Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone August 29-September 1 2011, among a random national sample of 1,001 adults, including users of both conventional and cellular phones. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 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
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
10/28/10 LV 46 31 15 52 8 44 2
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 poll
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
9/1/11 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 36 15 21 62 15 47 2
b. Creating jobs 36 15 21 62 18 45 2
c. The federal
budget deficit 36 18 18 60 14 46 4
d. The threat of 62 33 29 32 12 21 6
terrorism
*Full sample asked items a-b; half sample asked item c; other half sample asked item d.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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 poll
b. Creating jobs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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 threat of terrorism
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/1/11 62 33 29 32 12 21 6
6/5/11 60 35 25 34 13 21 6
5/2/11* 69 42 27 21 9 12 10
2/8/10 56 28 28 39 14 25 5
1/15/10 55 31 23 42 14 28 4
11/15/09 53 31 22 41 14 27 6
9/12/09 55 31 24 34 12 23 11
6/21/09 57 NA NA 36 NA NA 7
4/21/09** 57 NA NA 26 NA NA 17
*Washington Post-Pew Research Center poll
**Pew
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are doing their job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/1/11 28 7 21 68 24 44 3
4/17/11 34 NA NA 63 NA NA 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. 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
9/1/11 20 77 3
6/5/11 32 66 2
1/16/11 38 60 3
12/12/10 31 67 2
10/28/10 RV 27 71 2
6/6/10 37 60 3
3/26/10 38 60 2
1/15/10 37 62 1
11/15/09 44 55 2
10/18/09 44 54 2
8/17/09 44 55 1
6/21/09 47 50 3
4/24/09 50 48 2
3/29/09 42 57 1
2/22/09 31 67 2
1/16/09 19 78 3
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
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 LV 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
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
5. Who do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
9/1/11 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 42 39 1 16 2
b. Creating jobs 40 40 1 17 2
c. Handling the federal budget deficit 39 42 1 16 2
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked item b; other half sample asked item c.
Trend:
a. Handling the economy
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 42 39 1 16 2
6/5/11 42 45 2 9 2
3/13/11 46 34 2 15 4
1/16/11 46 41 3 7 3
12/12/10 44 45 2 7 2
4/25/10 49 38 1 9 2
2/8/10 47 42 1 7 2
12/13/09 48 36 1 12 3
11/15/09 52 37 1 8 1
9/12/09 48 37 1 12 2
7/18/09 56 33 1 9 2
6/21/09 55 31 2 9 2
4/24/09 61 24 2 11 2
3/29/09 58 25 1 14 2
2/22/09 61 26 1 9 3
b. Creating jobs
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 40 40 1 17 2
6/5/11 43 42 2 11 2
2/8/10 48 41 2 8 2
c. Handling the federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 39 42 1 16 2
6/5/11 39 47 2 10 2
3/13/11 45 36 2 14 4
1/16/11 44 41 4 8 2
12/12/10 39 47 2 9 4
4/25/10 45 41 1 10 3
2/8/10 45 43 1 9 1
9/12/09 50 36 1 12 1
7/18/09 54 35 * 9 2
6/21/09 56 30 2 9 2
6. Generally speaking, would you say you favor (smaller government with fewer services), or (larger government with more services)?
Smaller govt. Larger govt. No
fewer services more services opinion
9/1/11 56 38 6
10/28/10 RV 57 37 5
4/25/10 56 40 4
1/15/10 58 38 4
6/21/09 54 41 4
1/16/09 53 43 4
6/15/08 50 45 5
11/1/07 50 44 5
6/20/04 50 46 4
11/4/02 LV 61 34 5
11/3/02 LV 60 34 5
11/2/02 LV 62 34 3
7/15/02 53 42 6
1/27/02 54 41 5
10/9/00 RV 58 32 10
10/1/00 RV 58 33 9
7/23/00 59 34 7
4/2/00 56 38 7
8/16/98 59 35 6
8/5/96 63 32 5
2/28/93 67 30 2
7/8/92 55 38 7
7/13/88 49 45 6
7/8/84 49 43 7
7. What about Obama - would you say Obama favors (smaller government with fewer services), or (larger government with more services)?
Smaller govt. Larger govt. No
fewer services more services opinion
9/1/11 18 70 12
10/28/10 RV 14 75 10
4/25/10 15 77 8
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
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. Would you say you, yourself are better off financially than you were in when Obama became president, not as well off, or in about the same shape as then financially?
