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

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 07:00 AM ET, 01/31/2012

Rating GOP candidates’ private-sector work

By Jon Cohen

By better than 2 to 1, Americans have a negative impression of the consulting work Newt Gingrich has done since leaving office, according to a new poll.

By Jon Cohen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 01/30/2012

Poll: Obama tops Romney and Gingrich on ‘understanding’ average Americans

By Jon Cohen

Fewer than four in 10 voters see either top GOP presidential contender as understanding the problems of average Americans, but 55 percent see Obama that way.

By Jon Cohen | 02:10 PM ET, 01/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 01/30/2012

Poll watcher: Are capital gains tax rates popular?

By Scott Clement

A New York Times/CBS News poll shows a stark partisan divide on whether investment income should be taxed at a lower rate than ordinary earnings.

By Scott Clement | 12:17 PM ET, 01/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Economy, Federal Budget Deficit, GOP nomination, Presidential Approval, Republican Party, Voting, methodology | Tags: budget deficit, gop nomination, Republican Party

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 03:37 PM ET, 01/24/2012

Obama’s report card from the public

By Scott Clement

President Obama received a decidedly mixed report card in a Washington Post-ABC News poll released last week.

By Scott Clement | 03:37 PM ET, 01/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Presidential Approval, Congress

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/24/2012

Public sours on Romney in January

By Jon Cohen

The number of Americans with negative views of Mitt Romney has spiked in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, compounding the former Massachusetts governor’s challenges.

By Jon Cohen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 07:00 AM ET, 01/20/2012

Is a third political party a viable option?

By Peyton M. Craighill

Americans split about evenly on the question of whether the country needs a third major political party, but most are open to supporting a qualified independent candidate, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 07:00 AM ET, 01/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination

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 01:00 PM ET, 01/17/2012

Romney and Bain: Attacks chip away, but do limited damage

By Peyton M. Craighill

Increasingly pointed attacks on Mitt Romney’s work at Bain Capital may be resonating, but his private sector experience continues to be a key advantage to the Republican front-runner, according to the new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 01:00 PM ET, 01/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination

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 07:13 PM ET, 01/16/2012

Obama sub-50 to start year four

By Peyton M. Craighill

President Obama kicks off 2012 even-up on job approval in the new Washington Post-ABC News poll: 48 percent of Americans approve of the job he’s doing; 48 percent disapprove.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 07:13 PM ET, 01/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Presidential Approval

Posted at 05:13 PM ET, 01/16/2012

Congress starts session more unpopular than ever

By Scott Clement

Congress kicks off its 2012 session about where it closed out 2011: with the worst approval ratings in decades.

By Scott Clement | 05:13 PM ET, 01/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Congress

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 07:00 AM ET, 01/13/2012

George W. Bush, tonic or toxic for Republicans in 2012?

By Jon Cohen and Peyton M. Craighill

GOP candidates looking for any advantage in their party’s nominating contest may welcome an endorsement from the former president, but may be better off avoiding a nod from former rivals.

By Jon Cohen and Peyton M. Craighill | 07:00 AM ET, 01/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Behind the Numbers, GOP nomination, Sarah Palin

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 07:00 AM ET, 01/10/2012

Romney’s favorable ratings top Paul, Santorum among GOP

By Peyton M. Craighill

Mitt Romney’s stubborn hold on the title of front-runner for the GOP nomination is due in part to his solid favorable ratings among Republicans, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News national poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 07:00 AM ET, 01/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, Republican Party

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 12:43 PM ET, 01/05/2012

Poll watcher: Romney in position for N.H. landslide

By Scott Clement

Polls show Mitt Romney headed for a blowout victory in the New Hampshire Republican primary.

By Scott Clement | 12:43 PM ET, 01/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, GOP nomination

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 02:05 PM ET, 01/03/2012

Don’t get burned on the exit (entrance) poll

By Jon Cohen

The Tuesday evening kick-off for the Republican nomination contest brings not only the first real votes of 2012, but also the first analyses (and bogus analyses) of exit polls. Numbers from the poll will be blithely tossed around, so some background is important to poll watchers.

By Jon Cohen | 02:05 PM ET, 01/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Behind the Numbers: January, 2012