September 9, 2010 - U.S. Voters Say Afghanistan Is No Vietnam, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; President Gets Better Grades For War Than Economy Word format Despite increased casualties, American voters say 58 - 33 percent that eliminating the threat of terrorists operating from Afghanistan is a goal for which American troops should fight and possibly die, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters say 49 - 41 percent that the U.S. is doing the right thing fighting in Afghanistan and say 59 - 26 percent that Afghanistan will not be another Vietnam, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. President Barack Obama gets a negative 44 - 47 percent overall job approval rating, statistically unchanged from his record-low 44 - 48 percent score July 21. Voters approve 49 - 40 percent of President Obama's handling of Afghanistan and approve 53 - 40 percent of his handling of duties as commander-in-chief of the military, but they disapprove 56 - 39 percent of the way he is handling the economy. Voters say 32 - 22 percent that the economy is getting worse, not better, virtually identical to July's finding, but more pessimistic than the 32 - 24 percent who thought in May the economy was getting better. Obama has strong leadership qualities, voters say 59 - 38 percent; he is honest, voters say 55 - 38 percent. "The good news for President Barack Obama is that his standing with the American people hasn't deteriorated further. The bad news is that he remains at his record low levels and the November elections are right around the corner," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Voters' pessimism about the economy and their economic future shows no signs of abating, a factor that must worry the White House." Quinnipiac University Poll/September 9, 2010 - page 2 "And a Democrat who gets better grades as commander-in-chief than he does on the economy is an anomaly," Brown added. While support for the war in Afghanistan is constant, American voters say 55 - 33 percent that the United States will not be successful eliminating terrorists from Afghanistan. Voters do support 65 - 29 percent Obama's decision to begin withdrawing U.S. troops there by next July and believe 58 - 28 percent he will carry through with that promise. "Support for the war in Afghanistan and President Obama's policies there has inched up in the last month - perhaps because of his nationally televised speech about the exit of U.S. combat troops from Iraq," said Brown. "The concern that the American people will see the increase in casualties as meaning the war there is turning into another Vietnam appears groundless. President Obama should note, however, that his strongest supporters on Afghanistan are Republicans and conservatives who disagree with him about most everything else, while those who usually back him, Democrats and liberals, are the least supportive of the war." The President gets an 81 - 12 percent approval rating from Democrats, but disapproval is 84 - 7 percent among Republicans and 52 - 38 percent among independent voters. He gets thumbs up from women 48 - 43 percent and thumbs down from men 51 - 39 percent. Whites disapprove 55 - 35 percent. Approval is 90 - 7 percent among blacks and 56 - 33 percent among Hispanics. American voters say 42 - 37 percent that they would vote for a Republican rather than a Democrat in the November Congressional elections, compared to the 43 - 38 percent GOP lead in the July 21 Quinnipiac University survey. Tea Party Support for the Tea Party appears to have flat lined, as only 12 percent of voters consider themselves part of the Tea Party movement, compared to 14 percent in earlier surveys. Voter favorability of the Tea Party is split 30 - 31 percent, also down slightly to the lowest score. Tea Party icon Sarah Palin gets a negative 31 - 50 