1Protecting the Flag of the United States

March 2000

Founded 1938

Opinion Research Corporation

Prepared for

Prepared by

April 21, 2006

PROTECTING THE FLAG OF THE UNITED PROTECTING THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATESSTATES

2Protecting the Flag of the United States

METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY♦ National (continental U.S.) telephone survey among 1,024

adults conducted April 6-9, 2006 using RDD sample. Error margin is plus or minus 3 percentage points (at 95% confidence level).

3Protecting the Flag of the United States

KEY FINDINGSKEY FINDINGS♦ A substantial majority of Americans:

• Support a flag protection amendment to the U.S. Constitution

• Believe it important that such protection be enacted• Would prohibit flag desecration in all circumstances

♦With some exceptions, results are similar across gender,age,education and party affiliation.

4Protecting the Flag of the United States

Desecrating the Flag is Not an Appropriate Desecrating the Flag is Not an Appropriate Expression of Freedom of SpeechExpression of Freedom of Speech

Yes (is appropriate expression)

28%

No (not appropriate expression)

68%

Don't know4%

Since 1989, the act of burning the U.S. flag has been protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Do you believe the physical act of desecrating the U.S. flag is an appropriate expression of freedom of speech?

Base = 1024 adults.

5Protecting the Flag of the United States

Desecrating the Flag is Not an Appropriate Desecrating the Flag is Not an Appropriate Expression of Freedom of SpeechExpression of Freedom of Speech

67%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

62%

69%

72%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-29

30-49

50 +

GENDER AGE

Base = males (511) , females (513) Base =18-29 (138); 30-49 (351); 50+ (511)

Percent Saying No (not appropriate)

Since 1989, the act of burning the U.S. flag has been protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Do you believe the physical act of desecrating the U.S. flag is an appropriate expression of freedom of speech?

6Protecting the Flag of the United States

Desecrating the Flag is Not an Appropriate Desecrating the Flag is Not an Appropriate Expression of Freedom of SpeechExpression of Freedom of Speech

83%

58%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Republican/LeanRep.

Democrat/LeanDem.

73%

67%

63%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No college

Somecollege

CollegeDegree

EDUCATION PARTY AFFILIATIONPercent Saying No (not appropriate)

Since 1989, the act of burning the U.S. flag has been protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Do you believe the physical act of desecrating the U.S. flag is an appropriate expression of freedom of speech?

Base = No College (372); Some College (253); College Degree (380) Base =Rep./Inde. Lean Rep. (367); Dem/Inde. Leaning Dem. (372)

7Protecting the Flag of the United States

Importance of Making Desecration of the U.S. Importance of Making Desecration of the U.S. Flag Illegal Flag Illegal

Don't know4%

Not very important at

all24%

Extremely important

28%

Very important

26%

Somewhat important

18%

How important do you think it is to make physical desecration of the U.S. flag against the law? That is, do you think itis extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important at all?

Base = 1024 adults.

EXTREMELY/ VERY

IMPORTANT54%

8Protecting the Flag of the United States

51%

57%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

Importance of Making Desecration of the U.S. Importance of Making Desecration of the U.S. Flag IllegalFlag Illegal

Percent Saying Extremely/Very Important

How important do you think it is to make physical desecration of the U.S. flag against the law? That is, do you think itis extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important at all?

GENDER AGE

42%

54%

60%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-29

30-49

50 +

Base = males (511) , females (513) Base =18-29 (138); 30-49 (351); 50+ (511)

9Protecting the Flag of the United States

67%

47%

44%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No college

Somecollege

CollegeDegree

69%

44%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Republican/LeanRep.

Democrat/LeanDem.

Importance of Making Desecration of the U.S. Importance of Making Desecration of the U.S. Flag IllegalFlag Illegal

Percent Saying Extremely/Very Important

How important do you think it is to make physical desecration of the U.S. flag against the law? That is, do you think itis extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not very important at all?

EDUCATION PARTY AFFILIATION

Base = No College (372); Some College (253); College Degree (380) Base =Rep./Inde. Lean Rep. (367); Dem/Inde. Leaning Dem. (372)

10Protecting the Flag of the United States

Voting for Someone Opposed to Protecting the Voting for Someone Opposed to Protecting the U.S. FlagU.S. Flag

Don’t Know11%

No62%

Yes28%

Would you be likely to vote for someone who is opposed to protecting the U.S. flag?

Base = 1024 adults.

11Protecting the Flag of the United States

61%

62%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

Voting for Someone Opposed to Protecting the Voting for Someone Opposed to Protecting the U.S. FlagU.S. Flag

Percent Saying No

Would you be likely to vote for someone who is opposed to protecting the U.S. flag?

61%

63%

62%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-29

30-49

50 +

GENDER AGE

Base = males (511) , females (513) Base =18-29 (138); 30-49 (351); 50+ (511)

12Protecting the Flag of the United States

62%

65%

59%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No college

Somecollege

CollegeDegree

Voting for Someone Opposed to Protecting the Voting for Someone Opposed to Protecting the U.S. FlagU.S. Flag

Percent Saying No

Would you be likely to vote for someone who is opposed to protecting the U.S. flag?

EDUCATION

72%

52%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Republican/LeanRep.

Democrat/LeanDem.

