Washington Post-ABC News Poll
This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone December 9 to 12, 2010, among a random national sample of 1,001 adults, including users of both conventional and cellular phones. The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by 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
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
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?
12/12/10 - Summary Table*
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
a. The economy 43 21 22 54 15 39 3
b. The situation
in Afghanistan 45 17 28 46 16 30 10
c. The federal
budget deficit 38 16 22 55 19 36 7
*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
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
b. The situation in Afghanistan
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/12/10 45 17 28 46 16 30 10
7/11/10 45 20 25 45 14 31 10
4/25/10 56 20 36 36 16 20 7
3/26/10 53 25 29 35 15 20 12
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
c. The federal budget deficit
-------- Approve -------- ------- Disapprove ------ No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/12/10 38 16 22 55 19 36 7
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
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
12/12/10 31 67 2
10/28/10 RV 27 71 2
6/6/10 37 60 3
3/26/10 38 60 2
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
Call for full trend.
4. Overall, who do you trust to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years, (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Both Neither No
Obama Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 43 38 2 12 4
Compare to: Who do you trust to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next year - (Bush) or (the Democrats in Congress)?
Both Neither No
Bush Democrats (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/11/06 31 57 1 8 2
1/18/04 45 44 1 6 3
4/30/03 55 37 1 4 3
10/27/02 LV 53 37 1 5 4
9/26/02 LV 52 43 2 1 1
9/26/02 54 38 3 3 3
7/15/02 53 37 4 3 3
1/27/02 62 31 2 3 2
Compare to: Who do you trust to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next year - Clinton or the Republicans in Congress?
Both Neither No
Clinton Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/26/00 45 46 * 7 2
2/14/99* 52 35 2 7 3
2/12/99 53 30 3 11 4
1/19/99 50 32 3 8 7
11/7/98 47 38 4 9 2
9/28/98 51 38 2 6 3
8/21/98 48 38 2 9 3
7/12/98 48 38 1 6 6
5/12/98 47 39 3 8 3
1/31/98 52 35 3 4 6
1/19/98 48 40 2 8 2
3/9/97 49 38 4 8 2
1/15/97** 51 37 3 7 2
1/29/95 40 46 4 8 2
1/4/95 30 54 3 9 4
12/15/94 34 49 3 9 6
*1999 and previous: "next few years"
** "The Clinton administration"
5. Who do you trust to do a better job handling [ITEM] - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
12/12/10 - Summary Table
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
a. The economy 44 45 2 7 2
b. The federal budget deficit 39 47 2 9 4
c. The threat of terrorism 41 41 4 7 7
d. The situation in Afghanistan 41 39 3 11 6
e. Health care reform 51 38 1 6 5
f. Helping the middle class 53 38 1 6 2
g. Taxes 43 44 1 7 5
Trend where available:
a. The economy
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
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
Compare to:
G.W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress:
Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opinion
6/1/07 36 54 1 6 2
2/25/07 36 56 1 6 2
1/19/07 32 60 1 4 2
12/11/06 34 58 1 5 2
1/18/04 43 50 1 4 3
4/30/03 51 41 2 2 3
11/6/01 51 36 5 4 5
9/9/01 44 50 1 3 2
7/30/01 47 46 1 4 1
6/3/01 44 46 2 6 2
Clinton or the Republicans in Congress:*
Both Neither No
Clinton Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
1/23/96 51 34 11 3 2
10/30/95 38 50 9 1 2
10/1/95 44 44 8 2 3
7/17/95 42 51 4 1 2
3/19/95 43 47 7 1 2
1/4/95 34 56 3 1 5
12/20/94 36 59 NA NA 5
11/14/93 45 37 3 12 3
8/8/93 48 35 1 13 3
6/28/93 45 40 1 10 4
4/26/93 59 29 4 7 1
G.H.W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress:*
Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opinion
3/11/92 37 36 1 20 7
3/8/92 32 44 3 14 6
2/2/92 40 44 1 9 5
1/29/92 38 41 2 13 5
12/15/91 36 46 2 12 4
* "on the economy"
b. The federal budget deficit
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
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. No trend.
d. The situation in Afghanistan
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 41 39 3 11 6
12/13/09 47 35 1 14 4
11/15/09 46 41 1 9 3
e. Health care reform
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 51 38 1 6 5
4/25/10 49 39 1 10 1
2/8/10 46 41 1 9 2
12/13/09 46 39 1 13 2
11/15/09 50 37 1 10 2
9/12/09 48 36 1 12 3
7/18/09 54 34 1 10 1
6/21/09 55 27 2 11 4
f. Helping the middle class
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 53 38 1 6 2
Compare to: Which political party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you trust to do a better job handling Helping the middle class?
