Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone September 7-9, 2012, among a random national sample of 1,002 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error of 3.5 percentage points. The error margin is four points for the sample of 826 registered voters, and 4.5 points for the sample of 710 likely voters. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How closely are you following the 2012 presidential race: very closely, somewhat closely, not so closely, or not closely at all?
---- Closely ----- ---- Not closely ----- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
9/9/12 RV 80 44 36 19 11 9 *
5/20/12 RV 82 38 44 18 9 8 *
2/4/12* RV 79 37 43 20 12 8 *
1/15/12 RV 76 33 43 24 14 10 *
12/18/11 69 26 43 31 18 13 *
11/3/11 65 24 41 34 17 17 *
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 *
2. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in the presidential election in November: Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?
Don't think
Certain Probably Chances Less than will vote No
to vote vote 50/50 that (vol.) op.
9/9/12 RV 83 7 6 4 * 0
8/25/12 RV 81 8 6 3 1 *
7/8/12 RV 81 9 8 2 * *
9/7/08 RV 85 7 5 1 1 *
8/22/08 RV 84 10 4 2 * *
7/13/08 RV 79 10 7 3 2 0
6/15/08 71 9 8 7 4 *
9/8/04 RV 87 7 4 1 1 *
8/29/04 RV 84 10 4 2 * 0
8/1/04 RV 85 9 4 1 1 *
7/25/04 RV 85 7 5 2 * *
8/20/00 RV 78 13 6 3 1 0
8/10/00 RV 79 12 6 1 1 *
8/6/00 64 12 11 8 5 *
7/29/00 61 15 9 11 3 *
7/23/00 59 17 10 11 4 *
6/11/00 60 13 11 10 4 *
3. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If the presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the Democrats) and (Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, the Republicans), for whom would you vote? Which candidates are you leaning toward, (Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the Democrats) or (Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, the Republicans)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 LV 49 48 * 1 - 2
9/9/12 RV 50 44 1 2 1 2
8/25/12 RV 46 47 2 3 2 1
7/8/12* RV 47 47 * 2 * 4
5/20/12 RV 49 46 * 3 1 1
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
*7/18/12 and prior: “Barack Obama, the Democrat” and “Mitt Romney, the Republican”.
4. (IF SUPPORT OBAMA OR ROMNEY) Will you definitely vote for (OBAMA/ROMNEY), or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for (CANDIDATE NOT NAMED)? (IF CHANCE CHANGE MIND) Would you say (there’s a GOOD CHANCE) you'll change your mind, or would you say (it’s PRETTY UNLIKELY)?
Definitely - Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
9/9/12 RV 85 13 4 8 2
8/25/12 RV 83 15 6 9 2
7/8/12* RV 79 19 6 13 2
8/22/08 RV 73 24 11 13 3
7/13/08 RV 72 25 10 15 3
6/15/08 RV 72 26 11 16 2
7/25/04 RV 78 20 7 13 2
7/11/04 RV 79 21 7 13 1
6/20/04 RV 73 26 12 14 *
*7/8/12 and prior: “Will you definitely vote for (NAMED CANDIDATE), or is there
a chance you could change your mind and vote for someone else?”
Barack Obama:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
9/9/12 RV 86 11 4 7 3
8/25/12 RV 84 14 6 8 2
7/8/12 RV 81 17 4 13 2
9/7/08 RV 78 21 9 12 1
8/22/08 RV 74 23 7 15 4
7/13/08 RV 72 23 9 14 5
6/15/08 RV 71 26 7 19 3
5/11/08 RV 71 25 13 13 4
Mitt Romney:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
9/9/12 RV 85 14 5 9 *
8/25/12 RV 82 16 5 10 3
7/8/12 RV 77 21 8 13 2
Compare to: John McCain:
Definitely -Chance change mind - No
vote for NET Good Unlikely opinion
9/7/08 RV 80 19 8 11 2
8/22/08 RV 72 25 14 11 2
7/13/08 RV 71 28 12 17 1
6/15/08 RV 72 27 14 12 1
5/11/08 RV 66 32 17 15 2
5. (IF SUPPORT OBAMA OR ROMNEY) Would you say you are very enthusiastic about supporting (Obama/Romney) somewhat enthusiastic, not so enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?
