Greg Packer, from Huntington, N.Y., looks up Monday on Dec. 31, 2001, at where the traditional crystal ball will drop to ring in the year 2002, in New York's Times Square.
(Stephen Chernin/AP Photo)
Looking Forward to 2002
Poll: Despite Sept. 11, Most Americans Optimistic About 2002
Analysis by Gary Langer
Jan. 1
— As the new year dawns, Americans are responding with remarkable resilience to the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks: While most say the country and their own lives have changed in a lasting way, most also say that change is for the better.
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Looking ahead, far more Americans also express hopefulness rather than fearfulness for their own prospects, and the world's, in 2002. And most say the cost of the war on terrorism, even if it shortchanges other needed programs, is worth it.
In sum: American optimism, it seems, was not among the victims of Sept. 11.
Change — The broadest perceived change is national, not personal: Ninety-one percent say the events of Sept. 11 have changed the country in a lasting way. The surprise is this: Of those who see this change, nearly seven in 10 say it's for the better, not for the worse.
Has the Country Changed Since Sept. 11?
Yes
No
Better (If Yes)
Worse (If Yes)
91%
8%
69%
27%
A much smaller majority, 55 percent, see a lasting change in their own lives. For most it's a psychological rather than behavioral change: Among those who report a change, seven in 10 says it's in how they feel about things, not in how they live their daily lives.
And as is the case with the nation's perceived changes, seven in 10 again say their personal changes are for the better, not for the worse.
Has Your Life Changed Since Sept. 11?
Yes
No
Better (If Yes)
Worse (If Yes)
55%
45%
71%
28%
Has Sept. 11 Changed the Way You Live or Feel?
LIVE
FEEL
25%
72%
Looking ahead — Eighty percent of Americans say they're more hopeful, rather than more fearful, about what the coming year holds for them personally. Despite the terrorist attacks and their aftermath, the number expressing fearfulness is up only moderately from a 1999 poll — 6 percent then, 16 percent now.
Similarly, 62 percent say they're hopeful for what's in store for "the world in general" in the year ahead. Thirty-five percent are more fearful — up from 22 percent in 1999, but still substantially outnumbered by optimists.
Cost — In terms of the cost of the war on terrorism, just over two-thirds think it will shortchange other needed programs. So be it: Nearly eight in 10 of them say it's worth it.
Source — Newfound senses of national purpose and cohesion are the likely sources of public optimism, reflecting the enormous rallying of sentiment that's occurred since Sept. 11. Americans have closed ranks against the terrorist threat, expressing broad and steady support for the administration and the anti-terrorism campaign it's launched.
Groups — There are some differences among groups, especially regionally. People in the Northeast, where the losses to terrorism were centered, are somewhat less likely to say the nation has changed for the better (thought most still say so); more apt to say their own lives have changed; and a bit less likely to express hopefulness for the coming year.
Outlook for 2002
More Hopeful (Personal)
More Fearful (Personal)
More Hopeful (Global)
More Fearful (Global)
80%
16%
62%
35%
Additionally, women are 11 points more apt than men to say the attacks have created a lasting change in their personal lives. And women are 10 points less likely to say they're hopeful for the world in 2002.
Sampling, data collection and tabulation
for this poll were done by TNS Intersearch.
Women and Easterners are also more likely to express a great deal of worry about further terrorist attacks — and those who are most worried about terrorism are somewhat less optimistic for the future.
Methodology — This ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Dec. 18-19 among a random national sample of 755 adults. The results have a 3.5-point error margin. Field work was conducted by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.
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