Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Jan. 12-15, 2010, among a random national sample of 1,083 adults including users of both conventional and cellular phones, including additional interviews with randomly selected African Americans, for a total of 153 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. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, Pa.
*= 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
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
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
1/15/10 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. Health care 44 24 21 52 9 43 4
b. The threat of
terrorism 55 31 23 42 14 28 4
c. The economy 47 22 24 52 13 39 1
d. The situation
in Afghanistan 50 22 28 45 18 27 6
e. The federal
budget deficit 38 18 20 56 15 41 6
*Full sample asked item a; half sample asked items b,c; other half sample asked items d,e.
Trend:
a. Health care
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/15/10 44 24 21 52 9 43 4
12/13/09 44 27 18 53 10 43 3
11/15/09 47 28 19 49 8 41 3
10/18/09 48 30 18 48 10 38 4
9/12/09 48 32 15 48 10 38 4
8/17/09 46 27 19 50 8 42 5
7/18/09 49 25 24 44 11 33 7
6/21/09 53 27 26 39 10 29 9
4/24/09 57 NA NA 29 NA NA 13
b. The threat of terrorism
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/15/10 55 31 23 42 14 28 4
11/15/09 53 31 22 41 14 27 6
9/12/09 55 31 24 34 12 23 11
6/21/09 57 NA NA 36 NA NA 7
4/21/09* 57 NA NA 26 NA NA 17
*Pew
c. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
d. The situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
e. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
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
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
11/1/98 LV 55 44 1
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 RV 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
*2/80 and previous: Roper
4. How much confidence do you have in [ITEM] to make the right decisions for the country's future - a great deal of confidence, a good amount, just some or none at all?
1/15/10 - Summary Table
-Grt deal/Good amt- ---- Some/None ----
Great Good Just None No
NET deal amt NET some at all opinion
a. Obama 47 24 23 53 26 27 *
b. The Republicans
in Congress 24 6 18 75 47 28 1
c. The Democrats
in Congress 32 11 21 68 33 35 1
Trend:
a. Obama
-Grt deal/Good amt- ---- Some/None ----
Great Good Just None No
NET deal amt NET some at all opinion
1/15/10 47 24 23 53 26 27 *
10/18/09 49 29 20 50 27 24 *
8/17/09 49 28 21 50 26 24 *
4/24/09 60 31 28 40 25 15 1
1/16/09 61 31 30 37 28 9 2
b. The Republicans in Congress
-Grt deal/Good amt- ---- Some/None ----
Great Good Just None No
NET deal amt NET some at all opinion
1/15/10 24 6 18 75 47 28 1
10/18/09 19 4 15 79 46 33 2
8/17/09 21 4 16 78 45 33 1
4/24/09 21 4 16 78 50 28 2
1/16/09 29 8 21 69 49 21 2
c. The Democrats in Congress
-Grt deal/Good amt- ---- Some/None ----
Great Good Just None No
NET deal amt NET some at all opinion
1/15/10 32 11 21 68 33 35 1
10/18/09 34 12 23 64 37 27 2
8/17/09 35 14 21 63 35 29 1
4/24/09 36 12 24 63 38 25 1
1/16/09 43 15 28 56 37 19 2
5. Would you say Obama is doing a better job as president than you expected, a worse job, or what? Is that much better/worse or somewhat better/worse?
