Release Detail

July 14, 2011 - President Is Best Of The Worst On Economy, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll; Voters Blame Bush Over Obama 2-1 For Financial Mess

Word format American voters disapprove 56 - 38 percent of the way President Barack Obama is handling the economy, but by 45 - 38 percent they trust the president more than congressional Republicans to handle the economy, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
The country is in a recession, 71 percent of American voters say, but by 54 - 27 percent they blame former President George W. Bush more than President Obama.
The president gets a 47 - 46 percent job approval rating, unchanged from the June 9 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. That tops a 64 - 28 percent disapproval for Democrats in Congress and a 65 - 26 percent disapproval for Republicans. Obama outscores congressional Republicans on several points in the deficit reduction battle:
Voters will blame Republicans over Obama 48 - 34 percent if the debt limit is not raised; Voters say 67 - 25 percent that an agreement to raise the debt ceiling should include tax hikes for the wealthy and corporations, not just spending cuts; Voters say 45 - 37 percent that Obama's proposals to raise revenues are "closing loopholes," rather than "tax hikes"; But voters say 57 - 30 percent that Obama's proposals will impact the middle class, not just the wealthy.
"The American people aren't very happy about their leaders, but President Barack Obama is viewed as the best of the worst, especially when it comes to the economy," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling institute.
"Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of President Obama's handling of the economy, but by 2-1 they pin the blame on former President George W. Bush rather than Obama, who is now more than 60 percent through his term of office."
"Given this public view, it might be reasonable to expect that the president's re-election campaign will be, as it was in 2008, running against the former president, in addition to the actual GOP nominee," said Brown. "The key voting bloc, independents, say 49 - 24 percent that Bush is more responsible for the economy than Obama."
By a 62 - 32 percent margin, American voters say it's more important to reduce unemployment than to reduce the federal budget deficit. But they say 49 - 43 percent it's more important to reduce unemployment than to reduce government spending.
While 71 percent of voters say they like the president personally, they dislike most of his policies 48 - 45 percent.
When it comes to Obama's job approval, his base remains intact. Democrats give him a thumbs up 81 - 11 percent, while disapproval is 83 - 13 percent among Republicans and 53 - 40 percent among independent voters. Obama gets a 50 - 41 percent approval rating among women, but men disapprove 51 - 43 percent.
"Obama has established a bond with the American people on a personal level. Even Republicans say 49 - 32 percent they like him personally. But his policies are another story," said Brown. "Look at independents, who like him as a person 70 - 15 percent, but dislike his policies 55 - 35 percent."
Voters say 55 - 39 percent that the U.S. should not be fighting in Afghanistan, although they approve 75 - 19 percent of Obama's decision to begin withdrawing troops. The U.S. should not be involved in Libya, voters say 56 - 32 percent.
American voters are divided on whether they would support a law to legalize same-sex marriage in their state, with 46 percent in support and 48 percent opposed. Voters under 35 years old support same-sex marriage 57 - 36 percent, while voters 35 to 54 years old split 49 - 46 percent and voters over 55 years old are opposed 56 - 38 percent. White Catholics support same- sex marriage 56 - 38 percent while white Protestants are opposed 61 - 34 percent.
"American attitudes toward homosexuality in general and same-sex marriage in particular are changing," said Brown."
From July 5 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,311 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia 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.
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 47% 13% 81% 40% 43% 50% 40% 83% 57% Disapprove 46 83 11 53 51 41 53 8 36 DK/NA 7 4 7 8 6 8 7 9 7 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 58% 44% 45% 49% 47% 49% 77% 57% 19% Disapprove 34 49 48 44 47 47 17 35 77 DK/NA 8 6 7 7 6 3 6 8 4 EDUCATION.... WHITE............. Union NoColl Coll BrnAgn HsHlds Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 53% 45% 50% 26% 32% 41% Disapprove 41 47 44 66 61 53 DK/NA 5 8 6 8 7 6
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? (*High also 59% Mar 2009) (Full Trend)
BIN LADEN DEATH APPROVE....... Post Pre High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 Jun 04 Mar 30 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009* 2011 Approve 47 47 52 46 42 59 42 Disapprove 46 46 40 48 48 31 48 DK/NA 7 7 8 6 10 10 10
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 28% 8% 53% 19% 27% 30% 24% 50% 37% Disapprove 64 87 38 72 67 60 68 44 53 DK/NA 8 4 9 9 7 10 8 7 11 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 34% 27% 27% 31% 27% 27% 49% 30% 14% Disapprove 56 67 64 61 66 68 44 62 79 DK/NA 11 6 8 8 7 5 7 8 7 EDUCATION.... WHITE............. Union NoColl Coll BrnAgn HsHlds Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 31% 29% 27% 19% 20% 24% Disapprove 63 62 66 74 72 69 DK/NA 6 9 7 7 8 7
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job?
