Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Jan. 13-16, 2011, among a random national sample of 1,053 adults including users of both conventional and cellular phones. Also included are additional interviews with randomly selected African Americans, for a total of 133 black respondents. These added interviews (commonly referred to as an "oversample") were completed to ensure there were enough respondents for separate analysis; the group is not over-represented in the reported results. 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 TNS of Horsham, Pa.
*= 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
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
10/28/10 LV 46 31 15 52 8 44 2
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
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
1/16/11 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 46 22 24 51 13 38 2
b. Health care 43 26 18 52 11 41 5
c. The situation
in Afghanistan 49 19 30 41 17 24 10
d. The federal
budget deficit 43 21 22 52 11 41 6
e. Taxes 50 23 27 44 14 31 6
f. U.S. relations
with China 43 17 26 35 15 19 23
*Half sample asked items a-c; other half sample asked items d-f.
Trend where available:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
10/28/10 LV 42 23 19 55 10 45 2
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
b. Health care
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 43 26 18 52 11 41 5
7/11/10 45 27 19 50 10 40 5
4/25/10 49 29 20 49 9 40 1
3/26/10 48 33 15 49 6 43 3
2/8/10 43 24 19 53 11 43 3
1/15/10 44 24 21 52 9 43 4
12/13/09 44 27 18 53 10 43 3
11/15/09 47 28 19 49 8 41 3
10/18/09 48 30 18 48 10 38 4
9/12/09 48 32 15 48 10 38 4
8/17/09 46 27 19 50 8 42 5
7/18/09 49 25 24 44 11 33 7
6/21/09 53 27 26 39 10 29 9
4/24/09 57 NA NA 29 NA NA 13
c. The situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
d. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 43 21 22 52 11 41 6
12/12/10 38 16 22 55 19 36 7
9/2/10 39 18 20 58 13 45 3
7/11/10 40 20 20 56 11 45 4
6/6/10 39 22 17 56 13 42 6
4/25/10 40 20 20 55 14 42 5
3/26/10 43 22 21 52 14 38 5
2/8/10 40 17 23 56 16 40 4
1/15/10 38 18 20 56 15 41 6
12/13/09 37 16 21 56 12 44 6
11/15/09 42 19 23 53 10 43 5
10/18/09 45 20 25 51 14 37 4
9/12/09 39 17 22 55 13 42 6
8/17/09 41 19 22 53 12 41 5
7/18/09 43 19 24 49 11 38 8
6/21/09 48 22 26 48 13 35 5
4/24/09 51 NA NA 43 NA NA 7
3/29/09 52 NA NA 43 NA NA 5
e. Taxes
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 50 23 27 44 14 31 6
8/17/09 51 23 28 40 12 28 8
4/24/09 56 NA NA 38 NA NA 6
3. 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
1/16/11 38 60 3
12/12/10 31 67 2
10/28/10 RV 27 71 2
10/28/10 LV 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
11/1/98 LV 55 44 1
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
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress is doing its job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 28 6 21 66 24 43 7
10/28/10 RV 23 6 17 74 21 53 3
10/28/10 LV 21 5 16 77 19 58 2
10/3/10 24 6 18 73 22 51 3
