Washington Post Poll
This Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone April 28 to May 2, 2012, among a random sample of 1,101 adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including 964 registered voters and users of both conventional and cellular phones. 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 Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. Do you think things in the state of Virginia (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
5/2/12 49 44 6
5/4/11 52 39 9
8/14/09 47 45 7
10/8/07 52 43 5
10/12/06 LV 67 30 3
10/26/05 LV 70 25 5
9/9/05 RV 65 31 4
8/23/01 RV 59 34 7
8/27/00 RV 71 22 7
6/23/94 RV 53 38 8
2/3/94 55 36 9
2. 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
5/2/12 31 66 3
5/4/11 31 65 4
8/14/09 37 58 5
9/21/08 RV 15 83 3
10/26/05 LV 34 64 3
3. 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
5/2/12 53 32 21 44 13 30 3
5/4/11 52 29 23 43 12 31 5
10/25/09 RV 57 37 20 40 12 28 3
10/7/09 RV 58 37 21 39 11 28 3
9/17/09 LV 53 38 15 47 11 36 1
8/14/09 RV 57 39 17 41 11 31 2
4. How do you personally feel about the Obama administration's policies --enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
-- Enthusiastic/Satisfied -- --- Dissatisfied/angry ---- No
NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Dissatisfied Angry opinion
5/2/12 49 12 37 48 32 16 3
5/4/11 48 10 38 50 34 16 2
Compare to: How do you personally feel about the Bush administration's policies --enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
-- Enthusiastic/Satisfied -- --- Dissatisfied/angry ---- No
NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Dissatisfied Angry opinion
6/3/07 33 5 28 65 38 27 2
5. How do you personally feel about the policies offered by the Republicans in Congress – enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
-- Enthusiastic/Satisfied -- --- Dissatisfied/angry ---- No
NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Dissatisfied Angry opinion
5/2/12 36 4 32 60 40 20 5
5/4/11 36 5 32 58 39 19 6
Turning to the state,
6. How do you personally feel about the policies offered by the Virginia legislature this year – enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
-- Enthusiastic/Satisfied -- --- Dissatisfied/angry ---- No
NET Enthusiastic Satisfied NET Dissatisfied Angry opinion
5/2/12 49 4 45 43 31 11 8
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob McDonnell is handling his job as governor? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 56 18 39 35 19 16 8
5/4/11 62 21 40 26 13 14 12
Turning to Virginia’s representatives,
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [NAME] is handling his job as U.S. Senator? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
a. Jim Webb
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 52 12 40 33 19 14 15
5/4/11 55 17 38 27 14 13 18
8/14/09 51 17 34 29 13 16 20
9/21/08 RV 54 19 36 24 12 12 21
10/8/07 50 NA NA 27 NA NA 22
b. Mark Warner
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 63 19 44 26 14 13 11
5/4/11 61 22 38 24 14 10 16
8/14/09 67 30 37 23 11 11 11
10/26/05 LV* 80 NA NA 17 NA NA 3
9/9/05 RV 76 NA NA 22 NA NA 2
*2005: “job as governor”
9. Generally speaking, do you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of (NAME)? How about (NEXT ITEM)? IF NEEDED: Do you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of (NAME)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
5/2/12 – Summary Table – all adults*
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. George Allen 46 12 34 31 18 13 24
b. Tim Kaine 41 15 26 39 21 18 20
c. Bob Marshall 21 3 18 23 17 6 57
d. Jamie Radtke 15 2 13 19 14 5 66
e. Ken Cuccinelli 31 11 21 31 16 15 38
f. Bill Bolling 25 4 21 21 15 6 54
g. Terry McAuliffe 21 4 17 23 18 5 56
*Half sample asked items a-d, other half sample asked items e-g.