--- Enthusiastic ---- --- Not enthusiastic ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
9/9/12 RV 90 51 39 9 5 5 *
8/25/12 RV 85 45 40 14 10 4 1
7/8/12 RV 88 44 44 12 8 4 *
5/20/12 RV 84 39 45 16 9 6 *
Obama:
9/9/12 RV 93 56 38 7 3 3 0
8/25/12 RV 88 48 39 11 7 4 1
7/8/12 RV 91 51 40 8 5 3 1
5/20/12 RV 93 51 41 7 4 4 0
Romney:
9/9/12 RV 87 46 40 13 7 6 1
8/25/12 RV 83 42 41 17 12 4 *
7/8/12 RV 85 38 47 15 11 4 *
5/20/12 RV 75 26 48 25 15 9 1
6a. (IF SUPPORT OBAMA) Is your vote more for Obama, or more against Romney?
For Obama Against Romney No opinion
9/9/12 RV 75 22 3
7/8/12 RV 75 23 3
Compare to:
For Obama Against McCain No opinion
7/13/08 RV 81 16 3
For Kerry Against Bush No opinion
9/8/04 RV 41 55 4
7/25/04 RV 41 56 3
6/20/04 RV 43 55 1
5/23/04 38 61 1
3/7/04 38 61 1
6b. (IF SUPPORT ROMNEY) Is your vote more for Romney, or more against Obama?
For Romney Against Obama No opinion
9/9/12 RV 45 50 5
7/8/12 RV 37 59 4
Compare to:
For McCain Against Obama No opinion
7/13/08 RV 70 28 2
For Bush Against Kerry No opinion
9/8/04 RV 84 14 2
7/25/04 RV 81 17 2
6/20/04 RV 82 17 1
5/23/04 77 21 1
3/7/04 86 13 2
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/9/12 RV 48 27 21 50 10 39 2
9/9/12 49 29 20 45 11 35 6
8/25/12 RV 47 26 21 50 13 37 3
8/25/12 50 27 23 46 13 33 4
7/8/12 47 24 24 49 15 34 4
5/20/12 47 26 21 49 13 36 3
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
8. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling the economy? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
9/9/12 RV 45 24 21 53 8 45 2
8/25/12 RV 43 20 22 56 11 45 2
8/25/12 44 20 23 54 12 42 3
7/8/12 44 21 23 54 13 41 2
5/20/12 42 20 22 55 11 44 2
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
9. (IF DISAPPROVE OF OBAMA ON ECONOMY) Do you think Obama has the wrong economic policies or do you think Obama has the right economic policies but they need more time to work?
Wrong policies Need more time No opinion
9/9/12 RV 82 13 5
10. (IF SUPPORT OBAMA OR ROMNEY) Regardless of your support, how do you feel about how (SUPPORTED CANDIDATE) would perform as president for the next four years - very anxious, somewhat anxious, not so anxious or not anxious at all?
------ Anxious ------ ---- Not anxious ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
9/9/12 RV 60 26 34 38 11 27 3
8/25/12 RV 57 20 37 39 12 26 4
Obama:
------ Anxious ------ ---- Not anxious ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
9/9/12 RV 59 29 30 39 12 27 2
8/25/12 RV 53 23 30 44 12 32 3
Romney:
------ Anxious ------ ---- Not anxious ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
9/9/12 RV 60 22 38 36 10 26 4
8/25/12 RV 62 17 44 33 12 21 5
11. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How much more information, if any, would you like to have about the candidates and issues before the election – would you like a lot more information, some, a little, or do you have enough information as it is?
------ More ------ --- Little/enough --- No
NET A lot Some NET Little Enough opinion
9/9/12 RV 32 19 13 67 6 61 1
8/25/12 RV 41 23 18 58 7 51 1
12. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of who you support, which candidate do you trust to do a better job [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
9/9/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Handling the economy 47 45 * 3 4
b. Dealing with the federal
budget deficit 44 47 0 7 3
c. Handling health care policy 47 44 1 4 4
d. Dealing with social issues
such as abortion and gay marriage 50 39 1 5 4
e. Handling terrorism 51 40 3 4 3
f. Supporting small business 46 45 1 3 5
g. Handling international affairs 51 38 * 2 9
h. Handling taxes 50 43 1 2 4
i. Handling Medicare, the government
health insurance program for seniors 48 43 * 4 5
j. Addressing women’s issues 55 34 1 3 7
k. Advancing the interests of
the middle class 53 38 1 4 4
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b-f; other half sample asked items g-k.