9/2/10 25 5 20 72 21 51 4
6/6/10 26 7 20 71 20 51 2
3/26/10 24 7 18 72 18 54 4
2/8/10 26 NA NA 71 NA NA 3
7/13/08 23 71 6
2/1/08 33 59 8
12/9/07 32 60 8
11/1/07 28 65 7
9/30/07 29 65 6
7/21/07 37 60 4
6/1/07 39 " " 53 " " 8
4/15/07 44 8 36 54 25 29 3
2/25/07 41 NA NA 54 NA NA 5
1/19/07 43 50 8
12/11/06 37 " " 57 " " 6
11/4/06 RV 36 7 29 60 25 35 4
10/22/06 31 5 25 65 27 38 4
10/8/06 32 5 27 66 29 37 2
9/7/06 40 NA NA 55 NA NA 5
8/6/06 36 60 4
5/15/06 33 63 4
4/9/06 35 62 3
3/5/06 36 62 3
1/26/06 43 53 4
1/8/06 41 55 5
12/18/05 43 53 4
11/2/05 37 59 4
8/28/05 37 59 4
6/5/05 41 54 4
10/29/03 40 52 9
4/30/03 57 37 6
9/26/02 51 43 6
7/15/02 57 36 7
2/21/02 57 39 4
1/27/02 58 35 7
12/19/01 59 34 7
9/9/01 45 48 7
7/30/01 48 48 4
4/22/01 58 33 8
10/31/99 42 53 6
9/2/99 46 47 7
6/6/99 48 46 6
3/14/99 44 49 7
2/14/99 46 50 4
12/20/98 44 51 5
12/19/98 45 50 5
12/13/98 49 46 5
11/7/98 41 55 4
11/1/98 49 47 5
10/25/98 45 44 11
10/18/98 46 45 8
9/28/98 52 44 4
8/21/98 55 39 6
7/12/98 46 44 11
5/12/98 45 45 9
4/4/98 47 45 8
1/31/98 55 35 10
1/30/98 55 35 10
1/25/98 56 37 8
1/24/98 55 38 7
1/19/98 47 49 5
10/13/97 36 57 7
8/27/97 39 54 7
7/8/97 40 53 6
4/24/97 40 53 7
3/9/97 35 60 5
8/5/96 42 52 7
6/30/96 35 58 7
5/22/96 35 60 5
3/10/96 30 64 6
1/7/96 31 65 5
11/19/95 27 68 5
10/1/95 32 65 3
7/17/95 34 63 3
3/19/95 39 56 5
1/29/95 42 52 6
10/31/94 21 72 8
10/23/94 18 78 4
9/11/94 24 70 5
6/26/94 34 61 5
3/27/94 35 62 3
2/27/94 32 64 4
1/23/94 29 60 11
11/14/93 28 66 6
8/8/93 33 64 3
4/26/93 30 69 2
1/17/93 29 66 6
4/9/92 17 78 5
3/18/92 19 76 5
3/8/92 22 73 6
2/2/92 32 64 4
12/15/91 35 59 6
10/21/91 45 50 5
6/2/91 49 46 5
10/14/90 34 63 3
2/4/90 41 55 4
1/16/90 39 55 6
8/21/89 42 53 5
5/23/89 54 44 2
2/14/89 53 44 3
1/23/88* 43 53 4
6/1/87 56 40 4
6/22/85 54 37 9
5/83 33 43 24
6/81 38 40 22
6/79 19 61 20
9/78 29 49 22
6/77 34 42 24
6/75 29 54 17
8/74 48 " " 35 " " 17
*1/23/88 and previous: Gallup
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Boehner is handling his job as Speaker of the House? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 39 12 28 27 14 14 33
Nancy Pelosi:
3/26/10 42 20 22 46 9 37 12
1/15/10 40 12 28 48 11 37 12
6/21/09 38 NA NA 45 NA NA 16
4/15/07 53 35 12
2/25/07 50 31 18
1/19/07 54 25 21
Newt Gingrich:
11/7/98* 38 58 4
7/12/98 41 44 15
5/12/98 41 44 15
1/19/98 40 52 7
4/24/97 26 62 12
3/9/97 33 61 7
9/15/96 RV 39 54 7
1/7/96 30 61 8
11/19/95 27 65 8
6/8/95 35 50 15
3/19/95 37 48 15
3/5/95 38 51 11
1/29/95 40 48 12
1/4/95 35 37 28
12/20/94** 35 " " 43 " " 22
* "has handled"
** "as incoming speaker"
6. Who do you trust to do a better job handling [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
1/16/11 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 46 41 3 7 3
b. The federal budget deficit 44 41 4 8 2
c. The threat of terrorism 45 39 5 6 5
d. The situation in Afghanistan 52 31 4 9 4
e. Health care reform 42 42 1 10 5
f. Helping the middle class 51 37 1 8 3
g. Taxes 44 42 2 9 4
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b-d; other half sample asked items e-g.
