Those numbers were an improvement on a similar poll conducted last autumn.

The research council commissioned similar polls in 1985 and 1986.

In a similar poll taken by the foundation in May, 59 percent said they were.

A similar poll taken a month earlier showed them to be in a dead heat.

That margin is six points less than a similar poll in November.

Last January only 8 percent of black respondents in a similar poll felt that way.

A similar poll two months ago put the percentage slightly lower, at 33 percent.

Four years ago, a similar poll pegged that hard core at only 12 percent.

Those figures indicated little change from a similar poll conducted five years earlier.

In a similar poll two years ago, 59 percent liked the trend and 28 percent did not.