Trend where available:
a. George Allen
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 46 12 34 31 18 13 24
5/2/12 RV 47 12 35 31 18 13 22
5/4/11 51 16 35 26 15 11 23
5/4/11 RV 52 16 36 28 15 13 20
10/12/06 LV 53 NA NA 43 NA NA 4
9/9/05 RV 58 NA NA 28 NA NA 14
9/16/97 60 NA NA 26 NA NA 13
9/28/93 RV 43 NA NA 36 NA NA 21
b. Tim Kaine
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 41 15 26 39 21 18 20
5/2/12 RV 41 13 27 41 22 19 18
5/4/11 56 17 38 28 16 12 17
5/4/11 RV 57 19 38 28 16 12 15
10/12/06 LV 67 NA NA 23 NA NA 10
10/26/05 LV 58 NA NA 33 NA NA 8
9/9/05 RV 55 NA NA 25 NA NA 21
c. No trend.
d. Jamie Radtke
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 15 2 13 19 14 5 66
5/4/11 13 3 10 9 7 2 79
e. Ken Cuccinelli
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 31 11 21 31 16 15 38
5/2/12 RV 35 13 22 31 14 17 33
10/7/09 LV 51 NA NA 16 NA NA 33
f. Bill Bolling
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 25 4 21 21 15 6 54
5/2/12 RV 26 5 22 20 14 6 54
10/7/09 LV 51 NA NA 15 NA NA 34
g. No trend.
10. How important is it to you that the Commonwealth of Virginia increases the amount it spends on transportation projects — extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not at all important?
----- Important ------ Somewhat ------ Not important ----- No
NET Extremely Very important NET Not too Not at all opinion
5/2/12 47 22 24 32 20 13 7 1
6/3/07 54 27 27 32 13 7 6 1
11. Would you support or oppose raising Virginia's 17.5 cent gasoline tax, if the money is used for transportation projects such as building roads, traffic management or public transportation? (Half sample)
Support Oppose No opinion
5/2/12 40 58 2
5/2/12 RV 40 57 2
9/9/05 RV 36 63 1
12. Would you favor or oppose raising Virginia’s gasoline tax by [ITEM], if the money is used for transportation projects such as building roads, traffic management or public transportation? (Half sample)
5/2/12 – summary table
Favor Oppose Depends on project (vol.) No opinion
a. 5 cents a gallon 45 53 2 *
b. 10 cents a gallon 25 75 * *
Compare to Maryland 1/26/12
Favor Oppose Depends on project (vol.) No opinion
a. 5 cents a gallon 48 50 1 1
b. 10 cents a gallon 26 72 1 1
13. How would you prefer the state government pay for improvements to transportation infrastructure — (reduce spending for other services), (increase gas taxes), (increase tolls), (sell naming rights for streets and bridges) or some other way?
Reduce spending Increase Increase Sell naming rights Some No
on other services gas taxes tolls for streets/bridges other opinion
5/2/12 29 11 11 15 20 14
Compare to:
How would you most prefer that the state government increase the level of current
funding for transportation projects — (reduce spending for other state services),
(increase taxes on all Virginians), (increase user fees such as tolls), or some
other way?
Reduce spending Increase taxes Increase Some No
other services on all tolls other opinion
10/12/06 LV 23 17 32 17 11
14. As you may know, the Washington D.C. Metrorail system is building a new rail line to the Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia – how important is this project – extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important?
------ Important ----- ------ Not important ------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all opinion
5/2/12 32 17 15 64 32 32 3
15. (AMONG LEANED REPUBLICANS) Thinking about the upcoming Republican primary election, how would you rate the chances that you will vote in the June primary—Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?