Trend:
a. The economy
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 46 41 3 7 3
12/12/10 44 45 2 7 2
4/25/10 49 38 1 9 2
2/8/10 47 42 1 7 2
12/13/09 48 36 1 12 3
11/15/09 52 37 1 8 1
9/12/09 48 37 1 12 2
7/18/09 56 33 1 9 2
6/21/09 55 31 2 9 2
4/24/09 61 24 2 11 2
3/29/09 58 25 1 14 2
2/22/09 61 26 1 9 3
b. The federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 44 41 4 8 2
12/12/10 39 47 2 9 4
4/25/10 45 41 1 10 3
2/8/10 45 43 1 9 1
9/12/09 50 36 1 12 1
7/18/09 54 35 * 9 2
6/21/09 56 30 2 9 2
c. The threat of terrorism
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 45 39 5 6 5
12/12/10 41 41 4 7 7
d. The situation in Afghanistan
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 52 31 4 9 4
12/12/10 41 39 3 11 6
12/13/09 47 35 1 14 4
11/15/09 46 41 1 9 3
e. Health care reform
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 42 42 1 10 5
12/12/10 51 38 1 6 5
4/25/10 49 39 1 10 1
2/8/10 46 41 1 9 2
12/13/09 46 39 1 13 2
11/15/09 50 37 1 10 2
9/12/09 48 36 1 12 3
7/18/09 54 34 1 10 1
6/21/09 55 27 2 11 4
f. Helping the middle class
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 51 37 1 8 3
12/12/10 53 38 1 6 2
g. Taxes
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 44 42 2 9 4
12/12/10 43 44 1 7 5
7. Do you think the country should go in the direction (Obama wants to lead it), go in the direction (the Republicans in Congress want to lead it), or what?
Other Neither No diff. No
Obama Republicans (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 44 35 7 8 2 4
Compare to: Bush or Democrats in Congress
Other Neither No diff. No
Bush Democrats (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/19/07 25 57 4 8 2 4
1/26/06 35 51 4 5 3 2
1/16/05 45 39 3 6 2 5
12/19/01 54 28 4 9 6 0
9/9/01 41 42 4 6 1 5
7/30/01 42 43 4 6 3 3
6/3/01 40 42 5 7 3 3
4/22/01 46 36 4 6 3 4
8. For each issue I name, please tell me what kind of priority you think Obama and the Congress should give it - the highest priority, a high priority but not the highest, or a lower priority than that?
1/16/11 - Summary Table*
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 97 72 24 3 0 *
b. The federal budget
deficit 92 50 42 6 * 1
c. Education 90 43 47 9 * *
d. Global warming 48 16 32 46 4 2
e. Health care 84 43 42 15 * 0
f. The situation in
Afghanistan 81 31 50 17 1 1
g. Immigration issues 69 24 45 29 1 1
h. The U.S. campaign
against terrorism 87 42 45 12 0 1
i. Taxes 87 31 56 12 * 1
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked b-e; other half sample asked f-i.
Trend where available (2006 and previous, "Bush and the Congress"):
a. The economy
------- High ------- None No
NET Highest High Lower (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 97 72 24 3 0 *
1/16/09 98 76 22 2 * *
1/26/06 96 52 45 3 * *
1/16/05 94 43 51 5 0 1
4/30/03 95 56 39 4 * 1
b. The federal budget deficit
1/16/11 92 50 42 6 * 1
1/16/09 88 48 40 11 1 *
1/26/06 88 38 50 11 0 1
1/16/05 89 32 57 9 0 1
c. Education
1/16/11 90 43 47 9 * *
1/16/09 91 42 49 9 1 *
1/26/06 93 47 46 6 * *
1/16/05 95 44 52 4 0 1
4/30/03 94 49 45 5 1 *
d. Global warming
1/16/11 48 16 32 46 4 2
1/16/09 58 17 41 37 4 1
1/26/06 62 26 37 35 1 1
e. Health care
1/16/11 84 43 42 15 * 0
1/16/09 90 41 49 10 * *
1/26/06 95 53 41 5 0 *
1/16/05 94 40 54 5 * 1
f. The situation in Afghanistan
1/16/11 81 31 50 17 1 1
1/16/09 85 37 48 14 1 1
g. Immigration issues
1/16/11 69 24 45 29 1 1
1/16/09 69 21 48 29 1 1
1/26/06 69 27 42 29 2 1
1/16/05 68 20 49 28 1 2
h. The U.S. campaign against terrorism
1/16/11 87 42 45 12 0 1
1/16/09 92 50 43 6 1 1
1/26/06 93 59 34 6 * 1
1/16/05 93 52 41 6 * 1
4/30/03 93 48 45 7 0 1
i. Taxes
1/16/11 87 31 56 12 * 1
1/16/09 81 23 58 17 1 1
1/26/06 82 27 54 17 * 1
1/16/05 80 19 60 19 * 1
4/30/03 82 30 51 17 * 2
9. Thinking about the next 12 months, would you say you feel (optimistic) or (pessimistic) about the chances that President Obama and the Republicans in Congress will work together on important issues? Is that strongly or somewhat optimistic/pessimistic?
