February 23, 2012 - American Voters Hum, 'happy Days Are Here Again,' Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; But Confidence Does Not Lift Obama Word format American voters say 54 - 43 percent that the economy has begun to recover, a 51-point shift in opinion since September 1, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. This is a reversal from a September 1 survey in which voters said 68 - 28 percent the economy was not in recovery. Voters say 66 - 30 percent that the economy is in a recession, down from 77 - 20 percent in an October 16 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. But the improved voter confidence does not help President Barack Obama who gets a negative 45 - 49 percent job approval rating, compared to negative 44 - 50 percent rating November 23. Voters say 50 - 45 percent that President Obama does not deserve reelection, compared to 48 - 45 percent saying no in November. American voters approve 54 - 38 percent of Obama's compromise concerning insurance coverage for birth control for employees of religious-affiliated institutions. Men approve 52 - 42 percent while women approve 56 - 34 percent. White Protestants split 46 - 46 percent while white Catholics split 46 - 48 percent. Approval is 75 - 18 percent among Democrats and 56 - 36 percent among independent voters, while Republicans disapprove 63 - 32 percent. "Voters have begun to change their minds about the economy. They are humming, not yet singing, 'Happy Days Are Here Again,' but there seems to be a sense that things are getting a bit better. But President Barack Obama is not singing along as there is little uptick in his job approval numbers and the share of voters who think he deserves a second term in the Oval Office," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. In a separate question, 35 percent of voters say the economy is getting better, while 26 percent say worse, and 38 percent say it is unchanged, compared to the 44 - 11 percent who said it was getting worse, not better, when Quinnipiac University asked the question in October. Voters say 71 - 24 percent that health insurance plans should cover birth control as preventive care for women, but they split 47 - 48 percent on whether the government should require private employers to provide employee insurance that covers free birth control. Independent voters split 48 - 46 percent. In fact, voters say 50 - 39 percent, including 51 - 37 percent among independent voters, that the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn Obama's health care reform law. Voters approve 64 - 32 percent of Arizona's immigration law and say 61 - 31 percent they want the Supreme Court to uphold it. American voters say 82 - 12 percent that it is not wrong to use birth control and a total of 55 percent say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Planned Parenthood and Women in Combat By a 55 - 22 percent margin, voters have a favorable opinion of Planned Parenthood and oppose 60 - 31 percent cutting federal funding to the group. When respondents who supported cutting federal funding to Planned Parenthood are asked if they would support the cut if they knew the money was going only for non-abortion health issues such as breast cancer screening, only 12 percent of all registered voters support cutting federal funding to Planned Parenthood. American voters also support 75 - 22 percent allowing women to engage in close ground combat. Support is 70 - 27 percent among men, 79 - 17 percent among women and 67 - 29 percent among voters in military households. All party, age, income, religious and education groups support the measure. Voters support 64 - 23 percent the proposed Keystone Pipeline. Support is 89 - 7 percent among Republicans, 63 - 24 percent among independent voters and 43 - 38 percent among Democrats. From February 14 - 20, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,605 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 1.9 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. 16. 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 45% 6% 85% 44% 42% 49% 38% 91% 48% Disapprove 49 91 12 49 54 45 57 7 44 DK/NA 5 3 3 7 4 6 5 2 7 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 44% 34% 29% 38% 34% 41% 16% 42% 41% Disapprove 53 60 65 59 62 52 78 53 55 DK/NA 3 6 6 2 4 7 6 5 5 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Approve 49% 43% 47% 47% 39% 51% 44% 41% 48% Disapprove 46 51 47 50 56 46 50 52 50 DK/NA 4 6 6 3 5 3 5 7 2 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? (*High also 59% Mar 2009) APPROVE....... High Low Feb 23 Nov 23 Nov 02 Oct 06 Sep 01 Jun 04 Oct 06 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009* 2011 Approve 45 44 47 41 42 59 41 Disapprove 49 50 49 55 52 31 55 DK/NA 5 6 4 4 6 10 4 17. 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 26% 5% 55% 18% 24% 28% 21% 55% 33% Disapprove 67 93 37 73 72 62 73 35 55 DK/NA 7 2 7 9 5 9 6 10 12 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 22% 20% 16% 19% 19% 23% 12% 21% 24% Disapprove 75 73 77 78 77 70 81 74 69 DK/NA 3 7 7 4 4 7 7 5 6 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Approve 26% 26% 27% 28% 22% 29% 28% 24% 22% Disapprove 70 65 66 67 69 59 65 70 75 DK/NA 4 9 8 5 9 12 7 5 3 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job? (*Low also 24% Sep 2011, Oct 2011) APPROVE....... High Low Feb 23 Nov 23 Nov 02 Oct 06 Sep 01 Mar 4 Nov 23 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2011* Approve 26 24 26 24 24 45 24 Disapprove 67 69 70 71 70 45 69 DK/NA 7 7 5 5 6 10 7 18. 