Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone September 29-October 2 2011, among a random national sample of 1,002 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four 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
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
10/28/10 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
**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?
10/2/11 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 35 17 19 61 13 48 4
b. Taxes 42 22 20 51 14 37 7
c. Creating jobs 35 17 18 60 14 47 4
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked item b; other half sample asked item c.
Trend:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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. Taxes
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
10/2/11 42 22 20 51 14 37 7
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
c. Creating jobs
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
10/2/11 35 17 18 60 14 47 4
9/1/11 36 15 21 62 18 45 2
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 U.S. Congress is doing its job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
10/2/11 14 3 11 82 20 62 4
3/13/11 27 7 20 69 24 45 4
1/16/11 28 6 21 66 24 43 7
10/28/10 RV 23 6 17 74 21 53 3
10/28/10 LV 21 5 16 77 19 58 2
10/3/10 24 6 18 73 22 51 3
9/2/10 25 5 20 72 21 51 4
6/6/10 26 7 20 71 20 51 2
3/26/10 24 7 18 72 18 54 4
2/8/10 26 NA NA 71 NA NA 3
7/13/08 23 71 6
2/1/08 33 59 8
12/9/07 32 60 8
11/1/07 28 65 7
9/30/07 29 65 6
7/21/07 37 60 4
6/1/07 39 " " 53 " " 8
4/15/07 44 8 36 54 25 29 3
2/25/07 41 NA NA 54 NA NA 5
1/19/07 43 50 8
12/11/06 37 " " 57 " " 6
11/4/06 RV 36 7 29 60 25 35 4
10/22/06 31 5 25 65 27 38 4
10/8/06 32 5 27 66 29 37 2
9/7/06 40 NA NA 55 NA NA 5
8/6/06 36 60 4
5/15/06 33 63 4
4/9/06 35 62 3
3/5/06 36 62 3
1/26/06 43 53 4
1/8/06 41 55 5
12/18/05 43 53 4
11/2/05 37 59 4
8/28/05 37 59 4
6/5/05 41 54 4
10/29/03 40 52 9
4/30/03 57 37 6
9/26/02 51 43 6
7/15/02 57 36 7
2/21/02 57 39 4
1/27/02 58 35 7
12/19/01 59 34 7
9/9/01 45 48 7
7/30/01 48 48 4
4/22/01 58 33 8
10/31/99 42 53 6
9/2/99 46 47 7
6/6/99 48 46 6
3/14/99 44 49 7
2/14/99 46 50 4
12/20/98 44 51 5
12/19/98 45 50 5
12/13/98 49 46 5
11/7/98 41 55 4
11/1/98 49 47 5
10/25/98 45 44 11
10/18/98 46 45 8
9/28/98 52 44 4
8/21/98 55 39 6
7/12/98 46 44 11
5/12/98 45 45 9
4/4/98 47 45 8
1/31/98 55 35 10
1/30/98 55 35 10
1/25/98 56 37 8
1/24/98 55 38 7
1/19/98 47 49 5
10/13/97 36 57 7
8/27/97 39 54 7
7/8/97 40 53 6
4/24/97 40 53 7
3/9/97 35 60 5
8/5/96 42 52 7
6/30/96 35 58 7
5/22/96 35 60 5
3/10/96 30 64 6
1/7/96 31 65 5
11/19/95 27 68 5
10/1/95 32 65 3
7/17/95 34 63 3
3/19/95 39 56 5
1/29/95 42 52 6
10/31/94 21 72 8
10/23/94 18 78 4
9/11/94 24 70 5
6/26/94 34 61 5
3/27/94 35 62 3
2/27/94 32 64 4
1/23/94 29 60 11
11/14/93 28 66 6
8/8/93 33 64 3
4/26/93 30 69 2
1/17/93 29 66 6
4/9/92 17 78 5
3/18/92 19 76 5
3/8/92 22 73 6
2/2/92 32 64 4
12/15/91 35 59 6
10/21/91 45 50 5
6/2/91 49 46 5
10/14/90 34 63 3
2/4/90 41 55 4
1/16/90 39 55 6
8/21/89 42 53 5
5/23/89 54 44 2
2/14/89 53 44 3
1/23/88* 43 53 4
6/1/87 56 40 4
6/22/85 54 37 9
5/83 33 43 24
6/81 38 40 22
6/79 19 61 20
9/78 29 49 22
6/77 34 42 24
6/75 29 54 17
8/74 48 " " 35 " " 17
*1/23/88 and previous: Gallup
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling the economy? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
10/2/11 20 4 16 76 21 54 4
7/17/11 28 NA NA 67 NA NA 5
4/17/11 34 62 3
11/4/90 LV* 26 " " 69 " " 5
* "the nation's economy"
5. When it comes to finding the right balance between [cutting government spending that is not needed] and [continuing government spending that is needed], who do you trust to do a better job - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Obama Reps Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
10/2/11 44 39 1 14 2
6/5/11 41 44 2 11 2
4/17/11 45 44 2 7 2
3/13/11 43 42 2 10 3
6. Who do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
10/2/11 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 43 42 1 11 2
b. Handling taxes 39 46 1 11 2
c. Creating jobs 49 34 1 14 3
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked item b; other half sample asked item c.
