Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone March 7 to 10, 2012, among a random national sample of 1,003 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
3/10/12 46 28 18 50 11 39 4
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?
3/10/12 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 38 20 18 59 9 50 2
b. The possibility
of Iran
obtaining
nuclear weapons 36 19 17 52 14 38 13
c. The federal
budget deficit 32 16 16 63 11 51 5
d. The situation
in Afghanistan 46 26 20 47 17 29 7
e. The situation
with gas prices 26 14 12 65 13 52 9
f. Energy policy 38 21 18 48 13 35 14
*Half sample asked items a,b,c; other half sample asked items d,e,f.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 38 20 18 59 9 50 2
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. The possibility of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 36 19 17 52 14 38 13
1/15/12 33 15 18 48 11 37 19
c. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 32 16 16 63 11 51 5
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
d. The situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 46 26 20 47 17 29 7
7/17/11 53 24 29 43 14 29 5
6/5/11 52 23 29 41 15 26 7
5/2/11* 60 28 32 29 15 14 11
4/17/11 44 17 27 49 17 31 7
1/16/11 49 19 30 41 17 24 10
12/12/10 45 17 28 46 16 30 10
7/11/10 45 20 25 45 14 31 10
4/25/10 56 20 36 36 16 20 7
3/26/10 53 25 29 35 15 20 12
1/15/10 50 22 28 45 18 27 6
12/13/09 52 24 28 44 13 32 4
11/15/09 45 23 23 48 16 32 6
10/18/09 45 22 23 47 17 31 7
9/12/09 55 23 33 37 17 21 7
8/17/09 60 25 35 33 14 19 7
7/18/09 62 33 29 30 13 17 8
4/24/09 63 NA NA 26 NA NA 11
*Washington Post/Pew Research Center poll
e. The situation with gas prices
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 26 14 12 65 13 52 9
George W. Bush*:
5/15/06 20 NA NA 76 NA NA 4
4/9/06 23 NA NA 74 NA NA 3
11/2/05 26 NA NA 68 NA NA 5
9/11/05 25 NA NA 72 NA NA 3
8/28/05 22 NA NA 73 NA NA 6
*“Gasoline” instead of “gas.”
f. Energy policy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 38 21 18 48 13 35 14
8/17/09 55 24 31 30 9 21 15
George W. Bush:
4/24/05 35 NA NA 54 NA NA 10
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [ITEM] are doing their job?
3/10/12 - Summary Table
Approve Disapprove No opinion
a. The Democrats in Congress 34 60 6
b. The Republicans in Congress 23 71 6
Trend:
