Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone July 14-17, 2011, 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 3.5 percentage points. 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
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
10/28/10 LV 46 31 15 52 8 44 2
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/Pew Research Center poll
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
7/17/11 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 39 18 22 57 15 43 3
b. The federal
budget deficit 38 22 16 60 14 45 2
c. held for release
d. Taxes 45 24 21 47 13 34 8
e. Creating jobs 41 16 25 52 13 39 7
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b-c; other half sample asked items d-e.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
10/28/10 LV 42 23 19 55 10 45 2
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 poll
b. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
7/17/11 38 22 16 60 14 45 2
6/5/11 33 16 17 61 12 49 6
4/17/11 39 21 18 58 11 47 3
3/13/11 39 18 20 55 13 42 6
1/16/11 43 21 22 52 11 41 6
12/12/10 38 16 22 55 19 36 7
9/2/10 39 18 20 58 13 45 3
7/11/10 40 20 20 56 11 45 4
6/6/10 39 22 17 56 13 42 6
4/25/10 40 20 20 55 14 42 5
3/26/10 43 22 21 52 14 38 5
2/8/10 40 17 23 56 16 40 4
1/15/10 38 18 20 56 15 41 6
12/13/09 37 16 21 56 12 44 6
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
d. Taxes
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
7/17/11 45 24 21 47 13 34 8
1/16/11 50 23 27 44 14 31 6
8/17/09 51 23 28 40 12 28 8
4/24/09 56 NA NA 38 NA NA 6
e. Creating jobs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
7/17/11 41 16 25 52 13 39 7
2/8/10 47 25 22 51 15 35 3
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling [ITEM]?
7/17/11 - Summary Table*
Approve Disapprove No opinion
a. The economy 28 67 5
b. The federal
budget deficit 27 68 5
c. Creating jobs 26 65 9
d. Taxes 31 65 4
*Full sample asked items a-b; half sample asked item c; other half sample asked item d.
Trend:
a. The economy
Approve Disapprove No opinion
7/17/11 28 67 5
4/17/11 34 62 3
11/4/90 LV* 26 69 5
* "the nation's economy"
b. The federal budget deficit
Approve Disapprove No opinion
7/17/11 27 68 5
4/17/11 33 64 3
10/14/90 23 72 5
10/7/90 33 59 8
c-d. No trend.
4. As you may know, there is a debate in Washington right now about reducing the federal budget deficit and increasing the government’s debt limit. Who do you trust more to handle this issue (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--------- Obama --------- ------ Republicans ------ (vol.) (vol.) No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly Both Neither op.
7/17/11 48 34 14 39 11 28 1 10 3
5. Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
7/17/11 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. You and your family 47 37 2 12 2
b. Wall Street financial institutions 26 59 4 4 7
c. Small businesses 48 39 2 8 3
d. Middle class Americans 53 35 1 9 2
e. Large business corporations 24 67 3 3 3
6. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best describes how you feel about the way the federal government works. Do you feel enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