------- Optimistic ------ ------- Pessimistic ----- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 55 22 33 43 18 25 2
1/5/11* 48 14 34 46 27 19 6
*ABC News/Yahoo! News
10. Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Obama, or not: He understands the problems of people like you.
Yes No No opinion
1/16/11 58 40 2
9/2/10 50 48 2
6/6/10 51 48 2
3/26/10 56 43 2
1/15/10 57 42 2
7/18/09 63 35 1
4/24/09 73 25 1
1/16/09 72 24 4
11. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of the political movement known as the Tea Party? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 35 16 19 52 21 31 13
9/2/10 38 18 19 45 24 21 18
6/6/10 36 17 19 50 25 24 14
3/26/10 41 21 21 39 16 23 20
2/8/10 35 20 15 40 20 20 25
12. I have some questions about the political discourse in this country - that is, the way people talk about politics. Overall, do you think the tone of political discourse you hear is very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative? (ASKED IF VERY NEGATIVE) Would you say it's angry, or very negative but not angry?
------ Positive ----- ---------- Negative ---------
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very Angry No opinion
1/16/11 16 2 14 82 38 13 31 2
13. Do you think the tone of political discourse in this country has created a climate that could encourage violence, or has it not gone that far?
------ Encourage violence ----- Hasn't gone No
NET Could Already has (vol.) that far opinion
1/16/11 49 37 12 49 2
14. For each group I name, please tell me if you think its tone in the political discourse recently has (stayed within acceptable boundaries), or has (crossed the line in terms of attacking the other side)? How about [ITEM]?
1/16/11 - Summary Table
Crossed No
Acceptable the line opinion
a. The Democratic Party and its
supporters 56 39 5
b. The Republican Party and its
supporters 50 45 5
c. The Tea Party political movement
and its supporters 39 49 12
d. Conservative political commentators 41 51 8
e. Liberal political commentators 40 51 9
15. As you may know, a gunman shot a U.S. Congress member and 18 other people in Arizona late last week. Is it your impression that the political discourse in this country did or did not contribute to this incident? (ASKED IF DID CONTRIBUTE) Did it contribute a GREAT DEAL or SOMEWHAT?
------ Did contribute ----- Did not
NET Great deal Somewhat contribute No opinion
1/16/11 40 19 22 54 6
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [ITEM] has responded to this shooting incident? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
1/16/11 - Summary Table
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. Barack Obama 78 51 26 12 6 7 10
b. Sarah Palin 30 14 16 46 14 32 24
c. The news media 53 23 30 39 16 23 8
17. On another subject, would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor?
1/16/11 13 1 12 87 45 41 * 10/28/10 9 * 9 90 41 49 1 10/28/10 LV 8 * 7 92 42 50 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 * See also ABC CCI trend.
