Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll
This Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll was conducted by telephone July 25 to August 5, 2012, among a random national sample of 3,130 adults, including users of both conventional and cellular phones. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus two percentage points; error margins are 3.5 points for the samples of 1,027 Democrats and 1,054 independents and four points for the sample of 846 Republicans. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) of Media, Pa.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. How satisfied are you with the way this country’s political system is working – would you say very satisfied, mostly satisfied, mostly dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
---- Satisfied ---- --- Dissatisfied -- No
NET Very Mostly NET Mostly Very opinion
8/5/12 32 6 26 67 29 38 2
Dem 47 10 37 50 28 22 2
Ind 25 4 21 73 29 44 1
Rep 19 3 16 81 30 51 *
10/2/11 20 2 18 79 38 41 1
8/9/11 21 2 19 78 33 45 1
11/23/09 38 4 34 61 30 31 1
6/3/07 34 5 29 64 34 30 1
2. Thinking about the 2012 presidential election campaign so far, would you say that you're...very interested, somewhat interested, not too interested, or not interested at all?
----- Interested ---- ----- Not interested ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not too Not at all opinion
8/5/12 79 53 26 21 10 10 1
Dem 82 55 27 17 10 7 *
Ind 73 46 27 27 13 14 *
Rep 86 64 22 14 8 6 *
6/3/07 85 49 36 15 10 5 1
3. Which of the following national economic issues worries you most? Is there another one of these issues that worries you?
8/5/12 – summary table
First Second - First and second -
mention mention NET Dem Ind Rep
The job situation 35 24 59 63 60 55
The cost of health care 22 23 44 49 40 41
The federal budget deficit 21 16 37 22 39 56
The cost of college education 8 12 20 28 16 14
Problems in the housing markets 4 9 13 14 14 10
General economic issues 1 1 3 3 3 2
Dysfunctional/self-serving
politicians/Congressmen 1 1 2 2 2 1
Social issues 1 * 1 1 1 1
All of them 1 1 2 1 3 2
Nothing/none of them/None * 11 * * 0 0
Other or something else 4 2 6 5 6 6
No opinion 1 1 1 1 1 0
4. OTHER than the economy and jobs what will be the most important issue in your choice for president?
------- 8/5/12 ------
All Dem Ind Rep
Health care/Obamacare 14 19 12 13
Federal budget deficit 5 4 5 6
Foreign policy 5 4 6 4
Personal characteristics 5 5 5 5
Ethics/honesty/corruption in
government 4 2 5 4
Education 4 5 4 2
Immigration/illegal immigration 3 3 3 3
Morals/family values 3 1 3 5
Beating Obama/electing Romney
/Supporting the Republicans 3 1 2 6
Address social issues 2 4 2 1
Beating Romney/re-electing Obama
/Supporting the Democrats 2 4 2 1
Taxes 2 2 2 2
Terrorism/national security 2 2 1 3
Abortion 1 1 1 3
Afghanistan/War in Afghanistan 1 1 1 1
Banks/Financial institutions 1 1 1 *
Change 1 1 2 2
Environment 1 1 1 1
Experience 1 * 1 1
Gas/oil prices/energy/ethanol 1 * 1 *
Gay marriage 1 2 1 1
Guns/Gun control 1 * * 1
Helping the middle class 1 2 * *
Housing/mortgages 1 1 2 1
Social Security 1 1 1 *
Adherence to restoration of
constitution 1 * 1 3
Leadership ability/ability to
run country 1 * 1 3
Bipartisan collaboration/work
with Congress 1 1 2 *
Well-being of Americans/
care about the people/
understand them/listen to them 1 1 * 1
None/nothing other than economy/
jobs 5 5 6 4
Other 5 5 6 4
No opinion 17 17 17 14
5/6. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as: (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what?
Democrat Republican Independent Other/None No opinion
8/5/12 34 25 34 4 3
6/3/07 36 27 29 4 3
8/18/98 30 27 30 12 1
7. (ASK IF NON-PARTISAN) Do you lean more towards the: (Democratic) or (Republican) Party?
