Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone March 10 to 13, 2011, among a random national sample of 1,005 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 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
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
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
3/13/11 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 43 22 21 55 13 41 2
b. The federal
budget deficit 39 18 20 55 13 42 6
c. The political
unrest in the
Middle East and
North Africa 45 18 26 44 17 27 12
d. The situation
in Libya 45 24 22 34 14 20 21
*Full sample asked items a-b; half sample asked item c; other half sample asked item d.
Trend where available:
a. The economy
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
b. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
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
c-d. No trend.
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
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. Who do you trust to do a better job handling [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
3/13/11 - Summary Table*
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 46 34 2 15 4
b. The federal budget deficit 45 36 2 14 4
c. Social Security 42 44 1 12 2
d. Protecting the rights of
working people 46 39 * 12 3
*Half sample asked items a-b; other half sample asked items c-d.
Trend where available:
a. The economy
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
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. The federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
3/13/11 45 36 2 14 4
1/16/11 44 41 4 8 2
12/12/10 39 47 2 9 4
4/25/10 45 41 1 10 3
2/8/10 45 43 1 9 1
9/12/09 50 36 1 12 1
7/18/09 54 35 * 9 2
6/21/09 56 30 2 9 2
c-d. No trend. 5. On another subject, regardless of whether or not the recession is over, in terms of your own personal experience, do you feel the economy has or has not begun to recover?
Has Has not No opinion
3/13/11 46 53 1
12/12/10 41 57 2
10/5/10* 34 63 2
2/8/10 45 53 1
12/13/09** 50 49 1
11/15/09 44 54 1
*ABC News / Yahoo! News poll
**Add "Regardless of whether or not the recession is over..." 6. (IF ECONOMY HAS BEGUN TO RECOVER) Who do you think deserves most of the credit for that: (Obama), (the Republicans in Congress), both equally, or neither?
Obama Reps Both Neither No opinion
3/13/11 39 6 27 27 1
5/6 NET.
----------- Has begun to recover ---------- Has not No
NET Obama Reps Both Neither No op. begun opinion
3/13/11 46 18 3 13 13 * 53 1
7. Who do you think is taking a stronger leadership role in the government in Washington these days, (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Obama Reps Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
3/13/11 39 46 2 9 3
12/12/10 43 42 3 8 5
Compare to:
Bush Dems Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
6/1/07 43 45 3 7 3
4/15/07 34 58 2 4 2
1/19/07 36 56 1 3 3
7/30/01 51 38 3 4 4
Clinton Reps Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
4/5/95 27 67 2 3 7
1/24/95 24 61 4 5 6
12/15/94 25 59 3 5 7 8. Who do you think [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
3/13/11 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. better represents your own
personal values 46 41 1 10 1
b. better understands the
economic problems people
in this country are having 47 35 3 12 2 9. 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
3/13/11 43 42 2 10 3 10. As far as the future is concerned, thinking about our system of government and how well it works - is this something you feel generally optimistic about, generally pessimistic about, or uncertain about?
Optimistic Pessimistic Uncertain No opinion
3/13/11 26 23 49 2
10/20/10* 33 20 46 1
1/13/08** 44 23 33 1
2/7/99*** 54 19 27 1
3/10/96 43 28 28 1
2/26/83**** 51 21 27 1
2/28/81 51 21 26 1
2/24/79 49 22 26 1
8/27/77 47 21 29 3
2/26/77 57 14 26 2
8/30/75 45 24 29 3
8/31/74 55 15 27 3
*ABC News/Yahoo! News, **USA Today/Gallup, ***CNN/Gallup, ****Roper 11. Thinking about the federal government's economic stimulus program, do you think the economic stimulus program has (helped) the national economy, (hurt) the national economy, or hasn't made much difference? (IF HELPED/HURT) Is that a great deal or somewhat?
