What Do Americans Know?
The NEWSWEEK Poll gauges what U.S. citizens know on a broad range of topics, from the price of oil to the works of Shakespeare.
Results are expressed as a percentage of people polled (correct answers are in bold):
Do you happen to know the name of the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?
15 Yes, John Roberts
7 Yes, other name given
77 No/Don't know/Can't name anyone
1 Refused
Suppose that a presidential election ends up with a tie in the electoral college. As far as you know, which of the following would determine the outcome of the election…?
24 The U.S. Senate
25 The U.S. House of Representatives
32 Who won the popular vote nationwide
2 A coin flip
17 Don't know
Do you happen to know the MINIMUM age required for the office of U.S. President?
44 Age 35
7 Under age 35
19 Over age 35
29 No/Don't know/Not sure
1 Refused
As far as you know, what is Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's religion? Is he a Christian, a Muslim, or something else?
61 Christian
13 Muslim
7 Something else
19 Not sure/Refused
Do you happen to know the name of the current Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives?
39 Yes, Nancy Pelosi
3 Yes, other name given
58 No/Don't know/Can't name anyone
China and India have the largest armies in the world. Which one of the following countries do you think has the THIRD largest army?
29 North Korea
22 Russia
39 United States
1 Australia
9 Don't know
Can you name the country where Hugo Chavez is the president?
38 Yes, Venezuela
16 Yes, other country named
46 No/Don't know/Not sure
Do you think Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq was DIRECTLY involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, or not?
Yes 34
No 56
Don't Know 10
About how much of the oil consumed in the United States is imported from other countries?
58 About three-quarters
27 About half
7 About one-quarter
3 Less than one quarter
5 Don't know
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Member Comments
Posted By: wfrobe @ 07/25/2008 2:26:20 PM
Comment: Generals who became President of the United States.
Your quiz in the July 14, 2008 edition incorrectly gave only three former generals that became President. Newsweek's answer was Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower. I counted ten by researching the White House's biographies on former Presidents.
1. George Washington - MG, American Revolution.
2. Andrew Jackson - MG, War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans
3. William Henry Harrison - MG, War of 1812, Battle of Tippecanoe
4. Zachary Taylor - MG, Mexican War, Battles of Monterrey and Buena Vista
5. Franklin Pierce - BG of Volunteers, Mexican War
6. Andrew Johnson - BG of Volunteers, Civil War
7. Ulysses Grant - GEN, Civil War
8. Rutherford Hayes - Brevet MG, Civil War
9. James Garfield - BG/MG of Volunteers, Civil War
10. Dwight Eisenhower - GA, WWII
There are several President who were veterans but did not make it to the General/Flag officer ranks - examples being Theodore Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
Posted By: Karenn1 @ 07/04/2008 9:59:26 AM
Comment: Can you tell me what political Party the worst president in America is From?
Posted By: dmmd @ 07/03/2008 10:56:58 PM
Comment: Enter Your Comment You should as well -- there were five -- Zachary Taylor was also a General.