Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone February 1 to 4, 2012, among a random national sample of 1,000 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 50 29 22 46 11 36 3
1/15/12 48 25 23 48 11 37 4
12/18/11 49 25 24 47 13 34 4
11/3/11 44 22 22 53 15 37 3
10/2/11 42 21 21 54 14 40 4
9/1/11 43 21 22 53 16 38 3
8/9/11* 44 18 26 46 9 37 10
7/17/11 47 25 22 48 14 35 5
6/5/11 47 27 20 49 13 37 4
5/2/11** 56 29 27 38 14 24 6
4/17/11 47 27 21 50 12 37 3
3/13/11 51 27 24 45 12 33 4
1/16/11 54 30 23 43 15 28 3
12/12/10 49 24 25 47 15 32 4
10/28/10 50 27 23 45 11 34 5
10/3/10 50 26 24 47 13 34 3
9/2/10 46 24 22 52 14 38 3
7/11/10 50 28 22 47 12 35 3
6/6/10 52 30 22 45 12 33 4
4/25/10 54 31 23 44 11 33 3
3/26/10 53 34 20 43 8 35 3
2/8/10 51 29 22 46 12 33 3
1/15/10 53 30 24 44 13 32 2
12/13/09 50 31 18 46 13 33 4
11/15/09 56 32 23 42 13 29 2
10/18/09 57 33 23 40 11 29 3
9/12/09 54 35 19 43 12 31 3
8/17/09 57 35 21 40 11 29 3
7/18/09 59 38 22 37 9 28 4
6/21/09 65 36 29 31 10 22 4
4/24/09 69 42 27 26 8 18 4
3/29/09 66 40 26 29 9 20 5
2/22/09 68 43 25 25 8 17 7
*Washington Post
**Washington Post/Pew Research Center
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
2/4/12 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 44 23 22 53 11 41 3
b. Creating jobs 44 20 24 51 13 38 5
c. Taxes 47 20 27 47 17 30 6
d. The federal
budget deficit 38 18 20 58 14 44 4
*Half sample asked items a,b; other half sample asked items c,d.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 44 23 22 53 11 41 3
1/15/12 41 19 22 57 11 46 2
12/18/11 41 17 24 56 13 43 2
11/3/11 38 18 20 61 13 48 2
10/2/11 35 17 19 61 13 48 4
9/1/11 36 15 21 62 15 47 2
7/17/11 39 18 22 57 15 43 3
6/5/11 40 20 20 59 10 49 2
5/2/11* 40 18 22 55 16 39 4
4/17/11 42 23 19 57 11 46 2
3/13/11 43 22 21 55 13 41 2
1/16/11 46 22 24 51 13 38 2
12/12/10 43 21 22 54 15 39 3
10/28/10 RV 44 21 23 54 15 39 3
10/3/10 45 22 23 53 13 41 2
9/2/10 41 20 21 57 13 44 2
7/11/10 43 20 23 54 13 41 4
6/6/10 50 26 24 49 12 37 2
4/25/10 49 24 25 49 10 39 2
3/26/10 45 23 22 52 12 40 3
2/8/10 45 22 23 53 15 38 2
1/15/10 47 22 24 52 13 39 1
12/13/09 46 23 24 52 12 40 2
11/15/09 51 26 25 47 12 36 2
10/18/09 50 29 22 48 13 35 1
9/12/09 51 28 24 46 13 33 2
8/17/09 52 27 25 46 13 33 2
7/18/09 52 29 23 46 10 35 3
6/21/09 56 28 28 41 13 27 3
4/24/09 58 31 28 38 13 25 4
3/29/09 60 34 25 38 12 26 3
2/22/09 60 NA NA 34 NA NA 6
*Washington Post/Pew Research Center
b. Creating jobs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 44 20 24 51 13 38 5
