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

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

Wisconsin and Maryland exit polls: an early look

By Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Jon Cohen

Independents and Democrats are playing a bigger role in the Wisconsin Republican primary than in 2008.

By Peyton M. Craighill, Scott Clement and Jon Cohen | 06:11 PM ET, 04/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Polls, Wisconsin, Maryland

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 03/29/2012

Romney’s slog to the nomination: Not what you might think

By Peyton M. Craighill

Exit poll data show Romney’s problem is less about “very conservative” voters than it is with the GOP’s delegate rules this year.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 12:50 PM ET, 03/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, Republican Party

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 09:28 AM ET, 03/28/2012

Romney and Obama favorables: A detailed view

By Jon Cohen

Unfavorable views of Mitt Romney have hit a new high in Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Jon Cohen | 09:28 AM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:44 AM ET, 03/26/2012

Americans want Supreme Court arguments televised

By Scott Clement

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on the health reform law, but the general public will have to settle for audio recordings and color sketches. Americans aren’t thrilled about the arrangement, and appear to have turned sharply against the practice in the past decade.

By Scott Clement | 09:44 AM ET, 03/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Health care, Supreme Court, Barack Obama

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/26/2012

The exaggerated life of ‘death panels’

By Daniel J. Hopkins

The 2010 Affordable Care Act just reached its second birthday, and this week, the Supreme Court will consider whether it will see its third.

By Daniel J. Hopkins | 07:00 AM ET, 03/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 11:00 AM ET, 03/23/2012

Romney and Gingrich one-word descriptions: 2011 vs. 2012

By Peyton M. Craighill

The word “Mormon” has faded as the top mentioned description for Mitt Romney. Growing numbers now say “old” when asked for a one-word reaction to Newt Gingrich.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 11:00 AM ET, 03/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:00 PM ET, 03/22/2012

One word impressions of GOP candidates

By Peyton M. Craighill and Jon Cohen

Mitt Romney’s campaign might take solace that “Mormon” is no longer the single most frequently mentioned one-word descriptor for former Massachusetts governor, but they may bemoan its replacements atop the list: “no” and “rich.”

By Peyton M. Craighill and Jon Cohen | 10:00 PM ET, 03/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 12:46 PM ET, 03/22/2012

Trayvon Martin case amplifies black-white opinion divide

By Jon Cohen

The spreading controversy over the shooting death of Trayvon Martin spotlights some of the vast differences in how African Americans and whites perceive the issue of race -- and how they sense it affects their own lives -- revealed in a fall survey by the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

By Jon Cohen | 12:46 PM ET, 03/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 09:45 PM ET, 03/20/2012

Romney’s evangelical ceiling: Illinois true to form

By Jon Cohen

Familiar patterns emerged Tuesday in Illinois, with one of the more striking examples of how closely tied Mitt Romney’s fate has been to the proportion of evangelicals in Republican primaries to date.

By Jon Cohen | 09:45 PM ET, 03/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:58 PM ET, 03/20/2012

Illinois GOP voters, how they compare

By Jon Cohen

Use the chart below to see how Republican primary voters in Illinois compare to those in other states with exit polls this year.

By Jon Cohen | 05:58 PM ET, 03/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 07:00 AM ET, 03/20/2012

Romney up among staunch conservatives ahead of Illinois primary

By Jon Cohen

Nationally, Mitt Romney has regained some essential momentum among the most conservative Republicans and independents who had soured on him in late February.

By Jon Cohen | 07:00 AM ET, 03/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Polls, Republican Party, presidential election, Mitt Romney

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/19/2012

Toss individual health insurance mandate, poll says

By Scott Clement

Most Americans want the Supreme Court to invalidate at least part of the landmark health-care law passed in 2010, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Scott Clement | 07:00 AM ET, 03/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 03/16/2012

Rick Santorum’s faithful value religion and politics, poll shows

By Peyton M. Craighill

A majority of Rick Santorum’s supporters think politicians should rely on their religious beliefs in making policy decisions: Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 12:00 PM ET, 03/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 03/15/2012

What work day? More than 1 million Washingtonians apt to tune into NCAA tourney

By David Barie

More than 1 million Washington area adults are likely to watch the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, which tips off Thursday.

By David Barie | 06:00 AM ET, 03/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 03/14/2012

Iranian threat: Public prefers sanctions over bombs

By Scott Clement

President Obama’s Iran policy is widely popular, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, but few give him good ratings on dealing with Iran amid equally wide concern that the nation intends to develop nuclear weapons.

By Scott Clement | 05:00 PM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:20 PM ET, 03/14/2012

Obama approval: more than a single number

By Jon Cohen

A president’s overall approval rating is a very important number -- perhaps the most important single number in politics -- as this week’s fracas over whether President Obama’s numbers are up, down or holding steady suggests.

By Jon Cohen | 03:20 PM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 01:03 PM ET, 03/12/2012

Poll: Are Republicans happy with their choices?

By Peyton M. Craighill

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are each picked by about three in 10 Republicans and GOP-leaning independents in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, but few say they would be very satisfied with either one atop the party’s ticket.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 01:03 PM ET, 03/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: GOP nomination, Republican Party

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 03/12/2012

Obama’s problem with non-college-educated white Americans

By Scott Clement

White Americans without college degrees soured sharply on President Obama in the past month according to the new Washington Post-ABC News poll, helping to stall a rise in his popularity and bring him back to parity in hypothetical contests against Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

By Scott Clement | 10:23 AM ET, 03/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Barack Obama, Presidential Approval

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 03/11/2012

Poll: Few in U.S. sense Afghan support for war

By Jon Cohen

Few Americans sense widespread Afghan support for what the U.S. is trying to do in that country, a perception that bolsters public backing of a troop withdrawal, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

By Jon Cohen | 02:00 PM ET, 03/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 11:40 PM ET, 03/06/2012

Super Tuesday: Gender gap, what gender gap?

By Jon Cohen

Election watchers expecting a gender gap to emerge on Super Tuesday get little supporting evidence from exit polls in three key states.

By Jon Cohen | 11:40 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Super Tuesday, Gender gap, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia

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 07:20 PM ET, 03/06/2012

Exit polls: How Gingrich won Georgia

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

Newt Gingrich was boosted by his ties to his home state, strong tea party support and a widespread sense that Mitt Romney is insufficiently conservative, according to exit polls.

By Jon Cohen, Peyton M. Craighill and and Kristina Meacham | 07:20 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 08:50 AM ET, 03/06/2012

GOP candidates face challenges beyond Super Tuesday

By Jon Cohen

Romney continues to struggle in a basic test of popularity among independents, setting up an obvious challenge for him even if he fares well on Super Tuesday.

By Jon Cohen | 08:50 AM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 03/05/2012

GOP contest helps with the base - Obama's base

By Jon Cohen

One beneficiary of the intense focus on the Republican presidential contenders heading into Super Tuesday appears to be President Obama, according to a new poll by The Washington Post and the Pew Research Center.

By Jon Cohen | 03:00 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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 05:34 PM ET, 03/01/2012

Poll: blame for rising gas prices

By Peyton M. Craighill

Slightly more than one in five people say they don’t know who to blame for spiking prices in a new Washington Post-Pew Research Center poll.

By Peyton M. Craighill | 05:34 PM ET, 03/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Behind the Numbers: April, 2012