Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Sept. 10-12, 2009, among a random national sample of 1,007 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 three 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
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?
9/12/09 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly op.
c. The threat of
terrorism 55 31 24 34 12 23 11
d. International
affairs 57 32 25 33 12 21 10
e. The situation
in Afghanistan 55 23 33 37 17 21 7
*Full sample asked items a,b; half sample asked items c,d; other half sample asked items e,f.
Trend where available:
c. The threat of terrorism
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/12/09 55 31 24 34 12 23 11
6/21/09 57 NA NA 36 NA NA 7
4/21/09* 57 NA NA 26 NA NA 17
*Pew
d. International affairs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/12/09 57 32 25 33 12 21 10
6/21/09 61 NA NA 32 NA NA 7
4/24/09 67 NA NA 27 NA NA 6
3/29/09 62 NA NA 27 NA NA 11
e. The situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
3. Overall, which party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you trust to do a better job in coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years?
Both Neither
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) No opinion
9/12/09 48 28 3 19 2
2/22/09 56 30 3 9 3
12/14/08 56 23 3 15 3
5/11/08 53 32 2 10 2
10/8/06 54 35 2 7 2
9/7/06 47 38 1 10 4
6/25/06 48 38 1 10 3
5/15/06 50 36 1 11 3
4/9/06 51 37 1 9 2
3/5/06 42 40 2 14 2
1/26/06 51 37 1 8 3
12/18/05 47 42 1 8 2
11/2/05 49 37 3 9 3
6/5/05 46 41 1 9 2
8/11/03 39 40 3 10 7
12/15/02 41 44 2 11 2
10/27/02 LV 39 51 2 5 2
9/26/02 39 46 3 8 4
7/15/02 42 45 2 7 4
1/27/02 40 44 3 10 4
4/22/01 47 40 4 7 3
7/23/00 42 42 2 9 6
9/2/99 45 39 4 9 4
6/6/99 45 35 3 13 5
3/14/99 47 37 5 9 3
2/14/99 48 37 4 7 4
10/18/98 44 36 3 12 6
9/28/98 49 38 2 8 3
8/21/98 48 36 4 9 3
7/12/98 45 38 3 8 6
1/31/98 47 37 4 6 7
1/19/98 45 42 2 7 4
7/8/97 44 37 2 14 3
9/15/96 RV 45 38 3 11 3
8/5/96 43 38 3 11 3
6/30/96 46 37 3 12 3
5/22/96 47 38 3 10 3
11/6/94 RV 41 39 2 12 6
10/31/94 43 43 2 8 4
10/23/94 39 40 3 15 3
9/11/94 43 40 4 11 3
6/26/94 41 36 3 14 5
2/27/94 46 32 4 16 3
11/14/93 42 39 3 11 4
1/17/93 49 28 5 13 5
7/8/92 48 38 1 8 4
6/7/92 43 37 3 11 6
3/11/92 45 37 1 11 5
3/8/92 51 36 1 7 5
2/2/92 49 39 2 7 3
12/15/91 39 37 3 15 6
10/21/91 39 40 3 13 5
6/2/91 37 42 5 10 6
3/4/91 34 47 5 9 5
11/4/90 LV 42 40 3 11 4
10/14/90 46 41 1 8 4
5/21/90 41 45 3 8 2
1/16/90 38 50 3 6 3
8/21/89 42 43 4 9 2
10/10/88 RV 45 45 1 4 5
8/17/88 40 43 2 8 8
8/14/88 47 36 1 11 5
7/20/88 51 36 1 7 6
7/17/88 43 39 1 10 7
5/25/88 45 40 2 7 7
5/21/88 45 42 1 7 4
1/23/88 43 44 1 9 2
12/17/87 49 39 1 6 5
10/19/87 44 43 2 8 3
6/1/87 47 41 3 6 3
3/9/87 47 38 3 9 3
1/18/87 46 38 3 8 6
9/8/86 38 47 2 8 5
6/23/86 41 46 2 8 4
3/24/86 40 46 NA 8 7
2/12/86 40 46 2 8 5
10/28/85 37 45 NA 11 7
9/23/85 39 45 NA 10 6
7/29/85 41 43 NA 10 6
6/22/85 36 47 10 NA 6
2/26/85 40 52 5 NA 3
1/16/85 33 49 11 NA 7
7/8/84 44 43 9 NA 5
5/22/84 41 40 12 NA 7
2/15/84 41 45 8 NA 6
1/17/84 42 37 11 NA 10
12/13/83 38 38 14 NA 10
8/1/83 45 36 9 2 8
10/11/82 44 38 10 NA 9
9/13/82 45 37 10 NA 8
4. Who do you trust to do a better job handling [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
9/12/09 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 48 37 1 12 2
b. Health care reform 48 36 1 12 3
c. The federal budget deficit 50 36 1 12 1
d. held for future release
*Half sample asked items a,b; other half sample asked items c,d.
