Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone August 22-25, 2012, among a random national sample of 1,002 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four points. The error margin is also four points for the sample of 857 registered voters. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in the presidential election in November: Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?
Don't think
Certain Probably Chances Less than will vote No
to vote vote 50/50 that (vol.) op.
8/25/12 RV 81 8 6 3 1 *
8/25/12 68 9 9 9 5 *
7/8/12 RV 81 9 8 2 * *
7/8/12 69 10 9 7 4 1
8/22/08 RV 84 10 4 2 * *
7/13/08 RV 79 10 7 3 2 0
6/15/08 71 9 8 7 4 *
8/29/04 RV 84 10 4 2 * 0
8/1/04 RV 85 9 4 1 1 *
7/25/04 RV 85 7 5 2 * *
8/20/00 RV 78 13 6 3 1 0
8/10/00 RV 79 12 6 1 1 *
8/6/00 64 12 11 8 5 *
7/29/00 61 15 9 11 3 *
7/23/00 59 17 10 11 4 *
6/11/00 60 13 11 10 4 *
2. 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
8/25/12 49 42 2 4 3 1
7/8/12* 46 46 * 3 2 3
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
*7/18/12 and prior: “Barack Obama, the Democrat” and “Mitt Romney, the Republican”.
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – registered voters
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 RV 46 47 2 3 2 1
7/8/12* RV 47 47 * 2 * 4
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
*7/18/12 and prior: “Barack Obama, the Democrat” and “Mitt Romney, the Republican”.
3. (IF SUPPORT OBAMA OR ROMNEY) Will you definitely vote for (OBAMA/ROMNEY), or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for (CANDIDATE NOT NAMED)? (IF CHANCE CHANGE MIND) Would you say (there’s a GOOD CHANCE) you'll change your mind, or would you say (it’s PRETTY UNLIKELY)?
Definitely - Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
8/25/12 81 17 6 10 3
8/25/12 RV 83 15 6 9 2
7/8/12* 77 21 8 13 3
7/8/12 RV 79 19 6 13 2
8/22/08 RV 73 24 11 13 3
7/13/08 RV 72 25 10 15 3
6/15/08 RV 72 26 11 16 2
7/25/04 RV 78 20 7 13 2
7/11/04 RV 79 21 7 13 1
6/20/04 RV 73 26 12 14 *
*7/8/12 and prior: “Will you definitely vote for (NAMED CANDIDATE), or is there
a chance you could change your mind and vote for someone else?”
Barack Obama:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
8/25/12 RV 84 14 6 8 2
7/8/12 RV 81 17 4 13 2
8/22/08 RV 74 23 7 15 4
7/13/08 RV 72 23 9 14 5
6/15/08 RV 71 26 7 19 3
5/11/08 RV 71 25 13 13 4
Mitt Romney:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
8/25/12 RV 82 16 5 10 3
7/8/12 RV 77 21 8 13 2
Compare to: John McCain:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
8/22/08 RV 72 25 14 11 2
7/13/08 RV 71 28 12 17 1
6/15/08 RV 72 27 14 12 1
5/11/08 RV 66 32 17 15 2
4. (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
8/25/12 84 41 43 16 10 6 1
7/8/12 85 41 44 14 9 6 1
5/20/12 83 36 46 17 10 7 1
8/25/12 RV 85 45 40 14 10 4 1
7/8/12 RV 88 44 44 12 8 4 *
5/20/12 RV 84 39 45 16 9 6 *
Obama:
8/25/12 86 43 43 13 7 6 1
7/8/12 90 48 43 9 6 3 1
5/20/12 91 48 43 9 4 5 *
8/25/12 RV 88 48 39 11 7 4 1
7/8/12 RV 91 51 40 8 5 3 1
5/20/12 RV 93 51 41 7 4 4 0
Romney:
8/25/12 81 39 42 19 12 6 *
7/8/12 79 34 46 20 12 8 1
5/20/12 73 23 50 25 16 9 1
8/25/12 RV 83 42 41 17 12 4 *
7/8/12 RV 85 38 47 15 11 4 *
5/20/12 RV 75 26 48 25 15 9 1
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
8/25/12 50 27 23 46 13 33 4
7/8/12 47 24 24 49 15 34 4
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
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling the economy? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
8/25/12 44 20 23 54 12 42 3
7/8/12 44 21 23 54 13 41 2
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
7. (IF SUPPORT OBAMA OR ROMNEY) Regardless of your support, how do you feel about how (OBAMA/ROMNEY) would perform as president for the next four years - very anxious, somewhat anxious, not so anxious or not anxious at all?