18. Do you think Obama's economic program is making the economy (better), making it (worse) or having no real effect?
Better Worse No effect No opinion
1/16/11 35 24 39 2
9/2/10 30 33 36 1
4/25/10 39 26 32 2
1/15/10 35 23 41 2
10/18/09 41 22 35 2
8/17/09 43 23 32 2
19. Changing topics: Overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the changes to the health care system that have been enacted by (Congress) and (the Obama administration)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 45 25 20 50 14 36 5
12/12/10 43 22 21 52 14 37 6
10/3/10 47 26 21 48 13 35 5
3/26/10 46 32 13 50 10 40 4
2/8/10* 46 22 25 49 11 38 5
1/15/10 44 22 22 51 12 39 5
12/13/09 44 25 19 51 11 40 5
11/15/09 48 30 18 49 10 39 3
10/18/09 45 26 19 48 12 36 7
9/12/09 46 30 16 48 12 36 6
8/17/09 45 27 18 50 10 40 5
*2/8/10 and prior: "proposed changes...that are being developed by"
20. (ASKED IF OPPOSE HEALTH CARE CHANGES) Overall, do you think the new health care law (goes too far) or (does not go far enough) in changing the health care system?
Too far Not far enough No opinion
1/16/11 71 25 3
19/20. NET Table
------------------ Oppose ----------------- No
Support NET Too far Not far enough Don't know opinion
1/16/11 45 50 35 13 2 5
21. (ASKED IF SUPPORT HEALTH CARE CHANGES) Overall, do you think the new health care law should have done more to change the health care system, or is it about right?
Should have About No
done more right opinion
1/16/11 56 42 2
19/21. NET Table
------------ Support ------------
Should have About Don't No
NET done more right know Oppose opinion
1/16/11 45 25 19 1 50 5
22. (ASKED IF DO NOT SUPPORT HEALTH CARE CHANGES) What do you think is the best approach to the health care reform law: repeal all of it, repeal parts of it, or wait and see before deciding?
Repeal Repeal Wait No
all of it parts of it and see opinion
1/16/11 33 35 30 3
12/12/10 29 30 38 3
19/22. NET Table
------ Do not support (Oppose / DK / Ref) -------
Repeal Repeal Wait No
Support NET all of it parts of it and see opinion
1/16/11 45 55 18 19 17 2
12/12/10 43 58 17 17 22 2
23. (If the health care reform law does not change, in the long run...) Do you think the health care reform law is more likely to help or hurt the economy overall?
Neither No
Help Hurt (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 39 54 3 4
24. (If the health care reform law does not change, in the long run...) Do you think the health care reform law is more likely to create jobs or cut the number of jobs in the country?
Create Cut number Neither No
jobs of jobs (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 38 46 6 9
25. (If the health care reform law does not change, in the long run...) Do you think the health care reform law is more likely to increase or decrease the federal deficit?
Neither No
Increase Decrease (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 62 29 2 7
26. On another subject: 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
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: "Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose enacting
tougher gun control laws?"
27. Would you support or oppose a law requiring a nationwide ban on (ITEM)? Do you feel that way strongly, or only somewhat?
1/16/11 - Summary Table
----- Support ----- ------ Oppose ----- No
NET Strg. Smwt. NET Smwt. Strg. opin.
a. Semi-automatic handguns,
which automatically
re-load every time the
trigger is pulled 48 39 9 50 12 37 2
b. The sale of handguns,
except to law
enforcement officers 31 23 8 67 14 54 2
c. High-capacity
ammunition clips,
meaning those containing
more than 10 bullets 57 46 11 39 10 29 3
Trend where available:
a. Semi-automatic handguns, which automatically re-load every time the trigger is pulled
----------- Favor -------- ---------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 48 39 9 50 12 37 2
4/22/07 55 46 9 41 9 32 3
b. The sale of handguns, except to law enforcement officers
----------- Favor -------- ---------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 31 23 8 67 14 54 2
4/22/07 38 28 9 60 17 42 3
5/10/00 38 26 12 59 16 43 3
9/2/99 32 23 9 65 18 47 3
c. No trend.
28. What do you think is the best way to reduce gun violence in this country - (by passing stricter gun control laws), or (by stricter enforcement of existing laws)?