Trend where available:
a. The economy
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
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
Compare to:
G.W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress:
Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opinion
6/1/07 36 54 1 6 2
2/25/07 36 56 1 6 2
1/19/07 32 60 1 4 2
12/11/06 34 58 1 5 2
1/18/04 43 50 1 4 3
4/30/03 51 41 2 2 3
11/6/01 51 36 5 4 5
9/9/01 44 50 1 3 2
7/30/01 47 46 1 4 1
6/3/01 44 46 2 6 2
Clinton or the Republicans in Congress:*
Both Neither No
Clinton Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/23/96 51 34 11 3 2
10/30/95 38 50 9 1 2
10/1/95 44 44 8 2 3
7/17/95 42 51 4 1 2
3/19/95 43 47 7 1 2
1/4/95 34 56 3 1 5
12/20/94 36 59 NA NA 5
11/14/93 45 37 3 12 3
8/8/93 48 35 1 13 3
6/28/93 45 40 1 10 4
4/26/93 59 29 4 7 1
G.H.W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress:*
Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opinion
3/11/92 37 36 1 20 7
3/8/92 32 44 3 14 6
2/2/92 40 44 1 9 5
1/29/92 38 41 2 13 5
12/15/91 36 46 2 12 4
* "on the economy"
b. Health care reform
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/12/09 48 36 1 12 3
7/18/09 54 34 1 10 1
6/21/09 55 27 2 11 4
c. The federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/12/09 50 36 1 12 1
7/18/09 54 35 * 9 2
6/21/09 56 30 2 9 2
9/12/09 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
d. The threat of terrorism 49 39 2 7 3
*Half sample asked items a,b; other half sample asked items c,d.
Trend where available:
d. The threat of terrorism
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/12/09 49 39 2 7 3
6/21/09 55 34 2 6 3
5. Would you say Obama is doing a better job as president than you expected, a worse job, or what? Is that much better/worse or somewhat better/worse?
----- Better ----- ------ Worse ----- As expected No
NET Much Smwht NET Smwht Much (vol.) opinion
9/12/09 42 18 24 31 13 18 25 2
4/24/09 54 25 29 18 10 9 23 4
2/22/09 46 18 28 14 8 7 31 9
Compare to:
Bush:
1/18/04 43 NA NA 31 NA NA 25 2
1/27/02 75 NA NA 5 NA NA 20 1
7/30/01 39 NA NA 23 NA NA 36 2
4/22/01 39 NA NA 21 NA NA 37 3
Clinton:
4/26/93 35 NA NA 28 NA NA 34 3
2/28/93 38 12 27 19 12 7 35 8
6. Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Barack Obama? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/12/09 63 40 23 35 12 24 2
4/24/09 72 46 26 26 11 15 2
1/16/09 79 50 29 18 9 9 3
11/2/08 LV 63 47 16 33 7 26 4
10/23/08 LV 63 47 16 34 7 27 3
10/11/08 RV 64 44 20 33 12 21 3
9/7/08 RV 58 35 23 36 12 24 7
8/22/08 RV 62 37 25 34 13 21 4
6/15/08 63 35 28 33 12 21 4
4/13/08 56 28 28 39 14 25 5
1/12/08 63 31 32 30 14 16 7
11/1/07 51 21 30 36 16 20 13
2/25/07 53 21 33 30 16 14 16
1/19/07 45 NA NA 29 NA NA 25
12/11/06 44 21 22 23 17 6 33
7. Do you think Obama's views on most issues are too (liberal) for you, too (conservative) for you, or just about right?
Too Too About No
liberal conservative right opinion
9/12/09 39 5 53 3
4/24/09 33 4 62 2
1/16/09 29 4 65 2
10/31/08 LV 39 3 56 2
10/21/08 LV 40 2 55 4
10/20/08 LV 39 2 55 4
10/11/08 RV 37 4 55 4
6/15/08 36 5 52 7
3/2/08 31 6 56 7
8. Changing topics, so far, 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. opin.
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
8a. (IF HURT/NO DIFFERENCE) Do you think the economic stimulus program will help the national economy, or not?