------ Anxious ------ ---- Not anxious ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
8/25/12 60 21 40 37 13 24 3
Obama supporters:
------ Anxious ------ ---- Not anxious ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
8/25/12 57 24 33 40 13 28 2
Romney supporters:
------ Anxious ------ ---- Not anxious ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
8/25/12 63 16 47 32 13 20 5
8. How much more information, if any, would you like to have about the candidates and issues before the election – would you like a lot more information, some, a little, or do you have enough information as it is?
------ More ------ --- Little/enough --- No
NET A lot Some NET Little Enough opinion
8/25/12 41 24 17 58 7 50 1
Obama supporters:
------ More ------ --- Little/enough --- No
NET A lot Some NET Little Enough opinion
8/25/12 39 21 18 60 9 51 1
Romney supporters:
------ More ------ --- Little/enough --- No
NET A lot Some NET Little Enough opinion
8/25/12 44 25 19 55 6 50 1
9. 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
8/25/12 31 67 3
7/8/12 33 63 4
4/8/12 33 64 3
1/15/12 30 68 2
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
*2/80 and previous: Roper
10. Regardless of who you support, which candidate do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
8/25/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 44 46 * 5 4
b. Dealing with the federal
budget deficit 39 48 * 8 5
c. Handling health care policy 49 42 * 6 3
d. Dealing with social issues
such as abortion and gay marriage 55 34 2 5 4
e. Handling energy policy 49 37 1 5 8
f. Supporting small business 49 42 1 4 4
g. Handling international affairs 48 37 2 6 8
h. Handling education 47 37 2 6 8
i. Handling taxes 46 44 1 5 5
j. Handling Medicare, the government
health insurance program for seniors 43 42 1 7 7
k. Addressing women’s issues 53 32 1 6 8
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b-f; other half sample asked items g-k.
8/25/12 - Summary Table* - Registered Voters
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 43 50 * 4 3
b. Dealing with the federal
budget deficit 38 51 0 7 3
c. Handling health care policy 47 45 * 6 2
d. Dealing with social issues
such as abortion and gay marriage 52 38 1 5 4
e. Handling energy policy 49 41 * 3 7
f. Supporting small business 48 47 1 3 2
g. Handling international affairs 46 41 1 6 5
h. Handling education 45 42 2 7 5
i. Handling taxes 43 48 * 5 3
j. Handling Medicare, the government
health insurance program for seniors 42 45 1 7 5
k. Addressing women’s issues 51 35 1 7 6
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b-f; other half sample asked items g-k.
Trend among all adults:
a. Handling the economy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 44 46 * 5 4
7/8/12 44 49 1 4 3
5/20/12 46 47 * 3 3
4/8/12 43 47 1 5 5
2/4/12 45 48 1 4 2
b. Dealing with the federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 39 48 * 8 5
7/8/12 42 52 1 3 2
4/8/12 38 51 * 5 6
2/4/12 41 51 * 4 4
c. Handling health care policy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 49 42 * 6 3
7/8/12 46 45 1 5 3
4/8/12 48 38 * 7 6
d. Dealing with social issues such as abortion and gay marriage
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 55 34 2 5 4
4/8/12 46 38 1 5 10
e. Handling energy policy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 49 37 1 5 8
4/8/12 42 47 1 2 7
f. Supporting small business
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 49 42 1 4 4
4/8/12 47 45 1 4 4
g. Handling international affairs
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 48 37 2 6 8
4/8/12 53 36 * 7 4
2/4/12 56 37 1 3 3
h. No trend.
i. Handling taxes
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 46 44 1 5 5
7/8/12 46 45 * 5 4
4/8/12 45 42 * 7 5
2/4/12 52 42 * 3 3
j. No trend.
k. Addressing women's issues
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 53 32 1 6 8
4/8/12 53 34 1 4 8
11. Regardless of who you may support, who do you think [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
8/25/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Better understands the
economic problems people
in this country are having 49 37 2 9 3
b. Seems like the more friendly
and likeable person 64 25 5 3 3
8/25/12 - Summary Table* - Registered Voters
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Better understands the
economic problems people
in this country are having 47 40 1 9 2
b. Seems like the more friendly
and likeable person 61 27 6 4 2
Trend among all adults:
a. Better understands the economic problems people in this country are having
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) vol.) opinion
8/25/12 49 37 2 9 3
7/8/12 50 40 2 6 3
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. Seems like the more friendly and likable person
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 64 25 5 3 2
7/8/12 63 27 5 2 4
4/8/12 64 26 3 2 4
12. Please tell me whether the following statement applies to (ITEM), or not: He has strong personal character.
8/25/12 – Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. Obama 73 24 3
b. Romney 63 31 5
Compare to:
Bush:
Yes No No opinion
7/30/01 68 30 2
11/4/00 70 26 5
Gore:
Yes No No opinion
11/6/00 58 37 5
13. Do you think [ITEM]'s views on most issues are too (liberal) for you, too (conservative) for you, or just about right?
8/25/12 - Summary Table
Too Too About No
liberal conservative right opinion
a. Obama 39 9 46 6
b. Romney 14 36 39 10
c. Paul Ryan 8 30 35 27
d. Joe Biden 34 7 36 22
Trend:
a. Obama
Too Too About No
liberal conservative right opinion
8/25/12 39 9 46 6
4/8/12 40 10 44 6
4/17/11 39 8 48 4
9/2/10 45 9 45 2
4/25/10 39 5 53 3
1/15/10 37 7 54 2
11/15/09 40 7 52 2
9/12/09 39 5 53 3
4/24/09 33 4 62 2
1/16/09 29 4 65 2
10/31/08 LV 39 3 56 2
10/21/08 LV 40 2 55 4
10/20/08 LV 39 2 55 4
10/11/08 RV 37 4 55 4
6/15/08 36 5 52 7
3/2/08 31 6 56 7
b. Romney
Too Too About No
liberal conservative right opinion
8/25/12 14 36 39 10
4/8/12 13 33 42 12
c. and d. No trend.
14. 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
8/25/12 15 1 14 84 39 45 1
8/5/12* 13 1 12 87 42 44 *
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 *
*Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation
15. 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
8/25/12 32 54 8 5 1
5/20/12 34 49 8 7 3
1/15/12 29 54 9 6 2
16. If [ITEM], how confident are you, if at all, that the country will get back on track economically in the next year or two – very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
8/25/12 - Summary Table
--- Confident --- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
a. Obama is re-elected 43 13 30 56 19 38 1
b. Romney is elected 43 9 34 55 22 33 1
17. 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
8/25/12 56 38 7
8/5/12* 55 40 5
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
*Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation: “… many services”
18. 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
8/25/12 15 73 11
9/1/11 18 70 12
10/28/10 RV 14 75 10
4/25/10 15 77 8
19. What about Romney - would you say Romney favors (smaller government with fewer services), or (larger government with more services)?
Smaller govt. Larger govt. No
fewer services more services opinion
8/25/12 65 21 14
20. What do you think is a better way for the government to try to create jobs – (by cutting taxes); or (by spending money on projects like roads, bridges and technology development)?
Cutting Spending on Both Neither No
taxes projects (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 33 52 7 3 5
21. 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
8/25/12 56 34 5 1 3
5/20/12 56 34 5 2 3
4/8/12 52 37 4 2 5
1/15/12 55 35 5 2 4
22. Do you think Obama does more to favor the (middle class) or more to favor the (wealthy)?
Favor Favor Treat No
middle class wealthy equally (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 61 24 6 8
23. As president do you think Romney would do more to favor the (middle class) or more to favor the (wealthy)?
Favor Favor Treat No
middle class wealthy equally (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 30 60 5 6
24. Do you approve or disapprove of Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
8/25/12 51 26 26 30 9 21 19
Compare to:
Approve Disapprove No opinion
Palin 9/4/08 60 34 6
Lieberman 8/7/00 60 19 21
Cheney 7/29/00 61 15 24
Kemp 8/15/96 RV 67 14 19
Choate 9/10/96 RV 31 19 49
25. Does Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan for vice president make you more likely to vote for Romney, less likely, or won't it make any difference in your vote?
More Less No No
likely likely difference opinion
8/25/12 14 14 70 2
Compare to:
More Less No No
likely likely difference opinion
Obama's choice of Biden:
11/2/08 LV 25 15 60 *
11/1/08 LV 28 14 58 *
9/29/08 LV 26 14 60 *
9/4/08 RV 22 11 66 1
McCain's choice of Palin:
11/2/08 LV 18 44 38 *
11/1/08 LV 17 46 37 *
9/29/08 LV 24 32 43 *
9/4/08 RV 25 19 55 1
Kerry's choice of Edwards:
7/25/08 RV 24 9 66 *
Gore's choice of Lieberman:
8/7/00 All 15 10 73 2
Bush's choice of Cheney:
7/29/00 RV 14 6 78 2
Dole's choice of Kemp:
8/15/96 RV 18 6 75 1
8/14/96 RV 20 7 71 1
8/13/96 RV 21 7 70 3
8/12/96 RV 17 6 74 3
8/11/96 RV 16 5 76 3
8/10/96 RV 14 7 75 4
Perot's choice of Choate:
9/10/96 RV 4 7 86 4
Bush's choice of Quayle:
More Less No Not voting No
likely likely difference for Bush opinion
9/19/88 RV 7 19 68 4 2
8/18/88 All 11 14 67 5 3
8/17/88 All 13 10 72 2 3
Dukakis' choice of Bentsen:
More Less No Not voting No
likely likely difference for Dukakis opinion
9/19/88 RV 20 6 71 2 1
7/17/88 All 13 8 73 2 4
Mondale's choice of Ferraro:
More Less No No
likely likely difference opinion
7/12/84 RV 22 19 49 10
26. As chairman of the House Budget Committee, Ryan proposed a budget that would cut federal spending; cut taxes, including those paid by wealthy Americans and corporations; and restructure the Medicare and Medicaid insurance programs. Given what you know about this budget plan, 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
8/25/12 47 20 27 44 17 28 9
27. Under Ryan’s Medicare plan, starting in 10 years people no longer would receive specific Medicare benefits when they turn 65. Instead they would receive a credit for money that they could use to buy insurance, either from the private market or from the government. How do you feel about this proposal to restructure Medicare – 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
8/25/12 31 11 20 64 21 43 5
28. So far during this campaign, do you think [NAME] has been mainly (attacking his opponent) or mainly (addressing the issues)?
8/25/12 - Summary Table
Attacking Addressing No
his opponent the issues opinion
a. Obama 53 38 8
b. Romney 55 35 10
Trend:
a. Obama
Attacking Addressing No
his opponent the issues opinion
8/25/12 53 38 8
10/11/08 RV 26 68 6
8/22/08 RV 29 64 8
b. Romney
Attacking Addressing No
his opponent the issues opinion
8/25/12 55 35 10
Compare to: McCain
10/11/08 RV 59 35 6
8/22/08 RV 48 45 7
29. Have you personally been contacted by a representative of the [CANDIDATE] campaign, either by phone, in-person, or online asking you for your support, or not?
8/25/12 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. Obama 18 81 1
b. Romney 11 88 *
Compare to:
Have you personally been contacted by a representative of the [CANDIDATE] campaign,
either by phone or in-person, asking you for your support, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/22/08 Obama LV 21 78 1
10/22/08 McCain LV 14 85 1
9/26/04 Bush LV 18 82 *
9/26/04 Kerry LV 17 82 1
30. Romney has released his tax returns for the past two years. Do you think he should release his tax returns from previous years, or is two years enough? Do you feel that way STRONGLY or SOMEWHAT?
---- Should release ---- ------- Is enough ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
8/25/12 48 38 9 46 16 31 6
31. For each item I name, please tell me if it will be a major factor in your vote, a minor factor, or not a factor.
8/25/12 - Summary Table
Major Minor Not a No
factor factor factor opinion
a. Obama’s handling of the economy 71 17 11 2
b. Romney’s position on releasing
his tax returns 20 31 47 2
c. Paul Ryan’s proposal to restructure
Medicare 48 28 22 2
d. Differences between the (Democrats)
and the (Republicans) on women’s issues 48 26 24 2
Trend
a. Obama’s handling of the economy
Major Minor Not a No
factor factor factor opinion
8/25/12 71 17 11 2
Compare to:
Major reason Major reason Not a major No
to support to oppose factor opinion
7/8/12 36 43 19 2
4/8/12 32 46 19 3
2/4/12 39 47 13 2
b-d No trend.
32. Just your best guess, who do you think will win the presidential election this year - (Obama) or (Romney)?
Other No
Obama Romney (vol.) opinion
8/25/12 59 34 * 7
7/8/12 58 34 1 8
Compare to: Just your best guess, who do you think will win the presidential election
this year - (Obama) or (the Republican candidate)?
Obama Rep. candidate No opinion
3/10/12 54 40 6
1/15/12 46 49 5
12/18/11 46 49 5
10/2/11 37 55 8
33. 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
8/25/12 44 13 31 42 18 24 14
8/5/12* 41 12 29 46 19 27 13
4/8/12 41 12 29 45 21 24 14
3/10/12 44 15 29 43 17 26 13
2/4/12 43 12 31 45 20 25 12
1/15/12 40 13 28 50 23 27 10
12/18/11 42 13 28 45 20 26 13
11/3/11 43 14 29 44 20 24 13
10/2/11 42 12 30 47 20 27 11
9/1/11 47 13 35 45 18 27 8
7/17/11 44 13 31 46 23 24 10
6/5/11 46 13 33 44 21 24 10
4/17/11 42 16 26 49 21 27 10
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what?
Democrat Republican Independent Other (vol.) No opinion
8/25/12 31 22 39 6 3
7/8/12 33 24 36 4 3
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
8/25/12 21 41 34 1 2
7/8/12 23 34 39 2 1
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***
