2008-06-30-皮尤-As_Gas_Prices_Pinch,_Support_for_Energy_Exploration_Rises_12页_56kb

Summary of the Pew Research Center Survey on Energy Exploration and Iraq War Views (June 2008)

Core Content

The Pew Research Center conducted a nationwide survey in June 2008, which revealed significant shifts in public opinion regarding energy exploration and the Iraq War. The survey included 2,004 adults and was conducted via telephone, with both landline and cell phone samples.

Main Findings

Energy Exploration and Conservation

• Public Support for Energy Exploration: Amid record gas prices, public support for increased energy exploration has risen significantly. In June 2008, 47% of Americans believed that expanding exploration, mining, and drilling, as well as constructing new power plants, should be the more important national priority for energy policy, up from 35% in February 2008.
• Shift in Priorities: The proportion of Americans who prioritized energy conservation and regulation has declined by 10 points, from 55% to 45%.
• Partisan Gap: The partisan gap over energy exploration has narrowed. In February 2008, Republicans were more likely to favor energy exploration than Democrats. However, by June 2008, the majority of both Democrats and Republicans supported expanded energy exploration, with 46% of Democrats and 43% of Republicans favoring it.
• Demographic Shifts: Support for energy exploration has increased among previously less supportive groups, including young people, liberals, independents, and women. For instance:
  • Young people (18-29): Support increased from 26% to 51%
  • Women: Support increased from 28% to 46%
  • Liberals: Support doubled from 22% to 45%
  • Independents: Support increased by 19 points
  • Democrats: Support increased by 16 points

ANWR Drilling

• Support for Drilling in ANWR: Support for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) increased from 42% in February to 50% in June 2008.
• Political Division: Despite the overall increase, views on ANWR drilling remain politically divided. Republicans (75%) still outnumber Democrats (36%) in favoring drilling in ANWR.
• Age and Gender Trends: Support for ANWR drilling has increased across age groups, but Americans over 65 continue to support it at a higher rate (62%) than those younger than 30 (37%). Women also showed increased support (from 35% to 45%), but still lag behind men (56%).

Iraq War Views

• Military Effort in Iraq: Public opinion remains largely negative about the U.S. military effort in Iraq. In June 2008, 52% of respondents said the effort was not going well, while 44% believed it was going fairly or very well.
• Troop Withdrawal: There is a division over whether the U.S. should bring troops home as soon as possible (52%) or keep them until the country stabilizes (43%).
• Opinion on War Decision: A majority (55%) of Americans believe the U.S. made the wrong decision in using military force in Iraq, with only 39% saying it was the right decision.
• Success of the War: 50% believe the U.S. will succeed in achieving its goals in Iraq, while 42% think it will fail.

Key Information

• Survey Methodology: The survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International and included a sample of 2,004 adults. The data was weighted using demographic parameters and telephone status estimates.
• Sampling Error: The total sample has a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
• Trends Over Time: Support for energy exploration has increased significantly since 2001, when the majority favored conservation and regulation. This shift was most notable in the support for ANWR drilling, which reached its highest level in a decade.
• Stability in Iraq War Opinions: Opinions about the Iraq War have remained relatively stable over the past few months, with little change in the perception of the military effort and the decision to go to war.

Conclusion

The survey highlights a notable shift in public opinion towards energy exploration, driven by rising gas prices and demographic changes. While support for energy exploration has grown, support for drilling in ANWR remains politically divided, with a clear majority of Republicans favoring it. Opinions on the Iraq War remain largely critical, with a majority believing the war was the wrong decision and that the military effort is not going well.