Behind the Numbers - Public opinion in this country is everything.

Posted at 09:03 AM ET, 06/01/2012

Syria: Will Americans support military action?

By Scott Clement

Mass killings have drawn wide attention, but is there support for military action?

By Scott Clement | 09:03 AM ET, 06/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls

Posted at 09:18 AM ET, 05/24/2012

Egyptian election: Will U.S. lose?

By Scott Clement

Will Egyptian voters cast their vote in effect against the United States and Israel?

By Scott Clement | 09:18 AM ET, 05/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 08:28 AM ET, 05/16/2012

Romney’s tax, health-care proposals draw partisan reaction

By Scott Clement

Public overall tilts positive on proposal for 20-percent income tax cut.

By Scott Clement | 08:28 AM ET, 05/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Economy, Health care

Posted at 02:20 PM ET, 05/15/2012

Political surveys survive response fall-off, Pew finds

By Scott Clement

The Pew Research Center’s latest detailed study of survey quality paints a worrisome picture for survey response rates, but again shows that a well-done telephone poll accurately represents the U.S. population on a broad range of political and demographic measures.

By Scott Clement | 02:20 PM ET, 05/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: methodology, Voting, Polls

Posted at 05:38 PM ET, 05/03/2012

Virginia poll: Key voting groups

By Peyton M. Craighill

Polling in Virginia shows President Obama holding together key parts of his 2008 coalition. Mitt Romney has some ground to cover to match or exceed John McCain’s 2008 performance.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 05:38 PM ET, 05/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Virginia, 2012 polls

Posted at 06:37 PM ET, 05/02/2012

Is Obama’s chest thumping a turnoff?

By Scott Clement

Reactions to George W. Bush ad eight years ago may provide clues.

By Scott Clement | 06:37 PM ET, 05/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Afghanistan, 2012 polls, International polls

Posted at 11:47 AM ET, 04/27/2012

Rubio’s Hispanic appeal uncertain

By Scott Clement

Sen. Marco Rubio is weaker among non-Cuban Hispanics in Florida.

By Scott Clement | 11:47 AM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls, Exit polls, Immigration, Republican Party | Tags: Marco Rubio, polls

Posted at 04:38 PM ET, 04/26/2012

The United Nations: Do Americans still hate it?

By Scott Clement

Despite poor marks, most support a strong role for the United Nations.

By Scott Clement | 04:38 PM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls

Posted at 09:11 AM ET, 04/19/2012

Gas prices: Global problem, domestic blame

By Scott Clement

Polls show Americans are willing to dole out plenty of domestic blame.

By Scott Clement | 09:11 AM ET, 04/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Economy, International polls, 2012 polls

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 04/15/2012

Tea party support stable, but interest is waning

By Scott Clement

Increasing numbers say the more they hear about the movement, the less they like it.

By Scott Clement | 07:00 AM ET, 04/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Republican Party, Tea party, The Independents

Posted at 07:01 PM ET, 04/11/2012

Poll: Romney weaker than Obama on foreign policy

By Scott Clement

Romney has plans to attack on foreign policy issues, but Americans trust Obama more on international affairs.

By Scott Clement | 07:01 PM ET, 04/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, International polls

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 04/10/2012

Romney winning struggling middle-class voters

By Scott Clement

Obama is stronger among voters who are “comfortable” or “moving up” from the middle class.

By Scott Clement | 12:17 PM ET, 04/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, Presidential Approval

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 04/10/2012

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman to stump for Romney in Pennsylvania on Thursday

By Scott Clement

The GOP rising star joins the presidential frontrunner for a campaign event in the Keystone State.

By Scott Clement | 12:17 PM ET, 04/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, Presidential Approval | Tags: Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, Veepstakes

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 04/04/2012

Wisconsin exit polls highlights

By Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Democrats back Santorum and Romney gets invited to tea party.

By Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 06:30 AM ET, 04/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Exit polls, Voting

Posted at 11:06 AM ET, 04/03/2012

Wisconsin, Maryland exit polls: What to watch for

By Scott Clement

Blue state Republicans, fewer evangelicals and around 6,000 Republican voters in D.C. are what’s in store for Tuesday’s primaries.

By Scott Clement | 11:06 AM ET, 04/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 04/02/2012

Political fallout: High court showdown hurts health care law, and justices

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Few change their views of the health law or Supreme Court following oral arguments, but those who do split along partisan lines.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 03:00 PM ET, 04/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Health care, Post Polls

Posted at 06:31 PM ET, 03/28/2012

Is Russia still America’s bogeyman?

By Scott Clement

Mitt Romney called Russia America’s “number one political foe.” Americans don’t see Russia in such negative terms.

By Scott Clement | 06:31 PM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 01:07 PM ET, 03/23/2012

Friday feedback: Twitterverse offers one-word reactions to GOP candidates

By Scott Clement

We asked Twitter followers to sum up Romney, Santorum, Gingrich and Paul in a word, just as as we did in a national poll released Friday.

By Scott Clement | 01:07 PM ET, 03/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, GOP nomination

Posted at 02:48 PM ET, 03/22/2012

Poll watcher: More Americans spurn faith talk by politicians

By Scott Clement

Nearly four in 10 Americans now say politicians talk too much about religious faith, a sentiment that has spiked in recent years among Democrats and independents, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.

By Scott Clement | 02:48 PM ET, 03/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Presidential Approval

Posted at 05:29 PM ET, 03/21/2012

Afghan people once supported war, but do they now?

By Scott Clement

An apparent killing spree and widely publicized Koran burnings threaten to alienate Afghans.

By Scott Clement | 05:29 PM ET, 03/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Afghanistan, Barack Obama

Posted at 08:37 AM ET, 03/21/2012

Romney nets double-digit Illinois win

By Jon Cohen, Scott Clement and Peyton M. Craighill

Republican voters clashed along familiar dividing lines Tuesday, with Mitt Romney scoring a convincing win amid Illinois’ more welcoming Republican electorate.

By Jon Cohen, Scott Clement and Peyton M. Craighill | 08:37 AM ET, 03/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, Exit polls, 2012 polls, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 12:26 PM ET, 03/20/2012

Romney appears poised to win Illinois: A look at why

By Scott Clement

The state’s swing in his favor has less to do with changes among the state’s voters and more with his emergence as this year’s mainstream and moderate Republican choice.

By Scott Clement | 12:26 PM ET, 03/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 10:47 AM ET, 03/14/2012

Exit polls: Santorum wins Alabama and Mississippi

By Scott Clement, Peyton M. Craighill and Jon Cohen

Rick Santorum’s southern sweep in Alabama and Mississippi was propelled by voters eager for a candidate with “strong moral character” or “a true conservative.” About four in 10 voters in both Alabama and Mississippi picked one of these two as the most important attribute they were looking for in a candidate, and Santorum won close to six in 10 of them.

By Scott Clement, Peyton M. Craighill and Jon Cohen | 10:47 AM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 12:11 AM ET, 03/14/2012

Is Romney losing his edge among "economy voters?"

By Jon Cohen

Beyond a pair of loses Tuesday, one potentially troubling sign for Mitt Romney is his slippage among "economy voters." The chart below compiles data from the Republican contests with exit polls. It shows Romney's once big advantages among these voters has dissipated significantly as the primaries have unfolded.

By Jon Cohen | 12:11 AM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Crosstabs, Economy, Exit polls, Republican Party, GOP nomination, Voting

Posted at 05:48 PM ET, 03/13/2012

Preliminary exit polls: Who is voting in Mississippi and Alabama?

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Here are some of the highlights on what the electorate looks like and what voters were focused on as they left polling places.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 05:48 PM ET, 03/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting | Tags: Alabama, Mississippi, Republican Party, presidential election, Polls

Posted at 01:39 PM ET, 03/13/2012

Mississippi, Alabama exit polls: What to watch for

By Scott Clement

With no clear favorite in the Mississippi and Alabama GOP primaries, here are three key factors to watch in tonight’s exit polls.

By Scott Clement | 01:39 PM ET, 03/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting | Tags: Alabama, Mississippi, polls

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 03/08/2012

Is Gingrich primed for a Southern sweep?

By Scott Clement

Newt Gingrich had a convincing win in Georgia on Tuesday. Can he run the table in the South’s remaining March contests?