-- Democrat/lean D-- Pure -Republican/Lean R- Other/ No
NET Dem Lean Dem Independent NET Lean Rep Rep None (vol.) opin.
8/5/12 49 34 15 9 39 14 25 2 2
6/3/07 50 36 14 9 37 10 27 2 2
8/18/98 43 30 13 7 38 11 27 12 1
8. (AMONG INDEPENDENTS) Have you always thought of yourself as an independent, or have you thought of yourself as a (Democrat) or a (Republican) in the past?
Always Thought of self as Thought of self as a Both No
independent a Democrat in past Republican in past (Vol.) opinion
8/5/12 56 22 16 4 1
6/3/07 59 21 14 4 2
9. (AMONG REPUBLICANS) Would you call yourself a strong Republican or a not very strong Republican?
Strong Not very strong No opinion
8/5/12 65 34 2
6/3/07 58 39 2
8/18/98 41 58 1
10. (AMONG DEMOCRATS) Would you call yourself a strong Democrat or a not very strong Democrat?
Strong Not very strong No opinion
8/5/12 62 37 1
6/3/07 53 44 2
8/18/98 45 54 1
11. In your view, is the leadership of the (INSERT) currently taking the party in the (right direction) or in the (wrong direction)?
a. Republican Party
Right Wrong No
direction direction opinion
Among Republicans:
8/5/12 61 28 11
11/23/09 52 40 8
11/2/05 79 20 2
Among independents:
8/5/12 28 60 12
11/23/09 43 45 12
11/2/05 73 26 1
b. Democratic Party
Right Wrong No
direction direction opinion
Among Democrats:
8/5/12 71 18 11
11/2/05 67 25 8
Among independents:
8/5/12 31 58 11
11/2/05 56 37 8
12. (AMONG INDEPENDENTS) Overall, which party, the (Democratic) or the (Republican), does a better job representing your views on (INSERT)?
8/5/12 – Summary table
Democratic Republican Both Neither No
Party Party (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 36 43 2 13 5
b. Health care 43 40 1 10 6
c. The federal budget deficit 27 43 2 18 10
d. Taxes 39 41 1 12 6
e. Social issues, such as
abortion and gay marriage 44 33 2 13 8
f. Foreign policy 39 36 3 12 10
Trend
a. The economy
Democratic Republican Both Neither No
party party (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 36 43 2 13 5
6/3/07 37 34 4 16 9
b. Health care
Democratic Republican Both Neither No
party party (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 43 40 1 10 6
6/3/07 48 20 2 19 10
c. The federal budget deficit
Democratic Republican Both Neither No
party party (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 27 43 2 18 10
6/3/07 39 23 3 20 15
d. Taxes
Democratic Republican Both Neither No
party party (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 39 41 1 12 6
6/3/07 40 30 2 17 11
e. Social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage
Democratic Republican Both Neither No
party party (vol.) (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 44 33 2 13 8
6/3/07 43 26 3 17 11
f. no trend
13. (AMONG DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS AND NON-PARTISANS) What’s more important to you – that Democrats (stick with their positions on important issues, even if it means a lack of cooperation with Republicans); or that Democrats (try to cooperate across party lines, even if it means compromising on important issues)?
Democrats stick Try to cooperate No
with positions across party lines opinion
8/5/12 32 62 6
Dem 43 54 3
Ind 23 71 7
14. (AMONG REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS AND NON-PARTISANS) What’s more important to you – that Republicans (stick with their positions on important issues, even if it means a lack of cooperation with Democrats); or that Republicans (try to cooperate across party lines, even if it means compromising on important issues)?