Trend:
a. Handling the economy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 47 45 * 3 4
8/25/12 RV 43 50 * 4 3
7/8/12 RV 45 48 1 3 3
5/20/12 RV 47 47 * 3 3
4/8/12 RV 44 48 1 4 3
2/4/12 RV 44 50 1 3 2
b. Dealing with the federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 44 47 0 7 3
8/25/12 RV 38 51 0 7 3
7/8/12 RV 43 51 1 3 2
4/8/12 RV 37 54 1 6 2
2/4/12 RV 39 52 * 4 4
c. Handling health care policy
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 47 44 1 4 4
8/25/12 RV 47 45 * 6 2
7/8/12 RV 48 44 1 5 3
4/8/12 RV 49 40 * 5 6
d. Dealing with social issues such as abortion and gay marriage
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 50 39 1 5 4
8/25/12 RV 52 38 1 5 4
4/8/12 RV 47 39 1 6 7
e. Handling terrorism
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 51 40 3 4 3
4/8/12 RV 47 43 1 4 5
2/4/12 RV 54 38 2 2 4
f. Supporting small business
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 46 45 1 3 5
8/25/12 RV 48 47 1 3 2
4/8/12 RV 49 44 1 2 4
g. Handling international affairs
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 51 38 * 2 9
8/25/12 RV 46 41 1 6 5
4/8/12 RV 56 37 * 3 4
2/4/12 RV 55 38 1 3 4
h. Handling taxes
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 50 43 1 2 4
8/25/12 RV 43 48 * 5 3
7/8/12 RV 46 46 * 5 3
4/8/12 RV 48 43 1 4 4
2/4/12 RV 49 45 * 2 4
i. Handling Medicare, the government health insurance program for seniors
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 48 43 * 4 5
8/25/12 RV 42 45 1 7 5
j. Addressing women's issues
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 55 34 1 3 7
8/25/12 RV 51 35 1 7 6
4/8/12 RV 54 37 1 4 4
k. Advancing the interests of the middle class
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 53 38 1 4 4
5/20/12* RV 50 44 1 4 2
*”advance the economic interest of middle class Americans”
13. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Regardless of who you may support, who do you think [ITEM] - (Obama) or (Romney)?
9/9/12 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. Better understands the
economic problems people
in this country are having 50 40 3 4 3
b. Is the stronger leader 50 42 2 2 5
c. Seems like the more friendly
and likeable person 61 27 5 3 3
d. Would work better with both
(Democrats) and (Republicans)
in Congress 46 41 1 8 4
*Full sample asked items a-b; half sample asked item c; other half sample asked item d.
Trend:
a. Better understands the economic problems people in this country are having
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 50 40 3 4 3
8/25/12 RV 47 40 1 9 2
7/8/12 RV 51 40 2 5 2
5/20/12 RV 48 40 2 8 2
4/8/12 RV 49 38 2 8 2
2/4/12 RV 52 37 2 7 2
b. Is the stronger leader
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 50 42 2 2 5
7/8/12 RV 46 44 3 2 6
4/8/12 RV 48 42 1 5 5
c. Seems like the more friendly and likable person
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 61 27 5 3 3
8/25/12 RV 61 27 6 4 2
7/8/12 RV 63 26 5 2 4
4/8/12 RV 64 28 3 2 3
d. would work better with both (Democrats) and (Republicans) in Congress
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 46 41 1 8 4
Compare to:
Both Neither No
Obama McCain (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/29/08 RV 45 47 3 3 3
8/22/08 RV 49 37 6 4 4
14. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If [ITEM], how confident are you, if at all, that the country will get back on track economically in the next year or two – very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
9/9/12 - Summary Table
--- Confident --- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
a. Obama is re-elected 46 19 27 53 17 36 1
b. Romney is elected 49 14 35 50 19 31 1
Trend:
a. Obama is re-elected
--- Confident --- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
9/9/12 RV 46 19 27 53 17 36 1
8/25/12 RV 42 14 28 58 18 40 1
b. Romney is elected
--- Confident --- --- Not confident --- No
NET Very Smwt NET Not so At all opinion
9/9/12 RV 49 14 35 50 19 31 1
8/25/12 RV 46 11 35 52 21 32 1
QUESTIONS 15 AND 16 ROTATED
15. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think Romney has or has not done enough to provide details about the policies he would pursue as president?
