Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone December 11 to 14, 2008, among a random national sample of 1,003 adults, including landline and cell-only respondents. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, Pa.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)?
Right Wrong No
direction track opinion
12/14/08 15 82 3
10/25/08 LV 13 85 2
10/11/08 RV 8 90 2
9/22/08 RV 14 83 3
8/22/08 19 78 2
6/15/08 14 84 2
5/11/08 16 82 2
1/12/08 21 77 2
11/1/07 24 74 2
6/1/07 25 73 2
1/19/07 26 71 3
11/4/06 RV 39 59 2
10/22/06 30 68 2
10/8/06 32 66 2
5/15/06 29 69 2
11/2/05 30 68 2
10/24/04 LV 41 55 4
4/18/04 42 57 1
4/30/03 52 46 2
9/26/02 43 53 4
2/21/02 54 42 4
2/14/99 55 41 4
11/1/98 55 43 2
11/1/98 LV 55 44 1
8/21/98 57 40 4
7/12/98 50 45 6
4/4/98 55 41 4
1/31/98 61 34 5
1/30/98 61 34 5
1/19/98 44 50 6
8/27/97 39 57 4
6/8/97 37 60 3
3/9/97 34 62 4
10/17/96 RV 40 55 5
10/16/96 RV 42 53 5
10/15/96 RV 43 52 5
10/14/96 RV 44 51 5
10/13/96 RV 44 51 5
9/04/96 RV 40 54 6
8/21/96 28 67 5
6/30/96 26 70 5
3/17/96 27 70 3
1/21/96 27 66 6
1/3/96 21 77 3
4/5/95 23 73 3
1/4/95 27 68 6
10/31/94 27 69 4
7/20/94 26 70 4
3/27/94 28 69 3
1/23/94 31 60 10
11/14/93 25 69 6
8/8/93 26 71 3
6/20/93 26 71 3
4/26/93 27 71 2
3/11/93 36 57 7
2/28/93 37 59 4
1/17/93 31 63 6
12/14/92 35 60 5
10/27/92 RV 22 76 2
10/4/92 RV 18 78 4
6/7/92 14 83 3
4/9/92 16 81 3
3/11/92 18 79 4
1/15/92 19 78 3
11/10/91 24 72 4
10/29/91 26 71 3
8/27/91 31 60 9
7/28/91 30 67 3
6/2/91 39 57 4
4/9/91 42 51 7
2/26/91 58 39 3
1/27/91 49 48 4
10/14/90 19 79 2
9/9/90 36 60 4
8/20/90 35 60 5
7/24/90 37 60 2
5/21/90 39 60 2
3/26/90 44 53 2
2/4/90 49 48 3
1/16/90 48 49 3
5/23/89 42 55 3
3/16/89 46 52 2
1/16/89 LV 51 46 3
10/25/88 RV 49 46 6
9/27/88 48 44 8
7/11/88 40 56 4
5/25/88 35 59 6
3/21/88 40 56 4
1/23/88 39 59 2
12/13/87 49 47 4
12/2/87 35 61 4
9/23/87 43 54 4
6/29/87 35 62 3
4/13/87 37 60 3
3/9/87 38 58 4
1/18/87 39 56 5
9/8/86 50 48 2
1/26/86 45 47 8
7/29/85 52 43 6
1/16/85 59 36 4
5/22/84 47 48 5
12/13/83 43 51 6
11/7/83 51 44 5
4/12/83 41 54 4
3/2/83 43 53 3
1/25/83 58 39 3
1/25/83 43 52 4
10/11/82 35 57 8
1/30/82 39 56 5
2/80* 20 70 10
2/78 34 53 13
2/77 41 44 14
10/75 19 71 9
10/74 15 75 11
10/73 16 74 10
*2/80 and previous: Roper
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/14/08 30 12 18 68 15 52 3
10/29/08 24 8 16 71 18 53 5
10/11/08 23 7 17 73 15 58 4
9/29/08 26 10 17 70 14 56 3
8/22/08 30 13 17 66 16 50 4
7/13/08 28 12 16 69 13 56 3
6/15/08 29 10 19 68 14 54 3
5/11/08 31 15 16 66 14 52 2
4/13/08 33 16 17 64 15 49 2
3/2/08 32 15 17 66 16 50 2
2/1/08 33 17 16 65 14 51 2
1/12/08 32 16 16 66 15 51 2
12/9/07 33 17 16 64 14 50 3
11/1/07 33 17 16 64 13 50 3
9/30/07 33 15 18 64 14 49 3
9/7/07 33 16 17 64 15 49 3
7/21/07 33 16 17 65 13 52 2
6/1/07 35 17 18 62 16 46 3
4/15/07 35 17 18 62 14 49 2
2/25/07 36 19 17 62 12 49 2
1/19/07 33 17 16 65 14 51 2
12/11/06 36 18 18 62 13 49 2
11/4/06 40 24 16 57 12 46 2
10/22/06 37 21 16 60 15 45 3
10/8/06 39 23 16 60 12 48 1
9/7/06 42 24 18 55 12 43 3
8/6/06 40 23 17 58 12 46 2
6/25/06 38 20 18 60 12 48 2
5/15/06 33 17 16 65 18 47 2
4/9/06 38 20 18 60 13 47 1
3/5/06 41 24 17 58 14 44 1
1/26/06 42 25 18 56 14 42 2
1/8/06 46 29 17 52 13 39 2
12/18/05 47 29 17 52 12 40 1
11/2/05 39 20 18 60 13 47 1
10/29/05 39 22 17 58 13 45 3
9/11/05 42 27 15 57 12 45 1
8/28/05 45 27 18 53 12 41 2
