CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL

For release: Thursday, August 21, 2014

7:00 am ET


Response to the Ferguson Shooting
August 19-20, 2014

Following the shooting of a young African American man by a white police officer in Ferguson,
Missouri and the subsequent unrest there, fewer than half of Americans are satisfied with
President Barack Obamas response, but assessments are more positive than negative.

41% of Americans are satisfied with how the President is responding to the situation in
Ferguson, while 34% are dissatisfied. A quarter doesnt have an opinion.

African Americans, who have been strong supporters of Mr. Obama, are satisfied with his
response (60%), compared to just 35% of whites. Partisanship also plays a role: Republicans
are more critical of the President than Democrats.

President Obamas Response to Situation in Ferguson
Total Whites Blacks Reps Dems Inds
Satisfied 41% 35% 60% 25% 61% 36%
Dissatisfied 34 39 20 49 16 37
Dont know 25 25 21 26 23 26

President Obamas response to events in Ferguson is viewed less negatively than President
George H.W. Bushs response during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Those riots followed the
acquittal of white policemen in the beating of motorist Rodney King, an African American. Back
then, more were dissatisfied with President Bushs response (46%).

Response of Presidents to Unrest in Communities
President Obama President Bush
Now (Ferguson) 1992 (L.A. Riots)
Satisfied 41% 39%
Dissatisfied 34 46
Dont know 25 15

Americans nationwide divide on how Missouris Governor, Democrat Jay Nixon, is handling the
situation in Ferguson. Blacks are more likely than whites to be dissatisfied with Gov. Nixons
response to the situation. Many dont have an opinion.

Missouri Gov. Nixons Response to Situation in Ferguson
Total Whites Blacks
Satisfied 32% 34% 24%
Dissatisfied 34 33 49
Dont know 34 33 27

Earlier this week, Gov. Nixon announced he was bringing in the National Guard to assist local
and state law enforcement officers. Views are mixed on the impact the National Guard is
having in Ferguson. 26% of Americans think their presence is making the situation better, while
20% thinks it is making the situation worse. A third thinks the National Guard is not having
much of an effect. Blacks are more likely than whites to think the National Guard is making
things worse.

The National Guard is Making the Situation in Ferguson
Total Whites Blacks
Better 26% 29% 20%
Worse 20 17 38
Not much effect 35 35 34
______________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone August 19-20, 2014 among 1,025 adults nationwide. Data
collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News and the New York Times by SSRS of Media, PA.
Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones.

Additional interviews were conducted with African Americans, who had previously completed a survey as
part of a random sample, to yield a sample size of 294 African Americans. 599 whites were interviewed.

The combined African American and non-African American samples were weighted separately to match
their groups population characteristics such as gender, age, education, region, marital status and phone
use based on recent U.S. Census estimates. The samples were then combined and weighted to the total
U.S. adult population.

The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus four percentage
points. The error for subgroups may be higher. The margin of error for the sample of whites is 5 pts and 8
pts for African Americans. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. This poll release conforms
to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL
Response to the Ferguson Shooting
August 19-20, 2014

Q15a. Do you think stationing National Guard troops in Ferguson, Missouri is making the situation in
Ferguson (better), making it (worse), or not having much effect?

Total Whites Blacks
% % %
Better 26 29 20
Worse 20 17 38
Not having much effect 35 35 34
Dont know/No Answer 19 20 8

Q17. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Barack Obama has responded to the situation in
Ferguson?

Satisfied 41 35 60
Dissatisfied 34 39 20
Dont know/No Answer 25 25 21

Q18. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has responded to the
situation in Ferguson?

Satisfied 32 34 24
Dissatisfied 34 33 49
Dont know/No Answer 34 33 27

Unweighted Weighted Margin of error
Total Respondents 1025 4pts

Whites 599 706 5pts
Blacks 294 122 8pts