Passing Enforcing Both Neither No
new laws existing laws (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 29 57 5 7 2
4/24/09 27 61 5 4 2
4/22/07 29 52 9 8 1
4/2/00 33 53 7 5 2
29. Do you or does anyone in your house own a gun, or not?
Yes No No opinion 1/16/11 44 55 * 4/24/09 41 58 * 6/15/08 42 58 * 4/22/07 45 55 0 10/8/06 42 58 * 10/20/02 41 59 * 5/10/00 45 55 * 4/2/00 43 56 * 9/2/99 44 56 * 5/16/99 46 53 *
30. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose increasing federal funding to pay for a system in which people treated for mental illness would be reported to the federal gun registry database, in an effort to prevent them from buying guns? Do you feel that way STRONGLY, or only SOMEWHAT?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 83 63 20 15 8 7 2
31. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose increasing federal funding to pay for a system in which people treated for drug abuse would be reported to the federal gun registry database, in an effort to prevent them from buying guns? Do you feel that way STRONGLY, or only SOMEWHAT?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/16/11 71 49 22 24 10 14 5
32. On another subject: Would you say you generally have a favorable or unfavorable impression of China? Would you say VERY or SOMEWHAT favorable/unfavorable?
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
1/16/11 42 7 34 49 28 22 9
6/2/98 34 NA NA 52 NA NA 14
3/15/90 39 58 3
4/3/89 80 17 2
2/14/89 69 " " 28 " " 3
33. In terms of its overall relations with the United States, do you think of China as a friendly country or an unfriendly country? (ASKED IF UNFRIENDLY) Do you see China as an enemy of the United States, or just unfriendly?
------ Unfriendly ------ In between No
Friendly NET Unfriendly Enemy (vol.) opinion
1/16/11 47 44 33 11 4 5
4/5/01 28 58 37 20 8 6
6/2/98 39 47 35 12 9 5
34. In economic terms, some people see China as more of an opportunity for new markets and investment, while others see it as a threat to American jobs and economic security. Which view is closer to your own?
Opportunity Threat Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
1/16/11 29 61 5 1 4
35. Changing topics: Do you think Obama's presidency has done more to (help) or more to (hurt) race relations in this country, or has it not made much of a difference?
Hasn't made No
Help Hurt much difference opinion
1/16/11 35 14 49 2
1/15/10 41 12 47 *
1/4/09* 58 7 28 7
6/15/08** 42 15 40 3
Blacks
1/16/11 51 9 40 0
1/15/10 51 4 44 1
1/4/09 75 3 18 3
6/15/08 60 8 31 2
Whites
1/16/11 31 16 51 2
1/15/10 40 12 48 *
1/4/09 55 7 31 8
6/15/08 38 17 43 2
* "...Obama's presidency will do more..."
** "...Obama's candidacy will do more..."
36. Do you think blacks (have achieved racial equality, will soon achieve racial equality, will not achieve racial equality in your lifetime, or will never achieve racial equality)?
Have Will Not in Will No
achieved soon lifetime never opinion
1/16/11 42 29 18 6 4
1/15/10 37 31 19 8 4
1/16/09 35 38 17 6 3
9/14/08 32 37 20 5 6
Blacks
1/16/11 19 33 34 11 3
1/15/10 11 38 32 17 3
1/16/09 20 36 23 18 3
9/14/08 11 41 30 14 4
Whites
1/16/11 47 27 16 5 5
1/15/10 40 31 19 7 4
1/16/09 38 38 17 5 3
9/14/08 39 36 18 2 5
37. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) I’m going to read a list of possible candidates for the Republican nomination for president in 2012. After you hear the list, please tell me, if the 2012 Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state were being held today, for whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE
1/16/11 7/18/09
Mike Huckabee 21 26
Sarah Palin 19 19
Mitt Romney 17 21
Newt Gingrich 9 10
Chris Christie 8 NA
Rick Perry 3 NA
Mitch Daniels 2 NA
Tim Pawlenty 2 4
Mike Pence 2 NA
Haley Barbour 1 1
Jim DeMint 1 NA
Jon Huntsman 1 NA
Rick Santorum 1 NA
John Thune * NA
Other (vol.) 1 2
None of these (vol.) 6 5
Would not vote (vol.) * 1
No opinion 6 6
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what? IF NOT DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN: Do you lean more towards the (Democratic Party) or (Republican Party)?