----- Better ----- ------ Worse ----- As expected No
NET Much Smwht NET Smwht Much (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 33 12 22 35 18 17 30 2
9/12/09 42 18 24 31 13 18 25 2
4/24/09 54 25 29 18 10 9 23 4
2/22/09 46 18 28 14 8 7 31 9
Compare to:
Bush:
----- Better ----- ------ Worse ----- As expected No
NET Much Smwht NET Smwht Much (vol.) opinion
1/18/04 43 NA NA 31 NA NA 25 2
1/27/02 75 NA NA 5 NA NA 20 1
7/30/01 39 NA NA 23 NA NA 36 2
4/22/01 39 NA NA 21 NA NA 37 3
Clinton:
----- Better ----- ------ Worse ----- As expected No
NET Much Smwht NET Smwht Much (vol.) opinion
4/26/93 35 NA NA 28 NA NA 34 3
2/28/93 38 12 27 19 12 7 35 8
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Nancy Pelosi is handling her job as Speaker of the House? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/15/10 40 12 28 48 11 37 12
6/21/09 38 NA NA 45 NA NA 16
4/15/07 53 " " 35 " " 12
2/25/07 50 31 18
1/19/07 54 25 21
Compare to: Newt Gingrich
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/7/98* 38 58 4
7/12/98 41 44 15
5/12/98 41 44 15
1/19/98 40 52 7
4/24/97 26 62 12
3/9/97 33 61 7
9/15/96 RV 39 54 7
1/7/96 30 61 8
11/19/95 27 65 8
6/8/95 35 50 15
3/19/95 37 48 15
3/5/95 38 51 11
1/29/95 40 48 12
1/4/95 35 37 28
12/20/94** 35 43 22
* "has handled"
** "as incoming speaker"
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Harry Reid is handling his job as majority leader of the Senate? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/15/10 35 7 28 47 18 29 18
4/15/07 46 NA NA 33 NA NA 21
Compare to: Trent Lott
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/9/97 44 NA NA 24 NA NA 31
Compare to: Bob Dole
------ Approve ---------- ------ Disapprove ------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
5/22/96* 56 15 41 34 15 19 11
1/7/96 38 NA NA 49 NA NA 13
11/19/95 45 NA NA 46 NA NA 9
3/19/95 60 21 38 28 14 14 12
1/4/95 62 23 39 25 12 13 13
12/20/94 59 NA NA 28 NA NA 13
* "has handled"
8. What would you say is the one most important problem you would like to see Obama and the Congress deal with this year?
Compare to: Bush
1/15/10 12/14/08 12/11/06 12/18/05
Economy NET: 42 66 16 19
Economy 26 55 10 15
Jobs/Unemployment 13 8 3 2
Gasoline prices/Energy prices 1 1 3 2
Banking/Insurance/Credit problems 1 * NA NA
Housing/Mortgages * 1 NA NA
Stock market/Wall Street 0 * NA NA
Health care 24 6 6 11
Iraq/War in Iraq 6 9 44 32
Terrorism/War on terrorism/
Homeland security 5 2 4 5
Federal budget deficit 5 1 * 1
Afghanistan 2 NA NA NA
Immigration 1 1 5 6
Education 1 1 4 3
Medicare 1 * 1 3
Taxes 1 1 2 2
Poverty/Homelessness/Hunger 1 2 2 1
Ethics/Honesty/Corruption in
government 1 1 2 1
Global warming/Greenhouse effect 1 * 1 *
Social Security * * 2 3
Environment * 1 1 1
Crime/Drugs * * 1 1
Prescription drug benefits * * * *
Foreign policy * * NA NA
Abortion * 1 NA NA
Morals/Family values * 1 NA NA
None 0 0 0 1
Other 5 4 6 6
No opinion 2 2 4 3
9. Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Barack Obama? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
1/15/10 58 38 20 40 13 27 2
11/15/09 61 39 21 38 11 27 1
9/12/09 63 40 23 35 12 24 2
4/24/09 72 46 26 26 11 15 2
1/16/09 79 50 29 18 9 9 3
11/2/08 LV 63 47 16 33 7 26 4
10/23/08 LV 63 47 16 34 7 27 3
10/11/08 RV 64 44 20 33 12 21 3
9/7/08 RV 58 35 23 36 12 24 7
8/22/08 RV 62 37 25 34 13 21 4
6/15/08 63 35 28 33 12 21 4
4/13/08 56 28 28 39 14 25 5
1/12/08 63 31 32 30 14 16 7
11/1/07 51 21 30 36 16 20 13
2/25/07 53 21 33 30 16 14 16
1/19/07 45 NA NA 29 NA NA 25
12/11/06 44 21 22 23 17 6 33
10. Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Obama, or not?
