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54% Favor Flag Burning Amendment | ||||||||||||||
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Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters July 7, 2005
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July 14, 2005--Fifty-four percent (54%) of American voters favor a Constitutional Amendment that would make it illegal to burn the American flag. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 39% are opposed to amending the Constitution in this manner. Conservatives favor the Amendment by a 70% to 24% margin. Liberals are opposed by a 63% to 34% margin. Moderates are more evenly divided with 49% in favor and 41% opposed. From a partisan perspective, Republicans favor the Amendment by a 67% to 26% margin. Democrats are more divided--42% in favor and 52% opposed. Those not affiliated with either major party favor the Amendment 51% to 41%. Typically, polling support for an issue falls 10 points or more when a Constitutional Amendment is required. [More data below]
Americans are generally reluctant to Amend the U.S. Constitution. Most recent Amendments have dealt with the rules of government (such as Presidential term limits or changing the voting age). The last policy change made by Amending was the Prohibition of alcohol in 1919. That Amendment was repealed in 1933. The last policy change that is still in effect was made by the 16th Amendment. Ratified in 1913, that Amendment allowed the government to collect income taxes. A related survey found that 58% of Likely Voters say that Senate Democrats should vote to confirm a qualified conservative nominee for the Supreme Court. Earlier survey data showed that 42% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court. Nearly as many, 41%, have an unfavorable opinion. Retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is viewed favorably by 55% of American voters. Just 17% believe she is politically conservative. During the battle over Judicial nominations earlier this year, just 22% of Americans had a favorable opinion of the filibuster compromise reached by fourteen Senators. Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information. Our publications provide real-time information on consumer confidence, investor confidence, employment data, the political situation, and other topics of value and interest. We provide daily updates on the economic confidence of Consumers and Investors. Our consumer data generally identifies trends two to six weeks ahead of traditional consumer confidence measures. To keep up with our latest releases, be sure to visit the Rasmussen Reports Home Page.
This survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports July 7, 2005. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. |
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