Trend:
a. Handling the economy
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 43 42 1 11 2
9/1/11 42 39 1 16 2
6/5/11 42 45 2 9 2
3/13/11 46 34 2 15 4
1/16/11 46 41 3 7 3
12/12/10 44 45 2 7 2
4/25/10 49 38 1 9 2
2/8/10 47 42 1 7 2
12/13/09 48 36 1 12 3
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
b. Handling taxes
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 39 46 1 11 2
4/17/11 47 42 1 8 2
1/16/11 44 42 2 9 4
12/12/10 43 44 1 7 5
c. Creating jobs
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 49 34 1 14 3
9/1/11 40 40 1 17 2
6/5/11 43 42 2 11 2
2/8/10 48 41 2 8 2
7. Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
10/2/11 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Middle class Americans 52 32 1 12 3
b. Wealthy Americans 17 70 5 6 2
Trend:
a. Middle class Americans
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 52 32 1 12 3
7/17/11 53 35 1 9 2
b. No trend.
8. How satisfied are you with the way this country’s political system is working – would you say very satisfied, mostly satisfied, mostly dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
---- Satisfied ---- --- Dissatisfied -- No
NET Very Mostly NET Mostly Very opinion
10/2/11 20 2 18 79 38 41 1
8/9/11* 21 2 19 78 33 45 1
11/23/09 38 4 34 61 30 31 1
6/3/07 34 5 29 64 34 30 1
*Washington Post
9. (IF DISSATISFIED) Who do you mainly blame for that – (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 25 39 27 8 1
8/9 NET:
-------------- Dissatisfied --------------
Blame Blame Both Neither No No
Satisfied NET Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) op. opinion
10/2/11 20 79 19 31 21 6 1 1
10. A committee of (Democrats) and (Republicans) in Congress has until late November to propose ways to cut the federal deficit by one-point-two trillion dollars over the next 10 years. Do you think this should be done by (cutting federal spending), by (increasing taxes), or by a combination of both?
Cutting federal Increasing Combination No
spending taxes of both opinion
10/2/11 31 3 64 2
Compare to: 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
11. How likely do you think it is that (Democrats) and (Republicans) in Congress will agree on a deficit-reduction plan – very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?
------- Likely ------ ------ Unlikely ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
10/2/11 25 3 22 74 37 37 1
12. If a deficit-reduction plan is not agreed on, automatic cuts of one-point-two trillion dollars in federal spending will take effect in January 2013, half from (military programs) and half from (domestic programs). Would you support or oppose these automatic cuts if there is no agreement?
Support Oppose No opinion
10/2/11 36 57 7
I have a few questions on taxes…
13. Do you support or oppose raising taxes on Americans with incomes over one million dollars a year?
Support Oppose No opinion
10/2/11 75 23 2
14. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose changing federal tax law to make it harder for businesses to reduce their taxes by taking tax deductions?
Support Oppose No opinion
10/2/11 42 46 11
15. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose changing federal tax law to make it harder for individuals to reduce their taxes by taking tax deductions?
Support Oppose No opinion
10/2/11 43 47 11
16. Obama recently proposed a 450 billion dollar package aimed at creating jobs. Given what you know about it, do you support or oppose the plan? Is that support/oppose strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
10/2/11 52 26 26 36 10 25 13
17. Just your best guess, if Obama’s jobs package passes Congress, do you think it would improve the jobs situation in the country a great deal, somewhat, not much or not at all?