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/3/10 50 34 2 11 2
3/14/99 55 28 4 8 4
9/28/98 57 34 NA NA 8
9/28/98 LV 52 40 NA NA 8
7/12/98 55 29 2 8 7
1/19/98 57 34 1 6 2
7/8/97 51 30 3 14 3
10/23/94 48 33 2 14 3
9/11/94 46 36 3 10 4
2/27/94 47 34 2 14 3
2/2/92 55 34 2 7 3
12/15/91 56 28 3 10 4
3/4/91 48 34 5 9 4
1/16/90 53 32 3 9 4
g. Taxes
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 43 44 1 7 5
Compare to: Which political party, the (Democrats) or the (Republicans), do you trust to do a better job handling Taxes?
Both Neither No
Democrats Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
10/3/10 40 43 3 13 2
9/2/10 39 45 2 12 2
3/26/10 41 39 4 14 3
2/1/08 48 40 1 8 4
11/1/07 46 40 2 8 4
5/15/06 52 38 1 5 2
11/2/05 48 38 1 11 1
12/15/02 46 44 2 6 2
9/26/02 44 44 3 6 4
4/22/01* 38 52 2 6 3
9/2/99* 40 49 2 6 3
3/14/99** 43 41 2 10 4
9/28/98** 47 44 NA NA 9
7/12/98** 42 39 3 8 8
1/19/98** 45 44 2 6 2
7/8/97** 41 38 3 15 4
10/30/95* 45 40 10 3 3
10/23/94** 37 42 2 17 2
9/11/94** 36 47 2 11 4
2/27/94** 35 41 4 18 2
2/2/92** 41 45 3 8 3
12/15/91** 40 38 3 14 5
3/4/91** 35 44 5 13 3
1/16/90** 37 47 2 10 4
*"Cutting taxes"
**"Holding taxes down"
Compare to: Who do you trust to do a better job handling (ITEM), (Bush) or (the Democrats in Congress)?
Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opin.
1/18/04 43 46 2 5 4
4/30/03 46 49 2 2 1
6/3/01* 49 42 1 6 2
*"the issue of tax cuts"
6. Who do you think is taking a stronger leadership role in the government in Washington these days, (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Both Neither No
Obama Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 43 42 3 8 5
Compare to: Who do you think is taking a stronger leadership role in the government in Washington these days, Bush or the Democrats in Congress?
Equal Neither No
Bush Democrats (vol.) (vol.) 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
Compare to: Who do you think is taking a stronger leadership role in the government in Washington these days, Clinton or the Republicans in Congress?
Both Neither No
Clinton Reps (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/20/94 25 69 NA NA 6
12/15/94 25 59 3 5 7
Compare to: Who do you think is taking a stronger leadership role in the
government in Washington these days, Bush or the Democrats in Congress?
Both Neither No
Bush Dems (vol.) (vol.) opinion
7/8/92 37 49 1 7 6
10/21/91 53 32 2 5 7
10/14/90 42 39 3 10 6
4/3/89 36 55 3 2 4
7. As you may know, control of the House of Representatives will switch from the Democrats to the Republicans next month. Do you think that's a good thing, a bad thing, or doesn't it make any difference?
Good thing Bad thing No difference No opinion
12/12/10 41 27 30 3
12/11/06 55 17 27 1
10/22/06** 45 21 32 3
1/4/95*** 48 20 28 3
10/31/94** 32 20 45 2
10/23/94** 31 18 49 1
*12/11/06 and previous: "Congress"
**Conditional (pre-election): "If control of Congress switched"
***"Control of Congress has switched from the Democrats to the Republicans"
8. Do you think Obama is doing too (much), too (little) or about the right amount to compromise with the Republican leaders in Congress on important issues?
About the No
Too much Too little right amount opinion
12/12/10 11 40 45 4
2/8/10 9 44 45 2
9. Do you think the Republican leaders in Congress are doing too (much), too (little) or about the right amount to compromise with Obama on important issues?
