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CNN / Opinion Research Corporation
7/31-8/3/09; 1,136 adults, 3% margin of error
226 African-Americans, 6.5% margin of error
773 non-Hispanic whites, 3.5% margin of error
Mode: Live telephone interviews
(CNN release)

National

Do you approve or disapprove of how Obama has handled race relations since he became President?

61% Approve, 34% Disapprove
Black respondents: 92 / 6
White respondents: 56 / 40

Now I have some questions about an incident in Massachusetts in which a professor named Henry Louis Gates, who is black, was arrested for disorderly conduct at his home by a police officer named James Crowley, who is white. Based on what you have heard or read about this incident, do you think the police officer, James Crowley, acted stupidly or don't you think so?

33% Acted stupidly, 54% Did not act stupidly
Black respondents: 59 / 29
White respondents: 29 / 58

And based on what you have heard or read about this incident, do you think the professor, Henry Louis Gates, acted stupidly or don't you think so?

53% Acted stupidly, 30% Did not act stupidly
Black respondents: 44 / 43
White respondents: 58 / 27