Republicans stick Try to cooperate No
with positions across party lines opinion
8/5/12 36 59 5
Ind 25 70 5
Rep 54 43 3
15. In general do you think the policies of the (INSERT) mainly (help) or mainly (hurt) the economic interests of you and your family?
a. Democratic party
Don’t make much
Help Hurt difference (vol.) No opinion
8/5/12 45 45 4 5
Dem 78 15 3 4
Ind 39 49 6 6
Rep 12 83 2 3
b. Republican party
Don’t make much
Help Hurt difference (vol.) No opinion
8/5/12 37 51 5 7
Dem 13 77 3 6
Ind 38 49 7 7
Rep 71 21 3 5
16. Do you think (INSERT) generally shares most of your moral and ethical values, some of your moral and ethical values, or hardly any?
a. The Democratic Party
Most Some Hardly any None (vol.) No opinion
8/5/12 25 43 27 3 2
Dem 53 38 7 * 1
Ind 14 51 28 3 4
Rep 4 38 52 5 1
8/18/98 21 47 18 8 6
b. The Republican Party
Most Some Hardly any None (vol.) No opinion
8/5/12 23 41 31 3 2
Dem 5 36 51 7 2
Ind 18 48 29 2 3
Rep 56 37 6 * *
8/18/98 20 47 17 11 6
17. Which comes closer to the way you feel: (government regulation of big businesses and corporations is necessary to protect the public) or (government regulation of big businesses and corporations does more harm than good)?
Regulation of business Regulation usually
is necessary to protect does more harm Neither No
the public interest than good (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 49 44 3 5
Dem 65 29 1 4
Ind 48 45 3 4
Rep 30 64 3 3
9/1/02 59 34 1 6
9/99* 51 43 - 6
8/18/98 53 40 3 4
6/97 59 36 - 5
10/96 56 39 - 5
10/95 63 34 - 3
4/95 63 34 - 3
10/94 64 32 - 4
7/94 66 31 - 3
*1999 and earlier Pew trend
18. Would you say you favor a (smaller federal government with fewer services), or (larger federal government with many services)?
Smaller govt. Larger govt. No
fewer services more services opinion
8/5/12 55 40 5
Dem 30 65 6
Ind 61 32 6
Rep 80 18 2
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
8/18/98 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
19. Which of these views comes closer to your own? (The government in Washington should do everything possible to improve the standard of living of all Americans) or (This is not the government’s responsibility, each person should take care of themselves)?
Gov’t in Washington Not gov’t
should do everything responsibility, each
possible to improve person should take Neither No
the standard of living care of themselves (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 52 44 NA 4
Dem 76 20 NA 4
Ind 47 48 NA 4
Rep 26 71 NA 3
9/1/02 56 39 2 3
8/30/99 57 38 4 1
8/18/98 51 46 - 3
20. Do you personally agree or disagree with the following statement? (INSERT). Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?
a. Government controls too much of our daily lives
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 60 41 19 39 21 18 1 1
Dem 38 21 17 58 27 31 1 2
Ind 65 45 21 34 21 12 1 *
Rep 81 63 18 18 11 8 * *
8/18/98 60 35 26 39 28 10 1 *
b. There are many goods and services which would not be available to ordinary people without government intervention
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 67 34 33 29 14 16 1 3
Dem 80 49 31 18 11 8 * 2
Ind 66 33 33 30 15 15 * 3
Rep 55 18 37 42 16 25 1 2
8/18/98 77 34 43 20 13 7 1 2
21. Do you think that people and groups that hold values similar to yours are (gaining) influence in American life in general these days, or do you think that they are (losing) influence?
Gaining Losing Neither (vol.) No opinion
8/5/12 34 59 3 4
Dem 32 61 3 4
Ind 34 58 4 5
Rep 36 59 2 3
4/24/05 33 58 6 2
8/18/98 35 55 6 4
22. Which of the following two statements comes closer to your view: (organized religious groups of all kinds should stay out of politics) or (it is important for organized religious groups to stand up for their beliefs in politics)?
