Schools

In Poll, Pace Students Express Concern About Terrorist Attacks

Many students said they believe bin Laden's death increases the likelihood of a terrorist attack.

Pace University political science professor David Caputo, Ph.D. polled his students on Monday following Osama bin Laden's death.

“The results in my first class today were interesting,” Caputo said in a statement. “There is a lot of disbelief and lack of support for president.”

Caputo revealed the following results from one class student survey of 22 students (an American government class):

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  • 86% are concerned about increased terrorist attacks.
  • 61% disagree with burial at sea.
  • 43% believe all or some of president's account of what happened is not true.
  • 57% feel Obama does not deserve credit for the death.
  • 57% feel this will restore U.S. reputation; 43% feel it will not.
  • 23% lost respect for Obama as a result of this and 32% have gained respect.
  • 50% more likely to vote for him as a result and 45% more likely to vote against him in 2012.

In a second class survey, with 13 respondants, students gave the president higher ratings, but 85 percent stil said they were concerned about increased terrorism, said Caputo.

The second survey was taken during the professor's presidential workshop class, consisting of mostly juniors and seniors.

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Here are the results:

  • 31% learned about the event via text or internet message.
  • 62% have a slim doubt as to whether bin Laden is dead.
  • 15% have major doubt as to whether bin Laden is dead.
  • 38% believe some of the president's account is not true.
  • 61% disagree with the decision to bury the body at sea.
  • 46% have much more or somewhat more respect for the president as a result of the action.
  • 53% have increased respect for the military.
  • 77% feel more likely to vote for the president in 2012 as a result of this action.
  • 69% feel President Obama deserves a lot of credit for the death of bin Laden.
  • 55% feel this will be a major boost for the reelection campaign.
  • 85% are concerned about increased terrorist attacks in the United States.
  • 61% feel this announcement will help to restore America's reputation around the world.

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