Better off Not as well off About the same No opinion
9/1/11 15 35 50 *
7/18/09 8 27 64 *
Compare to:
G.W. Bush
10/5/04 LV 30 30 40 1
10/29/03 22 27 50 1
9/13/03 21 30 49 *
8/11/03* 17 25 58 1
Clinton
6/11/00 34 14 50 2
7/19/98 30 15 52 3
3/1/98 32 9 57 1
6/23/96 29 22 49 0
2/27/94 12 17 71 *
G.H.W. Bush
1/17/93 27 28 44 1
8/9/92 22 32 45 1
6/7/92 19 32 49 *
3/11/92 20 33 46 1
2/2/92 19 31 49 *
12/15/91 17 33 49 *
10/21/91 20 27 53 1
3/4/91 19 18 63 1
Reagan
1/16/89 42 18 39 1
1/18/87 37 23 40 1
9/8/86 41 20 39 1
*Washington Post
10. Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel (optimistic) or (pessimistic) about the chances that the jobs situation in this country will improve? Would you say you are very optimistic/pessimistic or somewhat optimistic/pessimistic?
---- Optimistic ----- ---- Pessimistic ----
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very No opinion
9/1/11 45 18 28 50 23 28 4
11. Changing topics, how often do you think about what happened on September 11, 2001 - the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington - do you think about it a lot, or not all that much? (IF A LOT) Do you think about it pretty much every day, or less often than that?
------ Think about it ------ Don't think No
NET Every day Less often about it opinion
9/1/11 61 16 45 39 1
9/2/10 64 14 50 36 *
9/7/06 71 23 48 29 *
9/7/03 77 34 42 23 *
9/8/02 75 40 35 25 *
12. Do you think the events of September 11th have changed this country in a lasting way, or not? (IF YES) Is it a change for the better or a change for the worse?
------- Yes, changed -------- No
NET Better Worse DK/REF No opinion
9/1/11 87 39 42 6 13 *
9/6/02* 83 55 27 NA 13 5
3/10/02 86 67 15 3 13 1
12/19/01 91 63 25 4 8 1
*Washington Post: ”terrorist attacks of last September 11th”
13. Compared to before September 11, 2001, do you think the country today is safer from terrorism or less safe from terrorism? (IF SAFER) Would you say the country is much safer or somewhat safer? (IF LESS SAFE) Would you say the country is much less safe or somewhat less safe?
----- Safer ------ ---- Less safe --- No difference No
NET Much Smwht NET Smwht Much (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 64 26 38 26 13 12 8 2
9/2/10 48 15 33 42 24 18 8 2
9/7/08 62 25 37 29 19 10 7 2
9/7/07 60 24 36 29 17 11 11 1
10/8/06 50 20 30 42 NA NA 7 1
9/7/06 55 19 36 37 6 2
6/25/06 59 24 35 33 7 1
3/5/06 56 22 33 35 8 1
1/26/06 64 24 41 30 6 *
8/21/05 49 14 35 38 11 2
10/3/04 LV 62 29 33 29 7 2
9/26/04 RV 59 24 35 34 5 2
9/8/04 RV 64 26 38 28 5 3
8/29/04 RV 60 24 36 31 7 2
1/18/04 67 28 39 24 8 1
9/7/03 67 24 42 27 4 2
14. Thinking about the way the United States has responded to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, overall would you say you’re very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied?
----- Satisfied ----- --- Dissatisfied ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
9/1/11 67 18 50 32 18 13 1
15. I’m going to name some specific actions taken by the United States after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. For each please tell me if you think it was very effective, somewhat effective, somewhat ineffective or very ineffective at reducing the threat of terrorism against the United States. First is [ITEM]. Would you say that was very effective, somewhat effective, somewhat ineffective or very ineffective at reducing the threat of terrorism against the United States? How about [NEXT ITEM]?
9/1/11 – Summary Table*
---- Effective ---- --- Ineffective --- No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very op.
a. Creating the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security 71 26 44 27 14 13 2
b. Taking steps to improve
information-sharing among U.S.
intelligence agencies 73 26 47 23 13 10 4
c. Increasing security measures in
airports and government buildings 84 40 44 15 9 6 1
d. The war in Afghanistan 52 14 37 46 21 25 3
e. The war in Iraq 46 15 31 53 23 31 1
f. Killing Osama bin Laden 77 46 30 21 11 10 2
g. Using missile strikes against
suspected terrorists in Pakistan
and Yemen 76 30 45 22 14 8 2
h. Increasing use of wiretaps and
other surveillance techniques 77 30 47 20 10 10 3
*Half sample asked items a-d; other half sample asked items e-h.
