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42% Have Favorable Opinion of U.S. Supreme Court | ||||||||||||||
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Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters July 7, 2005
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July 9, 2005--Forty-two percent (42%) of Americans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that nearly as many, 41%, have an unfavorable opinion. By way of comparison, 67% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the U.S. military. Liberal voters have a higher opinion of the Court than conservatives. Among those who are to the left of center politically, 47% have a favorable opinion of the Court while 34% hold an unfavorable view. Most conservatives (53%) have an unfavorable opinion of the Supreme Court. Just 36% offer a favorable opinion. Just over a month ago, before handing down controversial rulings on the Ten Commandments and eminent domain, the nation's highest Court was viewed favorably by 39% and unfavorably by 33%. Five years ago, a July 1, 2000 found that 35% of Americans agreed with most Supreme Court decisions while 30% disagreed. Retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is viewed favorably by 55% of American voters. 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. There was modest support for changing the filibuster rules so that all nominees could be guaranteed a vote by the full Senate. Cultural issues, often decided by Supreme Court rulings were the most important issue for 10% of voters on Election Day, 2004. These voters overwhelmingly supported President Bush. Forty-six percent (46%) of Americans say the Supreme Court is too hostile to religion. A March, 2005 survey found that 28% believe the Court is too liberal and 24% say it is too conservative. A separate survey found that 31% believe most judges are too liberal and 19% believe they are too conservative. Favorable views of the Supreme Court are now held by 40% of Republicans, 40% of Democrats and 49% of those not affiliated with either major party. Among men, the Court is viewed favorably by 43% and unfavorably by 43%. Among women, the numbers are 42% favorable and 39% unfavorable. An Election 2004 survey found that voters believed that the Massachusetts State Supreme Court exceeded their authority by mandating same-sex marriages for their state. 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 +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. |
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