Too much Too little right amount opinion 12/12/10 8 54 32 7 2/8/10 8 58 30 4
10. Would you say this recession has hurt you financially, or not? (IF YES) Is that a great deal or only somewhat?
----------- Hurt ----------
NET Great deal Somewhat Not hurt No opinion
12/12/10 71 39 32 29 1
9/12/09 65 33 32 35 *
2/22/09 64 30 34 35 1
1/16/09 68 37 32 32 *
12/14/08 63 30 34 36 *
6/2/91 53 16 37 46 1
11. 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 12/12/10 41 57 2 12/13/09* 50 49 1 11/15/09 44 54 1 *Add "Regardless of whether or not the recession is over..."
12. In the last year, have you or has anyone living in your household been laid off or lost their job?
Yes No No opinion 12/12/10 34 65 * 11/15/09 30 70 * 9/12/09 27 73 * 4/24/09* 23 77 0 2/22/09 18 82 * 12/14/08 18 82 * *4/24/09 and previous: "In the last few months..."
13. Thinking beyond your own household, do you have any close friends or immediate family members who have been laid off or lost their job?
Yes No No opinion
12/12/10 72 28 0
4/24/09 63 36 *
2/22/09 60 40 1
14. For each item I name, please tell me if it's something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly.
12/12/10 - Summary Table
------ Support ----- ------ Oppose ------ No
NET Strgly Smwht NET Smwht Strgly opin.
a. Extending the Bush-era tax
cuts for all taxpayers,
including wealthy people as
well as the middle class 54 30 24 42 16 27 3
b. Funding an additional 13
months of unemployment
benefits for people who are
out of work 72 49 23 26 11 14 2
c. Cutting Social Security
payroll taxes by two
percentage points for all
workers for the next year 39 18 21 57 18 39 3
d. Increasing the exemption on
inheritance taxes so that only
estates worth more than five
million dollars are taxed 52 29 23 41 16 25 7
15. Obama and the Republican leaders of Congress have reached an agreement to do all four of these things together as a package. Is this plan something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/12/10 69 20 49 29 17 12 2
16. Some people oppose this agreement because it will increase the federal deficit by 900 billion dollars, and some also say it fails to raise taxes on wealthy people who can afford it. Others say it's worth it in order to let people have more money to spend while the economy is still weak. Given these arguments, is this agreement something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/12/10 62 17 45 34 20 14 4
17. Over the next year or two, do you think this agreement will help the national economy, hurt the national economy or won't make much difference?
----------- Help ---------- ---------- Hurt ----------- No No
NET Great deal Somewhat NET Somewhat Great deal diff. opinion
12/12/10 36 9 27 17 9 8 43 3
Compare to: 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
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
18. Changing topics: overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the changes to the health care system that have been enacted by (Congress) and (the Obama administration)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/12/10 43 22 21 52 14 37 6
10/3/10 47 26 21 48 13 35 5
3/26/10 46 32 13 50 10 40 4
2/8/10* 46 22 25 49 11 38 5
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
*2/8/10 and prior: "proposed changes...that are being developed by"
18a. (ASKED IF DO NOT SUPPORT HEALTH CARE CHANGES) What do you think is the best approach to the health care reform law: repeal all of it, repeal parts of it, or wait and see before deciding?
Repeal Repeal Wait No
all of it parts of it and see opinion
12/12/10 29 30 38 3
19. Do you think Obama is or is not sincere in wanting to reduce the federal budget deficit?
Is Is not No opinion 12/12/10 64 33 4
20. Do you think the Republicans in Congress are or are not sincere in wanting to reduce the federal budget deficit?
Are Are not No opinion 12/12/10 51 43 6
21. Do you think efforts to reduce the federal deficit (should be taken now), or (should wait until after the economy improves)?
After economy
Now improves No opinion
12/12/10 56 40 4
22. 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
12/12/10 36 2 60 1
23. I'm going to name some proposals that have been made to try to reduce the federal budget deficit. For each, please tell me if that's something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly.
12/12/10 - Summary Table
------ Support ----- ------ Oppose ------ No
NET Strgly Smwht NET Smwht Strgly opin.
a. increasing the federal tax on
gasoline by 15 cents a gallon 21 9 12 78 15 63 1
b. gradually increasing the age
at which people can receive
full Social Security benefits 48 19 29 51 16 35 1
c. eliminating the mortgage
interest tax deduction for
homeowners with mortgages
over 500-thousand dollars and
for second homes 49 25 25 45 18 27 6
d. reducing the yearly increase
in Social Security benefits 36 14 21 64 20 44 1
e. eliminating the tax deduction
that parents can take for
children under 18 34 17 17 65 19 46 1
f. reducing Social Security
benefits for wealthy retirees 49 24 25 49 19 30 2
g. reducing defense spending 44 20 24 52 20 32 4
h. reducing federal aid to
agriculture 41 15 26 55 25 30 4
i. raising taxes on the profits
people make when they sell
stocks or real estate 43 17 27 54 24 30 3
*Half sample asked items a-e; other half sample asked items f-i.