----- Positive ------- ----- Negative -----
Enthusi- Satis- Dissat- None/ No
NET astic fied NET isfied Angry Other opinion
7/17/11 20 2 18 80 54 25 NA 1
6/5/11 30 3 27 69 44 25 1
10/28/10 27 4 23 72 51 21 1
10/28/10 LV 23 3 20 76 50 25 1
10/3/10 29 4 25 71 46 25 *
9/2/10 22 2 20 78 52 25 *
7/11/10 36 4 32 64 43 21 1
6/6/10 30 2 28 69 45 25 1
4/25/10 30 4 26 69 51 18 1
2/8/10 32 3 29 67 48 19 *
10/29/03 42 2 41 57 42 15 *
11/4/02 LV 49 4 45 50 41 9 1
11/3/02 LV 50 5 45 49 40 9 1
11/2/02 LV 51 6 45 49 40 9 1
10/27/02 50 4 47 49 42 7 1
10/27/02 LV 53 3 50 47 41 6 1
2/21/02 56 7 49 43 36 7 1
12/15/00 59 4 55 39 34 6 1
2/14/99 52 3 48 47 35 12 1
9/28/98 50 4 46 49 36 12 1
9/28/98 LV 48 4 44 50 37 14 1
8/16/98* 41 2 39 57 46 11 " 1
1/19/98 46 2 43 53 45 8 1 *
8/27/97 34 2 33 64 52 11 2 1
3/17/96 29 2 27 70 54 16 NA *
5/14/95 48 3 45 50 41 9 NA 1
1/4/95 29 2 27 69 53 16 * 1
11/6/94 RV 28 2 26 70 49 21 1 1
10/31/94 26 1 25 73 55 18 1 1
10/23/94 28 1 26 71 52 20 * *
10/9/94 25 2 24 72 53 19 2 *
9/11/94 26 2 25 73 53 20 NA *
3/27/94 30 1 29 68 48 20 1 1
2/28/93 33 4 29 66 50 16 * *
10/4/92 LV 17 1 16 81 56 25 1 1
10/4/92 RV 17 1 16 81 56 25 1 1
7/8/92 23 1 22 76 53 23 * 1
6/7/92 21 1 20 79 58 21 * 1
4/9/92 21 1 20 79 55 24 1 *
3/18/92 22 1 21 77 54 23 1 *
3/11/92 18 1 17 80 60 20 1 1
*After 8/16/98: No "None/other" option recorded
7. On another subject, would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor?
------ Positive ------ ------- Negative ------- No
NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opinion
7/17/11 10 1 9 90 40 50 *
6/5/11 11 1 10 89 46 44 *
1/16/11 13 1 12 87 45 41 *
10/28/10 9 * 9 90 41 49 1
10/28/10 LV 8 * 7 92 42 50 1
10/3/10 9 1 8 90 40 50 *
9/2/10 8 * 7 92 40 53 0
7/11/10 10 1 9 90 44 46 0
6/6/10 12 * 11 88 43 45 0
1/16/09 5 1 5 94 32 62 *
9/22/08 9 * 9 91 34 57 *
4/13/08 10 1 9 90 39 51 *
2/1/08 19 1 18 81 43 38 0
12/9/07 28 3 25 72 40 32 *
11/1/07 35 3 32 64 39 26 *
4/15/07 42 5 37 57 37 20 *
12/11/06 50 7 42 50 36 14 *
10/22/06 55 10 45 45 28 17 *
10/8/06 47 7 40 53 37 16 *
3/5/06 43 5 38 57 37 19 *
1/26/06 40 5 35 60 37 23 *
12/18/05 45 5 39 55 38 17 *
11/2/05 35 3 32 65 36 29 *
9/11/05 40 3 37 59 37 22 1
6/5/05 44 3 40 56 38 19 *
4/24/05 37 2 35 63 44 20 *
9/26/04 RV 46 3 43 53 38 15 1
8/29/04 RV 45 3 41 55 37 18 *
7/25/04 46 4 42 53 39 14 *
6/20/04 45 4 41 55 38 17 *
4/18/04 43 4 39 57 39 18 *
3/7/04 39 2 37 60 38 22 1
1/18/04 42 3 39 58 42 16 0
12/21/03 42 4 39 57 41 16 1
10/29/03 33 1 32 67 45 23 *
9/13/03 30 2 27 70 45 25 *
8/11/03 32 2 30 68 43 25 *
4/30/03 35 1 34 64 46 19 *
2/9/03 28 1 27 72 49 23 *
1/20/03 25 1 25 74 48 26 1
12/15/02 35 1 33 65 44 21 1
11/4/02 LV 28 1 27 72 55 17 1
11/3/02 LV 27 1 26 72 56 17 1
11/2/02 LV 29 1 28 71 54 17 *
9/26/02 31 2 28 69 50 19 *
7/15/02 39 3 36 61 44 17 1
2/21/02 30 1 29 69 51 18 *
1/27/02 31 1 29 69 50 19 *
9/20/01 38 3 35 60 47 14 2
9/9/01 33 1 32 66 47 19 *
7/30/01 50 3 46 50 39 12 *
4/22/01 50 3 47 50 40 9 *
1/15/01 70 10 59 29 24 6 1
10/27/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
10/26/00 LV 86 24 61 14 11 3 *
6/11/00 74 17 57 26 19 6 *
2/27/00 80 25 55 20 14 5 *
10/31/99 74 18 56 26 18 7 1
9/2/99 76 19 57 23 16 6 1
3/14/99 80 22 58 19 15 4 1
11/1/98 73 12 61 26 21 5 1
11/1/98 LV 78 13 65 22 19 3 *
10/13/97 61 12 49 39 27 11 *
8. 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
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
9. Which best describes your family’s financial situation? Do you feel as if you are getting ahead financially, have just enough money to maintain your standard of living, or are you falling behind financially?