--------- Improve --------- ---- Not improve --- No
NET Great deal Somewhat NET Not much None opinion
10/2/11 58 11 47 39 20 20 3
17a. (IF NOT MUCH OR NOT AT ALL) Is that because (the plan is a bad one) or because (the problem is too big for government to solve)?
Plan is a Problem is too big Both Other No
bad one for gov’t to solve (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 41 41 11 5 2
17/17a NET:
---------------------- Not improve ----------------------
Plan is a Problem is too big Both Other No No
Improve NET bad one for gov’t to solve (vol.) (vol.) op. opinion
10/2/11 58 39 16 16 4 2 1 3
18. On another subject, 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
10/2/11 64 24 40 36 23 13 0
9/1/11 66 25 40 34 20 14 *
7/17/11 61 18 43 39 23 15 *
6/5/11 61 22 39 38 23 15 *
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 *
19. (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
10/2/11 62 9 54 32 25 7 6
9/1/11 65 15 51 29 21 8 6
7/17/11 54 8 46 38 29 10 8
6/5/11 47 7 40 46 38 9 7
4/17/11 43 5 38 40 30 10 17
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
20. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) What's the single most important issue to you in your choice for the Republican candidate for president?
10/2/11
Economy/jobs 51
Deficit/debt/spending 13
Ethics/Honesty/Corruption in government 7
Taxes 4
Health care 4
Morals/family values 3
Social Security 2
Immigration 1
Size/role of government 1
Education 1
Leadership 1
Business 1
Military 1
Beating Barack Obama 1
Conservative 1
Qualifications/Experience 1
Foreign policy 1
Gun control 1
Other 4
No opinion 5
20a. (IF ECONOMY/JOBS) After the economy/jobs, what’s the next most important issue?
10/2/11
Taxes 19
Health care 11
Foreign policy 10
Deficit/debt/spending 10
Terrorism/security 8
Education 6
Immigration 5
War in Afghanistan 5
Military 4
Ethics/Honesty/Corruption in government 2
Housing/Mortgages 2
Size/role of government 2
Beating Barack Obama 1
Conservative 1
Gun control 1
Morals/family values 1
Social Security 1
Other 1
No opinion 6
21. (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), (Chris Christie), (Newt Gingrich), (Jon Huntsman), (Sarah Palin), (Ron Paul), (Rick Perry), (Mitt Romney), (Rick Santorum). For whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NOTE: HORSE RACE FOR ALL ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES, SEE 21/23/24 BELOW
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
All leaned Reps. Among RVs
10/2/11 10/2/11
Mitt Romney 21 20
Herman Cain 14 15
Rick Perry 14 15
Chris Christie 10 10
Sarah Palin 9 8
Ron Paul 9 7
Newt Gingrich 6 7
Michele Bachmann 4 4
Rick Santorum 1 2
Jon Huntsman 1 1
Other (vol.) 1 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 3 3
Would not vote (vol.) * *
No opinion 6 6
22. (IF NAMED A CANDIDATE) Do you support (CANDIDATE) strongly, or somewhat?
Strongly Somewhat No opinion
10/2/11 36 64 0
10/2/11 RV 38 62 0
9/1/11 34 66 *
9/1/11 RV 32 68 *
7/17/11 34 66 0
7/17/11 RV 35 65 0
23. (IF WOULD VOTE FOR PALIN) If Palin does not run for president, for whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
------ Without Palin ------
All leaned Reps. Among RVs
10/2/11 10/2/11
Mitt Romney 22 22
Rick Perry 15 15
Herman Cain 14 15
Chris Christie 11 11
Ron Paul 11 8
Newt Gingrich 7 8
Michele Bachmann 6 6
Rick Santorum 2 2
Jon Huntsman 1 1
Other (vol.) 1 2
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 3
Would not vote (vol.) * *
No opinion 7 7
24. (IF WOULD VOTE FOR CHRISTIE) If Christie does not run for president, for whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
------------------ Without Christie -------------------
All leaned Reps. Among RVs
10/2/11 9/1/11 7/17/11 10/2/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 23 22 26 23 23 26
Herman Cain 16 3 6 17 3 7
Rick Perry 16 27 8 16 29 8
Sarah Palin 10 14 18 8 14 16
Ron Paul 9 8 9 8 8 7
Newt Gingrich 7 4 5 8 4 4
Michele Bachmann 4 6 12 4 6 13
Jon Huntsman 1 1 3 1 1 3
Rick Santorum 1 2 2 2 2 2
Tim Pawlenty NA NA 2 NA NA 2
Other (vol.) 2 1 1 2 1 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 4 4 1 4 4 1
Would not vote (vol.) 1 2 1 1 1 *
No opinion 6 4 8 6 4 8
21/23/24. (IF WOULD VOTE FOR CHRISTIE OR PALIN) If neither (Christie) nor (Palin) run, for whom would you vote? Which candidate would you lean toward?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