24. Changing topics, do you think [half sample: homosexuals / half sample: gays and lesbians] who do NOT publicly disclose their sexual orientation should be allowed to serve in the military or not?
Yes No No opinión 12/12/10 83 14 4 2/8/10* 83 15 1 7/13/08 78 18 5 1/15/01 75 22 3 5/23/93 63 35 2 *”homosexuals”
25. Do you think [half sample: homosexuals / half sample: gays and lesbians] who DO publicly disclose their sexual orientation should be allowed to serve in the military or not?
Yes No No opinion 12/12/10 77 21 2 2/8/10* 75 24 1 7/13/08 75 22 3 1/15/01 62 35 3 5/23/93 44 55 2 *”homosexuals”
26. 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
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."
27. Do you think the war in Afghanistan has or has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States? IF YES: Has it contributed to the long-term security of the United States a great deal, or somewhat?
------- Contributed ------- Has No
NET Great deal Somewhat not opinion
12/12/10 53 22 32 40 6
7/11/10 53 25 28 44 3
28. Obama has added 30-thousand additional U.S. troops to their force in Afghanistan, and other NATO countries have added 7-thousand more. Is this increase in U.S. and NATO forces something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat, or oppose strongly?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
12/12/10 48 22 26 48 24 24 3
Compare to similar asked in Afghanistan*:
The Americans have added 30,000 additional U.S. troops to their force in Afghanistan, and other NATO countries have added 7,000 more. Is this increase in U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat, or oppose strongly?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/13/10 49 14 35 49 24 25 2
12/23/09 61 22 39 36 18 18 3
*Washington Post/ABC/ARD/BBC poll
29. Obama has said U.S. forces will start withdrawing from Afghanistan in summer 2011. Do you think they should start withdrawing sooner than that, later than that, or is this schedule about right?
Withdraw No
Sooner Later About right now (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 27 12 54 1 6
7/11/10 31 18 45 1 5
12/13/09 31 19 39 1 9
30. On another subject, from what you've heard and read, do you think the release of classified documents about the State Department and U.S. diplomacy by WikiLeaks serves the public interest or harms the public interest?
Serves Harms Both Neither No
public interest public interest (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 20 68 1 1 10
Compare to:
Serves Harms Neither/Both No
public interest public interest (vol.) opinion
08/01/10 42 47 6 5
Pew, “documents about the war in Afghanistan” 31. Do you think the United States should try to arrest the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange (Ah-SANGH), and charge him with a crime for releasing these documents, or do you think this is not a criminal matter?
Arrest and Not a No
charge with crime criminal matter opinion
12/12/10 59 29 12
32. If Sarah Palin runs for president in 2012, would you definitely vote for her, would you consider voting for her, or would you definitely not vote for her?
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
12/12/10 8 31 59 2
12/12/10 RV 8 31 60 2
11/15/09 9 37 53 1
Compare to Hillary Clinton/2008:
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
5/15/06 19 38 42 1
Compare to John McCain/2008:
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
5/15/06 9 57 28 6
33. If Obama runs for re-election in 2012, would you definitely vote for him, would you consider voting for him, or would you definitely not vote for him?
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
12/12/10 26 30 43 2
12/12/10 26 28 44 2
34. If Michael Bloomberg were an independent candidate for president in 2012, would you definitely vote for him, would you consider voting for him, or would you definitely not vote for him?
Definitely Would Definitely No
would consider would not opinion
12/12/10 2 46 43 10
12/12/10 RV 2 45 43 10
06/07/07 2 42 43 14
35. If the 2012 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat) and (Sarah Palin, the Republican), for whom would you vote?
NET LEANED VOTE
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Palin (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 54 39 1 3 3 1
12/12/10 RV 53 40 1 3 3 1
36. If the 2012 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Barack Obama, the Democrat), (Sarah Palin, the Republican), and (Michael Bloomberg, an independent candidate), for whom would you vote?
NET LEANED VOTE
Other Neither Would not No
Obama Palin Bloomberg (vol.) (vol.) vote (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 47 31 18 * 2 1 2
12/12/10 RV 46 32 18 * 2 1 2
***END***