Yes No No opinion
9/12/09 31 65 4
6/21/09 34 63 3
4/24/09 41 55 4
8/8a NET
--- Helped/Will help -- ------ Won't help/unsure ------- No
NET Has helped Will NET Has hurt No diff. No op. opin.
9/12/09 52 32 20 46 18 28 2 2
6/21/09 52 28 24 46 17 27 2 2
4/24/09 59 33 27 38 13 23 2 2
9. (HALF SAMPLE) How confident are you that the federal government is putting measures into place that will make another financial crisis less likely in the future? Are you very confident of that, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
9/12/09 49 10 39 50 23 27 1
10. (HALF SAMPLE) How confident are you that financial institutions will change their business practices in a way that makes another financial crisis less likely in the future? Are you very confident of that, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
9/12/09 41 8 33 58 27 30 2
11. Would you say this recession has hurt you financially, or not? (IF YES) Is that a great deal or only somewhat?
----------- Hurt ----------
NET Great deal Somewhat Not hurt No opinion
9/12/09 65 33 32 35 *
2/22/09 64 30 34 35 1
1/16/09 68 37 32 32 *
12/14/08 63 30 34 36 *
6/2/91 53 16 37 46 1
12. Is the current economic situation a cause of stress in your life, or not? (IF YES) Is it a cause of serious stress, or stress, but not serious?
--- Yes, cause of stress -- Not a cause No
NET Serious Not serious of stress opinion
9/12/09 55 33 23 44 *
3/29/09 61 33 28 39 *
2/22/09 57 27 30 43 0
13. In the last year, have you or has anyone living in your household [ITEM]?
9/12/09 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. been laid off or lost their job 27 73 *
b. had work hours or pay cut 41 59 *
Trend:
a. been laid off or lost their job
Yes No No opinion
9/12/09 27 73 *
4/24/09* 23 77 0
2/22/09 18 82 *
12/14/08 18 82 *
*4/24/09 and previous: "In the last few months…"
b. had work hours or pay cut
Yes No No opinion
9/12/09 41 59 *
4/24/09* 35 65 1
2/22/09 26 73 *
12/14/08 27 73 *
*4/24/09 and previous: "In the last few months…"
14. (ASKED IF SOMEONE IN HOUSEHOLD IS EMPLOYED) How concerned are you that you or someone else in your household [ITEM] in the next few months - very concerned, somewhat concerned, not so concerned or not concerned at all?
9/12/09 - Summary Table
---- Concerned --- --- Not concerned --- No
NET Very Smwht NET Not so At all opinion
a. will be laid off or
lose their job 46 25 21 54 18 36 *
b. will have work hours
or pay cut 53 28 24 47 17 30 *
Trend:
a. will be laid off or lose their job
---- Concerned --- --- Not concerned --- No
NET Very Smwht NET Not so At all opinion
9/12/09 46 25 21 54 18 36 *
2/22/09 46 23 24 53 21 33 *
b. will have work hours or pay cut
---- Concerned --- --- Not concerned --- No
NET Very Smwht NET Not so At all opinion
9/12/09 53 28 24 47 17 30 *
2/22/09 52 26 27 47 16 31 *
15. How much blame do you think [ITEM] deserves for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?
9/12/09 - Summary Table
a. The Bush administration, for inadequate regulation of the financial industry
b. The Obama administration, for not doing enough to turn the economy around
- Grt deal/Gd amt- -- Some/Hardly any/None ---
Great Good Only Hardly None No
NET deal amt NET some any (vol.) opinion
a. Bush 65 40 25 35 23 10 1 1
b. Obama 27 13 15 71 33 34 4 2
Trend:
a. The Bush administration, for inadequate regulation of the financial industry
- Grt deal/Gd amt- -- Some/Hardly any/None ---
Great Good Only Hardly None No
NET deal amt NET some any (vol.) opinion
9/12/09 65 40 25 35 23 10 1 1
7/18/09 62 42 20 36 23 11 1 2
3/29/09 70 47 23 29 21 7 1 2
b. The Obama administration, for not doing enough to turn the economy around
- Grt deal/Gd amt- -- Some/Hardly any/None ---
Great Good Only Hardly None No
NET deal amt NET some any (vol.) opinion
9/12/09 27 13 15 71 33 34 4 2
7/18/09 32 14 17 66 28 34 4 2
3/29/09 26 13 13 72 27 39 6 2
16. Overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by (Congress) and (the Obama administration)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/12/09 46 30 16 48 12 36 6
8/17/09 45 27 18 50 10 40 5
17. How much do you feel you know about Obama's proposals to change the health care system - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly anything?
