Washington Post Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Nov. 12-15, 2009, among a random national sample of 1,001 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 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
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?
11/15/09 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 51 26 25 47 12 36 2
b. Health care 47 28 19 49 8 41 3
c. International
affairs 60 30 30 37 13 23 3
d. The federal
budget deficit 42 19 23 53 10 43 5
e. The situation
in Afghanistan 45 23 23 48 16 32 6
f. The threat of
terrorism 53 31 22 41 14 27 6
*Full sample asked items a,b; half sample asked items c,d; other half sample asked items e,f.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
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. International affairs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/15/09 60 30 30 37 13 23 3
10/18/09 57 34 23 36 15 21 7
9/12/09 57 32 25 33 12 21 10
6/21/09 61 NA NA 32 NA NA 7
4/24/09 67 NA NA 27 NA NA 6
3/29/09 62 NA NA 27 NA NA 11
d. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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. The situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
f. The threat of terrorism
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/15/09 53 31 22 41 14 27 6
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
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
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 RV 49 46 6
9/27/88 48 44 8
7/11/88 40 56 4
5/25/88 35 59 6
3/21/88 40 56 4
1/23/88 39 59 2
12/13/87 49 47 4
12/2/87 35 61 4
9/23/87 43 54 4
6/29/87 35 62 3
4/13/87 37 60 3
3/9/87 38 58 4
1/18/87 39 56 5
9/8/86 50 48 2
1/26/86 45 47 8
7/29/85 52 43 6
1/16/85 59 36 4
5/22/84 47 48 5
12/13/83 43 51 6
11/7/83 51 44 5
4/12/83 41 54 4
3/2/83 43 53 3
10/11/82 35 57 8
1/30/82 39 56 5
2/80* 20 70 10
2/78 34 53 13
2/77 41 44 14
10/75 19 71 9
10/74 15 75 11
10/73 16 74 10
*2/80 and previous: Roper
4. (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
11/15/09 47 31 2 17 3
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
5. Who do you trust to do a better job handling [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
11/15/09 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 52 37 1 8 1
b. Health care reform 50 37 1 10 2
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked item b; other half sample asked item c.
Trend where available:
a. The economy
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
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
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
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
11/15/09 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
c. The situation in Afghanistan 46 41 1 9 3
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked item b; other half sample asked item c.
Trend where available:
c. The situation in Afghanistan
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
11/15/09 46 41 1 9 3
Compare to Iraq: G.W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress
Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opinion
7/21/07 32 55 1 11 1
6/1/07 35 51 2 10 3
4/15/07 33 58 1 7 1
2/25/07 34 54 * 9 2
1/19/07 33 60 1 4 2
1/10/07 36 47 1 12 4
12/11/06 32 56 1 7 3
1/18/04 56 36 1 4 3
4/30/03 72 20 2 3 3
6. Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of [NAME]? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
11/15/09 - Summary Table
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. Barack Obama 61 39 21 38 11 27 1
Trend:
a. Barack Obama
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/15/09 61 39 21 38 11 27 1
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
Question 6b held for future release.
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
11/15/09 40 7 52 2
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. Which political party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you think [ITEM]?
11/15/09 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. better represents your own
personal values 49 39 2 9 2
b. is more concerned with the
needs of people like you 51 36 2 9 3
Trend:
a. better represents your own personal values
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
11/15/09 49 39 2 9 2
11/4/06 RV 48 44 1 6 2
10/8/06 53 37 2 7 1
11/2/05 50 40 1 7 1
4/24/05 47 38 2 10 2
3/14/99 47 39 3 8 3
b. is more concerned with the needs of people like you
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
11/15/09 51 36 2 9 3
10/8/06 58 30 2 9 1
8/6/06 56 30 1 12 2
11/2/05 56 33 1 9 1
9. Do you think leaders of the Republican Party are mainly (presenting alternatives to Obama's proposals), or mainly (criticizing Obama's proposals without presenting alternatives)?
Presenting Mainly
alternatives criticizing No opinion
11/15/09 31 61 8
10. Do you think Obama's policies are making the United States (safer) from terrorism, (less safe), or are they not making much difference in that?
Not much No
Safer Less safe difference opinion
11/15/09 27 22 49 2
6/21/09 32 22 44 2
4/24/09 32 21 43 4
11. 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
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
12. Do you have some form of health insurance or health care coverage, or not?
Yes No No opinion 11/15/09 84 15 1 10/18/09 85 15 0 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 *
13. 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?
11/15/09 - Summary Table
Better Worse Same No opinion
a. your health care 19 37 42 2
b. health care for most people 34 38 26 2
Trend:
a. your health care
Better Worse Same No opinion
11/15/09 19 37 42 2
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
11/15/09 34 38 26 2
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
14. And if the health care system is changed do you think [ITEM] will get (better), get (worse), or remain about the same?