Getting Just enough Falling No
ahead to maintain behind opinion
7/17/11 15 58 27 *
2/9/11* 18 60 21 *
10/3/10* 15 56 28 1
1/12/08 21 61 17 1
9/7/07 26 53 20 1
6/3/07* 27 53 19 1
11/4/06 RV 28 48 23 1
10/22/06 RV 25 53 21 1
11/4/96* 28 48 23 1
*Washington Post/Kaiser/Harvard
10. Has the economic situation caused you to change your personal lifestyle in a significant way, or not?
Yes No No opinion
7/17/11 54 46 *
4/24/09 56 43 *
11. (IF HAD TO CHANGE LIFESTYLE) How would you describe your feelings about the changes you've had to make - are you angry about it, upset but not angry, not upset but concerned, or is it not a cause of concern?
--- Angry/Upset --- --------- Not Angry/Upset -------- No
NET Angry Upset NET Cncd Not cncd Pos. (vol.) opinion
7/17/11 61 23 38 38 31 7 1 *
4/24/09 45 13 32 55 43 11 * *
10/11 NET
--------- Caused changes ----------
NET Angry/Upset Not Angry/Upset No change No opinion
7/17/11 54 33 21 46 *
4/24/09 56 25 31 43 *
12. In the last year, have you or has anyone living in your household been laid off or lost their job?
Yes No No opinion
7/17/11 29 71 *
12/12/10 34 65 *
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..."
13. Thinking beyond your own household, do you have any close friends or immediate family members who have been laid off or lost their job?
Yes No No opinion
7/17/11 71 29 *
12/12/10 72 28 0
4/24/09 63 36 *
2/22/09 60 40 1
14. Thinking about the economic challenges facing the country would you say the actions taken by the [ITEM] made things better, made things worse, or had no effect? (IF BETTER or WORSE) Would that be much better/worse or somewhat better/worse?
7/17/11 - Summary Table
----- Better ----- ------ Worse ----- No No
NET Much Smwt. NET Smwt. Much effect opin.
a. Obama administration 29 5 23 37 13 24 33 2
b. Bush administration 16 4 12 57 22 35 24 3
c. Republicans in Congress 16 3 12 39 20 19 42 3
Trend:
a. Obama administration
----- Better ----- ------ Worse ----- No No
NET Much Smwt. NET Smwt. Much effect opinion
7/17/11 29 5 23 37 13 24 33 2
10/3/10* 40 10 30 31 12 19 26 2
*Washington Post/Kaiser/Harvard
b. Bush administration
----- Better ----- ------ Worse ----- No No
NET Much Smwt. NET Smwt. Much effect opinion
7/17/11 16 4 12 57 22 35 24 3
10/3/10* 15 3 12 63 26 37 19 3
*Washington Post/Kaiser/Harvard
c. No trend.
15. Has the leadership of the Republican Party been too willing or not willing enough to compromise with Obama on the budget deficit?
Too Not willing About right No
willing enough (vol.) opinion
7/17/11 14 77 3 6
3/13/11 16 71 5 8
Compare to: Has the leadership of the Democratic Party been too willing or not willing enough to compromise with Bush on the issue of the budget deficit?
Too Not willing About right No
willing enough (vol.) opinion
10/29/03 30 56 4 10
16. Has Obama been too willing or not willing enough to compromise with the leadership of the Republican Party on the budget deficit?
Too Not willing About right No
willing enough (vol.) opinion
7/17/11 29 58 8 6
3/13/11 30 52 10 8
Compare to: Has Bush been too willing or not willing enough to compromise with the leadership of the Democratic Party on the issue of budget deficit?
Too Not willing About right No
willing enough (vol.) opinion
10/29/03 22 64 6 8
17. Just your best guess, do you think Obama and the Republicans will or will not resolve this issue before the August second deadline the administration has set for raising the debt limit?