a. The Democrats in Congress
Approve Disapprove No opinion
3/10/12 34 60 6
1/15/12 33 62 5
12/18/11 27 66 7
4/17/11 36 60 4
10/3/10 36 61 3
7/18/09 47 48 5
4/24/09 45 49 6
2/22/09 50 44 6
7/13/08 35 57 8
2/1/08 39 54 7
12/9/07 40 53 6
11/1/07 36 58 6
9/30/07 38 57 5
7/21/07 46 51 2
6/1/07 44 49 6
4/15/07 54 44 2
10/8/06 48 50 3
5/15/06 39 58 4
11/2/05 41 54 5
6/5/05 42 56 3
6/6/99 51 42 7
3/14/99 51 42 7
7/8/97 45 49 6
4/5/95 36 60 4
10/31/94 39 53 8
10/23/94 36 59 5
9/11/94 41 53 6
b. The Republicans in Congress
Approve Disapprove No opinion
3/10/12 23 71 6
1/15/12 21 75 4
12/18/11 20 72 7
9/1/11 28 68 3
4/17/11 34 63 3
10/3/10 30 67 3
7/18/09 36 58 6
4/24/09 30 64 6
2/22/09 38 56 6
7/13/08 25 69 6
2/1/08 30 63 7
12/9/07 32 63 5
11/1/07 32 63 6
9/30/07 29 67 4
7/21/07 34 64 2
6/1/07 36 58 6
4/15/07 39 59 2
10/8/06 35 63 2
5/15/06 33 64 3
11/2/05 35 61 4
6/5/05 42 56 2
6/6/99 41 52 7
3/14/99 40 56 4
7/8/97 40 54 6
9/15/96 RV 46 48 6
6/30/96 38 56 6
4/5/95 45 50 5
10/31/94 33 59 7
10/23/94 31 64 5
9/11/94 35 59 6
4. Which political party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you think [ITEM]?
3/10/12 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Better represents your own
personal values 44 39 2 12 3
b. Is more concerned with the
needs of people like you 46 36 1 13 3
Trend:
a. Better represents your own personal values
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 44 39 2 12 3
10/28/10 RV 48 42 2 7 1
9/2/10 45 42 2 10 1
11/15/09 49 39 2 9 2
11/4/06 RV 48 44 1 6 2
10/8/06 53 37 2 7 1
11/2/05 50 40 1 7 1
4/24/05 47 38 2 10 2
3/14/99 47 39 3 8 3
b. Is more concerned with the needs of people like you
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 46 36 1 13 3
10/28/10 RV 49 38 2 8 3
9/2/10 48 39 2 11 1
11/15/09 51 36 2 9 3
10/8/06 58 30 2 9 1
8/6/06 56 30 1 12 2
11/2/05 56 33 1 9 1
5. Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel (optimistic) or (pessimistic) about (ITEM)? Is that very optimistic/pessimistic or somewhat optimistic/pessimistic?
3/10/12 - Summary Table
--- Optimistic --- --- Pessimistic -- No
NET Very Smwt. NET Smwt. Very opinion
a. The state of the
national economy 49 18 30 48 20 28 3
b. Your own family's
financial situation 66 28 39 30 16 14 4
Trend:
a. The state of the national economy
---- Optimistic ---- ---- Pessimistic ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
3/10/12 49 18 30 48 20 28 3
12/18/11 44 14 30 52 25 27 5
4/24/09 55 NA NA 42 NA NA 3
2/22/09 48 50 2
12/14/08 48 50 3
9/29/08 43 53 4
4/13/08 40 58 2
2/1/08 45 51 4
12/9/07 45 52 3
12/11/06 64 33 3
5/15/06 52 46 1
12/18/05 55 44 1
9/11/05 51 46 2
6/5/05 59 40 1
12/19/04 58 40 2
6/20/04 64 34 2
1/18/04 63 " " 35 " " 2
b. Your own family's financial situation
---- Optimistic ---- ---- Pessimistic ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
3/10/12 66 28 39 30 16 14 4
12/18/11 61 23 38 35 19 16 4
4/24/09 66 NA NA 31 NA NA 3
2/22/09 66 31 3
12/14/08 68 29 2
9/29/08 61 34 5
4/13/08 66 31 3
2/1/08 67 30 3
12/9/07 72 25 3
12/11/06 82 16 2
5/15/06 79 20 1
12/18/05 73 26 1
12/19/04 75 " " 23 " " 2
6. Regardless of whether or not the recession is over, in terms of your own personal experience, do you feel the economy has or has not begun to recover?
Has Has not No opinion
3/10/12 49 49 2
1/15/12 45 54 1
11/3/11 36 63 1
6/5/11 42 57 1
3/13/11 46 53 1
12/12/10 41 57 2
10/5/10* 34 63 2
2/8/10 45 53 1
12/13/09** 50 49 1
11/15/09 44 54 1
*ABC News/Yahoo! News
**Add "Regardless of whether or not the recession is over..."
7. (IF ECONOMY HAS BEGUN TO RECOVER) Do you think the economy’s recovery so far has been a strong one or a weak one?