16. When you think about the September 11th terrorist attacks would you say you feel very angry about it, somewhat angry, not so angry or not angry at all?
------ Angry -------- ------- Not angry ------- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
9/1/11 91 63 27 9 3 6 1
17. Do you personally plan to do anything specific to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11 next week? (IF YES) What is it you plan to do?
9/1/11
Say a prayer 10
Watch TV coverage 5
Observe a moment of silence 4
Go to church 4
Gather with family and friends 3
Display an American flag 3
Light a candle 2
Call/speak with family/friends 1
Wear red, white and blue *
Hug someone *
Other 13
Nothing specific 50
No opinion 5
18. Would you say national politics has become more partisan since the events of September 11th, less partisan, or is it about the same?
More partisan Less partisan About the same No opinion
9/1/11 42 8 47 3
6/25/06 39 8 50 3
19. On another subject, how closely are you following the 2012 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
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 *
20. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the choice of candidates for the Republican nomination for president next year - are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied?
----- Satisfied ----- --- Dissatisfied ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
9/1/11 65 15 51 29 21 8 6
7/17/11 54 8 46 38 29 10 8
6/5/11 47 7 40 46 38 9 7
4/17/11 43 5 38 40 30 10 17
11/1/07 69 16 54 28 22 7 2
9/7/07 68 19 49 26 21 6 5
7/21/07 65 13 53 32 26 6 3
6/1/07 68 11 56 28 22 6 4
4/15/07 65 16 49 31 27 5 3
2/25/07 73 14 58 24 20 5 3
21. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) If the 2012 Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state were being held today, and the candidates were (Michele Bachmann), (Herman Cain), (Newt Gingrich), (Jon Huntsman), (Sarah Palin), (Ron Paul), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), (Rick Santorum). For whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Among gen pop Among RVs
9/1/11 7/17/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Rick Perry 27 8 29 8
Mitt Romney 22 26 23 26
Sarah Palin 14 18 14 16
Ron Paul 8 9 8 7
Michele Bachmann 6 12 6 13
Newt Gingrich 4 5 4 4
Herman Cain 3 6 3 7
Jon Huntsman 1 3 1 3
Rick Santorum 2 2 2 2
Tim Pawlenty NA 2 NA 2
Other (vol.) 1 1 1 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 1 4 1
Would not vote (vol.) 2 1 1 *
No opinion 4 8 4 8
22. (IF NAMED A CANDIDATE) Do you support (CANDIDATE) strongly, or somewhat?
Strongly Somewhat No opinion
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
Strongly Somewhat No opinion
9/1/11 15 84 1
7/17/11 29 71 0
Rick Perry
9/1/11 37 63 *
23. (IF WOULD VOTE FOR PALIN) If Palin does not run for president, for whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
--------- Without Palin -----------
Among gen pop Among RVs
9/1/11 7/17/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Rick Perry 29 8 30 8
Mitt Romney 25 30 25 30
Ron Paul 10 11 10 10
Michele Bachmann 8 16 9 17
Newt Gingrich 6 6 5 6
Herman Cain 4 7 5 7
Rick Santorum 3 3 3 3
Jon Huntsman 1 3 1 3
Tim Pawlenty NA 3 NA 3
Other (vol.) 2 1 2 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 5 2 4 2
Would not vote (vol.) 2 1 1 *
No opinion 5 8 5 9
24. Regardless of whether or not you'd vote for her, do you think Palin is or is not qualified to serve as president?
Is Is not No
qualified qualified opinion
9/1/11 32 63 6
6/5/11 33 63 4
10/28/10 RV 27 67 6
2/8/10 26 71 4
11/15/09 38 60 3
25. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Do you think (the Republican nominee for president should take only conservative positions on issues) or do you think (it is OK to have the Republican nominee for president take moderate positions on some issues?) Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
- Conservative Positions- -- Moderate Positions --- Depends No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 27 17 9 67 35 32 3 2
11/23/09* 27 21 5 69 32 37 3 2
*Washington Post: ”Republican candidates”
26. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICAN) Regardless of who you may support, which of the Republican candidates do you think [ITEM]? (IF NEEDED) I can repeat the list. Is it (Michele Bachmann), (Herman Cain), (Newt Gingrich), (Jon Huntsman), (Sarah Palin), (Ron Paul), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), or (Rick Santorum)?