Will Will not No opinion
7/17/11 54 43 3
18. If the government cannot borrow more money after August second to fund its operations and pay its debts, do you think that would or would not cause serious harm to [ITEM]? How about [NEXT ITEM]?
7/17/11 - Summary Table
Would Would not No opinion
a. The U.S. economy 82 16 2
b. The reputation of the United States
as a safe place to invest 77 20 3
c. Your own personal financial situation 60 37 3
Compare item a to: As you may have heard, in August the federal government will reach its debt limit. Unless Congress raises the amount of money the government can borrow, the government would not be able to borrow more to fund its operations and pay its debts. If the limit is not raised, do you think that would or would not cause serious harm to the U.S. economy?
Would Would not No opinion
6/5/11 71 22 6
19. Overall, what do you think is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit - (by cutting federal spending), (by increasing taxes), or by a combination of both?
Cutting federal Increasing Combination No
spending taxes of both opinion
7/17/11 32 4 62 3
6/5/11 37 4 57 2
4/17/11 36 3 59 2
3/13/11 31 3 64 3
12/12/10 36 2 60 1
20. In order to reduce the national debt, would you support or oppose [ITEM]? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
7/17/11 - Summary Table*
------ Support ------ ------- Oppose ----- No
NET Strngly Smwht NET Smwht Strngly op.
a. Cutting spending on Medicaid,
which is the government health
insurance program for the poor 26 11 16 72 18 54 2
b. Cutting military spending 43 23 20 56 17 39 2
c. Raising taxes on Americans
with incomes over 250-thousand
dollars a year 72 55 17 27 10 17 1
d. Gradually raising the
eligibility age for Medicare
from 65 to 67 46 25 21 54 12 42 1
e. Changing the way Social
Security benefits are calculated
so that benefits increase at a
slower rate than they do now 42 18 24 53 14 38 5
f. Raising taxes on oil and gas
companies 59 42 17 39 9 31 2
g. Raising Medicare premiums
for wealthier retirees 61 31 30 36 15 21 3
h. Increasing the amount of
Social Security tax paid by
people with incomes over 107-
thousand dollars a year 66 36 30 33 16 16 1
i. Raising taxes on people who
manage financial investments
known as hedge funds 64 37 27 25 16 9 11
*Full sample asked items a-c; half sample asked items d-f; other half sample asked items g-i.
Trend:
a. Cutting spending on Medicaid, which is the government health insurance program for the poor
------ Support ------ ------ Oppose ------- No
NET Strngly Smwht NET Smwht Strngly opinion
7/17/11 26 11 16 72 18 54 2
4/17/11 30 14 16 69 17 52 2
b. Cutting military spending
------ Support ------ ------ Oppose ------- No
NET Strngly Smwht NET Smwht Strngly opinion
7/17/11 43 23 20 56 17 39 2
4/17/11 42 22 20 56 15 41 2
c. Raising taxes on Americans with incomes over 250-thousand dollars a year
------ Support ------ ------ Oppose ------- No
NET Strngly Smwht NET Smwht Strngly opinion
7/17/11 72 55 17 27 10 17 1
4/17/11 72 54 18 27 10 17 1
d. Gradually raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67
------ Support ------ ------ Oppose ------- No
NET Strngly Smwht NET Smwht Strngly opinion
7/17/11 46 25 21 54 12 42 1
Compare to: Would you favor or oppose gradually raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67 over the next 30 years?
Favor Oppose No opinion
7/8/97 33 64 3
e-i. No trend.
21. Do you think large cuts in federal spending would do more to (create jobs) or do more to (cut jobs) in this country?
Neither No
Create jobs Cut jobs (vol.) opinion
7/17/11 47 44 3 6
3/13/11 41 45 7 7
22. If the debt limit is not raised, the federal government will have to start shutting down many of its activities, and may not be able to send out Social Security checks, pay salaries for government workers or meet its obligations to bondholders. If this occurs, who do you think will be mainly to blame – (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
7/17/11 36 42 19 1 2
Compare to: As you may know, unless Congress and the president can agree to raise the federal debt limit soon, the government will not be able to borrow more money to fund its operations and pay its debts. If the limit is not raised, who do you think would mainly be responsible for this – (the Obama administration) or (the Republicans in Congress)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
---- Obama admin ---- -- Reps in Congress -- Both Neither No
NET Strongly Smwt. NET Smwt. Strongly (vol.) (vol.) opin.
