NEW YORK —  Large majorities of Americans say they would be willing to give their life to protect family, country and hometown, and over half would be willing to die to protect President Bush from an assassin.

A new nationwide FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll conducted Nov 14-15 shows almost all Americans (97 percent) would be willing to fight and, if need be die, to protect their family, 80 percent to protect the United States, and 57 percent to protect President George W. Bush from an assassin. Over two-thirds (69 percent) say they would fight and die rather than renounce their religious beliefs and 82 percent to protect their town from a major terrorist attack.

"Willingness to die for President Bush is highly correlated to political support. Given his almost uniformly 'favorable' ratings on other questions, it provides another measure of hardcore support," comments Opinion Dynamics President John Gorman. "Republicans at 72 percent are far more likely to say they’re willing to die for Bush than Democrats at 47 percent. Men are also more likely to say they would give their lives for him than women."

Moreover, if additional military forces are needed in the war on terrorism, about three-quarters approve of re-instituting the draft and 64 percent would consider enlisting (44 percent "strongly consider"). Men are far more likely to consider enlisting than women are — 56 percent "strongly consider" to 34 percent.

Support for the current U.S.-led military action remains as high as it was in the weeks following the terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Fully 91 percent support the military action, and 87 percent approve of how the fighting is being conducted in Afghanistan. Americans also remain unified in their backing of the president as some 88 percent approve of Bush's job performance (only 7 percent disapprove).

In the days prior to the poll being conducted there were major victories in Afghanistan, as the Northern Alliance, backed by U.S. air strikes, seized Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul. These victories are no doubt linked to the increase in those believing the U.S. is winning the war against terrorism. In mid-October, 47 percent said the U.S. was winning while today 62 percent think so.

Americans are so determined in their support that most would continue the military activity during the upcoming Muslim religious holidays. Only 13 percent think action should be suspended during Ramadan. In addition, 52 percent would favor bombing a mosque if it were confirmed that bin Laden were hiding there, while 38 percent would favor bombing a city where he was confirmed to be hiding.

Enthusiasm for capturing bin Laden may be driven not only by the September 11 attacks, but also by the belief terrorist groups like his have access to weapons of mass destruction. Almost two-thirds (63 percent) think it is likely that terrorists have access to nuclear weapons.

The poll found overwhelming agreement on the country's goals in Afghanistan. Overthrowing the Taliban, capturing or killing Usama bin Laden and providing humanitarian aid are considered about equally important ("very" and "somewhat") by substantial majorities. Slightly more think it is a "very important" goal to overthrow the Taliban (80 percent) than capturing bin Laden (73 percent "very important") or providing humanitarian aid (65 percent "very important").

For the federal government overall, more chose strengthening homeland security (45 percent) above winning the war in Afghanistan (27 percent) and stimulating the economy (16 percent) as the top priority right now. Over twice as many Americans think cutting taxes is more likely to stimulate the economy than increasing government spending would.

On two occasions since the September attacks the federal government has issued vague warnings about possible additional attacks and asked the public to be on alert. There is divided reaction to the helpfulness of these warnings. Slightly more would like to see these warnings continue, even if no specific information can be given; but 4 in 10 would prefer to receive the alerts only when some specifics can be included (53 percent to 43 percent).

Crash of American Airlines Flight 587

A majority thinks the recent American Airlines plane crash in New York was an accident (72 percent) as opposed to a bomb or some other act of terrorism (10 percent). While federal investigators have made it clear that they believe the crash was likely caused by a mechanical failure, they have not ruled out sabotage and have said that a final determination could be as much as a year away.

Even in the wake of the crash fully 76 percent believe air travel is very or somewhat safe in the country today; however, Americans see room for improvement. Only about a quarter think the airline industry has done everything it can to make air travel as safe as possible, and only one-third think the government has done everything it can for air safety.

