Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone April 5-8, 2012, among a random national sample of 1,103 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents, including additional interviews with randomly selected African Americans, for a total of 199 black respondents. The 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. Results for the full sample have a 3.5 point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= 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
4/8/12 50 30 20 45 10 35 6
3/10/12 46 28 18 50 11 39 4
2/4/12 50 29 22 46 11 36 3
1/15/12 48 25 23 48 11 37 4
12/18/11 49 25 24 47 13 34 4
11/3/11 44 22 22 53 15 37 3
10/2/11 42 21 21 54 14 40 4
9/1/11 43 21 22 53 16 38 3
8/9/11* 44 18 26 46 9 37 10
7/17/11 47 25 22 48 14 35 5
6/5/11 47 27 20 49 13 37 4
5/2/11** 56 29 27 38 14 24 6
4/17/11 47 27 21 50 12 37 3
3/13/11 51 27 24 45 12 33 4
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
10/3/10 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
*Washington Post
**Washington Post/Pew Research Center
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
4/8/12 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 44 23 21 54 12 42 2
b. The situation
in Afghanistan 48 23 25 43 14 29 9
c. The situation
with gas prices 28 14 14 62 12 50 10
d. International
affairs 47 24 23 44 11 33 9
*Half sample asked items a,b; other half sample asked items c,d.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
4/8/12 44 23 21 54 12 42 2
3/10/12 38 20 18 59 9 50 2
2/4/12 44 23 22 53 11 41 3
1/15/12 41 19 22 57 11 46 2
12/18/11 41 17 24 56 13 43 2
11/3/11 38 18 20 61 13 48 2
10/2/11 35 17 19 61 13 48 4
9/1/11 36 15 21 62 15 47 2
7/17/11 39 18 22 57 15 43 3
6/5/11 40 20 20 59 10 49 2
5/2/11* 40 18 22 55 16 39 4
4/17/11 42 23 19 57 11 46 2
3/13/11 43 22 21 55 13 41 2
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
10/3/10 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
*Washington Post/Pew Research Center
b. The situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
4/8/12 48 23 25 43 14 29 9
3/10/12 46 26 20 47 17 29 7
7/17/11 53 24 29 43 14 29 5
6/5/11 52 23 29 41 15 26 7
5/2/11* 60 28 32 29 15 14 11
4/17/11 44 17 27 49 17 31 7
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
*Washington Post/Pew Research Center
c. The situation with gas prices
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
4/8/12 28 14 14 62 12 50 10
3/10/12 26 14 12 65 13 52 9
George W. Bush*:
5/15/06 20 NA NA 76 NA NA 4
4/9/06 23 74 3
11/2/05 26 68 5
9/11/05 25 72 3
8/28/05 22 " " 73 " " 6
*“Gasoline” instead of “gas.”
d. International affairs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
4/8/12 47 24 23 44 11 33 9
1/15/12 49 26 23 44 10 33 7
11/3/11 47 26 21 45 13 31 8
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 27 6
3/29/09 62 " " 27 " " 11
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
4/8/12 33 64 3
1/15/12 30 68 2
11/3/11 22 74 3
9/1/11 20 77 3
6/5/11 32 66 2
1/16/11 38 60 3
12/12/10 31 67 2
10/28/10 RV 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
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 think the country’s (economic recession is over), or do you think the (economy is still in a recession)?
Recession Still in a No
is over recession opinion
4/8/12 21 76 4
Compare to: Changing topics, many economists say that using the standards they apply, the recession probably is over. Thinking about your own experience of economic conditions, would you say that from your point of view the recession is over, or not over?
Over Not over No opinion
2/8/10 12 88 1
12/13/09 13 86 1
10/18/09 16 82 1
5. Regardless of whether or not the recession is over, would you say the economy in your area is improving, or not improving?
Improving Not improving No opinion
4/8/12 48 49 3
6. Thinking now about job opportunities where you live, would you say there are plenty of jobs available in your community, or are jobs difficult to find? (IF DIFFICULT TO FIND) Are jobs very or somewhat difficult to find in your community?