6/26/05 48 27 21 51 11 40 1
6/5/05 48 27 21 52 14 38 1
4/24/05 47 25 22 50 13 38 3
3/13/05 50 31 19 48 11 37 3
1/31/05 50 34 15 45 11 34 5
1/16/05 52 33 19 46 11 35 2
12/19/04 48 27 21 49 12 38 2
10/20/04 50 30 20 46 11 35 4
10/17/04 LV 54 35 19 45 9 36 2
10/16/04 LV 54 35 19 44 10 34 2
10/15/04 LV 54 35 19 44 10 34 2
10/3/04 LV 53 36 17 46 11 34 1
9/26/04 50 33 18 45 13 32 5
9/8/04 52 35 17 43 11 32 5
8/29/04 50 31 19 47 13 34 3
8/1/04 47 28 18 49 13 36 5
7/25/04 50 32 19 47 13 34 3
7/11/04 48 31 17 50 11 39 2
6/20/04 47 30 17 51 13 39 1
5/23/04 47 31 17 50 14 36 3
4/18/04 51 33 18 47 13 34 1
3/7/04 50 32 18 48 12 36 2
2/11/04 50 30 21 47 14 34 2
1/18/04 58 35 24 40 9 30 2
12/21/03 59 39 21 38 15 23 3
12/14/03 57 37 20 39 10 29 5
12/7/03 53 32 21 40 13 27 7
11/16/03 57 34 23 39 11 28 4
10/29/03 56 30 26 42 13 29 2
10/13/03 53 33 20 43 13 29 4
9/30/03 54 34 20 44 15 29 2
9/13/03 58 35 23 40 14 27 2
9/7/03 56 34 22 41 13 28 4
8/11/03 59 37 22 37 14 23 4
7/10/03 59 35 24 38 13 25 3
6/22/03 68 45 23 29 11 18 4
4/30/03 71 50 22 26 17 9 3
4/16/03 74 52 22 23 9 14 3
4/9/03 77 58 19 20 6 14 4
4/3/03 71 54 16 25 7 19 4
3/23/03 68 NA NA 27 NA NA 4
3/20/03 67 NA NA 28 NA NA 5
3/2/03 62 38 23 35 13 22 4
2/23/03 60 NA NA 34 NA NA 6
2/9/03 64 42 21 34 14 20 3
2/1/03 62 41 21 34 13 22 4
1/28/03 62 43 19 36 13 23 2
1/27/03 59 39 21 37 15 22 4
1/20/03 59 36 23 38 16 22 2
12/15/02 66 37 28 32 12 20 2
11/4/02 LV 67 45 23 31 12 20 1
11/3/02 LV 67 45 22 32 12 20 1
11/2/02 LV 67 47 20 32 9 23 1
10/27/02 67 39 28 29 13 16 4
9/26/02 67 42 25 30 12 18 3
9/8/02 71 42 28 27 12 15 3
7/28/02 69 39 31 28 14 14 3
7/15/02 72 42 31 25 12 13 2
6/17/02 74 42 32 22 9 13 4
6/9/02 77 41 36 20 9 11 3
5/19/02 76 48 28 22 8 13 3
4/21/02 78 47 31 20 9 10 2
3/28/02 79 49 30 18 8 10 3
3/10/02 82 52 30 16 9 7 2
1/27/02 83 56 27 14 7 7 3
12/19/01 86 64 22 12 6 6 2
11/27/01 89 69 21 9 4 5 1
11/6/01 89 65 24 9 5 4 2
10/9/01 92 76 16 6 3 3 1
9/27/01 90 70 20 6 3 3 4
9/13/01 86 63 23 12 5 6 2
9/9/01 55 26 29 41 20 22 3
8/12/01 61 28 33 31 14 17 8
7/30/01 59 28 30 38 17 22 3
6/3/01 55 27 28 40 18 22 6
4/22/01 63 33 30 32 16 16 5
3/25/01 58 NA NA 33 NA NA 8
2/25/01 55 NA NA 23 NA NA 22
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling the economy?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/14/08 24 8 17 73 18 54 3
9/29/08 22 7 16 74 17 57 3
4/13/08 28 NA NA 70 NA NA 3
2/1/08 30 14 16 67 18 50 3
1/12/08 28 NA NA 69 NA NA 3
12/9/07 34 " " 63 " " 3
9/30/07 37 61 3
6/1/07 40 57 3
4/15/07 40 59 1
2/25/07 43 55 2
1/19/07 41 57 2
12/11/06 43 55 2
10/8/06 41 56 2
8/6/06 39 59 2
6/25/06 38 61 1
5/15/06 38 60 2
4/9/06 40 20 21 59 18 41 1
3/5/06 48 NA NA 51 NA NA 1
1/26/06 46 " " 52 " " 1
12/18/05 47 52 1
11/2/05 36 61 3
9/11/05 40 58 2
8/28/05 44 54 3
6/5/05 40 58 2
4/24/05 40 57 3
3/13/05 43 55 2
1/16/05 46 52 2
12/19/04 46 51 3
9/26/04 RV 47 50 4
8/29/04 RV 45 52 3
7/25/04 47 50 3
6/20/04 46 53 1
5/23/04 44 54 2
4/18/04 44 54 2
3/7/04 39 59 1
2/11/04 44 54 2
1/18/04 51 47 2
12/21/03 51 44 5
11/16/03 48 49 3
10/29/03 45 53 2
10/13/03 45 52 2
9/13/03 42 56 3
9/7/03 44 51 5
8/11/03 45 51 5
7/10/03 47 49 4
4/30/03 52 45 3
2/9/03 47 49 4
2/1/03 44 52 4
1/28/03 46 49 4
1/27/03 47 47 5
1/20/03 43 53 4
1/5/03 50 43 7
12/15/02 50 46 4
11/4/02 LV 53 45 2
11/3/02 LV 52 46 2
11/2/02 LV 55 43 2
10/27/02 51 43 6
9/26/02 51 47 3