6/19/11* 33 24 10 42 12 30 13 4 7
*Washington Post/Pew Research Center poll
23. On another subject: Thinking about the next election in November 2012, right now, are you inclined to vote to re-elect your representative in Congress, or are you inclined to look around for someone else to vote for?
Depends
Re-elect Look around (vol.) No opinion
7/17/11 All 30 63 2 5
7/17/11 RV 32 63 2 3
6/5/11 All 34 55 4 6
6/5/11 RV 37 53 4 6
10/28/10 All 32 50 7 11
10/28/10 RV 35 52 7 6
10/28/10 LV 40 49 6 5
10/3/10 All 29 55 9 7
10/3/10 RV 31 55 8 6
9/2/10 All 31 58 5 6
9/2/10 RV 33 57 5 5
7/11/10 All 25 60 6 8
7/11/10 RV 26 62 6 6
6/6/10 All 29 60 5 6
6/6/10 RV 30 59 5 5
4/25/10 RV 32 57 7 4
2/8/10 ALL 36 56 4 4
2/8/10 RV 37 56 5 3
11/15/09 All 38 50 6 5
5/15/06 All 35 55 6 4
5/15/06 RV 37 54 6 3
6/5/05 All 40 50 8 3
2/21/02 All 40 48 7 6
2/21/02 RV 43 47 7 4
10/31/99 RV 43 47 9 2
9/28/98 LV 52 42 NA 6
7/12/98 All 42 44 5 10
7/12/98 RV 46 43 5 6
1/19/98 All 47 41 7 4
1/19/98 RV 49 41 7 3
8/27/97 All 34 52 9 5
11/6/94 RV 37 47 7 8
10/31/94 RV 37 56 2 5
10/23/94 RV 34 58 4 5
9/11/94 RV 39 52 4 5
6/26/94 All 35 54 6 5
6/26/94 RV 38 53 6 3
3/27/94 All 32 56 6 7
3/27/94 RV 34 55 6 5
1/23/94 All 32 46 10 12
1/23/94 RV 35 44 10 10
11/14/93 All 38 52 5 5
11/14/93 RV 40 51 5 4
8/21/92 RV 35 48 5 12
7/8/92 All 34 54 3 9
7/8/92 RV 36 54 3 6
6/7/92 All 36 53 4 7
6/7/92 RV 39 53 4 5
4/9/92 All 33 56 3 8
4/9/92 RV 35 56 3 7
3/18/92 All 35 56 3 5
3/18/92 RV 36 56 4 4
3/11/92 All 36 54 3 7
2/2/92 All 38 51 4 7
2/2/92 RV 41 49 4 5
10/21/91 All 31 55 7 6
10/21/91 RV 32 56 8 5
6/2/91 All 37 49 5 9
11/4/90 LV 41 50 NA 8
10/14/90 All 36 57 " 7
5/21/90 All 43 50 3 3
5/23/89 All 45 44 4 6
24. How closely are you following the 2012 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
7/17/11 61 18 43 39 23 15 *
7/17/11 RV 66 20 46 34 21 13 *
6/5/11 61 22 39 38 23 15 *
6/5/11 RV 65 25 41 35 22 13 -
11/3/08 RV 91 64 28 8 5 4 *
11/2/08 RV 90 63 28 9 5 4 *
11/1/08 RV 90 61 29 10 6 4 *
10/31/08 RV 89 60 29 11 7 4 *
10/30/08 RV 89 59 29 11 7 4 *
10/29/08 RV 89 60 30 10 6 4 *
10/28/08 RV 90 59 31 10 6 4 *
10/27/08 RV 91 60 31 9 5 4 *
10/26/08 RV 90 60 30 9 5 4 *
10/25/08 RV 89 59 30 11 6 5 *
10/24/08 RV 89 60 28 11 6 5 *
10/23/08 RV 88 58 30 12 6 6 *
10/22/08 RV 89 57 32 11 6 5 *
10/21/08 RV 90 58 32 10 6 4 *
10/20/08 RV 90 57 34 10 6 4 *
10/19/08 RV 90 57 33 10 6 3 *
10/11/08 RV 92 59 33 8 4 4 *
9/29/08 RV 89 58 31 11 7 5 *
9/22/08 RV 91 55 36 9 5 4 0
9/7/08 RV 89 51 38 10 6 5 *
8/22/08 RV 84 42 42 16 11 5 *
7/13/08 RV 79 36 42 21 12 9 1
6/15/08 75 34 41 25 12 13 *
5/11/08 83 39 44 17 13 5 0
4/13/08 84 37 47 16 11 5 *
3/2/08 84 42 42 15 11 4 *
2/1/08 81 35 46 19 12 7 *
1/12/08 79 32 47 21 15 6 *
12/9/07 72 21 51 28 19 8 *
11/1/07 67 21 46 33 22 12 0
9/30/07 69 21 48 30 21 10 *
7/21/07 70 22 48 30 20 10 *
6/1/07 66 18 48 34 22 13 *
4/15/07 66 20 45 34 20 14 *
2/25/07 65 20 44 35 25 10 *
25. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the choice of candidates for the Republican nomination for president next year - are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied?
