Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News was conducted by telephone October 31 to November 3, 2011, among a random national sample of 1,004 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. For the sample of 438 Republicans and GOP-leaning independents the error margin is 5.5 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
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?
11/3/11 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 38 18 20 61 13 48 2
b. Taxes 41 21 20 53 18 35 6
c. Creating jobs 40 20 20 57 13 44 3
d. International 47 26 21 45 13 31 8
affairs
e. The threat of 60 37 23 34 12 22 6
terrorism
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b,c; other half sample asked items d,e.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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. Taxes
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
c. Creating jobs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
d. International affairs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/3/11 47 26 21 45 13 31 8
11/15/09 60 30 30 37 13 23 3
10/18/09 57 34 23 36 15 21 7
9/12/09 57 32 25 33 12 21 10
6/21/09 61 NA NA 32 NA NA 7
4/24/09 67 27 6
3/29/09 62 “ “ 27 “ “ 11
e. The threat of terrorism
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/3/11 60 37 23 34 12 22 6
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 “ “ 26 “ “ 17
*Washington Post-Pew Research Center
**Pew Research Center
3. Who do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
11/3/11 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 42 42 1 12 2
b. Creating jobs 40 40 1 16 4
c. Protecting the middle class 45 41 1 11 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
11/3/11 42 42 1 12 2
10/2/11 43 42 1 11 2
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
11/3/11 40 40 1 16 4
10/2/11 49 34 1 14 3
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. Protecting the middle class
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
11/3/11 45 41 1 11 2
4/17/11 51 39 1 8 1
1/16/11* 51 37 1 8 3
12/12/10 53 38 1 6 2
*1/16/11 and previous: "Helping the middle class"
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
11/3/11 22 74 3
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. Changing topics: Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Obama, or not: [ITEM]?
11/3/11 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. He understands the problems of people like you 49 49 2
b. He is a strong leader 48 51 1
c. He shares your values 49 49 2
d. He is honest and trustworthy 57 39 5
Trend:
a. He understands the problems of people like you
Yes No No opinion
11/3/11 49 49 2
6/5/11 49 49 2
1/16/11 58 40 2
9/2/10 50 48 2
6/6/10 51 48 2
3/26/10 56 43 2
1/15/10 57 42 2
7/18/09 63 35 1
4/24/09 73 25 1
1/16/09 72 24 4
b. He is a strong leader
Yes No No opinion
11/3/11 48 51 1
6/5/11 55 44 1
6/6/10 57 43 1
3/26/10 65 33 2
1/15/10 63 35 1
7/18/09 71 27 2
4/24/09 77 22 2
1/16/09 72 18 10
c. He shares your values
Yes No No opinion
11/3/11 49 49 2
6/5/11 49 49 3
9/2/10 49 50 1
1/15/10 55 43 1
4/24/09 60 38 2
1/16/09 67 30 3
7/13/08 56 39 5
d. He is honest and trustworthy
Yes No No opinion
11/3/11 57 39 5
4/24/09 74 22 4
1/16/09 75 19 6
12/14/08 67 22 11
6. Which of the following statements comes closest to your point of view? Statement A: (President Obama is making a good faith effort to deal with the country's economic problems, but the Republicans in Congress are playing politics by blocking his proposals and programs.) Or Statement B: (President Obama has not provided leadership on the economy, and he is just blaming the Republicans in Congress as an excuse for not doing his job.)
Obama making Obama has not Both Neither No
a good effort provided leadership (vol.) (vol.) opinion
11/3/11 50 44 2 2 1
11/3/11 RV 48 46 3 2 1
Compare to: NBC News/Wall Street Journal among registered voters
Which of the following statements comes closest to your point of view? Statement A: President Bush is making a good faith effort to deal with the country's economic and domestic problems, but the Democrats in Congress are playing politics by blocking his proposals and programs. Or Statement B: President Bush has not provided leadership on such important issues as the economy and health care, and he is just blaming the Democrats in Congress as an excuse for not doing his job.