9/8/02 57 40 4
7/28/02 57 39 4
7/15/02 58 38 3
4/21/02 64 33 3
1/27/02 62 34 4
12/19/01 67 27 6
11/6/01 72 23 5
9/9/01 48 48 4
7/30/01 52 45 3
6/3/01 53 41 6
4/22/01 55 38 7
3/25/01 50 42 8
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the federal government's overall response to the economic situation?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/14/08 23 4 19 72 26 47 4
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the presidential transition? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/14/08 76 46 30 15 5 9 9
11/23/08 67 41 26 18 8 10 15
Compare to:
Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/15/01 Bush 72 21 6
1/17/93* Clinton 81 13 6
12/14/92 Clinton 72 13 15
*"has handled"
6. Please tell me if the following statement applies to Obama or not: He is honest and trustworthy.
Yes No No opinion
12/14/08 67 22 11
Compare to:
Hillary Clinton:
Yes No No opinion
4/13/08 39 58 3
5/15/06 52 42 6
Yes No No opinion Yes No No opinion
George W. Bush: Bill Clinton:
1/19/07 40 57 3 1/15/01 29 67 3
3/5/06 44 55 1 2/7/99 28 69 3
1/26/06 46 53 * 9/13/98 24 73 2
12/18/05 49 50 1 8/23/97 28 66 6
11/2/05 40 58 2 8/21/98 28 69 2
5/23/04 53 45 2 8/19/98 24 73 3
4/18/04 55 44 1 7/12/98 33 60 7
3/7/04 54 45 1 5/12/98 38 59 3
2/11/04 52 45 2 4/4/98 35 58 7
12/13/03 55 42 3 3/16/98 35 60 5
10/29/03 59 40 2 2/18/98 40 55 5
9/13/03 60 39 2 6/8/97 37 59 4
12/15/02 70 26 4 1/15/97 42 54 4
7/15/02 71 26 3 1/6/97 42 53 5
7/30/01 63 34 3 11/3/96 RV 42 52 6
4/22/01 62 32 6 9/4/96 RV 43 52 5
11/5/00 LV 60 33 7 8/5/96 44 52 4
11/4/00 LV 61 33 7 6/30/96 40 54 6
10/24/00 LV 65 30 5 3/17/96 44 53 2
10/15/00 LV 57 34 9 4/5/95 42 55 2
10/15/00 RV 53 35 12 3/27/94* 54 42 4
9/6/00 RV 62 30 7 10/4/92 RV* 44 44 3
7/23/00 RV 61 30 8 6/7/92* 40 47 12
7/23/00 59 31 10 *Wording "and trustworthy" omitted
12/15/99 63 28 9
10/31/99 68 22 10
9/2/99 63 23 14
3/14/99 67 12 22
7. What would you say is the one most important problem you would like to see Obama and the Congress deal with next year?
Compare to: Bush
12/14/08 12/11/06 12/18/05
Economy 55 10 15
Iraq/War in Iraq 9 44 32
Jobs/Unemployment 8 3 2
Health care 6 6 11
Terrorism/War on terrorism/
Homeland security 2 4 5
Poverty/Homelessness/Hunger 2 2 1
Ethics/Honesty/Corruption in
government 1 2 1
Housing/Mortgages 1 NA NA
Immigration 1 5 6
Education 1 4 3
Taxes 1 2 2
Federal budget deficit 1 * 1
Gasoline prices/Energy prices 1 3 2
Abortion 1 NA NA
Environment 1 1 1
Morals/Family values 1 NA NA
Global warming/Greenhouse effect * 1 *
Foreign policy * NA NA
Social Security * 2 3
Crime/Drugs * 1 1
Medicare * 1 3
Prescription drug benefits * * *
Stock market/Wall Street * NA NA
Banking/Insurance/Credit problems * NA NA
None 0 0 1
Other 4 6 6
No opinion 2 4 3
NET:
Economy/Jobs/Unemployment/
Gasoline prices/Energy prices/
Housing/Mortgages/Stock
market/Wall Street/Banking/
Insurance/Credit problems 66 16 19
8. When it comes to dealing with the economy, would you say Obama has gotten off to a good start, a bad start or what?
In between No start No
Good start Bad start (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/14/08 55 10 8 17 10
Compare to:
Bill Clinton:
4/26/93 44 43 9 3 1
2/7/93 34 28 9 23 6
9. How much do you think Obama will be able to do to improve the economy - a great deal, a good amount, only some or not much at all?
