Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Oct. 3 to 5, 2008, among a random sample of 1,010 adults in the state of Ohio. The survey includes additional interviews with randomly selected African Americans and 18 to 29 year olds, for a total of 134 black respondents and 166 18-29 year olds. The added interviews (commonly referred to as "oversamples") were completed to ensure there were enough respondents in each group for separate analysis; neither was over-represented in the reported results. The results from the full survey have a 3-point error margin; it is 3.5 points for likely voters. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, Pa.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1.(ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How closely are you following the presidential race: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not closely at all?
---- Closely ----- ---- Not closely ----- No
NET Very Smwt. NET Not too At all opinion
10/5/08 OH 91 57 34 9 6 3 0
2. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in the presidential election: Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?
Don't think Already
Certain Probably Chances Less than will vote voted No
to vote vote 50/50 that (vol.) (vol.) op.
10/5/08 OH 88 6 3 1 1 1 *
3. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If the 2008 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the Democrats) and (John McCain and Sarah Palin, the Republicans), for whom would you vote?
NET LEANED VOTE - LIKELY VOTERS
Other Neither No
Obama McCain (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/5/08 OH 51 45 1 1 2
NET LEANED VOTE - REGISTERED VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama McCain (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
10/5/08 OH 51 43 1 2 1 2
3b. (IF NAMED CANDIDATE) Would you definitely vote for (CANDIDATE), or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for someone else? (IF CHANCE CHANGE MIND) Is there 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
10/5/08 OH 81 18 6 11 1
Barack Obama:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
10/5/08 OH 81 18 7 12 1
John McCain:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
10/5/08 OH 83 16 5 11 1
4. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Have you voted for president in any year before this 2008 election, or is this the first year you'll be voting for president?
Voted in previous First time No opinion
10/5/08 OH 89 11 0
5. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) What is the single most important issue in your choice for president?
10/5/08
OH
Economy/Jobs 52
Health care 9
Iraq/War in Iraq 6
Ethics/Honesty/
Corruption in
government 4
Terrorism/Nat'l
security 3
Taxes 3
Abortion 3
Education 2
Change 2
Experience 2
Morals/Family values 1
Foreign policy 1
Federal budget deficit 1
Gas/Oil prices/Energy 1
Housing/Mortgages *
Social Security *
Guns/Gun control *
Environment *
Immigration/Illegal
immigration *
Stock market/Wall
Street *
Banking/Insurance/
Credit problems *
None/Nothing 1
Other 6
No opinion 2
6. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of who you may support, who do you trust more to handle [ITEM] - (Obama) or (McCain)?
10/5/08 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama McCain (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 52 39 1 6 2
b. The war in Iraq 44 50 2 4 1
c. Creating jobs 52 38 * 7 2
d. Energy policy 49 41 2 6 2
e. The U.S. campaign
against terrorism 43 50 3 3 1
f. An unexpected major
crisis 45 46 3 4 2
g. Taxes 52 38 1 7 2
*Full sample asked item a, half sample asked items b-d, other half sample asked items e-h.
7. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of who you may support, who do you think [ITEM] - (Obama) or (McCain)?
10/5/08 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama McCain (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. better understands the
economic problems people in
this country are having 53 35 3 8 1
b. shares your values 47 44 3 5 1
c. would do more to bring needed
change to Washington 62 31 1 5 1
d. is the stronger leader 51 43 2 2 2
*Half sample asked items a,d; other half sample asked items b,c.
8. (ASKED OF REGISTERED OBAMA VOTERS) Thinking about his candidacy for president so far, how enthusiastic are you about Obama - very enthusiastic, fairly enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?
--- Enthusiastic -- ---- Not enthusiastic ---- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
10/5/08 OH LV 93 62 32 7 5 1 0
10/5/08 OH 92 58 34 8 6 2 *
9. (ASKED OF REGISTERED MCCAIN VOTERS) Thinking about his candidacy for president so far, how enthusiastic are you about McCain - very enthusiastic, fairly enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?