1/15/12 45 21 25 51 11 40 3
12/18/11 39 17 22 55 13 43 5
11/3/11 40 20 20 57 13 44 3
10/2/11 35 17 18 60 14 47 4
9/1/11 36 15 21 62 18 45 2
7/17/11 41 16 25 52 13 39 7
2/8/10 47 25 22 51 15 35 3
c. Taxes
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 47 20 27 47 17 30 6
1/15/12 45 21 24 47 13 34 8
11/3/11 41 21 20 53 18 35 6
10/2/11 42 22 20 51 14 37 7
7/17/11 45 24 21 47 13 34 8
1/16/11 50 23 27 44 14 31 6
8/17/09 51 23 28 40 12 28 8
4/24/09 56 NA NA 38 NA NA 6
d. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 38 18 20 58 14 44 4
1/15/12 35 15 20 58 11 48 7
9/1/11 36 18 18 60 14 46 4
7/17/11 38 22 16 60 14 45 2
6/5/11 33 16 17 61 12 49 6
4/17/11 39 21 18 58 11 47 3
3/13/11 39 18 20 55 13 42 6
1/16/11 43 21 22 52 11 41 6
12/12/10 38 16 22 55 19 36 7
9/2/10 39 18 20 58 13 45 3
7/11/10 40 20 20 56 11 45 4
6/6/10 39 22 17 56 13 42 6
4/25/10 40 20 20 55 14 42 5
3/26/10 43 22 21 52 14 38 5
2/8/10 40 17 23 56 16 40 4
1/15/10 38 18 20 56 15 41 6
12/13/09 37 16 21 56 12 44 6
11/15/09 42 19 23 53 10 43 5
10/18/09 45 20 25 51 14 37 4
9/12/09 39 17 22 55 13 42 6
8/17/09 41 19 22 53 12 41 5
7/18/09 43 19 24 49 11 38 8
6/21/09 48 22 26 48 13 35 5
4/24/09 51 NA NA 43 NA NA 7
3/29/09 52 NA NA 43 NA NA 5
3. Do you happen to have heard or read about Obama’s State of the Union address last week?
Yes No No opinion
2/4/12 62 37 *
3a. (IF HEARD OR READ) Would you say you approve or disapprove of most of what he said?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
2/4/12 57 37 6
3/3a NET:
--------- Heard or read ----------- Did not hear No
NET Approve Disapprove No op. or read opinion
2/4/12 62 36 23 4 37 *
4. Based on his performance in office so far, would you say Obama deserves a second term as president, or not?
Yes No No opinion
2/4/12 50 48 2
George W. Bush:
10/24/04 LV 48 49 3
10/7/04 LV 51 47 2
9/8/04 RV 52 45 4
Clinton:
5/22/96 56 42 2
1/21/96 47 49 4
1/24/95 41 55 3
8/16/94 38 56 6
5. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best describes how you feel about the way the federal government works. Do you feel enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
----- Positive ------- ----- Negative -----
Enthusi- Satis- Dissat- None/ No
NET astic fied NET isfied Angry Other opinion
2/4/12 24 2 22 75 49 26 NA *
11/3/11 20 2 18 80 49 31 *
7/17/11 20 2 18 80 54 25 1
6/5/11 30 3 27 69 44 25 1
10/28/10 27 4 23 72 51 21 1
10/3/10 29 4 25 71 46 25 *
9/2/10 22 2 20 78 52 25 *
7/11/10 36 4 32 64 43 21 1
6/6/10 30 2 28 69 45 25 1
4/25/10 30 4 26 69 51 18 1
2/8/10 32 3 29 67 48 19 *
10/29/03 42 2 41 57 42 15 *
11/4/02 LV 49 4 45 50 41 9 1
11/3/02 LV 50 5 45 49 40 9 1
11/2/02 LV 51 6 45 49 40 9 1
10/27/02 50 4 47 49 42 7 1
2/21/02 56 7 49 43 36 7 1
12/15/00 59 4 55 39 34 6 1
2/14/99 52 3 48 47 35 12 1
9/28/98 50 4 46 49 36 12 1
8/16/98* 41 2 39 57 46 11 " 1
1/19/98 46 2 43 53 45 8 1 *
8/27/97 34 2 33 64 52 11 2 1
3/17/96 29 2 27 70 54 16 NA *
5/14/95 48 3 45 50 41 9 " 1
1/4/95 29 2 27 69 53 16 * 1
11/6/94 RV 28 2 26 70 49 21 1 1
10/31/94 26 1 25 73 55 18 1 1
10/23/94 28 1 26 71 52 20 * *
10/9/94 25 2 24 72 53 19 2 *
9/11/94 26 2 25 73 53 20 NA *
3/27/94 30 1 29 68 48 20 1 1
2/28/93 33 4 29 66 50 16 * *
10/4/92 RV 17 1 16 81 56 25 1 1
7/8/92 23 1 22 76 53 23 * 1
6/7/92 21 1 20 79 58 21 * 1
4/9/92 21 1 20 79 55 24 1 *
3/18/92 22 1 21 77 54 23 1 *
3/11/92 18 1 17 80 60 20 1 1
*After 8/16/98: No "None/other" option recorded.
