Poll: Opinion Of Roberts Undecided

49 Percent Of Americans 'Can't Say' If Roberts Should Be Confirmed

(CBS)  When asked specifically about John Roberts in that late-August poll, nearly eight in 10 said it is important that the Senate know Roberts’ positions on issues such as abortion and affirmative action before confirming him, including 46% who say this was "very important."

Sixty-four percent of Democrats said it was "very important" to know his positions on these issues, compared to just 30 percent of Republicans. Women were also more likely than men to say knowing Roberts’ views on issues like abortion and affirmative action was “very important.”

IMPORTANT FOR SENATE TO KNOW ROBERTS’ POSITION ON ISSUES LIKE
ABORTION AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION?

Aug. 29-31
Very
46%
Somewhat
32%
Not very/not at all
21%

In the August 29-31st poll, expectations regarding the tone of the confirmation hearings were somewhat mixed. 44% thought Senators would conduct hearings fairly and in a non-partisan manner, but 49% expected the parties would not be able to work together.

WILL REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WORK TOGETHER?

Aug. 29-31
Yes, will work together
44%
No, will not work together
49%

July 2005
Yes, will work together
43%
No, will not work together
47%

Still, 71 percent expected Justice Roberts to be confirmed to the Supreme Court -- including majorities of both Democrats and Republicans.

EXPECT JOHN ROBERTS WILL BE CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE?

Aug. 29-31
Yes
71%
No
7%
Don't know
22%

Perhaps part of the reason so many Americans are holding off on judging Roberts' nomination is that they don't know much about him yet. About seven in 10 either hadn’t heard enough about Roberts or were undecided in their views of him. Those who did have an opinion held a favorable one: 22 percent viewed Roberts favorably, while just 8 percent viewed him unfavorably.

OPINION OF JOHN ROBERTS

Aug. 29-31

Favorable
22%
Unfavorable
8%
Undecided
24%
Haven't heard enough
45%

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The August poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 871 adults, interviewed by telephone August 29-31, 2005. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on all adults. Error for subgroups is higher.

For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.
This poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 725 adults, interviewed by telephone September 6-7, 2005. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage points. Error for subgroups is higher.