--------- More ---------- -------------- Less ------------- No
NET Grt. deal Good amt. NET Some Hardly Nothing (vol.) opin.
9/12/09 55 19 36 44 31 12 1 1
18. Which of these comes closest to your own view: (The more I hear about the health care plan, the more I like it) or (The more I hear about the health care plan, the less I like it).
More I like it Less I like it No opinion
9/12/09 41 54 5
Compare to: Clinton's health care plan
More I like it Less I like it No opinion
2/27/94 44 51 5
11/14/93 41 53 6
19. Do you have some form of health insurance or health care coverage, or not?
Yes No No opinion 9/12/09 86 14 0 8/17/09 85 14 * 6/21/09 84 16 0 9/30/07 88 12 * 9/12/06 87 13 0 4/19/05 87 13 * 10/13/03 83 17 0 7/12/98 86 14 * 8/27/97 81 19 * 11/13/95 85 15 0 7/17/94 86 14 * 11/14/93 87 13 0 10/10/93 87 13 *
20. Just your best guess, if the health care system is changed, do you think the quality of [ITEM] will get (better), get (worse), or remain about the same?
9/12/09 - Summary Table
Better Worse Same No opinion
a. your health care 16 32 50 2
b. health care for
most people 35 38 24 2
Trend:
a. your health care
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/12/09 16 32 50 2
8/17/09 19 33 47 2
6/21/09 16 31 50 3
Compare to: Under Clinton's plan, do you think the quality of the health care you receive will get better, get worse, or stay the same?
Better Worse Same No opinion
7/17/94 20 39 38 4
1/23/94 19 33 42 6
11/14/93 20 36 42 3
10/10/93 19 34 44 3
9/22/93 27 27 42 5
9/19/93 19 31 46 4
b. health care for most people
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/12/09 35 38 24 2
8/17/09 37 38 23 2
Compare to: Do you think the quality of health care for MOST AMERICANS will get better, worse or stay the same?
Better Worse Same No opinion
11/14/93 39 27 29 4
10/10/93 39 29 30 3
9/22/93 50 19 25 5
9/19/93 36 29 31 4
21. And if the health care system is changed do you think [ITEM] will get (better), get (worse), or remain about the same?
9/12/09 - Summary Table
Better Worse Same No opinion
a. (IF INSURED) Your health insurance
coverage 11 37 49 2
b. (IF NOT INSURED) Your ability to
get health insurance 51 13 35 2
c. Your health care costs 20 40 38 3
Trend:
a. (IF INSURED) Your health insurance coverage
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/12/09 11 37 49 2
8/17/09 14 40 43 3
b. (IF NOT INSURED) Your ability to get health insurance
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/12/09 51 13 35 2
8/17/09 56 10 30 4
c. Your health care costs
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/12/09 20 40 38 3
8/17/09 19 41 37 3
22. Would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/12/09 55 33 22 42 11 31 3
8/17/09 52 33 19 46 11 35 2
6/21/09 62 NA NA 33 NA NA 5
22a. (IF OPPOSE/NO OPINION FOR A GOVERNMENT PLAN) What if this government-sponsored plan was available only to people who cannot get health insurance from a private insurer - in that case, would you support or oppose it?
Support Oppose No opinion
9/12/09 47 47 6
22/22a NET
------- Support -------
NET At first Now do Oppose No opinion
9/12/09 76 55 21 24 *
23. Say health care reform does NOT include the option of a government-sponsored health plan - in that case would you support or oppose the rest of the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by (Congress) and (the Obama administration)?
Support Oppose No opinion
9/12/09 50 42 8
24. Which comes closer to the way you feel: government reform of the nation's health care system (is necessary to control costs and expand coverage), or government action on health care (will do more harm than good)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------- Necessary ------- -- More harm than good --
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly No opinion
9/13/09 53 36 17 44 14 30 3
8/17/09 51 35 16 46 10 35 3
6/21/09 58 34 23 39 15 24 3
25. (Do you think it's possible to reform the health care system in a way that people who have coverage now can keep it without any changes if they want to), or (do you think health care reform will require everyone to make changes, whether they want to or not)?
Reform possible Reform will
without changes require changes No opinion
9/12/09 49 48 3
6/21/09 38 58 4
26. Would you support or oppose a law that requires all Americans to have health insurance, either getting it from work or buying it on their own?
Support Oppose No opinion
9/12/09 51 47 2
6/21/09 49 47 4
27. Do you think the health care plan creates too much government involvement in the nation's health care system, not enough government involvement or about the right amount?
