CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll: Americans prepared to accept Bush or Gore as president

By CNN Polling Director Keating Holland

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the midst of the continuing debate over election results, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll indicates most Americans have no problem with a hand count in some Florida counties and are prepared to accept either George W. Bush or Al Gore as the legitimate president if either candidate is inaugurated next January.

The survey interviewed 1,014 adult Americans on November 11 and 12.

The public approves of how both campaigns have handled the current situation so far and only about one in seven thinks the country is in a constitutional crisis. All that could change depending on what happens next and how long this process lasts -- a poll is a snapshot of public opinion and cannot predict how the public will react to any moves or countermoves by the two campaigns, or how the ultimate outcome will be viewed. But so far, the public appears willing to let events unfold.

Americans seem to have no problem with Florida officials recounting the votes in certain counties by hand -- something the GOP opposes and has moved in federal court to block -- yet 53 percent approve of how Bush and his campaign advisers have handled the situation so far. That's almost identical to the number who approve of how Gore and his campaign advisers have handled events since the election.

The media, however, get a thumbs-down from the public -- 55 percent disapprove of how the media has handled the situation. Nonetheless, the public appears to be hungry for news of the post-campaign campaign: 87 percent are following the current controversy very closely or somewhat closely. That is just a bit higher than the number who closely followed the news of Princess Diana's death, the ground war in Iraq, the air strikes in Kosovo, or the Monica Lewinsky scandal -- which makes the current situation the most closely followed news event since at least 1991, which is when Gallup started asking this question about various stories.

All that attention is worrisome to many -- two-thirds are concerned about how people in other countries are viewing the United States.

Finally, are non-voters kicking themselves for sitting out the closest election in at least 40 years? Yes they are -- two-thirds of Americans who did not vote on Tuesday say they are sorry they did not go to the polls.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

Would you favor or oppose having Florida officials recount the votes in certain counties by hand, as the Gore campaign requested?

Favor     55%
Oppose    42
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

If Al Gore is declared the winner and inaugurated next January, would you accept him as the legitimate president, or not?

Yes       82%
No        16
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

If George W. Bush is declared the winner and inaugurated next January, would you accept him as the legitimate president, or not?

Yes       79%
No        19
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

How closely have you been following the news about the current controversy concerning the outcome of Tuesday's presidential election? -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all closely?

Very closely       46%
Somewhat closely   41
Not closely        13
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

Closely following news of...

Vote recount               87%
Death of Princess Diana    85
Ground war in Iraq         84
Air strikes in Kosovo      84
Clinton-Lewinsky matter    83
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

Would you say that you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the way each of the following has handled the situation surrounding the results of Tuesday's election for president?

(A) George W. Bush and his campaign advisers 
(B) Al Gore and his campaign advisers
(C) The news media

(A) How Bush Campaign Is Handling Current Situation

Approve        53%
Disapprove     41
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

(B) How Gore Campaign Is Handling Current Situation

Approve        52%
Disapprove     44
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

(C) How Media Is Handling Current Situation

Approve       39%
Disapprove    55
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

Did you, yourself, happen to vote in the presidential election this week, or did something come up that prevented you from voting?

Yes        79%
No         21
Sampling error: +/-7% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

If you did not vote, are you sorry that you did not vote?

Yes        66%
No         33
Sampling error: +/-7% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

As you may know, there has been a controversy since the election over possible presidential ballot irregularities in Palm Beach County, Florida. From what you know about this, do you think the results in that county should be viewed as final after the recount is completed, or do you think a second election should be held in that county?

Results viewed as final:  57%
Second election held: 40
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

Which of these statements do you think best describes the situation that has occurred since Tuesday's election for president -- it is a constitutional crisis, it is a major problem for the country but is not a crisis, it is a minor problem for the country, or it is not a problem for the country at all?

Crisis                15%
Major problem         49
Minor problem         25
Not a problem          9
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

How concerned are you that this controversy makes the United States look bad in the eyes of other countries -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?

Very concerned       36%
Somewhat concerned   28
Not concerned        36
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

Thinking for a moment about the way in which the president is elected in this country, which would you prefer -- to amend the Constitution so the candidate who receives the most total votes nationwide wins the election, or to keep the current system, in which the candidate who wins the most votes in the Electoral College wins the election?

Amend the Constitution:       61%
Keep the current system:     35
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
November 11-12

Which comes closer to your point of view -- the federal government should pass laws that would establish the same ballots and voting procedures in all states for all presidential elections, or decisions on ballot and voting procedures should be left to state and local officials, as is currently the case?

Same procedures for all states:       67%
Left to state and local officials:    29
Sampling error: +/-3% pts