Organized religion Organized religion Neither No
stay out of politics stand up in politics (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 55 42 2 1
Dem 62 35 2 1
Ind 59 38 2 1
Rep 38 60 1 1
9/17/00 45 51 2 2
8/18/98 45 52 1 1
23. Which comes closer to your view: (The government should take special steps to protect America's religious heritage) or (There should be a high degree of separation between church and state)?
Gov’t take special Should be a high
steps to protect degree of separation Neither No
religious heritage between church and state (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 40 55 2 2
Dem 34 62 1 3
Ind 36 60 2 2
Rep 56 40 2 2
8/18/98 48 47 3 2
24. Would you rather see religious and spiritual values have (more) influence in politics and public life than they do now, (less) influence, or about the same influence as they do now?
More influence Less influence About the same No opinion
8/5/12 30 36 32 2
Dem 21 42 35 1
Ind 26 39 33 2
Rep 49 21 28 2
9/1/02* 44 21 33 2
8/18/98* 38 22 38 2
*2002 and 1998: Would you rather see religious and spiritual values have (greater /less) influence…
25. Now I will read you some statements. Will you tell me for each one whether it is something you personally agree with or disagree with? First/Next, (INSERT). Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?
a. The world is always changing and we should adjust our morals and values to those changes
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 47 26 21 52 14 38 1 1
Dem 61 35 26 37 12 25 1 1
Ind 47 27 20 52 15 37 * 1
Rep 27 12 16 71 14 57 1 1
9/17/00 39 17 22 60 19 40 NA 1
8/18/98 42 18 25 57 18 39 * *
b. We should be more tolerant of people who choose to live according to their own
moral standards even if we think they are wrong
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 75 44 31 23 11 12 1 1
Dem 80 54 27 18 8 10 1 1
Ind 75 46 29 23 12 11 * 2
Rep 68 29 38 30 13 17 1 1
9/17/00 71 37 35 26 14 12 NA 2
8/18/98 70 30 40 27 15 12 1 1
e. Americans are too tolerant and accepting of behaviors that in the past were
considered immoral or wrong
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 61 38 23 36 17 19 1 2
Dem 53 29 24 44 18 26 * 3
Ind 57 34 23 40 20 20 1 2
Rep 77 55 22 20 12 9 * 2
9/17/00 70 43 28 28 16 12 NA 2
8/18/98 69 42 27 29 18 11 1 1
26a. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
------ Legal ------ ----- Illegal -----
All Most Most All No
NET cases cases NET cases cases opinion
8/5/12 55 19 36 42 25 17 3
Dem 70 28 42 28 17 11 2
Ind 58 19 39 39 25 15 3
Rep 34 9 25 63 38 25 2
3/10/12 54 21 33 43 25 17 3
7/17/11 54 19 35 44 30 15 2
3/26/10 53 17 35 45 27 18 2
11/23/09 54 19 35 43 28 16 2
6/21/09 55 20 35 43 26 17 2
9/7/08 RV 57 19 38 39 24 15 4
8/22/08 54 22 32 44 26 18 3
6/15/08 53 18 35 44 28 16 3
1/12/08 57 21 36 40 25 15 3
12/9/07 53 18 35 44 27 17 3
11/1/07 55 19 36 43 27 16 2
7/21/07 56 23 34 41 28 14 2
2/25/07 56 16 39 42 31 12 2
12/18/05 56 17 40 41 27 13 3
4/24/05 56 20 36 42 27 14 3
12/19/04 55 21 34 42 25 17 3
5/23/04 54 23 31 44 23 20 2
1/20/03 57 23 34 42 25 17 2
8/12/01 49 22 27 48 28 20 3
6/24/01 52 22 31 43 23 20 4
1/15/01 59 21 38 39 25 14 1
9/6/00 RV 55 20 35 42 25 16 3
7/23/00 53 20 33 43 26 17 4
9/2/99 56 20 37 42 26 15 2
3/14/99 55 21 34 42 27 15 3
7/12/98 54 19 35 42 29 13 4
8/5/96 56 22 34 41 27 14 3
6/30/96 58 24 34 40 25 14 2
10/1/95 60 26 35 37 25 12 3
9/21/95 60 24 36 36 25 11 4
7/17/95 59 27 32 40 26 14 1
26b. 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
8/5/12 53 39 14 42 11 32 5
Dem 68 52 16 27 8 19 5
Ind 57 42 15 39 11 27 4
Rep 30 18 12 67 13 54 3
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"; 2003 to 2004 and 2006 "homosexual".