--Non-Partisans-
Lean Lean No
Democrat Republican Independent Other No op. Dem. Rep. Lean
1/16/11 33 23 38 5 1 17 17 9
12/12/10 31 26 38 5 1 18 17 7
10/28/10 34 24 34 5 2 17 16 6
10/3/10 33 23 39 4 1 15 19 9
9/2/10 31 25 39 4 1 17 21 6
7/11/10 31 24 40 3 1 18 18 9
6/6/10 32 24 39 3 1 19 19 6
4/25/10 34 23 38 4 1 19 17 6
3/26/10 34 24 38 3 1 17 17 7
2/8/10 32 26 39 3 * 17 19 6
1/15/10 32 23 38 7 * 17 20 9
12/13/09 32 26 37 5 1 13 18 11
11/15/09 35 21 39 4 1 19 17 8
10/18/09 33 20 42 4 1 20 19 8
9/12/09 32 21 43 4 * 19 20 9
8/17/09 35 25 34 6 1 15 14 11
7/18/09 33 22 41 4 * 20 16 9
6/21/09 35 22 37 7 * 17 16 10
4/24/09 35 21 38 5 * 18 16 10
3/29/09 36 25 33 5 1 15 16 8
2/22/09 36 24 34 5 1 18 13 9
1/16/09 35 23 36 5 1 20 12 11
12/14/08 37 24 35 4 1 16 13 10
11/3/08 35 26 30 6 2 13 10 15
10/11/08 36 26 31 4 2 15 12 10
9/29/08 34 26 31 8 2 17 12 12
9/22/08 36 26 31 5 2 18 9 11
9/7/08 35 26 33 5 2 15 14 11
8/22/08 36 23 34 6 1 16 14 10
7/13/08 37 24 33 6 1 16 14 10
6/15/08 38 24 34 4 1 16 14 8
5/11/08 34 28 34 4 1 19 11 8
4/13/08 35 29 30 5 1 15 13 8
3/2/08 40 28 28 3 1 15 8 9
2/1/08 37 26 32 4 1 16 11 10
1/12/08 39 27 29 5 1 13 9 12
908a. Would you say your views on most political matters are liberal, moderate, or conservative?
Don't think in No
Liberal Moderate Conservative those terms (vol.) op.
1/16/11 22 38 36 2 2
12/12/10 19 39 38 2 2
10/28/10 21 39 37 1 2
10/3/10 21 43 34 2 1
9/2/10 19 37 40 3 1
7/11/10 22 35 39 2 1
6/6/10 23 39 36 1 1
4/25/10 22 40 35 1 2
3/26/10 24 32 42 1 2
2/8/10 24 36 37 2 1
1/15/10 25 34 38 1 1
12/13/09 23 35 41 1 1
11/15/09 19 41 38 1 1
10/18/09 23 36 38 2 1
9/12/09 24 39 36 * 1
8/17/09 20 40 37 2 1
7/18/09 20 39 38 2 1
6/21/09 22 40 36 1 *
4/24/09 23 39 35 2 2
3/29/09 20 38 38 2 2
2/22/09 23 38 37 1 1
1/16/09 24 42 32 * 1
12/14/08 22 37 37 1 2
10/11/08 RV 22 44 34 * 1
9/29/08 RV 19 44 34 1 1
9/22/08 RV 23 41 32 2 1
9/7/08 RV 22 39 36 1 2
8/22/08 22 41 33 2 2
7/13/08 19 43 35 2 1
6/15/08 21 43 33 1 2
5/11/08 24 39 34 2 1
4/13/08 24 38 35 1 2
3/2/08 19 48 30 2 2
2/1/08 25 38 34 2 1
1/12/08 24 36 36 2 1
12/9/07 24 38 36 1 1
11/1/07 24 41 32 1 1
9/30/07 24 45 30 1 1
9/7/07 20 39 39 1 2
7/21/07 25 39 32 3 1
6/1/07 24 36 37 2 1
4/15/07 24 42 32 1 1
2/25/07 23 40 35 1 1
1/19/07 23 41 33 1 1
12/11/06 23 42 33 2 1
11/4/06 19 42 36 2 1
10/22/06 22 42 32 2 2
10/8/06 21 43 33 1 1
9/7/06 24 39 33 2 2
8/6/06 18 42 38 1 1
6/25/06 21 41 35 1 1
5/15/06 19 48 31 1 1
5/11/06 18 49 33 * *
4/9/06 21 41 35 2 1
3/5/06 22 42 33 2 1
1/26/06 21 40 37 1 1
1/8/06 20 40 37 2 1
12/18/05 22 42 34 1 1
11/2/05 23 44 32 1 *
9/11/05 22 44 31 2 2
8/28/05 20 44 34 2 1
6/26/05 21 44 33 1 1
6/5/05 23 40 35 1 *
4/24/05 20 47 30 1 1
INCOME. Which of the following CATEGORIES best describes your total annual household income before taxes, from all sources?