Plenty of jobs - Difficult to find - Lots of some jobs, No
available NET Somewhat Very few of others (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 24 70 35 35 2 4
7/17/11* 14 82 33 49 2 2
12/13/09 12 84 NA NA 2 2
10/4/09** 14 79 3 3
2/8/09 11 80 3 6
12/8/08 19 73 4 4
10/12/08 25 64 4 7
7/27/08 31 58 4 7
4/27/08 30 61 4 5
2/2/08 34 53 5 8
11/07 41 48 4 7
9/16/07 36 50 6 8
6/3/07 39 49 5 7
2/11/07 39 48 6 7
12/10/06 40 49 5 6
3/7/06 37 56 3 4
1/8/06 33 56 6 5
10/10/05 36 56 4 4
5/15/05 30 60 6 4
1/9/05 32 58 5 5
9/21/04 31 52 6 11
8/10/04 34 55 4 7
4/25/04 30 57 4 9
2/29/04 31 59 5 6
1/11/04 27 60 6 7
10/19/03 24 66 5 5
6/23/02 31 59 4 6
6/17/01 42 44 8 6
8/9/92 15 76 6 3
5/7/92 16 77 4 3
1/21/92 12 79 " " 6 3
*Prior to 7/17/11, very or somewhat follow was not asked
**10/09 to 6/01 Pew; 1992 U.S. News & World Reports
7. Would you describe yourself as working class, middle class, upper middle class, or better off than that?
Worse off than Working Mid. Upper Better off No
work. class (vol.) class class mid. class than that opin.
4/8/12 2 33 44 15 3 2
3/2/10* 2 36 45 11 3 2
*ABC News
8. (IF MIDDLE CLASS) Would you say you are struggling to remain in the middle class, comfortable in the middle class, or moving up beyond the middle class?
Struggling Comfortable Moving up No
to remain in mid. class beyond middle class opinion
4/8/12 36 58 5 1
3/2/10* 41 52 6 *
*ABC News
NET 7/8:
4/8/12
Worse off than working class (vol.) 2
Working class 33
NET Middle class 44
Struggling to remain 16
Comfortable 26
Moving up 2
No opinion *
Upper middle class 15
Better off than that 3
No opinion 2
9. Have recent price increases in gasoline caused any financial hardship for you or others in your household, or not? (IF YES) Has that been a serious hardship, or not serious?
----------- Yes -----------
NET Serious Not serious No No opinion
4/8/12 62 33 28 38 *
3/10/12 63 36 27 37 *
4/17/11 71 43 29 28 *
3/13/11 71 44 26 29 1
7/28/08 72 45 27 28 *
6/15/08 77 51 25 23 0
5/11/08 63 34 29 37 *
4/13/08 67 38 29 32 1
5/21/07 58 27 30 42 *
4/15/07 67 36 31 33 *
7/19/06 60 29 30 39 1
5/15/06 57 31 26 43 *
4/9/06 70 44 26 30 *
9/11/05 64 34 30 36 *
8/28/05 66 36 30 34 *
8/21/05 53 26 27 47 *
4/24/05 64 34 30 36 *
3/20/05 57 29 28 43 *
5/23/04 64 37 27 36 0
4/18/04 54 31 23 46 0
4/28/02 53 20 33 47 *
4/29/01 48 17 30 52 *
6/25/00* 44 NA NA 56 *
5/24/00 36 64 *
4/2/00 39 61 *
3/12/00 41 59 *
2/15/00 40 " " 60 *
*6/25/00 and previous by Gallup; slightly different wordings.
10. Who do you blame for the recent rise in oil and gasoline prices – (other oil-producing countries), (U.S. oil companies), or (the Obama administration)?
Other oil-
producing U.S. oil Obama None Other All equal No
countries companies admin. (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) op.
4/8/12 25 28 21 4 5 13 4
Compare to: Who do you blame for the recent rise in oil and gasoline prices - (other oil-producing countries), (U.S. oil companies), or (the Bush administration)?
Other oil-
producing U.S. oil Bush None Other All equal No
countries companies admin. (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) op.
4/24/05 26 23 31 5 4 8 4
3/20/05 23 19 34 7 4 11 3
5/23/04 28 26 27 3 2 10 3
10/15/00* 36 22 24 1 2 5 9
*Clinton administration.