---------- Helped --------- ---------- Hurt ----------- No No
NET Great deal Somewhat NET Somewhat Great deal diff. opinion
3/13/11 28 8 20 21 6 14 49 2
6/6/10 30 9 21 20 7 13 49 1
11/15/09 37 12 25 23 6 17 39 1
9/12/09 32 10 22 19 5 13 47 2
6/21/09 28 8 20 19 6 13 52 2
4/24/09 33 10 23 16 6 10 49 2 12. 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
3/13/11 41 45 7 7 13. 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
3/13/11 31 3 64 3
12/12/10 36 2 60 1 14. 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
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 15. 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
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 16. As you may know, the federal government might have to partially shut down later this month if (the Obama administration) and (the Republicans in Congress) cannot agree on a plan to keep it running while they work on a new budget. Who do you think is mainly responsible for this situation – (the Obama administration) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Obama Republicans Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
3/13/11 31 45 17 2 4
Compare to: If the federal government shuts down because (Republicans) and
(the Obama administration) can’t agree on a budget, who do you think would
be more to blame:
Obama Republicans Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
2/27/11 35 36 17 1 10
Compare to: As you may know, the federal government has shut down some of its
operations because the Clinton administration and the Republicans in Congress
have not agreed on a plan to keep it running while they work on a new budget.
Whose fault do you think this mainly is -- Clinton's or the Republicans' in Congress?
Clinton Republicans Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) No opinion
1/3/96* 25 44 24 3 3
11/19/95 24 51 20 1 4
11/13/95** 27 46 20 2 5
* "many" changed to "some"
** Phrased in future tense 17. Considering everything, do you think the partial shutdown of the federal government would be a good thing or a bad thing? (IF BAD THING) Would you say it would be a crisis or not?
------- Bad thing -------
Good thing NET Crisis Not crisis No opinion
3/13/11 31 63 37 25 6
1/7/96* 23 75 36 38 3
1/3/96** 19 78 42 35 4
11/19/95** 26 68 33 34 7
* “was a good thing…”
** “is a good thing…” 18. Now thinking about the Social Security system that mainly provides retirement income for senior citizens: If changes are not made, do you think the Social Security system is heading for a crisis down the road, or not?
Already in No
Yes No crisis (vol.) opinion
3/13/11* 81 15 1 3
3/13/05 71 23 1 5
*Add: “Now thinking about the Social Security system that mainly provides retirement income for senior citizens” 19. (IF HEADED FOR/IN CRISIS) (To avoid a crisis,) Do you think Social Security needs major changes, or minor changes?
Major Minor No opinion
3/13/11 66 32 3
3/13/05 67 30 3
18/19 NET.
----- System in crisis ----- No No
NET Major Minor No op. crisis opinion
3/13/11 83 54 26 2 15 3
3/13/05 72 48 22 2 23 5 20. I'm going to mention changes some leaders have proposed for Social Security. Please tell me if you support or oppose each one.
3/13/11 - Summary Table*
Support Oppose No opinion
a. Increasing the Social Security tax rate 35 61 4
b. Collecting Social Security taxes on all the money a
worker earns, rather than taxing only up to about
$107,000 of annual income 53 43 4
c. Raising the retirement age to receive full Social
Security benefits to 68, instead of the current 67 42 57 1
d. Further reducing the benefits paid to people who
retire early. For instance, people who retire at
age 62 would get 63% of their full benefits, rather
than the current 70% 46 52 2
e. Changing the way Social Security benefits are
calculated so that benefits increase at a slower
rate than they would under the current formula 45 48 6
f. Reducing guaranteed benefits for future retirees 32 66 2
*Full sample asked items a-d; half sample asked item e; other half sample asked item f.
Trend:
a. Increasing the Social Security tax rate
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 35 61 4
3/13/05 31 64 4
b. Collecting Social Security taxes on all the money a worker earns, rather than taxing
only up to about $107,000 of annual income
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 53 43 4
3/13/05* 56 40 4
* “up to the first $90,000…”
c. Raising the retirement age to receive full Social Security benefits to 68,
instead of the current 67
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 42 57 1
3/13/05 33 66 2
d. Further reducing the benefits paid to people who retire early. For instance,
people who retire at age 62 would get 63% of their full benefits, rather than
the current 70%
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 46 52 2
3/13/05 36 62 2
e. Changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated so that benefits increase
at a slower rate than they would under the current formula
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 45 48 6
3/13/05 37 57 6
f. Reducing guaranteed benefits for future retirees
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 32 66 2
3/13/05 20 75 5 21. Now thinking about budget problems at the state level: I’m going to name some proposals that may help reduce state budget deficits. For each, please tell me if that’s something you would support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly in your state. How about [ITEM]?