----- Satisfied ----- --- Dissatisfied ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
7/17/11 54 8 46 38 29 10 8
7/17/11 RV 51 9 42 41 31 11 7
6/5/11 47 7 40 46 38 9 7
6/5/11 RV 47 7 40 45 37 8 8
4/17/11 43 5 38 40 30 10 17
4/17/11 RV 40 6 34 42 31 11 18
11/1/07 69 16 54 28 22 7 2
9/7/07 68 19 49 26 21 6 5
7/21/07 65 13 53 32 26 6 3
6/1/07 68 11 56 28 22 6 4
4/15/07 65 16 49 31 27 5 3
2/25/07 73 14 58 24 20 5 3
26. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) If the 2012 Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state were being held today, and the candidates were (Michele Bachmann), (Herman Cain), (Newt Gingrich), (Jon Huntsman), (Sarah Palin), (Ron Paul), (Tim Pawlenty), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), (Rick Santorum). For whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
AMONG RVs
7/17/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 26 26
Sarah Palin 18 16
Michele Bachmann 12 13
Ron Paul 9 7
Rick Perry 8 8
Herman Cain 6 7
Newt Gingrich 5 4
Jon Huntsman 3 3
Tim Pawlenty 2 2
Rick Santorum 2 2
Other (vol.) 1 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 1 1
Would not vote (vol.) 1 *
No opinion 8 8
27. (IF NAMED A CANDIDATE) Do you support (CANDIDATE) strongly, or somewhat?
Strongly Somewhat No opinion
7/17/11 34 66 0
7/17/11 RV 35 65 0
Strongly Somewhat No opinion
Mitt Romney 29 71 0
28. (IF WOULD VOTE FOR PALIN OR PERRY) If (PALIN/PERRY) does not run for president, for whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
---Without Palin---- ----Without Perry---
AMONG RVS AMONG RVS
7/17/11 7/17/11 7/17/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 30 30 28 28
Sarah Palin NA NA 19 17
Michele Bachmann 16 17 13 14
Ron Paul 11 10 10 8
Rick Perry 8 8 NA NA
Herman Cain 7 7 7 7
Newt Gingrich 6 6 5 4
Jon Huntsman 3 3 3 3
Rick Santorum 3 3 3 3
Tim Pawlenty 3 3 2 2
Other (vol.) 1 1 1 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 2 2 1 2
Would not vote (vol.) 1 * 1 1
No opinion 8 9 8 8
29. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICAN) Regardless of who you may support, which of the Republican candidates do you think [ITEM]? (IF NEEDED) I can repeat the list. Is it (Michele Bachmann), (Herman Cain), (Newt Gingrich), (Jon Huntsman), (Sarah Palin), (Ron Paul), (Tim Pawlenty), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), or (Rick Santorum)?