percent favorability. From August 31 - September 7, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,905 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2.3 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 1. If the 2010 election for the U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Republican 42% 92% 5% 38% 46% 39% 49% 8% 30% Democrat 37 2 83 28 36 38 30 71 52 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - - 5 4 1 3 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 - 2 3 DK/NA 18 6 10 28 14 21 18 16 15 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Republican 36% 45% 43% 36% 48% 54% 7% 33% 71% Democrat 44 33 39 41 37 34 75 44 13 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 3 2 3 2 2 4 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 - 2 - 1 - 1 1 DK/NA 19 18 15 19 13 9 13 20 14 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Republican 42% 42% 66% 59% 47% Democrat 36 42 19 22 32 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3 2 2 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - - - 1 DK/NA 19 14 13 17 19 TREND: If the 2010 election for the U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district? Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Mar 24 Jul 2 Jun 4 Apr 29 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 Republican 42 43 36 44 34 32 34 Democrat 37 38 42 39 42 42 41 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 18 16 18 16 21 22 22 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 44% 7% 81% 38% 39% 48% 35% 90% 56% Disapprove 47 84 12 52 51 43 55 7 33 DK/NA 9 9 8 10 10 9 10 3 11 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 51% 42% 40% 51% 40% 33% 79% 53% 17% Disapprove 39 49 51 39 50 61 14 38 74 DK/NA 10 9 10 10 9 6 7 9 9 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 42% 49% 20% 25% 34% Disapprove 48 44 70 65 57 DK/NA 10 7 11 10 9 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? (*High also 59% Mar 2009 / **Low also 44% Jul 2010 & Apr 2010) PstHlth APPROVE....... VtPoll High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Apr 21 Mar 25 Jun 4 Sep 09 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009* 2010** Approve 44 44 48 44 45 59 44 Disapprove 47 48 43 46 46 31 47 DK/NA 9 8 9 10 9 10 9 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 30% 5% 65% 19% 26% 33% 24% 59% 47% Disapprove 60 89 25 71 66 55 67 32 42 DK/NA 10 6 10 10 8 11 9 9 11 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 40% 25% 28% 36% 27% 19% 55% 35% 13% Disapprove 51 65 62 53 66 72 36 56 79 DK/NA 9 10 10 10 7 8 9 9 8 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 30% 30% 17% 19% 23% Disapprove 60 61 72 72 70 DK/NA 10 9 11 9 8 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job? (*Low also 30% Mar 2010) PstHlth PreHlth APPROVE..... VtPoll VtPoll High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Mar 25 Mar 25 Mar 4 Sep 09 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 2010 Approve 30 31 34 36 30 45 30 Disapprove 60 59 57 55 62 45 60 DK/NA 10 10 9 9 8 10 10 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 29% 53% 13% 23% 30% 28% 31% 16% 28% Disapprove 59 37 76 65 59 58 58 71 58 DK/NA 12 11 11 12 11 14 11 13 14 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 31% 31% 26% 30% 31% 26% 14% 24% 43% Disapprove 58 57 62 58 59 67 78 66 44 DK/NA 12 12 12 12 10 7 8 10 13 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 31% 24% 43% 37% 26% Disapprove 56 66 44 52 61 DK/NA 13 10 13 11 12 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job? PstHlth PreHlth APPROVE....... VtPoll VtPoll High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Mar 25 Mar 25 Mar 25 Oct 8 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 Approve 29 29 26 34 31 34 25 Disapprove 59 59 62 58 60 58 64 DK/NA 12 12 11 8 9 8 11 5. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Very satisfied 2% 1% 4% 2% 3% 2% 1% 8% 3% Smwht satisfied 23 7 45 17 22 24 20 43 25 Smwht dissatisfied 31 29 31 33 27 35 30 31 43 Very dissatisfied 42 63 19 47 48 38 48 16 29 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 2 1 3 - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Very satisfied 4% 2% 2% 3% 1% 0% 3% 3% 2% Smwht satisfied 32 20 20 27 23 17 43 25 10 Smwht dissatisfied 38 29 28 30 30 36 28 40 25 Very dissatisfied 25 47 49 39 44 46 26 31 62 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 - - 1 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Very satisfied 3% 1% 0% 1% 0% Smwht satisfied 22 25 16 17 14 Smwht dissatisfied 30 34 28 28 34 Very dissatisfied 44 38 54 54 51 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Apr 21 Mar 25 Dec 11 Nov 13 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2001 2008 Very satisfied 2 3 3 3 4 21 2 Smwht satisfied 23 24 26 28 25 47 14 Smwht dissatisfied 31 29 31 29 28 19 38 Very dissatisfied 42 42 39 40 41 10 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 2 3 2 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 39% 6% 74% 33% 37% 41% 30% 82% 47% Disapprove 56 90 22 62 59 53 64 13 50 DK/NA 5 3 4 6 4 6 5 5 3 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 52% 36% 33% 45% 37% 29% 71% 46% 16% Disapprove 45 60 60 49 61 68 24 49 81 DK/NA 3 4 8 6 2 3 4 5 3 Cont'd 6. (cont'd) Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 38% 42% 19% 21% 29% Disapprove 56 55 79 74 67 DK/NA 6 3 3 5 3 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? (Low also 39% Jul 2010 & Mar 2010) APPROVE...... High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Apr 21 Mar 25 Mar 4 Sep 09 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 2010* Approve 39 39 44 40 39 57 39 Disapprove 56 56 50 55 57 33 56 DK/NA 5 5 6 5 5 10 5 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 45% 17% 73% 43% 43% 47% 38% 80% 50% Disapprove 44 77 16 44 50 40 51 13 37 DK/NA 11 6 11 13 8 13 11 7 13 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 53% 43% 43% 52% 43% 38% 75% 54% 21% Disapprove 37 48 45 35 50 56 15 35 71 DK/NA 11 9 12 13 7 6 10 11 9 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 42% 53% 25% 29% 37% Disapprove 46 40 65 61 52 DK/NA 12 7 10 10 11 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? APPROVE....... High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Apr 22 Mar 25 Apr 29 Jul 21 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 2010 Approve 45 43 48 48 46 57 43 Disapprove 44 46 43 42 43 32 46 DK/NA 11 12 9 10 12 11 12 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Afghanistan? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 49% 27% 72% 46% 50% 49% 44% 78% 60% Disapprove 40 64 20 41 43 38 46 13 27 DK/NA 10 9 8 13 8 13 10 10 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 54% 49% 46% 51% 51% 45% 67% 56% 33% Disapprove 36 42 43 38 40 48 26 36 54 DK/NA 10 9 11 11 9 7 7 7 13 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Approve 48% 54% 35% 40% 44% 46% Disapprove 42 37 53 47 50 48 DK/NA 10 10 12 13 6 6 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Afghanistan? APPROVE....... High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Apr 22 Mar 25 Mar 25 Nov 18 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 Approve 49 43 45 49 52 52 38 Disapprove 40 46 40 39 36 36 49 DK/NA 10 11 14 12 12 12 12 9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 49% 24% 74% 47% 46% 53% 44% 84% 45% Disapprove 44 68 19 46 48 40 49 11 42 DK/NA 7 7 6 7 7 7 7 5 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 57% 47% 47% 54% 47% 41% 74% 61% 26% Disapprove 37 47 45 39 47 52 21 33 66 DK/NA 7 7 8 7 6 7 6 6 8 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 48% 54% 36% 37% 42% Disapprove 45 39 57 55 51 DK/NA 7 7 7 8 6 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Sep 09 Jul 21 Jun 1 2010 2010 2010 Approve 49 41 39 Disapprove 44 51 42 DK/NA 7 8 19 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his duties as commander-in-chief of the military? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 53% 20% 82% 51% 52% 53% 46% 90% 63% Disapprove 40 73 13 40 43 38 47 8 29 DK/NA 7 6 5 8 5 9 7 3 8 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 58% 51% 51% 57% 53% 46% 80% 64% 29% Disapprove 38 42 41 36 43 49 16 32 63 DK/NA 4 7 8 7 4 5 4 5 8 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Approve 51% 57% 31% 36% 47% 48% Disapprove 41 39 60 56 47 46 DK/NA 8 5 9 8 6 6 12. Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 35% 72% 10% 27% 38% 32% 39% 13% 26% Unfavorable 43 12 63 50 44 42 42 54 33 Hvn't hrd enough 19 12 25 19 16 23 16 28 41 REFUSED 3 3 2 5 3 3 3 5 0 TREND: Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? (*Low also 25% Jul 2009) FAVORABLE.... High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 Apr 21 Mar 24 Nov 19 Nov 12 Oct 8 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 2008 2009* Favorable 35 33 33 33 28 36 25 Unfavorable 43 42 47 42 53 52 53 Hvn't hrd enough 19 21 15 21 16 7 18 REFUSED 3 4 4 4 4 5 4 13. Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 34% 5% 71% 25% 33% 35% 29% 59% 48% Unfavorable 47 84 10 55 52 43 55 14 26 Hvn't hrd enough 15 10 17 16 11 19 13 22 24 REFUSED 3 1 2 5 4 3 3 4 1 TREND: Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? FAVORABLE..... High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 Apr 21 Mar 24 Nov 19 Nov 12 Mar 24 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 2008 2010 Favorable 34 34 32 33 39 55 33 Unfavorable 47 49 52 48 46 35 48 Hvn't hrd enough 15 14 12 17 13 6 17 REFUSED 3 3 3 2 2 4 2 14. Is your opinion of the Tea Party movement favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 30% 54% 8% 30% 35% 26% 34% 15% 17% Unfavorable 31 11 46 36 33 29 30 39 28 Hvn't hrd enough 37 34 45 33 31 43 34 45 53 REFUSED 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 TREND: Is your opinion of the Tea Party movement favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Sep 09 Jul 21 Apr 21 Mar 24 2010 2010 2010 2010 Favorable 30 33 32 28 Unfavorable 31 31 31 23 Hvn't hrd enough 37 35 34 49 REFUSED 2 1 2 1 15. Is your opinion of Sarah Palin favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 31% 61% 8% 29% 35% 28% 37% 8% 20% Unfavorable 50 22 71 56 47 53 47 69 49 Hvn't hrd enough 15 15 18 11 14 16 13 20 28 REFUSED 3 2 3 4 4 3 4 3 2 TREND: Is your opinion of Sarah Palin favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about her? Sep 09 Jul 21 Mar 24 Sep 18 2010 2010 2010 2008 Favorable 31 35 33 37 Unfavorable 50 49 51 30 Hvn't hrd enough 15 14 14 31 REFUSED 3 2 2 2 16. Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 47% 10% 83% 42% 42% 52% 39% 89% 61% Unfavorable 45 83 11 48 50 42 54 8 28 Hvn't hrd enough 5 4 5 6 6 5 5 2 11 REFUSED 3 2 1 4 3 2 3 2 1 TREND: Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about him? FAVORABLE..... High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 Mar 25 Nov 19 Jul 2 Nov 12 Feb 21 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2008 2007 Favorable 47 49 47 50 58 67 44 Unfavorable 45 45 47 38 30 19 14 Hvn't hrd enough 5 4 4 9 10 11 40 REFUSED 3 2 1 2 2 3 1 17. Is your opinion of Michelle Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 49% 21% 76% 47% 41% 56% 43% 84% 48% Unfavorable 22 45 3 21 23 21 26 1 15 Hvn't hrd enough 25 30 18 26 29 20 26 10 35 REFUSED 4 4 2 6 6 2 4 4 3 TREND: Is your opinion of Michelle Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? Sep 09 Jul 21 Nov 12 2010 2010 2008 Favorable 49 55 50 Unfavorable 22 19 17 Hvn't hrd enough 25 23 31 REFUSED 4 3 3 18. Would you say that Barack Obama is honest and trustworthy or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 55% 22% 88% 