27. Do you personally agree or disagree with the following statement? Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?
a. People should take responsibility for their own lives and economic well-being and
not expect other people to help
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 75 49 26 23 13 10 1 1
Dem 62 34 28 36 20 16 1 1
Ind 79 51 28 19 10 9 1 1
Rep 86 66 19 13 7 5 1 1
8/18/98 78 47 31 21 14 7 1 *
b. Most people who don’t get ahead should not blame the system, they have only
themselves to blame
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 65 38 28 33 17 16 1 1
Dem 54 29 25 44 22 22 1 1
Ind 66 39 27 31 16 16 1 1
Rep 81 49 31 18 11 7 1 1
8/18/98 71 36 36 27 19 8 1 *
c. One of the big problems in this country is that we don’t give everyone an equal chance
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 52 36 16 46 17 29 1 1
Dem 72 52 19 28 13 15 1 *
Ind 50 34 17 49 17 31 * 1
Rep 29 17 13 69 22 47 * 1
8/18/98 65 40 25 33 17 16 1 1
d. If people were treated more equally in this country we would have many fewer problems
--------- Agree --------- ------- Disagree -------- Neither No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 70 49 20 28 12 16 1 1
Dem 83 65 18 15 7 8 1 1
Ind 69 50 20 28 13 15 1 1
Rep 51 29 23 45 16 29 1 2
9/17/00 80 58 22 19 10 9 NA 2
8/18/98 79 55 24 19 11 7 1 1
Moving onto the economy…
28. 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
8/5/12 13 1 12 87 42 44 *
Dem 22 1 21 78 50 27 *
Ind 10 1 9 89 41 49 *
Rep 5 * 5 95 37 58 *
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 *
29. Which of these do you think is more important right now - (increasing federal spending to try to create jobs and improve the economy); or (avoiding a big increase in the federal budget deficit)?
Increasing Avoiding No
Spending Deficit opinion
8/5/12 48 48 4
Dem 73 25 3
Ind 42 53 4
Rep 24 73 2
10/3/10 50 46 4
30. Thinking specifically about the JOB SITUATION in the country, please tell me whether each of the following would (help), (hurt) or not make much of a difference?
