Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone May 17 to 20, 2012, among a random national sample of 1,004 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. 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
5/20/12 47 26 21 49 13 36 3
4/8/12 50 30 20 45 10 35 6
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?
5/20/12 - Summary table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 42 20 22 55 11 44 2
b. The situation
in Afghanistan 47 23 24 44 17 27 9
c. International
affairs 48 30 18 46 15 31 6
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked item b; other half sample asked item c.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/20/12 42 20 22 55 11 44 2
4/8/12 44 23 21 54 12 42 2
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 situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/20/12 47 23 24 44 17 27 9
4/8/12 48 23 25 43 14 29 9
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
c. International affairs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/20/12 48 30 18 46 15 31 6
4/8/12 47 24 23 44 11 33 9
1/15/12 49 26 23 44 10 33 7
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
3. How closely are you following the 2012 presidential race: very closely, somewhat closely, not so closely, or not closely at all?
---- Closely ----- ---- Not closely ----- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
5/20/12 77 33 44 23 11 12 *
2/4/12* 76 33 43 24 14 9 *
1/15/12 71 30 42 28 16 12 *
12/18/11 69 26 43 31 18 13 *
11/3/11 65 24 41 34 17 17 *
10/2/11 64 24 40 36 23 13 0
9/1/11 66 25 40 34 20 14 *
7/17/11 61 18 43 39 23 15 *
6/5/11 61 22 39 38 23 15 *
6/15/08 75 34 41 25 12 13 *
5/11/08 83 39 44 17 13 5 0
4/13/08 84 37 47 16 11 5 *
3/2/08 84 42 42 15 11 4 *
2/1/08 81 35 46 19 12 7 *
1/12/08 79 32 47 21 15 6 *
12/9/07 72 21 51 28 19 8 *
11/1/07 67 21 46 33 22 12 0
9/30/07 69 21 48 30 21 10 *
7/21/07 70 22 48 30 20 10 *
6/1/07 66 18 48 34 22 13 *
4/15/07 66 20 45 34 20 14 *
2/25/07 65 20 44 35 25 10 *
6/20/04 78 33 45 22 15 7 *
5/23/04 74 33 41 26 17 9 *
4/18/04 75 30 45 25 16 9 0
3/7/04 75 33 42 25 18 7 *
2/11/04 75 30 45 25 15 10 *
1/18/04 66 22 44 35 22 13 *
10/29/03 54 15 39 45 30 15 0
9/13/03 56 16 40 44 27 17 *
6/11/00 49 13 36 51 26 25 0
4/2/00 53 17 36 47 24 23 0
3/11/00 61 21 40 38 21 17 0
2/27/00 70 24 46 30 20 10 *
2/6/00 65 19 48 34 21 13 0
1/16/00 50 11 39 50 26 24 *
12/15/99 45 12 33 55 31 24 *
10/31/99 61 16 45 38 25 13 *
7/17/95 36 7 29 63 33 31 *
7/8/92 76 28 48 24 16 8 *
1/27/92 51 14 37 48 25 23 1
5/25/88 76 25 51 25 19 6 *
9/23/87 50 9 41 49 31 18 *
6/1/87 50 11 39 49 32 17 *
2/4/12 and previous “not too closely” instead of “not so closely”
4. If the presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat) and (Mitt Romney, the Republican), for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward (Obama) or toward (Romney)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – all adults
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/20/12 49 45 1 3 2 1
4/8/12 51 43 * 2 3 1
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
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – registered voters
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/20/12 RV 49 46 * 3 1 1
4/8/12 RV 51 44 * 2 3 1
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
5. (IF SUPPORT OBAMA OR ROMNEY) Would you say you are very enthusiastic about supporting (Obama/Romney) somewhat enthusiastic, not so enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?
--- Enthusiastic ---- --- Not enthusiastic ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
Obama
5/20/12 91 48 43 9 4 5 *
5/20/12 RV 93 51 41 7 4 4 0
Romney
5/20/12 73 23 50 25 16 9 1
5/20/12 RV 75 26 48 25 15 9 1
Compare to: (Among candidate's supporters) Thinking about his candidacy for president so far, how enthusiastic are you about [NAME] - very enthusiastic, fairly enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?