Has done Has not No
enough done enough opinion
9/9/12 RV 31 63 7
16. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think Obama has or has not done enough to provide details about the policies he would pursue in a second term as president?
Has done Has not No
enough done enough opinion
9/9/12 RV 46 49 5
17. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Changing topics, would you say you, yourself are better off financially than you were when Obama became president, not as well off, or in about the same shape as then financially?
Better off Not as well off About the same No opinion
9/9/12 RV 20 32 47 *
5/20/12 16 30 53 1
1/15/12 15 30 54 1
11/3/11 13 34 52 1
9/1/11 15 35 50 *
7/18/09 8 27 64 *
G.W. Bush
10/5/04 LV 30 30 40 1
10/29/03 22 27 50 1
9/13/03 21 30 49 *
8/11/03 17 25 58 1
Clinton:
6/11/00 34 14 50 2
7/19/98 30 15 52 3
3/1/98 32 9 57 1
6/23/96 29 22 49 0
2/27/94 12 17 71 *
G.H.W. Bush:
1/17/93 27 28 44 1
8/9/92 22 32 45 1
6/7/92 19 32 49 *
3/11/92 20 33 46 1
2/2/92 19 31 49 *
12/15/91 17 33 49 *
10/21/91 20 27 53 1
3/4/91 19 18 63 1
Reagan:
1/16/89 42 18 39 1
1/18/87 37 23 40 1
9/8/86 41 20 39 1
18. (IF NOT AS WELL OFF OR SAME SINCE OBAMA) How much, if at all, do you blame Obama for the fact that you haven’t gotten better off financially since he took office – do you think he deserves a lot of the blame for that, some, a little or none at all?
----- Blame ------ - Little/No blame - No
NET A lot Some NET Little None opinion
9/9/12 RV 48 22 26 50 18 31 2
19. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If Romney had been president since 2009 instead of Obama, do you think you yourself would be better off financially than you are now, not as well off, or in about the same shape financially?
Better off Not as well off About the same No opinion
9/9/12 RV 24 28 38 9
5/20/12 RV 21 23 46 10
20. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Now thinking about the country’s economy as a whole, would you say the economy has gotten better since Obama became president, gotten worse, or remained about the same?
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/9/12 RV 32 43 24 1
21. (IF ECONOMY GOTTEN WORSE OR SAME) How much, if at all, do you blame Obama for the fact that the economy has not gotten better since he took office – do you think he deserves a lot of the blame for that, some, a little or none at all?
----- Blame ------ - Little/No blame - No
NET A lot Some NET Little None opinion
9/9/12 RV 71 37 34 29 15 14 *
22. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If Romney had been president since 2009 instead of Obama, do you think the economy would be better than it is now, worse, or about the same?
Better Worse Same No opinion
9/9/12 RV 38 29 28 6
23. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Would you say the country has become safer from terrorism since Obama became president, less safe, or has safety from terrorism remained the same?
Safer Less safe Same No opinion
9/9/12 RV 40 12 47 1
24. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) If Romney had been president since 2009 instead of Obama, do you think the country would be safer from terrorism than it is now, less safe, or about the same?
Safer Less safe Same No opinion
9/9/12 RV 16 23 53 7
25. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think Obama does or does not understand what it takes to build a successful small business in this country?
Does Does not No
understand understand opinion
9/9/12 RV 48 48 5
26. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think Romney does or does not understand what it takes to build a successful small business in this country?
