What has changed is the primary explanation offered by those who oppose stem-cell research. In 2004, 58 percent of these respondents cited moral or religious concerns, while 37 percent said it was “not a good use of public money.” In the new poll, however, only 46 percent mention moral or religious objections, compared to 49 percent who oppose such a use of public funds. Among those who favor the research, the primary explanation remained the same. In the 2004 poll, 21 percent said they know someone with a disease that might benefit from stem-cell research, and 75 percent cited their support for scientific progress generally. The results in the new poll were 21 percent and 77 percent, respectively.
Though public opinion appears unswayed by the potential scientific breakthrough, that doesn’t mean there won’t be political ripples. Even before the announcement, the issue was already gathering steam. Some candidates for the November midterm elections have seized stem-cell research as a campaign theme. And in July, President George W. Bush issued his first veto ever to kill legislation that would have expanded federal funds for the research. Many political analysts predict that this week’s news will further stoke debate of the issue in the fall campaign season.
So far, Bush doesn’t seem to be changing his position in light of the new stem-cell method. “Any use of human embryos for research purposes raises serious ethical questions,” said a White House spokeswoman in response to the news. “This technique does not resolve those concerns.” Yet Bush may wind up paying a price for holding firm. According to the NEWSWEEK Poll, only 31 percent of respondents approve of the way the president is handling the issue of federally funded stem-cell research, while 52 percent disapprove.
Public attitudes may ratchet up the pressure on Bush to modify his stance. Overall, 50 percent of those polled think the administration should change its position given the new method, compared to 35 percent who believe it should not. Among Democrats, 60 percent think Bush should change his position, while only 36 percent of Republicans say he should. (That’s similar to the partisan breakdown on the issue of the research itself, with 54 percent of Democrats supporting it and only 38 percent of Republicans backing it. On the related issue of in vitro fertilization, 53 percent of respondents overall approved and 34 percent disapproved.)
Support for stem-cell research is higher among those who believe they’re knowledgeable about the issue. According to the poll, just 26 percent of Americans claim they understand issues like stem-cell research and in vitro fertilization “very well.” Another 49 percent say they understand these issues “somewhat well,” and 24 percent concede that they don’t understand the issue “too well” or “at all well.” Those who believe they have a firmer grasp of the issues tend to be more supportive of the procedures. Among respondents who think they have at least somewhat of an understanding, 53 percent support federal funding for the research, while 40 percent oppose it. By contrast, those with not too much understanding or none at all split 34 percent in favor and 40 percent against.
Differences according to education level exist as well. While college graduates support funding by a 64-32 percent margin, those with high school education or less oppose funding by a 46-38 percent margin.
Still, it doesn’t appear that stem-cell research is weighing heavily on the minds of voters. Only 17 percent of registered voters would choose candidates based on their positions on issues like stem-cell research and in vitro fertilization. Another 55 percent said such issues were important, but not enough to determine voting preferences. And 22 percent said such issues weren’t important.
Other issues, however, certainly are preoccupying voters. Bush’s approval rating has taken a slight dip since the last NEWSWEEK Poll in mid-August. While 38 percent of respondents approved and 55 percent disapproved of his job performance back then, now 36 percent approve and 56 percent disapprove. That approval figure nearly matches the president’s all-time low of 35 percent in May. Some potential factors contributing to that slippage: his handling of the economy (with 37 percent approving and 58 percent disapproving) and the situation in Iraq (31 percent v. 63 percent). Both of these results also approach all-time lows. The only semblance of a silver lining remains his handling of terrorism and homeland security, with 49 percent approving and 45 percent disapproving. But unfortunately for Bush, his approval rating on that issue edged downward as well, from 55 percent in mid-August. According to the poll, Democratic congressional candidates continue to hold an edge over their Republican rivals, by a 50-38 percent margin. That’s consistent with other NEWSWEEK polls from earlier in the year.
The NEWSWEEK poll, conducted Aug. 24-25, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. In conducting the poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates International interviewed 1,002 adults aged 18 and older.