--------------- Without Christie/Palin -----------------
Among gen pop Among RVs
10/2/11 9/1/11 7/17/11 10/2/11 9/1/11 7/17/11
Mitt Romney 25 25 30 25 25 30
Herman Cain 16 4 7 17 5 7
Rick Perry 16 29 8 17 30 8
Ron Paul 11 10 11 9 10 10
Newt Gingrich 7 6 6 9 5 6
Michele Bachmann 7 8 16 7 9 17
Rick Santorum 2 3 3 2 3 3
Jon Huntsman 1 1 3 1 1 3
Tim Pawlenty NA NA 3 NA NA 3
Other (vol.) 2 2 1 2 2 1
No one/None of them (vol.) 5 5 2 4 4 2
Would not vote (vol.) 1 2 1 1 1 *
No opinion 7 5 8 7 5 9
25. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Would you like to see Sarah Palin run for the Republican nomination for president, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/2/11 31 66 3
26. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Would you like to see Chris Christie run for the Republican nomination for president, or not?
Yes No No opinion
10/2/11 42 34 24
27. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Have you watched any of the debates among the Republican candidates for president that have been held recently, or not? (IF WATCHED) Did you happen to watch last week’s debate, or not that one?
----- Have watched GOP debates ----- Have not No
NET Last week Not last week DK watched opinion
10/2/11 46 21 24 1 54 0
28. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Regardless of who you may support, would you say that the more you hear about [ITEM] (the more you like him/her), or the more you hear about [ITEM] (the less you like him/her)?
10/2/11 - Summary Table
More you Less you Makes no Haven’t heard No
like like diff. (vol.) enough (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 38 35 10 11 6
b. Rick Perry 30 44 4 15 6
c. Sarah Palin 35 49 9 2 6
d. Chris Christie 43 23 4 20 9
e. Herman Cain 47 18 2 25 9
29. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) What's more important to you: supporting the presidential candidate in your party (who you agree with most on the issues), or the candidate (who's most likely to win in November 2012)?
Agree on Most likely Same Both Neither No
issues to win person (vol.) (vol.) (vol.) op.
10/2/11 73 20 1 2 1 3
2/25/07 85 13 0 * 1 1
30. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Regardless of who you may support, between only (Romney) and (Perry), who do you think [ITEM]?
10/2/11 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Romney Perry (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Better understands the problems of
people like you 37 40 2 7 15
b. Has the better experience to be
president 50 30 3 3 13
c. Is closer to you on the issues 37 43 2 4 14
d. Has the better chance to defeat Barack
Obama in the general election 51 31 5 3 10
31. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Regardless of who you may support, between only (Romney) and (Perry), who do you trust more to handle (ITEM)?
10/2/11 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Romney Perry (vol.) (vol.) op.
a. Social Security 41 34 2 5 19
b. The economy 44 35 3 5 14
c. Health care 35 42 1 7 15
d. Immigration 41 34 1 8 16
e. The federal budget deficit 44 34 2 5 15
32. Say a candidate for president [ITEM]. Would you be (more likely) to vote for a candidate who held this position, (less likely), or wouldn’t it make much difference in your vote? Is that much more/less likely or somewhat more/less likely?
10/2/11 - Summary Table*
a. Thinks public schools should teach creationism or intelligent design alongside evolution as part of the science curriculum.
b. Sees global warming as a problem that needs to be addressed
c. Wants to repeal the new federal health care law that takes effect over the next few years
d. Favors letting states opt out of the Social Security system and replace it with their own retirement programs
e. Favors increasing the period of time in which people can get unemployment benefits
f. Supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage
g. Supports allowing illegal immigrants who graduate from a state high-school to qualify for in-state college tuition
h. Supports allowing undocumented immigrants who graduate from a state high-school to qualify for in-state college tuition
*Full sample asked items a-f; half sample asked item g; other half sample asked item h.