APPROVE....... High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 Mar 31 Mar 03 Jan 18 Mar 4 Nov 17 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2010 Approve 28 28 31 33 33 45 27 Disapprove 64 64 58 57 58 45 66 DK/NA 8 8 11 10 9 10 7
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 26% 52% 12% 22% 27% 26% 28% 16% 33% Disapprove 65 41 81 70 66 64 64 77 56 DK/NA 9 8 7 8 7 10 9 7 11 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 29% 28% 25% 26% 27% 27% 10% 22% 43% Disapprove 63 64 67 65 66 67 82 72 47 DK/NA 8 8 8 9 7 6 7 6 10 EDUCATION.... WHITE............. Union NoColl Coll BrnAgn HsHlds Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 24% 27% 26% 36% 33% 30% Disapprove 69 64 68 56 59 61 DK/NA 7 9 6 8 8 9
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job? (*High also 34% Mar 3, 2011 & Mar 2010)
APPROVE....... High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 Mar 31 Mar 03 Jan 18 Mar 31 Oct 08 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011* 2009 Approve 26 30 34 34 30 34 25 Disapprove 65 61 55 54 57 55 64 DK/NA 9 9 11 12 13 11 11
10. 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 Hisp Very satisfied 3% 1% 7% 2% 3% 4% 2% 11% 10% Smwht satisfied 24 8 39 19 24 23 19 44 30 Smwht dissatisfied 32 29 36 33 32 33 34 28 26 Very dissatisfied 40 62 18 46 41 39 44 17 32 DK/NA 1 - 1 - - 1 - - 2 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Very satisfied 4% 4% 2% 5% 2% 2% 4% 4% 3% Smwht satisfied 32 22 21 22 26 23 36 28 11 Smwht dissatisfied 38 32 30 31 32 36 37 38 23 Very dissatisfied 26 41 46 41 39 37 23 30 63 DK/NA - - 1 - - 1 1 - -
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?
BIN LADEN DEATH VERY+SMWHT SAT Post Pre High Low Jul 14 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 Mar 03 Dec 11 Nov 13 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2001 2008 Very satisfied 3 6 3 2 1 21 2 Smwht satisfied 24 32 25 21 26 47 14 Smwht dissatisfied 32 29 26 37 32 19 38 Very dissatisfied 40 33 44 40 40 10 44 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 3 2
11. Regardless of how you feel about Barack Obama's policies, would you say you like or don't like Barack Obama as a person?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Like 71% 49% 91% 70% 70% 72% 67% 91% 80% Don't Like 15 32 3 15 17 13 18 - 8 DK/NA 14 19 7 15 13 15 14 9 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Like 79% 71% 68% 71% 72% 71% 88% 80% 50% Don't Like 9 16 17 15 15 15 4 7 31 DK/NA 12 13 15 14 13 14 8 12 19
12. And regardless of how you feel about Barack Obama as a person, would you say you like or don't like most of Barack Obama's policies?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Like 45% 8% 83% 35% 41% 48% 38% 81% 52% Don't Like 48 88 11 55 53 43 55 13 41 DK/NA 8 4 6 10 7 9 7 6 8 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Like 55% 43% 42% 47% 44% 46% 78% 53% 16% Don't Like 38 51 50 44 51 50 16 39 79 DK/NA 7 7 8 9 5 5 6 8 5
13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the economy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 38% 9% 71% 29% 36% 41% 32% 73% 44% Disapprove 56 89 25 62 59 55 64 16 50 DK/NA 5 2 4 9 6 5 4 10 6 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 46% 37% 37% 40% 39% 40% 69% 46% 12% Disapprove 49 59 58 55 57 57 26 49 84 DK/NA 5 4 6 5 4 3 4 5 4
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?