11. On another subject, 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
4/8/12 39 23 17 53 13 40 8
3/10/12 41 24 17 52 11 41 7
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)?
-------- 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"
12. The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments about the health care law last month. Of these three options, which would you prefer to have the Supreme Court do: 1) (uphold the entire law), 2) throw out the part of the law that requires individuals to have coverage and keep the rest of the law, or 3) (throw out the entire law)?
Uphold Throw out Throw out No
entire law part of the law entire law opinion
4/8/12 25 29 38 8
3/10/12* 26 25 42 7
*”Will hear arguments about the health care law later this month”
13. Do you think the Supreme Court justices will rule on this case mainly (on the basis of the law) or mainly (on the basis of their partisan political views)?
Rule on the Rule on partisan Both No
basis of the law political views (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 40 50 1 9
14. 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
4/8/12 30 15 15 66 19 47 4
3/10/12 35 17 18 60 16 44 5
6/5/11 43 23 20 54 15 40 3
3/13/11 31 17 14 64 16 49 5
12/12/10 34 18 16 60 18 43 5
7/11/10 43 24 19 53 15 38 4
6/6/10 44 26 18 53 13 41 3
4/25/10 45 26 19 52 15 38 3
12/13/09 52 33 19 44 10 35 4
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 45 4
2/25/07 56 " " 41 " " 3
*10/18/09 "was" and "has been" wording half sampled. Previous "was."
15. Considering everything, do you think most Afghans support or oppose what the United States is trying to do in Afghanistan?
Support Oppose No opinion
4/8/12 22 62 15
3/10/12 30 55 15
16. You may have heard about the recent incident in which a U.S. soldier has been accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians. Do you think this attack on civilians was an isolated incident, or do you think it indicates broader problems with the way the U.S. military monitors the mental health of service members?
Isolated Indicates broader Both No
incident problems (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 44 43 3 9
17. In general and apart from this incident, do you think the U.S. military should do more to monitor the mental health of service members, or is it doing enough now?
Should Doing Should do No
do more enough less (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 79 14 * 7
18. Do you think the military should limit the amount of time service members can be deployed to combat areas, or do you think limits on deployments are not needed?
Limit amount of Limits on deployments Depends No
time deployed not needed (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 80 15 2 3
19. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Who would you like to see win the Republican nomination for president this year – (Newt Gingrich), (Ron Paul), (Mitt Romney) or (Rick Santorum)? Which candidate are you leaning toward?
AMONG GEN POP:
Other None No
Romney Santorum Gingrich Paul (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 42 22 10 17 1 3 4
3/10/12 31 29 14 15 2 6 4
AMONG RVs:
Other None No
Romney Santorum Gingrich Paul (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 44 25 10 13 2 3 3
3/10/12 33 29 14 12 2 6 4
Compare to:
(ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) If the Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state was being held today, and the candidates were (Newt Gingrich), (Ron Paul), (Mitt Romney), (Rick Santorum). For whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?*
------------ Among gen pop ------------
2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17
Mitt Romney 39 35 30 24 25 25 30
Newt Gingrich 23 17 30 12 7 6 6
Rick Santorum 16 13 3 1 2 3 3
Ron Paul 15 16 15 8 11 10 11
Michele Bachmann* 0 0 7 4 7 8 16
Herman Cain NA NA NA 23 16 4 7
Jon Huntsman* 0 * 3 1 1 1 3
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA NA 3
Rick Perry * 9 7 13 16 29 8
Other (vol.) 1 1 * * 2 2 1
None of them (vol.) 1 2 1 2 5 5 2
Would not vote (vol.) * 1 * 3 1 2 1
No opinion 5 6 4 9 7 5 8
-------------- Among RVs --------------
2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3 10/2 9/1 7/17
Mitt Romney 38 36 30 25 25 25 30
Newt Gingrich 24 16 30 12 9 5 6
Rick Santorum 18 13 4 1 2 3 3
Ron Paul 14 16 15 9 9 10 10
Michele Bachmann* 0 0 7 4 7 9 17
Herman Cain NA NA NA 23 17 5 7
Jon Huntsman* 0 * 2 1 1 1 3
Tim Pawlenty NA NA NA NA NA NA 3
Rick Perry * 9 6 14 17 30 8
Other (vol.) 1 1 * 0 2 2 1
None of them (vol.) * 1 1 2 4 4 2
Would not vote (vol.) 0 1 1 1 1 1 *
No opinion 5 7 4 8 7 5 9
*Bachmann and Huntsman on 1/15 and 2/4, and Perry on 2/4, include those who voted
for them in previous primaries or caucuses. Huntsman supporters on 1/15 who had
yet to vote were re-allocated to their second choice.