Strong Weak No opinion
3/10/12 24 74 2
1/15/12 21 77 2
11/3/11 19 77 3
6/5/11 17 81 2
2/8/10 25 75 1
12/13/09 24 73 3
6/7 NET:
-Recovery's begun-
NET Strong Weak Has not No opinion
3/10/12 49 12 37 49 2
1/15/12 45 9 36 54 1
11/3/11 36 7 29 63 1
6/5/11 42 7 34 57 1
2/8/10 45 11 34 53 1
12/13/09 50 12 36 49 1
8. Do you think Obama's economic program is making the economy (better), making it (worse) or having no real effect?
Better Worse No effect No opinion
3/10/12 31 30 37 2
9/1/11 17 34 47 2
2/9/11* 27 28 38 7
1/16/11 35 24 39 2
9/2/10 30 33 36 1
4/25/10 39 26 32 2
1/15/10 35 23 41 2
10/18/09 41 22 35 2
8/17/09 43 23 32 2
*Washington Post/Kaiser/Harvard
9. How would you describe your feelings about the recent rise in gasoline prices – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned or not concerned at all?
----- Concerned ----- ----- Not Concerned ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
3/10/12 89 66 23 10 5 5 *
10. Just your best guess, do you think gas prices will (go higher and stay high), or do you think they will (go up and down)?
Go higher and stay high Go up and down No opinion
3/10/12 46 51 2
11. Have recent price increases in gasoline caused any financial hardship for you or others in your household, or not? (IF YES) Has that been a serious hardship, or not serious?
----------- Yes -----------
NET Serious Not serious No No opinion
3/10/12 63 36 27 37 *
4/17/11 71 43 29 28 *
3/13/11 71 44 26 29 1
7/28/08 72 45 27 28 *
6/15/08 77 51 25 23 0
5/11/08 63 34 29 37 *
4/13/08 67 38 29 32 1
5/21/07 58 27 30 42 *
4/15/07 67 36 31 33 *
7/19/06 60 29 30 39 1
5/15/06 57 31 26 43 *
4/9/06 70 44 26 30 *
9/11/05 64 34 30 36 *
8/28/05 66 36 30 34 *
8/21/05 53 26 27 47 *
4/24/05 64 34 30 36 *
3/20/05 57 29 28 43 *
5/23/04 64 37 27 36 0
4/18/04 54 31 23 46 0
4/28/02 53 20 33 47 *
4/29/01 48 17 30 52 *
6/25/00* 44 NA NA 56 *
5/24/00 36 64 *
4/2/00 39 61 *
3/12/00 41 59 *
2/15/00 40 " " 60 *
*6/25/00 and previous by Gallup; slightly different wordings.
12. Do you think there's anything the Obama administration reasonably can do to reduce gasoline prices, or do you think gas prices have risen because of factors beyond the administration's control?
Can do something Beyond their control No opinion
3/10/12 50 45 6
Bush administration:
5/15/06 62 35 3
8/28/05 60 36 4
13. Changing topics: Overall, do you support or oppose the federal law making changes to the health care system? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 41 24 17 52 11 41 7
Compare to: Overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the changes to the health care system that have been enacted by (Congress) or and (the Obama administration)?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 45 25 20 50 14 36 5
12/12/10 43 22 21 52 14 37 6
10/3/10 47 26 21 48 13 35 5
3/26/10 46 32 13 50 10 40 4
2/8/10* 46 22 25 49 11 38 5
1/15/10 44 22 22 51 12 39 5
12/13/09 44 25 19 51 11 40 5
11/15/09 48 30 18 49 10 39 3
10/18/09 45 26 19 48 12 36 7
9/12/09 46 30 16 48 12 36 6
8/17/09 45 27 18 50 10 40 5
*2/8/10 and prior: "proposed changes...that are being developed by"
14. Have the things you’ve heard about this law recently been mainly (positive) or mainly (negative)?
Mainly positive Mainly negative Mixed (vol.) No opinion
3/10/12 19 70 5 6
15. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about the health care law later this month. Of these three options, which would you prefer to have the Supreme Court do: 1) (uphold the entire law), 2) throw out the part of the law that requires individuals to have coverage and keep the rest of the law, or 3) (throw out the entire law)?