Bush making Bush has not Both Neither No
a good effort provided leadership (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/14/92 RV 37 57 2 2 2
3/2/92 RV 36 54 6 1 3
1/21/92 RV 34 57 3 3 3
7. 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
11/3/11 20 2 18 80 49 31 NA *
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 NA 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
8. (IF DISSATISIFED/ANGRY) Who do you mainly blame for that – (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Republicans Both Neither No
Obama in Congress (vol.) (vol.) opinion
11/3/11 32 35 26 7 1
9. What do you think is more important right now – (having the federal government spend money to try to encourage job creation, even if that increases the federal budget deficit); or (having the federal government hold down the federal budget deficit, even if it means not spending money to try to encourage job creation)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-Encourage job creation-- --- Hold down deficit --- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/3/11 46 31 15 49 19 31 4
10. 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
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 *
11. 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
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..."
12. (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
11/3/11 19 77 3
6/5/11 17 81 2
2/8/10 25 75 1
12/13/09 24 73 3
11/12 NET:
- Recovery's begun-
NET Strong Weak Has not No opinion
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
13. 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
11/3/11 13 34 52 1
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
14. How concerned are you about being able to maintain your current standard of living - are you very worried, somewhat worried, not so worried or not worried at all?
---- Worried ---- ---- Not worried ---- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
11/3/11 67 31 36 33 18 15 *
12/13/09 64 24 39 36 19 17 *
12/14/08 66 24 42 34 17 16 *
5/11/08 68 28 40 32 16 15 *
12/9/07 51 17 34 49 22 27 *
15. How confident are you that you will retire with enough income and assets to last for the rest of your life - would you say you're very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
------ Confident ---- ------ Not confident ---- Retired No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all (vol.) opin.
11/3/11 43 12 31 50 22 29 6 1
2/22/09 48 14 35 48 25 23 3 *
12/14/08 46 15 31 48 22 26 6 *
10/11/08 44 10 34 49 25 24 7 1
10/16/05 69 30 39 28 16 13 2 *
7/15/02 55 18 37 40 21 18 5 0
7/15/01 68 33 35 23 10 12 7 2
7/4/99 54 21 33 39 21 18 6 0
7/21/96 45 16 29 47 25 21 7 1
16. I’d like to ask you about the distribution of wealth in this country – that is, the gap between how much money wealthy people have compared with how much money the rest of the population has. Do you think this gap is larger than it’s been historically, smaller, or about the same?
Larger Smaller Same No opinion
11/3/11 61 5 31 3
17. (IF DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IS LARGER) As far as you know is it much larger, or somewhat larger?
Much larger Somewhat larger No opinion
11/3/11 61 37 2
16/17 NET:
Distribution of
- wealth is larger --
NET Much Somewhat Smaller Same No opinion
11/3/11 61 37 24 5 31 3
18. Do you think the federal government should or should not pursue policies that try to reduce the gap between wealthy and less well-off Americans? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
----- Should pursue ----- --- Should not pursue --- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/3/11 60 43 18 35 11 24 5
19. 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 Iraq was worth fighting, or not? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
----- Worth fighting ---- --- Not worth fighting -- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/3/11 33 20 14 62 17 45 5
9/2/10 34 21 14 62 16 46 4
7/11/10 42 26 16 55 13 42 3
7/18/09 34 21 12 62 11 51 4
