Executive Summary
Human Events and Gravis Marketing conducted a random survey of 1,121 registered Ohio voters regarding current events. All participants must have had voted in at least one Republican primary. The policy issues included potential U.S. military action in Syria, how well Speaker John Boehner is doing in attempts to defund Obamacare, Boehner’s efforts in connection with illegal aliens, how well Boehner is doing in regards to federal taxes & spending, whether Boehner should face an opponent in the Republican primary, whether Boehner cares more about his constituents or making the President happy, and others questions.
- Support for military action in Syria is at 17%, with 54% opposed and 29% unsure
- 65% favor defunding Obamacare, even if it means a government shutdown
- 65% want a Benghazi investigation, while 18% do not
- 50% say Speaker Boehner should face a primary opponent compared to 28% who say he should not (21% unsure)
- 48% of respondents thought Boehner was ineffective at advancing conservative issues, while 22% did not
The results of the questions are presented in here; full crosstabulations are available from Gravis Marketing.
Do you support military action in Syria?
Overall, respondents largely not in favor of military action in Syria, with
54% opposed, 29% unsure, and 17% in support.
Should Speaker John Boehner work to defund Obamacare, even if it means a government shutdown?
Respondents were generally in favor of defunding Obamacare, receiving about 65% of total responses, followed by 19% saying no, and 16% unsure.
Should Speaker John Boehner call up a special committee to investigate Benghazi?
Overall, survey participants were overwhelmingly in favor of investigating Benghazi, with 65% saying yes, 18% saying no, and 17% unsure.
Would you welcome a primary opponent to face Speaker John Boehner in the Republican primary?
Survey respondents were a bit more split on whether Speaker Boehner should face a challenger in the Republican primary, although not by much, with 50% indicating yes, 28% saying no, and 21% unsure.
Is Speaker Boehner doing enough to lower federal taxes and spending?
A majority of respondents were displeased with the effort to lower federal taxes and spending, with 48% indicating not enough was being done; about 30% were unsure, and 22% thought Speaker Boehner was doing enough to lower the costs of the federal government.
Should Speaker John Boehner continue to support amnesty for illegal aliens?
Respondents were largely opposed to amnesty for illegal aliens, with 74% opposed, 10% in favor, and 16% unsure.
Should Speaker John Boehner accept campaign contributions from groups in favor of amnesty for illegal aliens?
Akin to the amnesty question, about 71% thought Speaker Boehner should not take campaign contributions from illegal aliens, while 19% were unsure, and 10% said yes.
Is Speaker John A. Boehner more concerned with his constituents or making the President happy?
On whether Speaker Boehner has greater concern for pleasing the President versus his constituents, 35% indicated yes, while 25% said no, and 40% were unsure.
Does Speaker John Boehner understand the problems of ordinary people in western Ohio?
Survey participants were less certain about Speaker Boehner’s understanding of ordinary people, with 41% indicating they through he did not understand the concerns of ordinary people, 37% saying yes, and 22% unsure.
Survey Questions
1. Are you registered to vote?
Potential answers: Yes; No
2. Do you support US military action in support of the Syrian rebels?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
3. Should Speaker John Boehner work to defund Obamacare? Even if it means a government shutdown?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
4. Should Speaker John Boehner continue to support amnesty for illegal aliens?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
5. Should Speaker John Boehner accept campaign contributions from groups in favor of amnesty for illegal aliens?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
6. Has Speaker John Boehner been effective lowering federal taxes and spending?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
7. Would you welcome a primary opponent to face Speaker John Boehner in the Republican primary?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
8. Is Speaker John A. Boehner more concerned with his constituents or making the president happy?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
9. Would another congressman be more effective as Speaker achieving conservative goals?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
10. Should Speaker John Boehner call up a special committee to investigate Benghazi?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
11. Does Speaker John Boehner understand the problems of ordinary people in western Ohio?
Potential answers: Yes; No; Unsure
12. What is your Political Party Affiliation?
Potential answers: Republican; Democrat; Independent or in another party
13. Are you Hispanic?
Potential answers: Yes; No
14. What race do you identify yourself as?
Potential answers: White/Caucasian; African-American; Asian; Other; don’t wish to answer
15. Which of the following best represents your religious affiliation?
Potential answers: Roman Catholic; Protestant/other non-denominational Christian; Evangelical Christian; Jewish; Muslim; Other/no affiliation
16. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
Potential answers: Some high school. No diploma; High school graduate; some college; Bachelor’s degree; Post Graduate
17. How old are you?
Potential answers: 18-29; 30 -44; 45 – 54; 55 – 65; Over 65
18. What is your Gender?
Potential answers: Male; Female