Uphold Throw out Throw out No
entire law part of the law entire law opinion
3/10/12 26 25 42 7
16. (IF THROW OUT PART OF THE LAW) What if removing the coverage requirement forces the rest of the law to be dropped because there’s no way to pay for it. In that case would you prefer to – (keep the mandate to save the rest of the law), or (throw out the entire law)?
Keep the mandate Throw out entire law No opinion
3/10/12 44 52 4
15/16 NET:
-- Uphold entire law -- - Throw out entire law - No
NET At first Now do NET At first Now do opin.
3/10/12 37 26 11 55 42 13 8
17. On another subject: All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan has been 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
3/10/12 35 17 18 60 16 44 5
6/5/11 43 23 20 54 15 40 3
3/13/11 31 17 14 64 16 49 5
12/12/10 34 18 16 60 18 43 5
7/11/10 43 24 19 53 15 38 4
6/6/10 44 26 18 53 13 41 3
4/25/10 45 26 19 52 15 38 3
12/13/09 52 33 19 44 10 35 4
11/15/09 44 30 14 52 14 38 4
10/18/09* 47 28 19 49 13 36 4
9/12/09 46 28 18 51 14 37 3
8/17/09 47 31 15 51 10 41 3
7/18/09 51 34 18 45 11 34 4
3/29/09 56 37 19 41 12 28 4
2/22/09 50 34 17 47 9 37 3
12/14/08 55 NA NA 39 NA NA 5
7/13/08 51 45 4
2/25/07 56 " " 41 " " 3
*10/18/09 "was" and "has been" wording half sampled. Previous "was."
18. Do you think the United States should (keep its military forces in Afghanistan until it has trained the Afghan army to be self-sufficient); OR, do you think the United States should (withdraw its military forces even if the Afghan army is not adequately trained)?
Keep forces Withdraw forces No opinion
3/10/12 43 54 3
19. Considering everything, do you think most Afghans support or oppose what the United States is trying to do in Afghanistan?
Support Oppose No opinion
3/10/12 30 55 15
Compare to: Considering everything, do you think most of the Iraqi people support
or oppose what the United States is trying to do in Iraq?
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/05 54 39 7
20. On another subject, based on what you’ve heard or read, do you think Iran is or is not trying to develop nuclear weapons?
Is Is not No opinion
3/10/12 84 9 8
10/18/09 87 8 4
21. To try to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, would you support or oppose [ITEM]? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
3/10/12 – Summary Table
---- Support ----- ----- Oppose ----- No
NET Strgly. Smwt. NET Smwt. Strgly. op.
a. The United States bombing Iran's
nuclear development sites 41 27 14 53 18 35 6
b. Increasing international economic
sanctions against Iran 74 54 20 21 9 11 5
c. Direct diplomatic talks between
the United States and Iran to try
to resolve the situation 81 60 21 16 5 12 2
Trend:
a. The United States bombing Iran’s nuclear development sites
-------- Support ------- -------- Oppose --------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 41 27 14 53 18 35 6
10/18/09 42 NA NA 54 NA NA 4
1/26/06* 42 NA NA 54 NA NA 4
* “Iran says it is refining uranium to use in nuclear power plants. Other countries are concerned Iran may also use this uranium in nuclear weapons…”
b. Increasing international economic sanctions against Iran
-------- Support ------- -------- Oppose --------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 74 54 20 21 9 11 5
10/18/09* 78 NA NA 18 NA NA 4
1/26/06* 71 NA NA 26 NA NA 3
*”Imposing international…”
c. Direct diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran to try to resolve the situation
-------- Support ------- -------- Oppose --------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 81 60 21 16 5 12 2
10/18/09 82 NA NA 18 NA NA 1
22. Would you support or oppose Israel bombing Iran’s nuclear development sites?
Support Oppose No opinion
3/10/12 42 51 7
23. If Israel were to bomb Iran’s nuclear development sites, do you think it would or would not risk starting a larger war in the Middle East? (IF RISK) Do you think that would be a major risk; or a risk, but not major?