20. (IF NAMED A CANDIDATE) Who would your second choice be? Which candidate would you lean toward as your second choice?
AMONG GEN POP:
Other None No
Romney Santorum Gingrich Paul (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 26 29 23 15 1 4 1
3/10/12 27 27 27 12 2 3 2
AMONG RVs:
Other None No
Romney Santorum Gingrich Paul (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 RV 25 32 22 14 2 4 1
3/10/12 RV 27 27 26 12 2 4 2
21. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Regardless of who you may support, which of the Republican candidates do you trust most to handle (ITEM)?
Full item wording:
a. The economy
b. Social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage
4/8/12 - Summary Table
Social
Economy issues
Mitt Romney 48 27
Rick Santorum 12 29
Ron Paul 16 16
Newt Gingrich 12 10
Other (vol.) * *
All of them (vol.) * 1
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 *
No one/None of them (vol.) 3 3
No opinion 7 13
Trend:
a. The economy
4/8 3/10 2/4 1/15 12/18 11/3* 9/1
Mitt Romney 48 35 37 35 31 22 22
Ron Paul 16 13 17 14 13 7 8
Rick Santorum 12 18 11 8 1 1 2
Newt Gingrich 12 21 23 17 25 13 7
Rick Perry NA NA NA 8 7 10 22
Jon Huntsman NA NA NA 3 3 2 *
Michele Bachmann NA NA NA NA 7 4 5
Herman Cain NA NA NA NA NA 19 4
Sarah Palin NA NA NA NA NA NA 11
Other (vol.) * * 1 1 * 0 2
All of them (vol.) * * 1 1 * 1 0
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 1 1 * 2 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 3 5 7 3 6 2 4
No opinion 7 6 4 9 7 17 12
*11/3 and previous, “which of the Republican candidates do you think would do the best job handling the economy”
b. Social issues, such as abortion and gay marriage
4/8/12 3/10/12 2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11
Rick Santorum 29 31 19 14 4
Mitt Romney 27 22 25 25 26
Ron Paul 16 13 13 10 12
Newt Gingrich 10 15 22 15 15
Rick Perry NA NA NA 9 7
Jon Huntsman NA NA NA 3 3
Michele Bachmann NA NA NA NA 13
Other (vol.) * * 1 1 0
All of them (vol.) 1 * * 1 *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) * * 1 * *
No one/None of them (vol.) 3 6 6 6 6
No opinion 13 13 12 16 12
22. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Given the current standings, do you think [ITEM] should (stay in the race), or (drop out)?
4/8/12 – Summary table
Stay in race Drop out No opinion
a. Santorum 52 43 5
b. Gingrich 27 66 7
c. Paul 32 61 6
Compare to: (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) Given the current standings, do you think
Clinton should (stay in the race), or (drop out)?
Stay in race Drop out No opinion
5/11/08 64 35 1
23. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS WHO DO NOT SUPPORT ROMNEY) Which of these would you prefer: to have the Republican Party nominate Romney for president, or to have the party nominate a candidate who is not currently in the race?
Nominate a candidate
Nominate Romney not in the race No opinion
4/8/12 52 34 14
24. Assuming that Mitt Romney is the nominee, do you think the Republican primary contest has done (more to weaken him for the general election campaign), or (more to make him a stronger general election candidate)?
No impact
Done more to weaken Stronger candidate (vol.) No opinion
4/8/12 All 39 38 4 19
Leaned Reps 30 54 4 11
Leaned Dems 50 29 3 18
25. If the presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat) and ([ITEM], the Republican), for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward (Obama) or toward [ITEM]?
