Poll Watch: Fox News Survey on the September 11 Attacks

Fox News Survey on the 9/11 Attacks

I am going to mention some things the United States did in reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Please tell me if you think each one was an overreaction, about the right response, or did not go far enough.

Taking military action against Afghanistan

• Overreaction 21%
• About right 56%
• Did not go far enough 17%

Among Democrats

• Overreaction 26%
• About right 56%
• Did not go far enough 11%

Among Republicans

• Overreaction 13%
• About right 58%
• Did not go far enough 23%

Among Independents

• Overreaction 24%
• About right 56%
• Did not go far enough 16%

Taking military action against Iraq

• Overreaction 40%
• About right 44%
• Did not go far enough 12%

Among Democrats

• Overreaction 51%
• About right 37%
• Did not go far enough 8%

Among Republicans

• Overreaction 26%
• About right 54%
• Did not go far enough 17%

Among Independents

• Overreaction 45%
• About right 42%
• Did not go far enough 10%

Using interrogation techniques like waterboarding on terrorist suspects

• Overreaction 33%
• About right 40%
• Did not go far enough 18%

Among Democrats

• Overreaction 46%
• About right 32%
• Did not go far enough 13%

Among Republicans

• Overreaction 19%
• About right 50%
• Did not go far enough 26%

Among Independents

• Overreaction 34%
• About right 41%
• Did not go far enough 16%

Establishing the Department of Homeland Security

• Overreaction 16%
• About right 65%
• Did not go far enough 15%

Increasing security screening procedures at airports

• Overreaction 22%
• About right 64%
• Did not go far enough 11%

Which one of the following do you think had the biggest effect on the United States in the last 50 years?

• The September 11 terrorist attacks 55%
• Vietnam War 18%
• The Kennedy assassination 8%
• The collapse of communism 8%
• The Watergate scandal 2%

Do you think the United States is safer or less safe today than before 9/11?

• Safer 54%
• Less safe 33%
• Same 11%

How likely do you think it is that another terrorist attack causing large numbers of American lives to be lost will happen in the near future?

• Very likely 24%
• Somewhat likely 51%
• Not very likely 19%
• Not likely at all 4%

As a result of Usama bin Laden’s death, do you think the United States is safer from terrorism, more at risk now, or has there not been much of a change?

• Safer 21%
• More at risk 19%
• Not much change 58%

Do you believe the intelligence community is correct in saying that Usama bin Laden was responsible for the September 11th attacks?

• Yes 80%
• No 11%

In preventing terrorist attacks, overall do you think the United States has been effective or lucky?

• Effective 49%
• Lucky 34%
• Both 13%

Survey of 911 registered voters was conducted August 29-31, 2011, under the joint direction of Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. Party ID breakdown: 43% Democrat; 37% Republican; 19% Independent.