- Grt deal/Good amt- -- Some/Not much/Nothing --
Great Good Only Not Nothing No
NET deal amount NET some much (vol.) opinion
12/14/08 46 15 30 52 38 14 * 2
11/23/08 44 24 20 49 27 22 1 6
11/3/08* LV 50 25 25 48 23 22 2 2
*"If elected, how much do you think Obama could do to improve the economy"
10. Would you support or oppose new federal spending of up to 700 billion dollars on construction projects and other programs to try to stimulate the economy? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/14/08 65 37 28 32 13 18 3
10a. (IF SUPPORT SPENDING) What if that increases the federal budget deficit - in that case would you support or oppose this spending?
Support Oppose No opinion
12/14/08 69 28 3
10/10a NET
------------- Support -------------
Only if deficit
NET All cases does not increase Oppose No opinion
12/14/08 65 47 18 32 3
11. How concerned, if at all, are you about the size of the federal budget deficit - very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not concerned at all?
--- Concerned --- --- Not concerned --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
12/14/08 86 49 37 13 9 5 *
12a. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) How confident are you that the federal government has put in place adequate controls to avoid waste and fraud in the use of federal money in the economic recovery effort? Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
12/14/08 30 4 26 69 32 37 1
12b. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) How confident are you that the federal government will put in place adequate controls to avoid waste and fraud in the use of federal money in the economic recovery effort? Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
12/14/08 46 6 40 54 29 24 *
Questions 13 through 17c, 17e and 17f held for future release.
13. Apart from dealing with the economy, do you think Obama should or should not [ITEM]? (IF SHOULD) Should he start that right after taking office, or wait until later in his presidency?
12/14/08 - Summary Table*
-------- Should -------- Should No
NET Right after Wait not opinion
a. Withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq
within the next 16 months 70 43 27 26 4
* Half sample.
Questions 13b through 13h held for future release.
14. As president, do you think Obama will or will not be able to [ITEM]?
12/14/08 - Summary Table
Will Will not No opinion
a. End the U.S. involvement in Iraq 64 32 4
Questions 14b through 17d held for future release.
17. Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel (optimistic) or (pessimistic) about (ITEM)?
12/14/08 - Summary Table*
Optimistic Pessimistic No opinion
d. the situation in Iraq 65 30 5
g. the situation in Afghanistan 49 47 4
* Half sample.
Questions 17e through 17f held for future release.
Trend where available:
d. the situation in Iraq
12/14/08 65 30 5
12/9/07 46 50 4
12/11/06 40 57 3
10/22/06 42 55 3
5/15/06 43 55 2
12/18/05 54 44 2
12/19/04 46 51 2
6/20/04 52 45 3
5/23/04 55 43 2
1/18/04* 58 39 2
*"Thinking about the coming year"
g. No trend.
18. Do you think the United States is in a long-term economic decline, or do you think the country's economic system is basically pretty solid?
Long-term decline Basically pretty solid No opinion 12/14/08 63 34 3 2/1/08 49 47 4 5/6/96 46 51 3
19. Overall, which party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you trust to do a better job in coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years?
Both Neither
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) No opinion
12/14/08 56 23 3 15 3
5/11/08 53 32 2 10 2
10/8/06 54 35 2 7 2
9/7/06 47 38 1 10 4
6/25/06 48 38 1 10 3
5/15/06 50 36 1 11 3
4/9/06 51 37 1 9 2
3/5/06 42 40 2 14 2
1/26/06 51 37 1 8 3
12/18/05 47 42 1 8 2
11/2/05 49 37 3 9 3
6/5/05 46 41 1 9 2
8/11/03 39 40 3 10 7
12/15/02 41 44 2 11 2
10/27/02 LV 39 51 2 5 2
9/26/02 39 46 3 8 4
7/15/02 42 45 2 7 4
1/27/02 40 44 3 10 4
4/22/01 47 40 4 7 3
7/23/00 42 42 2 9 6
9/2/99 45 39 4 9 4
6/6/99 45 35 3 13 5
3/14/99 47 37 5 9 3
2/14/99 48 37 4 7 4
10/18/98 44 36 3 12 6
9/28/98 49 38 2 8 3
8/21/98 48 36 4 9 3
7/12/98 45 38 3 8 6
1/31/98 47 37 4 6 7
1/19/98 45 42 2 7 4
7/8/97 44 37 2 14 3
9/15/96 RV 45 38 3 11 3
