VAR CF0301 7-PT SCALE PARTY IDENTIFICATION
COLUMNS 230 - 230
NUMERIC
MD EQ 0
Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican,
a Democrat, an Independent, or what? (IF REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT)
Would you call yourself a strong (REP/DEM) or a not very strong
(REP/DEM)? (IF INDEPENDENT, OTHER [1966 and later: OR NO
PREFERENCE]:) Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican or
Democratic party?
PARTY ID - 7 CATEGORIES
-------------------------------------------------------------------
USE WEIGHT VARIABLE VCF0009/VCF0009A/VCF0009B.
APOLITICAL: Code 9:
In 1952-1966, an R who voluntarily specified complete
disinterest in politics ('I never vote,' 'I don't get
involved in politics,' etc.) in response to party
identification was coded as apolitical. S/he was not
then asked if s/he felt closer to either major party.
In 1968-1980, 1984 an R who responded 'no preference'
to party identification and who responded with
'neither', DK or NA when asked if s/he felt closer to
either major party was coded as apolitical if s/he
otherwise also expressed a general disinterest in
politics.
In 1982, 1986 and later, an R who expressed 'no
preference' for party identification and who responded
with 'neither,' DK or NA when asked if s/he felt closer
to either major party was coded as apolitical IF s/he
also indicated little or no interest in politics in
response to the following 4 questions (CUM FILE VARS
VCF0310, VCF0311/VCF0312, VCF0313, VCF0702):
1) How much would you say you cared about (1982,1986:
the way the congressional election came out; 1988:
which party wins the election);
2) Would you say you follow what's going on in
government and public affairs most of the time, some
of the time, only now and then, or hardly at all;
3) Did you vote in the elections this November;
4) Would you say you were very much interested, somewhat
interested or not much interested in following the
political campaigns this year.
INDEPENDENT: Code 4:
In 1952-1966, an R was defined as independent if s/he
responded 'independent' to party identification and
then responded with 'neither,' DK or NA when asked if
s/he felt closer to either major party.
In 1968-1980 and 1984 an R was defined as independent
(code 4 in VCF0301) if s/he responded 'independent' to
party identification and then responded with 'neither,'
DK or NA when asked if s/he felt closer to either major
party. An R was also defined as independent (code 4 in
VCF0301) if: #1. s/he responded 'no preference' to party
identification AND #2. responded with 'neither,' DK or
NA when asked if s/he felt closer to either major party
AND #3. if s/he otherwise expressed some interest in
politics.
INDEPENDENT/APOLITICAL: Codes 4/9:
In 1982, 1986 and later, an R who responded
'independent' to party identification and who then
responded with 'neither,' DK or NA when asked if s/he
felt closer to either major party was coded as
independent (code 4 in VCF0301). An R who expressed 'no
preference' for party identification and who responded
with 'neither,' DK or NA when asked if s/he felt closer
to either major party was coded as independent (code 4
in VCF0301) IF s/he also indicated some interest in
politics in response to the 4 questions listed above.
OTHER: Code 0:
In all years, if an R responded to the party
identification question with the mention of a minor
party and then responded 'neither,' DK or NA when asked
if s/he felt closer to either major party, then s/he
has been coded "other."
LEANERS: Codes 3,5:
'Leaners' have included the following (all years):
a. Rs who responded 'independent' to party
identification and who responded with the
mention of a major party when asked if s/he
felt closer to either major party.
b. Rs who responded to the party
identification question with the mention of
a minor party but who said they felt closer
to one major party.
c. Rs who responded to the party
identification with 'no preference' but who
said they felt closer to one major party.
1. Strong Democrat
2. Weak Democrat
3. Independent - Democrat
4. Independent - Independent
5. Independent - Republican
6. Weak Republican
7. Strong Republican
9. Apolitical (1966 only: and DK)
0. DK; NA; other; refused to answer; no pre (1952,1960)
1952: 237 1954: 12 1956: 88
1958: 62 1960: 91 1962: 35
1964: 146 1966: 82 1968: 120
1970: 184(type 0) 1972: 140 1974: 2204
1976: 3174 1978: 433 1980: 266
1982: 291 1984: 318 1986: 300
1988: 274 1990: 320 1992: 3634
1994: 655 1996: 960420 1998: 980339
==============================
VAR CF0704 PARTY OF PRES VOTE- ALL MAJOR CANDIDATES
COLUMNS 471 - 471
NUMERIC
MD EQ 0
1948: (IF R VOTED:) Whom did you vote for?
1952-1964: (IF R VOTED:) Who did you vote for for President?
1968-1976: (IF R VOTED:) Who did you vote for in the election for
President?
1980-later: (IF R VOTED:) How about the election for President? Did
you vote for a candidate for President? (IF YES:) Who
did you vote for?
MAJOR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL VOTE AND 3RD PARTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
USE WEIGHT VARIABLE VCF0009/VCF0009A/VCF0009B.