N11/15/09 - Summary Table
Better Worse Same No opinion
a. (IF INSURED) Your health insurance
coverage 13 39 46 1
b. (IF NOT INSURED) Your ability to
get health insurance 47 17 35 2
Trend:
a. (IF INSURED) Your health insurance coverage
Better Worse Same No opinion
11/15/09 13 39 46 1
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
11/15/09 47 17 35 2
9/12/09 51 13 35 2
8/17/09 56 10 30 4
15. If the health care system is changed do you think [ITEM] will (increase), (decrease), or remain about the same?
11/15/09 - Summary Table
Increase Decrease Same No opinion
a. Your health care costs 52 11 35 2
b. The overall costs of health
care in this country 56 20 23 2
Compare to: And if the health care system is changed do you think your health care costs will get (better), get (worse), or remain about the same?
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/12/09 20 40 38 3
8/17/09 19 41 37 3
16. 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
11/15/09 53 34 19 43 12 32 3
10/18/09 57 36 21 40 9 31 3
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
17. (IF OPPOSE/NO OPINION FOR GOVERNMENT PLAN) What if this government-sponsored plan is available only to people who do not receive insurance through an employer, or through the existing Medicare or Medicaid programs - in that case would you support or oppose having the government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans?
Support Oppose No opinion
11/15/09 40 56 5
Combined question 16 and 17:
------- Support -------
NET At first Now do Oppose No opinion
11/15/09 72 53 18 28 1
18. How likely do you think it is that a new government health insurance plan would force many private health insurers to go out of business because they couldn't compete - do you think that's very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?>
------- Likely ------ ------ Unlikely ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/15/09 60 30 31 38 22 16 1
19. Would you support or oppose a federal law requiring all companies with a payroll of at least 500-thousand dollars either to offer health insurance to their employees, or to pay money into a government fund that would provide assistance buying insurance for people who can't get it through work?
Support Oppose No opinion 11/15/09 66 30 4
20. 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
11/15/09 25 13 12 29 8 20 45 1
9/12/09 22 12 10 23 7 17 54 1
8/17/09 23 14 9 32 6 26 43 2
21. Say someone buys private health insurance using government assistance to help pay for it. Do you think insurance sold that way should or should not be allowed to include coverage for abortions?
Should Should not No opinion 11/15/09 35 61 4
22. (IF SHOULD NOT/NO OPINION ON ABORTION COVERAGE) What if the insurance company used private funds, not public funds, to provide the abortion coverage - in that case do you think this coverage should or should not be available?
Should Should not No opinion
11/15/09 31 65 4
Combined question 21 and 22:
-------- Should -------
NET At first Now do Should not No opinion
11/15/09 56 35 20 43 1
23. Do you feel (you have a good basic understanding of the changes being proposed to the health care system), or do you feel (the changes being proposed for the health care system are too complicated for you to have a good basic understanding of them)?
Good basic Too No
understanding complicated opinion
11/15/09 55 44 2
24. (IF HEALTH CARE CHANGES TOO COMPLICATED) How much if at all does that worry you - a great deal, somewhat, not so much or not at all?
---- Grt deal/somewhat ---- --- Not so much/not at all --- No
NET Great deal Somewhat NET Not so much Not at all opinion
11/15/09 85 49 36 15 10 5 *
25. 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. opinion
11/15/09 37 12 25 23 6 17 39 1
9/12/09 32 10 22 19 5 13 47 2
6/21/09 28 8 20 19 6 13 52 2
4/24/09 33 10 23 16 6 10 49 2
26. In terms of your own personal experience, do you feel the economy has or has not begun to recover?
Has Has not No opinion
11/15/09 44 54 1
27. (IF NOT BEGUN TO RECOVER) When do you think the economy will begin to recover - in the next few months, in six months to a year, or do you think it'll be longer than that?
Next Six months Longer No
few months to a year than that opinion
11/15/09 4 19 77 1
Combined questions 26 and 27:
---- Economy has not begun recovery ---
Will in next In 6 mos.
Has NET few months to a year Longer No opinion
11/15/09 44 54 2 10 41 1
28. In the last year, have you or has anyone living in your household been laid off or lost their job?
Yes No No opinion
11/15/09 30 70 *
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..."
29. (IF JOB LOSS IN HOUSEHOLD) Did this job loss happen to you personally, or to another person living in your household?
