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Survey Finds The U.S. Calling For A Shift In National Priorities After Katrina's Devastation

Americans Personally Fear Widening Economic Consequences and Want More Support for Hurricane Victims

Seattle, September 06, 2005 - A recent GMI Poll (www.gmipoll.com) by GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.) focusing on the national effects of Hurricane Katrina and the long-term economic implications, reinforce what commentators believe to be the current mood of the nation in the wake of the storm. Providing the first quantifiable Katrina-related survey data, GMI Poll's results illustrate Americans' call for a shift in national priorities. The GMI Poll finds that 67 percent of those polled believe the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina was unsatisfactory and more needs to be done, both regionally and nationally.

With Hurricane Katrina striking at a susceptible wartime economy, with already high oil prices, and the concentration of American refineries on the Gulf Coast non-operational, the impact of Katrina has left most Americans fearing the worst at the gas pump. The GMI Poll reveals over 80 percent of Americans welcome the release of strategic oil reserves in hopes of stabilizing the price of gasoline and other oil products in the near term.

In addition, 86 percent of those polled believe the increase in fuel prices will not only affect their driving experience but also their lifestyle. A 51 year old male respondent from Cleveland states, "There will not be any extra driving other than to work and the grocery store nor any extra money for non-food items and I expect my debt to increase." Another respondent, a 36 year old female from Minneapolis, mentions that: "The increase in gas prices would leave me unable to afford to drive to work, possibly ending my job."

Although the GMI Poll finds that most Americans do not directly attribute Hurricane Katrina to global warming, over 64 percent do believe the Bush administration should do more to acknowledge the impact of global warming.

The Katrina GMI Poll also reveals that a sizable portion of Americans are in search of additional military resources to assist with post-storm stabilization and recovery, with 48 percent believing troops currently in Iraq should be brought home to focus on the domestic need of cleaning up Katrina's aftermath. In addition, 68 percent of Americans feel that the Bush Administration could do more to help persons impacted by Katrina.

About GMI Poll

GMI Poll quickly and accurately gathers international opinions about topical issues and critical global events, with real-time results available in as little as 24 hours. GMI Poll is the only survey that polls global opinions in real time, online, and with statistically accurate results.

About GMI

GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.) is the only company that provides comprehensive integrated solutions for global market intelligence for both market research firms and corporate market research departments at Global 2000 companies. Solutions include Net-MR®, a suite of software tools to manage and automate research throughout the project lifecycle, desktop analysis tools, 24x7x365 service bureau capabilities, and one of the world’s largest, highly profiled, double opt-in managed panels, spanning across 200 countries. In addition, GMI offers high-value, real-time enterprise feedback solutions for customer, partner and employee programs. Founded in 1999 with world headquartersin Seattle, Wash., GMI has operations on five continents.