Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone December 15-18 2011, among a random national sample of 1,005 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. Results for the full sample have a 3.5 point error margin. 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 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?
12/18/11 - Summary Table -------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion a. The economy 41 17 24 56 13 43 2 b. Creating jobs 39 17 22 55 13 43 5 Trend: a. The economy -------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion 12/18/11 41 17 24 56 13 43 2 11/3/11 38 18 20 61 13 48 2 10/2/11 35 17 19 61 13 48 4 9/1/11 36 15 21 62 15 47 2 7/17/11 39 18 22 57 15 43 3 6/5/11 40 20 20 59 10 49 2 5/2/11* 40 18 22 55 16 39 4 4/17/11 42 23 19 57 11 46 2 3/13/11 43 22 21 55 13 41 2 1/16/11 46 22 24 51 13 38 2 12/12/10 43 21 22 54 15 39 3 10/28/10 RV 44 21 23 54 15 39 3 10/3/10 45 22 23 53 13 41 2 9/2/10 41 20 21 57 13 44 2 7/11/10 43 20 23 54 13 41 4 6/6/10 50 26 24 49 12 37 2 4/25/10 49 24 25 49 10 39 2 3/26/10 45 23 22 52 12 40 3 2/8/10 45 22 23 53 15 38 2 1/15/10 47 22 24 52 13 39 1 12/13/09 46 23 24 52 12 40 2 11/15/09 51 26 25 47 12 36 2 10/18/09 50 29 22 48 13 35 1 9/12/09 51 28 24 46 13 33 2 8/17/09 52 27 25 46 13 33 2 7/18/09 52 29 23 46 10 35 3 6/21/09 56 28 28 41 13 27 3 4/24/09 58 31 28 38 13 25 4 3/29/09 60 34 25 38 12 26 3 2/22/09 60 NA NA 34 NA NA 6 *Washington Post/Pew Research Center b. Creating jobs -------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion 12/18/11 39 17 22 55 13 43 5 11/3/11 40 20 20 57 13 44 3 10/2/11 35 17 18 60 14 47 4 9/1/11 36 15 21 62 18 45 2 7/17/11 41 16 25 52 13 39 7 2/8/10 47 25 22 51 15 35 3
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [ITEM] are doing their job?
12/18/11 - Summary Table Approve Disapprove No opinion a. The Democrats in Congress 27 66 7 b. The Republicans in Congress 20 72 7 Trend: a. The Democrats in Congress Approve Disapprove No opinion 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 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. Who do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
12/18/11 - Summary Table Both Neither No Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion a. Handling the economy 44 40 1 13 2 b. Creating jobs 44 41 1 12 2 c. Protecting the middle class 50 35 1 10 3 d. Handling taxes 46 41 1 10 2 Trend: a. Handling the economy Both Neither No Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion 12/18/11 44 40 1 13 2 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 12/18/11 44 41 1 12 2 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 12/18/11 50 35 1 10 3 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" d. Handling taxes Both Neither No Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion 12/18/11 46 41 1 10 2 10/2/11 39 46 1 11 2 4/17/11 47 42 1 8 2 1/16/11 44 42 2 9 4 12/12/10 43 44 1 7 5
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?
12/18/11 - Summary Table ----- Optimistic ---- ---- Pessimistic ---- No NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion a. The state of the national economy 44 14 30 52 25 27 5 b. Your own family's financial situation 61 23 38 35 19 16 4 Trend: a. The state of the national economy ---- Optimistic ---- ---- Pessimistic ---- No NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion 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 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. 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 12/18/11 69 26 43 31 18 13 * 11/3/11 65 24 41 34 17 17 * 10/2/11 64 24 40 36 23 13 0 9/1/11 66 25 40 34 20 14 * 7/17/11 61 18 43 39 23 15 * 6/5/11 61 22 39 38 23 15 *
7. (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 12/18/11 59 11 48 37 27 10 4 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
8. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in the 2012 Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state. Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?