-------- Risk --------- Not No
NET Major Not Major a risk opinion
3/10/12 88 76 12 9 4
24. Do you think it’s a better idea to (attack Iran soon, before its nuclear program progresses any further, even if that means not waiting to see if economic sanctions work); or a better idea to (see first if economic sanctions against Iran work, even if that allows more time for its nuclear program to progress)?
Attack See if economic Neither No
Iran soon sanctions work (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 26 64 4 6
25. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Who would you like to see win the Republican nomination for president this year – (Newt Gingrich), (Ron Paul), (Mitt Romney) or (Rick Santorum)? Which candidate are you leaning toward?
Other None No
Romney Santorum Gingrich Paul (vol.) (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 31 29 14 15 2 6 4
3/10/12 RV 33 29 14 12 2 6 4
Compare to:
(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?*
------------ 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.
26. (IF NAMED A CANDIDATE) Who would your second choice be? Which candidate would you lean toward as your second choice?
3/10/12 - NET LEANED SECOND CHOICE
Gen. pop RV
Newt Gingrich 27 26
Mitt Romney 27 27
Rick Santorum 27 27
Ron Paul 12 12
Other (vol.) 2 2
No one/None (vol.) 3 4
No opinion* 2 2
*No opinion includes “would not vote (vol.)”
27. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Suppose that [ITEM] wins the Republican nomination for president. Overall, how satisfied would you be with [ITEM] as the nominee: Very satisfied, fairly satisfied, not too satisfied or not satisfied at all?
3/10/12 – Summary Table
---- Satisfied ---- --- Not Satisfied ---- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opinion
a. Romney 66 26 40 29 17 12 5
b. Santorum 69 29 40 26 13 13 5
28. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Just your best guess, who do you think will win the Republican nomination for president?
3/10/12 2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11
Mitt Romney 74 71 72 40
Rick Santorum 11 * 2 0
Newt Gingrich 4 15 7 35
Ron Paul 3 6 4 6
Jon Huntsman NA NA * 2
Rick Perry NA NA 5 3
Michele Bachmann NA NA NA 5
Other (vol.) * 1 * *
No opinion 7 7 9 8
29. (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
3/10/12 - Summary Table
Social
Economy issues
Mitt Romney 35 22
Rick Santorum 18 31
Newt Gingrich 21 15
Ron Paul 13 13
Other (vol.) * *
All of them (vol.) * *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 *
No one/None of them (vol.) 5 6
No opinion 6 13
Trend:
a. The economy
3/10 2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3* 9/1
Mitt Romney 35 37 35 31 22 22
Rick Santorum 18 11 8 1 1 2
Newt Gingrich 21 23 17 25 13 7
Ron Paul 13 17 14 13 7 8
Rick Perry NA NA 8 7 10 22
Jon Huntsman NA NA 3 3 2 *
Michele Bachmann NA NA NA 7 4 5
Herman Cain NA NA NA NA 19 4
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA NA 11
Other (vol.) * 1 1 * 0 2
All of them (vol.) * 1 1 * 1 0
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 1 * 2 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 5 7 3 6 2 4
No opinion 6 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
3/10/12 2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11
Rick Santorum 31 19 14 4
Mitt Romney 22 25 25 26
Newt Gingrich 15 22 15 15
Ron Paul 13 13 10 12
Rick Perry NA NA 9 7
Jon Huntsman NA NA 3 3
Michele Bachmann NA NA NA 13
Herman Cain NA NA NA NA
Other (vol.) * 1 1 0
All of them (vol.) * * 1 *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) * 1 * *
No one/None of them (vol.) 6 6 6 6
No opinion 13 12 16 12
30. (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 reflects the core values of the Republican Party
b. Has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
3/10/12 - Summary Table
Values Defeat
Rick Santorum 27 15
Mitt Romney 25 52
Newt Gingrich 20 11
Ron Paul 11 6
Other (vol.) 0 0
All of them (vol.) 1 3
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 6
No opinion 9 6
Trend:
a. Best reflects the core values of the Republican Party