2/22/09 38 24 14 60 13 48 2
1/16/09 39 21 17 61 12 49 1
12/14/08 34 21 13 64 14 50 2
9/7/08 36 24 13 61 13 48 3
8/22/08 35 22 13 63 13 50 2
7/13/08 36 22 13 63 13 50 1
6/15/08 34 21 13 63 9 54 3
4/13/08 34 24 11 64 11 52 2
3/2/08 34 24 11 63 12 51 2
2/1/08 34 23 11 65 11 53 1
1/12/08 35 21 13 64 13 51 2
12/9/07 37 25 12 61 11 50 2
11/1/07 35 23 12 63 12 51 2
9/30/07 38 25 14 59 12 47 3
9/7/07 36 23 13 62 11 51 2
7/21/07 36 25 12 63 10 53 1
6/1/07 37 24 12 61 12 50 2
4/15/07 33 22 11 66 12 54 1
2/25/07 34 22 12 64 13 51 2
1/10/07 40 28 12 58 11 47 2
12/11/06 36 25 11 61 12 50 2
11/4/06 RV 44 33 12 53 10 44 2
10/22/06 40 28 12 57 11 47 2
10/8/06 35 25 10 63 13 50 2
9/7/06 42 29 13 56 11 45 2
8/6/06 39 29 10 59 12 47 1
6/25/06 40 25 15 58 13 45 2
5/15/06 37 24 14 62 12 50 1
4/9/06 41 30 11 58 10 48 1
3/5/06 42 29 14 57 11 46 1
1/26/06 44 32 12 55 13 42 1
1/8/06 43 30 13 55 12 43 2
12/18/05 46 33 14 52 11 42 1
11/2/05 39 25 13 60 12 48 1
8/28/05 46 33 12 53 9 44 1
6/26/05 46 33 13 53 10 43 1
6/5/05 41 29 12 58 12 46 1
4/24/05 44 31 13 54 12 42 2
3/13/05 45 34 11 53 11 42 2
1/16/05 44 32 12 55 10 45 1
12/19/04 42 31 11 56 10 47 2
10/3/04 LV 49 34 15 48 11 37 3
9/26/04 RV 46 35 12 51 8 42 3
9/8/04 RV 51 38 13 45 10 34 4
8/29/04 RV 48 34 14 50 11 39 2
7/25/04 49 36 13 48 11 37 3
7/11/04 45 34 10 53 12 42 2
6/20/04 47 32 14 52 13 39 2
5/23/04 48 35 13 50 13 37 1
5/6/04 49 NA NA 47 NA NA 5
4/18/04 51 47 2
3/7/04 52 44 3
2/11/04 48 50 2
1/18/04 56 41 3
12/21/03 59 39 2
12/14/03 53 42 5
11/16/03 52 44 4
10/29/03 54 44 2
10/13/03 54 44 2
9/13/03 61 37 2
9/7/03 54 42 4
8/24/03 57 37 5
8/11/03 61 35 4
7/10/03 57 40 3
6/22/03 64 33 3
4/30/03 70 27 4
2/2/92* 66 32 2
7/28/91 67 30 3
6/2/91 70 26 3
3/4/91 86 " " 13 " " 1
*2/2/92 and previous: "the Persian Gulf war"; 3/4/91: "this war"
20. As you may know, Obama has said he will withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of this year. Is this something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly?
------- Support --------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/3/11 78 58 19 21 12 9 2
21. Switching topics, 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
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 *
22. What is the single most important issue in your choice for president? DO NOT READ LIST
11/3/11
Economy/jobs 56
Ethics/honesty/corruption in government 7
Health care 4
Morals/family values 4
Federal budget deficit 2
Taxes 2
Beating the Republican/re-electing Obama/Supporting the Democrats 2
Terrorism/national security 1
Education 1
Environment 1
Immigration/illegal immigration 1
Abortion 1
Social Security 1
Change 1
Beating Obama/electing a Republican/Supporting the Republicans 1
Leadership/strong leadership/good leader 1
Gas/oil prices/energy/ethanol *
Iraq/War in Iraq *
Experience *
Housing/mortgages *
Foreign policy *
Afghanistan/War in Afghanistan *
Other (SPECIFY) 10
No opinion 5
23. (IF ECONOMY/JOBS) After the economy/jobs, what’s the next most important issue? DO NOT READ LIST
11/3/11
Health care 15
Terrorism/national security 10
Taxes 8
Education 6
Federal budget deficit 6
Foreign policy 6
Iraq/War in Iraq 5
Immigration/illegal immigration 5
Social Security 4
Ethics/honesty/corruption in government 2
Environment 1
Morals/family values 1
Housing/mortgages 1
Leadership/strong leadership/good leader 1
Gas/oil prices/energy/ethanol 1
Afghanistan/War in Afghanistan 1
Global warming *
Iran/Situation in Iran *
Guns/Gun control *
Change *
Stock market/Wall Street *
Abortion *
Beating Obama/electing a Republican/Supporting the Republicans *
Beating the Republican/re-electing Obama/Supporting the Democrats *
Other (SPECIFY) 13
No opinion 12
24. Still thinking about the next election in November 2012, 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
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
25. Regardless of your local contest, which party would you like to see in control of Congress after the next congressional elections, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans)?
Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) opinion
11/3/11 44 41 10 4
10/24/08 LV 50 42 5 3
11/1/07 54 40 3 2
10/8/06 59 36 3 2
5/15/06 56 33 8 3
11/2/05 55 37 6 2
26. (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
11/3/11 59 9 50 36 27 9 5
10/2/11 62 9 54 32 25 7 6
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
27. (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee 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
11/3/11 80 44 36 20 9 11 *
28. (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), (Ron Paul), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), (Rick Santorum). For whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
11/3/11 - NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
----- Among gen pop ---- ------ Among RVs -------
11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17 11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17
Mitt Romney 24 25 25 30 25 25 25 30
Herman Cain 23 16 4 7 23 17 5 7
Rick Perry 13 16 29 8 14 17 30 8
Ron Paul 8 11 10 11 9 9 10 10
Newt Gingrich 12 7 6 6 12 9 5 6
Michele Bachmann 4 7 8 16 4 7 9 17
Rick Santorum 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 3
Jon Huntsman 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 3
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA 3 NA NA NA 3
Other (vol.) * 2 2 1 0 2 2 1
None of them (vol.) 2 5 5 2 2 4 4 2
Would not vote (vol.) 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 *
No opinion 9 7 5 8 8 7 5 9
29. (ASKED IF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE) Will you definitely vote for (NAMED CANDIDATE), or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for someone else? (IF CHANCE CHANGE MIND) Is there a GOOD CHANCE you'll change your mind, or would you say it's PRETTY UNLIKELY?
11/3/11 – Summary table
Definitely - Chance change mind- No
vote NET Good Unlikely opinion
All candidates 27 69 45 24 4
Mitt Romney 28 71 33 39 1
Herman Cain 27 66 39 28 6
30. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Who would your second choice be? Which candidate would you lean toward?
11/3/11 - NET LEANED SECOND VOTE PREFERENCE
All Among RVs
Mitt Romney 19 21
Herman Cain 17 17
Newt Gingrich 13 14
Rick Perry 13 11
Michele Bachmann 9 9
Ron Paul 9 9
Jon Huntsman 5 5
Rick Santorum 2 3
Other (vol.) 1 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 4
Would not vote (vol.) * 1
No opinion 6 5
31. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) 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), (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. has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
e. is the most honest and trustworthy
f. would do the best job handling the economy
11/3/11 - Summary Table
Understands Issues Values Defeat Honest Economy
Michele Bachmann 6 6 5 1 6 4
Herman Cain 21 20 13 21 22 19
Jon Huntsman 1 2 1 * 2 2
Newt Gingrich 11 12 19 5 8 13
Ron Paul 7 7 4 3 8 7
Rick Perry 11 10 10 11 7 10
Mitt Romney 17 20 20 33 17 22
Rick Santorum 1 1 3 0 2 1
Other (vol.) 0 0 0 0 0 0
All of them (vol.) 1 * 1 6 1 1
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 4 2 2 2 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 6 3 2 3 7 2
No opinion 16 15 20 13 17 17
Trend where available:
a. best understands the problems of people like you
11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Michele Bachmann 6 9 11
Herman Cain 21 3 5
Jon Huntsman 1 1 2
Newt Gingrich 11 6 4
Sarah Palin NA 19 23
Ron Paul 7 8 9
Tim Pawlenty NA NA 1
Rick Perry 11 17 5
Mitt Romney 17 13 18
Rick Santorum 1 2 3
Other (vol.) 0 1 1
All of them (vol.) 1 1 1
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 3 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 6 8 4
No opinion 16 10 12
b. is the closest to you on the issues
11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Michele Bachmann 6 10 10
Herman Cain 20 3 5
Newt Gingrich 12 6 5
Jon Huntsman 2 1 3
Sarah Palin NA 14 20
Ron Paul 7 10 10
Tim Pawlenty NA NA 1
Rick Perry 10 21 5
Mitt Romney 20 15 21
Rick Santorum 1 3 3
Other (vol.) 0 1 1
All of them (vol.) * * *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 4 2 *
No one/None of them (vol.) 3 4 1
No opinion 15 11 15
c. best reflects the core values of the Republican Party
11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Michele Bachmann 5 10 11
Herman Cain 13 3 4
Newt Gingrich 19 6 9
Jon Huntsman 1 1 1
Sarah Palin NA 12 20
Ron Paul 4 6 8
Tim Pawlenty NA NA 1
Rick Perry 10 19 7
Mitt Romney 20 18 19
Rick Santorum 3 4 3
Other (vol.) 0 * 1
All of them (vol.) 1 1 *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 5 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 2 2 1
No opinion 20 14 14
d. has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election
11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Michele Bachmann 1 4 7
Herman Cain 21 1 2
Newt Gingrich 5 5 6
Jon Huntsman * 1 2
Sarah Palin NA 8 14
Ron Paul 3 4 3
Tim Pawlenty NA NA 2
Rick Perry 11 30 6
Mitt Romney 33 20 32
Rick Santorum 0 1 1
Other (vol.) 0 1 1
All of them (vol.) 6 4 7
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 5 2
None of them (vol.) 3 4 4
No opinion 13 10 11
e. No trend
f. would do the best job handling the economy
11/3/11 9/1/11
Michele Bachmann 4 5
Herman Cain 19 4
Newt Gingrich 13 7
Jon Huntsman 2 *
Sarah Palin NA 11
Ron Paul 7 8
Rick Perry 10 22
Mitt Romney 22 22
Rick Santorum 1 2
Other (vol.) 0 2
All of them (vol.) 1 0
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 2 4
No opinion 17 12
32. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Which is more important to you in choosing a candidate for president: (their personal qualities such as experience and leadership ability) or (their positions on specific issues)?