This variable is applicable to presidential years only.
1. Democrat
2. Republican
3. Major third party candidate (Wallace 1968/Anderson 1980
/Perot 1992,1996)
0. Did not vote; DK/NA if voted; refused to say if voted; voted,
but not for president (1980-1992); DK/NA if voted for
President; DK/NA who voted for (1980-1992); refused to say
who voted for; "other" vote; INAP, no post IW (1952, 1960,
1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996);
question not used
1948: 18 1952: 178 1956: 203
1960: 201 1964: 286 1968: 316
1972: 478 1976: 3665 1980: 994
1984: 788 1988: 763 1992: 5609
1996: 961082
==============================
VAR CF0704A PARTY OF PRES VOTE- 2 MAJOR PARTIES
COLUMNS 472 - 472
NUMERIC
MD EQ 0
1948: (IF R VOTED:) Whom did you vote for?
1952-1964: (IF R VOTED:) Who did you vote for for President?
1968-1976: (IF R VOTED:) Who did you vote for in the election for
President?
1980-later: (IF R VOTED:) How about the election for President? Did
you vote for a candidate for President? (IF YES:) Who
did you vote for?
MAJOR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL VOTE (2 PARTY)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
USE WEIGHT VARIABLE VCF0009/VCF0009A/VCF0009B.
This variable is applicable to presidential years only.
1. Democrat
2. Republican
0. Did not vote; DK/NA if voted; refused to say if voted; voted,
but not for president (1980-1992); DK/NA if voted for
President; DK/NA who voted for (1980-1992); refused to say
who voted for; "other" vote; INAP, no post IW (1952, 1960,
1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996);
question not used
1948: 18 1952: 178 1956: 203
1960: 201 1964: 286 1968: 316
1972: 478 1976: 3665 1980: 994
1984: 788 1988: 763 1992: 5609
1996: 961082
==============================
VAR CF0724 DID R WATCH TV PROGRAMS ABOUT CAMPAIGN
COLUMNS 493 - 493
NUMERIC
MD EQ 0
1952-1972,1976,1986 intro: We're (1952: mainly) interested in this
interview in finding out whether people paid much attention to the
election campaign this year.
1974 intro: A lot of people didn't pay much attention to the election
campaigns this year. 1978,1980,1982,1984 intro: Some people don't pay
much attention to campaigns. How about you?
1952-1972,1976: Did you watch any programs about the campaign on
television? (1952,1960-1972,1976: IF YES:) How many television
programs about the campaign would you say you watched -- a good many,
several, or just one or two?
1974: How about you--did you watch any programs about the campaign on
television? (IF YES:) How many television programs about the campaign
would you say you watched--a good many, several, or just one or two?
1978,1980,1982,1984,1986,1990,1992,1996: Did you watch any programs
about the campaigns on television? (1978,1980,1984,1990,1996 only: IF
YES: Would you say you watched-- a good many, several, or just one
or two?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
USE WEIGHT VARIABLE VCF0009/VCF0009A/VCF0009B.
The order of media exposure questions (VCF0724-VCF0727) may have
varied from year to year.
1. No, didn't watch TV programs about the campaign
2. Yes, watched TV program(s) about the campaign [a good many,
several, just one or two, DK/NA frequency]
0. DK; NA; INAP, no post IW (1952,1960,1964,1968,1972,1976,
1980,1984,1992,1996); form II, III, or IV (1972); abbrev.
telephone IW (1984); R does not own a television; question
not used
1952: 175 1956: 199 1960: 193
1964: 284 1968: 303 1972: 463
1974: 2036 1976: 3604 1978: 56
1980: 749 1982: 61 1984: 729,730
1986: 64 1990: 65,66 1992: 5103
1996: 961002
==============================
VAR CF0803 LIBERAL-CONSERVATIVE 7PT SCALE
COLUMNS 511 - 511
NUMERIC
MD EQ 0
We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives.
Here is (1972,1974: I'm going to show you) a 7-point scale on which
the political views that people might hold are arranged from extremely
liberal to extremely conservative.
Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven't you thought
much about this? (7-POINT SCALE SHOWN TO R)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
USE WEIGHT VARIABLE VCF0009/VCF0009A/VCF0009B.
FOR YEARS 1984 AND LATER:
A FOLLOWUP 'CHOICE' QUESTION WAS ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHOREPLIED
"DON'T KNOW" OR "HAVEN'T THOUGHT MUCH" TO THIS QUESTION; EXCEPT
FOR YEARS 1984, 1986 AND 1990 THE FOLLOWUP 'CHOICE' QUESTION WAS
ALSO ASKED OF RESPONDENTS WHO ANSWERED "MODERATE." FOR THESEYEARS,
A FINAL 3-CATEGORY SUMMARY WAS ALSO CONSTRUCTED: THE 'CHOICE'
QUESTION IS FOUND IN VCF0824; THE FINAL 3-CATEGORY SUMMARY IS
VCF0849.