8/5/96 43 38 3 11 3
6/30/96 46 37 3 12 3
5/22/96 47 38 3 10 3
11/6/94 RV 41 39 2 12 6
10/31/94 43 43 2 8 4
10/23/94 39 40 3 15 3
9/11/94 43 40 4 11 3
6/26/94 41 36 3 14 5
2/27/94 46 32 4 16 3
11/14/93 42 39 3 11 4
1/17/93 49 28 5 13 5
7/8/92 48 38 1 8 4
6/7/92 43 37 3 11 6
3/11/92 45 37 1 11 5
3/8/92 51 36 1 7 5
2/2/92 49 39 2 7 3
12/15/91 39 37 3 15 6
10/21/91 39 40 3 13 5
6/2/91 37 42 5 10 6
3/4/91 34 47 5 9 5
11/4/90 LV 42 40 3 11 4
10/14/90 46 41 1 8 4
5/21/90 41 45 3 8 2
1/16/90 38 50 3 6 3
8/21/89 42 43 4 9 2
10/10/88 RV 45 45 1 4 5
8/17/88 40 43 2 8 8
8/14/88 47 36 1 11 5
7/20/88 51 36 1 7 6
7/17/88 43 39 1 10 7
5/25/88 45 40 2 7 7
5/21/88 45 42 1 7 4
1/23/88 43 44 1 9 2
12/17/87 49 39 1 6 5
10/19/87 44 43 2 8 3
6/1/87 47 41 3 6 3
3/9/87 47 38 3 9 3
1/18/87 46 38 3 8 6
9/8/86 38 47 2 8 5
6/23/86 41 46 2 8 4
3/24/86 40 46 NA 8 7
2/12/86 40 46 2 8 5
10/28/85 37 45 NA 11 7
9/23/85 39 45 NA 10 6
7/29/85 41 43 NA 10 6
6/22/85 36 47 10 NA 6
2/26/85 40 52 5 NA 3
1/16/85 33 49 11 NA 7
7/8/84 44 43 9 NA 5
5/22/84 41 40 12 NA 7
2/15/84 41 45 8 NA 6
1/17/84 42 37 11 NA 10
12/13/83 38 38 14 NA 10
8/1/83 45 36 9 2 8
10/11/82 44 38 10 NA 9
9/13/82 45 37 10 NA 8
20. Do you think the country's current financial situation is a crisis, a serious problem but not a crisis, a problem but not a serious one, or not much of a problem at all?
------ Problem ------- --------- Not a problem -------
Serious Not serious Not much of No
NET Crisis problem NET problem a problem opin.
12/14/08 90 54 36 10 7 3 *
9/29/08 RV 94 52 43 5 4 * 1
21. The federal government is considering loaning up to 14 billion dollars to the Big Three U.S. automakers and putting in place a government board to oversee their restructuring. Some people say (it's a bailout those companies don't deserve, and that they'd be better off reorganizing under bankruptcy laws). Other people say (it's necessary to protect auto workers and save a key part of the U.S. economy). On balance, do you support or oppose this plan?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/14/08 42 20 22 55 21 34 3
Compare to:
The big three automakers in the United States have asked for up to 34 billion dollars in loans from the government. Some people say (it's a bailout those companies don't deserve, and that they'd be better off reorganizing under bankruptcy laws). Other people say (it's necessary to protect auto workers and save a key part of the U.S. economy). On balance, do you support or oppose this plan?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/7/08 37 17 20 54 23 30 10
11/23/08* 35 18 17 57 21 36 9
* 25 billion
22. Do you think the automakers' problems are mainly the fault of (the bad economy) or mainly the fault of (their own management)?
Bad economy Own management No opinion
12/14/08 22 75 3
23. Say the loan plan is not approved and one or more of the automakers has to go under protection of bankruptcy laws while they try to restructure themselves. Do you think that would be good for the economy, bad for the economy, or would not make much difference either way?
No No
Good Bad difference opinion
12/14/08 17 36 43 4
24. Would you say this recession has hurt you financially, or not? (IF YES) Is that a great deal or only somewhat?
----------- Hurt ----------
NET Great deal Somewhat Not hurt No opinion
12/14/08 63 30 34 36 *
6/2/91 53 16 37 46 1
25. How concerned are you about being able to maintain your current standard of living - are you very worried, somewhat worried, not so worried or not worried at all?
---- Worried ---- ---- Not worried ---- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
12/14/08 66 24 42 34 17 16 *
5/11/08 68 28 40 32 16 15 *
12/9/07 51 17 34 49 22 27 *
26. Compared to last year, would you say this Christmas you will spend more, less, or about the same on presents for friends and family? (IF MORE/LESS) Will you be spending a lot (MORE/LESS) or a little (MORE/LESS)?
------- More ------- ------- Less ------- No opin./ Don't
NET A lot A little NET A little A lot Same celebrate (vol.)
12/14/08 7 4 3 57 23 34 34 1
11/16/08 8 4 5 51 19 31 37 3
11/18/07 14 6 7 36 16 19 48 2
12/11/06* 15 4 11 35 16 19 49 1
No opinion/ Don't
More Less Same celebrate (vol.)