Personal Positions Both No
qualities on issues (vol.) opinion
11/3/11 52 39 8 1
10/27/08 LV 51 32 15 2
10/11/08 LV 50 37 13 1
9/7/08 RV 44 42 14 *
9/6/00 RV 45 39 15 1
8/20/00 RV 39 48 12 *
10/31/99 RV 45 44 11 *
33. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) As governor of Massachusetts, Romney signed a law that requires people to pay a fine if they can get health insurance but fail to do so. Does this make you more likely to vote for him for president, less likely, or doesn’t it make a difference in your vote? IF MORE/LESS LIKELY: Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------ More likely ------ ------- Less likely ----- Makes no No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly difference opinion
11/3/11 9 4 6 48 15 33 41 1
34. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Would you say you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of the Mormon religion? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/3/11 34 11 23 38 19 19 28
12/9/07 47 13 35 36 21 14 17
35. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Does the fact that Mitt Romney is a Mormon make you (more) likely to vote for him, (less) likely to vote for him, or doesn’t it make a difference in your vote?
More likely Less likely Wouldn't matter No opinion
11/3/11 1 20 77 1
Compare to: Iowa, likely Republican caucus-goers
12/17/07 2 20 78 *
Compare to: New Hampshire, likely Republican voters
12/3/07 3 9 88 *
36. 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
11/3/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 48 45 * 3 2 1
b. Rick Perry 53 40 1 3 2 2
c. Herman Cain 51 43 * 3 2 1
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS
11/3/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 46 47 * 3 2 1
b. Rick Perry 51 43 1 3 2 2
c. Herman Cain 50 45 * 3 1 1
Trend where available:
a. Mitt Romney
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
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
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
11/3/11 46 47 * 3 2 1
10/2/11 46 48 * 2 1 2
9/1/11 45 49 * 2 2 2
7/17/11 49 47 * 2 1 1
6/5/11 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
11/3/11 53 40 1 3 2 2
10/2/11 49 44 1 3 2 2
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
11/3/11 51 43 1 3 2 2
10/2/11 49 46 1 2 1 2
9/1/11 46 47 * 2 2 2
7/17/11 53 40 * 2 2 3
c. No trend.
37. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) It’s been reported that two female employees accused Cain of making unwanted sexual advances in the 1990s, and they received financial payments to leave the trade association he headed at the time. Cain says he was falsely accused and never sexually harassed anyone. Do you think this is a serious matter, or not serious?
Serious Not serious No opinion
11/3/11 39 55 6
38. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Does this situation make you (more) likely to vote for Cain for president, (less likely), or doesn’t it make a difference in your vote?
More likely Less likely No difference No opinion
11/3/11 4 23 69 4
39. 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
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
40. What is your view of the Occupy Wall Street 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
11/3/11 44 18 26 41 19 22 15
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what?
11/3/11
Democrat 29
Republican 26
Independent 38
Other (vol.) 5
No opinion 1
908a. Would you say your views on most political matters are liberal, moderate, or conservative?
11/3/11
Liberal 21
Moderate 37
Conservative 39
Don’t think in
those terms (vol.) 1
No opinion 2
***END***