52% 52% 58% 48% 91% 69% No 38 70 9 41 41 36 45 6 24 DK/NA 6 8 3 7 7 6 7 3 7 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama is honest and trustworthy or not? Sep 09 Jan 13 2010 2010 Yes 55 56 No 38 37 DK/NA 6 7 19. Would you say that Barack Obama has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 59% 28% 86% 59% 54% 63% 52% 93% 66% No 38 69 12 38 43 34 45 5 33 DK/NA 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama has strong leadership qualities or not? Sep 09 Jan 13 2010 2010 Yes 59 66 No 38 32 DK/NA 3 2 21. Do you consider yourself part of the Tea party movement or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 12% 21% 4% 8% 13% 10% 13% 9% 5% No 80 70 86 86 82 78 79 83 85 DK/NA 9 9 10 6 5 12 8 9 10 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes 9% 13% 11% 11% 14% 10% 3% 6% 23% No 82 79 80 81 80 85 87 87 70 DK/NA 9 8 8 9 6 5 10 8 7 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Yes 13% 7% 20% 17% 10% No 77 88 70 75 81 DK/NA 10 5 10 8 10 TREND: Do you consider yourself part of the Tea Party movement or not? Sep 09 Jul 21 Apr 21 Mar 24 2010 2010 2010 2010 Yes 12 12 15 13 No 80 81 79 80 DK/NA 9 7 6 6 22. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Excellent - - - - 1% - - 1% - Good 9 3 16 5 6 11 6 16 12 Not so good 41 31 57 38 41 41 38 57 46 Poor 49 66 26 56 52 47 55 25 41 DK/NA 1 - 1 - - 1 1 1 - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Excellent 1% 1% - 1% - - - 1% - Good 11 7 7 11 8 3 11 10 5 Not so good 54 40 35 41 43 42 60 44 30 Poor 35 52 57 47 48 55 28 44 65 DK/NA - 1 1 - - - - 1 - WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Excellent 1% - - - - Good 9 6 6 5 5 Not so good 40 45 35 34 38 Poor 50 48 59 60 56 DK/NA 1 - - - 1 TREND: Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? EXLNT+GOOD.... High Low Sep 09 Jul 22 May 26 Dec 22 Nov 18 Dec 10 Mar 4 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2003 2009 Excellent - 1 - - - 3 - Good 9 9 12 7 8 37 3 Not so good 41 43 46 46 42 42 28 Poor 49 47 40 45 49 16 68 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 23. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Better 22% 6% 40% 19% 21% 24% 18% 44% 26% Worse 32 50 16 32 33 30 35 16 20 The same 45 43 43 49 45 45 46 39 53 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Better 33% 21% 18% 26% 19% 23% 41% 27% 8% Worse 19 34 36 29 33 32 16 24 49 The same 48 44 45 44 48 44 43 49 42 DK/NA - 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Better 22% 25% 14% 14% 14% Worse 33 28 43 42 33 The same 45 46 42 43 51 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 TREND: Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Sep 09 Jul 22 May 26 Dec 22 Aug 6 July 2 Apr 29 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 Better 22 23 32 28 28 27 24 Worse 32 31 24 28 29 29 33 The same 45 44 43 43 41 42 42 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 26. Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Doing right thing 49% 56% 41% 53% 55% 43% 52% 32% 41% Shld not be involved 41 31 49 39 38 44 37 58 51 DK/NA 10 12 10 8 7 13 11 11 8 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Doing right thing 46% 54% 46% 43% 54% 62% 44% 48% 53% Shld not be involved 45 37 42 48 36 30 45 43 37 DK/NA 9 9 12 9 10 8 11 9 10 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Doing right thing 46% 56% 56% 50% 53% 63% Shld not be involved 43 35 33 36 38 29 DK/NA 11 9 11 13 8 8 TREND: Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now? (*Low also 48% Nov 2009) RIGHT THING... High Low Sep 09 Jul 21 May 26 Apr 22 Mar 25 Jan 14 Jul 21 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010* Right thing 49 48 49 56 55 59 48 Shouldn't be inv 41 43 42 36 37 35 43 DK/NA 10 9 9 8 8 6 9 27. Do you think eliminating the threat from terrorists operating from Afghanistan is a worthwhile goal for American troops to fight