12/14/08 7 57 34 1
11/16/08 8 51 37 3
11/18/07 14 36 48 2
12/11/06* 15 35 49 1
12/15/02* 15 40 44 1
9/14/01* 11 26 59 4
11/7/99 15 29 54 2
12/5/98 16 27 55 2
10/25/98 19 28 52 1
11/9/97 17 30 52 1
10/12/97 18 36 36 9
12/8/96 14 35 48 3
10/13/96 11 33 55 1
11/26/95 13 38 48 1
10/15/95 13 36 50 1
11/27/94 15 34 48 2
10/16/94 14 34 51 1
10/17/93 14 38 47 0
11/29/92 10 41 47 3
10/18/92 12 41 45 1
11/24/91* 13 51 35 1
10/20/91 11 47 40 1
10/21/90 14 38 45 2
10/22/89 20 32 47 2
10/30/88 16 32 51 0
12/17/87 25 29 45 1
10/26/87 17 29 53 1
11/30/86 17 36 46 0
12/17/85 25 28 45 3
* Trend from LA Times/Bloomberg "this holiday season"
27. At any time within the last 12 months did you fall behind in paying your rent or mortgage?
Yes No No opinion 12/14/08 15 85 1 1/4/05* 7 93 0 2/91 9 91 0 *2005 and previous: General Social Survey
28. How concerned are you, if at all, about [ITEM] - very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned about this?
12/14/08 - Summary Table
Not
--- Concerned --- --- Not concerned --- apply No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all (vol) op.
a. Being unable to
afford necessary
health care when a
family member gets
sick 53 33 20 46 17 29 1 *
c. Being able to heat
your home this winter 36 16 20 63 20 43 1 *
d. Not having enough
money to pay your
rent or mortgage 37 21 16 57 16 41 5 *
29. How confident are you that you will retire with enough income and assets to last for the rest of your life - would you say you're very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
------ Confident ---- ------ Not Confident ---- Retired No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all (vol.) opin.
12/14/08 46 15 31 48 22 26 6 *
10/11/08 44 10 34 49 25 24 7 1
10/16/05 69 30 39 28 16 13 2 *
7/15/02 55 18 37 40 21 18 5 0
7/15/01 68 33 35 23 10 12 7 2
7/4/99 54 21 33 39 21 18 6 0
7/21/96 45 16 29 47 25 21 7 1
30. In the last few months have you or has anyone living in your household [ITEM]?
12/14/08 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. been laid off or lost their job 18 82 *
b. had work hours or pay cut 27 73 *
31. (IF EMPLOYED) Thinking about the next 12 months, how likely do you think it is that you will lose your job or be laid off - very likely, fairly likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?
------ Likely ----- ----- Not Likely ----- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opinion
12/14/08 21 10 11 78 30 48 1
4/5/07* 12 4 8 88 31 57 *
4/13/06 10 3 7 89 32 57 *
9/22/01 13 7 6 87 25 62 *
4/8/01 12 5 7 88 36 52 *
12/6/98 12 5 7 87 27 60 1
6/29/97 9 3 6 89 26 63 2
4/10/96 14 5 9 85 34 51 1
12/6/93 12 5 7 86 27 59 2
10/91 14 6 8 85 26 59 1
7/91 15 5 10 84 25 59 1
3/91 12 5 7 87 22 65 1
10/90 16 7 9 83 21 62 1
7/90 12 6 6 86 24 62 2
2/89 12 4 8 88 35 53 *
4/83 16 8 8 81 26 55 4
11/82 19 9 10 77 29 48 4
6/82 15 8 7 81 27 54 4
1/82 15 5 10 82 25 57 3
9/80 15 6 9 84 24 60 2
5/80 14 6 8 84 24 60 2
11/79 11 3 8 84 18 66 4
10/76 12 6 6 85 21 64 3
4/75 12 4 8 85 22 63 3
1/75 15 5 10 81 27 54 4
*2007 and previous: Gallup
32. (IF EMPLOYED) If you were to lose your job, how likely is it that you would find another job just as good as the one you have now - very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not at all likely?
----- Likely ----- ------ Not Likely ----- No
NET Very Smwht NET Not very At all opinion
12/14/08 53 22 31 47 23 23 1
4/5/07* 64 34 30 36 21 15 1
4/13/06 60 29 31 39 23 16 1
4/8/01 70 37 33 30 23 7 *
2/11/01 64 35 29 35 24 11 1
*2007 and previous: Gallup
33. Have you or anyone in your immediate family been hurt financially by the recent sharp drop in stock prices, or not? IF YES: Have you or they been hurt financially a great deal or only somewhat?