Another person Both No
You personally in your household (vol.) opinion
11/15/09 37 55 7 0
Combined questions 28 and 29:
-- Job loss or layoff in household --
Another in Both
NET Personally household (vol.) No No opinion
11/15/09 30 11 17 2 70 *
30. (IF JOB LOSS IN HOUSEHOLD) Would you say (you were/the person involved was) (ITEM) about this job loss, or not?
11/15/09 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. Surprised 52 47 1
b. Angry 62 38 *
31. (IF JOB LOSS IN HOUSEHOLD) Would you say this job loss has caused (you/the person involved) to experience (ITEM), or not?
11/15/09 - Summary Table
---------- Yes, caused ---------- No, did
NET Great deal Not great deal not cause No opinion
a. Personal stress 90 NA NA 10 0
b. Depression 58 NA NA 41 *
c. Financial hardship 86 62 23 14 0
32. (IF JOB LOSS IN HOUSEHOLD) (Have you/Has this person) been able to find a new job, or not?
Yes No No opinion
11/15/09 39 61 *
33. (IF FOUND NEW JOB) Is the pay at the new job better, worse or about the same as at the old job?
Better Worse Same No opinion
11/15/09 15 51 33 1
Combined questions 32 and 33:
---- Yes, found new job ---
Better Worse Same
NET pay pay pay No new job No opinion
11/15/09 39 6 20 13 61 *
34. 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 has been 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
11/15/09 44 30 14 52 14 38 4
10/18/09* 47 28 19 49 13 36 4
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
*10/18/09 "was" and "has been" wording half sampled. Previous "was".
35. If Obama decides to send more U.S. forces to Afghanistan, would you prefer that he send a (smaller number of U.S. forces mainly to train the Afghan military); or that he send a (larger number of U.S. forces to fight al Qaeda and the Taliban as well as to train the Afghan military)?
Decrease/
Smaller Larger No increase pull out
number number (vol.) (vol.) No opinion
11/15/09 45 46 3 2 4
36. As you may know, Obama is developing a strategy for Afghanistan that he's expected to announce in the next few weeks. How confident are you he will come up with a strategy that will succeed - very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/15/09 55 17 38 43 23 20 1
37. In deciding U.S. policy in Afghanistan do you think Obama is giving U.S. military leaders (too much influence), (too little influence), or about the right amount?
About the No
Too much Too little right amount opinion
11/15/09 9 35 51 6
38. What do you think would do more to increase the risk of a terrorist attack occurring here in the United States - (withdrawing from Afghanistan), or (remaining in Afghanistan) - or is the risk of terrorism about the same either way?
Withdrawing Remaining Same either way No opinion
11/15/09 23 12 64 2
Compare to Iraq:
Withdrawing Remaining Same either way No opinion
9/7/07 22 11 65 2
6/1/07 23 14 62 1
39. How confident are you that the government of President Hamid Karzai (ITEM) - very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all?
11/15/09 - Summary Table*
---- Confident ---- ----- Not confident ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not too Not at all opin.
a. Will be a reliable partner
for the United States in
Afghanistan 26 4 22 68 44 25 6
b. Will be able to train an
effective Afghan Army to
take over security there
at some point 38 5 33 58 37 22 3
*Half sample asked item a; other half sample asked item b.
40. On another subject, you may have heard about the idea that the world's temperature may have been going up slowly over the past 100 years. What is your personal opinion on this - do you think this has probably been happening, or do you think it probably has not been happening?
Has been Has not been No
happening happening opinion
11/15/09 72 26 2
7/28/08 80 18 2
4/10/07 84 13 3
3/14/06 85 13 2
2/13/98* 80 18 2
10/5/97* 76 22 2
*Ohio State University poll
41. (IF GLOBAL WARMING HAPPENING) How serious of a problem do you think global warming is right now: very serious, somewhat serious, not so serious or not serious at all?
------ Serious ------ ----- Not serious -------
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all No opinion
11/15/09 82 44 38 17 11 6 *
7/28/08 84 38 46 15 10 5 1
42. There's a proposed system called "cap and trade." The government would issue permits limiting the amount of greenhouse gases companies can put out. Companies that did not use all their permits could sell them to other companies. The idea is that many companies would find ways to put out less greenhouse gases, because that would be cheaper than buying permits. Would you support or oppose this system?
Support Oppose No opinion
11/15/09 53 42 5
8/17/09 52 43 6
6/21/09 52 42 6
7/28/08 59 34 7
43. Do you think the United States should take action on global warming only if other major industrial countries such as China and India agree to do equally effective things, that the United States should take action even if these other countries do less, or that the United States should not take action on this at all?
Take action Take action
only if other even if other Should not take No
countries do countries do less action at all opinion
11/15/09 21 55 22 3
6/21/09 20 59 18 3
7/28/08 18 68 13 2
44. On another subject, do you plan to get the swine flu vaccine this year, or do you think you probably will not get the swine flu vaccine?