6. On another subject, would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor?
------ Positive ------ ------- Negative ------- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opinion
2/4/12 11 * 11 89 46 42 *
11/3/11 10 1 9 89 43 47 *
7/17/11 10 1 9 90 40 50 *
6/5/11 11 1 10 89 46 44 *
1/16/11 13 1 12 87 45 41 *
10/28/10 9 * 9 90 41 49 1
10/3/10 9 1 8 90 40 50 *
9/2/10 8 * 7 92 40 53 0
7/11/10 10 1 9 90 44 46 0
6/6/10 12 * 11 88 43 45 0
1/16/09 5 1 5 94 32 62 *
9/22/08 9 * 9 91 34 57 *
4/13/08 10 1 9 90 39 51 *
2/1/08 19 1 18 81 43 38 0
12/9/07 28 3 25 72 40 32 *
11/1/07 35 3 32 64 39 26 *
4/15/07 42 5 37 57 37 20 *
12/11/06 50 7 42 50 36 14 *
10/22/06 55 10 45 45 28 17 *
10/8/06 47 7 40 53 37 16 *
3/5/06 43 5 38 57 37 19 *
1/26/06 40 5 35 60 37 23 *
12/18/05 45 5 39 55 38 17 *
11/2/05 35 3 32 65 36 29 *
9/11/05 40 3 37 59 37 22 1
6/5/05 44 3 40 56 38 19 *
4/24/05 37 2 35 63 44 20 *
9/26/04 RV 46 3 43 53 38 15 1
8/29/04 RV 45 3 41 55 37 18 *
7/25/04 46 4 42 53 39 14 *
6/20/04 45 4 41 55 38 17 *
4/18/04 43 4 39 57 39 18 *
3/7/04 39 2 37 60 38 22 1
1/18/04 42 3 39 58 42 16 0
12/21/03 42 4 39 57 41 16 1
10/29/03 33 1 32 67 45 23 *
9/13/03 30 2 27 70 45 25 *
8/11/03 32 2 30 68 43 25 *
4/30/03 35 1 34 64 46 19 *
2/9/03 28 1 27 72 49 23 *
1/20/03 25 1 25 74 48 26 1
12/15/02 35 1 33 65 44 21 1
11/4/02 LV 28 1 27 72 55 17 1
11/3/02 LV 27 1 26 72 56 17 1
11/2/02 LV 29 1 28 71 54 17 *
9/26/02 31 2 28 69 50 19 *
7/15/02 39 3 36 61 44 17 1
2/21/02 30 1 29 69 51 18 *
1/27/02 31 1 29 69 50 19 *
9/20/01 38 3 35 60 47 14 2
9/9/01 33 1 32 66 47 19 *
7/30/01 50 3 46 50 39 12 *
4/22/01 50 3 47 50 40 9 *
1/15/01 70 10 59 29 24 6 1
10/27/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
10/26/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
6/11/00 74 17 57 26 19 6 *
2/27/00 80 25 55 20 14 5 *
10/31/99 74 18 56 26 18 7 1
9/2/99 76 19 57 23 16 6 1
3/14/99 80 22 58 19 15 4 1
11/1/98 73 12 61 26 21 5 1
11/1/98 LV 78 13 65 22 19 3 *
10/13/97 61 12 49 39 27 11 *
7. Do you think the current U.S. tax system favors the (middle class), favors the (wealthy), or treats both groups about equally? Do you think it favors the middle class/wealthy strongly or somewhat?
---Favors middle class--- -----Favors wealthy------ Both No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly equally opin.
2/4/12 9 5 4 68 12 56 19 4
8. Do you support or oppose raising taxes on Americans with incomes over one million dollars a year? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- -------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 72 59 14 24 9 16 3
10/2/11 75 NA NA 23 NA NA 2
9. Do you think taxes on the profits people make by selling stocks and bonds should be (increased), (decreased), or kept about the same?
Kept about No
Increased Decreased the same opinion
2/4/12 20 14 55 11
10. (IF DECREASED OR KEPT ABOUT THE SAME) Those taxes, called capital gains taxes, currently are lower than the income taxes many people pay. Knowing this, do you think capital gains taxes should be (increased), (decreased), or kept about the same?
Kept about No
Increased Decreased the same opinion
2/4/12 23 20 56 2
9/10 NET:
------ Increased ------ Kept about No
NET At first Now do Decreased the same opinion
2/4/12 36 20 16 13 38 12
11. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose raising taxes on businesses that move manufacturing jobs overseas?
Support Oppose No opinion
2/4/12 73 25 2
12. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose cutting taxes for businesses that move overseas manufacturing jobs to the United States?
Support Oppose No opinion
2/4/12 51 44 5
13. Changing topics, thinking about the following decisions of the Obama administration, please tell me whether you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove, or strongly disapprove.
2/4/12 - Summary Table
--- Approve ---- -- Disapprove -- No
NET Str. Smwt. NET Smwt. Str. op.
a. Keeping open the prison at Guantanamo
Bay for terrorist suspects 70 42 28 24 12 13 5
b. The drawdown of U.S. troops from
Afghanistan 78 56 23 19 10 9 2
c. The use of unmanned, “drone” aircraft
against terrorist suspects overseas 83 59 23 11 7 4 6
14. (IF APPROVE OF DRONE AIRCRAFT) What if those suspected terrorists are American citizens living in other countries? In that case do you approve or disapprove of the use of drones?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
2/4/12 79 17 4
13c/14 NET:
----- Disapprove ------ No
Approve NET At first Now do opinion
2/4/12 65 26 12 14 9
15. How closely are you following the presidential race: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not closely at all?