Full item wording:
a. is the strongest leader
b. best understands the problems of people like you
c. has the best experience to be president
d. is the closest to you on the issues
e. best reflects the core values of the Republican Party
7/17/11 – Summary Table
Leader Understands Experience Issues Values
Mitt Romney 27 18 27 21 19
Sarah Palin 16 23 11 20 20
Michele Bachmann 8 11 7 10 11
Newt Gingrich 11 4 16 5 9
Ron Paul 5 9 6 10 8
Rick Perry 8 5 8 5 7
Herman Cain 4 5 3 5 4
Jon Huntsman 2 2 2 3 1
Tim Pawlenty 1 1 1 1 1
Rick Santorum 2 3 2 3 3
Other (vol.) 1 1 1 1 1
All of them (vol.) * 1 2 * *
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 1 * 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 1 4 4 1 1
No opinion 13 12 11 15 14
7/17/11 – Summary Table among registered voters
Leader Understands Experience Issues Values
Mitt Romney 27 18 28 20 18
Sarah Palin 14 21 9 17 19
Michele Bachmann 10 12 7 12 13
Newt Gingrich 11 3 14 5 9
Ron Paul 5 8 6 9 7
Rick Perry 9 5 8 5 7
Herman Cain 4 5 4 6 4
Jon Huntsman 3 3 3 3 1
Tim Pawlenty 1 2 1 1 1
Rick Santorum 2 3 2 3 3
Other (vol.) 1 1 1 2 1
All of them (vol.) * 1 2 1 1
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 1 1 1 * 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 1 5 4 1 1
No opinion 13 13 10 14 13
30. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Now thinking ahead to November 2012: Which Republican presidential candidate do you think has the best chance to defeat Barack Obama in the general election? (IF NEEDED) I can repeat the list. Is it (Michele Bachmann), (Herman Cain), (Newt Gingrich), (Jon Huntsman), (Sarah Palin), (Ron Paul), (Tim Pawlenty), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), or (Rick Santorum)?
AMONG RVs
7/17/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 32 32
Sarah Palin 14 12
Michele Bachmann 7 8
Rick Perry 6 7
Newt Gingrich 6 5
Ron Paul 3 3
Jon Huntsman 2 3
Herman Cain 2 2
Tim Pawlenty 2 2
Rick Santorum 1 2
Other (vol.) 1 1
All of them (vol.) 7 8
Any 2 or more equally (vol.) 2 2
None of them (vol.) 4 4
No opinion 11 10
31. If the 2012 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)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
7/17/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 51 44 * 2 1 2
b. Ron Paul 53 41 * 2 1 3
c. Michele Bachmann 56 39 0 2 2 2
d. Rick Perry 55 38 * 2 1 4
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS
7/17/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 49 47 * 2 1 1
b. Ron Paul 52 42 * 2 2 2
c. Michele Bachmann 55 40 0 2 2 2
d. Rick Perry 53 40 * 2 2 3
Trend where available:
a. Mitt Romney
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
7/17/11 51 44 * 2 1 2
7/17/11 RV 49 47 * 2 1 1
6/5/11 47 47 * 2 1 2
6/5/11 RV 46 49 * 2 1 2
4/17/11 49 45 * 3 1 2
b. No trend.
c. Michele Bachmann
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Bachmann (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
7/17/11 56 39 0 2 2 2
7/17/11 RV 55 40 0 2 2 2
6/5/11 52 39 * 3 2 4
6/5/11 RV 51 40 * 3 1 4
4/17/11 51 39 * 4 2 3
d. No trend.
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
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. On another subject, do you think it should be legal or illegal for gay and lesbian couples to get married? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
--------- Legal --------- -------- Illegal -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
7/17/11 51 32 19 45 9 36 4
3/13/11 53 36 17 44 9 35 3
2/8/10 47 31 16 50 9 42 3
4/24/09* 49 31 18 46 7 39 5
6/4/06 36 24 13 58 7 51 5
8/28/05 39 NA NA 58 NA NA 3
8/29/04 RV 32 18 14 62 10 52 5
3/7/04 38 24 14 59 11 48 3
2/22/04 39 25 13 55 6 49 6
1/18/04 41 NA NA 55 NA NA 4
9/7/03 37 NA NA 55 NA NA 7
*2009 "gay and lesbian" and "homosexual" wordings half sampled. 2005 "gay and lesbian", others "homosexual".
