GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll suggests that the high levels of publicity surrounding the possibility of terrorist attacks in this country on New Years Eve is having an effect on the American public.
The poll, conducted Monday and Tuesday night of this week, shows that 62% of Americans think that it is at least somewhat likely that "terrorist attacks will occur in the United States on New Years Eve or New Years Eve Day," including 22% who say that is very likely and 40% who say that it is somewhat likely.
This same type of question was asked in July 1996 before the Atlanta Olympics, when similar talk of possible terrorist attacks was in the air. At that time, 51% of Americans said that such attacks were likely during the Olympics. This comparison suggests that the current level of concern that attacks might take place on New Year's Eve - 62% -- represents a higher than usual level of sensitivity to terrorist threats as the century comes to a close.
It thus may not be surprising that Americans might be contemplating changes in their New Year's Eve plans this year. The poll asked the public if they were less likely to "attend large public gatherings on New Years Eve or New Years Day" this year because of concerns about possible terrorism. Fifty percent of the public said yes, compared to 43% who said no and 7% who had no opinion.
Survey Methods
The results below are based on telephone interviews with a randomly
selected national sample of 1,031 national adults, 18 years and
older, conducted December 20-21, 1999. For results based on this
sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the maximum
error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or
minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question
wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can
introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion
polls.
How likely do you think it is that one or more terrorist attacks will occur in the United States on New Years Eve or New Years Eve Day - Very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?
| Very likely | 22% |
| Somewhat likely | 40 |
| Somewhat unlikely | 23 |
| Very unlikely | 12 |
| No opinion | 3 |
| 100% |
Strictly on the basis of concerns you may have about possible terrorism, would you say you are less likely or not less likely to attend large public gatherings on New Years Eve or New Years Day?
| Yes, less likely | 50% |
| No, not less likely | 43 |
| No opinion | 7 |
| 100% |