a. Cutting personal income taxes
Not make much
Help Hurt difference No opinion
8/5/12 51 23 23 3
Dem 42 30 24 4
Ind 51 21 25 3
Rep 62 16 20 1
b. Cutting taxes on businesses
Not make much
Help Hurt difference No opinion
8/5/12 54 21 21 4
Dem 41 31 24 3
Ind 55 18 22 4
Rep 71 12 14 3
c. Budget cuts to reduce the federal deficit
Not make much
Help Hurt difference No opinion
8/5/12 53 22 20 5
Dem 39 29 25 7
Ind 56 20 19 5
Rep 66 13 16 4
d. Additional spending on roads, bridges, and other public works projects
Not make much
Help Hurt difference No opinion
8/5/12 63 13 22 1
Dem 71 10 17 1
Ind 66 12 21 1
Rep 53 16 30 1
e. Raising taxes on businesses that move manufacturing jobs overseas
Not make much
Help Hurt difference No opinion
8/5/12 54 32 12 2
Dem 61 27 10 2
Ind 55 32 12 2
Rep 47 37 14 2
31. Please tell me if you would support or oppose each of the following to help reduce the nation’s budget deficit.
a. Raising taxes on households with incomes of 250 thousand dollars per year and
higher
Support Oppose No opinion
8/5/12 65 33 2
Dem 82 17 1
Ind 62 35 3
Rep 46 53 1
10/9/11* 68 27 5
*Washington Post-Bloomberg
b. Raising taxes on the middle class
Support Oppose No opinion
8/5/12 11 88 1
Dem 13 85 2
Ind 11 88 1
Rep 7 92 *
10/9/11* 18 79 4
*Washington Post-Bloomberg
c. Reducing Social Security benefits (half sample)
Support Oppose No opinion
8/5/12 17 82 1
Dem 11 88 1
Ind 20 79 1
Rep 22 76 2
10/9/11* 13 83 4
*Washington Post-Bloomberg
d. Reducing Social Security benefits for those with high incomes (half sample)
Support Oppose No opinion
8/5/12 57 39 3
Dem 62 36 2
Ind 60 37 3
Rep 51 45 4
e. Reducing Medicare benefits (half sample)
Support Oppose No opinion
8/5/12 21 77 2
Dem 14 85 1
Ind 24 73 3
Rep 28 69 3
10/9/11* 14 82 4
*Washington Post-Bloomberg
f. Reducing Medicare benefits for those with high incomes (half sample)
Support Oppose No opinion
8/5/12 63 35 3
Dem 65 33 3
Ind 66 32 2
Rep 61 36 2
g. Reducing military spending
Support Oppose No opinion
8/5/12 46 51 3
Dem 55 42 2
Ind 48 48 4
Rep 30 68 2
10/9/11* 51 42 7
*Washington Post-Bloomberg
32. As you may know, a health reform bill was signed into law in 2010. Given what you know about the health reform law, do you have a generally (favorable) or generally (unfavorable) opinion of it? Is that a very (favorable/unfavorable) or somewhat (favorable/unfavorable) opinion?
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
8/5/12 42 18 24 47 17 30 11
Dem 64 34 30 23 14 9 12
Ind 40 12 28 49 16 33 11
Rep 15 4 11 77 21 56 7
7/12* 38 20 18 44 13 31 17
6/12 41 25 16 41 11 30 18
5/12 37 17 20 34 12 32 19
4/12 42 20 22 43 9 34 15
3/12 41 18 23 40 11 29 19
2/12 42 17 25 43 16 27 15
1/12 37 18 19 44 14 30 19
12/11 41 19 22 43 15 28 17
11/11 37 17 20 44 15 29 19
10/11 34 12 22 51 20 31 15
9/11 41 18 23 43 14 29 16
8/11 39 16 23 44 17 27 17
7/11 42 20 22 43 12 31 15
6/11 42 15 27 46 16 30 12
5/11 42 19 23 44 15 29 14
4/11 41 20 21 41 14 27 18
3/11 42 21 21 46 15 31 13
2/11 43 16 27 48 19 29 8
1/11 41 19 22 50 16 34 9
12/10 42 22 20 41 14 27 18
11/10 42 19 23 40 12 28 18
10/10 42 18 24 44 15 29 15
9/10 49 19 30 40 15 25 11
8/10 43 19 24 45 13 32 12
7/10 50 21 29 35 10 25 14
6/10 48 20 28 41 16 25 10
5/10 41 14 27 44 12 32 14
4/10 46 23 23 40 10 30 14
*April 2010 through July 2012 Kaiser Family Foundation trend
33. Which of these two descriptions comes closer to your view of what Medicare should look like in the future? OPTION A: Medicare should continue as it is today, with the government guaranteeing all seniors the same set of health insurance benefits, or OPTION B: Medicare should be changed to a system in which the government guarantees each senior a fixed amount of money to help them purchase coverage either from traditional Medicare or from a list of private health plans?
Option A Option B Other No
Medicare continue Medicare privatize (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 58 36 1 4
Dem 68 29 1 3
Ind 53 42 1 4
Rep 55 39 1 5
34. Do you support or oppose putting a special tax on junk food – that is, things like soda, chips, and candy – and using the money for programs to fight obesity? Is that strongly or somewhat?)