By Scott Clement | 06:00 AM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Voting, Republican Party

Posted at 11:54 PM ET, 03/06/2012

Romney wards off Paul in Virginia despite independent surge

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Kristina Meacham

Independents in Virginia picked Ron Paul by a 2 to 1 margin, but Mitt Romney dominated among Republicans.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Kristina Meacham | 11:54 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting, Virginia

Posted at 10:36 PM ET, 03/06/2012

Evangelical voters raise Santorum to victory in Tennessee

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Kristina Meacham

The Tennessee electorate turned out to be the most evangelical so far in the Republican nomination fight, helping secure a victory for former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Kristina Meacham | 10:36 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, GOP nomination, Voting, Republican Party | Tags: Super Tuesday, Rick Santorum, Tennessee, Tennessee primary

Posted at 09:00 PM ET, 03/06/2012

Ohio primary amplifies party divide

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Kristina Meacham

Mitt Romney narrowly edged Rick Santorum in Ohio, the biggest prize of Super Tuesday, splitting the Republican electorate along now familiar ideological and religious lines.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Kristina Meacham | 09:00 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 06:12 PM ET, 03/06/2012

Super Tuesday exit polls: an early look

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

In Ohio, Tennessee and Georgia, GOP electorates are shaping up to look a lot like those of four years ago, with some important differences.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 06:12 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Exit polls, Voting, Republican Party

Posted at 09:29 AM ET, 03/06/2012

Super Tuesday exit poll cheat sheet

By Scott Clement

Here’s a cheat sheet for following all Super Tuesday's voting and what to look for in the exit poll numbers as they start to trickle out this evening.

By Scott Clement | 09:29 AM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Exit polls, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 11:38 AM ET, 03/05/2012

Romney up in Super Tuesday polls

By Scott Clement

Mitt Romney is a favorite to win Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Idaho and possibly Ohio.

By Scott Clement | 11:38 AM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 05:48 PM ET, 02/29/2012

North Korea widely disliked and distrusted in U.S.

By Scott Clement

Some Americans may rest easier on news that N. Korea and U.S. have struck a food-for-nukes deal. But many may be skeptical.

By Scott Clement | 05:48 PM ET, 02/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls

Posted at 09:51 PM ET, 02/28/2012

‘Electability’ fuels Romney’s victory, Religion and Democrats for Rick Santorum in Michigan

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Mitt Romney eked out a victory in Michigan Tuesday, beating back a stiff challenge from Rick Santorum by scoring big wins among voters looking for “experience” and those prioritizing electability.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 09:51 PM ET, 02/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting, Exit polls

Posted at 01:26 PM ET, 02/28/2012

Michigan and Arizona exit polls: Five things to watch

By Scott Clement

Today’s contests in Arizona and Michigan are the biggest test of Rick Santorum’s staying power since beating Mitt Romney in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota earlier this month.

By Scott Clement | 01:26 PM ET, 02/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 02:48 PM ET, 02/27/2012

Poll watcher: Michigan polls predict tight race

By Scott Clement

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are running very closely in Michigan, according to the latest state polling, with Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich far behind.

By Scott Clement | 02:48 PM ET, 02/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 02:16 PM ET, 02/27/2012

‘Post-preferred’ polls: Can I trust this poll?

By Scott Clement

Now, when you use The Post’s Politics App for iPad to see the latest state polling, you’ll see a label next to each poll we’ve designated as Post preferred.

By Scott Clement | 02:16 PM ET, 02/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, methodology

Posted at 07:29 PM ET, 02/22/2012

Are polls on foreign policy accurate?

By Scott Clement

“Lies, damn lies and statistics” is a jab sometimes aimed at political polls, and in the complicated business of foreign policy polling there’s plenty for people to argue over. If most Americans aren’t foreign policy wonks, are these results even meaningful?

By Scott Clement | 07:29 PM ET, 02/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Barack Obama, GOP nomination, methodology

Posted at 12:34 PM ET, 02/21/2012

Obama’s rising gas prices problem

By Scott Clement

President Obama’s improved polling numbers (and his reelection chances) are threatened by a perennial bugaboo: spiking gas prices.

By Scott Clement | 12:34 PM ET, 02/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, Economy, GOP nomination, Republican Party

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 02/17/2012

Poll watcher: Independents a key for Romney in Michigan?

By Scott Clement

A potentially decisive question mark lingers ahead of the Wolverine State’s Feb. 28 primary: How many political independents will show up?

By Scott Clement | 06:00 AM ET, 02/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Voting, Republican Party

Posted at 06:23 PM ET, 02/15/2012

America: Religious and political outlier

By Scott Clement

Religion and politics collided once again this month as religious groups objected to requirements to provide contraceptive-covering insurance. America’s widely varying levels of religious commitment make the outcome of such firestorms hard to predict.

By Scott Clement | 06:23 PM ET, 02/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, International polls, Presidential Approval

Posted at 12:18 PM ET, 02/15/2012

Poll watcher: Libya cheers revolution; Americans hesitant on Syria, Iran

By Scott Clement

Libyans are overwhelmingly positive and optimistic about their lives and their country in a new survey by Oxford Research International.

By Scott Clement | 12:18 PM ET, 02/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Barack Obama | Tags: Iran, Libya, Syria, Middle East

Posted at 02:37 PM ET, 02/13/2012

Republicans more doubtful of Romney’s conservative bona fides

By Scott Clement

Core Republican groups are increasingly skeptical of Romney’s conservative credentials, especially those who agree with the tea party movement.

By Scott Clement | 02:37 PM ET, 02/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls, Republican Party

Posted at 10:07 AM ET, 02/09/2012

Syria intervention? Americans may not be cheering

By Scott Clement

Syrians continue to be bombarded by President Assad’s government. Obama’s reluctance to use force jibes with the philosophy of most Americans.

By Scott Clement | 10:07 AM ET, 02/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 12:01 AM ET, 02/06/2012

Romney leads big in poll as GOP base splinters

By Scott Clement

Mitt Romney holds a wide lead over other GOP contenders in a new Washington Post-ABC News national poll, but his support continues to lag among core Republican constituencies.

By Scott Clement | 12:01 AM ET, 02/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 07:23 PM ET, 02/01/2012

Does killing bad guys really help at the ballot box?

By Scott Clement

“For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country,” said President Obama the top of his State of the Union speech last week. Obama and his team clearly see eliminating bin Laden as a top administration achievement. But do Americans really reward at the ballot box presidents who take down their bogeyman?

By Scott Clement | 07:23 PM ET, 02/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Barack Obama, Presidential Approval, Voting

Posted at 08:19 PM ET, 01/31/2012

What’s behind Romney’s romp?

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Mitt Romney scored a decisive win in Florida’s primary Tuesday by regaining momentum on electability and neutralizing major weaknesses.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 08:19 PM ET, 01/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Voting, Republican Party

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 01/31/2012

Florida exit polls: Five things to watch

By Scott Clement

It’s in the 70s and sunny in Tampa Bay as Florida voters head to the polls. Here are our top five factors to watch as exit poll results start rolling in.

By Scott Clement | 01:14 PM ET, 01/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Exit polls, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 09:25 AM ET, 01/27/2012

Poll watcher: Romney leads Gingrich in Florida

By Scott Clement

Romney leads Gingrich by 38 to 29 percent in the Florida Republican primary contest, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.

By Scott Clement | 09:25 AM ET, 01/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Voting, Republican Party | Tags: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 03:05 PM ET, 01/25/2012

Poll watcher: Domestic policy prime in 2012

By Scott Clement

A slender 9 percent of Americans say President Obama should focus on foreign policy, while 81 percent prefer a domestic focus.

By Scott Clement | 03:05 PM ET, 01/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Congress, Economy, GOP nomination, Republican Party, International polls | Tags: Barack Obama, Congress, Economy, GOP Nomination, International Polls

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 01/23/2012

Poll watcher: Newt Gingrich surges in national polls

By Scott Clement

One week ago, Mitt Romney amassed a record 23-point lead in Gallup tracking polls. But in the latest poll, Romney holds a tenuous five-point edge over Newt Gingrich.

By Scott Clement | 01:25 PM ET, 01/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, Race, Republican Party, 2012 polls

Posted at 09:52 PM ET, 01/21/2012

Debates, late deciders propel Gingrich to win in South Carolina

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Newt Gingrich posted a double-digit victory in Saturday’s South Carolina primary, with late deciders delivering a clear rebuke to Mitt Romney, the one-time-front-runner.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 09:52 PM ET, 01/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting, Exit polls

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/21/2012

South Carolina primary exit polls: Five key factors

By Scott Clement

Here are five factors that seem key going into South Carolina primary day.

By Scott Clement | 07:00 AM ET, 01/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 01/20/2012

Newt Gingrich surging against Mitt Romney in South Carolina

By Scott Clement

The latest horserace polls out of South Carolina show Newt Gingrich surging in advance of Saturday’s Republican primary.