1/15/10 - Summary Table
Yes No No opinion
a. He understands the problems of people like you 57 42 2
b. He is a strong leader 63 35 1
c. He has brought needed change to Washington 50 49 1
d. He shares your values 55 43 1
Trend:
a. He understands the problems of people like you
Yes No No opinion
1/15/10 57 42 2
7/18/09 63 35 1
4/24/09 73 25 1
1/16/09 72 24 4
b. He is a strong leader
Yes No No opinion
1/15/10 63 35 1
7/18/09 71 27 2
4/24/09 77 22 2
1/16/09 72 18 10
c. He has brought needed change to Washington
Yes No No opinion
1/15/10 50 49 1
7/18/09 62 35 3
4/24/09 63 34 2
1/16/09* 76 22 3
*"will bring"
d. He shares your values
Yes No No opinion
1/15/10 55 43 1
4/24/09 60 38 2
1/16/09 67 30 3
7/13/08 56 39 5
11. Obama has been president for about one year. Would you say he has accomplished a great deal during that time, a good amount, not very much or little or nothing?
-Grt deal/Good amt- -- Not much/nothing --
Great Good Not Little or No
NET deal amt NET much nothing opinion
1/15/10 47 12 35 52 30 22 1
10/18/09* 49 14 35 50 27 23 1
4/24/09** 63 24 39 36 21 15 1
* "about nine months"
** "about three months or nearly 100 days"
Compare to: Clinton
-Grt deal/Good amt- -- Not much/nothing --
Great Good Not Little or No
NET deal amt NET much nothing opinion
8/16/94 36 6 30 64 39 25 *
1/23/94 47 11 36 53 33 19 1
4/26/93 37 5 32 63 38 25 *
12. (IF NOT MUCH/NOTHING) Who's mainly responsible for that - (Obama) or the Republicans in Congress)?
Neither Both No
Obama Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 52 20 6 20 3
4/24/09 49 24 8 16 3
Compare to: Clinton
Neither Both No
Clinton Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
4/26/93 40 40 1 17 2
13. Is Obama keeping most of his major campaign promises, or not?
Yes No Some (vol.) No opinion
1/15/10 41 46 8 4
4/24/09 60 26 8 6
Compare to: Clinton
Yes No Some (vol.) No opinion
5/15/94 37 48 11 5
1/23/94 37 46 7 10
4/26/93 42 50 6 2
14. Changing topics, do you think Obama's economic program is making the economy (better), making it (worse) or having no real effect?
Better Worse No effect No opinion
1/15/10 35 23 41 2
10/18/09 41 22 35 2
8/17/09 43 23 32 2
15. How much blame do you think [ITEM] deserve(s) for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?
1/15/10 - Summary Table
a. The Bush administration, for inadequate regulation of the financial industry
b. The Obama administration, for not doing enough to turn the economy around
- Grt deal/Gd amt- -- Some/Hardly any/None ---
Great Good Only Hardly None No
NET deal amt NET some any (vol.) opinion
a. Bush 67 41 25 33 24 8 1 1
b. Obama 36 14 21 64 36 25 3 *
Trend:
a. The Bush administration, for inadequate regulation of the financial industry
- Grt deal/Gd amt- -- Some/Hardly any/None ---
Great Good Only Hardly None No
NET deal amt NET some any (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 67 41 25 33 24 8 1 1
9/12/09 65 40 25 35 23 10 1 1
7/18/09 62 42 20 36 23 11 1 2
3/29/09 70 47 23 29 21 7 1 2
b. The Obama administration, for not doing enough to turn the economy around
- Grt deal/Gd amt- -- Some/Hardly any/None ---
Great Good Only Hardly None No
NET deal amt NET some any (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 36 14 21 64 36 25 3 *
9/12/09 27 13 15 71 33 34 4 2
7/18/09 32 14 17 66 28 34 4 2
3/29/09 26 13 13 72 27 39 6 2
c. Banks and other financial institutions, for taking unnecessary risks
- Grt deal/Gd amt- -- Some/Hardly any/None ---
Great Good Only Hardly None No
NET deal amt NET some any (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 79 58 21 20 14 6 * 1
3/29/09 80 56 24 19 15 4 * 1
16. Do you think Obama's views on most issues are too (liberal) for you, too (conservative) for you, or just about right?
