Poll: 15 Years After Oklahoma City, Domestic Terrorism Still Viewed as Serious Threat

CBS News Poll analysis by the CBS News Polling Unit: Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus and Anthony Salvanto.

It's been 15 years since the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, an act of terrorism committed by an American, Timothy McVeigh. While more Americans see the threat of international terrorism as more serious, nearly four in 10 think domestic terrorism is a bigger issue, according to a new CBS News poll.

When asked which is more serious -- international or domestic terrorism -- 46 percent of Americans say international terrorism committed by citizens from other countries. Fewer, 38 percent, think domestic terrorism perpetrated by American citizens is the larger threat.

Views on this question have changed a bit from eight years ago, just eight months after the 9/11 attacks. The percentage choosing international terrorism has fallen by 10 points, and the number picking domestic terrorism is now up eight points.

There are some demographic differences on this issue. More than half of men think international terrorism is the more serious threat, while women are more divided, with slightly more saying the threat of domestic terrorism (44 percent) is more serious than international terrorism (40 percent).

Older Americans are more likely to think terrorism committed by citizens from other countries is more of a concern, while younger people say terror acts carried out by Americans citizens are more threatening.

Region matters, too. International terrorism is of most concern to those living in the Midwest, while domestic terrorism is more serious for those living in the Northeast.

There's little difference when it comes to political party. Over four in 10 Republicans, Democrats and independents say the threat of international terrorism is more serious.

Read the Complete Poll

---

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 858 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone March 29-April 1, 2010. Phone numbers were dialed from random digit dial samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[msjb1]

when we find one right in the act just kill em right on the spot, get them one by one after a while will get rid of them, I can't figure out why we did not give that fool in fort hood a good dose of lead poisoning, he would not be wasting our air supply the only good terrorist is a dead one remember that.

[nolieshere]

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/02/09/think-tea-party-movement/

[tsigili]

The primary threat, domestically, is still from those living here, of the Muslim religion. It is way more fanatical than the Tea Party, I can assure you of that.

[msjb1]

thems the ones that need killing off just like weeding your garden get rid of the weeds and the people will grow stronger

[stormerF2]

Where was the worry over domestic terrorists when Bush was in Office? Maybe we felt safer, Because we did not have a Socialist who thinks he can reason with evil in the Oval Office. All Obama does is travel and campaign,now to California for Boxer and we Tax Payers get to pay for it. How About all the Carbon foot printing he is doing,or does it only matter when you or I do it? Frickin Hypocrite.

[Palin_for_Presidentess]

Could just be the sedition of the tea baggers too.

[syslmod]

Timmy boy was a terrorist. He was an un american traitor and deserved more than what he got. Too bad no one has the video tape of his execution on you-tube.

[KeithDrippingSprings]

Go ahead and blame each other in these posts. You are just as stupid as this report.

This is only propaganda being used to keep you worried and scared so you will let the government take as much of your liberty as they want to.

If you want to be safe, if your want better government, if you want a bright future for your children send all the incumbent Legislators home. Stay involved in politics and demand that things change. As long as you are gullible enough to play the "us against them" game, things will not change. Elect any one you wish for President it really won't matter.

[Palin_for_Presidentess]

Domestic Terrorists?

Are they talking about Judeo-Christian extremists? It is obvious to me that we need to start profiling these people. Why shake down grandma when the people carrying Bibles and attending churches pose all of the threat?

[chitown639]

It's really hard to understand just why the Militias, White Supremists, Patriot Groups and the Tea Party hate America so much. Everytime a democrat is elected into the White House, the nation has to brace itself for the entire presidential term for another Right-Wing domestic terrorist against America.

[IL-Independent]

Chitown,

The Tea Party people do not hate America you idiot. God you are so dense it is a wonder how you are able to post. You are a complete moron. You know I really think you need your head examined boy, you're brain dead

[IL-Independent]

by skyk-2009 April 19, 2010 11:39 AM EDT
chitown639, I know they are like children except we allow them to play with guns! LOL They are cowards and always have been. They can't sit down and convince people they are right so they try to blow up innocent ones. They really do NOT know much about real American's.

Well well, look, it's skyk. Another clueless person who has no brain. I can say this because of your post.

[infantryman1968]

Poll: Most Americans Don't Trust Government
In New Pew Survey, 80 Percent Say They Don't Trust Washington; Nearly Half See Negative Impact in Daily Lives

LOL!

Translation: 4 out of 5 Americans dont trust Obama or his followers.

[pasmalltown]

by infantryman1968 April 19, 2010 10:37 AM EDT -
"They Don't Trust Washington;..."
---------------------------------
So "Washington" is Obama and his followers??? Your "translation" is porous, learn that from Beck?

[thebob-bob]

That was when those white radical Christianists attacked America and murdered hundreds in the heartland. And the perpetrators of the "Hate the Government" propaganda are still free, pedaling Fear, Hatred and Division. "Real Americans"???