34. New York recently passed a law that allows gay and lesbian couples to marry. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Positive ------- -------- Negative ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
7/17/11 50 32 18 46 10 36 5
35. On another subject, 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
7/17/11 54 19 35 44 30 15 2
3/26/10 53 17 35 45 27 18 2
11/23/09 54 19 35 43 28 16 2
6/21/09 55 20 35 43 26 17 2
9/7/08 RV 57 19 38 39 24 15 4
8/22/08 54 22 32 44 26 18 3
6/15/08 53 18 35 44 28 16 3
1/12/08 57 21 36 40 25 15 3
12/9/07 53 18 35 44 27 17 3
11/1/07 55 19 36 43 27 16 2
7/21/07 56 23 34 41 28 14 2
2/25/07 56 16 39 42 31 12 2
12/18/05 56 17 40 41 27 13 3
4/24/05 56 20 36 42 27 14 3
12/19/04 55 21 34 42 25 17 3
5/23/04 54 23 31 44 23 20 2
1/20/03 57 23 34 42 25 17 2
8/12/01 49 22 27 48 28 20 3
6/24/01 52 22 31 43 23 20 4
1/15/01 59 21 38 39 25 14 1
9/6/00 RV 55 20 35 42 25 16 3
7/23/00 53 20 33 43 26 17 4
9/2/99 56 20 37 42 26 15 2
3/14/99 55 21 34 42 27 15 3
7/12/98 54 19 35 42 29 13 4
8/5/96 56 22 34 41 27 14 3
6/30/96 58 24 34 40 25 14 2
10/1/95 60 26 35 37 25 12 3
9/21/95 60 24 36 36 25 11 4
7/17/95 59 27 32 40 26 14 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
7/17/11 32 26 34 6 2 17 16 9
6/5/11 31 25 39 4 1 18 17 9
4/17/11 32 22 41 4 * 17 18 8
3/13/11 33 24 37 5 1 17 14 11
1/16/11 33 23 38 5 1 17 17 9
12/12/10 31 26 38 5 1 18 17 7
10/28/10 34 24 34 5 2 17 16 6
10/3/10 33 23 39 4 1 15 19 9
9/2/10 31 25 39 4 1 17 21 6
7/11/10 31 24 40 3 1 18 18 9
6/6/10 32 24 39 3 1 19 19 6
4/25/10 34 23 38 4 1 19 17 6
3/26/10 34 24 38 3 1 17 17 7
2/8/10 32 26 39 3 * 17 19 6
1/15/10 32 23 38 7 * 17 20 9
12/13/09 32 26 37 5 1 13 18 11
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.
7/17/11 23 40 35 1 2
6/5/11 22 36 40 1 1
4/17/11 21 39 36 2 2
3/13/11 23 37 36 1 2
1/16/11 22 38 36 2 2
12/12/10 19 39 38 2 2
10/28/10 21 39 37 1 2
10/3/10 21 43 34 2 1
9/2/10 19 37 40 3 1
7/11/10 22 35 39 2 1
6/6/10 23 39 36 1 1
4/25/10 22 40 35 1 2
3/26/10 24 32 42 1 2
2/8/10 24 36 37 2 1
1/15/10 25 34 38 1 1
12/13/09 23 35 41 1 1
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 LT20k 20-35k 35-50k NET 50-75k 75-100k 100k+
7/17/11 54 19 18 17 46 17 12 17
6/5/11 49 18 16 15 49 15 12 21
4/17/11 51 20 16 14 47 15 11 21
3/13/11 49 16 16 17 48 18 11 19
1/16/11 51 17 19 15 46 17 12 16
12/12/10 55 21 17 17 42 16 11 15
10/28/10 47 17 15 15 51 18 15 18
10/3/10 53 19 18 16 42 15 12 15
9/2/10 48 15 18 15 47 17 14 17
7/11/10 52 19 15 17 45 16 13 17
6/6/10 55 22 17 17 45 15 11 19
4/25/10 52 19 16 16 46 17 11 18
3/26/10 50 16 18 15 47 18 13 16
2/8/10 49 20 16 14 49 18 13 18
1/15/10 49 17 14 18 48 17 13 18
12/13/09 54 19 18 17 42 15 12 15
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 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 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***