Too Too About No
liberal conservative right opinion
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
17. On another subject, do you think the U.S. campaign against terrorism is going very well, fairly well, not too well or not well at all?
------- Well ------ ------ Not well ------ No
NET Very Fairly NET Not too At all opinion
1/15/10 51 5 45 48 30 18 1
9/7/08 62 14 48 34 20 14 3
9/7/07 54 8 46 45 23 21 1
9/7/06 52 7 45 47 26 21 1
6/25/06 57 13 44 40 23 18 2
12/14/03 65 17 47 33 21 12 2
10/29/03 62 8 54 38 23 14 1
9/7/03 69 12 57 29 19 10 2
4/30/03 83 26 57 16 10 6 1
9/26/02 73 15 58 26 17 9 1
9/8/02 70 10 60 29 21 8 1
7/15/02 75 15 60 24 16 8 1
4/21/02 73 11 63 26 17 9 1
3/10/02 84 21 63 15 10 6 1
1/27/02 88 32 56 11 8 4 1
18. For each item I name, please me tell whether you think the United States has done an excellent job on it, a good job, a not-so-good job or a poor job.
1/15/10 - Summary Table*
-Excellent/Good - -Not so good/Poor - No
NET Exc. Good NET Not so Poor opinion
a. Preventing further
terrorist attacks in
the United States 58 8 50 41 30 11 1
b. Breaking up the al
Qaeda terrorist network 32 2 30 66 50 16 2
c. Winning the cooperation
of other countries in
fighting terrorism 50 6 44 50 38 11 1
d. Improving U.S.
intelligence gathering
and coordination 47 3 44 48 35 12 5
e. Reorganizing government
agencies to improve
anti-terrorism efforts 44 3 42 53 38 16 2
*Items a,b asked of half sample, items c-e asked of other half sample.
Trend:
a. Preventing further terrorist attacks in the United States
-Excellent/Good - -Not so good/Poor - No
NET Exc. Good NET Not so Poor opinion
1/15/10 58 8 50 41 30 11 1
9/7/06 66 9 57 33 24 8 1
1/18/04 74 14 61 25 19 6 1
9/7/03 80 19 61 19 16 3 1
9/8/02 75 13 62 23 21 3 2
b. Breaking up the al Qaeda terrorist network
-Excellent/Good - -Not so good/Poor - No
NET Exc. Good NET Not so Poor opinion
1/15/10 32 2 30 66 50 16 2
9/7/06 47 6 41 50 34 15 3
1/18/04 62 11 51 36 26 10 2
9/7/03 60 11 49 37 32 5 3
9/8/02 63 13 50 35 31 4 3
c. Winning the cooperation of other countries in fighting terrorism
-Excellent/Good - -Not so good/Poor - No
NET Exc. Good NET Not so Poor opinion
1/15/10 50 6 44 50 38 11 1
9/7/06 38 3 35 60 41 19 2
1/18/04 48 6 42 51 34 17 1
9/7/03 42 5 37 57 47 10 *
9/8/02 48 6 42 51 45 6 1
d. Improving U.S. intelligence gathering and coordination
-Excellent/Good - -Not so good/Poor - No
NET Exc. Good NET Not so Poor opinion
1/15/10 47 3 44 48 35 12 5
9/7/06 59 8 51 37 26 11 4
9/7/03 65 7 59 30 24 6 5
9/8/02 72 10 62 25 20 6 2
e. Reorganizing government agencies to improve anti-terrorism efforts
-Excellent/Good - -Not so good/Poor - No
NET Exc. Good NET Not so Poor opinion
1/15/10 44 3 42 53 38 16 2
9/7/06 54 5 49 43 28 15 3
9/7/03 70 9 60 27 21 6 4
9/8/02 71 11 60 28 23 5 1
19. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling the government's response to the attempted terrorist bombing aboard an airliner last month?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/15/10 62 35 3
20. Compared to the Bush administration, do you think the Obama administration is doing a better job handling intelligence reports about terrorist threats, a worse job, or about the same? (IF BETTER/WORSE) Is that much better/worse or somewhat better/worse?