BIN LADEN DEATH APPROVE...... Post Pre High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 Mar 04 Mar 30 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2011 Approve 38 36 38 37 34 57 34 Disapprove 56 58 57 57 60 33 60 DK/NA 5 6 5 6 5 10 5
14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - foreign policy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 47% 17% 77% 42% 45% 48% 41% 78% 49% Disapprove 43 73 15 48 48 39 49 14 35 DK/NA 10 10 8 10 7 13 9 9 17 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 53% 47% 45% 46% 50% 50% 72% 57% 21% Disapprove 34 46 45 42 42 45 23 32 69 DK/NA 13 8 10 12 8 6 5 10 10
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy?
BIN LADEN DEATH APPROVE....... Post Pre High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 Apr 29 Mar 30 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2011 Approve 47 46 51 43 41 57 41 Disapprove 43 44 39 48 47 32 47 DK/NA 10 10 10 10 12 11 12
15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the situation in Libya?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 38% 18% 61% 34% 39% 38% 34% 63% 45% Disapprove 44 65 23 49 46 41 49 20 31 DK/NA 18 16 16 18 15 21 17 17 24 AGE IN YRS....... POL PHIL......... Military 18-34 35-54 55+ Lib Mod Con HsHlds Approve 40% 39% 38% 55% 48% 20% 33% Disapprove 35 48 45 32 34 63 51 DK/NA 25 13 17 13 18 17 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Libya?
BIN LADEN DEATH Post Pre Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 Approve 38 41 45 41 41 Disapprove 44 43 40 48 45 DK/NA 18 15 15 11 14
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the situation in Afghanistan?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 50% 30% 72% 46% 51% 49% 45% 82% 52% Disapprove 42 62 24 44 42 41 46 16 41 DK/NA 8 8 4 10 7 10 9 3 7 AGE IN YRS....... POL PHIL......... Military 18-34 35-54 55+ Lib Mod Con HsHlds Approve 56% 51% 47% 61% 62% 31% 46% Disapprove 37 42 44 34 30 59 45 DK/NA 8 7 9 5 8 9 9
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Afghanistan? (*Post Bin Laden Death)
BIN LADEN DEATH APPROVE....... Post Pre High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 May 05 Nov 18 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011* 2009 Approve 50 51 59 41 42 59 38 Disapprove 42 40 30 50 45 30 49 DK/NA 8 9 10 8 13 10 12
17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the budget deficit?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 33% 6% 61% 27% 31% 35% 29% 59% 38% Disapprove 60 91 33 64 62 57 65 34 52 DK/NA 7 3 6 9 6 8 7 7 10 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 40% 28% 34% 35% 35% 34% 60% 40% 11% Disapprove 51 65 59 57 61 62 33 52 85 DK/NA 9 6 6 8 4 4 7 8 3
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the budget deficit?
Jul 14 Jun 09 Mar 30 Mar 03 Apr 21 Feb 11 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 2010 Approve 33 32 30 36 34 33 Disapprove 60 61 64 58 59 60 DK/NA 7 6 6 6 7 7
18. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the issue of same sex marriage?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 37% 18% 53% 37% 34% 39% 35% 51% 40% Disapprove 42 64 29 37 42 41 43 36 41 DK/NA 22 19 19 27 24 20 23 14 20 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 46% 37% 32% 34% 38% 44% 56% 44% 16% Disapprove 31 44 45 43 41 37 29 32 62 DK/NA 23 19 23 22 20 19 15 24 22 EDUCATION.... WHITE............. Union NoColl Coll BrnAgn HsHlds Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Approve 39% 34% 42% 18% 28% 36% Disapprove 38 43 39 63 51 41 DK/NA 23 23 19 18 21 23
19. 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 Hisp Excellent - - 1% - - - - 2% - Good 9 3 14 9 10 8 7 20 18 Not so good 45 36 57 41 44 46 44 52 46 Poor 45 61 27 50 45 46 49 27 36 DK/NA - - - - - - - - - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Excellent - - - - - - 1% - - Good 15 8 8 10 7 11 12 12 5 Not so good 50 47 42 43 49 48 55 52 32 Poor 35 45 50 46 44 41 32 36 63 DK/NA - - - - - - - - -