By Scott Clement | 11:57 AM ET, 01/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party, Voting

Posted at 02:06 PM ET, 01/18/2012

Newt Gingrich’s tea party stalwarts hold strong

By Peyton M. Craighill

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s support has been nearly cut in half since December and the falloff has been broad based, with relatively even declines among all stripes of Republicans — save one group: strong tea party supporters.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 02:06 PM ET, 01/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Republican Party

Posted at 02:06 PM ET, 01/18/2012

Poll watcher: Nuclear Iran a weak spot for Obama

By Scott Clement

President Obama’s most nagging challenge remains a persistently sluggish economy, but a new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals a chink in his foreign policy armor less than 11 months before he faces voters: Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

By Scott Clement | 02:06 PM ET, 01/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Barack Obama, Presidential Approval

Posted at 01:51 PM ET, 01/18/2012

Poll shows Ron Paul’s strengths and weaknesses in GOP primary

By Scott Clement

Texas Rep. Ron Paul earns 16 percent support for the Republican nomination in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, statistically unchanged from 15 percent in December and in the same range as Newt Gingrich (17 percent) and Rick Santorum (13 percent). Frontrunner Mitt Romney leads with 35 percent.

By Scott Clement | 01:51 PM ET, 01/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls, Republican Party

Posted at 12:24 PM ET, 01/17/2012

Tea party opposed by half of Americans

By Scott Clement

Fully half of Americans oppose the tea party political movement in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Scott Clement | 12:24 PM ET, 01/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Presidential Approval, The Independents, Republican Party

Posted at 12:43 PM ET, 01/13/2012

A magical ride for polls

By Dan Hopkins

There is something about contemporary polls that is impressive and unexpected, if not a touch magical.

By Dan Hopkins | 12:43 PM ET, 01/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: methodology, Polls

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 01/12/2012

Poll watcher: Mormons in America, rich vs. poor and S.C. polls

By Scott Clement

A survey of Mormons in America finds the group is highly religious and happy in their lives but also concerned with perceptions of their faith.

By Scott Clement | 03:27 PM ET, 01/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls, methodology

Posted at 05:16 PM ET, 01/11/2012

Poll watcher: China as political punching bag

By Scott Clement

President Obama and his Republican opponent will likely address ambivalent public views about China’s economic rise.

By Scott Clement | 05:16 PM ET, 01/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, International polls

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 01/11/2012

New Hampshire primary: 10 key exit poll results

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Beneath Romney’s double-digit victory in New Hampshire, exit polls show a very different Republican electorate from last week’s Iowa caucuses. Here are the top 10 findings from an exit poll of voters conducted at 40 polling places across the state.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 06:00 AM ET, 01/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Voting

Posted at 08:11 PM ET, 01/10/2012

How Romney won the New Hampshire primary

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

Romney swept to a big win in New Hampshire, with significant strength among the Republican base, and a big advantage as the most electable GOP candidate.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 08:11 PM ET, 01/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Voting

Posted at 05:03 PM ET, 01/10/2012

New Hampshire exit polls: where to follow them

By Scott Clement

Follow Post Polling analysis of exit poll data from tonight’s New Hampshire Primary on the Post’s Election 2012 blog and @postpolls on Twitter.

By Scott Clement | 05:03 PM ET, 01/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Exit polls, Voting

Posted at 02:46 PM ET, 01/10/2012

New Hampshire primary exit polls: What to watch for

By Scott Clement

Exit polls in New Hampshire will offer a look at how primary voters made their decision. Here are five key factors to watch in tonight’s results.

By Scott Clement | 02:46 PM ET, 01/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Exit polls, GOP nomination, Voting

Posted at 03:20 PM ET, 01/09/2012

Poll watcher: Romney slips in N.H.; Paul and Huntsman battle for second place

By Scott Clement

Mitt Romney’s wide lead in New Hampshire has shrunk in the past week, according to the Suffolk/7News tracking poll.

By Scott Clement | 03:20 PM ET, 01/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, Voting, 2012 polls, 2012 polls

Posted at 02:59 PM ET, 01/06/2012

Poll watcher: Romney, Santorum surge in S.C.; Gingrich drops

By Scott Clement

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have gained support in South Carolina while Newt Gingrich has taken a nose dive, according to a new poll by CNN and Time magazine.

By Scott Clement | 02:59 PM ET, 01/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, methodology, Economy, 2012 polls, 2012 polls

Posted at 06:35 PM ET, 01/04/2012

Poll watcher: Huntsman’s time in China of no help in race

By Scott Clement

Jon Huntsman’s two years as ambassador to China have earned him almost no support in the race for the GOP presidential nod. Huntsman came in dead last in Tuesday’s Iowa caucuses. Do Republicans value Huntsman’s foreign policy credentials?

By Scott Clement | 06:35 PM ET, 01/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, International polls, Voting, GOP nomination, GOP nomination

Posted at 01:28 AM ET, 01/04/2012

Iowa caucus exposes party fissures

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

The three candidates at the top of the Iowa Republican caucus results have distinct constituencies, ones that echo broader divisions within the GOP.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 01:28 AM ET, 01/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Exit polls, Voting

Posted at 10:25 PM ET, 01/03/2012

Ron Paul and Mitt Romney: 2012 vs. 2008 in Iowa

By Peyton M. Craighill

Results for the Iowa caucuses were razor thin with Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum battling for the top spot. The repeat contenders, Paul and Romney have seen some big shifts, but also eerie consistency.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 10:25 PM ET, 01/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Voting, Exit polls

Posted at 09:47 PM ET, 01/03/2012

Evangelicals less united in 2012 caucuses

By Scott Clement

Early entrance polls show evangelical Christians making up a majority of Republican caucus-goers in Iowa, similar to 2008 when 60 percent of caucus-goers were evangelicals and helped turn the tide in favor of Mike Huckabee. This year, though, evangelicals are less united behind any of the GOP contenders.

By Scott Clement | 09:47 PM ET, 01/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Voting, Exit polls

Posted at 08:31 PM ET, 01/03/2012

Early Iowa entrance poll findings

By Jon Cohen

Early entrance poll numbers -- which may or may not be representative of the electorate -- show a higher share of independents and moderates than in 2008, as well as a little older electorate.

By Jon Cohen | 08:31 PM ET, 01/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls, Voting, Exit polls

Posted at 02:44 PM ET, 12/30/2011

Poll watcher: Republican problems with Hispanic voters larger than ever

By Scott Clement

Fresh numbers from the Pew Hispanic Center show that Republicans have made little progress since 2008 in courting a fast-growing Hispanic voting bloc.

By Scott Clement | 02:44 PM ET, 12/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Immigration

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 12/29/2011

Poll watcher: Obama seen as liberal; Hispanics in 2012, Iowa roundup

By Scott Clement

57 percent majority of Americans see president’s political views as liberal, versus 23 percent who see him as a moderate and 15 percent as conservative, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll released Thursday.

By Scott Clement | 11:39 AM ET, 12/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, GOP nomination, methodology, Immigration

Posted at 03:34 PM ET, 12/21/2011

GOP contenders split on Iran, what about voters?

By Scott Clement

Republican presidential hopefuls clashed fiercely over Iran’s nuclear ambitions in the final debate before the Iowa caucuses, with Ron Paul staking out a position of non-intervention at odds with the others. But both sides may be out of step with GOP voters on the issue.

By Scott Clement | 03:34 PM ET, 12/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 06:02 PM ET, 12/20/2011

Paul stronger in new poll, but challenges await

By Scott Clement

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds Texas Rep. Ron Paul’s support has spiked among some key Republican groups.

By Scott Clement | 06:02 PM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/20/2011

Poll: Paul as third party candidate could doom GOP in 2012

By Scott Clement

Should Ron Paul fall short of winning the GOP nod and opt to run as a third-party candidate, a Post-ABC news poll finds he could seriously shake up the 2012 political calculus, largely to Obama’s benefit.

By Scott Clement | 07:00 AM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 12/16/2011

Poll watcher: Gingrich slides in national, Iowa polls

By Scott Clement

Newt Gingrich's support in the race for the Republican presidential nomination has fallen quickly since early December.

By Scott Clement | 12:13 PM ET, 12/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 12/14/2011

Poll watcher: Will attacks on Obama’s foreign policy hold water?

By Scott Clement

How thick is Obama’s Teflon on foreign affairs? Beyond terrorism, polls show, he may be vulnerable.

By Scott Clement | 04:00 PM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, International polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 11:29 AM ET, 12/14/2011

Poll watcher: GOP voters still unsure of candidates

By Scott Clement

Three weeks before the first contest in the GOP primary race, most Republican voters have yet to fully commit to any one candidate.

By Scott Clement | 11:29 AM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls

Posted at 02:34 PM ET, 12/13/2011

Poll watcher: Swing states less friendly to Obama in 2012

By Scott Clement

A poll of 12 swing states finds the Republican Party in a stronger position than in 2008, when Obama ran the table in each contest.

By Scott Clement | 02:34 PM ET, 12/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 03:37 PM ET, 12/09/2011

Poll watcher: Fire Congress, but not my congressman

By Scott Clement

A record high 76 percent of Americans say most members of Congress don’t deserve to be re-elected.