3/13/11 - Summary Table*
------ Support ----- ------ Oppose ----- No
NET Strgly Smwht NET Smwht Strgly opin.
a. (increase/enact) state income
taxes** 36 9 27 63 18 45 1
b. cut state funding for the
Medicaid health insurance
program 22 11 11 76 23 53 3
c. (increase/enact) state sales
taxes** 38 10 28 61 16 45 1
d. reduce state aid to public
schools 21 11 10 79 15 64 1
e. lay off state employees 37 17 20 60 23 37 3
f. lay off public school teachers 13 4 9 86 12 74 1
g. lay off police officers 13 9 4 86 16 70 1
h. lay off firefighters 10 5 5 89 15 75 1
i. freeze wages for state
employees 55 29 27 43 16 27 2
j. reduce pension benefits for
new state workers 51 26 25 45 21 24 4
k. close or limit access to
state parks and recreation
facilities 22 8 13 76 24 52 2
l. reduce spending on roads and
other infrastructure projects 39 14 25 61 26 35 *
*Half sample asked items a-f; other half sample asked items g-l.
** “increase” asked in states with income/sales tax, “enact” asked in states without
income/sales tax.
22. On another subject, do you think workers in this country should or should not have a right to form unions to negotiate with employers on things like their working conditions, pay, benefits and pensions?
Should Should not No opinion
3/13/11 81 18 2 23. Now thinking specifically about workers employed by state governments, do you think those workers should or should not have a right to form unions to negotiate things like their working conditions, pay, benefits and pensions?
Should Should not No opinion
3/13/11 67 32 1 24. On another subject: All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, or not? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
----- Worth fighting ---- --- Not worth fighting -- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/13/11 31 17 14 64 16 49 5
12/12/10 34 16 16 60 18 43 5
7/11/10 43 24 19 53 15 38 4
6/6/10 44 26 18 53 13 41 3
4/25/10 45 26 19 52 15 38 3
12/13/09 52 33 19 44 10 35 4
11/15/09 44 30 14 52 14 38 4
10/18/09* 47 28 19 49 13 36 4
9/12/09 46 28 18 51 14 37 3
8/17/09 47 31 15 51 10 41 3
7/18/09 51 34 18 45 11 34 4
3/29/09 56 37 19 41 12 28 4
2/22/09 50 34 17 47 9 37 3
12/14/08 55 NA NA 39 NA NA 5
7/13/08 51 NA NA 45 NA NA 4
2/25/07 56 NA NA 41 NA NA 3
*10/18/09 "was" and "has been" wording half sampled. Previous "was." 25. (HALF SAMPLE) Do you think the United States should or should not withdraw a substantial number of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan this summer?
Should Should not No opinion
3/13/11 73 21 5 26. (HALF SAMPLE) Do you think the United States will or will not withdraw a substantial number of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan this summer?
Will Will not No opinion
3/13/11 39 53 8 27. Thinking about the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa - do you think the demonstrators in these countries are mainly interested in establishing democratic governments, or mainly interested in establishing new governments but not necessarily democratic ones?
Democratic New governments, not No
governments necessarily democratic opinion
3/13/11 20 71 9
28. In the long run, do you think the outcome of the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa will help or hurt [ITEM]?
3/13/11 - Summary Table*
No effect No
Help Hurt (vol.) opinion
a. U.S. political and economic interests in the
region 29 58 4 9
b. the ability of the U.S. to fight terrorist
groups based in these countries 33 49 6 12
*Half sample asked item a; other half sample asked item b.
In Libya, there's fighting between anti-government protesters and forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi (MOA-mar ka-DAFI)...
29. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you support or oppose using U.S. military aircraft to create a no-fly zone in Libya in order to keep Gaddafi's air force from attacking rebel-held areas?
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 49 45 6
30. (HALF SAMPLE) You may have heard about the idea that U.S. military aircraft could participate in creating a no-fly zone over Libya in order to keep Gaddafi's air force from attacking rebel-held areas. Is this something you would support or oppose?
Support Oppose No opinion 3/13/11 56 37 7
31. (IF SUPPORT U.S. MILITARY CREATING NO-FLY ZONE) Creating a no-fly zone first requires bombing attacks on anti-aircraft positions, and then requires continuous air patrols. Given those requirements, would you support or oppose using U.S. military aircraft to create a no-fly zone in Libya?
