DOI: 10.3886/icpsr07819.v1
title: CBS News/New York Times Polls, 1979
title: Version 1

description: This study is part of a continuing series of monthly polls that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Each data file in the collection represents a distinct nationwide survey that was conducted during 1979. Approximately 1,000-1,500 randomly selected adults were interviewed by telephone in each poll. Respondents were asked to give their opinions of President Jimmy Carter and his handling of the presidency, foreign affairs, and the economy, as well as their views on a range of current social and economic issues. In addition the March 1979 Poll on Peace in the Middle East (Part 3) focused specifically on the peace treaty signed by Egypt and Israel. Respondents were asked if they believed this agreement would lead to long-term peace between the two nations, whether peace between Israel and other Arab countries was likely, and whether President Carter's participation and the United States' role in facilitating negotiations were necessary to achieve the peace agreement. Nuclear power and energy shortages were explored in Part 4, April 1979 Poll on Nuclear Power. Respondents were asked if they agreed that there was a need for more nuclear power plants, how they felt about having a nuclear power plant in their own community, and, given the choice, if they would rather build more power plants, cut back on personal use of energy, or pay higher prices for foreign oil. Other questions concerned how increasing gasoline prices might affect driving habits, the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident, and whether or not solar energy could solve the energy crisis. The June 1979 Poll-Pre-1980 Election (Part 5) focused on qualities voters looked for in presidential candidates and how ongoing domestic and international issues might affect their pre-election voting preferences. Specific topics included inflation, the energy crisis, and the arms race. Respondents were asked how rising gasoline prices, lines at gas stations, and the prospect of gasoline rationing had impacted their lives and driving habits, what they thought about the arms limitation talks between the United States and the Soviet Union, and whether the SALT treaty, if approved, would reduce the chance of war with the Soviet Union. The primary focus of Part 6, July 1979 Poll on the Oil Shortage, were gasoline and oil shortages, gasoline rationing, increasing energy prices, proposals for reducing energy consumption, and the United States' dependence on foreign oil. Respondents' views on presidential candidates, the influx of Asian refugees ('boat people'), and the possible legalization of marijuana were also elicited. The Mid-July 1979 Poll after President Carter's Speech (Part 7) explored respondents' reactions to the crisis in national confidence that President Carter had referred to in his televised speech. Respondents were asked whether they believed there was a crisis in confidence in the country, and if listening to the speech had changed their own sense of confidence in the United States. In Part 8, November 1979 Poll on Issues of 1979 (with Pre-1980 Election Focus), respondents were asked to rate how they felt things were going in the United States and in their personal life, how this compared to five years before and whether they anticipated the following five years to be better or worse. Additional questions concerned leadership qualities of presidential candidates, abortion rights, the ordination of women, whether the United States should negotiate with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and whether the SALT treaty should or should not be approved by the Senate. Background information on respondents includes voter participation history, political party affiliation, political orientation, age, race, religion, education, household income, armed forces service, and participation in labor unions.
description: Random sample.
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: January 1979 Poll DS2: February 1979 Poll DS3: March 1979 Poll on Peace in the Middle East DS4: April 1979 Poll on Nuclear Power DS5: June 1979 Poll -- Pre-1980 Election DS6: July 1979 Poll on the Oil Shortage DS7: Mid-July 1979 Poll After President Carter's Speech DS8: November 1979 Poll on Issues of 1979 (with Pre-Election Focus)
description: Adults living in the United States with telephones.