By Scott Clement | 03:37 PM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Congress, 2012 polls

Posted at 12:40 PM ET, 12/08/2011

Poll watcher: Republican enthusiasm gap shrinks

By Scott Clement

The wide gap in voter enthusiasm that favored Republicans in September has been more than halved, according to a new Gallup poll.

By Scott Clement | 12:40 PM ET, 12/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 05:06 PM ET, 12/07/2011

Poll watcher: Does Israel matter in U.S. elections?

By Scott Clement

Obama and Republicans have repeatedly clashed over policy towards Israel. The entire hubbub raises a critical question: How important is Israel as a voting issue?

By Scott Clement | 05:06 PM ET, 12/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 12/02/2011

What influences public views on Iran action?

By Danny Hayes

Study show that political elites’ views would significantly affect public support for military action against Iran.

By Danny Hayes | 09:15 AM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, International polls

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 11/30/2011

Foreign policy poll watcher: Is Gingrich trusted with the ‘3 a.m. phone call?’

By Scott Clement

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has become a frontrunner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination by consolidating support among key GOP groups, and while some have dismissed him as another GOP “flavor of the month,” his longtime Washington ties may give him an edge over other contenders.

By Scott Clement | 02:00 PM ET, 11/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, Federal Budget Deficit, International polls

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 11/18/2011

Poll watcher: Is Gingrich competitive with Obama? Most want compromise on supercommittee

By Scott Clement

Newt Gingrich’s rise in the GOP nomination race begs a key question: How would he fare against the president?

By Scott Clement | 02:49 PM ET, 11/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination, Federal Budget Deficit, Congress

Posted at 12:11 PM ET, 11/17/2011

Poll watcher: Gingrich rides tea party surge; Obama trails Romney in N. H.

By Scott Clement

Gingrich’s support peaks at 35 percent among tea party supporters in a Fox News poll, twice as many who supported him in October (17 percent).

By Scott Clement | 12:11 PM ET, 11/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls

Posted at 05:06 PM ET, 11/09/2011

Sign up for The Post’s polling e-mail list

By Scott Clement

Get all the latest polling data and analysis from The Washington Post’s political polling team.

By Scott Clement | 05:06 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 10/20/2011

Poll watcher: Most say Obama is a liberal; courting the religious vote in 2012; GOP ‘horserace’; bike sharing

By Scott Clement

Fully 62 percent of Americans say President Obama is liberal, while 16 percent see him as a moderate and 18 percent as conservative.

By Scott Clement | 12:58 PM ET, 10/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls, Barack Obama, D.C.

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 10/14/2011

Poll watcher: Almost half say Iran is “enemy,” and more of today’s top polls

By Scott Clement

The American public has an extraordinarily low opinion of the Persian nation; top GOP candidates trail a “generic Republican” against Obama.

By Scott Clement | 11:46 AM ET, 10/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 10/04/2011

Poll: Mitt Romney’s electability

By Peyton M. Craighill

Former Mass. governor Mitt Romney no longer faces a basic question that undercut his candidacy four years ago -- the threshold issue of electability. In the fall of 2007, more people said they definitely would not vote for him in a general election than would consider him, but those numbers have now flipped in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 11:00 AM ET, 10/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 05:59 PM ET, 09/28/2011

#Pollwatch: Chris Christie unknown to many Americans; 2012 race tight in Pa. and Ohio; tea party less popular

By Scott Clement

Polls this year show many people have no opinion at all about the New Jersey governor.

By Scott Clement | 05:59 PM ET, 09/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, 2012 polls

Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 09/26/2011

#Pollwatch: Romney and Perry, Florida straw poll, government satisfaction and following local news

By Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement

A daily summary of polling.

By Peyton M. Craighill and Scott Clement | 01:45 PM ET, 09/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 12:08 PM ET, 09/20/2011

#Pollwatch: Perry holds strong; taxing rich is popular; text messaging flourishes

By Scott Clement

Rick Perry maintains his frontrunner status in the first major national poll since the Texas governor was bombarded with criticism by his primary opponents.

By Scott Clement | 12:08 PM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, GOP nomination, methodology

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 09/15/2011

Gallup: Disapproval of Obama ticks up among Jews

By Jon Cohen

Fully four in 10 Jews now disapprove of the way President Obama is doing his job, according to the latest numbers from the Gallup tracking poll.

By Jon Cohen | 01:23 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls

Posted at 10:26 AM ET, 08/19/2011

Will Obama lose the battle but win the war in 2012?

By Scott Clement

With dwindling prospects of a booming recovery by next year’s election, Obama might pursue a new strategy.

By Scott Clement | 10:26 AM ET, 08/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 04:17 PM ET, 08/17/2011

Unemployment rate fell in election swing states from 2010-2011

By Scott Clement

President Obama’s electoral fate may lie in how bad the economy feels in key states come November 2012.

By Scott Clement | 04:17 PM ET, 08/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 04:54 PM ET, 08/11/2011

Obama reelect numbers soften, poll says

By Scott Clement

Obama’s political standing is weaker in the aftermath of the fierce debt negotiations, especially among liberals. There’s also stronger opposition than support for a second term among swing voting groups who backed him in 2008, including independents and women.

By Scott Clement | 04:54 PM ET, 08/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, Economy

Posted at 04:37 PM ET, 08/10/2011

WP Poll: Public sees government badly off-kilter

By Peyton M. Craighill

Over seven in 10 Americans think the federal government is focused on the wrong things, a number that’s grown since the fall.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 04:37 PM ET, 08/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Crosstabs, Post Polls

Posted at 05:37 PM ET, 08/03/2011

Poll watchers: Debt deal fallout, swing-state polling, consumer spending

By Scott Clement and Peyton M. Craighill

A summary of daily polling: Debt deal fallout, swing-state polling, consumer spending

By Scott Clement and Peyton M. Craighill | 05:37 PM ET, 08/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Economy, Federal Budget Deficit, 2012 polls, Barack Obama

Posted at 12:20 PM ET, 08/03/2011

Obama set to turn 50, with sub-50 approval ratings

By Jon Cohen and Scott Clement

President Obama turns 50 tomorrow, but a less enviable milestone awaits: absent a dramatic one-night upturn, Aug. 4 will mark 60 days with job approval ratings under 50 percent in Gallup daily tracking polls.

By Jon Cohen and Scott Clement | 12:20 PM ET, 08/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Presidential Approval, 2012 polls

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 08/02/2011

Tea party Republicans grow fond of Boehner, maintain focus on 2012

By Scott Clement

Poll finds a majority of Republicans who agree with the tea party movement give the House speaker J positive reviews for his role in debt negotiations.

By Scott Clement | 11:20 AM ET, 08/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Tea party, Federal Budget Deficit

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 07/29/2011

Americans split on New York gay marriage law

By Scott Clement

By Scott Clement | 07:00 AM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 01:27 PM ET, 07/28/2011

Poll Watchers: Obama vs. generic Republican, the deficit, rating congressional leaders, the GOP nomination and wine vs. beer

By Peyton M. Craighill

A summary of daily polling at The Washington Post.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 01:27 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Congress, Federal Budget Deficit, GOP nomination, Tea party, 2012 polls

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 07/21/2011

Obama, Romney neck and neck in 2012; other Republicans trail president

By Scott Clement

President Obama and Mitt Romney, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, split 49 percent to 47 percent among registered voters in a hypothetical 2012 matchup in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Scott Clement | 07:00 AM ET, 07/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 01:06 PM ET, 07/14/2011

Poll Watchers: Pew Global poll, blame for default, unemployment, mood of the country

By Peyton M. Craighill

A summary of daily polling: Pew Global poll, blame for default, unemployment, mood of the country.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 01:06 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls, Federal Budget Deficit

Posted at 02:29 PM ET, 05/27/2011

Poll Watchers: Rick Perry for president, Wall Street Republicans

By Scott Clement

A summary of daily polling.

By Scott Clement | 02:29 PM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls

Posted at 11:31 AM ET, 05/26/2011

Poll Watchers: The changing GOP field, New Hampshire primary, Florida warms to Obama, Medicaid and politics

By Scott Clement

A summary of daily polling.