---------- Hurt ----------- Not Too soon No
NET Great deal Somewhat hurt (vol.) opinion
12/14/08 51 24 27 47 1 1
10/11/08 43 16 27 54 1 3
7/15/02 37 61 1 1
10/27/97 14 81 4 1
10/26/87 20 79 * 1
34. On another topic, all in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war with Iraq was worth fighting, or not? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
----- Worth fighting ---- --- Not worth fighting -- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/14/08 34 21 13 64 14 50 2
9/7/08 36 24 13 61 13 48 3
8/22/08 35 22 13 63 13 50 2
7/13/08 36 22 13 63 13 50 1
6/15/08 34 21 13 63 9 54 3
4/13/08 34 24 11 64 11 52 2
3/2/08 34 24 11 63 12 51 2
2/1/08 34 23 11 65 11 53 1
1/12/08 35 21 13 64 13 51 2
12/9/07 37 25 12 61 11 50 2
11/1/07 35 23 12 63 12 51 2
9/30/07 38 25 14 59 12 47 3
9/7/07 36 23 13 62 11 51 2
7/21/07 36 25 12 63 10 53 1
6/1/07 37 24 12 61 12 50 2
4/15/07 33 22 11 66 12 54 1
2/25/07 34 22 12 64 13 51 2
1/10/07 40 28 12 58 11 47 2
12/11/06 36 25 11 61 12 50 2
11/4/06 RV 44 33 12 53 10 44 2
10/22/06 40 28 12 57 11 47 2
10/8/06 35 25 10 63 13 50 2
9/7/06 42 29 13 56 11 45 2
8/6/06 39 29 10 59 12 47 1
6/25/06 40 25 15 58 13 45 2
5/15/06 37 24 14 62 12 50 1
4/9/06 41 30 11 58 10 48 1
3/5/06 42 29 14 57 11 46 1
1/26/06 44 32 12 55 13 42 1
1/8/06 43 30 13 55 12 43 2
12/18/05 46 33 14 52 11 42 1
11/2/05 39 25 13 60 12 48 1
8/28/05 46 33 12 53 9 44 1
6/26/05 46 33 13 53 10 43 1
6/5/05 41 29 12 58 12 46 1
4/24/05 44 31 13 54 12 42 2
3/13/05 45 34 11 53 11 42 2
1/16/05 44 32 12 55 10 45 1
12/19/04 42 31 11 56 10 47 2
10/3/04 LV 49 34 15 48 11 37 3
9/26/04 RV 46 35 12 51 8 42 3
9/8/04 RV 51 38 13 45 10 34 4
8/29/04 RV 48 34 14 50 11 39 2
7/25/04 49 36 13 48 11 37 3
7/11/04 45 34 10 53 12 42 2
6/20/04 47 32 14 52 13 39 2
5/23/04 48 35 13 50 13 37 1
5/6/04 49 NA NA 47 NA NA 5
4/18/04 51 " " 47 " " 2
3/7/04 52 44 3
2/11/04 48 50 2
1/18/04 56 41 3
12/21/03 59 39 2
12/14/03 53 42 5
11/16/03 52 44 4
10/29/03 54 44 2
10/13/03 54 44 2
9/13/03 61 37 2
9/7/03 54 42 4
8/24/03 57 37 5
8/11/03 61 35 4
7/10/03 57 40 3
6/22/03 64 33 3
4/30/03 70 27 4
2/2/92* 66 32 2
7/28/91 67 30 3
6/2/91 70 26 3
3/4/91 86 13 1
*2/2/92 and previous: "the Persian Gulf war"; 3/4/91: "this war"
35. Do you think the United States is or is not making significant progress toward restoring civil order in Iraq?
Is making Is not making No
significant progress significant progress opinion
12/14/08 56 40 4
9/7/08 52 40 7
8/22/08 50 46 4
7/13/08 46 51 3
4/13/08 40 57 3
3/2/08 43 51 6
2/1/08 42 54 4
1/12/08 42 54 4
12/9/07 41 55 4
11/1/07 39 59 2
9/7/07 36 60 4
6/1/07 32 64 4
12/11/06 31 66 3
6/25/06 48 49 2
3/5/06 43 56 2
12/18/05 60 37 2
11/2/05 44 55 2
8/28/05 48 50 2
6/26/05 48 51 1
12/19/04 44 49 7
6/20/04 51 48 1
36. Do you think (the United States must win the war in Iraq in order for the broader war on terrorism to be a success), or do you think (the war on terrorism can be a success without the United States winning the war in Iraq)?
US must win war Can be a success without No
in Iraq for success US winning war in Iraq opinion
12/14/08 42 51 7
7/13/08 34 60 6
4/13/08 31 61 8
9/7/07 37 54 9
6/1/07 37 56 7
4/15/07 37 57 6
1/10/07 45 47 8
37. Thinking now about Afghanistan, all in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan was worth fighting, or not?
Yes, worth No, not worth No
fighting fighting opinion
12/14/08 55 39 5
7/13/08 51 45 4
2/25/07 56 41 3
38. Overall, do you think the U.S. military action in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al Qaeda has been successful or not successful?
Successful Not successful No opinion
12/14/08 44 51 5
7/13/08 44 51 5
10/6/02 70 24 6
39. Do you think (the United States must win the war in Afghanistan in order for the broader war on terrorism to be a success), or do you think (the war on terrorism can be a success without the United States winning the war in Afghanistan)?
US must win war in Can be a success without US No
Afghanistan for success winning war in Afghanistan opinion
12/14/08 51 40 9
7/13/08 51 42 7
40. As you may know, Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on charges that he sought bribes in exchange for official actions, including appointing someone to take over Obama's seat in the U.S. Senate. Obama has not been implicated in this case. Do you think Obama has or has not done enough to explain any discussions his representatives may have had with Blagojevich about the Senate seat?
Has Has not
done enough done enough No opinion
12/14/08 51 34 14
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what? IF NOT DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN: Do you lean more towards the (Democratic Party) or (Republican Party)?