6/15/08 - Summary table
--- Enthusiastic -- ---- Not enthusiastic ---- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
Obama RV 91 52 39 9 7 2 *
McCain RV 74 19 55 25 19 6 1
6/20/04 - Summary table
----Enthusiastic--- -----Not Enthusiastic----- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
Bush 90 48 42 10 8 2 *
Bush RV 90 50 40 9 7 2 *
Kerry 83 33 50 17 13 4 0
Kerry RV 85 34 51 15 12 3 0
6. What is the single most important issue in your choice for president?
5/20/12 1/15/12 11/3/11
Economy/jobs 52 51 56
Health care/repealing Obamacare 7 3 4
Morals/family values 5 3 4
Ethics/honesty/corruption in government 4 6 7
Beating Romney/re-electing Obama/Supporting the Democrats* 1 1 2
Federal budget deficit 1 2 2
Taxes 1 2 2
Beating Obama/electing Romney/Supporting the Republicans* 1 1 1
Gay marriage/gay rights 1 * 0
Education 1 1 1
Social Security 1 1 1
Terrorism/national security 1 2 1
Abortion 1 * 1
Afghanistan/War in Afghanistan 1 1 *
Experience 1 1 *
Middle class Americans/helping the middle class 1 1 NA
Foreign policy 1 1 *
Gas/oil prices/energy/ethanol * * *
Iran/Situation in Iran * * 0
Guns/Gun control * * 0
Environment * * 1
Immigration/illegal immigration * * 1
Leadership/strong leadership/good leader 0 2 1
Banks/Financial institutions * NA NA
Change * * 1
Housing/mortgages 0 1 *
Iraq/War in Iraq NA 1 *
Other (SPECIFY) 14 10 10
No opinion 4 7 5
*1/15/12 and previous “the/a Republican” instead of “Romney”
7. Thinking specifically about the economy, what is the most important economic issue in your choice for president?
5/20/12
Unemployment and the job market 46
Federal budget deficit 8
Taxes 6
Health care costs 5
Financial and banking system 3
Home values and the housing market 2
Gas/fuel prices 2
Rising prices 1
Student loans 1
Social Security 1
Personal debt *
Underwater loans *
Other 16
No opinion 8
8. 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
5/20/12 17 1 16 83 47 36 *
2/4/12 11 * 11 89 46 42 *
11/3/11 10 1 9 89 43 47 *
7/17/11 10 1 9 90 40 50 *
6/5/11 11 1 10 89 46 44 *
1/16/11 13 1 12 87 45 41 *
10/28/10 9 * 9 90 41 49 1
10/3/10 9 1 8 90 40 50 *
9/2/10 8 * 7 92 40 53 0
7/11/10 10 1 9 90 44 46 0
6/6/10 12 * 11 88 43 45 0
1/16/09 5 1 5 94 32 62 *
9/22/08 9 * 9 91 34 57 *
4/13/08 10 1 9 90 39 51 *
2/1/08 19 1 18 81 43 38 0
12/9/07 28 3 25 72 40 32 *
11/1/07 35 3 32 64 39 26 *
4/15/07 42 5 37 57 37 20 *
12/11/06 50 7 42 50 36 14 *
10/22/06 55 10 45 45 28 17 *
10/8/06 47 7 40 53 37 16 *
3/5/06 43 5 38 57 37 19 *
1/26/06 40 5 35 60 37 23 *
12/18/05 45 5 39 55 38 17 *
11/2/05 35 3 32 65 36 29 *
9/11/05 40 3 37 59 37 22 1
6/5/05 44 3 40 56 38 19 *
4/24/05 37 2 35 63 44 20 *
9/26/04 RV 46 3 43 53 38 15 1
8/29/04 RV 45 3 41 55 37 18 *
7/25/04 46 4 42 53 39 14 *
6/20/04 45 4 41 55 38 17 *
4/18/04 43 4 39 57 39 18 *
3/7/04 39 2 37 60 38 22 1
1/18/04 42 3 39 58 42 16 0
12/21/03 42 4 39 57 41 16 1
10/29/03 33 1 32 67 45 23 *
9/13/03 30 2 27 70 45 25 *
8/11/03 32 2 30 68 43 25 *
4/30/03 35 1 34 64 46 19 *
2/9/03 28 1 27 72 49 23 *
1/20/03 25 1 25 74 48 26 1
12/15/02 35 1 33 65 44 21 1
11/4/02 LV 28 1 27 72 55 17 1
11/3/02 LV 27 1 26 72 56 17 1
11/2/02 LV 29 1 28 71 54 17 *
9/26/02 31 2 28 69 50 19 *
7/15/02 39 3 36 61 44 17 1
2/21/02 30 1 29 69 51 18 *
1/27/02 31 1 29 69 50 19 *
9/20/01 38 3 35 60 47 14 2
9/9/01 33 1 32 66 47 19 *
7/30/01 50 3 46 50 39 12 *
4/22/01 50 3 47 50 40 9 *
1/15/01 70 10 59 29 24 6 1
10/27/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
10/26/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
6/11/00 74 17 57 26 19 6 *
2/27/00 80 25 55 20 14 5 *
10/31/99 74 18 56 26 18 7 1
9/2/99 76 19 57 23 16 6 1
3/14/99 80 22 58 19 15 4 1
11/1/98 73 12 61 26 21 5 1
11/1/98 LV 78 13 65 22 19 3 *
10/13/97 61 12 49 39 27 11 *
9. Would you say you, yourself are better off financially than you were 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
5/20/12 16 30 53 1
1/15/12 15 30 54 1
11/3/11 13 34 52 1
9/1/11 15 35 50 *
7/18/09 8 27 64 *
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
10. Who do you think is more responsible for the country's current economic problems - (Barack Obama) or (George W. Bush)?