Less Will not No primary/ Already than vote caucus voted No Cert. Prob. 50-50 50-50 (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) op. 12/18/11 71 14 8 6 1 * NA * 2/1/08 68 10 9 8 4 * 1 0 1/12/08 69 12 12 4 3 * * 0 12/9/07 74 11 9 3 2 * NA * 11/1/07 68 12 11 6 3 0 NA 0
9. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) If the 2012 Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state was being held today, and the candidates were (Michele Bachmann), (Newt Gingrich), (Jon Huntsman), (Ron Paul), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), (Rick Santorum). For whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
12/18/11 - NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE ------- Among gen pop ------ --------- Among RVs -------- 12/18 11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17 12/18 11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17 Mitt Romney 30 24 25 25 30 30 25 25 25 30 Newt Gingrich 30 12 7 6 6 30 12 9 5 6 Ron Paul 15 8 11 10 11 15 9 9 10 10 Rick Perry 7 13 16 29 8 6 14 17 30 8 Michele Bachmann 7 4 7 8 16 7 4 7 9 17 Rick Santorum 3 1 2 3 3 4 1 2 3 3 Jon Huntsman 3 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 3 Herman Cain NA 23 16 4 7 NA 23 17 5 7 Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA 3 NA NA NA NA 3 Other (vol.) * * 2 2 1 * 0 2 2 1 None of them (vol.) 1 2 5 5 2 1 2 4 4 2 Would not vote (vol.) * 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 * No opinion 4 9 7 5 8 4 8 7 5 9
10. (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?
Definitely - Chance change mind- No vote NET Good Unlikely opinion All candidates: 12/18/11 32 64 36 28 4 11/3/11 27 69 45 24 4 Mitt Romney: 12/18/11 36 63 37 25 1 11/3/11 28 71 33 39 1 Newt Gingrich: 12/18/11 29 67 33 34 4
11. (ASKED IF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE) Who would your second choice be? Which candidate are you leaning toward as your second choice?
12/18/11 - NET LEANED SECOND VOTE PREFERENCE -- Among gen pop -- --- Among RVs ---- 12/18/11 11/3/11 12/18/11 11/3/11 Mitt Romney 21 19 22 21 Newt Gingrich 20 13 21 14 Ron Paul 12 9 13 9 Rick Perry 11 13 10 11 Michele Bachmann 11 9 10 9 Rick Santorum 7 2 7 3 Jon Huntsman 4 5 3 5 Herman Cain NA 17 NA 17 Other (vol.) 2 1 2 1 No one/None of them (vol.) 5 4 6 4 Would not vote (vol.) 1 * 1 1 No opinion 7 6 5 5
12. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Just your best guess, who do you think will win the Republican nomination for president?
12/18/11 Mitt Romney 40 Newt Gingrich 35 Ron Paul 6 Michele Bachmann 5 Rick Perry 3 Jon Huntsman 2 Rick Santorum 0 Other (vol.) * No opinion 8
13. (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), (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. Best reflects the core values of the Republican Party c. Is the most honest and trustworthy d. Has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election e. Has the best experience to be president f. Is the most likely to stand up for what he or she believes in g. Is better qualified to be commander in chief of the U.S. military 12/18/11 - Summary Table Under- Exper- Commander stands Values Honest Defeat ience Believes in chief Mitt Romney 20 23 22 38 23 20 17 Newt Gingrich 18 23 13 28 43 23 35 Michele Bachmann 14 13 15 3 4 17 3 Ron Paul 13 10 14 9 8 16 7 Rick Perry 7 7 6 3 5 6 8 Jon Huntsman 5 3 5 3 3 3 4 Rick Santorum 4 5 7 0 1 4 2 Other (vol.) * 0 0 * 0 * 0 All of them (vol.) 1 1 1 3 0 2 * Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 No one/None of them (vol.) 10 4 12 4 4 1 6 No opinion 6 11 5 8 7 6 17 Trend where available: a. Best understands the problems of people like you 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11 Mitt Romney 20 17 13 18 Newt Gingrich 18 11 6 4 Michele Bachmann 14 6 9 11 Ron Paul 13 7 8 9 Rick Perry 7 11 17 5 Jon Huntsman 5 1 1 2 Rick Santorum 4 1 2 3 Herman Cain NA 21 3 5 Sarah Palin NA NA 19 23 Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA 1 Other (vol.) * 0 1 1 All of them (vol.) 1 1 1 1 Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 2 3 1 No one/None of them (vol.) 10 6 8 4 No opinion 6 16 10 12 b. Best reflects the core values of the Republican Party 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11 Mitt Romney 23 20 18 19 Newt Gingrich 23 19 6 9 Michele Bachmann 13 5 10 11 Ron Paul 10 4 6 8 Rick Perry 7 10 19 7 Rick Santorum 5 3 4 3 Jon Huntsman 3 1 1 1 Herman Cain NA 13 3 4 Sarah Palin NA NA 12 20 Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA 1 Other (vol.) 0 0 * 1 All of them (vol.) 1 1 1 * Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 2 5 1 No one/None of them (vol.) 4 2 2 1 No opinion 11 20 14 14 c. Is the most honest and trustworthy 12/18/11 11/3/11 Mitt Romney 22 17 Michele Bachmann 15 6 Ron Paul 14 8 Newt Gingrich 13 8 Rick Santorum 7 2 Rick Perry 6 7 Jon Huntsman 5 2 Herman Cain NA 22 Other (vol.) 0 0 All of them (vol.) 1 1 Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 2 No one/None of them (vol.) 12 7 No opinion 5 17 d. Has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11 7/17/11 Mitt Romney 38 33 20 32 Newt Gingrich 28 5 5 6 Ron Paul 9 3 4 3 Michele Bachmann 3 1 4 7 Rick Perry 3 11 30 6 Jon Huntsman 3 * 1 2 Rick Santorum 0 0 1 1 Herman Cain NA 21 1 2 Sarah Palin NA NA 8 14 Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA 2 Other (vol.) * 0 1 1 All of them (vol.) 3 6 4 7 Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 2 5 2 None of them (vol.) 4 3 4 4 No opinion 8 13 10 11 e. Has the best experience to be president 12/18/11 7/17/11 Newt Gingrich 43 16 Mitt Romney 23 27 Ron Paul 8 6 Rick Perry 5 8 Michele Bachmann 4 7 Jon Huntsman 3 2 Rick Santorum 1 2 Herman Cain NA 3 Sarah Palin NA 11 Tim Pawlenty NA 1 Other (vol.) 0 1 All of them (vol.) 0 2 Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 No one/None of them (vol.) 4 4 No opinion 7 11 f-g. No trend.
14. (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. Healthcare c. Immigration issues d. Social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage e. The federal budget deficit 12/18/11 - Summary Table Social Economy Healthcare Immigration issues Deficit Mitt Romney 31 25 20 26 25 Newt Gingrich 25 23 19 15 25 Ron Paul 13 14 11 12 15 Michele Bachmann 7 11 11 13 9 Rick Perry 7 6 15 7 6 Jon Huntsman 3 4 3 3 2 Rick Santorum 1 3 4 4 2 Other (vol.) * * * 0 0 All of them (vol.) * * 0 * * Any 2 or more equally (vol.) * 1 * * * No one/None of them (vol.) 6 5 6 6 8 No opinion 7 9 12 12 9 Trend where available: Compare to: “which of the Republican candidates do you think would do the best job handling the economy” 12/18/11 11/3/11 9/1/11 Mitt Romney 31 22 22 Newt Gingrich 25 13 7 Ron Paul 13 7 8 Rick Perry 7 10 22 Michele Bachmann 7 4 5 Jon Huntsman 3 2 * Rick Santorum 1 1 2 Herman Cain NA 19 4 Sarah Palin NA NA 11 Other (vol.) * 0 2 All of them (vol.) * 1 0 Any 2 or more equally (vol.) * 2 2 No one/None of them (vol.) 6 2 4 No opinion 7 17 12
15. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Again, regardless of who you may support, do you think (ITEM) has the kind of personality and temperament it takes to serve effectively as president, or not?
12/18/11 – Summary Table Yes No No opinion a. Newt Gingrich 61 33 5 b. Mitt Romney 67 26 7 c. Ron Paul 37 51 12 Trend where available: a. Newt Gingrich Yes No No opinion 12/18/11 61 33 5 6/5/11 50 39 11 6/8/95 37 52 11 b-c. No trend.
16. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) How much do you feel you can rely on (ITEM) to say what he really believes – a great deal, a good amount, just some, or hardly at all?
12/18/11 – Summary Table - Grt deal/Gd amt- - Some/Hardly at all - Great Good Just Hardly No NET deal amt NET some at all opinion a. Newt Gingrich 52 21 31 46 31 15 2 b. Mitt Romney 51 16 35 47 34 13 2 c. Ron Paul 65 40 24 28 18 10 7
17. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) If elected, do you think (ITEM) would pursue policies that most people in this country would (accept), or do you think he would pursue policies that most people would (find unacceptable)?