Does Does not No
understand understand opinion
9/9/12 RV 66 28 7
27. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) In general, do you feel that government programs do more to (improve) people's lives, or do more to (interfere with) people's lives?
Improve Interfere No opinion
9/9/12 RV 40 53 8
9/8/04 RV 46 44 11
28. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you feel that government programs mainly (help small businesses succeed) or mainly (make it harder for small businesses to succeed)?
Help to succeed Harder to succeed No opinion
9/9/12 RV 35 53 12
29. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Thinking again about the election, for each item I name, please tell me if it is a major reason for you to (support) that candidate, a major reason for you to (oppose) that candidate, or not a major factor in your vote?
9/9/12 - Summary Table
Major Major Not a
reason to reason to major No
support oppose factor op.
a. Romney's work buying and restructuring
companies before he went into politics 28 25 45 2
b. Obama’s handling of the economy 34 41 23 2
Trend:
a. Romney's work buying and restructuring companies before he went into politics
Major reason Major reason Not a major No
to support to oppose factor opinion
9/9/12 RV 28 25 45 2
7/8/12 RV 23 25 49 3
5/20/12 RV 21 21 54 4
b. Obama's handling of the economy
Major reason Major reason Not a major No
to support to oppose factor opinion
9/9/12 RV 34 41 23 2
7/8/12 RV 39 43 17 1
4/8/12 RV 33 48 18 2
2/4/12 RV 37 48 13 2
30. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) In his work as a corporate investor, do you think Romney did more to (create jobs) or more to (cut jobs) in the United States?
Create jobs Cut jobs No opinion
9/9/12 RV 38 45 17
7/8/12* RV 36 42 22
2/4/12 RV 33 37 30
*7/8/12 added “in the United States”
QUESTIONS 15 AND 16 ROTATED
31. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think the Obama campaign is saying things it believes to be true, or is intentionally misleading people?
Believes Misleading Both No
to be true people (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 49 42 4 4
32. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think the Romney campaign is saying things it believes to be true, or is intentionally misleading people?
Believes Misleading Both No
to be true people (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 43 48 3 6
33. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) How concerned are you, if at all, about the amount of money being spent on political campaign advertising by companies, unions and wealthy individuals – are you very concerned about this, somewhat concerned, not so concerned or not concerned at all?
----- Concerned ----- -- Not concerned --- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so At all opinion
9/9/12 RV 75 48 27 24 11 13 1
34. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Which of the presidential candidates do you think is mainly benefitting from this campaign spending – (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 29 41 16 3 10
35. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think the Romney campaign is using the issue of race in the election, or has been staying away from that as an issue? (IF YES) Has the campaign been using it appropriately or inappropriately?
------------ Using race ------------- Not using No
NET Appropriately Inappropriately race opinion
9/9/12 RV 18 4 15 72 10
36. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Do you think the Obama campaign is using the issue of race in the election, or has been staying away from that as an issue? (IF YES) Has the campaign been using it appropriately or inappropriately?
------------ Using race ------------- Not using No
NET Appropriately Inappropriately race opinion
9/9/12 RV 31 11 20 61 8
37. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) What’s more important to you – that you (trust what) a political candidate says, or that you (agree with what) they say?
Both Neither No
Trust Agree (Vol.) (Vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 65 23 8 2 3
38. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) On a ship in a storm, who would you rather have as the captain, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 46 43 * 7 4
39. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Who do you think would make a more loyal friend, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 50 36 3 6 5
40. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Who would you prefer to have take care of you if you were sick, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 49 36 1 11 4
41. (ASKED OF REGISTERED VOTERS) Who would you rather invite to dinner at your home, (Obama) or (Romney)?
Both Neither No
Obama Romney (vol.) (vol.) opinion
9/9/12 RV 52 33 7 6 2
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
9/9/12 RV 32 26 37 4 1
8/25/12 RV 32 25 36 6 2
7/8/12 RV 36 27 33 3 1
5/20/12 RV 34 25 34 6 1
4/8/12 RV 37 24 33 4 1
3/10/12 RV 31 29 36 3 2
2/12/12 RV 36 25 34 5 1
1/15/12 RV 32 27 35 5 1
***END***
