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October 2003 Poll #2
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October 2003 Poll #1
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Is China's successful manned space flight likely to spark a new space race with the US?
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Yes
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28%
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No
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68%
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Undecided
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4%
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Total votes: 114
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What factor is most important to you when flying a commercial airline?
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Cost of Ticket
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47%
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Service Quality
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13%
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Safety Record
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21%
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Aircraft Age
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11%
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Other
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8%
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Total votes: 109
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Comment: In the short term, it is probably doubtful that China's space program will have much impact
on those of the US, Russia, or Europe. That could change very quickly, however, if the Chinese begin to
fulfill some of their more ambitious goals, such as establishing a permanent base on the Moon. In that
event, it is likely that the US, and perhaps other countries as well, would accelerate their own space
programs out of national pride and possibly defense concerns.
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Comment: These results were about what we expected. Even though airline passengers are apt to
complain about cramped seating and the poor quality of food, they routinely choose the cheapest tickets
time and again. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for!
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September 2003 Poll #2
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September 2003 Poll #1
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Which candidate in the California recall election will best promote the state's aerospace and defense interests?
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Gray Davis
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7%
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Arnold Schwarzenegger
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51%
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Cruz Bustamante
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7%
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Tom McClintock
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13%
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Arianna Huffington
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3%
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Peter Camejo
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0%
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Other
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3%
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No difference
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16%
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Total votes: 99
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Is a major terrorist attack on US soil more or less likely now than it was on September 11, 2001?
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More likely
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31%
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Less likely
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26%
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About the same
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40%
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Undecided
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3%
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Total votes: 97
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Comment: It's not often that a local election is worthy of such attention, but we couldn't resist
this opportunity, for the sake of our California staff members if no one else. Regardless, everything
appears to be coming up roses for the Terminator who, after a rocky start, seems to have suddenly broken
out to a resounding lead both in this poll and statewide polls.
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Comment: These results came out surprisingly even with about a third of respondents supporting each
viewpoint. Contrary to many politicians and media commentators, we tend to believe that the vulnerability
to a major attack within the US is probably somewhat lower than in was two years ago. Though by no means
perfect, many improvements have been made in tightening security at airports and major public arenas.
Significant progress has also been made in capturing terrorists and their leaders as well as disrupting
their communications and financial support. Much still needs to be done, but it is definitely more
difficult for al Qaeda to operate now than it was prior to September 11.
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August 2003 Poll #2
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August 2003 Poll #1
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What was the most dangerous fighter produced by the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
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MiG-15
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4%
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MiG-21
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14%
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Su-15
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2%
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Tu-28
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1%
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MiG-23
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2%
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MiG-25
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10%
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Su-27
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30%
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MiG-29
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26%
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MiG-31
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7%
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Other
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2%
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Total votes: 214
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Do you think it was the correct decision to release images and video of the bodies of Uday and Qusay Hussein?
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Yes
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65%
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No
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26%
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Undecided
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9%
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Total votes: 104
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Comment: Probably the best way to answer this question is to consider the threat posed by the
Soviet fighter to its Western counterparts. In that light, the winner should probably be the MiG-15, which
was superior or equal to anything the US or UK could pit against it over the skies of Korea. Since that
time, however, the Soviets usually found themselves trying to catch-up to the West. Even though the
Su-27 and MiG-29 ended up leading in votes, they were essentially the Soviet answer to the
F-15 and F-16 five to ten years after the
American planes had already entered service.
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Comment: Despite the somewhat gruesome nature of the footage, there was really no choice but to
release the imagery for the sake of a skeptical Iraqi people. Otherwise, their fear over the possible
return of the former regime would likely remain even higher than it is now.
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