By Scott Clement | 11:31 AM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, Health care

Posted at 01:27 PM ET, 05/19/2011

Poll Watchers: Americans have strongly negative view of Pakistan

By Peyton M. Craighill

A vast majority of Americans say Pakistan is not a strong ally in the war on terrorism and want to cut funding there, according to a new Fox News poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 01:27 PM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Afghanistan, International polls

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 05/17/2011

Poll Watchers: Republican primary positioning, U.S. strength in the world and vacation plans

By Peyton M. Craighill

A summary of daily polling

By Peyton M. Craighill | 11:57 AM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 10:57 AM ET, 04/26/2011

Poll Watchers: Egypt, baby boomers, the Royal Wedding and Haley Barbour

By Peyton M. Craighill

A daily round-up of public polling.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 10:57 AM ET, 04/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 09:07 AM ET, 04/19/2011

Obama and 2012: approval down, but little enthusiasm for GOP field

By Peyton M. Craighill

Early in President Obama’s re-election bid, he’s running ahead of each of the seven potential Republican challengers tested in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 09:07 AM ET, 04/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, GOP nomination

Posted at 10:57 AM ET, 04/11/2011

Poll Watchers: Budget debate fallout, Trump bump, Civil War continued and Mitt Romney

By Peyton M. Craighill

A daily round-up of national public opinion polling

By Peyton M. Craighill | 10:57 AM ET, 04/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Congress, Federal Budget Deficit, 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 03/30/2011

Poll Watchers: the Trump card, Afghanistan, Obama and the birthers, the economy and nuclear energy

By Peyton M. Craighill

New polling on Donald Trump and the 2012 election, the war in Afghanistan, President Obama and the birthers, declining views of the economy and support for new nuclear power plants.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 05:40 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Economy, GOP nomination

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 03/30/2011

Poll Watchers: New polls on government shutdown, budget debate, GOP 2012

By Peyton M. Craighill

New polling on a possible governement shutdown, Obama’s approval ratings, polling in Florida, Republican primary standings, support for military action in Libya and new interest.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 05:40 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, Federal Budget Deficit

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 03/30/2011

Poll Watchers: Florida governor ratings, gas prices, Huckabee continues to lead, government shutdown

By Peyton M. Craighill

A review of polling on a potential government shutdown, Florida governor Rick Scott’s declining ratings, gas prices and Mike Huckabee continues to lead GOP field in name recognition.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 05:40 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Federal Budget Deficit, 2012 polls

Posted at 01:44 PM ET, 03/23/2011

2012: Obama runs ahead in generic Pew poll

By Peyton M. Craighill

President Obama runs ahead of an unnamed Republican opponent by 47 to 37 percent in a new Pew poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 01:44 PM ET, 03/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, Barack Obama, GOP nomination

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 03/22/2011

Haley Barbour, man of the South

By Peyton M. Craighill

Almost six in 10 Republican and GOP-leaning independents are unable to rate Haley Barbour, placing him in the same company as other GOP hopefuls such as former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, the outgoing ambassador to China Jon Huntsman and Indiana governor Mitch Daniels.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 11:45 AM ET, 03/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, GOP nomination

Posted at 08:15 AM ET, 02/02/2011

Romney, not Huntsman, top choice among Utah GOP

By Jon Cohen

Utah Republicans overwhelmingly favor Mitt Romney over Jon Huntsman, Jr. when it comes to who they would like to see as a Republican presidential candidate, according to a January statewide survey.

By Jon Cohen | 08:15 AM ET, 02/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2012 polls, 2012 polls | Tags: 2012 polls, Jon Huntsman, Jr., Mitt Romney, Utah poll

Posted at 12:56 PM ET, 02/01/2011

Polls: Egyptian public dissatisfied with level of freedom

By Peyton Craighill

The demonstrations sweeping Egypt are driven by high public dissatisfaction with levels of freedom and political participation. Public opinion polls from The Gallup Organization in Egypt in 2009 and 2010 rank the country near the bottom of the world on these key measures of democratization.

By Peyton Craighill | 12:56 PM ET, 02/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: International polls

Posted at 06:49 PM ET, 01/31/2011

Data retread: can a Mormon win?

By Jon Cohen

In Dec. 2007, 22 percent of Americans said they would be less apt to vote for a Mormon presidential candidate. That was higher than the percentages saying they would be less likely to support someone who has been a religious leader (19 percent), a woman (15) or an African American (5). But also notable is that the percentage turning away from a Mormon candidate dropped significantly - by 13 percentage points - between Dec. 2006 and Dec. 2007. Over this same time period, the percentage of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents saying being a Mormon was of no consequence rose 11 points to 72 percent, as the percentage less likely to vote for a Mormon candidate dropped from 36 to 21 percent.

By Jon Cohen | 06:49 PM ET, 01/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, Exit polls, Exit polls, Exit polls | Tags: Washington Post-ABC News poll; Post polling; Post poll; Post-ABC News poll

Posted at 02:39 PM ET, 01/07/2011

Public's take on cutting defense

By Peyton M. Craighill

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates on Thursday announced proposals to cut $78 billion in the Pentagon's spending over the next five years. That's unusual news for a department that's seen rapidly increasing budgets for the past decade, and may meet with public resistance.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 02:39 PM ET, 01/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls | Tags: Post-ABC, Washington Post-ABC News, defense, deficit, economy, polls

Posted at 12:53 PM ET, 01/05/2011

Americans split on how to interpret Constitution

By Jon Cohen

There is a set text to the U.S. Constitution, but the public splits about evenly on whether the country's courts should stick narrowly to its original meaning when deciding law.

By Jon Cohen | 12:53 PM ET, 01/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls | Tags: Boehner, Polls, Supreme Court

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 12/13/2010

Tax agreement numbers, support by party

By Jon Cohen

New Washington Post-ABC poll shows broad bipartisan support for tax agreement, but not necessarily its component parts. The breakdowns are below; full question wording here. All Dem Rep Ind D-R Overall tax package 69 68 75 68 -7 Overall, with args. 62 64 63 61 +1 Elements: Unemployment benefits 72...

By Jon Cohen | 11:56 AM ET, 12/13/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls | Tags: washington post poll

Posted at 03:36 PM ET, 11/15/2010

Voters send mixed messages on earmarks

By Jon Cohen

Most Americans want their member of Congress to fight for spending to spur local job creation, complicating the politics around the new Republican initiative to ban congressional earmarks. In an October Post-Kaiser-Harvard poll, 58 percent of Americans said they want their congressional representatives to focus on what's best for the...

By Jon Cohen | 03:36 PM ET, 11/15/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls | Tags: Polls; Washington Post poll; earmark

Posted at 11:23 AM ET, 11/10/2010

New exit poll numbers! (Oy.)

By Jon Cohen

Final updated exit poll numbers now available, giving you a whole new set of numbers to memorize.

By Jon Cohen | 11:23 AM ET, 11/10/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: 2010, election, exit polls, midterms

Posted at 01:48 AM ET, 11/03/2010

Exit poll: big shift among independents

By Jon Cohen

2010 2008 president National House GOP +19 Dem +8 California Sen. GOP +4 Dem +33 Kentucky Sen. GOP +16 GOP +20 Nevada Senate GOP +4 Dem +13 Ohio Senate GOP +39 Dem +8 Penn. Senate GOP +10 Dem +17 W. VA. Senate Dem +7 GOP +19 Wisc. Senate GOP...

By Jon Cohen | 01:48 AM ET, 11/03/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: election 2010, exit polls

Posted at 11:56 PM ET, 11/02/2010

Exit poll: Johnson, Walker victories in Wisconsin

By Kyle Dropp

The G.O.P. wave has reached Wisconsin. A dramatic swing among independent voters helped derail Wisconsin Democrat Russ Feingold's bid for a fourth term against Republican businessman Ron Johnson. In the Governor's race, Republican Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker defeated Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. In the Senate race, the 27...

By Kyle Dropp | 11:56 PM ET, 11/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: barrett, feingold, johnson, walker, wisconsin

Posted at 08:47 PM ET, 11/02/2010

Exit poll: Manchin's victory in West Virginia

By Kyle Dropp

Democrat Joe Manchin has beaten back a strong challenge from Republican John Raese in the West Virginia Senate race. Manchin's coalition is drawn from Democrats, women, adult over 50 and voters earning less than $50,000 per year. Democrats accounted for 42 percent of statewide voters, while Republicans made up 35...

By Kyle Dropp | 08:47 PM ET, 11/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: senate, west virginia

Posted at 08:47 PM ET, 11/02/2010

Exit poll: Manchin's victory in West Virginia

By Kyle Dropp

Democrat Joe Manchin has beaten back a strong challenge from Republican John Raese in the West Virginia Senate race. Manchin's coalition is drawn from Democrats, women, adult over 50 and voters earning less than $50,000 per year. Democrats accounted for 42 percent of statewide voters, while Republicans made up 35...

By Kyle Dropp | 08:47 PM ET, 11/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: senate, west virginia

Posted at 08:07 PM ET, 11/02/2010

Exit poll: Paul's victory in Kentucky

By Kyle Dropp

In Kentucky's contest for U.S. Senate, Tea Party favorite Rand Paul captured the Senate seat, besting his opponent, Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway. Paul's winning coalition was drawn from majorities of Republicans, conservatives, men, middle and upper income earners, and middle aged and older voters. His strong showing is at...