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
8/5/12 53 35 18 47 12 35 1
Dem 66 43 22 34 10 23 *
Ind 48 32 15 51 12 39 1
Rep 42 26 16 57 13 45 *
2/8/04* 40 18 22 57 17 40 3
*Kaiser Family Foundation trend
35. Do you think ILLEGAL immigrants who are living and working in the United States now (should be offered a chance to keep their jobs and eventually apply for legal status), or do you think they (should be deported back to their native country)?
Should be offered chance to Should be deported No
keep jobs/apply legal status back to native country opinion
8/5/12 61 35 3
Dem 75 23 2
Ind 59 38 3
Rep 47 49 5
6/3/07 59 36 5
36. Do you think the federal government should or should not regulate the release of greenhouse gases from sources like power plants, cars and factories in an effort to reduce global warming? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--------- Should -------- ------- Should not ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
8/5/12 74 51 23 21 8 13 5
Dem 87 68 19 8 3 4 5
Ind 73 51 22 22 7 15 5
Rep 61 31 31 35 14 20 4
6/6/10 71 52 19 26 7 19 4
12/13/09 65 50 15 29 9 20 6
6/21/09 75 53 22 22 9 13 3
4/24/09 75 54 21 21 9 12 4
37. Do you favor or oppose stricter gun control laws in this country? Is that strongly or somewhat (favor/oppose)?
----------- Favor -------- ---------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
8/5/12 51 39 11 47 10 37 2
Dem 76 64 12 23 6 17 1
Ind 44 33 10 55 12 42 2
Rep 30 18 12 68 12 56 2
1/16/11 52 39 13 45 12 33 3
4/24/09 51 36 14 48 12 36 1
9/7/08 RV 50 31 19 45 14 30 5
4/22/07 61 41 20 36 12 23 3
10/8/06 61 45 16 37 15 22 2
5/12/02 57 39 19 37 15 22 6
1/15/01 59 46 13 39 13 26 2
5/10/00 67 50 17 30 9 22 3
4/2/00 64 49 14 34 13 21 2
9/2/99 63 52 11 35 11 25 2
8/15/99 63 46 16 34 12 22 3
5/16/99 67 55 12 31 10 21 1
10/13/93* 64 40 24 33 13 20 3
6/8/89* 60 28 32 34 11 23 6
*Gallup trend: "Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose enacting tougher gun control laws?"
38. I would like you to think about the role the U.S. should play in trying to solve international problems. Do you think the US should take the leading role in world affairs, take a major role, but not the leading role, take a minor role, or take no role at all in world affairs?
Leading Major role Minor No role No
role but not leading role at all opinion
8/5/12 14 48 27 9 3
Dem 13 52 23 9 3
Ind 13 46 29 10 2
Rep 19 45 28 6 2
2/12/12* 17 43 26 11 3
*Kaiser Family Foundation trend
39. As it conducts the war on terrorism, do you think the United States government is or is not doing enough to protect the civil liberties of American citizens?
Doing enough Not doing enough No opinion
8/5/12 67 30 3
Dem 70 27 4
Ind 64 33 3
Rep 67 31 3
6/3/07 48 48 5
40. Are you registered to vote at your present address or not?
Yes No No opinion
8/5/12 82 18 1
Dem 83 17 1
Ind 79 20 1
Rep 89 10 1
41. (AMONG THOSE NOT REGISTERED) Do you plan to register to vote, or is there a chance that you may not register?
Plan to register Chance may not No opinion
8/5/12 48 48 4
Dem 52 43 5
Ind 41 53 6
42. 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? 43. Would you lean toward (Obama) or toward (Romney)?