PARTY AFFILIATION

Base = No College (372); Some College (253); College Degree (380) Base =Rep./Inde. Lean Rep. (367); Dem/Inde. Leaning Dem. (372)

13Protecting the Flag of the United States

Strong Support for Constitutional Amendment Strong Support for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Congress to Enact Flag Protection Laws Allowing Congress to Enact Flag Protection Laws

Don't know7%

Strongly oppose

16% Strongly favor40%

Somewhat favor25%

Somewhat oppose11%

Would you favor or oppose a Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to enact laws to protect the U.S.flag? That is, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose such an amendment?

Base = 1024 adults.

STRONGLY/SOMEWHAT

FAVOR65%

14Protecting the Flag of the United States

Strong Support for Constitutional Amendment Strong Support for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Congress to Enact Flag Protection LawsAllowing Congress to Enact Flag Protection Laws

Percent Strongly/Somewhat Favor

Would you favor or oppose a Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to enact laws to protect the U.S.flag? That is, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose such an amendment?

63%

68%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

59%

68%

67%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-29

30-49

50 +

AGEGENDER

Base = males (511) , females (513) Base =18-29 (138); 30-49 (351); 50+ (511)

15Protecting the Flag of the United States

Strong Support for Constitutional Amendment Strong Support for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Congress to Enact Flag Protection LawsAllowing Congress to Enact Flag Protection Laws

Percent Strongly/Somewhat Favor

Would you favor or oppose a Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to enact laws to protect the U.S.flag? That is, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose such an amendment?

74%

66%

57%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No college

Somecollege

CollegeDegree

85%

57%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Republican/LeanRep.

Democrat/LeanDem.

PARTY AFFILIATIONEDUCATION

Base = No College (372); Some College (253); College Degree (380) Base =Rep./Inde. Lean Rep. (367); Dem/Inde. Leaning Dem. (372)

16Protecting the Flag of the United States

Under What Circumstances Should the Flag Be Under What Circumstances Should the Flag Be Protected?Protected?

All circumstances

57%

Limited circumstances

32%

Don't know11%

Utah Senator Robert Bennett and several cosponsors are proposing that Congress pass a law to protect the flag from physical desecration under limited circumstances only. Do you think the flag should be protected under limited circumstances only or would you like to see it protected under all circumstances?

Base = 1024 adults.

17Protecting the Flag of the United States

50%

56%

63%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-29

30-49

50 +

54%

60%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

Under What Circumstances Should the Flag Be Under What Circumstances Should the Flag Be Protected?Protected?

Percent Saying All CircumstancesGENDER AGE

Base = males (511) , females (513) Base =18-29 (138); 30-49 (351); 50+ (511)

Utah Senator Robert Bennett and several cosponsors are proposing that Congress pass a law to protect the flag from physical desecration under limited circumstances only. Do you think the flag should be protected under limited circumstances only or would you like to see it protected under all circumstances?

18Protecting the Flag of the United States

73%

54%

43%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No college

Somecollege

CollegeDegree

Under What Circumstances Should the Flag Be Under What Circumstances Should the Flag Be Protected?Protected?

Percent Saying All Circumstances

68%

54%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Republican/LeanRep.

Democrat/LeanDem.

PARTY AFFILIATIONEDUCATION

Base = No College (372); Some College (253); College Degree (380) Base =Rep./Inde. Lean Rep. (367); Dem/Inde. Leaning Dem. (372)

Utah Senator Robert Bennett and several cosponsors are proposing that Congress pass a law to protect the flag from physical desecration under limited circumstances only. Do you think the flag should be protected under limited circumstances only or would you like to see it protected under all circumstances?

19Protecting the Flag of the United States

Let the People Decide on Flag Protection IssuesLet the People Decide on Flag Protection Issues

Yes72%

No17%

Don't know11%

Fifty state legislatures have passed resolutions calling on Congress to pass the flag amendment and send it to the statesfor ratification. Do you think members of Congress who may personally oppose the amendment should vote in favor of itanyway so that “we the people” can decide the issue?

Base = 1024 adults.

20Protecting the Flag of the United States

70%

74%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

Let the People Decide on Flag Protection IssuesLet the People Decide on Flag Protection Issues

Percent Saying Yes

Fifty state legislatures have passed resolutions calling on Congress to pass the flag amendment and send it to the statesfor ratification. Do you think members of Congress who may personally oppose the amendment should vote in favor of itanyway so that “we the people” can decide the issue?

GENDER AGE

75%

75%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-29

30-49

50 +

Base = males (511) , females (513) Base =18-29 (138); 30-49 (351); 50+ (511)

21Protecting the Flag of the United States

80%

78%

60%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No college

Somecollege

CollegeDegree

Let the People Decide on Flag Protection IssuesLet the People Decide on Flag Protection Issues

Percent Saying Yes

Fifty state legislatures have passed resolutions calling on Congress to pass the flag amendment and send it to the statesfor ratification. Do you think members of Congress who may personally oppose the amendment should vote in favor of itanyway so that “we the people” can decide the issue?

79%

69%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Republican/LeanRep.

Democrat/LeanDem.

PARTY AFFILIATIONEDUCATION

Base = No College (372); Some College (253); College Degree (380) Base =Rep./Inde. Lean Rep. (367); Dem/Inde. Leaning Dem. (372)

22Protecting the Flag of the United States

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILEDEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

48%

52%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

34%

38%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Republican/Lean

Democrat/Lean

37%

26%

36%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

No college

Somecollege

CollegeDegree

Gender

Education

Party Affiliation

21%

37%

40%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-29

30-49

50 +

Age