Too much Not enough Right amount No opinion
9/12/09 45 12 41 1
Compare to: Clinton's plan
Too much Not enough Right amount No opinion
3/27/94 47 14 34 5
2/27/94 42 16 38 4
1/23/94 40 12 39 8
11/14/93 46 15 33 6
10/10/93 40 18 37 6
9/19/93 38 18 37 7
28. Medicare is the government health insurance program for people 65 and over. Do you think health care reform would (strengthen) the Medicare program, (weaken) Medicare or have no effect on it?
Strengthen Weaken No effect No opinion 9/12/09 22 40 32 6
29. Do you think Obama and the Democrats in Congress should try to change the health care reform bill so some Republicans in Congress will also support it, or should they try to pass health care reform without Republican support?
Try to change it to Try to pass it without No
get Republican support Republican support opinion
9/12/09 71 25 4
30. Do you think the Republicans in Congress are or are not making a good faith effort to cooperate with Obama and the Democrats on health care reform?
Are Are not No opinion
9/12/09 31 62 7
31. Do you think Obama and the Democrats in Congress are or are not making a good faith effort to cooperate with the Republicans on health care reform?
Are Are not No opinion
9/12/09 50 44 6
32. Who do you blame more for the negative tone of the health care debate - (Obama and the Democrats in Congress), (the Republicans in Congress), or both sides equally?
Obama and Both Other Neither No
Democrats Republicans equally (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/12/09 17 31 49 1 1 1
33. Say a candidate for Congress supports the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by (Congress) and (the Obama administration). Would that make you more likely to [support] that candidate for Congress, more likely to [oppose] that candidate, or wouldn't it make much difference in your vote? (IF SUPPORT/OPPOSE) Are you much more likely to support/oppose that candidate or somewhat more?
---- Support ---- ---- Oppose ----- No No
NET Much Smwt NET Smwt Much difference opinion
9/12/09 22 12 10 23 7 17 54 1
8/17/09 23 14 9 32 6 26 43 2
34. Would you support or oppose a law limiting the amount of money someone can collect if they win a lawsuit after being injured by bad medical care?
Support Oppose No opinion
9/12/09 63 34 3
6/21/09 57 42 2
35. In order to help pay for health care reform, would you support or oppose a federal tax on insurance companies when they sell high-cost health insurance policies with unusually high levels of benefits, known as Cadillac policies?
Support Oppose No opinion 9/12/09 45 48 7
35a. (IF SUPPORT TAXING INSURANCE COMPANIES) What if insurance companies respond to this tax by raising the price of those policies - in that case would you support or oppose this tax?
Support Oppose No opinion
9/12/09 49 50 1
35/35a NET
-------- Oppose -------
Support NET At first Now do No opinion
9/12/09 23 71 48 23 7
36. Just your best guess, do you think health care reform would increase the federal budget deficit, decrease it, or have no effect? (IF INCREASE) Do you think it would increase it a great deal or somewhat?
-------- Increase -------
NET Grt deal Somewhat Decrease No effect No opinion
9/12/09 65 39 26 9 24 2
37. On another subject, all in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan was worth fighting, or not? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
----- Worth fighting ---- --- Not worth fighting -- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/12/09 46 28 18 51 14 37 3
8/17/09 47 31 15 51 10 41 3
7/18/09 51 34 18 45 11 34 4
3/29/09 56 37 19 41 12 28 4
2/22/09 50 34 17 47 9 37 3
12/14/08 55 NA NA 39 NA NA 5
7/13/08 51 NA NA 45 NA NA 4
2/25/07 56 NA NA 41 NA NA 3
38. Do you think the number of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan should be (increased), (decreased), or kept about the same?
Kept about No
Increased Decreased the same opinion
9/12/09 26 42 28 4
8/17/09 24 45 27 4
1/16/09 34 29 32 5
39. Do you think (the United States must win the war in Afghanistan in order for the broader war on terrorism to be a success), or do you think (the war on terrorism can be a success without the United States winning the war in Afghanistan)?
US must win war in Can be a success without US No
Afghanistan for success winning war in Afghanistan opinion
9/12/09 48 45 7
2/22/09 50 41 9
12/14/08 51 40 9
7/13/08 51 42 7
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)?
-Partisans- -Non-
Lean Lean No
Democrat Republican Independent Other No op. Dem. Rep. Lean
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.
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+
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 RV 40 12 14 14 57 21 14 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 RV 43 14 14 15 54 16 14 24
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***