3/10 2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3 9/1 7/17
Rick Santorum 27 20 13 5 3 4 3
Mitt Romney 25 30 26 23 20 18 19
Newt Gingrich 20 26 25 23 19 6 9
Ron Paul 11 11 9 10 4 6 8
Rick Perry NA NA 10 7 10 19 7
Jon Huntsman NA NA 3 3 1 1 1
Michele Bachmann NA NA NA 13 5 10 11
Herman Cain NA NA NA NA 13 3 4
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA NA 12 20
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA NA 1
Other (vol.) 0 1 0 0 0 * 1
All of them (vol.) 1 * 1 1 1 1 *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 2 1 1 2 5 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 1 4 4 2 2 1
No opinion 9 10 10 11 20 14 14
b. Has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
3/10 2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3 9/1 7/17
Mitt Romney 52 56 57 38 33 20 32
Rick Santorum 15 2 5 0 0 1 1
Newt Gingrich 11 22 10 28 5 5 6
Ron Paul 6 7 7 9 3 4 3
Rick Perry NA NA 5 3 11 30 6
Jon Huntsman NA NA 1 3 * 1 2
Michele Bachmann NA NA NA 3 1 4 7
Herman Cain NA NA NA NA 21 1 2
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA NA 8 14
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA NA 2
Other (vol.) 0 0 0 * 0 1 1
All of them (vol.) 3 2 5 3 6 4 7
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 3 1 2 2 5 2
None of them (vol.) 6 4 2 4 3 4 4
No opinion 6 4 7 8 13 10 11
31. 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
3/10/12 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 46 47 * 2 3 2
b. Rick Santorum 48 45 1 2 2 2
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS
3/10/12 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 47 49 * 1 2 2
b. Rick Santorum 49 46 1 2 1 1
Trend:
a. Mitt Romney
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 46 47 * 2 3 2
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
3/10/12 RV 47 49 * 1 2 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. Rick Santorum
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Santorum (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 48 45 1 2 2 2
1/15/12 52 39 * 3 3 2
3/10/12 RV 49 46 1 2 1 1
1/15/12 RV 52 41 * 2 2 2
32. Just your best guess, who do you think will win the presidential election this year - (Obama) or (the Republican candidate)?
Obama Rep. candidate No opinion
3/10/12 54 40 6
1/15/12 46 49 5
12/18/11 46 49 5
10/2/11 37 55 8
33. Organizations known as Super-PACS can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on behalf of candidates they support. (Supporters say this is a form of free speech) while (opponents say this allows groups or wealthy individuals to have unfair influence.) Do you think it should be legal or illegal for these Super-PACS to operate?
---- Should be legal ---- --- Should be illegal --- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 25 9 16 69 16 52 6
34. On another subject, which political party would you say cares more about issues that are especially important to women - the (Democrats) or the (Republicans)?
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 55 30 3 5 7
4/2/00 58 24 5 4 9
35. Do you think health insurance companies should or should not be required to cover the full cost of birth control for women? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-- Should be required --- - Should not be required - No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 61 50 12 35 8 27 3
36. (IF SHOULD BE REQUIRED) What if the insurance is provided through an employer who is affiliated with a religious institution that opposes birth control. This could be a religious-affiliated university or hospital, for example. In this case do you think health insurance companies should or should not be required to cover the full cost of birth control for women? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-- Should be required --- - Should not be required - No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 79 67 12 18 9 9 3
35/36 NET:
Should be - Should not be required - No
required NET At first If affil. opinion
3/10/12 49 46 35 11 5
37. Do you think a political leader should or should not rely on his or her religious beliefs in making policy decisions?
