[IP] Voters See Saudi Arabia as Greatest Source of Global Terror
Hudson Institute
News Release
1015 18th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20036 Ph:
202-223-7770 www.hudson.org
August 20, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Jean Weicher, 202-974-2425
Voters See Saudi Arabia as Greatest Source of Global Terror
Demand President Offer New Plan for Energy Self-Sufficiency
WASHINGTON - One of the most comprehensive studies of American
attitudes toward energy independence and the Middle East finds that
energy policy will be a pivotal issue in the 2004 presidential
campaign. American voters are genuinely troubled by the rising price of
gasoline and America's continued reliance on foreign oil.
The key findings of the poll indicate that:
• By an almost 3 to 1 margin, Americans prioritize "reducing our
reliance on foreign oil" over "cheaper prices for oil and gas."
• 91% of Americans agreed (74% strongly agree) that "when it comes
to energy, we need an America that relies on its own ingenuity and
innovation - not the Saudi royal family."
• 83% of Americans agree that "reducing our dependence on foreign
oil must be a top priority for the next administration."
• 57% of Americans say that the U.S. government should allow energy
companies to explore for oil in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR),
as well as in many areas off the U.S. coast.
Since September 11th, Americans have become increasingly aware of the
link between oil, politics, and terrorism, and they now fear that
buying oil from the Middle East means financing terrorism. For this
reason, Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of reducing U.S.
dependence on foreign oil. In fact, by an almost 3:1 margin Americans
believe that "reducing our reliance on foreign oil and gas" was more
important to them than "cheaper prices for oil and gas."
These facts lead Americans to question close U.S. ties to Saudi Arabia.
A soaring 60% of Americans have an "unfavorable" image of Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, 57% of Americans say their opinion of Saudi Arabia has
"worsened" since 9/11.
The majority of Americans recognize the commonly held belief that Saudi
Arabia holds the world's largest reserves of oil - a fact that creates
anxiety given the American public's awareness of Saudi ties to terror.
The direct link between oil money and al-Qaeda has led Americans to
identify Saudi Arabia as the greatest backer of terror in the world.
Even Iran, an avowed enemy of the United States, is ranked second to
Saudi Arabia as a source of global terrorism.
The poll's findings mean that the mission of any new energy policy
must be to significantly reduce American dependence on Saudi Arabian
oil and to increase America's energy self-sufficiency.
The existing perceptions of Saudi Arabia have a significant impact on
public attitudes towards American energy policy:
• 55% of Americans believe that Saudi Arabia, OPEC and other oil and
gas producing countries are responsible for recent increases in the
cost of oil and gas.
• 50% of Americans - when told that Saudi Arabia is the #1 holder of
oil reserves among OPEC nations - support pursuing new sources of
energy right here in America. That's more than a resounding 8 to 1
margin over the 6% who would favor pursuing a closer relationship with
the Saudis.
• 59% said they would have a more favorable opinion toward President
Bush if they learned that his energy plan included "tax incentives to
car manufacturers who build hybrid vehicles in the U.S." Only 14% said
that they would react negatively.
According to Dr. Mey Wurmser, Director of the Center for Middle East
Policy at Hudson Institute, energy issues will clearly play a crucial
role in the 2004 presidential elections. Americans are asking the
candidates to adopt a new energy policy that will reduce the nation's
reliance on Saudi oil, lower the rising price of gasoline, and
eliminate the connection between foreign oil and terrorism. A failure
to address these issues and break with past U.S. policies could prove
detrimental to the candidates' campaigns."
Wurmser went on to add that "Americans want American energy. They
refuse to accept our reliance on foreign sources of oil, especially
when that oil is coming primarily from hostile countries in the Middle
East."
Pollster Dr. Frank Luntz added, "John Kerry fired the first campaign
attack on U.S. dependence on Saudi Arabian oil - and it was clearly a
hit with the public. The Bush campaign risks falling behind if they
appear silent on this very emotional issue. The political party that
incorporates 'energy self-sufficiency' into its energy plan may seize
an electoral advantage in this polarized election year. With oil prices
approaching $50 a barrel, 'energy self-sufficiency' could become the
key political buzz words of the next eight weeks."
This survey was released jointly by the Hudson Institute and the Luntz
Research Companies. The survey consisted of telephone interviews with
800 likely voters and was conducted between August 13-15, 2004. The
survey has a margin of error of 3.5%
KEY POLL FINDINGS:
1) How concerned are you personally with the recent rise in oil and gas
prices?
27% Extremely concerned
30% Very concerned
30% Somewhat concerned
9% Only a little concerned
5% Not concerned at all
0% Don't know/refused
2) And if you had to choose, which of the following is most responsible
for the recent increase in the cost of oil and gas?
55% Saudi Arabia, OPEC, and other oil and gas producing countries
33% Oil and gas companies
12% Don't know/refused
3) And which of the following goals is most important to you? You have
to choose.
71% Reducing our reliance on foreign oil and gas
26% Cheaper prices for oil and gas
4% Don't know/refused
4) Since September 11th, has your opinion of Saudi Arabia…
2% Improved a lot
10% Improved a little
27% No change
28% Worsened a little
29% Worsened a lot
6% Don't know/refused
5) 15 of the 19 September 11th highjackers were of Saudi Origin
(favorability)
3% Much more favorable
2% Somewhat more favorable
23% Somewhat less favorable
27% No impact
5% Don't know/refused
6) And if I were to tell you that Saudi Arabia is the #1 holder of oil
reserves among OPEC nations, and the largest single supplier of oil to
the United States, would that make you want to…
50% Pursue new sources of energy right here in America
32% More actively pursue supplies from other oil producing nations and
regions such as Canada, Mexico and Western Africa
7% No impact
6% Pursue a closer relationship with Saudi Arabia
6% Don't know/refused
7) Do you think that the Saudis, as the top OPEC producer, are
encouraging or discouraging higher oil prices?
66% Encouraging
14% Discouraging
20% Don't know/refused
8) Based on what I just read you, and given that hybrid cars cost more
than the same car with hybrid technology, would you be willing to pay
10% more for a hybrid model?
21% Definitely
20% Probably
24% Possibly
13% Possibly not
15% Definitely not
7% Don't know/refused
9) Would you be… toward president George W. Bush if you learned that
his energy plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil included giving
a tax incentive to car manufacturers who build hybrid vehicles in the
United States?
24% Much more favorable
35% Somewhat more favorable
4% Somewhat less favorable
9% Much less favorable
22% No impact
7% Don't know/ refused
10) Reducing our dependence on foreign oil must be a top priority for
the next administration.
50% Strongly agree
33% Somewhat agree
8% Somewhat disagree
7% Strongly disagree
3% Don't know/refused
11) When it comes to energy, we need an America that relies on its own
ingenuity and innovation - not the Saudi royal family.
74% Strongly agree
17% Somewhat agree
2% Somewhat disagree
3% Strongly disagree
5% Don't know/refused
As a public policy think tank, Hudson Institute forecasts long-term
trends and designs near-term solutions for government, business, and
the non-profit world. We share optimism about the future and a
willingness to question conventional wisdom. We believe in free
markets, individual responsibility, the power of technology, and a
determination to preserve America's national security. For more
information about Hudson Institute, visit our website at
www.hudson.org.
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