China Times Public Opinion Poll (Chen Shui-bian's Verdict)

China Times Public Opinion Poll

(September 14, 2009)

Survey Topic: Chen Shui-bian’s Verdict

1.      Chen Shui-bian and Wu Shu-jen have been indicted in several corruption cases. They have both been given life sentences. Do you think the court’s decision is too harsh, too lenient, or just right?

Too harsh	23.7%
Too lenient	12.5%
Just right	39.1%
Don’t know / No opinion	24.7%

2.      Chen Chih-chung, Chen Shui-bian’s son, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison. Do you think the court’s decision is too harsh, too lenient, or just right?

Too harsh	13.2%
Too lenient	40.0%
Just right	22.0%
Don’t know / No opinion	24.8%

3.      Huang Jui-ching, Chen Shui-bian’s daughter-in-law, has been sentenced to a year and eight months in prison, suspended for five years. Do you think the court’s decision is too harsh, too lenient, or just right?

Too harsh	13.4%
Too lenient	31.9%
Just right	31.2%
Don’t know / No opinion	23.5%

4.      Do you think the verdicts given to Chen Shui-bian and Wu Shu-jen represents independence of the judiciary or political persecution?

Justice independence	52.6%
Political pressure	23.7%.
Don’t know / No opinion	23.7%

5.      Do you think Chen Shui-bian should be released on bail after the court of first instance handed down its verdict?

Yes	30.5%
No	48.2%
Don’t know / No opinion	21.3%

6.      The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that if Chen Shui-bian were not able to be released on bail after the court of first instance’s ruling, they would initiate a large-scale protest. Do you support this?

Yes	20.2%
No	64.8%
Don’t know / No opinion	15.1%

7.      The court of first instance handed down its verdict in Chen Shui-bian’s cases. Do you think that the DPP should cut ties with Chen Shui-bian?

Yes	46.1%
No	22.4%
Don’t know / No opinion	31.5%

Note: The public opinion poll was conducted from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm on September 11 with 804 people over 20 years of age successfully surveyed. The margin of error associated with this sample is plus or minus 3.5 % with a 95 % confidence interval.

Source: China Times

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