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 Jul 14 Jan 18 Nov 17 Sep 09 Jul 22 Dec 10 Mar 04 2011 2011 2010 2010 2010 2003 2009 Excellent - 1 - - 1 3 - Good 9 13 7 9 9 37 3 Not so good 45 43 43 41 43 42 28 Poor 45 43 49 49 47 16 68 DK/NA - - 1 1 1 1 -
20. 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 Hisp Better 23% 9% 38% 22% 24% 23% 20% 42% 30% Worse 32 51 14 35 31 32 34 15 28 The same 43 39 47 42 43 43 44 41 40 DK/NA 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Better 30% 23% 21% 23% 24% 28% 38% 28% 10% Worse 20 32 37 32 30 29 17 22 51 The same 49 44 41 44 45 43 43 49 38 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1
TREND: Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Better........ High Low Jul 14 Jan 18 Nov 17 Sep 09 Jul 22 Jan 18 Sep 09 2011 2011 2010 2010 2010 2011 2010 Better 23 36 28 22 23 36 22 Worse 32 20 28 32 31 20 32 The same 43 43 43 45 44 43 45 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1 2 1
21. Who do you trust to do a better job handling the economy - President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Obama 45% 7% 82% 38% 42% 47% 38% 86% 45% Republicans 38 82 7 35 42 35 44 3 34 DK/NA 17 11 11 27 16 18 18 11 21 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Obama 54% 42% 44% 46% 45% 47% 79% 53% 16% Republicans 30 43 39 34 43 40 10 29 68 DK/NA 17 15 16 20 12 13 11 19 16
TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling the economy, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? (*Low also 41% Jul 2010)
BIN LADEN DEATH OBAMA.......... Post Pre High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 03 Aug 06 Jun 09 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2011* Obama 45 41 46 43 45 47 41 Reps in Congress 38 43 37 44 45 36 43 DK/NA 17 15 17 13 10 17 15
22. Do you think the United States economy is in a recession now?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Yes 71% 81% 62% 73% 68% 74% 72% 59% 71% No 25 16 33 23 29 21 24 38 22 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 5 4 4 7 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes 66% 72% 73% 73% 73% 64% 64% 67% 81% No 30 26 22 22 26 34 33 29 15 DK/NA 4 2 5 5 1 2 3 4 4
TREND: Do you think the United States economy is in a recession now?
Jul 14 Jun 09 Jan 18 Jul 22 May 26 May 15 2011 2011 2011 2010 2010 2008 Yes 71 78 73 79 74 71 No 25 19 24 18 21 24 DK/NA 4 3 3 3 5 5
23. Do you think the economy is beginning to recover or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Yes 45% 25% 66% 40% 45% 44% 41% 71% 47% No 52 72 31 56 53 51 56 27 46 DK/NA 3 3 4 4 2 5 3 2 7 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes 55% 43% 41% 45% 46% 49% 62% 53% 27% No 43 54 55 51 52 50 35 44 70 DK/NA 3 2 4 4 3 1 3 3 3
TREND: Do you think the economy is beginning to recover or not?
Jul 14 Jun 09 Jan 18 Jul 22 2011 2011 2011 2010 Yes 45 45 54 44 No 52 52 43 52 DK/NA 3 3 3 5
24a. SPLIT SAMPLE A What do you think is more important - reducing the federal budget deficit, or reducing unemployment?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Reducing deficit 32% 43% 25% 32% 33% 30% 32% 27% Reducing unemplymnt 62 51 71 59 61 63 62 71 DK/NA 7 6 4 9 6 7 6 2 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Reducing deficit 27% 34% 32% 29% 35% 35% 22% 25% 43% Reducing unemplymnt 68 63 58 62 62 62 73 68 51 DK/NA 5 3 10 9 3 3 5 7 6
TREND: What do you think is more important, reducing the federal budget deficit or reducing unemployment?
Jul 14 May 04 Jan 18 Jul 22 Feb 11 2011 2011 2011 2010 2010 Reducing deficit 32 35 31 30 23 Reducing unemploy 62 54 63 64 71 DK/NA 7 11 6 6 6
24b. SPLIT SAMPLE B What do you think is more important - reducing federal government spending, or reducing unemployment?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Reducing spending 43% 63% 29% 41% 44% 42% 44% 31% Reducing unemplymnt 49 33 63 53 48 50 48 62 DK/NA 8 4 8 7 8 7 8 7 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Reducing spending 47% 41% 43% 46% 43% 39% 29% 36% 64% Reducing unemplymnt 44 54 49 47 51 57 68 57 28 DK/NA 9 5 8 8 5 4 3 7 8
TREND: What do you think is more important, reducing federal government spending or reducing unemployment?