Less than Will not No
Certain Probable 50-50 50-50 vote (vol.) opinion
5/2/12 44 21 18 14 3 *
16. (IF CERTAIN OR PROBABLE TO VOTE IN GOP PRIMARY) If the Republican primary were held today and the candidates for U.S. Senate were (George Allen), (Jamie Radtke), (Bob Marshall), and (E.W. Jackson), for whom would you vote? Which one are you leaning toward right now?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
George Jamie Bob E.W. Other Would not No
Allen Radtke Marshall Jackson (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/2/12 LV 62 5 12 3 * 1 17
5/4/11 54 2 4 1 9 2 28
5/4/11 RV 57 2 3 1 8 2 27
17. Thinking ahead to the general election in November, if the election for U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were (Tim Kaine, the Democrat) and (George Allen, the Republican), for whom would you vote? Which one are you leaning toward right now?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Other Neither Would not No
Kaine Allen (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
5/2/12 47 42 1 NA 5 6
5/2/12 RV 46 46 1 NA 2 5
5/4/11 47 44 * NA 3 6
5/4/11 RV 46 46 * NA 2 6
18. (AMONG KAINE/ALLEN SUPPORTERS) Thinking about his candidacy for U.S. Senate so far, how enthusiastic are you about (CANDIDATE) - very enthusiastic, fairly enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?
5/2/12 – Summary table – all adults
--- Enthusiastic -- ---- Not enthusiastic ---- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
a. Tim Kaine 71 22 49 27 18 9 2
b. George Allen 69 16 53 28 21 8 2
5/2/12 – Summary table – registered voters
--- Enthusiastic -- ---- Not enthusiastic ---- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too Not at all opinion
a. Tim Kaine 75 24 51 24 18 6 2
b. George Allen 72 17 55 27 21 5 1
Compare to – 10/12/06 likely voters in Senate race:
---Enthusiastic---- --Not enthusiastic--- No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opin.
a. George Allen 90 43 47 9 7 2 1
b. James Webb 84 25 60 15 12 3 *
10/26/05 likely voters in governor’s race:
a. Tim Kaine 86 30 56 13 11 2 1
b. Jerry Kilgore 85 27 58 14 13 2 1
19. For each item I name, please tell me how important it will be in your vote for U.S. Senate this year. - extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important?
5/2/12 – Summary Table*
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
a. The economy 91 54 38 8 7 1 1
b. The federal budget
deficit 77 44 33 21 18 3 1
c. Transportation issues 42 18 24 57 45 12 *
d. Immigration issues 51 28 23 48 37 11 1
e. Health care 82 46 36 18 16 2 1
f. Abortion 46 27 19 52 26 26 2
g. Taxes 70 35 35 29 26 3 1
h. Foreign policy 56 24 32 43 36 7 1
i. Same sex marriage 30 17 13 68 21 47 1
j. Education 79 46 34 20 17 3 1
*Full sample asked items a-b; half sample asked items c-f; other half sample asked item g-j.
Trend:
a. The economy
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 91 54 38 8 7 1 1
5/2/12 RV 92 54 38 7 7 1 *
5/4/11 92 58 34 8 7 1 1
5/4/11 RV 92 58 34 7 7 1 1
10/12/06 LV 77 26 51 23 20 3 *
b. The federal budget deficit
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 77 44 33 21 18 3 1
5/2/12 RV 79 45 34 21 18 3 1
5/4/11 81 50 31 18 15 3 1
5/4/11 RV 82 51 31 17 15 2 1
c. Transportation issues
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 42 18 24 57 45 12 *
5/2/12 RV 42 16 26 57 46 11 *
5/4/11 41 20 22 56 45 11 2
5/4/11 RV 41 18 23 56 45 11 2
10/12/06 LV 53 15 39 46 38 8 1
d. Immigration issues
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 51 28 23 48 37 11 1
5/2/12 RV 49 24 25 51 39 12 1
5/4/11 57 32 25 42 28 14 2
5/4/11 RV 56 33 23 43 28 14 1