4/8/12 - Summary Table – GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 51 43 * 2 3 1
b. Rick Santorum 51 41 * 2 3 2
4/8/12 - Summary Table – RVs
a. Mitt Romney 51 44 * 2 2 1
b. Rick Santorum 52 42 * 2 2 1
Trend:
a. Mitt Romney
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 51 43 * 2 3 1
3/10/12 46 47 * 2 3 2
2/4/12 52 43 * 1 2 2
1/15/12 46 47 * 2 3 2
12/18/11 49 46 * 2 2 1
11/3/11 48 45 * 3 2 1
10/2/11 47 46 * 3 1 2
9/1/11 46 47 * 2 3 2
7/17/11 51 44 * 2 1 2
6/5/11 47 47 * 2 1 2
4/17/11 49 45 * 3 1 2
4/8/12 RV 51 44 * 2 3 1
3/10/12 RV 47 49 * 1 2 2
2/4/12 RV 51 45 * 1 1 1
1/15/12 RV 46 48 * 2 2 2
12/18/11 RV 47 47 * 2 2 1
11/3/11 RV 46 47 * 3 2 1
10/2/11 RV 46 48 * 2 1 2
9/1/11 RV 45 49 * 2 2 2
7/17/11 RV 49 47 * 2 1 1
6/5/11 RV 46 49 * 2 1 2
4/17/11 RV 49 45 * 3 1 1
b. Rick Santorum
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Santorum (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 51 41 * 2 3 2
3/10/12 48 45 1 2 2 2
1/15/12 52 39 * 3 3 2
4/8/12 RV 52 42 * 2 2 1
3/10/12 RV 49 46 1 2 1 1
1/15/12 RV 52 41 * 2 2 2
26. Regardless of who you support, which candidate do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] – (Obama) or (Romney)?
4/8/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 43 47 1 5 5
b. Protecting the middle class 49 39 * 7 4
c. Creating jobs 46 43 1 5 4
d. Handling international affairs 53 36 * 7 4
e. Supporting small business 47 45 1 4 4
f. Handling taxes 45 42 * 7 5
g. Dealing with health care policy 48 38 * 7 6
h. Handling the federal budget deficit 38 51 * 5 6
i. Handling terrorism 47 40 2 3 8
j. Handling energy policy 42 47 1 2 7
k. Dealing with social issues such as
abortion and gay marriage 46 38 1 5 10
l. Addressing women’s issues 53 34 1 4 8
*Full sample asked items a,b; half sample asked items c,d,e,f,g; other half sample asked items h,i,j,k,l.
Trend:
a. Handling the economy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 43 47 1 5 5
2/4/12 45 48 1 4 2
b. Protecting the middle class
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 49 39 * 7 4
2/4/12 55 37 1 4 2
c. Creating jobs
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 46 43 1 5 4
2/4/12 45 47 1 3 4
d. Handling international affairs
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 53 36 * 7 4
2/4/12 56 37 1 3 3
e. No trend.
f. Handling taxes
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 45 42 * 7 5
2/4/12 52 42 * 3 3
g. No trend.
h. Handling the federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 38 51 * 5 6
2/4/12 41 51 * 4 4
i. Handling terrorism
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 47 40 2 3 8
2/4/12 56 36 1 3 4
j-l. No trend.
27. Regardless of who you may support, who do you think better understands the economic problems people in this country are having - (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 49 37 2 9 4
2/4/12 53 36 2 7 3
28. Regardless of who you may support, who do you think (ITEM) – (Obama) or (Romney)?
4/8/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Is the stronger leader 46 40 1 6 7
b. Seems like the more friendly and
likable person 64 26 3 2 4
c. Has a clearer vision for the future 45 40 2 7 7
d. Is more inspiring 55 29 1 11 5
e. Is more consistent in his positions 46 36 2 8 8
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b,c; other half sample asked items d,e.
29. Do you think [ITEM]'s views on most issues are too (liberal) for you, too (conservative) for you, or just about right?
4/8/12 – Summary Table
Too Too About No
liberal conservative right opinion
a. Obama 40 10 44 6
b. Romney 13 33 42 12
Trend:
a. Obama
Too Too About No
liberal conservative right opinion
4/8/12 40 10 44 6
4/17/11 39 8 48 4
9/2/10 45 9 45 2
4/25/10 39 5 53 3
1/15/10 37 7 54 2
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
b. No trend.