------- Better ------ ------- Worse ------- About No
NET Much Somewhat NET Somewhat Much the same opinion
1/15/10 30 17 13 20 7 13 48 2
Compare to: Compared to the way it handled intelligence reports about terrorist threats before September 11, do you think the Bush administration is now doing a better job handling intelligence about terrorists threats, a worse job, or what? (IF BETTER) Is that much better or somewhat better?
------- Better ------ About the No
NET Much Somewhat Worse same (vol.) opinion
4/18/04 81 37 44 8 8 3
5/19/02* 82 39 43 3 6 9
*"terrorist threats last summer"
21. Intelligence officials have identified a failure to connect various pieces of information that could have prevented the attempted airline bombing last month. How confident are you that they'll be able to improve intelligence methods to avoid this kind of error again - very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
1/15/10 63 14 49 37 25 12 *
22. What do you think is more important right now - (for the federal government to investigate possible terrorist threats, even if that intrudes on personal privacy); or (for the federal government not to intrude on personal privacy, even if that limits its ability to investigate possible terrorist threats)?
Investigate threats Respect privacy No opinion
1/15/10 75 23 2
12/11/06 63 34 3
9/7/06 65 32 3
5/15/06 67 30 3
5/11/06 65 31 4
1/8/06 65 32 3
9/7/03* 73 21 5
9/8/02 78 18 4
6/9/02 79 18 3
*9/7/03 and previous: "FBI" rather than "federal government
23. Do you think police and other authorities should or should not be permitted to use personal characteristics like religion, or ethnicity, or nationality in deciding who to search in security lines at airports or other locations?
Should Should not No opinion
1/15/10 53 45 2
9/7/06 47 49 3
23a. (IF SHOULD NOT) What if these kinds of personal characteristics are not used on their own, but are combined with other information as part of an overall profile - in that case do you think personal characteristics should or should not be included in security decisions?
Should Should not No opinion
1/15/10 65 32 3
Combined questions 23 and 23a:
------ Should ------
NET At first Now Should not No opinion
1/15/10 83 53 29 16 2
24. Do you approve or disapprove of Obama's decision to close the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
Approve Disapprove No opinion
1/15/10 39 56 5
6/21/09* 45 50 4
6/14/09 45 46 8
4/21/09 51 38 11
2/8/09 46 39 15
*”...early next year?”; Pew: 6/14/09: "plan to close...within a year"; 4/09 and previous: "decision to close...within a year"
25. Which worries you more: (that Obama will not go far enough to investigate terrorism because of concerns about constitutional rights), or (that Obama will go too far in compromising constitutional rights in order to investigate terrorism)?
Will not go Will go Neither No
far enough too far (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 63 27 6 4
1/8/06* 48 44 6 2
* “Bush”
26. On another subject: overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by (Congress) and (the Obama administration)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
27. The plan could include a government insurance option only for people who can't get private insurance, the so-called public option. Or instead it could have the government negotiate with private insurers to have them offer these people insurance that meets government specifications. Which of these two approaches would you prefer - the public option or the alternative?
Both Neither No
Public option Alternative (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 47 41 1 8 3
28. The plan could include (a tax on high-benefit health plans), or (a higher income tax on wealthier Americans). Which of these two approaches would you prefer?