---- Closely ----- ---- Not closely ----- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not too At all opinion
2/4/12 76 33 43 24 14 9 *
1/15/12 71 30 42 28 16 12 *
12/18/11 69 26 43 31 18 13 *
11/3/11 65 24 41 34 17 17 *
10/2/11 64 24 40 36 23 13 0
9/1/11 66 25 40 34 20 14 *
7/17/11 61 18 43 39 23 15 *
6/5/11 61 22 39 38 23 15 *
11/3/08 RV 91 64 28 8 5 4 *
11/2/08 RV 90 63 28 9 5 4 *
11/1/08 RV 90 61 29 10 6 4 *
10/31/08 RV 89 60 29 11 7 4 *
10/30/08 RV 89 59 29 11 7 4 *
10/29/08 RV 89 60 30 10 6 4 *
10/28/08 RV 90 59 31 10 6 4 *
10/27/08 RV 91 60 31 9 5 4 *
10/26/08 RV 90 60 30 9 5 4 *
10/25/08 RV 89 59 30 11 6 5 *
10/24/08 RV 89 60 28 11 6 5 *
10/23/08 RV 88 58 30 12 6 6 *
10/22/08 RV 89 57 32 11 6 5 *
10/21/08 RV 90 58 32 10 6 4 *
10/20/08 RV 90 57 34 10 6 4 *
10/19/08 RV 90 57 33 10 6 3 *
10/11/08 RV 92 59 33 8 4 4 *
9/29/08 RV 89 58 31 11 7 5 *
9/22/08 RV 91 55 36 9 5 4 0
9/7/08 RV 89 51 38 10 6 5 *
8/22/08 RV 84 42 42 16 11 5 *
7/13/08 RV 79 36 42 21 12 9 1
6/15/08 75 34 41 25 12 13 *
5/11/08 83 39 44 17 13 5 0
4/13/08 84 37 47 16 11 5 *
3/2/08 84 42 42 15 11 4 *
2/1/08 81 35 46 19 12 7 *
1/12/08 79 32 47 21 15 6 *
12/9/07 72 21 51 28 19 8 *
11/1/07 67 21 46 33 22 12 0
9/30/07 69 21 48 30 21 10 *
7/21/07 70 22 48 30 20 10 *
6/1/07 66 18 48 34 22 13 *
4/15/07 66 20 45 34 20 14 *
2/25/07 65 20 44 35 25 10 *
10/31/04 RV 90 58 32 9 6 3 *
10/30/04 RV 90 59 31 9 6 3 1
10/29/04 RV 90 58 32 9 6 3 *
10/28/04 RV 90 58 32 9 6 3 *
10/27/04 RV 90 57 33 9 6 3 *
10/26/04 RV 89 55 34 10 6 4 *
10/25/04 RV 89 55 34 10 6 4 *
10/24/04 RV 90 54 36 10 7 3 *
10/23/04 RV 90 54 36 10 7 3 *
10/22/04 RV 90 54 36 10 7 3 *
10/21/04 RV 90 55 35 11 8 3 *
10/20/04 RV 89 55 34 10 7 3 *
10/19/04 RV 87 54 33 12 8 4 1
10/18/04 RV 88 52 36 11 7 4 *
10/17/04 RV 89 52 37 12 7 5 *
10/16/04 RV 88 53 35 12 7 5 *
10/15/04 RV 87 53 34 12 7 5 *
10/14/04 RV 87 52 35 13 8 5 *
10/13/04 RV 88 52 36 13 8 5 *
10/12/04 RV 88 52 36 11 7 4 *
10/11/04 RV 88 53 35 12 8 4 *
10/10/04 RV 87 52 35 12 8 4 *
10/9/04 RV 88 52 36 12 8 4 *
10/8/04 RV 88 53 35 12 8 4 *
10/7/04 RV 88 53 35 12 8 4 1
10/6/04 RV 88 51 37 12 8 4 *
10/5/04 RV 88 50 38 12 7 5 *
10/4/04 RV 88 49 39 12 7 5 *
10/3/04 RV 87 48 39 12 7 5 *
9/26/04 RV 87 48 39 12 8 4 1
9/8/04 RV 85 45 40 14 10 4 1
8/29/04 RV 81 43 38 20 13 7 *
8/1/04 RV 80 41 39 20 13 7 *
7/25/04 73 34 39 27 15 12 *
6/20/04 78 33 45 22 15 7 *
5/23/04 74 33 41 26 17 9 *
4/18/04 75 30 45 25 16 9 0
3/7/04 75 33 42 25 18 7 *
2/11/04 75 30 45 25 15 10 *
1/18/04 66 22 44 35 22 13 *
10/29/03 54 15 39 45 30 15 0
9/13/03 56 16 40 44 27 17 *
11/6/00 LV 92 54 38 8 6 2 *
11/5/00 LV 91 53 38 8 6 2 *
11/4/00 LV 91 52 39 9 7 2 *
11/3/00 LV 91 51 40 9 6 3 *
11/2/00 LV 90 48 42 10 7 3 *
11/1/00 LV 91 48 43 9 7 2 *
10/31/00 LV 90 46 44 9 7 2 *
10/30/00 LV 91 47 44 9 7 2 *
10/29/00 LV 90 47 43 10 7 3 *
10/28/00 LV 89 47 42 10 7 3 *
10/27/00 LV 89 48 41 11 7 4 *
10/26/00 LV 89 47 42 11 8 3 *
10/25/00 LV 89 47 42 11 8 3 0
10/24/00 LV 87 44 43 13 10 3 0
10/23/00 LV 89 44 45 11 8 3 0
10/22/00 LV 88 44 44 12 9 3 0
10/21/00 LV 87 46 41 13 9 4 *
10/20/00 LV 86 46 40 15 11 4 *
10/19/00 LV 85 44 41 14 10 4 *
10/18/00 LV 87 42 45 13 10 3 *
10/17/00 LV 86 40 46 13 10 3 *
10/15/00 RV 77 33 44 23 15 8 *
10/9/00 RV 75 30 45 25 16 9 *
10/1/00 RV 75 27 48 25 17 8 *
9/6/00 RV 74 26 48 26 17 9 *
8/20/00 RV 74 28 46 26 16 10 1
8/10/00 RV 72 29 43 29 18 11 *
8/6/00 53 17 36 47 22 25 *
7/29/00 51 16 35 49 25 24 *
7/23/00 50 14 36 50 25 25 *
6/11/00 49 13 36 51 26 25 0
4/2/00 53 17 36 47 24 23 0
3/11/00 61 21 40 38 21 17 0
2/27/00 70 24 46 30 20 10 *
2/6/00 65 19 48 34 21 13 0
1/16/00 50 11 39 50 26 24 *
12/15/99 45 12 33 55 31 24 *
10/31/99 61 16 45 38 25 13 *
7/17/95 36 7 29 63 33 31 *
7/8/92 76 28 48 24 16 8 *
1/27/92 51 14 37 48 25 23 1
10/10/88 RV 77 31 46 23 17 6 -
8/18/88 RV 68 26 42 31 20 11 0
8/15/88 RV 70 27 43 31 19 12 0
5/25/88 76 25 51 25 19 6 *
9/23/87 50 9 41 49 31 18 *
6/1/87 50 11 39 49 32 17 *
16. Thinking about what you’re hearing from the candidates for the Republican nomination for president – overall would you say you approve or disapprove of most of what they’ve been saying?