By Kyle Dropp | 08:07 PM ET, 11/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, Exit polls | Tags: kentucky, tea party

Posted at 07:51 PM ET, 11/02/2010

Exit poll: Portman's victory in Ohio

By Kyle Dropp

Economic anxiety is particularly acute in Ohio, where Republican Rob Portman just defeated Democrat Lee Fisher in the U.S. Senate race. In Ohio, 34 percent have seen a job loss in their household in recent years, higher than the figure nationally. And a full 88 percent are either "very worried"...

By Kyle Dropp | 07:51 PM ET, 11/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: ohio

Posted at 06:10 PM ET, 11/02/2010

Early exit polls: top issues this election

By Kyle Dropp

As expected, the economy is on the top of voters' minds today, as more than six in 10 say it is the most important issue facing the country, according to preliminary exit poll data. About two in 10 cite health care as the most pressing issue. So-called "economy" voters tilt...

By Kyle Dropp | 06:10 PM ET, 11/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: afghanistan, economy, health care, tax cuts

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 11/02/2010

Exit poll: priorities for the next Congress

By Kyle Dropp

Poll workers across the country will be counting millions more ballots throughout the night, but exit polls shed light on the new direction voters want the 112th Congress to take. Overall, voters came down firmly against expanded government: 56 percent told exit pollsters that the government is doing too may...

By Kyle Dropp | 01:35 PM ET, 11/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls | Tags: bush, health care, role of government, tax cuts

Posted at 10:53 AM ET, 11/01/2010

Poll: union households part of GOP shift

By Kyle Dropp

With polls opening in less than 24 hours, one core Democratic constituency, labor union households, may be more splintered than in the past, according to the new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Union households back the Democratic candidate in their district over the GOP by a 54 to 42 percent margin,...

By Kyle Dropp | 10:53 AM ET, 11/01/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, Exit polls, Exit polls | Tags: exit polls, unions

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 10/30/2010

Stewart trounces Colbert in head-to-head matchup

By Kyle Dropp

Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert may be tapping into the politics of fear, but in a hypothetical 2012 presidential matchup, "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart outpaces his protégé Colbert by a wide margin among registered voters, 42 percent to 22 percent, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. With one...

By Kyle Dropp | 06:00 AM ET, 10/30/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls, Post Polls | Tags: comedy central

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 10/25/2010

Poll: early voters backing O'Malley by 3 to 1 margin

By Kyle Dropp

Fully 16 percent of Marylanders say they will cast their ballot before the November 2 general election, taking advantage of new early voting rules across the state. These voters back Gov. Martin O'Malley over Bob Ehrlich by a wide 3 to 1 margin, according to the new Washington Post poll....

By Kyle Dropp | 02:17 PM ET, 10/25/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, Polls, Polls | Tags: absentee, early voting, ehrlich, maryland, o'malley

Posted at 07:12 AM ET, 09/09/2010

Fenty beckons Obama for rewrite

By Jon Cohen

Yesterday's turn in the D.C. mayor's race saga brought reports that incumbent Adrian Fenty is seeking White House support in his uphill bid for the Democratic nomination. It's easy to see the mayor's interest here: in the late August Washington Post poll, fully 93 percent of District Democrats said they...

By Jon Cohen | 07:12 AM ET, 09/09/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 01:11 PM ET, 08/30/2010

Gray's advantage on "personal qualities"

By Kyle Dropp

Though District voters say Mayor Fenty has achieved a lot and see their city moving in the right direction, those most likely to vote in the upcoming Democratic primary favor his opponent Vincent Gray by 17 points, according to the new Washington Post poll. While much has been written about...

By Kyle Dropp | 01:11 PM ET, 08/30/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 11:09 AM ET, 07/15/2010

Ban or no ban; two polls, two answers

By Jon Cohen

On Wednesday, one headline screamed "Americans in 73% Majority Oppose Deepwater Drilling Ban." Another poll showed 56 percent support for the moratorium. What gives?...

By Jon Cohen | 11:09 AM ET, 07/15/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 09:22 AM ET, 07/13/2010

New Post-ABC poll; poll chat @ noon

By Jon Cohen

Brand new Post-ABC poll out this a.m. shows sliding confidence in President Obama, and a sizable one-month dip in his approval rating on handling the economy. A slim majority of voters say they want the GOP to takeover Congress, even as nearly three-quarters lack faith in the Republicans to make...

By Jon Cohen | 09:22 AM ET, 07/13/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 05:13 PM ET, 06/29/2010

Polling wars: Kos takes on Research 2000

By Jon Cohen

Writing on his eponymous blog, Markos Moulitsas has leveled a devastating fraud charge against the firm that has conducted its polls over the past two years. In the detailed accusation, Kos presents statistical analyses he says suggest the Daily Kos tracking polls conducted by Research 2000 were "likely bunk." Del...

By Jon Cohen | 05:13 PM ET, 06/29/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, Polls, Polls

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 06/24/2010

Public views mirror conference battle on financial regulation

By Jennifer Agiesta

With a battle among Democrats over a remake of the nation's financial regulations coming to a head, public opinion mirrors the split in the conference, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. As Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) leads the charge for stricter regulations and other Democrats argue for the...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 01:00 PM ET, 06/24/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 12:35 PM ET, 06/17/2010

Ariz. immigration law hurts U.S. image in Mexico

By Jon Cohen

A new Washington Post-ABC News polls finds broad support north of the border for the new Arizona immigration law, but the legislation has soured Mexican views of the U.S. Collected as part of the 22-nation Pew Global Attitudes Survey, new data from Mexico show Mexicans' becoming dramatically more critical of...

By Jon Cohen | 12:35 PM ET, 06/17/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 02:03 PM ET, 06/16/2010

Will Obama group get Southern hospitality from Gulf voters?

By Jennifer Agiesta

As they seek to drive turnout in the 2010 midterm elections, Organizing for America volunteers in the Gulf states may have a harder time finding new voters who supported President Obama in 2008 than those elsewhere in the country. The voter outreach group that grew out of the president's vast...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 02:03 PM ET, 06/16/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 06/10/2010

Most Americans say regulate greenhouse gases

By Jon Cohen

In advance of an expected Senate vote today on a GOP plan to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows broad public support for the new oversight. Some 71 percent of those surveyed back federal regulation of the release of greenhouse...

By Jon Cohen | 07:00 AM ET, 06/10/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 01:19 PM ET, 05/10/2010

The judicial experience factor

By Jennifer Agiesta

President Obama's nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court misses the mark on one of the public's key criteria for nominees: she lacks judicial experience. A Washington Post-ABC News poll conducted in late April found seven in 10 said experience on the bench was a positive factor...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 01:19 PM ET, 05/10/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 05/10/2010

La plus ça change, MD governor edition

By Jon Cohen

As Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) tries to fend off a challenge from Bob Ehrlich, the Republican he unseated from the job four years ago, regional breakdowns in the new Washington Post poll reveal a familiar starting dynamic. The table below also shows the big differences for Ehrlich between his...

By Jon Cohen | 12:17 PM ET, 05/10/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/07/2010

Sizing up the "birthers"

By Jon Cohen

Asked an open-ended question about where President Obama was born, 14 percent of Americans say he was born abroad - giving an incorrect answer that shows how widespread the misunderstanding of his birthplace is nearly a year and a half into his presidency. Fully 68 percent of those surveyed in...

By Jon Cohen | 07:00 AM ET, 05/07/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 10:10 AM ET, 05/05/2010

Tea party: trouble for the GOP?

By Jon Cohen

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll indicates that the tea party's gain is mostly the GOP's loss: the percentages of Americans seeing the Democratic Party as the most in sync with their values and as the most empathetic are about the same as in November, while the numbers siding with...

By Jon Cohen | 10:10 AM ET, 05/05/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 07:09 PM ET, 04/14/2010

Most tea partiers don't want a Party with a capital P

By Jon Cohen

Beyond today's dueling polls on the size of the tea party movement (NYT-CBS calls 18 percent "supporters;" CNN says one in 10 is an "activist"), there's a fundamental question: is this a fledgling third-party or a re-branding of a segment of the GOP or something else? As partial evidence on...

By Jon Cohen | 07:09 PM ET, 04/14/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 08:16 PM ET, 03/29/2010

What are the odds? A Murtha rates Pelosi...

By Jon Cohen

When we conduct a public opinion survey, we call a totally random sampling of telephone numbers in the United States, including listed and unlisted numbers and cellphones. We talk to around 1,000 adults each time out; getting responses from rich, from poor, from tea partiers and from people of all...