Full item wording:
a. best understands the problems of people like you
b. is the closest to you on the issues
c. best reflects the core values of the Republican Party
d. would do the best job handling the economy
e. has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
9/1/11 - Summary Table
Understands Issues Values Economy Defeat
Sarah Palin 19 14 12 11 8
Rick Perry 17 21 19 22 30
Mitt Romney 13 15 18 22 20
Michele Bachmann 9 10 10 5 4
Ron Paul 8 10 6 8 4
Newt Gingrich 6 6 6 7 5
Herman Cain 3 3 3 4 1
Rick Santorum 2 3 4 2 1
Jon Huntsman 1 1 1 * 1
Other (vol.) 1 1 * 2 1
All of them (vol.) 1 * 1 0 4
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 3 2 5 2 5
No one/None of them (vol.) 8 4 2 4 4
No opinion 10 11 14 12 10
Trend where available:
a. best understands the problems of people like you
9/1/11 7/17/11
Sarah Palin 19 23
Rick Perry 17 5
Mitt Romney 13 18
Michele Bachmann 9 11
Ron Paul 8 9
Newt Gingrich 6 4
Herman Cain 3 5
Jon Huntsman 1 2
Rick Santorum 2 3
Tim Pawlenty NA 1
Other (vol.) 1 1
All of them (vol.) 1 1
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 3 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 8 4
No opinion 10 12
b. is the closest to you on the issues
9/1/11 7/17/11
Rick Perry 21 5
Mitt Romney 15 21
Sarah Palin 14 20
Michele Bachmann 10 10
Ron Paul 10 10
Newt Gingrich 6 5
Herman Cain 3 5
Jon Huntsman 1 3
Rick Santorum 3 3
Tim Pawlenty NA 1
Other (vol.) 1 1
All of them (vol.) * *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 *
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 1
No opinion 11 15
c. best reflects the core values of the Republican Party
9/1/11 7/17/11
Rick Perry 19 7
Mitt Romney 18 19
Sarah Palin 12 20
Michele Bachmann 10 11
Newt Gingrich 6 9
Ron Paul 6 8
Rick Santorum 4 3
Herman Cain 3 4
Jon Huntsman 1 1
Tim Pawlenty NA 1
Other (vol.) * 1
All of them (vol.) 1 *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 5 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 2 1
No opinion 14 14
d. No trend
e. has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
9/1/11 7/17/11
Rick Perry 30 6
Mitt Romney 20 32
Sarah Palin 8 14
Newt Gingrich 5 6
Michele Bachmann 4 7
Ron Paul 4 3
Jon Huntsman 1 2
Herman Cain 1 2
Rick Santorum 1 1
Tim Pawlenty NA 2
Other (vol.) 1 1
All of them (vol.) 4 7
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 5 2
None of them (vol.) 4 4
No opinion 10 11
27. If the 2012 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
9/1/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 46 47 * 2 3 2
b. Rick Perry 46 46 * 2 2 3
c. Sarah Palin 53 41 * 2 4 *
d. Michele Bachmann 50 43 * 2 3 1
e. Jon Huntsman 47 42 1 3 4 3
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS
9/1/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 45 49 * 2 2 2
b. Rick Perry 46 47 * 2 2 2
c. Sarah Palin 53 41 * 2 4 *
d. Michele Bachmann 50 44 * 2 3 1
e. Jon Huntsman 47 42 1 3 4 3
Trend where available:
a. Mitt Romney
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
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
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
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
b. Rick Perry
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Perry (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 46 46 * 2 2 3
7/17/11 55 38 * 2 1 4
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Perry (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 RV 46 47 * 2 2 2
7/17/11 RV 53 40 * 2 2 3
c. Sarah Palin
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Palin (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 53 41 * 2 4 *
6/5/11 56 39 * 3 1 1
4/17/11 55 38 1 3 2 1
12/12/10 54 39 1 3 3 1
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Palin (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 RV 53 41 * 2 4 *
6/5/11 RV 55 40 * 3 1 1
d. Michele Bachmann
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Bachmann (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 50 43 * 2 3 1
7/17/11 56 39 0 2 2 2
6/5/11 52 39 * 3 2 4
4/17/11 51 39 * 4 2 3
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Bachmann (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 RV 50 44 * 2 3 1
7/17/11 RV 55 40 0 2 2 2
6/5/11 RV 51 40 * 3 1 4
e. Jon Huntsman
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Huntsman (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 47 42 1 3 4 3
6/5/11 50 40 * 3 2 5
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Huntsman (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/1/11 RV 47 42 1 3 4 3
6/5/11 RV 50 40 1 2 1 6
28. On another subject, do you think a political leader should or should not rely on his or her religious beliefs in making policy decisions?