--- Enthusiastic -- ---- Not enthusiastic ---- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
10/5/08 OH LV 90 31 59 10 8 2 *
10/5/08 OH 88 30 58 12 10 2 *
10. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If McCain were elected president, do you think he'd (mainly lead the country in a new direction), or (mainly continue in George W. Bush's direction)?
New Same No
direction direction opinion
10/5/08 OH 45 53 2
11. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of who you may support, do you think Obama does or does not have the kind of experience it takes to serve effectively as president?
Does Does not No opinion
10/5/08 OH 52 46 2
12. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Which is more important to you in choosing a candidate for president: (their personal qualities such as experience and leadership ability) or (their positions on specific issues)?
Personal Positions Both No
qualities on issues (vol.) opinion
10/5/08 OH 42 45 12 1
13. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Does Obama's choice of Biden for vice president make you more likely to vote for Obama, less likely, or won't it make any difference in your vote?
More Less No No
likely likely difference opinion
10/5/08 OH 26 14 60 *
14. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Does McCain's choice of Palin for vice president make you more likely to vote for McCain, less likely, or won't it make any difference in your vote?
More Less No No
likely likely difference opinion
10/5/08 OH 25 31 44 *
15. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How do you feel about [ITEM] - very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried or not worried at all?
10/5/08 - Summary Table
----- Worried ---- ----- Not worried ---- No
NET Very Smwt. NET Not too At all opin.
a. The direction of the
nation's economy over
the next few years 86 51 36 13 9 4 1
b. Your own family's
financial situation 70 27 43 30 17 13 *
16. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) As you may know, Congress voted [FRI: today / SAT/SUN: Friday] to use up to 700 billion dollars to shore up failing financial institutions on Wall Street. Some people say (it's a bailout that those companies don't deserve). Other people say (it's necessary to protect the broader economy). On balance, do you support or oppose this plan?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
10/5/08 OH 45 12 33 49 20 30 6
17. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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? How about by a representative of the [NEXT CANDIDATE] campaign?
10/5/08 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. Obama 37 62 *
b. McCain 27 73 1
Trend where available:
------- Obama ------- ------ McCain -------
Yes No No op. Yes No No op.
10/5/08 OH RV 37 62 * 27 73 1
10/5/08 OH LV 38 62 * 26 73 1
------- Kerry ------- ------- Bush -------
Yes No No op. Yes No No op.
10/17/04 OH LV 30 69 1 32 67 1
18. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Have you personally received any e-mail or text messages from the [CANDIDATE] campaign asking you for your support, or not? How about by a representative of the [NEXT CANDIDATE] campaign?
10/5/08 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. Obama 17 82 1
b. McCain 12 87 1
19. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How confident are you that votes in Ohio will be counted accurately: very confident, somewhat confident, not very confident or not at all confident?
---- Confident ---- ---- Not confident ---- No
NET Very Smwht. NET Not very At all opinion
10/5/08 OH 79 34 45 20 13 7 1
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
10/5/08 LV 37 28 32 3 * 15 12 8
10/5/08 RV 37 27 33 4 * 15 12 9
10/5/08 36 25 31 7 1 16 12 12
905. Are you registered to vote at your present address, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/5/08 84 16 *
908a. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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.
10/5/08 RV 19 43 36 1 2
911. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) What, if anything, is your religion?
Christian Other Non- No
Protestant Catholic (Non-Protestant) Christian None op.
10/5/08 RV 46 22 12 3 15 *
911b. (IF CHRISTIAN) Would you consider yourself a born-again or evangelical Christian, or not?
Yes No No opin.
10/5/08 RV 41 57 2
914. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Are you:
Never
Married Separated Divorced Widowed Married
10/5/08 RV 57 2 13 9 18
918. Race
All RV LV
White 83 83 84
Black 10 11 12
Hispanic 3 2 2
Asian 1 * *
Other 4 3 2
INCOME. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) 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+
10/5/08 RV 51 16 17 19 46 19 13 14
921. Sex
All RV LV
Male 48 47 46
Female 52 53 54
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