Polling was conducted by telephone November 14-15, 2001 in the evenings. The sample is 900 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of ± 3 percentage points.

I'm going to read the names of some political figures. Please tell me whether you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of each one. If you've never heard of someone, please just say so.
SCALE: 1. Favorable 2. Unfavorable 3. (Can't say) 4. (Never heard of) (ROTATE)

1. George W. Bush

2. Laura Bush

3. Hillary Clinton

4. Do you approve or disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing as president?

5. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Donald Rumsfeld is doing as secretary of defense?

6. Thinking of the last two first ladies, who comes closer to your idea of what a first lady should be:

7. Which of the following do you think should be the top priority for federal government right now:

8. Which do you think is more likely to stimulate the economy and keep the country from experiencing a long recession:

9. The governments of both Saudi Arabia and Egypt claim to be friends of the United States and supportive in the war on terrorism. Do you think Saudi Arabia is truly a friend of the United States or not?

10. What about Egypt — is Egypt truly a friend of the United States?

11. Do you support or oppose the U.S. military action being taken in response to the terrorist attacks?
(*asked before 17-18 Oct 01 as "would you favor/oppose")

12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. military action in Afghanistan is being conducted?

13. The Muslim world is about to celebrate major religious holidays. Do you think that the U.S. military action in Afghanistan should be suspended during the Muslim religious holidays, or not?

14. As of right now, do you think the U.S. and its allies are winning the war against terrorism?

How important do you think each of the following is as a goal of the U.S. military action in Afghanistan?
SCALE: 1. Very important, 2. Somewhat important, 3. Not very important, 4. Not at all important, 5. (Not sure)

18. Twice since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the federal government has issued alerts saying terrorist attacks might take place in the near future. Do you think the government should:

19. If the United States had reliable information that Osama bin Laden were hiding in a mosque — a Muslim religious building like a church — would you favor or oppose bombing the mosque?

20. What about if bin Laden were hiding in the middle of a city, would you favor or oppose bombing it?

Putting aside any physical limitations or age issues, would you be willing to fight and, if need be die:
SCALE: 1. Yes, I would, 2. No, I would not, 3. (Not sure)

26. If additional military forces were needed in this war on terrorism, would you consider enlisting in the military? (Is that strongly consider or possibly consider?)

27. If additional military forces were needed in this war against terrorism, would you approve or disapprove re-instituting the draft?

28. Do you think it is likely that terrorist groups like bin Laden's currently have access to nuclear weapons?
SCALE: 1. Yes, they do, 2. No, they don't, 3. (Not sure)

29. How long do you think it will it take to capture or kill Osama bin Laden?
SCALE: 1. A few months, 2. Less than a year, 3. One to two years, 4. More than two years, 5. Never, 6. (Not sure)

30. How safe do you believe air travel is in the United States today?

31. Do you think it is more likely that this week's American Airlines plane crash was due to:

32. Which would worry you more: finding out this week's plane crash was caused by terrorism or that it was caused by mechanical problems?

33. Do you think the airline industry has done everything it can to make air travel as safe as possible?

34. Do you think the government has done everything it can to make air travel as safe as possible?

35. Do you think the federal government is doing enough to secure the country's borders?

During the war on terrorism, do you favor or oppose each of the following measures?
SCALE: 1. Favor 2. Oppose 3. (Not sure)

(for reference) Do you favor or oppose temporarily sealing U.S. borders and stopping all immigration into the U.S. during the war on terrorism? 31 Oct-1 Nov 01

41. Do you think it is time to open some protected Alaskan wilderness areas for oil exploration as a way to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil?

42. This Thanksgiving, do you have more or less to be thankful for than you did 10 years ago?
SCALE: 1. More 2. Less 3. (Same) 4. (Not sure)

43. Will you spend Thanksgiving this year at home, visiting friends or relatives in the same city, or will you be traveling to another city?

44. (If traveling, n=195) How will you travel to your Thanksgiving destination?