By Jon Cohen | 08:16 PM ET, 03/29/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 01:26 PM ET, 03/09/2010

Census "heads up" prompts questions

By Jennifer Agiesta

As "Census Day" approaches, the U.S. Census Bureau has come under fire for some of its edgier attempts to encourage people to respond to its mailings, and now, some have begun to take umbrage with standard technique - the advance letter. On National Review's The Corner, John J. Miller questions...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 01:26 PM ET, 03/09/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, Polls, Polls

Posted at 07:36 AM ET, 03/02/2010

Obama approval sinks in the South

By Jennifer Agiesta

President Obama heads south to Savannah, Georgia Tuesday to pitch his economic program. But in Washington Post-ABC News polls during his tenure, residents of the nation's southern states -- particularly whites -- have expressed broad doubts about the effectiveness of the stimulus package and Obama's leadership. Last summer, six months...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 07:36 AM ET, 03/02/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, Polls, Polls, Polls

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 02/12/2010

Post-ABC Poll: Views on gay marriage steady, more back civil unions

By Jennifer Agiesta

With the nation's capital poised to begin allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, opinions nationwide remain closely divided, but two-thirds of all Americans now say gay and lesbian couples should be able to have the same rights as heterosexual couples through civil unions. In a new Washington Post-ABC News...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 06:00 AM ET, 02/12/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 02/09/2010

Poll: Bipartisanship popular, compromise tricky

By Jon Cohen

Americans spread the blame when it comes to the lack of cooperation in Washington, and, in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, most want the two sides to keep working to pass comprehensive health care reform.

By Jon Cohen | 02:00 PM ET, 02/09/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 03:38 PM ET, 01/22/2010

New Poll: Massachusetts special election

By Jon Cohen

Post-Kaiser-Harvard post-election Massachusetts poll is now live. Data are here, including breakdowns of Brown and Coakley voters. We'll be posting crosstabs from this poll today. If you'd like particular breakdowns, let us know in the comments section below....

By Jon Cohen | 03:38 PM ET, 01/22/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 11:42 AM ET, 01/22/2010

MA voters: what were they thinking? (new poll coming)

By Jon Cohen

Republican Scott Brown won two-thirds of the Massachusetts voters who believe the country is seriously off course, according to a new Washington Post-Kaiser-Harvard poll of special election voters (and non-voters). Brown's margin here highlights a shift in voter anger; in 2008, Obama scored a decisive win among those dissatisfied with...

By Jon Cohen | 11:42 AM ET, 01/22/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 01/18/2010

Medical marijuana popular as N.J., D.C. near legalization

By Jennifer Agiesta

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds broad support for the legalization of medical marijuana - a move currently underway in New Jersey and the District of Columbia - and a majority says that if it is legalized, it should be available to any patient who gets a prescription. More...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 05:00 PM ET, 01/18/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 10:40 AM ET, 10/20/2009

Assessing Obama's accomplishments

By Jennifer Agiesta

Amid the mixed public reviews of President Obama's handling of health care and the economy in the new Washington Post-ABC News poll stands one more even split, this one on how much the president has accomplished in his nine months in office. About half (49 percent) say Obama has done...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 10:40 AM ET, 10/20/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 05:26 PM ET, 10/19/2009

Balancing the government's role on health care

By Jennifer Agiesta

Health care reform's most controversial element - the creation of a government-sponsored insurance plan to compete with private health insurers - centers on the eternal Washington conflict that defines party lines on so many issues: How much of a role should the government play? In the latest Washington Post-ABC News...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 05:26 PM ET, 10/19/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls | Tags: government health insurance poll, public option poll, washington post poll

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 10/19/2009

Post-ABC poll: few partisan fissures on Iran nukes

By Jon Cohen

Americans overwhelmingly see Iran's nuclear program as geared toward the development of atomic weaponry, and more than eight in 10 support direct diplomatic talks to try to resolve the situation, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. As negotiators from the United States, France and Russia meet with Iran...

By Jon Cohen | 12:00 PM ET, 10/19/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 02:56 PM ET, 10/08/2009

New WaPo Va Gov poll: The Crosstabs

By Jon Cohen

There is a brand new Washington Post poll on Virginia governor's race: see the poll story and the questionnaire. Below are some crosstabs on the head-to-head for the state's top job. Want others? Tell us in the comments section, and we'll do our best to provide. Deeds McDonnell All likely...

By Jon Cohen | 02:56 PM ET, 10/08/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 09/15/2009

Anti-War Stirrings Greet Call For More Troops

By Jon Cohen

Fewer than half of all Americans see the war in Afghanistan as an essential front in the campaign against terrorism and just a quarter backs Admiral Michael Mullen's call to send more troops there, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. A slim majority, 51 percent, say the war...

By Jon Cohen | 02:30 PM ET, 09/15/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 09/14/2009

Icing the Next Meltdown?

By Jennifer Agiesta

With President Obama taking to Wall Street to sell his overhaul of the financial regulatory system, there is little public confidence that the government is enacting measures to lower the odds of another financial crisis, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Overall, 49 percent say they are confident...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 02:00 PM ET, 09/14/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 11:41 AM ET, 09/08/2009

The Word on Barack Obama

By Jennifer Agiesta

Nearly eight months into Barack Obama's presidency, Americans' perceptions of him are mostly positive, but the administration's efforts at health reform inspire a more critical reaction, with more describing their feelings about the proposed changes with a negative word (43 percent) than a positive one (31 percent) according to a...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 11:41 AM ET, 09/08/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 11:21 AM ET, 07/30/2009

A Gates Effect?

By Jon Cohen

Did President Obama accelerate his public image problems by venturing into the racial politics swirling around Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s arrest in Cambridge? That's the intriguing contention found in an analysis from the Pew Research Center: in their new poll, Obama's overall approval rating among whites tumbled seven points from...

By Jon Cohen | 11:21 AM ET, 07/30/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 07/29/2009

To Investigate, or not Investigate

By Jon Cohen

Public interest in a look-back at the Bush administration's treatment of terrorism suspects has waned, but there is now majority support for investigations into the possibility the CIA withheld required information from Congress, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Most Americans, 54 percent, say the new administration should...

By Jon Cohen | 12:00 PM ET, 07/29/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 11:28 AM ET, 07/28/2009

Palin - Fox Explores "What Next?"

By Jon Cohen

Fox News is out with the first "what next?" poll on former governor Sarah Palin: "homemaker" tops the closed-ended list. Here's the full breakdown by party identification... Q: What do you think is the best job for Sarah Palin now that she has resigned as governor of Alaska? All voters...

By Jon Cohen | 11:28 AM ET, 07/28/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 09:32 AM ET, 07/24/2009

New Palin Numbers

By Jon Cohen

Here are some of the change numbers on Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's (R) behind today's Washington Post poll story about a new low in her favorability rating. Palin favorability in Washington Post-ABC News polls %favorable (% strongly favorable) Post-Conv.* Now Change in pts. All 58% (35%) 40% (20%) -18 (-15)...

By Jon Cohen | 09:32 AM ET, 07/24/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 12:01 AM ET, 07/22/2009

Obama Earns High Marks as Commander in Chief

By Jennifer Agiesta

President Obama is broadly viewed as a good commander in chief and earns high marks for his handling of the situation in Afghanistan, suggesting his foreign policy skills remain insulated from the heat he's begun to take on big domestic issues, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Assessing...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 12:01 AM ET, 07/22/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 07/21/2009

Sotomayor's Smooth Ride

By Jennifer Agiesta

President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court continues to win about 2 to 1 support among the public, including broad majorities of Democrats and independents, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Nearly six in 10 (58 percent) say the Senate should vote to confirm federal judge Sonia Sotomayor,...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 06:00 AM ET, 07/21/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 07/20/2009

Democratic Rifts on Budget, Economy

By Jennifer Agiesta

The Obama administration's delayed release of the Mid-Session Budget Review fits the timeline for previous releases in transition years, but the move buys extra time at an opportune moment for the president. The new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that on the two issues directly addressed by the report -...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 06:30 PM ET, 07/20/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 06:00 PM ET, 07/19/2009

Moonwalking

By Jon Cohen

Most Americans say the country's broad-scale effort to land a man on the moon 40 years ago was worth it, but there's wider skepticism of the overall space program, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Overall, 70 percent call the moon-landing worth its costs, with big majorities across...

By Jon Cohen | 06:00 PM ET, 07/19/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 06:57 AM ET, 07/13/2009

Union Members on Health Care Reform

By Jennifer Agiesta

This week's political main event is taking place at Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court confirmation hearings over on the Hill, but over at the White House, Pres. Obama is pressing on with his health care agenda by meeting with union leaders on the status of that legislation. But while their leadership...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 06:57 AM ET, 07/13/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 12:11 PM ET, 07/08/2009

Republican Prospects: Then and Now

By Jennifer Agiesta

The Republican Party's successful wooing of several strong candidates for Congress may be giving party insiders reason to hope for a better return at the ballot box next November than they've earned in each of the previous two cycles, but compared with data collected four years ago - at about...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 12:11 PM ET, 07/08/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls, Post Polls

Posted at 03:54 PM ET, 07/06/2009

Palin: Everywoman or Conservative Darling?