A tax on high-benefit Higher income tax on Both Neither No
health plans wealthier Americans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 22 58 2 16 2
29. Insurance plans in which the government is involved could be forbidden from covering abortions. Or they could have an option for people to buy private coverage for abortions separately through these plans. Which of these two approaches would you prefer - the one that's more restrictive on abortion coverage or the one that's less so?
More restrictive Less restrictive No restrictions (vol.) No opinion
1/15/10 50 46 2 2
30. In the long run, do you think [ITEM] if (the changes that have been proposed become law) or if (the current system is left as it is now)?
1/15/10 - Summary Table
Changes Current system Same either No
become law left as it is now way (vol.) opinion
a. Your own health care
will cost you more 53 35 7 6
b. The quality of health
care you receive will
be better 38 50 7 5
c. The country's health
care system overall
will cost more 56 37 3 4
Trend:
a. Your own health care will cost you more
Changes Current system Same either No
become law left as it is now way (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 53 35 7 6
12/13/09 53 33 6 8
b. The quality of health care you receive will be better
Changes Current system Same either No
become law left as it is now way (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 38 50 7 5
12/13/09 37 50 6 6
c. The country's health care system overall will cost more
Changes Current system Same either No
become law left as it is now way (vol.) opinion
1/15/10 56 37 3 4
12/13/09 55 35 3 7
31. Do you have some form of health insurance or health care coverage, or not?
Yes No No opinion
1/15/10 87 13 0
12/13/09 82 17 *
11/15/09 84 15 1
10/18/09 85 15 0
9/12/09 86 14 0
8/17/09 85 14 *
6/21/09 84 16 0
9/30/07 88 12 *
9/12/06 87 13 0
4/19/05 87 13 *
10/13/03 83 17 0
7/12/98 86 14 *
8/27/97 81 19 *
11/13/95 85 15 0
7/17/94 86 14 *
11/14/93 87 13 0
10/10/93 87 13 *
32. Say a candidate for Congress supports the proposed changes to the health care system being developed by (Congress) and (the Obama administration). Would that make you more likely to [support] that candidate for Congress, more likely to [oppose] that candidate, or wouldn't it make much difference in your vote? (IF SUPPORT/OPPOSE) Are you much more likely to support/oppose that candidate or somewhat more?
---- Support ---- ---- Oppose ----- No No
NET Much Smwt NET Smwt Much difference opinion
1/15/10 22 12 10 31 7 24 45 2
11/15/09 25 13 12 29 8 20 45 1
9/12/09 22 12 10 23 7 17 54 1
8/17/09 23 14 9 32 6 26 43 2
33. Changing topics, as you may know, several banks that received rescue loans from the government have now paid back those loans. Do you think the federal government should try to limit the size of the bonuses these banks can pay to their top employees, or do you think the government should stay out of it now that its loans have been repaid?
Should try Should stay No
to limit out of it opinion
1/15/10 50 49 1
34. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose a special tax on bonuses over one million dollars?
Support Oppose No opinion
1/15/10 73 26 2
35. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose higher taxes targeted at banks that do a lot of trading in the stock market?
Support Oppose No opinion
1/15/10 48 44 8
36. Do you think Barack Obama's election as president (represents progress for all blacks in America more generally), or do you think it (is only a single case that does not reflect broader progress for blacks overall)?
Progress for Only a No
all blacks single case opinion
1/15/10 64 30 6
1/4/09 65 22 13
9/14/08* 71 19 10
8/22/08* 71 21 8
Blacks
1/15/10 70 27 2
1/4/09 64 22 14
9/14/08 79 12 9
8/22/08 76 19 5
Whites
1/15/10 66 29 5
1/4/09 66 20 14
9/14/08 71 19 10
8/22/08 71 21 8
* "...Obama's nomination for president..."
37. Do you think Obama's presidency has done more to (help) or more to (hurt) race relations in this country, or has it not made much of a difference?