12/18/11 – Summary Table Find No Accept unacceptable opinion a. Newt Gingrich 66 28 6 b. Mitt Romney 71 22 7 c. Ron Paul 42 46 12
18. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) For each item I name, please tell me if it is a major reason to (support) that candidate, a major reason to (oppose) that candidate, or not a major factor?
12/18/11 – Summary Table Major Major Not a reason to reason to major No support oppose factor op. a. Mitt Romney’s policies on health care when he was governor of Massachusetts 28 36 27 9 b. Mitt Romney’s religious beliefs 18 13 64 5 c. Mitt Romney’s business experience 62 9 24 5 d. Newt Gingrich’s political experience 61 14 20 4 e. Newt Gingrich’s marital history 4 19 72 5 f. Newt Gingrich’s position on illegal immigration 39 19 32 9 g. Ron Paul’s views on limited government 55 19 21 6 h. Ron Paul’s opposition to U.S. military interventions overseas 29 45 20 6
19. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Just between (Gingrich) and (Romney), who do you think is closer to you on the issues?
Both equally Neither No Gingrich Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion 12/18/11 45 46 1 3 5
20. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Thinking back to (ITEM), as far as what you’ve heard or recall, would you say you approve or disapprove of how he handled his job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
a. Gingrich’s work as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999 -------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion 12/18/11 73 30 43 19 11 8 8 b. Romney’s work as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 -------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion 12/18/11 68 15 53 19 10 9 13
21. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Given what you know, do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of (ITEM)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
a. Gingrich’s work, since leaving elective office, as a consultant for companies with an interest in federal policymaking ------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion 12/18/11 33 10 23 44 25 19 23 b. Romney’s work buying and restructuring companies before he went into politics ------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion 12/18/11 54 22 33 20 13 6 26
22. 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 12/18/11 - Summary Table Other Neither Would not No Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion a. Mitt Romney 49 46 * 2 2 1 b. Newt Gingrich 51 42 1 3 2 1 c. Ron Paul 50 43 * 3 2 1 NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS 12/18/11 - Summary Table Other Neither Would not No Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion a. Mitt Romney 47 47 * 2 2 1 b. Newt Gingrich 51 43 * 3 2 1 c. Ron Paul 49 44 * 4 2 1 Trend: a. Mitt Romney Other Neither Would not No Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion 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 12/18/11 RV 47 47 * 2 2 1 11/3/11 RV 46 47 * 3 2 1 10/2/11 RV 46 48 * 2 1 2 9/1/11 RV 45 49 * 2 2 2 7/17/11 RV 49 47 * 2 1 1 6/5/11 RV 46 49 * 2 1 2 4/17/11 RV 49 45 * 3 1 1 b. Newt Gingrich Other Neither Would not No Obama Gingrich (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion 12/18/11 51 42 1 3 2 1 6/5/11 52 42 1 3 1 1 4/17/11 54 39 * 3 2 1 12/18/11 RV 51 43 * 3 2 1 6/5/11 RV 50 44 1 2 1 2 4/17/11 RV 54 39 * 4 2 1 c. Ron Paul Other Neither Would not No Obama Paul (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion 12/18/11 50 43 * 3 2 1 7/17/11 53 41 * 2 1 3 12/18/11 RV 49 44 * 4 2 1 7/17/11 RV 52 42 * 2 2 2
23. Just your best guess, who do you think will win the presidential election next year - (Obama) or (the Republican candidate)?
Obama Rep candidate No opinion 12/18/11 46 49 5 10/2/11 37 55 8
24. How about if the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat) and ([ITEM], the Republican), and Ron Paul running as an independent candidate for president - for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward (Obama), ([ITEM]), or toward Paul?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – GEN POP 12/18/11 - Summary Table Other Neither Would not No Obama Rep. Paul (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion a. Mitt Romney 44 30 21 * 2 1 2 b. Newt Gingrich 44 30 22 * 2 * 2 NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS 12/18/11 - Summary Table Other Neither Would not No Obama Rep. Paul (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion a. Mitt Romney 42 32 21 * 2 1 2 b. Newt Gingrich 43 32 21 * 2 * 1
25. 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 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?
12/18/11 Democrat 32 Republican 25 Independent 37 Other (vol.) 5 No opinion 2
908a. Would you say your views on most political matters are liberal, moderate, or conservative?
12/18/11 Liberal 23 Moderate 36 Conservative 37 Don’t think in those terms (vol.) 2 No opinion 2
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