---Non-Partisans--
Lean Lean No
Democrat Republican Independent Other No op. Dem. Rep. Lean
12/14/08 37 24 35 4 1 16 13 10
11/3/08 35 26 30 6 2 13 10 15
10/11/08 36 26 31 4 2 15 12 10
9/29/08 34 26 31 8 2 17 12 12
9/22/08 36 26 31 5 2 18 9 11
9/7/08 35 26 33 5 2 15 14 11
8/22/08 36 23 34 6 1 16 14 10
7/13/08 37 24 33 6 1 16 14 10
6/15/08 38 24 34 4 1 16 14 8
5/11/08 34 28 34 4 1 19 11 8
4/13/08 35 29 30 5 1 15 13 8
3/2/08 40 28 28 3 1 15 8 9
2/1/08 37 26 32 4 1 16 11 10
1/12/08 39 27 29 5 1 13 9 12
908a. Would you say your views on most political matters are liberal, moderate, or conservative?
Don't think in No
Liberal Moderate Conservative those terms (vol.) op.
12/14/08 22 37 37 1 2
10/11/08 RV 22 44 34 * 1
9/29/08 RV 19 44 34 1 1
9/22/08 RV 23 41 32 2 1
9/7/08 RV 22 39 36 1 2
8/22/08 22 41 33 2 2
7/13/08 19 43 35 2 1
6/15/08 21 43 33 1 2
5/11/08 24 39 34 2 1
4/13/08 24 38 35 1 2
3/2/08 19 48 30 2 2
2/1/08 25 38 34 2 1
1/12/08 24 36 36 2 1
12/9/07 24 38 36 1 1
11/1/07 24 41 32 1 1
9/30/07 24 45 30 1 1
9/7/07 20 39 39 1 2
7/21/07 25 39 32 3 1
6/1/07 24 36 37 2 1
4/15/07 24 42 32 1 1
2/25/07 23 40 35 1 1
1/19/07 23 41 33 1 1
12/11/06 23 42 33 2 1
11/4/06 19 42 36 2 1
10/22/06 22 42 32 2 2
10/8/06 21 43 33 1 1
9/7/06 24 39 33 2 2
8/6/06 18 42 38 1 1
6/25/06 21 41 35 1 1
5/15/06 19 48 31 1 1
5/11/06 18 49 33 * *
4/9/06 21 41 35 2 1
3/5/06 22 42 33 2 1
1/26/06 21 40 37 1 1
1/8/06 20 40 37 2 1
12/18/05 22 42 34 1 1
11/2/05 23 44 32 1 *
9/11/05 22 44 31 2 2
8/28/05 20 44 34 2 1
6/26/05 21 44 33 1 1
6/5/05 23 40 35 1 *
4/24/05 20 47 30 1 1
INCOME. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Which of the following CATEGORIES best describes your total annual household income before taxes, from all sources?
-------Less than $50k------- --------More than $50k--------
NET <20k 20-35k 35-50k NET 50-75k 75-100k 100k+
12/14/08 44 14 15 15 54 18 15 21
10/11/08 RV 41 12 14 16 56 20 15 22
9/29/08 RV 42 10 14 17 56 18 16 22
9/22/08 RV 40 12 14 14 57 21 14 22
9/22/08 46 16 16 14 50 18 12 20
9/7/08 RV 44 13 14 17 56 17 15 24
8/22/08 RV 39 10 11 18 59 19 16 24
8/22/08 43 15 12 17 53 18 15 21
7/13/08 RV 43 14 14 15 54 16 14 24
7/13/08 48 18 15 15 50 16 12 21
6/15/08 47 18 15 15 51 18 15 18
5/11/08 47 15 16 17 50 18 13 19
4/13/08 47 17 13 17 51 18 14 18
3/2/08 44 14 13 17 52 17 13 22
2/1/08 48 17 16 15 48 18 12 18
1/12/08 46 12 18 16 51 19 13 19
12/9/07 49 14 17 18 48 15 15 18
11/1/07 48 14 16 17 49 16 13 21
9/30/07 53 17 16 20 44 18 12 14
9/7/07 43 10 17 16 54 19 15 20
7/21/07 46 16 14 16 51 18 13 19
6/1/07 49 15 18 16 49 18 13 18
4/15/07 46 15 16 15 51 20 13 18
2/25/07 46 10 16 20 51 20 14 17
1/19/07 49 16 17 15 49 16 13 20
12/11/06 46 11 16 19 51 18 16 17
10/22/06 52 16 20 17 45 16 11 17
10/8/06 46 13 16 17 51 22 13 16
9/7/06 51 16 18 17 47 17 15 15
8/6/06 49 14 16 18 48 20 12 16
6/25/06 50 16 16 19 47 19 11 17
5/15/06 52 14 18 21 46 16 13 17
5/11/06 46 9 18 18 53 18 15 20
4/9/06 53 16 20 17 47 19 12 16
3/5/06 50 16 18 16 48 20 12 16
1/26/06 52 20 15 17 46 18 12 16
12/18/05 54 17 19 18 44 18 12 15
11/2/05 52 14 18 20 46 19 13 14
9/11/05 55 18 20 17 42 18 11 14
8/28/05 52 18 15 19 46 18 11 16
6/26/05 49 14 17 18 49 19 14 16
6/5/05 55 15 20 20 43 17 13 14
4/24/05 55 15 21 19 45 18 12 15
***END***