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 72 25 3 32. 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
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".
33. Have recent price increases in gasoline caused any financial hardship for you or others in your household, or not? (IF YES) Has that been a serious hardship, or not serious?
----------- Yes -----------
NET Serious Not serious No No opinion
3/13/11 71 44 26 29 1
7/28/08 72 45 27 28 *
6/15/08 77 51 25 23 0
5/11/08 63 34 29 37 *
4/13/08 67 38 29 32 1
5/21/07 58 27 30 42 *
4/15/07 67 36 31 33 *
7/19/06 60 29 30 39 1
5/15/06 57 31 26 43 *
4/9/06 70 44 26 30 *
9/11/05 64 34 30 36 *
8/28/05 66 36 30 34 *
8/21/05 53 26 27 47 *
4/24/05 64 34 30 36 *
3/20/05 57 29 28 43 *
5/23/04 64 37 27 36 0
4/18/04 54 31 23 46 0
4/28/02 53 20 33 47 *
4/29/01 48 17 30 52 *
6/25/00* 44 NA NA 56 *
5/24/00 36 64 *
4/2/00 39 61 *
3/12/00 41 59 *
2/15/00 40 " " 60 *
*6/25/00 and previous by Gallup; slightly different wordings. 34. Do you support or oppose allowing women in the military to serve in ground units that engage in close combat?
Support Oppose No opinion
3/13/11 73 25 2
35. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of [ITEM]? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
3/13/11 - Summary Table
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. Sarah Palin 58 26 32 37 20 17 5
b. Mitt Romney 60 22 38 21 15 6 19
c. Mike Huckabee 61 28 33 18 12 6 23
d. Newt Gingrich 55 18 37 26 17 9 19
e. Haley Barbour 26 8 19 17 11 6 57
f. Tim Pawlenty 28 7 21 15 11 3 58
g. Jon Huntsman 20 4 16 12 11 1 68
h. Mitch Daniels 22 6 16 12 10 2 66
Trend where available:
a. Sarah Palin (Among leaned Republicans)
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/13/11 58 26 32 37 20 17 5
10/28/10 RV 70 30 41 24 13 11 6
3/26/10 66 32 34 30 14 16 4
2/8/10 63 31 32 31 18 13 6
11/15/09 72 39 33 24 14 10 4
7/18/09 67 37 30 28 16 12 6
10/23/08 LV 81 54 27 16 6 9 3
9/29/08 RV 84 55 29 11 6 5 5
9/22/08 RV 88 64 24 6 2 4 6
9/7/08 RV 88 63 25 5 3 2 6
9/4/08* RV 84 70 14 7 4 4 9
* "the Republican nominee for vice president"
b. Mitt Romney (Among leaned Republicans)
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/13/11 60 22 38 21 15 6 19
1/12/08 55 16 39 36 21 15 9
11/1/07 42 12 30 28 16 12 30
2/25/07 33 8 25 28 20 9 39
12/11/06 28 8 20 17 14 3 55
c. Mike Huckabee (Among leaned Republicans)
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/13/11 61 28 33 18 12 6 23
1/12/08 64 25 39 25 17 9 10
11/1/07 27 10 17 25 15 9 48
d. Newt Gingrich (Among leaned Republicans)
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/13/11 55 18 37 26 17 9 19
11/1/98 57 NA NA 36 NA NA 7
9/28/98 59 36 5
9/13/98 57 28 15
8/21/98 54 29 17
7/12/98 50 32 18
5/12/98* 53 35 12
4/4/98* 57 29 14
1/31/98* 49 28 23
1/19/98 48 34 18
9/4/96 RV 49 33 18
6/30/96 46 37 17
7/17/95 57 25 18
* Based on Republicans only.
e-h. No trend. 36. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of the political movement known as the Tea Party? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
------- Favorable ------- ------ Unfavorable ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
3/13/11 36 18 18 48 18 30 16
1/16/11 35 16 19 52 21 31 13
9/2/10 38 18 19 45 24 21 18
6/6/10 36 17 19 50 25 24 14
3/26/10 41 21 21 39 16 23 20
2/8/10 35 20 15 40 20 20 25 901. 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
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.
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+
1/16/11 49 16 16 17 48 18 11 19
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***