Hasn't made No
Help Hurt much difference opinion
1/15/10 41 12 47 *
1/4/09* 58 7 28 7
6/15/08** 42 15 40 3
Blacks
1/15/10 51 4 44 1
1/4/09 75 3 18 3
6/15/08 60 8 31 2
Whites
1/15/10 40 12 48 *
1/4/09 55 7 31 8
6/15/08 38 17 43 2
* "...Obama's presidency will do more..."
** "...Obama's candidacy will do more..."
38. Do you think blacks (have achieved racial equality, will soon achieve racial equality, will not achieve racial equality in your lifetime, or will never achieve racial equality)?
Have Will Not in Will No
achieved soon lifetime never opinion
1/15/10 37 31 19 8 4
1/16/09 35 38 17 6 3
9/14/08 32 37 20 5 6
Blacks
1/15/10 11 38 32 17 3
1/16/09 20 36 23 18 3
9/14/08 11 41 30 14 4
Whites
1/15/10 40 31 19 7 4
1/16/09 38 38 17 5 3
9/14/08 39 36 18 2 5
39. It's been reported that during the 2008 presidential campaign, Senate majority leader Harry Reid said privately that Barack Obama could become the first black president because he was a light-skinned black and did not have what Reid called a "Negro dialect." Reid has apologized and Obama accepted the apology. Do you think Reid should or should not resign as Senate majority leader because of this comment?
Yes, should No, should No
resign not resign opinion
1/15/10 32 67 2
Compare to: Trent Lott, who is the Republican leader of the U.S. Senate, recently said the country would be better off if Strom Thurmond were elected president in 1948, when Thurmond ran as a segregationist favoring separation of blacks and whites. Lott later apologized for the comment. Do you think Lott should or should not continue to serve as Republican leader of the Senate?
Yes No No opinion
12/15/02 41 51 8
40. Generally speaking, would you say you favor (smaller government with fewer services), or (larger government with more services)?
Smaller govt. Larger govt. No
fewer services more services opinion
1/15/10 58 38 4
6/21/09 54 41 4
1/16/09 53 43 4
6/15/08 50 45 5
11/1/07 50 44 5
6/20/04 50 46 4
11/4/02 LV 61 34 5
11/3/02 LV 60 34 5
11/2/02 LV 62 34 3
7/15/02 53 42 6
1/27/02 54 41 5
10/9/00 RV 58 32 10
10/1/00 RV 58 33 9
7/23/00 59 34 7
7/23/00 RV 61 32 7
4/2/00 56 38 7
8/16/98 59 35 6
8/5/96 63 32 5
7/8/92 55 38 7
41. In general, do you favor or oppose legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use?
Favor Oppose No opinion
1/15/10 46 51 2
4/24/09 46 52 2
10/24/02* 39 53 8
5/27/97 22 75 3
8/26/86 25 74 1
5/19/86 22 77 1
4/28/86 23 75 1
3/24/86 21 78 1
5/13/85 26 72 2
*Time/CNN: "Do you favor or oppose the legalization of marijuana? (IF FAVOR) What about in small amounts, for example three ounces or less? Do you favor or oppose the legalization of marijuana in small amounts?"
42. Regardless of what you think about the personal non-medical use of marijuana, do you think doctors should or should not be allowed to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes to treat their patients?
Should Should not No opinion
1/15/10 81 18 1
5/27/97 69 27 4
43. If doctors are allowed to prescribe marijuana to patients, should it be limited to patients who are terminally ill and near death; or also allowed for patients who have serious but not fatal illnesses; or should it be allowed for any patient the doctor thinks it could help?
Terminally Serious/ Any No
ill not fatal patient opinion
1/15/10 21 21 56 2
5/27/97 29 13 52 6
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
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.
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 <20k 20-35k 35-50k NET 50-75k 75-100k 100k+
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 RV 40 12 14 14 57 21 14 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 RV 43 14 14 15 54 16 14 24
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***