Jul 14 May 04 2011 2011 Reducing spending 43 46 Redcing unemplymnt 49 47 DK/NA 8 7
25. Who do you blame more for the current condition of the U.S. economy - Former President George W. Bush or President Barack Obama?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Bush 54% 18% 87% 49% 50% 57% 48% 84% 66% Obama 27 60 5 24 30 25 32 8 16 NEITHER (VOL) 8 10 3 12 9 7 9 4 4 BOTH (VOL) 7 9 2 12 7 8 9 1 7 DK/NA 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 7 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Bush 62% 52% 52% 57% 53% 55% 86% 63% 23% Obama 15 29 31 23 31 30 5 18 53 NEITHER (VOL) 10 8 7 7 8 9 3 10 9 BOTH (VOL) 7 8 7 9 6 5 4 6 10 DK/NA 7 2 2 3 2 1 3 3 4
TREND: Who do you blame more for the current condition of the U.S. economy - Former President George W. Bush or President Barack Obama?
Jul 14 Jan 18 Jul 22 Jan 13 2011 2011 2010 2010 Bush 54 57 53 55 Obama 27 21 25 20 NEITHER(VOL) 8 11 10 14 BOTH(VOL) 7 7 7 7 DK/NA 3 4 4 4
26. As you may know, unless Congress and the president can agree to raise the federal debt limit soon, the government will not be able to borrow more money to fund its operations and pay its debts. If the limit is not raised, who do you think would mainly be responsible for this: the Obama Administration or the Republicans in Congress?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Obama Admin 34% 62% 15% 33% 37% 32% 37% 16% 43% Republicans 48 20 74 49 48 49 45 72 44 DK/NA 17 19 11 18 15 19 18 12 13 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Obama Admin 37% 37% 32% 33% 39% 32% 12% 28% 56% Republicans 47 47 52 49 48 54 77 56 24 DK/NA 17 16 16 18 13 14 11 16 19
27. All things considered, which of these is your greater concern - A. That raising the debt limit would lead to higher government spending and make the national debt bigger OR B. That not raising the debt limit would force the government into default and hurt the nation's economy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp A. Raising limit bigger debt 43% 59% 29% 43% 44% 43% 46% 35% 43% B. Not raising hurts economy 45 31 57 46 46 43 43 55 39 DK/NA 12 10 13 10 10 14 11 10 18 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con A. Raising limit bigger debt 40% 48% 42% 46% 42% 43% 30% 39% 57% B. Not raising limit hurts economy 49 44 44 39 50 51 62 50 31 DK/NA 12 7 14 14 8 5 8 11 12
28. In order to allow the national debt ceiling to be raised, do you think President Obama would cut government spending too much, too little, or by about the right amount?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Too much 13% 13% 16% 10% 14% 12% 14% 13% 10% Too little 42 68 18 49 46 39 49 14 31 Right amount 34 11 55 33 32 37 28 64 47 DK/NA 10 8 11 8 8 12 9 8 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Too much 16% 13% 13% 15% 11% 12% 21% 11% 11% Too little 39 48 39 35 47 54 20 39 62 Right amount 37 30 37 39 35 27 50 42 18 DK/NA 8 9 11 11 7 6 9 8 9
29. In order to allow the national debt ceiling to be raised, do you think Republicans in Congress would cut government spending too much, too little, or by about the right amount?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Too much 33% 11% 54% 30% 32% 34% 30% 53% 33% Too little 29 35 22 33 30 29 31 19 30 Right amount 26 45 13 24 27 25 28 20 22 DK/NA 11 8 10 13 11 12 10 7 16 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Too much 36% 30% 34% 32% 35% 36% 55% 39% 14% Too little 32 34 25 30 29 30 23 28 36 Right amount 24 26 28 26 29 25 14 24 38 DK/NA 8 10 13 12 7 9 8 10 12
30. In order to allow the national debt ceiling to be raised, do you think President Obama would increase taxes too much, too little, or by about the right amount?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Too much 39% 68% 11% 45% 42% 36% 44% 15% 38% Too little 14 11 17 14 16 12 16 12 6 Right amount 40 15 66 33 37 43 34 69 44 DK/NA 8 6 6 8 5 10 7 4 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Too much 33% 42% 39% 37% 41% 40% 15% 31% 64% Too little 14 17 11 11 14 21 23 13 9 Right amount 47 35 41 44 39 36 57 48 20 DK/NA 6 6 8 8 6 4 5 8 7