Approve Disapprove Depends (vol.) No opinion
2/4/12 36 54 4 7
17. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in the Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state. Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?*
Less Will not No primary/ Already
than vote caucus voted No
Cert. Prob. 50-50 50-50 (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) op.
2/4/12 55 17 10 5 8 0 6 *
1/15/12 65 15 11 4 4 * 1 1
12/18/11 71 14 8 6 1 * NA *
2/1/08 68 10 9 8 4 * 1 0
1/12/08 69 12 12 4 3 * * 0
12/9/07 74 11 9 3 2 * NA *
11/1/07 68 12 11 6 3 0 " 0
*Wording adjusted for respondents in states where primaries or caucuses have been held.
18. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) If the Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state was being held today, and the candidates were (Newt Gingrich), (Ron Paul), (Mitt Romney), (Rick Santorum). For whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?*
2/4/12 - NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
------------ Among gen pop ------------
2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17
Mitt Romney 39 35 30 24 25 25 30
Newt Gingrich 23 17 30 12 7 6 6
Rick Santorum 16 13 3 1 2 3 3
Ron Paul 15 16 15 8 11 10 11
Michele Bachmann* 0 0 7 4 7 8 16
Herman Cain NA NA NA 23 16 4 7
Jon Huntsman* 0 * 3 1 1 1 3
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA NA 3
Rick Perry * 9 7 13 16 29 8
Other (vol.) 1 1 * * 2 2 1
None of them (vol.) 1 2 1 2 5 5 2
Would not vote (vol.) * 1 * 3 1 2 1
No opinion 5 6 4 9 7 5 8
-------------- Among RVs --------------
2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17
Mitt Romney 38 36 30 25 25 25 30
Newt Gingrich 24 16 30 12 9 5 6
Rick Santorum 18 13 4 1 2 3 3
Ron Paul 14 16 15 9 9 10 10
Michele Bachmann* 0 0 7 4 7 9 17
Herman Cain NA NA NA 23 17 5 7
Jon Huntsman* 0 * 2 1 1 1 3
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA NA 3
Rick Perry * 9 6 14 17 30 8
Other (vol.) 1 1 * 0 2 2 1
None of them (vol.) * 1 1 2 4 4 2
Would not vote (vol.) 0 1 1 1 1 1 *
No opinion 5 7 4 8 7 5 9
*Michele Bachmann and Jon Huntsman vote in 1/15 and 2/4 and Rick Perry 2/4 includes those who said they voted for them in previous primary/caucus. Those who chose Huntsman in 1/15 who have yet to vote were re-allocated to their second choice candidate.
19. (IF NAMED A CANDIDATE) Do you support (CANDIDATE) strongly, or somewhat?
Strongly Somewhat No opinion
All candidates:
2/4/12 45 54 *
2/4/12 RV 48 52 *
10/2/11 36 64 0
10/2/11 RV 38 62 0
9/1/11 34 66 *
9/1/11 RV 32 68 *
7/17/11 34 66 0
7/17/11 RV 35 65 0
Mitt Romney:
2/4/12 42 57 *
9/1/11 15 84 1
7/17/11 29 71 0
20. (AMONG NON-ROMNEY SUPPORTERS) Is/Was your vote more for (CANDIDATE) or more against Romney?
For Against No
candidate Romney opinion
2/4/12 73 24 3
21. (AMONG ROMNEY SUPPORTERS) Is/Was your vote more for Romney, more against Gingrich, or what?
For Against Other/neither/ No
Romney Gingrich not a factor (vol.) opinion
2/4/12 74 11 9 6
22. (IF NAMED A CANDIDATE) Who would your second choice be? Which candidate would you lean toward as your second choice?
2/4/12 - NET LEANED SECOND CHOICE
----- Among gen pop ----- ------- Among RVs -------
2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3 2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3
Newt Gingrich 31 24 20 13 32 26 21 14
Mitt Romney 25 23 21 19 23 24 22 21
Rick Santorum 25 15 7 2 27 16 7 3
Ron Paul 11 16 12 9 11 14 13 9
Michele Bachmann NA NA 11 9 NA NA 10 9
Herman Cain NA NA NA 17 NA NA NA 17
Jon Huntsman NA NA 4 5 NA NA 3 5
Rick Perry NA 12 11 13 NA 11 10 11
Other (vol.) 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 3 5 4 3 3 6 4
Would not vote (vol.) 1 2 1 * 1 1 1 1
No opinion 3 2 7 6 3 2 5 5
23. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Just your best guess, who do you think will win the Republican nomination for president?