By Jennifer Agiesta

Following up on today's back-and-forth about whether Sarah Palin represents the "democratic ideal" of the everywoman (see Ross Douthat here; John Sides here), we've assembled some data from last year's campaign. Favorability ratings taken in Washington Post-ABC News pre-election polls found some measure of the education divide Douthat suggests in...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 03:54 PM ET, 07/06/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Exit polls, Exit polls, Exit polls

Posted at 09:36 AM ET, 06/18/2009

New Analysis Points to Fraud in Iran

By Jon Cohen

The election forensics expert who has been poring over the announced results of last week's controversial Iranian elections writes this morning that he is "no longer on the fence" about electoral irregularities there. In an early morning update to his prelimary report on the election, Walter R. Mebane, Jr. notes:...

By Jon Cohen | 09:36 AM ET, 06/18/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 09:08 AM ET, 06/15/2009

About Those Iran Polls

By Jon Cohen

Public opinion surveys are central to the Iranian opposition's argument that the elections there were rigged for incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: they cite unspecified polls showing the main challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi with a "strong lead in the final days of the campaign," according to the New York Times. Now,...

By Jon Cohen | 09:08 AM ET, 06/15/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 12:45 PM ET, 06/04/2009

Virginia Governor: The Undecided Masses

By Jennifer Agiesta

With Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial primary just a few days away, a new poll from Suffolk University confirms one thing we know for sure about this race: there are a lot of undecided voters. The new poll, conducted using live interviewers, adds to the stack of polling showing a large chunk...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 12:45 PM ET, 06/04/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, Polls

Posted at 01:11 PM ET, 05/26/2009

Gay Marriage Ban Stands Amid Shifting Public Opinion

By Jennifer Agiesta

The California Supreme Court today upheld Proposition 8, meaning the ban on gay marriage passed by California voters last November will stand. The ruling comes as public opinion appears to be shifting on gay marriage, but those movements have yet to translate into electoral wins for supporters of same-sex marriage....

By Jennifer Agiesta | 01:11 PM ET, 05/26/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, Polls

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 04/28/2009

Swine Flu: Is Obama Crisis Ready?

By Jennifer Agiesta

The outbreak of swine flu and the public alarm it has caused have brought on the first non-economic domestic crisis of President Obama's young tenure, and according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll out Sunday, the president inspires widespread trust among the public in his ability to handle a crisis....

By Jennifer Agiesta | 06:00 AM ET, 04/28/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 04/27/2009

Public: Maybe Auto Bankrupcy Not a Bad Thing

By Jon Cohen

Potential bankruptcy of one of the major U.S. automakers would roil Detroit, but few Americans think it would clearly hurt the auto industry or necessarily be a bad thing for the country's economy, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Only about one in five of those polled (21...

By Jon Cohen | 12:00 PM ET, 04/27/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 04/27/2009

Biden: 100-Day Report Card

By Jon Cohen

Joe Biden checks in after about 100 days as vice president as a popular figure, but far less so than his new boss, President Barack Obama. Overall, 57 percent of Americans in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll said they have a favorable view of Biden, the former senator from...

By Jon Cohen | 07:00 AM ET, 04/27/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 12:01 AM ET, 04/26/2009

Torture: The Memos and Partisan Reaction

By Jennifer Agiesta

President Obama's decision to release Bush administration memos on controversial interrogation techniques highlights the sharp partisan divisions lurking beneath Obama's high approval ratings. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds most approve of the way Obama is handling the U.S. campaign against terrorism, including nearly four in 10 Republicans, but...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 12:01 AM ET, 04/26/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 01:13 PM ET, 03/31/2009

Post-ABC: Afghanistan

By Jon Cohen

Afghanistan, the subject of today's multi-national meeting in The Hague, poses a major foreign policy challenge to the Obama administration, one that includes convincing a divided American public about the best way forward. According to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, Americans are about evenly split on whether the United...

By Jon Cohen | 01:13 PM ET, 03/31/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 03/31/2009

Ambassador-in-Chief

By Jon Cohen

As Barack Obama heads out on his first European trip as president, more than six in 10 Americans approve of the way he's handling international affairs, and over four in 10 think the country's image abroad has already improved under the new administration. The perceived turnaround in America's image in...

By Jon Cohen | 01:00 PM ET, 03/31/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 12:02 PM ET, 03/16/2009

Cheney Lookback

By Jon Cohen

Dick Cheney wrapped up his tenure as vice president with an approval rating a hair below that of the broadly unpopular president he served, winning the support of just 30 percent of Americans in a January Washington Post-ABC News poll. (President Bush finished up at 33 percent in Post-ABC polling.)...

By Jon Cohen | 12:02 PM ET, 03/16/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 03/16/2009

Rage is All the Rage

By Jon Cohen

Federal Washington's ire about AIG new bonuses broke out into the open this weekend, echoing widespread public sentiment against the government's bailout of banks and financial institutions that made bad bets. In a Pew poll released today, nearly half of all Americans said they were angry about propping up financial...

By Jon Cohen | 12:00 PM ET, 03/16/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 01:17 PM ET, 03/12/2009

Avoid Heartache, Buy the Paper

By Jon Cohen

A new poll out today shows that most Americans would miss their local newspaper if it shut down, and about three-quarters said such a loss would hurt civic life in their communities. Majorities across age categories in the poll conducted by the Pew Research Center said they'd personally miss it...

By Jon Cohen | 01:17 PM ET, 03/12/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 06:21 AM ET, 03/12/2009

Most Iraqis Lionize Shoe-Thrower

By Jon Cohen

A Baghdad-based artist commemorated the act with a monument, but an Iraqi court today was decidedly less impressed with Muntadhar al-Zeidi for throwing his shoes at then-President George W. Bush in December, sentencing the Iraqi journalist to three years in prison. It's a decision that is unlikely to go over...

By Jon Cohen | 06:21 AM ET, 03/12/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 03:04 PM ET, 03/11/2009

Congressional Approval: Democrats on Democrats

By Jennifer Agiesta

Congress has gained higher approval ratings from Democrats, with positive ratings increasing at a faster rate than when the Democrats took control of both chambers of the legislative body just over two years ago. But can Democratic control of both the White House and Congress help sustain the momentum this...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 03:04 PM ET, 03/11/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls, Polls, Polls

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 03/11/2009

Cellphones: New State-Level Estimates

By Jon Cohen

The National Center for Health Statistics, the federal outfit whose data on the sharp growth in the "cell-only" population has convinced many pollsters to expand their techniques, today released state-by-state estimates on cellphone usage. The results are sure to roil those doing survey research in Oklahoma, Utah and right here...

By Jon Cohen | 12:16 PM ET, 03/11/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 03/09/2009

Stem Cells - Back by Popular Demand

By Jon Cohen

Updated, 11:15 a.m. Eager to turn the page on downbeat coverage of the economy, President Obama appears poised to tackle an issue that's had consistent and broad public support - reversing his predecessor's restrictions on federally-funded stem cell research. But while lifting these limits has widespread support, the move will...

By Jon Cohen | 11:15 AM ET, 03/09/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 11:03 AM ET, 03/06/2009

Newt in 2012?

By Jon Cohen

Newt Gingrich, who hinted at a possible 2012 presidential run at a Thursday talk in Ashland, would likely start around the middle-of-the-pack of the better-known GOP contenders. In a Gallup poll after the November election, Republicans and GOP-leaning independents split evenly on the question of whether the former speaker should...

By Jon Cohen | 11:03 AM ET, 03/06/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 12:56 PM ET, 03/03/2009

Pick Your Poison: Views on Russia and Iran

By Jon Cohen

Today's reports of a "positive" exchange between President Obama and his Russian counterpart come as the American public holds its most negative rating of Russia since early 2003 when the former cold war adversary publicly opposed the start of the Iraq war. But Iran, a subject of the letter Obama...

By Jon Cohen | 12:56 PM ET, 03/03/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Polls

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 03/02/2009

As Stocks Tumble, So Does Retirement Security

By Jennifer Agiesta

As the Dow Jones Industrial Average continues its downward spiral, there is deep public unease about fully-funded retirements as people's savings are now more tied to stock market performance than at any time in the past two decades. Just 14 percent in last week's Washington Post-ABC News poll said they...

By Jennifer Agiesta | 01:35 PM ET, 03/02/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 02/25/2009

Post Poll: High Anxiety Act

By Jon Cohen

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Americans' feelings of financial insecurity have risen significantly since mid-September, as fears about making mortgage payments have spread and more now see the economy as in a long-term, serious decline. Two-thirds of those polled said they've cut back on their spending, including nearly...

By Jon Cohen | 05:00 PM ET, 02/25/2009 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Post Polls

Behind the Numbers: Polls