Both Neither No
Obama Bush (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/20/12 34 49 8 7 3
1/15/12 29 54 9 6 2
11. If Romney had been president since 2009 instead of Obama, do you think you yourself would be better off financially than you are now, not as well off, or in about the same shape financially?
Better off Not as well off About the same No opinion
5/20/12 19 22 48 10
12. Thinking about [ITEM], would you describe yourself as more (hopeful), or as more (anxious)? Is that very (hopeful/anxious) or somewhat (hopeful/anxious)?
5/20/12 - Summary Table
---- Hopeful ---- ---- Anxious ---- Both Neither No
NET Very Smwt NET Smwt Very (vol.) (vol.) op.
a. Your personal
finances in the
next few years 58 24 34 38 20 18 1 2 1
b. The national
economy in the next
few years 54 21 33 42 20 21 1 1 1
13. In the past few years, have you or has anyone living in your household been laid off or lost their job?
Yes No No opinion
5/20/12 35 65 *
7/17/11* 29 71 *
12/12/10 34 65 *
11/15/09 30 70 *
9/12/09 27 73 *
4/24/09** 23 77 0
2/22/09 18 82 *
12/14/08 18 82 *
*7/17/11 and previous: “last year…”
**4/24/09 and previous: "In the last few months..."
14. Thinking beyond your own household, do you have any close friends or immediate family members who have been laid off or lost their job in the last few years?
Yes No No opinion
5/20/12* 71 29 *
7/17/11 71 29 *
12/12/10 72 28 0
4/24/09 63 36 *
2/22/09 60 40 1
*5/20/12 added “in the last few years”
15. Would you describe yourself as working class, middle class, upper middle class, or better off than that?
Worse off than Working Mid. Upper Better off No
work. class (vol.) class class mid. class than that opin.
5/20/12 2 32 50 13 2 1
4/8/12 2 33 44 15 3 2
3/2/10* 2 36 45 11 3 2
*ABC News
16. (IF WORKING CLASS, MIDDLE CLASS OR UPPER MIDDLE CLASS) Would you say you are struggling to remain in the (working/middle/upper middle) class, comfortable in the (working/middle/upper middle) class, or moving up beyond the (working/middle/upper middle) class?
Struggling Comfortable Moving up No
to remain in current class beyond current class opinion
5/20/12 42 47 9 1
WORKING CLASS:
Struggling Comfortable Moving up No
to remain in working class beyond working class opinion
5/20/12 52 32 13 3
MIDDLE CLASS:
Struggling Comfortable Moving up No
to remain in mid. class beyond middle class opinion
5/20/12 39 53 7 1
4/8/12 36 58 5 1
3/2/10* 41 52 6 *
*ABC News
UPPER MIDDLE CLASS:
Struggling Comfortable Moving up No
to remain in up. mid. class beyond up. mid. class opinion
5/20/12 33 62 5 1
15/16 NET:
5/20/12
Worse off than working class (vol.) 2
NET Working class 32
Struggling to remain 17
Comfortable 10
Moving up 4
No opinion 1
NET Middle class 50
Struggling to remain 19
Comfortable 26
Moving up 4
No opinion *
NET Upper middle class 13
Struggling to remain 4
Comfortable 8
Moving up 1
No opinion *
Better off than that 2
No opinion 1
17. Regardless of who you support, which candidate do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
5/20/12 - Summary table – all adults
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 46 47 * 3 3
b. Creating jobs 47 44 1 6 3
5/20/12 - Summary table – registered voters
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 47 47 * 3 3
b. Creating jobs 46 45 1 6 3
Trend:
a. Handling the economy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/20/12 46 47 * 3 3
4/8/12 43 47 1 5 5
2/4/12 45 48 1 4 2
b. Creating jobs
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/20/12 47 44 1 6 3
4/8/12 46 43 1 5 4
2/4/12 45 47 1 3 4
18. Regardless of who you may support, who do you think [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
5/20/12 - Summary table – all adults
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. better understands the
economic problems people
in this country are having 48 40 2 7 3
b. better represents your own
personal values 47 43 1 7 3
c. has the better personal
character to serve as
president 52 38 2 4 4
d. is more likely to stand
up for what he believes in 51 38 3 4 4
5/20/12 - Summary table – registered voters
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. better understands the
economic problems people
in this country are having 48 40 2 8 2
b. better represents your own
personal values 47 44 1 6 2
c. has the better personal
character to serve as
president 52 39 3 4 3
d. is more likely to stand
up for what he believes in 50 39 4 4 3
Trend:
a. better understands the economic problems people in this country are having
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/20/12 48 40 2 7 3
4/8/12 49 37 2 9 4
2/4/12 53 36 2 7 3
b. better represents your own personal values
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
5/20/12 47 43 1 7 3
Compare to:
Both Neither No
Obama McCain (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/19/08 LV 53 43 1 2 1
9/7/08 LV 51 43 2 3 1
8/22/08 RV 50 43 2 3 2
6/15/08 RV 49 41 1 6 2
c-d No trend.