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11
Mitt Romney 71 72 40
Newt Gingrich 15 7 35
Ron Paul 6 4 6
Rick Santorum * 2 0
Michele Bachmann NA NA 5
Jon Huntsman NA * 2
Rick Perry NA 5 3
Other (vol.) 1 * *
No opinion 7 9 8
24. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Regardless of who you may support, which of the Republican candidates do you trust most to handle (ITEM)?
Full item wording:
a. The economy
b. Social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage
c. The federal budget deficit
2/4/12 - Summary Table
Social Federal
Economy issues deficit
Mitt Romney 37 25 33
Newt Gingrich 23 22 27
Ron Paul 17 13 16
Rick Santorum 11 19 9
Other (vol.) 1 1 1
All of them (vol.) 1 * 1
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 *
No one/None of them (vol.) 7 6 7
No opinion 4 12 7
Trend:
a. The economy
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11
Mitt Romney 37 35 31 22 22
Newt Gingrich 23 17 25 13 7
Ron Paul 17 14 13 7 8
Rick Santorum 11 8 1 1 2
Michele Bachmann NA NA 7 4 5
Herman Cain NA NA NA 19 4
Jon Huntsman NA 3 3 2 *
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA 11
Rick Perry NA 8 7 10 22
Other (vol.) 1 1 * 0 2
All of them (vol.) 1 1 * 1 0
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 * 2 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 7 3 6 2 4
No opinion 4 9 7 17 12
*11/3 and previous, “which of the Republican candidates do you think would do the best job handling the economy”
b. Social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11
Mitt Romney 25 25 26
Newt Gingrich 22 15 15
Rick Santorum 19 14 4
Ron Paul 13 10 12
Rick Perry NA 9 7
Michele Bachmann NA NA 13
Jon Huntsman NA 3 3
Other (vol.) 1 1 0
Herman Cain NA NA NA
Sarah Palin NA NA NA
All of them (vol.) * 1 *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 * *
No one/None of them (vol.) 6 6 6
No opinion 12 16 12
c. The federal budget deficit
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11
Mitt Romney 33 33 25
Newt Gingrich 27 20 25
Ron Paul 16 15 15
Rick Santorum 9 8 2
Rick Perry NA 7 6
Michele Bachmann NA NA 9
Jon Huntsman NA 2 2
Other (vol.) 1 0 0
Herman Cain NA NA NA
Sarah Palin NA NA NA
All of them (vol.) 1 * *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) * 1 *
No opinion 7 8 9
No one/None of them (vol.) 7 6 8
25. Regardless of who you may support, would you say that the more you hear about [ITEM] (the more you like him), or the more you hear about [ITEM] (the less you like him)?
2/4/12 - Summary Table
More you Less you Makes no Haven't heard No
like like diff. (vol.) enough (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 24 52 12 6 6
b. Newt Gingrich 19 60 10 5 6
Trend:
a. Mitt Romney
More you Less you Makes no Haven't heard No
like like diff. (vol.) enough (vol.) opinion
2/4/12 Lean Rep 37 39 14 4 7
10/2/11 Lean Rep 38 35 10 11 6
b. No trend.
26. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Again, regardless of who you may support, which of the Republican candidates do you think [ITEM]? (IF NEEDED) I can repeat the list. Is it (Newt Gingrich), (Ron Paul), (Mitt Romney), or (Rick Santorum)?
Full item wording:
a. Best understands the problems of people like you
b. Best reflects the core values of the Republican Party
c. Is the most honest and trustworthy
d. Has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
e. Has the best experience to be president
f. Is the most likely to stand up for what he or she believes in
g. Has the best personality and temperament to serve effectively as president
2/4/12 - Summary Table
Under- Exper- Person-
stands Values Honest Defeat ience Believes ality
Newt Gingrich 21 26 7 22 43 26 19
Ron Paul 18 11 21 7 10 21 12
Mitt Romney 23 30 28 56 31 24 43
Rick Santorum 21 20 24 2 4 17 15
Other (vol.) 1 1 0 0 1 1 1
All of them (vol.) 1 * 2 2 0 3 *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 2 1 3 2 2 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 8 1 10 4 3 2 1
No opinion 6 10 7 4 7 5 6
Trend:
a. Best understands the problems of people like you
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 23 21 20 17 13 18
Newt Gingrich 21 13 18 11 6 4
Ron Paul 18 16 13 7 8 9
Rick Santorum 21 13 4 1 2 3
Rick Perry NA 10 7 11 17 5
Herman Cain NA NA NA 21 3 5
Michele Bachmann NA NA 14 6 9 11
Jon Huntsman NA 3 5 1 1 2
All of them (vol.) 1 2 1 1 1 1
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA 19 23
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA 1
Other (vol.) 1 * * 0 1 1
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 * 1 2 3 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 8 12 10 6 8 4
No opinion 6 9 6 16 10 12
b. Best reflects the core values of the Republican Party
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 30 26 23 20 18 19
Newt Gingrich 26 25 23 19 6 9
Rick Santorum 20 13 5 3 4 3
Ron Paul 11 9 10 4 6 8
Rick Perry NA 10 7 10 19 7