and possibly die for or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 58% 72% 48% 57% 64% 52% 63% 38% 47% No 33 21 40 36 31 35 29 52 41 DK/NA 9 7 12 7 5 12 8 10 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes 53% 68% 52% 52% 67% 70% 50% 57% 64% No 41 26 36 40 28 25 40 35 27 DK/NA 6 6 12 8 5 6 10 8 8 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Yes 55% 65% 69% 63% 62% 72% No 35 27 25 28 30 23 DK/NA 9 7 6 9 8 5 TREND: Do you think eliminating the threat from terrorists operating from Afghanistan is a worthwhile goal for American troops to fight and possibly die for or not? Sep 09 Jul 21 Apr 22 Dec 8 Nov 18 Oct 7 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 Yes 58 59 61 64 65 65 No 33 34 31 30 29 28 DK/NA 9 7 8 6 7 7 28. Do you think the United States will be successful in eliminating the threat from terrorists operating from Afghanistan or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 33% 39% 34% 29% 35% 32% 32% 37% 34% No 55 48 55 59 55 55 56 53 50 DK/NA 12 13 11 12 11 13 12 9 16 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes 40% 32% 30% 36% 31% 34% 30% 32% 38% No 48 57 58 51 61 57 61 56 50 DK/NA 11 11 12 12 8 10 9 11 13 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Yes 35% 28% 39% 31% 33% 34% No 52 61 46 56 58 54 DK/NA 12 10 15 13 9 12 TREND: Do you think the United States will be successful in eliminating the threat from terrorists operating from Afghanistan or not? Sep 09 Jul 21 Dec 8 Nov 18 Oct 7 2010 2010 2009 2009 2009 Yes 33 35 38 36 38 No 55 55 52 53 49 DK/NA 12 9 11 11 13 29. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's decision to begin withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan in July 2011? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 65% 39% 87% 64% 59% 69% 59% 92% 74% Disapprove 29 52 9 29 35 23 33 4 17 DK/NA 7 9 4 8 6 8 7 5 9 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 75% 59% 64% 73% 61% 57% 90% 70% 46% Disapprove 20 34 28 22 33 38 7 24 44 DK/NA 4 7 8 6 6 5 3 5 10 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Approve 65% 63% 47% 52% 65% 53% Disapprove 28 30 42 38 31 43 DK/NA 7 7 10 10 5 5 30. Do you think President Obama will or will not begin withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan in July 2011? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Will withdraw 58% 45% 69% 57% 55% 60% 54% 75% 66% Will not 28 38 18 32 32 25 31 14 22 DK/NA 14 17 13 11 13 15 15 11 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Will withdraw 60% 60% 54% 59% 59% 53% 69% 62% 50% Will not 30 28 28 27 30 37 20 27 34 DK/NA 10 12 17 14 11 10 11 11 16 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Will withdraw 58% 58% 50% 51% 57% 52% Will not 28 30 35 34 28 30 DK/NA 15 12 15 15 16 18 31. Do you think the United States is heading for the same kind of involvement in Afghanistan as it had in the Vietnam War, or do you think the United States will avoid that kind of involvement this time? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes/Like Vietnam 26% 27% 19% 30% 28% 24% 27% 18% 26% No/Will avoid 59 59 65 56 59 58 58 66 59 DK/NA 15 14 16 14 13 18 15 16 16 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes/Like Vietnam 22% 25% 31% 26% 25% 27% 28% 23% 28% No/Will avoid 65 61 53 62 63 59 61 63 55 DK/NA 13 14 17 13 12 14 11 14 17 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Military Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath HsHlds Yes/Like Vietnam 27% 22% 23% 28% 27% 28% No/Will avoid 57 64 60 55 62 59 DK/NA 16 14 16 17 11 13 TREND: Do you think the United States is heading for the same kind of involvement in Afghanistan as it had in the Vietnam war, or do you think the United States will avoid that kind of involvement this time? Sep 09 Dec 8 Nov 18 Oct 7 2010 2009 2009 2009 Same as Vietnam 26 32 35 32 Will avoid that 59 57 51 56 DK/NA 15 11 13 12