31. In order to allow the national debt ceiling to be raised, do you think Republicans in Congress would increase taxes too much, too little, or by about the right amount?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Too much 33% 26% 33% 34% 30% 34% 29% 51% 40% Too little 29 12 44 31 32 26 31 27 19 Right amount 28 51 15 24 27 28 31 15 24 DK/NA 11 11 8 11 10 11 9 7 17 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Too much 40% 34% 28% 41% 30% 19% 31% 32% 34% Too little 26 31 30 23 33 45 51 34 12 Right amount 27 27 29 26 29 29 12 24 43 DK/NA 7 8 12 10 9 7 6 10 11
32. Do you think any agreement to raise the national debt ceiling should include only spending cuts or should it also include an increase in taxes for the wealthy and corporations?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Only spend cuts 25% 48% 7% 26% 31% 20% 27% 12% 26% Taxes: wlthy/corps 67 43 87 66 61 72 65 80 66 DK/NA 8 9 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Only spend cuts 20% 27% 25% 19% 29% 31% 7% 18% 45% Taxes: wlthy/corps 75 66 66 72 65 63 90 74 45 DK/NA 5 7 8 9 5 5 2 8 10
33. How would you describe President Obama's proposals to raise revenues - Would you call them tax hikes or closing loopholes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Tax hikes 37% 58% 21% 37% 37% 37% 40% 21% 36% Closing loopholes 45 26 63 45 48 43 43 67 42 DK/NA 18 16 17 18 15 20 17 13 22 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Tax hikes 31% 41% 37% 35% 38% 43% 19% 31% 55% Closing loopholes 46 46 46 46 49 44 68 49 29 DK/NA 22 13 17 19 14 13 13 20 15
34. Do you believe President Obama's proposals to raise revenues will impact the middle class or just the wealthy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Middle Class 57% 71% 43% 62% 58% 56% 59% 49% 60% Just the wealthy 30 17 46 26 29 31 29 40 30 DK/NA 13 12 12 12 13 12 12 11 10 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Middle Class 59% 60% 54% 58% 59% 53% 41% 54% 72% Just the wealthy 28 29 33 30 32 34 48 34 16 DK/NA 12 10 14 11 9 12 11 12 12
35. Who do you trust to do a better job handling Medicare, which is the government program which pays for health care for the elderly - President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Obama 50% 13% 84% 44% 46% 53% 43% 87% 61% Republicans 37 75 9 39 41 34 43 8 27 DK/NA 13 12 7 17 13 14 14 6 12 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Obama 59% 47% 48% 53% 48% 52% 83% 59% 19% Republicans 30 41 38 34 41 39 11 27 66 DK/NA 12 12 14 14 11 9 6 13 14
TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling Medicare, which is the government program which pays for health care for the elderly - President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?
Jul 14 Jun 09 2011 2011 Obama 50 44 Reps in Congress 37 40 DK/NA 13 16
36. Would you support or oppose a law in your state that would allow same-sex couples to get married?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Support 46% 24% 61% 48% 43% 49% 49% 32% 37% Oppose 48 72 35 43 48 47 45 61 57 DK/NA 6 4 4 9 8 4 5 7 6 Con't AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Support 57% 49% 38% 42% 50% 59% 74% 56% 17% Oppose 36 46 56 53 46 37 23 37 77 DK/NA 6 5 6 5 4 4 3 7 5 EDUCATION.... WHITE............. Union NoColl Coll BrnAgn HsHlds Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Support 50% 42% 55% 21% 34% 56% Oppose 43 52 38 75 61 38 DK/NA 7 6 6 4 5 7
TREND: Would you support or oppose a law in your state that would allow same-sex couples to get married?