Michele Bachmann NA NA 13 5 10 11
Herman Cain NA NA NA 13 3 4
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 1 1 2 5 1
Jon Huntsman NA 3 3 1 1 1
Other (vol.) 1 0 0 0 * 1
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA 12 20
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA 1
All of them (vol.) * 1 1 1 1 *
No one/None of them (vol.) 1 4 4 2 2 1
No opinion 10 10 11 20 14 14
c. Is the most honest and trustworthy
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11 11/3/11
Mitt Romney 28 23 22 17
Ron Paul 21 18 14 8
Rick Santorum 24 14 7 2
Newt Gingrich 7 11 13 8
Herman Cain NA NA NA 22
Michele Bachmann NA NA 15 6
Rick Perry NA 8 6 7
Jon Huntsman NA 3 5 2
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 2 1 2
All of them (vol.) 2 1 1 1
Other (vol.) 0 * 0 0
No one/None of them (vol.) 10 12 12 7
No opinion 7 8 5 17
d. Has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 56 57 38 33 20 32
Newt Gingrich 22 10 28 5 5 6
Ron Paul 7 7 9 3 4 3
Herman Cain NA NA NA 21 1 2
Rick Perry NA 5 3 11 30 6
All of them (vol.) 2 5 3 6 4 7
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 3 1 2 2 5 2
Rick Santorum 2 5 0 0 1 1
Michele Bachmann NA NA 3 1 4 7
Jon Huntsman NA 1 3 * 1 2
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA 8 14
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA 2
Other (vol.) 0 0 * 0 1 1
None of them (vol.) 4 2 4 3 4 4
No opinion 4 7 8 13 10 11
e. Has the best experience to be president
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11 7/17/11
Newt Gingrich 43 34 43 16
Mitt Romney 31 30 23 27
Ron Paul 10 11 8 6
Rick Perry NA 7 5 8
Rick Santorum 4 6 1 2
Michele Bachmann NA NA 4 7
Sarah Palin NA NA NA 11
Jon Huntsman NA 2 3 2
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 1 1 1
Herman Cain NA NA NA 3
Other (vol.) 1 0 0 1
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA 1
All of them (vol.) 0 * 0 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 3 2 4 4
No opinion 7 7 7 11
f. Is the most likely to stand up for what he believes in
2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11
Newt Gingrich 26 19 23
Mitt Romney 24 24 20
Ron Paul 21 19 16
Rick Santorum 17 12 4
Michele Bachmann NA NA 17
Rick Perry NA 11 6
All of them (vol.) 3 4 2
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 1 2
Jon Huntsman NA 3 3
Other (vol.) 1 0 *
No one/None of them (vol.) 2 2 1
No opinion 5 5 6
g. Has the best personality and temperament to serve effectively as president
2/4/12 1/15/12
Mitt Romney 43 40
Newt Gingrich 19 13
Rick Santorum 15 12
Ron Paul 12 9
Rick Perry NA 8
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 2
Jon Huntsman NA 4
Other (vol.) 1 0
All of them (vol.) * *
No one/None of them (vol.) 1 2
No opinion 6 10
27. How much does it matter to you that a candidate for president shares your religious beliefs – does it matter a great deal, somewhat, not so much, or not at all?
---- Matters ----- -- Does not matter ---
Great Not Not No
NET deal Smwt NET so much at all opinion
2/4/12 38 18 20 62 16 46 *
28. In his work as a corporate investor, do you think Mitt Romney did more to (create jobs) or more to (cut jobs)?
Create jobs Cut jobs No opinion
2/4/12 32 36 32
2/4/12 Lean Rep 51 24 24
1/15/12 Lean Rep 50 28 23
29. Do you think of Romney’s wealth as more of a (positive because it suggests he has achieved the American dream) or as more of a (negative because it suggests he benefited from opportunities that are not available to most people)?
Positive Negative No opinion
2/4/12 43 44 13
30. Romney paid about a 14 percent federal tax rate on income of about 22 million dollars last year. Do you think he is or is not paying his fair share of taxes? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--- Paying fair share --- - Not paying fair share - No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 30 15 15 66 16 50 4
31. For each item I name, please tell me if it is a major reason to (support) that candidate, a major reason to (oppose) that candidate, or not a major factor?
2/4/12 – Summary Table
Major Major Not a
reason to reason to major No
support oppose factor op.
a. Romney’s business experience 48 12 34 6
b. Romney’s Mormon religion 4 17 77 2
c. Gingrich’s performance as Speaker of the
House in the early 1990’s 21 33 37 9
d. Gingrich’s consulting work for companies
with an interest in federal policymaking 12 44 37 7
e. Obama’s handling of the economy 39 47 13 2
f. Obama’s handling of the threat of
terrorism 56 20 21 3
Trend:
a. Romney’s business experience
Major reason Major reason Not a major No
to support to oppose factor opinion
2/4/12 48 12 34 6
2/4/12 Lean Rep 67 5 24 4
12/18/11 Lean Rep 62 9 24 5
b. Romney’s Mormon religion
Major reason Major reason Not a major No
to support to oppose factor opinion
2/4/12 4 17 77 2
2/4/12 Lean Rep 4 18 75 3
Compare to: “Romney’s religious beliefs”
12/18/11 Lean Rep 18 13 64 5
c-f. No trend.