30. For each item I name, please tell me if it is a major reason to (support) that candidate, a major reason to (oppose) that candidate, or not a major factor?
4/8/12 – Summary Table
Major Major Not a
reason to reason to major No
support oppose factor op.
a. Romney’s Mormon religion 3 13 80 4
b. Obama’s handling of the economy 32 46 19 3
c. Romney’s wealth 6 19 71 3
d. Obama’s views on the size and role of
government 22 39 34 5
Trend:
a. Romney’s Mormon religion
Major reason Major reason Not a major No
to support to oppose factor opinion
4/8/12 3 13 80 4
2/4/12 4 17 77 2
b. Obama’s handling of the economy
Major reason Major reason Not a major No
to support to oppose factor opinion
4/8/12 32 46 19 3
2/4/12 39 47 13 2
c-d. No trend.
31. What do you think is the bigger problem in this country - (unfairness in the economic system that favors the wealthy), or (over-regulation of the free market that interferes with growth and prosperity)?
Over- Both Neither
Unfairness regulation (vol.) (vol.) No opinion
4/8/12 52 37 4 2 5
1/15/12 55 35 5 2 4
32. 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
4/8/12 41 12 29 45 21 24 14
3/10/12 44 15 29 43 17 26 13
2/4/12 43 12 31 45 20 25 12
1/15/12 40 13 28 50 23 27 10
12/18/11 42 13 28 45 20 26 13
11/3/11 43 14 29 44 20 24 13
10/2/11 42 12 30 47 20 27 11
9/1/11 47 13 35 45 18 27 8
7/17/11 44 13 31 46 23 24 10
6/5/11 46 13 33 44 21 24 10
4/17/11 42 16 26 49 21 27 10
33. How interested are you in learning more about the Tea Party movement - very interested, somewhat interested, not so interested or not interested at all?
----- Interested ---- ----- Not interested ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
4/8/12 39 9 30 60 19 41 1
4/25/10 46 13 33 54 19 35 *
34. Which of these comes closest to your own view: (The more I hear about the Tea Party movement, the more I like it) or (The more I hear about the Tea Party movement, the less I like it).
Haven't
More I Less I Neither heard No
like it like it (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/8/12 27 50 9 6 7
4/25/10 34 43 8 11 4
35. On another subject, Do you think blacks and other minorities receive equal treatment as whites in the criminal justice system or not?
Receive equal Do not receive No
treatment equal treatment opinion
Among all:
4/8/12 37 55 7
2/4/97 55 38 6
5/7/96 36 55 9
10/6/95 44 50 6
10/3/95 47 44 8
9/27/95 47 46 6
4/30/92 39 50 11
7/2/88* 43 43 15
*Associated Press/Media General Poll
Among African Americans:
4/8/12 10 84 6
2/4/97 19 78 3
5/7/96 12 81 7
10/6/95 9 88 2
10/3/95 19 73 8
9/27/95 12 87 2
4/30/92 8 89 3
Among whites:
4/8/12 44 49 7
2/4/97 61 32 7
5/7/96 41 49 10
10/6/95 52 42 6
10/3/95 52 40 8
9/27/95 54 39 7
4/30/92 46 43 12
36. There recently was a case in Florida in which a neighborhood watch volunteer shot and killed an unarmed teenager. As far as you’ve heard do you think this shooting was justified or unjustified, or do you not know enough about it to say?
Don’t know enough
Justified Unjustified to say No opinion
4/8/12 All 4 44 51 1
Blacks 1 80 19 0
Whites 5 38 56 1
37. Some states have a law that says a person is legally entitled to fight back with deadly force if they feel threatened, even if they could retreat instead. Do you personally support or oppose that law?
Support Oppose No opinion
4/8/12 All 50 45 5
Blacks 28 69 3
Whites 55 40 5
901. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what?
Democrat Republican Independent Other (vol.) No opinion
4/18/12 34 23 34 5 3
3/10/12 31 27 36 3 3
2/12/12 34 23 37 5 1
1/15/12 32 25 36 5 2
***END***