-------Less than $50k------- --------More than $50k--------
NET <20k 20-35k 35-50k NET 50-75k 75-100k 100k+
1/16/11 51 17 19 15 46 17 12 16
12/12/10 55 21 17 17 42 16 11 15
10/28/10 47 17 15 15 51 18 15 18
10/3/10 53 19 18 16 42 15 12 15
9/2/10 48 15 18 15 47 17 14 17
7/11/10 52 19 15 17 45 16 13 17
6/6/10 55 22 17 17 45 15 11 19
4/25/10 52 19 16 16 46 17 11 18
3/26/10 50 16 18 15 47 18 13 16
2/8/10 49 20 16 14 49 18 13 18
1/15/10 49 17 14 18 48 17 13 18
12/13/09 54 19 18 17 42 15 12 15
11/15/09 53 20 18 15 45 16 13 16
10/18/09 53 17 19 17 44 18 12 15
9/12/09 50 17 17 15 48 17 13 18
8/17/09 46 15 16 14 52 19 15 18
7/18/09 49 18 17 14 48 19 12 19
6/21/09 51 18 16 17 47 17 12 18
4/24/09 50 16 16 18 48 17 12 19
3/29/09 49 15 16 17 48 18 13 17
2/22/09 48 16 16 17 50 19 13 19
1/16/09 52 17 18 17 48 16 13 19
12/14/08 44 14 15 15 54 18 15 21
10/11/08 RV 41 12 14 16 56 20 15 22
9/29/08 RV 42 10 14 17 56 18 16 22
9/22/08 46 16 16 14 50 18 12 20
9/7/08 RV 44 13 14 17 56 17 15 24
8/22/08 RV 39 10 11 18 59 19 16 24
8/22/08 43 15 12 17 53 18 15 21
7/13/08 48 18 15 15 50 16 12 21
6/15/08 47 18 15 15 51 18 15 18
5/11/08 47 15 16 17 50 18 13 19
4/13/08 47 17 13 17 51 18 14 18
3/2/08 44 14 13 17 52 17 13 22
2/1/08 48 17 16 15 48 18 12 18
1/12/08 46 12 18 16 51 19 13 19
12/9/07 49 14 17 18 48 15 15 18
11/1/07 48 14 16 17 49 16 13 21
9/30/07 53 17 16 20 44 18 12 14
9/7/07 43 10 17 16 54 19 15 20
7/21/07 46 16 14 16 51 18 13 19
6/1/07 49 15 18 16 49 18 13 18
4/15/07 46 15 16 15 51 20 13 18
2/25/07 46 10 16 20 51 20 14 17
1/19/07 49 16 17 15 49 16 13 20
12/11/06 46 11 16 19 51 18 16 17
10/22/06 52 16 20 17 45 16 11 17
10/8/06 46 13 16 17 51 22 13 16
9/7/06 51 16 18 17 47 17 15 15
8/6/06 49 14 16 18 48 20 12 16
6/25/06 50 16 16 19 47 19 11 17
5/15/06 52 14 18 21 46 16 13 17
5/11/06 46 9 18 18 53 18 15 20
4/9/06 53 16 20 17 47 19 12 16
3/5/06 50 16 18 16 48 20 12 16
1/26/06 52 20 15 17 46 18 12 16
12/18/05 54 17 19 18 44 18 12 15
11/2/05 52 14 18 20 46 19 13 14
9/11/05 55 18 20 17 42 18 11 14
8/28/05 52 18 15 19 46 18 11 16
6/26/05 49 14 17 18 49 19 14 16
6/5/05 55 15 20 20 43 17 13 14
4/24/05 55 15 21 19 45 18 12 15
***END***