Should Should not Depends (vol.) No opinion
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
29. 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
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? 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
9/1/11 33 24 36 5 2 15 17 11
8/9/11 32 25 37 5 1 16 17 9
7/17/11 32 26 34 6 2 17 16 9
6/5/11 31 25 39 4 1 18 17 9
4/17/11 32 22 41 4 * 17 18 8
3/13/11 33 24 37 5 1 17 14 11
1/16/11 33 23 38 5 1 17 17 9
12/12/10 31 26 38 5 1 18 17 7
10/28/10 34 24 34 5 2 17 16 6
10/3/10 33 23 39 4 1 15 19 9
9/2/10 31 25 39 4 1 17 21 6
7/11/10 31 24 40 3 1 18 18 9
6/6/10 32 24 39 3 1 19 19 6
4/25/10 34 23 38 4 1 19 17 6
3/26/10 34 24 38 3 1 17 17 7
2/8/10 32 26 39 3 * 17 19 6
1/15/10 32 23 38 7 * 17 20 9
12/13/09 32 26 37 5 1 13 18 11
11/15/09 35 21 39 4 1 19 17 8
10/18/09 33 20 42 4 1 20 19 8
9/12/09 32 21 43 4 * 19 20 9
8/17/09 35 25 34 6 1 15 14 11
7/18/09 33 22 41 4 * 20 16 9
6/21/09 35 22 37 7 * 17 16 10
4/24/09 35 21 38 5 * 18 16 10
3/29/09 36 25 33 5 1 15 16 8
2/22/09 36 24 34 5 1 18 13 9
1/16/09 35 23 36 5 1 20 12 11
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.
9/1/11 20 39 37 2 1
8/9/11 24 37 36 1 2
7/17/11 23 40 35 1 2
6/5/11 22 36 40 1 1
4/17/11 21 39 36 2 2
3/13/11 23 37 36 1 2
1/16/11 22 38 36 2 2
12/12/10 19 39 38 2 2
10/28/10 21 39 37 1 2
10/3/10 21 43 34 2 1
9/2/10 19 37 40 3 1
7/11/10 22 35 39 2 1
6/6/10 23 39 36 1 1
4/25/10 22 40 35 1 2
3/26/10 24 32 42 1 2
2/8/10 24 36 37 2 1
1/15/10 25 34 38 1 1
12/13/09 23 35 41 1 1
11/15/09 19 41 38 1 1
10/18/09 23 36 38 2 1
9/12/09 24 39 36 * 1
8/17/09 20 40 37 2 1
7/18/09 20 39 38 2 1
6/21/09 22 40 36 1 *
4/24/09 23 39 35 2 2
3/29/09 20 38 38 2 2
2/22/09 23 38 37 1 1
1/16/09 24 42 32 * 1
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. Which of the following CATEGORIES best describes your total annual household income before taxes, from all sources?
-------Less than $50k------- --------More than $50k--------
NET LT20k 20-35k 35-50k NET 50-75k 75-100k 100k+
9/1/11 51 19 17 15 49 17 13 18
7/17/11 54 19 18 17 46 17 12 17
6/5/11 49 18 16 15 49 15 12 21
4/17/11 51 20 16 14 47 15 11 21
3/13/11 49 16 16 17 48 18 11 19
1/16/11 51 17 19 15 46 17 12 16
12/12/10 55 21 17 17 42 16 11 15
10/28/10 47 17 15 15 51 18 15 18
10/3/10 53 19 18 16 42 15 12 15
9/2/10 48 15 18 15 47 17 14 17
7/11/10 52 19 15 17 45 16 13 17
6/6/10 55 22 17 17 45 15 11 19
4/25/10 52 19 16 16 46 17 11 18
3/26/10 50 16 18 15 47 18 13 16
2/8/10 49 20 16 14 49 18 13 18
1/15/10 49 17 14 18 48 17 13 18
12/13/09 54 19 18 17 42 15 12 15
11/15/09 53 20 18 15 45 16 13 16
10/18/09 53 17 19 17 44 18 12 15
9/12/09 50 17 17 15 48 17 13 18
8/17/09 46 15 16 14 52 19 15 18
7/18/09 49 18 17 14 48 19 12 19
6/21/09 51 18 16 17 47 17 12 18
4/24/09 50 16 16 18 48 17 12 19
3/29/09 49 15 16 17 48 18 13 17
2/22/09 48 16 16 17 50 19 13 19
1/16/09 52 17 18 17 48 16 13 19
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 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 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***
