National Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters
Conducted April 16-17, 2010

By Rasmussen Reports

1* How closely have you followed recent news stories about the U.S. Supreme Court?

34% Very closely
39% Somewhat closely

23% Not very closely

3% Not at all

1% Not sure

2* Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of John Paul Stevens?

12% Very favorable
22% Somewhat favorable

21% Somewhat unfavorable

10% Very unfavorable

35% Not sure

3* Do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression of Sonia Sotomayor?

16% Very favorable
27% Somewhat favorable

24% Somewhat unfavorable

18% Very unfavorable

16% Not sure

4* Suppose the president nominates someone to serve on the Supreme Court who is legally and professionally qualified for the job. Is it fair for a U.S. senator to oppose that nominee because of disagreements over ideology or judicial philosophy?

56% Yes
29% No
15% Not sure

5* What is more important in picking someone to serve on the Supreme Court – the nominee’s legal background or ensuring a court that is as diverse as American society?

52% Nominee’s legal background
36% Ensuring a court that is as diverse as American Society

12% Not sure

NOTE: Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence