Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Sept. 26-29, 2012, among a random national sample of 1,101 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error or 3.5 percentage points. The error margin is 3.5 points for the sample of 929 registered voters. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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
9/29/12 RV 86 47 39 14 8 6 0
9/9/12 RV 80 44 36 19 11 9 *
5/20/12 RV 82 38 44 18 9 8 *
2/4/12* RV 79 37 43 20 12 8 *
1/15/12 RV 76 33 43 24 14 10 *
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 *
2. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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.
9/29/12 RV 84 7 7 2 * *
9/9/12 RV 83 7 6 4 * 0
8/25/12 RV 81 8 6 3 1 *
7/8/12 RV 81 9 8 2 * *
9/7/08 RV 85 7 5 1 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 *
9/8/04 RV 87 7 4 1 1 *
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 *
3. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If the presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the Democrats) and (Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, the Republicans), for whom would you vote? Which candidates are you leaning toward, (Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the Democrats) or (Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, the Republicans)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – among likely voters
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 LV 49 47 * 2 0 1
9/9/12 LV 49 48 * 1 0 2
8/25/12 LV 47 49 1 1 0 1
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 49 44 1 3 1 1
9/9/12 RV 50 44 1 2 1 2
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”.
4. (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
9/29/12 RV 86 13 3 10 1
9/9/12 RV 85 13 4 8 2
8/25/12 RV 83 15 6 9 2
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
9/29/12 RV 84 15 5 10 1
9/9/12 RV 86 11 4 7 3
8/25/12 RV 84 14 6 8 2
7/8/12 RV 81 17 4 13 2
9/7/08 RV 78 21 9 12 1
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
9/9/12 RV 85 14 5 9 *
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
9/29/12 RV 88 12 1 10 1
9/7/08 RV 80 19 8 11 2
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
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
9/29/12 RV 89 49 40 11 6 4 *
9/9/12 RV 90 51 39 9 5 5 *
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:
9/29/12 RV 91 51 40 9 7 2 0
9/9/12 RV 93 56 38 7 3 3 0
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:
9/29/12 RV 87 48 39 13 6 7 *
9/9/12 RV 87 46 40 13 7 6 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
6. 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
9/29/12 RV 49 25 24 49 12 37 2
9/29/12 50 26 24 46 12 34 4
9/9/12 RV 48 27 21 50 10 39 2
9/9/12 49 29 20 45 11 35 6
8/25/12 RV 47 26 21 50 13 37 3
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
7. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
9/29/12 - Summary Table
------ Approve ------ ----- Disapprove ---- No
NET Strongly Smwt NET Smwt Strongly opinion
a. Handling the economy 47 23 25 52 10 41 1
b. Handling international
affairs 49 28 20 48 12 36 3
Trend:
a. Handling the economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/29/12 RV 47 23 25 52 10 41 1
9/9/12 RV 45 24 21 53 8 45 2
8/25/12 RV 43 20 22 56 11 45 2
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
b. Handling international affairs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/29/12 RV 49 28 20 48 12 36 3
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
8. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)?
Right Wrong No
direction track opinion
9/29/12 RV 38 60 2
8/25/12 RV 29 69 2
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
9. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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
9/29/12 RV 28 4 25 71 44 27 NA 1
2/4/12 24 2 22 75 49 26 NA *
11/3/11 20 2 18 80 49 31 *
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 " 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.
10. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of who you support, which candidate do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
9/29/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 47 47 * 4 2
b. Handling taxes 49 44 * 4 2
c. Dealing with the federal
budget deficit 45 48 * 5 3
d. Handling health care policy 48 44 * 6 2
e. Dealing with social issues
such as abortion and gay marriage 52 38 1 5 4
f. Handling terrorism 53 39 2 2 4
g. Handling international affairs 49 44 * 2 4
h. Handling Medicare, the government
health insurance program for seniors 47 43 * 6 3
i. Addressing women’s issues 54 36 2 4 6
j. Handling an unexpected major crisis 52 42 1 2 3
*Full sample asked item a-c; half sample asked items d-f; other half sample asked items g-j.
Trend:
a. Handling the economy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 47 47 * 4 2
9/9/12 RV 47 45 * 3 4
8/25/12 RV 43 50 * 4 3
7/8/12 RV 45 48 1 3 3
5/20/12 RV 47 47 * 3 3
4/8/12 RV 44 48 1 4 3
2/4/12 RV 44 50 1 3 2
b. Handling taxes
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 49 44 * 4 2
9/9/12 RV 50 43 1 2 4
8/25/12 RV 43 48 * 5 3
7/8/12 RV 46 46 * 5 3
4/8/12 RV 48 43 1 4 4
2/4/12 RV 49 45 * 2 4
c. Dealing with the federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 45 48 * 5 3
9/9/12 RV 44 47 0 7 3
8/25/12 RV 38 51 0 7 3
7/8/12 RV 43 51 1 3 2
4/8/12 RV 37 54 1 6 2
2/4/12 RV 39 52 * 4 4
d. Handling health care policy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 48 44 * 6 2
9/9/12 RV 47 44 1 4 4
8/25/12 RV 47 45 * 6 2
7/8/12 RV 48 44 1 5 3
4/8/12 RV 49 40 * 5 6
e. Dealing with social issues such as abortion and gay marriage
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 52 38 1 5 4
9/9/12 RV 50 39 1 5 4
8/25/12 RV 52 38 1 5 4
4/8/12 RV 47 39 1 6 7
f. Handling terrorism
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 53 39 2 2 4
9/9/12 RV 51 40 3 4 3
4/8/12 RV 47 43 1 4 5
2/4/12 RV 54 38 2 2 4
g. Handling international affairs
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 49 44 * 2 4
9/9/12 RV 51 38 * 2 9
8/25/12 RV 46 41 1 6 5
4/8/12 RV 56 37 * 3 4
2/4/12 RV 55 38 1 3 4
h. Handling Medicare, the government health insurance program for seniors
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 47 43 * 6 3
9/9/12 RV 48 43 * 4 5
8/25/12 RV 42 45 1 7 5
i. Addressing women's issues
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 54 36 2 4 6
9/9/12 RV 55 34 1 3 7
8/25/12 RV 51 35 1 7 6
4/8/12 RV 54 37 1 4 4
j. Handling an unexpected major crisis
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 52 42 1 2 3
Compare to:
Both Neither No
Obama McCain (vol.) (vol.) opinion
11/3/08 LV 49 45 2 2 2
11/2/08 LV 49 46 2 2 2
11/1/08 LV 51 45 1 1 1
10/31/08 LV 50 46 2 1 2
10/30/08 LV 49 46 1 1 2
10/29/08 LV 48 47 2 1 2
10/28/08 LV 47 48 1 2 3
10/27/08 LV 46 48 2 2 3
10/19/08 LV 49 45 1 2 2
10/11/08 LV 52 43 1 3 1
9/29/08 RV 44 50 1 2 3
9/22/08 RV 46 47 2 2 3
9/7/08 RV 37 54 2 3 3
8/22/08 RV 41 52 2 2 3
7/13/08 RV 42 51 3 2 3
Both Neither No
Kerry Bush (vol.) (vol.) opinion
6/20/04 41 53 1 2 2
*"Please tell me whether the following statement applies more to (Bush) or more to (Kerry): He can be trusted in a crisis."
11. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of who you may support, who do you think [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
9/29/12 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Better understands the
economic problems people
in this country are having 52 39 2 6 1
b. Seems like the more friendly
and likeable person 62 29 5 3 2
Trend:
a. Better understands the economic problems people in this country are having
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 52 39 2 6 1
9/9/12 RV 50 40 3 4 3
8/25/12 RV 47 40 1 9 2
7/8/12 RV 51 40 2 5 2
5/20/12 RV 48 40 2 8 2
4/8/12 RV 49 38 2 8 2
2/4/12 RV 52 37 2 7 2
b. Seems like the more friendly and likable person
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 62 29 5 3 2
9/9/12 RV 61 27 5 3 3
8/25/12 RV 61 27 6 4 2
7/8/12 RV 63 26 5 2 4
4/8/12 RV 64 28 3 2 3
12. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Please tell me whether the following statement applies to (Obama/Romney), or not? He knows enough about world affairs to serve effectively as president.
----- Obama ------ ----- Romney ------
Yes No No opin. Yes No No opin.
9/29/12 RV 64 34 2 51 43 6
Compare to:
----- Obama ------ ----- McCain ------
Yes No No opin. Yes No No opin.
9/22/08 RV 56 39 4 72 25 3
7/13/08 RV 56 42 2 74 24 2
7/13/08 56 42 2 72 24 3
------- Gore ------ ------- Bush ------
Yes No No opin. Yes No No opin.
9/6/00 RV 73 25 2 54 40 6
7/23/00 RV 67 29 4 52 42 5
7/23/00 66 29 5 52 42 6
4/2/00 71 23 6 57 36 7
2/27/00 70 25 5 55 39 6
2/6/00 69 26 5 52 42 6
1/16/00 65 28 8 49 40 10
12/15/99 68 27 6 54 38 8
11/14/99 NA NA NA 59 36 6
13. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Changing topics, 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
9/29/12 RV 18 2 16 81 42 39 *
8/25/12 RV 15 1 14 85 40 45 *
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
14. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Thinking about the federal government's economic stimulus program, do you think the economic stimulus program has (helped) the national economy, (hurt) the national economy, or hasn't made much difference? (IF HELPED/HURT) Is that a great deal or somewhat?
---------- Helped --------- ---------- Hurt ----------- No No
NET Great deal Somewhat NET Somewhat Great deal diff. op.
9/29/12 RV 28 9 20 27 8 19 43 2
3/13/11 RV 31 9 22 21 6 15 46 2
3/13/11 28 8 20 21 6 14 49 2
6/6/10 30 9 21 20 7 13 49 1
11/15/09 37 12 25 23 6 17 39 1
9/12/09 32 10 22 19 5 13 47 2
6/21/09 28 8 20 19 6 13 52 2
4/24/09 33 10 23 16 6 10 49 2
15. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How do you feel about [ITEM] - very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried or not worried at all?
9/29/12 – Summary Table
----- Worried ---- ----- Not worried ---- No
NET Very Smwt. NET Not too At all op.
a. The direction of the nation's
economy over the next few years 78 37 40 21 15 7 1
b. Your own family's financial
situation 61 21 40 39 22 17 *
Trend:
a. The direction of the nation's economy over the next few years
----- Worried ---- ----- Not worried ---- No
NET Very Smwt. NET Not too At all opinion
9/29/12 RV 78 37 40 21 15 7 1
4/25/10 73 31 41 27 19 8 1
10/18/09 74 34 40 26 17 9 *
7/18/09 77 36 42 22 16 6 *
1/16/09 81 35 46 18 15 4 *
10/19/08 LV 85 44 42 14 9 5 1
10/11/08 88 49 39 11 8 3 1
9/22/08 79 40 39 17 13 5 3
1/5/03 67 27 40 31 22 10 1
11/4/02 LV 76 34 42 23 17 6 1
11/3/02 LV 75 33 42 24 17 7 1
11/2/02 LV 73 32 41 26 19 8 1
10/27/02 75 27 48 23 16 7 2
b. Your own family's financial situation
----- Worried ---- ----- Not worried ---- No
NET Very Smwt. NET Not too At all opinion
9/29/12 RV 61 21 40 39 22 17 *
10/18/09 60 23 37 40 24 16 *
7/18/09 63 23 41 37 25 12 0
1/16/09 70 27 43 30 20 10 *
10/19/08 LV 66 24 43 33 21 12 *
10/11/08 69 25 43 31 21 10 *
9/22/08 60 22 38 40 26 14 *
16. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think government programs to help [ITEM] do more to (make people dependent on such assistance) or do more to (help people in need to get back on their feet)?
9/29/12 – Summary Table
Make people Help people No
dependent in need opinion
a. The poor 51 43 7
b. The unemployed 42 53 5
17. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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
9/29/12 RV 49 42 3 1 5
8/25/12 RV 54 36 5 2 3
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
18. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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?
9/29/12 - Summary Table
--- Confident --- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
a. Obama is re-elected 47 14 34 53 18 35 *
b. Romney is elected 51 12 39 47 21 27 1
Trend:
a. Obama is re-elected
--- Confident --- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
9/29/12 RV 47 14 34 53 18 35 *
9/9/12 RV 46 19 27 53 17 36 1
8/25/12 RV 42 14 28 58 18 40 1
b. Romney is elected
--- Confident --- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
9/29/12 RV 51 12 39 47 21 27 1
9/9/12 RV 49 14 35 50 19 31 1
8/25/12 RV 46 11 35 52 21 32 1
19. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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
9/29/12 RV 66 17 5 12
8/25/12 RV 62 23 6 9
8/25/12 61 24 6 8
20. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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
9/29/12 RV 35 57 3 4
8/25/12 RV 32 58 5 5
8/25/12 30 60 5 6
21. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think of Romney's wealth as more of a (positive because it suggests he has achieved the American dream) or as more of a (negative because it suggests he benefited from opportunities that are not available to most people)?
Positive Negative No opinion
9/29/12 RV 51 42 7
2/4/12 RV 43 46 11
2/4/12 43 44 13
22. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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
9/29/12 RV 57 5 34 3
11/3/11 RV 62 4 30 4
11/3/11 61 5 31 3
23. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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
9/29/12 RV 52 31 21 43 13 30 5
11/3/11 RV 58 41 16 37 11 26 5
11/3/11 60 43 18 35 11 24 5
24. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Many people who don’t pay income taxes are senior citizens on social security; people on disability; or students, the unemployed, and the working poor who do not earn enough to owe taxes on their income. Do you think such people should pay at least some income taxes or is it fair that they do not pay income taxes? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
---- Should pay some ---- ---- Fair not to pay ---- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/29/12 RV 39 21 18 57 18 39 3
25. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Romney paid about a 14 percent federal tax rate on income of about 14 million dollars last year. Do you think he is or is not paying his fair share of taxes? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--- Paying fair share --- - Not paying fair share - No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/29/12 RV 46 33 13 48 10 38 6
2/4/12* RV 30 16 14 66 15 51 4
2/4/12* 30 15 15 66 16 50 4
* “… income of about 22 million…”
26. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How interested, if at all, are you in the upcoming presidential debates – very interested, somewhat interested, not so interested or not at all interested?
-- Interested --- -- Not interested --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
9/29/12 RV 83 51 32 17 8 9 *
27. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think will win the debates – (Obama) or (Romney)?
Neither Tie No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 56 29 * 3 11
28. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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?
9/29/12 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. Obama 23 76 1
b. Romney 20 79 1
Trend:
a. Obama
Yes No No opinion
9/29/12 RV 23 76 1
8/25/12 RV 20 79 1
8/25/12 18 81 1
b. Romney
Yes No No opinion
9/29/12 RV 20 79 1
8/25/12 RV 13 86 *
8/25/12 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
29. (IF CONTACTED BY OBAMA CAMPAIGN) When was the last time you were contacted, within the last week, within the last month or longer ago than that?
Within last Within last Longer No
week month ago opinion
9/29/12 RV 53 34 10 3
28/29 NET:
---------------- Yes ---------------- Not No
NET Last week Last month Longer contacted opinion
9/29/12 RV 23 12 8 2 76 1
30. (IF CONTACTED BY ROMNEY CAMPAIGN) When was the last time you were contacted, within the last week, within the last month or longer ago than that?
Within last Within last Longer No
week month ago opinion
9/29/12 RV 55 34 9 1
28/30 NET:
---------------- Yes ---------------- Not No
NET Last week Last month Longer contacted opinion
9/29/12 RV 20 11 7 2 79 1
31. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Just your best guess, who do you think will win the presidential election this year - (Obama) or (Romney)?
Other No
Obama Romney (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 63 31 * 6
8/25/12 RV 56 37 * 8
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
32. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS HALF SAMPLE) On a ship in a storm, who would you rather have as the captain, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 52 40 1 6 1
9/9/12 RV 46 43 * 7 4
33. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS HALF SAMPLE) Who would you rather invite to dinner at your home, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 54 32 6 7 1
9/9/12 RV 52 33 7 6 2
34. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS HALF SAMPLE) Who would you rather go on an overnight camping trip with, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 48 34 4 12 2
35. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS HALF SAMPLE) Who would you rather have babysit your children, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 41 41 3 13 2
36. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS HALF SAMPLE) Whose music playlist would you rather listen to, (Obama)’s or (Romney)’s?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 46 30 1 9 14
37. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS HALF SAMPLE) Who would you rather see as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/12 RV 51 26 4 11 8
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
9/29/12 LV 33 30 33 3 1
9/29/12 RV 33 28 34 4 1
9/9/12 RV 32 26 37 4 1
8/25/12 RV 32 25 36 6 2
7/8/12 RV 36 27 33 3 1
5/20/12 RV 34 25 34 6 1
4/8/12 RV 37 24 33 4 1
3/10/12 RV 31 29 36 3 2
2/12/12 RV 36 25 34 5 1
1/15/12 RV 32 27 35 5 1
***END***