Jul 14 Apr 30 2011 2009 Support 46 38 Oppose 48 55 DK/NA 6 7
37. Under current federal law states can refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Do you think this law should remain in existence or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Yes/Remain 44% 61% 28% 47% 48% 41% 46% 43% 38% No/End 49 34 65 46 43 54 49 49 51 DK/NA 7 5 7 7 9 5 5 8 11 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes/Remain 45% 41% 46% 41% 50% 42% 26% 38% 62% No/End 50 52 47 51 46 53 72 54 31 DK/NA 6 6 7 7 4 5 2 8 7 EDUCATION.... WHITE............. Union NoColl Coll BrnAgn HsHlds Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Yes/Remain 46% 44% 44% 60% 56% 46% No/End 48 48 52 35 38 50 DK/NA 6 8 4 5 5 4
TREND: Under current federal law states can refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Do you think this law should remain in existence or not?
Jul 14 Apr 30 2011 2009 Yes 44 50 No 49 44 DK/NA 7 6
38. Under current federal law spouses in same-sex marriages are denied eligibility for federal benefits. Do you think this law should remain in existence or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Yes/Remain 35% 54% 23% 35% 38% 33% 35% 38% 34% No/End 59 41 72 58 54 62 59 59 55 DK/NA 6 5 5 7 8 5 6 2 11 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Yes/Remain 28% 36% 38% 36% 39% 30% 15% 28% 57% No/End 69 58 55 58 58 66 83 66 36 DK/NA 3 6 7 7 3 4 2 6 7 EDUCATION.... WHITE............. Union NoColl Coll BrnAgn HsHlds Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Yes/Remain 36% 38% 30% 57% 48% 31% No/End 60 56 66 38 45 64 DK/NA 4 7 4 6 6 5
TREND: Under current federal law spouses in same-sex marriages are denied eligibility for federal benefits. Do you think this law should remain in existence or not?
Jul 14 Apr 30 2011 2009 Yes 35 39 No 59 54 DK/NA 6 7
39. 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 Hisp Right thing 39% 54% 30% 36% 44% 35% 42% 30% 30% Shld not be involved 55 39 64 58 51 58 53 65 60 DK/NA 6 7 6 6 5 7 6 4 10 AGE IN YRS....... POL PHIL......... Military 18-34 35-54 55+ Lib Mod Con HsHlds Right thing 37% 42% 37% 28% 40% 48% 39% Shld not be involved 58 53 56 68 54 46 57 DK/NA 4 5 7 4 6 7 4
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? (*Pre Bin Laden Death)
BIN LADEN DEATH RIGHT THING... Post Pre High Low Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 Jan 14 May 05 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 2011* Right thing 39 40 46 34 41 59 34 Shld not be involved 55 52 47 60 50 35 60 DK/NA 6 8 7 6 9 6 6
40. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's decision to withdraw 33,000 US troops from Afghanistan by next summer?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Approve 75% 53% 91% 79% 73% 77% 73% 94% 77% Disapprove 19 40 5 17 22 17 22 4 14 DK/NA 5 7 4 4 5 5 5 2 9 AGE IN YRS....... POL PHIL......... Military 18-34 35-54 55+ Lib Mod Con HsHlds Approve 79% 75% 75% 91% 84% 57% 76% Disapprove 16 21 20 7 12 36 21 DK/NA 5 4 5 2 4 6 3
41. Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by using military force in Libya now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Libya now?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Right thing 32% 31% 38% 26% 38% 26% 32% 34% 25% Shld not be involved 56 58 50 61 53 58 55 56 63 DK/NA 13 11 12 13 9 15 13 10 11 AGE IN YRS....... POL PHIL......... Military 18-34 35-54 55+ Lib Mod Con HsHlds Right thing 31% 33% 30% 38% 34% 26% 29% Shld not be involved 55 56 58 52 53 62 59 DK/NA 14 11 12 10 13 12 12
TREND: Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by using military force in Libya now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Libya now?
BIN LADEN DEATH Post Pre Jul 14 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 30 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 Right thing 32 35 39 37 41 Shld not be involved 56 54 48 53 47 DK/NA 13 11 12 10 12
42. Do you think President Obama should have requested approval from Congress for the US involvement in Libya or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hisp Yes 62% 78% 47% 67% 61% 64% 66% 44% 63% No 31 18 44 25 34 28 29 45 26 DK/NA 7 4 8 8 5 8 5 11 11 AGE IN YRS....... POL PHIL......... Military 18-34 35-54 55+ Lib Mod Con HsHlds Yes 65% 63% 61% 49% 57% 77% 63% No 26 33 33 45 35 18 33 DK/NA 9 4 6 6 7 4 4
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