32. If the presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat) and ([ITEM], the Republican), for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward (Obama) or toward (ITEM)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
2/4/12 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 52 43 * 1 2 2
b. Newt Gingrich 55 40 * 1 2 1
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS
2/4/12 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 51 45 * 1 1 1
b. Newt Gingrich 54 43 * 1 1 1
Trend:
a. Mitt Romney
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
2/4/12 52 43 * 1 2 2
1/15/12 46 47 * 2 3 2
12/18/11 49 46 * 2 2 1
11/3/11 48 45 * 3 2 1
10/2/11 47 46 * 3 1 2
9/1/11 46 47 * 2 3 2
7/17/11 51 44 * 2 1 2
6/5/11 47 47 * 2 1 2
4/17/11 49 45 * 3 1 2
2/4/12 RV 51 45 * 1 1 1
1/15/12 RV 46 48 * 2 2 2
12/18/11 RV 47 47 * 2 2 1
11/3/11 RV 46 47 * 3 2 1
10/2/11 RV 46 48 * 2 1 2
9/1/11 RV 45 49 * 2 2 2
7/17/11 RV 49 47 * 2 1 1
6/5/11 RV 46 49 * 2 1 2
4/17/11 RV 49 45 * 3 1 1
b. Newt Gingrich
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Gingrich (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
2/4/12 55 40 * 1 2 1
1/15/12 53 38 * 4 4 2
12/18/11 51 42 1 3 2 1
6/5/11 52 42 1 3 1 1
4/17/11 54 39 * 3 2 1
2/4/12 RV 54 43 * 1 1 1
1/15/12 RV 52 40 * 3 3 2
12/18/11 RV 51 43 * 3 2 1
6/5/11 RV 50 44 1 2 1 2
4/17/11 RV 54 39 * 4 2 1
33. Regardless of who you support, which candidate do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] – (Obama) or (Romney)?
2/4/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 45 48 1 4 2
b. Creating jobs 45 47 1 3 4
c. Protecting the middle class 55 37 1 4 2
d. Handling international
affairs 56 37 1 3 3
e. Handling taxes 52 42 * 3 3
f. Handling the federal
budget deficit 41 51 * 4 4
g. Handling terrorism 56 36 1 3 4
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b,c,d; other half sample asked items e,f,g.
2/4/12 - Summary Table among Registered voters
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 44 50 1 3 2
b. Creating jobs 46 46 1 3 4
c. Protecting the middle class 56 37 2 5 1
d. Handling international
affairs 55 38 1 3 4
e. Handling taxes 49 45 * 2 4
f. Handling the federal
budget deficit 39 52 * 4 4
g. Handling terrorism 54 38 2 2 4
34. Regardless of who you may support, who do you think better understands the economic problems people in this country are having - (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
2/4/12 53 36 2 7 3
35. Still thinking about the next election in November, right now, are you inclined to vote to re-elect your representative in Congress, or are you inclined to look around for someone else to vote for?
Depends
Re-elect Look around (vol.) No opinion
2/4/12 34 53 3 9
11/3/11 31 59 3 8
8/9/11* 17 69 6 7
7/17/11 30 63 2 5
6/5/11 34 55 4 6
10/28/10 32 50 7 11
10/3/10 29 55 9 7
9/2/10 31 58 5 6
7/11/10 25 60 6 8
6/6/10 29 60 5 6
4/25/10 RV 32 57 7 4
2/8/10 36 56 4 4
11/15/09 38 50 6 5
5/15/06 35 55 6 4
6/5/05 40 50 8 3
2/21/02 40 48 7 6
10/31/99 41 47 8 3
9/28/99 44 46 NA 10
7/12/98 42 44 5 10
1/19/98 47 41 7 4
8/27/97 34 52 9 5
11/6/94 RV 37 47 7 8
10/31/94 35 56 2 7
10/23/94 32 58 4 6
9/11/94 36 53 4 7
6/26/94 35 54 6 5
3/27/94 32 56 6 7
1/23/94 32 46 10 12
11/14/93 38 52 5 5
8/21/92 RV 35 48 5 12
7/8/92 34 54 3 9
6/7/92 36 53 4 7
4/9/92 33 56 3 8
3/18/92 35 56 3 5
3/11/92 36 54 3 7
2/2/92 38 51 4 7
10/21/91 31 55 7 6
6/2/91 37 49 5 9
11/4/90 LV 41 50 NA 8
10/14/90 36 57 " 7
5/21/90 43 50 3 3
5/23/89 45 44 4 6
*Washington Post
36. On another subject, what is your view of the Tea Party political movement - would you say you support it strongly, support it somewhat, oppose it somewhat or oppose it strongly?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
2/4/12 43 12 31 45 20 25 12
1/15/12 40 13 28 50 23 27 10
12/18/11 42 13 28 45 20 26 13
11/3/11 43 14 29 44 20 24 13
10/2/11 42 12 30 47 20 27 11
9/1/11 47 13 35 45 18 27 8
7/17/11 44 13 31 46 23 24 10
6/5/11 46 13 33 44 21 24 10
4/17/11 42 16 26 49 21 27 10
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what?
Democrat Republican Independent Other (vol.) No opinion
2/12/12 34 23 37 5 1
1/15/12 32 25 36 5 2
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