10/12/06 LV 59 23 36 41 34 7 *
e. Health care
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 82 46 36 18 16 2 1
5/2/12 RV 79 44 35 20 17 2 1
5/4/11 77 48 29 22 18 5 *
5/4/11 RV 76 47 30 23 18 5 1
10/12/06 LV 67 27 40 33 29 4 0
f. Abortion
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 46 27 19 52 26 26 2
5/2/12 RV 48 28 21 50 27 23 2
5/4/11 42 25 18 54 25 29 3
5/4/11 RV 40 23 18 56 26 30 3
10/12/06 LV 49 19 30 50 29 21 1
g. Taxes
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 70 35 35 29 26 3 1
5/2/12 RV 71 36 35 28 24 4 1
5/4/11 73 37 35 26 24 3 1
5/4/11 RV 72 38 35 27 24 3 1
10/12/06 LV 68 22 46 31 24 7 *
h. Foreign policy
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 56 24 32 43 36 7 1
5/2/12 RV 57 25 32 42 35 7 1
5/4/11 55 24 31 43 37 6 2
5/4/11 RV 57 24 33 41 35 6 1
i. Same sex marriage
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 30 17 13 68 21 47 1
5/2/12 RV 32 19 14 67 20 46 1
10/12/06 LV 47 22 25 52 22 31 *
j. Education
------Important------- -----Not as important------ No
NET Extremely Very NET Somewhat Not at all op.
5/2/12 79 46 34 20 17 3 1
5/2/12 RV 78 45 32 22 18 4 1
5/4/11 79 49 31 20 17 3 *
5/4/11 RV 77 47 30 23 20 3 *
On another subject,
20. Overall, do you support or oppose the federal law making changes to the health care system? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 49 26 23 45 12 33 6
Compare to: 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
5/4/11 42 23 20 48 12 36 9
10/25/09 LV* 43 29 14 53 9 44 4
*”…the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by…”
21. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
------ Legal ------ ----- Illegal -----
All Most Most All No
NET cases cases NET cases cases opinion
5/2/12 All 59 26 33 38 22 16 3
5/2/12 RV 61 25 35 36 22 14 3
5/4/11 All 53 17 36 40 26 14 6
5/4/11 RV 54 18 36 39 26 13 7
10/7/09 LV 59 24 35 38 27 11 3
9/17/09 LV 58 19 40 39 27 12 3
8/14/09 All 55 18 37 42 26 16 3
9/21/08 RV 60 22 38 38 25 12 3
6/3/07 All 55 18 37 40 25 15 4
10/26/05 LV 61 21 39 38 28 10 2
9/9/05 RV 55 21 35 43 28 15 2
10/25/01 LV 57 21 36 39 28 11 4
8/23/01 RV 57 21 37 39 27 12 3
10/26/00 LV 58 18 40 38 27 12 4
8/27/00 RV 57 18 39 38 26 12 5
22. A new state law requires women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound at least 24 hours before the procedure. Do you support or oppose this law? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 46 30 16 50 12 39 4
23. (IF SUPPORT/OPPOSE LAW) In a word or two, what’s the main reason you (support/oppose) this new law? (Half sample) [DO NOT LIST]
24. Should public schools in Virginia be required to allow children in their areas who are being home-schooled to try out and play for school sports teams, or not?
Should be Should not No
required be required opinion
5/2/12 64 33 3
25. Do you favor or oppose stricter gun control laws in this country?
Favor Oppose No opinion
5/2/12 53 44 2
6/3/07 58 38 4
26. Recently, the Virginia law limiting handgun purchases to one per month was overturned. Those who wanted to get rid of the limit argue background checks made the law unnecessary, while those who supported the law argue lifting the limit will increase gun violence. What’s closer to your view -- the state should have (a limit) or (no limit) on the number of hand-guns that can be purchased in a month?
Limit No limit No opinion
5/2/12 71 28 1
On another subject,
27. If the 2012 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat) and (Mitt Romney, the Republican), for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward (Obama) or toward (Romney)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opin.