1. Extremely liberal
2. Liberal
3. Slightly liberal
4. Moderate, middle of the road
5. Slightly conservative
6. Conservative
7. Extremely conservative
9. DK; haven't thought much about it
0. NA; INAP, no post IW (1972); form III,IV (1972); question not
used
1972: 652 1974: 2305 1976: 3286
1978: 399 1980: 267 1982: 393
1984: 369 1986: 385 1988: 228
1990: 406 1992: 3509 1994: 839
1996: 960365 1998: 980399
==============================
VAR CF9088 DEM PRES CAND- 7PT LIBERAL/CONSERV SCALE
COLUMNS 829 - 829
NUMERIC
MD EQ 0 OR GE 8
We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives.
Here is a 7-point scale on which the political views that people might
hold are arranged from extremely liberal to extremely conservative.
Where would you place <the Democratic Presidential Candidate> on this
scale? (7-POINT SCALE SHOWN TO R)
LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE-- DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE'SRATING ON 7-
POINT SCALE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
USE WEIGHT VARIABLE VCF0009/VCF0009A/VCF0009B.
In 1972 respondents in mail sample were not asked this question. In
1980, this question appeared in both the Pre and Post; the pre-
election variable is presented here.
This variable referred to McGovern in 1972, Carter in 1976 and 1980,
Mondale in 1984, Dukakis in 1988, and Clinton in 1992 and 1996.
NO SELF-PLACEMENT INAPS 1972-1980:
If R replied DK or "haven't thought much about it" in rating self on
same 7-point scale, then R was not asked this question. [Note that in
1972-1982 there was no follow-up question ('if you had to choose.')
for self-rating.]
NO SELF-PLACEMENT INAPS 1984,1988,1992:
If R's self-placement was NA on the 7-point scale, then this question
was not asked. If R replied "haven't thought much about it" or DK to
this same 7-point scale, then R was prompted, 'If you had to
choose...' If R's response to the follow-up in 1984-1992 was DK, RF
or NA, then R was not asked this question.
In 1996, randomization occurred for the order of the 3 major
Presidential candidate names for this placement.
1. EXTREMELY LIBERAL
2. LIBERAL
3. SLIGHTLY LIBERAL
4. MODERATE; MIDDLE OF ROAD
5. SLIGHTLY CONSERVATIVE
6. CONSERVATIVE
7. EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE
8. DK
9. NA; INAP, mail questionnaire; no post IW (1972); question
not used
0. R did not rate self on same 7-point scale (see above)
1972: 654 1976: 3288 1980: 268
1984: 372 1988: 231 1992: 3515
1996: 960369
==============================
VAR CF9096 REP PRES CAND- 7PT LIBERAL/CONSERV SCALE
COLUMNS 837 - 837
NUMERIC
MD EQ 0 OR GE 8
We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives.
Here is a 7-point scale on which the political views that people might
hold are arranged from extremely liberal to extremely conservative.
Where would you place <the Republican Presidential Candidate> on this
scale? (7-POINT SCALE SHOWN TO R)
LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE-- REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE'SRATING 7-
POINT SCALE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
USE WEIGHT VARIABLE VCF0009/VCF0009A/VCF0009B.
In 1972 respondents in mail sample were not asked this question. In
1980, this variable appeared in both Pre and Post; the pre-election
variable is presented here.
This variable referred to Nixon in 1972, Ford in 1976, Reagan in 1980
and 1984, Bush in 1988 and 1992, and Dole in 1996.
NO SELF-PLACEMENT INAPS 1972-1980:
If R replied DK or "haven't thought much about it" in rating self on
same 7-point scale, then R was not asked this question. [Note that in
1972-1982 there was no follow-up question ('if you had to choose.')
for self-rating.]
NO SELF-PLACEMENT INAPS 1984,1988,1992:
If R's self-placement was NA on the 7-point scale, then this question
was not asked. If R replied "haven't thought much about it" or DK to
this same 7-point scale, then R was prompted, 'If you had to
choose...' If R's response to the follow-up in 1984-1992 was DK, RF
or NA, then R was not asked this question.
In 1996, randomization occurred for the order of the 3 major
Presidential candidate names for this placement.
1. EXTREMELY LIBERAL
2. LIBERAL
3. SLIGHTLY LIBERAL
4. MODERATE; MIDDLE OF ROAD
5. SLIGHTLY CONSERVATIVE
6. CONSERVATIVE
7. EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE
8. DK
9. NA; INAP, mail questionnaire; no post IW (1972); question
not used
0. R did not rate self on same 7-point scale (see above)
1972: 653 1976: 3287 1980: 269
1984: 371 1988: 232 1992: 3514
1996: 960371