19. Who do you think would do more to advance the economic interests of [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
5/20/12 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Middle class Americans 51 42 1 4 2
b. Wealthy Americans 24 65 2 3 6
c. You and your family 46 43 * 6 5
d. Financial institutions 32 56 2 4 6
e. Small businesses 45 47 1 3 4
Compare to: Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
a. Middle class Americans
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 52 32 1 12 3
7/17/11 53 35 1 9 2
b. Wealthy Americans
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/12 17 70 5 6 2
c-e No trend.
20. What do you think is the bigger problem in this country - (unfairness in the economic system that favors the wealthy), or (over-regulation of the free market that interferes with growth and prosperity)?
Over- Both Neither
Unfairness regulation (vol.) (vol.) No opinion
5/20/12 56 34 5 2 3
4/8/12 52 37 4 2 5
1/15/12 55 35 5 2 4
21. Thinking about your own personal financial prospects, do you feel more like the system (gives you a fair chance), or do you feel more like the system (does not give you a fair chance)?
Neither
Fair Not fair (vol.) No opinion
5/20/12 48 47 2 3
22. Do you think the new federal regulations on banks and other financial institutions go too far in regulating these businesses, don’t go far enough, or are about right?
Too far Not far enough About right No opinion
5/20/12 23 38 28 10
23. On another subject, 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
5/20/12 53 39 14 39 7 32 8
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".
24. Do you think (each state should make its own laws) on same-sex marriage, or do you think (the federal government should make one law for all states) on this issue?
States should Federal govt. No
make own laws should make law opinion
5/20/12 49 46 5
25. Do you approve or disapprove of Obama’s recent announcement that he personally supports same-sex marriage? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/20/12 51 36 15 41 7 35 8
26. Do you yourself have a friend, family member, or acquaintance who is gay or lesbian, or not?
Yes No No opinion
5/20/12 71 28 1
2/8/10 63 36 1
8/27/98 59 40 1
27. Switching topics, there have been reports recently that Romney bullied another student when he was in high school in the 1960s. Do you think this incident is a serious matter, or not serious?
Serious Not serious No opinion
5/20/12 22 74 3
28. Do you think it is or is not fair to bring up things that a political candidate did in high school?
Fair Not fair No opinion
5/20/12 22 75 3
29. Do you think this incident does or does not provide relevant information about Romney’s personal character?
Does Does not No opinion
5/20/12 25 72 3
30. And how about Obama – do you think things he did in high school do or do not provide relevant information about his personal character?
Do Do not No opinion
5/20/12 24 70 6
31. For each item I name, please tell me if it is a major reason for you to (support) that candidate, a major reason for you to (oppose) that candidate, or not a major factor in your vote?
5/20/12 - Summary Table
Major Major Not a
reason to reason to major No
support oppose factor op.
a. Obama’s support for allowing gays
and lesbians to get married 20 23 55 2
b. The report that Romney bullied
another student in high school 1 8 90 1
c. Romney’s work buying and restructuring
companies before he went into politics 21 21 54 4
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
5/20/12 32 22 38 7 2
4/18/12 34 23 34 5 3
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
5/20/12 22 35 37 3 3
4/18/12 22 44 29 2 3
3/10/12 23 37 37 2 1
2/12/12 21 39 37 1 2
1/15/12 19 42 37 1 2
***END***