5/2/12 53 41 1 2 1 1
5/2/12 RV 51 44 1 2 * 2
5/4/11 51 41 * 2 2 4
5/4/11 RV 50 44 * 2 1 4
28. Overall, do you think (NAME) views on most issues are (too liberal for you), (too conservative for you), or just about right?
5/2/12 – Summary table
Too Too Just about No
liberal conservative right opinion
a. Bob McDonnell’s 13 26 43 18
b. Tim Kaine’s 28 10 45 17
c. George Allen’s 10 27 44 20
d. Barack Obama’s 37 6 52 5
e. Mitt Romney’s 15 37 37 11
Trend:
a. Bob McDonnell
Too Too Just about No
liberal conservative right opinion
5/2/12 13 26 43 18
5/2/12 RV 12 27 45 16
10/25/09 LV 7 34 54 5
10/7/09 LV 6 37 51 6
9/17/09 LV 7 40 47 5
8/14/09 LV 6 30 46 18
8/14/09 RV 9 27 38 26
b. Tim Kaine
Too Too Just about No
liberal conservative right opinion
5/2/12 28 10 45 17
5/2/12 RV 31 9 46 14
10/26/05 LV 40 6 49 5
9/9/05* LV 31 7 45 16
9/9/05 RV 27 7 41 26
*2005 “don’t know enough yet” accepted as volunteered answer.
c. George Allen
Too Too Just about No
liberal conservative right opinion
5/2/12 10 27 44 20
5/2/12 RV 8 28 47 17
10/26/00 LV 9 33 50 7
8/27/00 LV 5 32 56 7
8/27/00 RV 5 29 55 10
d. Barack Obama
Too Too Just about No
liberal conservative right opinion
5/2/12 37 6 52 5
5/2/12 RV 41 6 49 4
e. Mitt Romney
Too Too Just about No
liberal conservative right opinion
5/2/12 15 37 37 11
5/2/12 RV 14 37 39 10
29. Would having Bob McDonnell as Romney’s vice presidential running-mate make you more likely to vote for the Republican ticket in November, more likely to vote for the Democratic ticket, or wouldn't it make much difference in your vote?
Republican Democratic Wouldn't make Would not No
ticket ticket much difference vote (vol.) opinion
5/2/12 10 19 68 1 2
30. On another subject: What is your view of the Tea Party political movement – would you say you support it strongly, support it somewhat, oppose it somewhat or oppose it strongly?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/2/12 40 11 29 50 21 28 11
5/4/11 43 10 34 43 19 25 14
31. Would you say your views on most political matters are very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative or very conservative?
Don’t think
------ Liberal ------ ---- Conservative --- in those No
NET Very Somewhat Moderate NET Somewhat Very terms (vol.) op.
5/2/12 24 6 18 39 35 24 11 1 1
5/4/11 27 8 19 30 40 26 14 1 3
6/3/07 27 7 20 32 39 25 14 * 2
32. How about on most social issues, would you say your views are very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative or very conservative?
Don’t think
------ Liberal ------ ---- Conservative --- in those No
NET Very Somewhat Moderate NET Somewhat Very terms (vol.) op.
5/2/12 32 12 20 30 35 23 13 1 2
5/4/11 35 15 20 27 36 22 13 1 2
6/3/07 31 12 19 29 37 23 14 * 2
33. How about on most fiscal issues, such as taxes and government spending, would you say your views are very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative or very conservative?
Don’t think
------ Liberal ------ ---- Conservative --- in those No
NET Very Somewhat Moderate NET Somewhat Very terms (vol.) op.
5/2/12 20 8 13 32 46 24 22 1 2
5/4/11 18 7 11 26 53 27 26 * 3
6/3/07 21 7 14 31 45 25 21 * 2
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
5/2/12 31 25 36 5 2 17 15 10
5/2/12 RV 31 27 36 5 2 16 16 9
5/4/11 31 22 36 7 4 17 17 11
5/4/11 RV 32 24 35 6 3 15 17 10
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