GALLUP Poll Shows Racial Divide on Storm Response

Oui

19 years ago

Results are based on telephone interviews with
262 blacks and
848 Non Hispanic Whites,
aged 18+, conducted Sept. 8-11, 2005.

WASHINGTON Sept. 12, 2005 — There is a lot that Americans agree about in the wake of Hurricane Katrina: that government agencies initially stumbled but are doing better now, for one, and that more money and attention should be paid to addressing the issue of poverty.

New Orleans evacuees Alicia Tillery, left, and Dwight Simmons wait to register for aid with the Red Cross in Marietta, Ga.

3. Do you think George W. Bush does – or does not – care about black people?
Yes, does No, does not No opinion Blacks 2005 Sep 8-11 21 72 7 Non-Hisp. Whites 2005 Sep 8-11 67 26 7

More to follow below the fold »»

USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Thursday through Sunday finds a stark racial divide on other issues, including attitudes toward the hurricane’s victims, the performance of President Bush and the reasons the government’s early response was so wanting.

CNN also released poll numbers on President’s Bush performance:
Job approval stayed steady — was 45% – now 46%
Leadership role got a hit — was 60% – now 52%

6. Now thinking about what happened immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit and NOT what has happened in the past few days; how would you rate the way people initially responded to the hurricane – as very good, good, poor, or very poor?

A. George W. Bush
Very good Good Poor Very poor No opinion Blacks 2005 Sep 8-11 5 10 30 54 1 Non-Hisp. Whites 2005 Sep 8-11 12 37 22 27 2

7. Now thinking about what has happened in the past few days in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, and NOT what happened immediately after it hit, how would you rate the way people have responded to the hurricane in the past few days – as very good, good, poor, or very poor?

A. George W. Bush
Very good Good Poor Very poor No opinion Blacks 2005 Sep 8-11 7 29 35 28 1 Non-Hisp. Whites 2005 Sep 8-11 18 45 23 12 2

11. Now thinking about the looters in New Orleans who entered stores and took things in the first few days after the hurricane, which comes closer to your view?
Mostly criminals M. desperate people No opinion Blacks 2005 Sep 8-11 16 77 7 Non-Hisp. Whites 2005 Sep 8-11 50 44 6

13. Just your best guess, do you think one reason the federal government was slow in rescuing these people was because many of them were poor, or was that not a reason?
Yes, was a reason No, was not No opinion Blacks 2005 Sep 8-11 63 35 2 Non-His. Whites 2005 Sep 8-11 21 77 2

23. In view of the developments since we first sent our troops to Iraq, do you think the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq, or not?
Yes, mistake No, not a mistake No opinion Blacks 2005 Sep 8-11 81 17 2 Non-Hisp. Whites 2005 Sep 8-11 49 50 1

COMPLETE POLL RESULT – THE NUMBERS

USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Thursday through Sunday finds a stark racial divide on other issues, including attitudes toward the hurricane’s victims, the performance of President Bush and the reasons the government’s early response was so wanting.

For a country that prides itself on its resourcefulness and take-charge aplomb, these are unfamiliar accusations. Americans tend to see their country as compassionate and competent.

Yet Katrina’s devastation laid bare some uncomfortable facts: The nation that rescued Europe in World War II, helped Bosnians when they were under attack and repulsed Iraqi forces from Kuwait could not, at least initially, rescue New Orleans. The nation that claims many of the world’s wealthiest people also is home to staggering poverty. The nation that champions equal rights around the globe has not resolved its own racial tensions.

USA TODAY

Washing Away

– SPECIAL REPORT from THE TIMES-PICAYUNE –

It’s only a matter of time before South Louisiana
takes a direct hit from a major hurricane.
Billions have been spent to protect us,
but we grow more vulnerable every day.

Five-Part Series published June 23-27, 2002