Depends No
Should Should not (vol.) opinion
3/10/12 31 63 3 3
9/1/11 29 66 3 1
12/9/07 27 66 6 1
10/8/06 35 61 2 2
4/24/05 40 55 4 2
38. 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
3/10/12 42 17 24 58 17 41 1
2/4/12 38 18 20 62 16 46 *
39. In your view, has the country gone too far in keeping religion and government separate, gone too far in mixing religion and government, or has it struck a good balance in the area of the separation of church and state?
Gone too far in Gone too far Struck a No
keeping separate in mixing good balance opinion
3/10/12 36 25 34 4
7/26/94* 36 18 40 6
*NBC/Wall St. Journal
40. On another subject, do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
------ Legal ------ ----- Illegal -----
All Most Most All No
NET cases cases NET cases cases opinion
3/10/12 54 21 33 43 25 17 3
7/17/11 54 19 35 44 30 15 2
3/26/10 53 17 35 45 27 18 2
11/23/09 54 19 35 43 28 16 2
6/21/09 55 20 35 43 26 17 2
9/7/08 RV 57 19 38 39 24 15 4
8/22/08 54 22 32 44 26 18 3
6/15/08 53 18 35 44 28 16 3
1/12/08 57 21 36 40 25 15 3
12/9/07 53 18 35 44 27 17 3
11/1/07 55 19 36 43 27 16 2
7/21/07 56 23 34 41 28 14 2
2/25/07 56 16 39 42 31 12 2
12/18/05 56 17 40 41 27 13 3
4/24/05 56 20 36 42 27 14 3
12/19/04 55 21 34 42 25 17 3
5/23/04 54 23 31 44 23 20 2
1/20/03 57 23 34 42 25 17 2
8/12/01 49 22 27 48 28 20 3
6/24/01 52 22 31 43 23 20 4
1/15/01 59 21 38 39 25 14 1
9/6/00 RV 55 20 35 42 25 16 3
7/23/00 53 20 33 43 26 17 4
9/2/99 56 20 37 42 26 15 2
3/14/99 55 21 34 42 27 15 3
7/12/98 54 19 35 42 29 13 4
8/5/96 56 22 34 41 27 14 3
6/30/96 58 24 34 40 25 14 2
10/1/95 60 26 35 37 25 12 3
9/21/95 60 24 36 36 25 11 4
7/17/95 59 27 32 40 26 14 1
41. Do you think it should be legal or illegal for gay and lesbian couples to get married? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--------- Legal --------- -------- Illegal -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/10/12 52 36 17 43 7 36 5
7/17/11 51 32 19 45 9 36 4
3/13/11 53 36 17 44 9 35 3
2/8/10 47 31 16 50 9 42 3
4/24/09* 49 31 18 46 7 39 5
6/4/06 36 24 13 58 7 51 5
8/28/05 39 NA NA 58 NA NA 3
8/29/04 RV 32 18 14 62 10 52 5
3/7/04 38 24 14 59 11 48 3
2/22/04 39 25 13 55 6 49 6
1/18/04 41 NA NA 55 NA NA 4
9/7/03 37 NA NA 55 NA NA 7
*2009 "gay and lesbian" and "homosexual" wordings half sampled. 2005 "gay and lesbian", others "homosexual".
42. 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
3/10/12 44 15 29 43 17 26 13
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
3/10/12 31 27 36 3 3
2/12/12 34 23 37 5 1
1/15/12 32 25 36 5 2
908a. Would you say your views on most political matters are liberal, moderate or conservative?
Don't think in
Liberal Moderate Conservative those terms (vol.) No opinion
3/10/12 23 37 37 2 1
2/12/12 21 39 37 1 2
1/15/12 19 42 37 1 2
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