Plan to get Probably will not get Already got (vol.) No opinion 11/15/09 26 66 7 1 10/18/09 33 62 2 3
45. (IF KIDS AT HOME) Do you plan to have your child or children get the swine flu vaccine this year, or do you think you probably will not have them get the swine flu vaccine?
Plan to get Probably will not get Already got (vol.) No opinion 11/15/09 39 45 14 2 10/18/09 52 39 4 6
46. (IF PLAN TO GET VACCINE FOR CHILD/CHILDREN) Which best describes your situation: (You have tried to get the swine flu vaccine for your child or children, but have been unable to do so because it's not available); OR (You have not tried to get the swine flu vaccine for your child or children yet, but plan to at some point)?
Tried to get Not tried to get No
but unable to do so but plan to opinion
11/15/09 52 46 2
47. (IF PROBABLY WILL NOT GET VACCINE FOR CHILD/CHILDREN) Which best describes your situation: (You'd like to get the swine flu vaccine for your child or children but you don't think it will be available); OR (You're not interested in getting the swine flu vaccine for your child or children)?
Like to get vaccine
but don't think Not interested in
will be available getting vaccine No opinion
11/15/09 13 87 0
48. Do you feel that the warnings issued by the government about the potential dangers of a swine flu epidemic have been exaggerated, or do you think they are real?
Dangers exaggerated Dangers are real No opinion 11/15/09 36 62 2 8/26/09* 35 61 3 *Gallup/USA Today
49. How confident are you that the swine flu vaccine is safe: very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
11/15/09 66 24 41 33 19 14 1
10/18/09 67 22 45 30 20 10 3
50. (IF NOT CONFIDENT VACCINE IS SAFE) Is that because you're not so confident in the safety of any vaccine, or is it about the swine flu vaccine in particular?
Not confident in swine flu vaccine
in any vaccine in particular No opinion
11/15/09 30 69 2
Combined questions 49 and 50:
------ Not confident in safety ------
Confident Not in Not in swine
in safety NET any vaccine flu in particular No opinion
11/15/09 66 33 10 23 1
51. Thinking about politics: Right now, are you inclined to vote to re-elect your representative in Congress in the next election or are you inclined to look around for someone else to vote for?
Re-elect Look around Depends (vol.) No opinion
11/15/09 38 50 6 5
5/15/06 35 55 6 4
6/5/05 40 50 8 3
2/21/02 40 48 7 6
10/31/99 41 47 8 3
9/28/98 44 46 NA 10
9/28/98 LV 52 42 NA 6
7/12/98 42 44 5 10
1/19/98 47 41 7 4
8/27/97 34 52 9 5
11/6/94 RV 37 47 7 8
10/31/94 35 56 2 7
10/23/94 32 58 4 6
9/11/94 36 53 4 7
6/26/94 35 54 6 5
3/27/94 32 56 6 7
1/23/94 32 46 10 12
11/14/93 38 52 5 5
7/8/92 34 54 3 9
6/7/92 36 53 4 7
4/9/92 33 56 3 8
3/11/92 36 54 3 7
2/2/92 38 51 4 7
10/21/91 31 55 7 6
6/2/91 37 49 5 9
11/4/90 LV 41 50 NA 8
10/14/90 36 57 NA 7
5/21/90 43 50 3 3
5/23/89 45 44 4 6
52. Changing topics, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Sarah Palin? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/15/09 43 20 23 52 18 34 5
7/18/09 40 20 20 53 19 34 7
10/23/08 LV 46 28 18 51 11 40 3
9/29/08 RV 51 29 23 40 11 29 9
9/22/08 RV 52 31 21 38 10 27 11
9/7/08 RV 58 35 23 28 11 17 15
9/4/08* RV 52 34 18 37 14 23 11
* "the Republican nominee for vice president"
53. If Palin runs for president in 2012, would you definitely vote for her, would you consider voting for her, or would you definitely not vote for her?
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
11/15/09 9 37 53 1
Compare to Hillary Clinton/2008:
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
5/15/06 19 38 42 1
Compare to John McCain/2008:
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
5/15/06 9 57 28 6
54. Regardless of whether or not you'd vote for her, do you think Palin is or is not qualified to serve as president?
Is Is not No
qualified qualified opinion
11/15/09 38 60 3
55. One last issue question, would you rather have suspects accused of involvement in the September 11 terrorist attacks put on trial in (the federal court system in the United States), or in (a military tribunal set up for that purpose)?
Federal Military Either No
court system tribunal (vol.) opinion
11/15/09 47 48 2 3
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 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.
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+
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 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***