- More likely - - Less likely - No No
NET Much Smwt NET Smwt Much diff op.
a. Teach creationism 28 17 11 35 11 24 33 4
b. Sees global warming as problem 44 28 16 21 7 13 34 2
c. Wants to repeal new health care law 43 31 12 29 9 20 21 6
d. Let states opt out Social Security 24 12 12 52 18 34 20 4
e. Extend unemployment benefits 37 20 17 32 16 16 30 2
f. Supports banning same-sex marriage 25 20 5 42 8 35 32 1
g. (HALF) Supports in-state tuition
for illegal immigrants 18 12 7 50 15 36 29 2
h. (HALF) Supports in-state tuition
for undocumented immigrants 21 12 9 51 14 37 27 2
AMONG LEANED REPUBLICANS:
- More likely - - Less likely - No No
NET Much Smwt NET Smwt Much diff op.
a. Teach creationism 34 22 12 31 12 18 32 4
b. Sees global warming as problem 27 14 13 36 12 24 36 1
c. Wants to repeal new health care law 67 53 13 15 4 11 13 5
d. Let states opt out Social Security 33 18 16 41 16 25 22 4
e. Extend unemployment benefits 25 12 13 46 21 25 27 2
f. Supports banning same-sex marriage 38 29 9 27 7 20 34 1
g. (HALF) Supports in-state tuition
for illegal immigrants 12 7 5 63 17 47 23 2
h. (HALF) Supports in-state tuition
for undocumented immigrants 11 6 6 69 16 53 18 1
33. Obama has announced that he is running for re-election in 2012. Would you say you will definitely vote for him, you’ll consider voting for him, or you definitely will not vote for him?
Definitely Will Definitely No
will consider will not opinion
10/2/11 22 30 46 2
10/2/11 RV 23 29 46 2
8/9/11*** 20 33 44 2
8/9/11*** RV 21 30 46 2
6/5/11 24 29 45 1
6/5/11 RV 25 27 47 1
4/17/11 28 25 45 2
4/17/11 RV 30 23 46 1
12/12/10* 26 30 43 2
12/12/10* RV 26 28 44 2
11/23/09** 24 31 41 4
*”If Obama runs...would you...”
**"Thinking ahead to 2012, at this point would you..."
***Washington Post
34. If (NAME) wins the Republican nomination for president would you definitely vote for him in the general election for president in 2012, would you consider voting for him or would you definitely not vote for him?
10/02/11 - Summary Table
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
a. Mitt Romney 19 37 37 7
b. Rick Perry 17 31 44 7
Trend where available:
a. Mitt Romney
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
10/2/11 19 37 37 7
9/30/07 8 28 57 7
4/15/07 7 32 54 8
b. No trend.
35. 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 - GEN POP
10/2/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 47 46 * 3 1 2
b. Rick Perry 49 44 1 3 2 2
c. Chris Christie 46 44 1 3 2 3
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS
10/2/11 - Summary Table
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Rep. (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
a. Mitt Romney 46 48 * 2 1 2
b. Rick Perry 49 46 1 2 1 2
c. Chris Christie 45 45 1 3 2 3
Trend where available:
a. Mitt Romney
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
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
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
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
b. Rick Perry
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Perry (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 49 44 1 3 2 2
9/1/11 46 46 * 2 2 3
7/17/11 55 38 * 2 1 4
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Perry (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
10/2/11 RV 49 46 1 2 1 2
9/1/11 RV 46 47 * 2 2 2
7/17/11 RV 53 40 * 2 2 3
c. No trend.
36. Just your best guess, who do you think will win the presidential election next year - (Obama) or (the Republican candidate)?
Obama Rep candidate No opinion
10/2/11 37 55 8
37. 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
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
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)?
10/2/11
Democrat 32
Republican 25
Independent 37
Other (vol.) 4
No opinion 1
908a. Would you say your views on most political matters are liberal, moderate, or conservative?
10/2/11
Liberal 20
Moderate 36
Conservative 41
Don’t think in
those terms (vol.) 1
No opinion 1
INCOME. Which of the following CATEGORIES best describes your total annual household income before taxes, from all sources?
10/2/11
Less than $50,000 55
Less than $20K 21
$20K to $35K 19
$35K to $50K 15
More than $50,000 45
$50K to $75K 15
$75K to $100K 12
$100K+ 17
***END***
