the Pentagon and another in Somerset County, Pa. Thousands are presumed dead or injured as emergency services and relief workers continue to make sense of the chaotic scenes. The Bush administration and law enforcement officials are actively seeking those responsible and have declared war on terrorism.
John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International and nationally known pollster, will be online to talk about the jump in approval numbers for New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and President Bush during this time of crisis.
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John Zogby: This is a horrific series of events -- unprecedented in recent American history. And, like everyone else, not only are our thoughts and prayers with victims and their families, but this is a time for bonding together. We all need each other.
Washington, D.C.:
Does a president's poll numbers usually rise as much as Bush's have in times of crisis?
John Zogby: A president's poll numbers generally rise during any time of crisis. But again, given the unprecedented nature of this crisis, it is sufficient to point out that Bush's numbers have risen dramatically, and that doesn't surprise me at all.
You saw John F. Kennedy's numbers rise during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Carter's rise in the immediate aftermath of the Iranian crisis and, of course, the president's father's numbers during Operation Desert Storm rose.
Americans tend to rally around the flag and their leader -- both of whom are symbols.
Seattle, Wash.:
I did not vote for President Bush. The President now deserves and will receive 100 percent support from me in this time of crisis. We should be mindful that all Americans, of all faiths, are entitled to protection.
Ray Cavanagh, Seattle
John Zogby: This comment is a good one and it underscores my previous comment. It also raises the issue of the treatment of Arab Americans. I am a proud American of Arab descent, and while I am pleased with the thoughtful response and behavior of both the media and our political leaders, I am concerned about unsavory elements in our communities who are looking to lash out at easy victims.
Washington, D.C.:
Mr. Zogby,
Your brother is the President of the Arab-American Institute, and you are a pollster of some repute. As an Arab-American with personal and
familial ties to politics, what do you feel should be done about the backlash towards Arabs and Muslims (and
even Sihks) in the US?
How worrying is the Washington Post-ABC poll that reported 44 percent of Americans are more suspicious of
Arab Americans due to the attack? Are you planning on doing a poll on national mood towards
Arab-Americans?
John Zogby: I appreciate that series of questions.
I will certainly make no effort to hide my ethnicity nor my prominence. Yes, I will have polling numbers out tomorrow on this whole series of events including attitudes toward Arab-Americans and Muslims. I then plan to track these issues daily as a means of both measuring public reaction and presidential leadership as well as shifts in attitudes toward the groups.
John Zogby: I want to make clear that I am talking about anti-Arab elements.
Atlanta, Ga.:
Isn't it harder to get good data while people are under such stress?
John Zogby: Actually it is not. What we are finding, on the contrary, is a greater willingness to respond to polling. The data is accurate because it reflects the current fever pitch. I suspect that there will be some shift as raw emotions give way to more thoughtful responses. However, I believe that the polls have accurately captured where Americans are today.
Alexandria, Va.:
Do you think that polls during times of war about how a non-educated public feels about a
highly briefed president might actually hurt the current state of affairs? Couldn't it lead to a president making decisions based on boosting his popularity rather than what is in the best interest of the nation?
John Zogby: No, I do not believe that is an issue. We need to have polls as a means of bolstering our leaders in a time of crisis just as we need polls to provide a warning system when leadership is unsatisfactory.
Delray, Va.:
Has anyone done a poll about Republicans & Democrats and who the nation falls behind during war? Will this "war" have any baring on the current races, such as the tight Virginia governor's race?
John Zogby: I don't believe anyone is thinking about partisanship right now. I recall clearly Senator Goldwater telling a reporter on Nov. 22, 1963 that "this is hardly the time to talk about politics." I think that this is a situation that will complicate political races down the road, but it is much too early to project how. There are clearly so many things ahead of us that will have an impact on how Americans view their president, Congress and candidates. We will have to let those play out.
Reston, Va.:
I've heard numbers ranging from 57% to 75% in support of war against an as yet unidentified enemy. What are the demographic characteristics of those who feel war is not currently justified?
John Zogby: Another good question. I have actually seen higher numbers in the 80s and 90s that support a war against as yet an unnamed enemy. I have cot seen the demographic break down of other polls. Again, my Reuters poll will be out later tomorrow, and when I see them later tonight I will have a better answer. However, if those numbers in support of war are still in the 80s and 90s there would appear to be very few significant demographic differences.
Berkeley, Calif.:
How much are you seeing Americans stepping back from the gut desire for quick revenge and thinking about the need to avoid harming innocent civilians in, say, Afghanistan, or the need to maintain rather than curtail our domestic civil liberties? Is there likelihood that the public will demand a reasoned and measured response to this disaster?
John Zogby: Excellent question. I think that you will have a more measured and thoughtful response as each day passes. What we know already is that blanket support of military action, 93 percent in the Washington Post poll, falls to 69 percent when the issue of American casualties comes into play and 77 percent when it involves innocent civilians in other countries. This is why polling is important, because it plays a role in the decision making of our leaders -- not the main role, but at least an important consideration.
Portland, Ore.:
Had you considered a poll regarding America's tollerance or lack there of of Civil Rights and Liberties. Are there other polls done in the week past that convey public opinion in this subject area
John Zogby: Our Reuter's poll tomorrow will actually deal with these issues and our ongoing tracking will get into the issue of restricted civil liberties in greater detail. As time passes however travelers will still complain at airports. We have seen it before.
John Zogby: I would like to invite people to our web site tomorrow (www.zogby.com) and urge you to suggest future polling questions.
Polling is just another way of Americans connecting with each other, and this is certainly a time when we all need that.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
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