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 RV 50 43 1 2 1 3
Dem 90 6 * 1 * 1
Ind 45 42 3 4 2 4
Rep 9 89 * 1 * 1
8/5/12 ALL 52 40 1 3 1 3
Dem 91 6 * 1 * 1
Ind 47 40 3 4 2 4
Rep 10 87 * 1 * 2
44. (AMONG THOSE WHO NAMED A 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 COULD CHANGE MIND) Would you say there’s a good chance you’ll change your mind, or it’s pretty unlikely?
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
8/5/12 68 29 13 16 3
Dem 81 18 6 12 2
Ind 55 40 19 21 4
Rep 68 30 14 16 2
Obama supporters:
8/5/12 72 26 11 15 3
Dem 83 15 4 11 2
Ind 55 42 20 22 4
Romney supporters:
8/5/12 64 32 15 17 4
Ind 55 40 19 21 5
Rep 71 27 13 14 3
Question 45 through 46 held for release.
47. In presidential elections, would you say you always vote Democratic, mostly vote Democratic, vote for Republicans and Democrats about equally, mostly vote Republican, or always vote Republican?
Always Mostly Dem/Rep Mostly Always Don’t vote No
Dem Dem equally Rep Rep (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 17 21 26 20 8 5 3
Dem 42 37 16 1 * 3 2
Ind 5 22 43 18 3 6 3
Rep 1 * 18 49 27 4 1
6/3/07 14 23 27 19 8 5 2
48. Would you say your views on most political matters are very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?
Don’t think
--- Liberal ---- - Conservative - in those No
NET Very Smwht Moderate NET Smwht Very terms (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 29 8 21 30 39 23 17 1 2
Dem 49 16 33 31 19 13 6 * 2
Ind 26 6 21 35 36 22 15 1 2
Rep 6 1 5 22 71 36 34 1 1
6/3/07 28 8 20 30 39 25 14 1 2
49. How about on most social issues, would you say your views are very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?
Don’t think
--- Liberal ---- - Conservative - in those No
NET Very Smwht Moderate NET Smwht Very terms (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 32 13 19 27 37 22 15 1 3
Dem 52 25 27 27 19 13 6 * 2
Ind 31 11 20 32 34 21 13 1 2
Rep 10 2 8 22 67 34 33 * 1
6/3/07 31 12 19 27 39 25 14 1 2
50. How about on most fiscal issues – such as taxes and government spending – would you say your views are very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?
Don’t think
--- Liberal ---- - Conservative - in those No
NET Very Smwht Moderate NET Smwht Very terms (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 21 6 15 29 47 24 22 1 3
Dem 37 11 25 38 22 14 9 * 3
Ind 17 4 13 31 49 28 21 1 2
Rep 5 1 4 15 78 34 44 * 1
6/3/07 17 6 11 30 50 31 19 1 2
51. 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
8/5/12 41 12 29 46 19 27 13
Dem 18 3 15 67 20 47 14
Ind 46 12 34 43 20 23 12
Rep 67 26 41 23 15 8 10
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
52. Overall, would you say most of your friends and family think of themselves as (Republicans), most as (Democrats) or most as independents?
Other No
Republicans Democrats Independents (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 30 35 22 5 8
Dem 10 67 13 4 6
Ind 24 24 39 5 8
Rep 66 10 12 6 5
11/23/09 36 33 19 8 5
53. How often, if ever, do you use the following online social media services. First, do you use (INSERT) frequently, occasionally or never? How about (INSERT NEXT ITEM)?
a. Facebook
Don’t use the No
Frequently Occasionally Never internet (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 33 27 37 2 *
Dem 33 28 36 3 -
Ind 33 26 39 2 *
Rep 31 27 39 3 -
b. Twitter
Don’t use the No
Frequently Occasionally Never internet (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 5 11 81 3 *
Dem 6 11 81 2 *
Ind 5 12 80 2 *
Rep 4 10 82 3 *
c. LinkedIn
Don’t use the No
Frequently Occasionally Never internet (vol.) opinion
8/5/12 5 16 76 3 1
Dem 5 15 77 3 *
Ind 6 17 74 2 1
Rep 4 15 77 3 *
*** END ***