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 22% 45% 9% 16% 24% 21% 25% 11% 23% Disapprove 71 49 88 76 72 71 70 84 66 DK/NA 6 7 4 7 5 8 6 5 11 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 20% 27% 27% 30% 26% 24% 35% 24% 21% Disapprove 77 66 65 67 70 69 56 72 72 DK/NA 3 7 8 3 4 7 9 4 7 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Approve 18% 25% 24% 19% 23% 25% 22% 20% 20% Disapprove 78 68 69 77 68 66 72 75 78 DK/NA 4 8 7 3 9 9 6 5 2 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 Feb 23 Nov 23 Nov 02 Oct 06 Sep 01 Mar 31 Nov 23 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011* 2011 Approve 22 19 20 23 22 34 19 Disapprove 71 74 76 71 71 55 74 DK/NA 6 7 4 6 7 11 7 19. Do you feel that Barack Obama deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes/Deserves 45% 6% 85% 43% 41% 49% 37% 91% 51% No/Does not 50 92 11 48 55 45 58 6 43 DK/NA 5 2 4 9 5 6 5 3 6 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes/Deserves 42% 34% 27% 37% 33% 41% 16% 41% 38% No/Does not 53 61 67 59 63 53 80 54 56 DK/NA 5 5 5 4 4 6 4 6 6 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes/Deserves 48% 43% 46% 47% 40% 51% 42% 42% 46% No/Does not 47 51 49 49 55 43 52 54 50 DK/NA 5 5 5 4 5 6 5 4 4 TREND: Do you feel that Barack Obama deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?(*High also 47% Jul 2011)(**Low also 40% Mar 2010) YES DESERVES.. High Low Feb 23 Nov 23 Nov 02 Oct 05 Aug 31 Nov 02 Jul 21 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011* 2010** Yes/Deserves 45 45 47 42 42 47 40 No/Does not 50 48 49 54 51 49 48 DK/NA 5 7 4 4 7 4 12 20. 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 4% 1% 8% 3% 3% 5% 2% 13% 10% Smwht satisfied 26 7 46 24 24 27 22 50 24 Smwht dissatisfied 28 22 30 29 27 28 29 24 31 Very dissatisfied 42 70 15 43 45 39 47 11 34 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 - 1 - 2 1 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Very satisfied 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 3% Smwht satisfied 26 20 19 21 20 24 13 23 22 Smwht dissatisfied 30 28 26 29 28 29 21 31 25 Very dissatisfied 42 50 53 49 49 45 64 43 50 DK/NA - - - - - - - - 1 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Very satisfied 3% 4% 4% 5% 4% 5% 3% 4% 3% Smwht satisfied 28 25 28 25 21 27 24 25 28 Smwht dissatisfied 30 27 31 23 25 28 30 25 29 Very dissatisfied 38 44 36 46 49 39 42 45 39 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 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? VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Feb 23 Nov 23 Nov 02 Oct 06 Sep 01 Dec 11 Nov 13 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2001 2008 Very satisfied 4 2 2 2 2 21 2 Smwht satisfied 26 16 17 16 17 47 14 Smwht dissatisfied 28 31 30 28 29 19 38 Very dissatisfied 42 50 51 53 51 10 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 - 3 2 22. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - foreign policy? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 46% 12% 80% 47% 45% 47% 41% 82% 50% Disapprove 46 83 14 44 50 42 52 12 35 DK/NA 8 5 6 9 5 11 7 6 15 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 50% 36% 31% 40% 40% 42% 21% 44% 43% Disapprove 46 55 60 54 57 47 72 49 51 DK/NA 4 9 8 6 4 11 7 7 6 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? APPROVE....... High Low Feb 23 Nov 23 Nov 03 Oct 06 Sep 01 Apr 29 Mar 30 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2011 Approve 46 49 52 44 44 57 41 Disapprove 46 42 42 48 47 32 47 DK/NA 8 10 6 8 9 11 12 23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the budget deficit? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 32% 4% 67% 27% 28% 36% 26% 73% 28% Disapprove 61 94 25 65 67 56 68 20 58 DK/NA 7 2 8 8 5 8 6 6 14 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Approve 36% 30% 32% 34% 30% 38% 30% 31% 32% Disapprove 60 62 61 61 62 53 63 64 65 DK/NA 4 8 7 5 8 8 7 5 3 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the budget deficit? Feb 23 Jul 14 Jun 09 Mar 30 Mar 03 Apr 21 Feb 11 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 2010 Approve 32 33 32 30 36 34 33 Disapprove 61 60 61 64 58 59 60 DK/NA 7 7 6 6 6 7 7 24. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - health care? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 40% 6% 76% 37% 36% 43% 32% 83% 45% Disapprove 56 92 21 56 60 52 64 14 48 DK/NA 5 1 3 7 3 6 4 4 7 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Approve 44% 37% 40% 43% 35% 45% 37% 38% 41% Disapprove 53 57 55 54 59 48 58 58 58 DK/NA 3 5 5 3 6 7 4 4 2 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling health care? (*Low also 35% Jan 2010) APPROVE....... High Low Feb 23 Mar 30 Mar 03 Jan 18 May 26 Jul 02 Feb 11* 2012 2011 2011 2011 2010 2009 2010 Approve 40 38 40 44 44 46 35 Disapprove 56 55 56 51 51 42 58 DK/NA 5 7 4 5 6 13 6 28. 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% 1% - 1% 1% - - 2% Good 13 3 25 9 12 13 10 29 16 Not so good 43 29 52 47 43 42 42 52 40 Poor 43 67 20 43 44 43 48 16 40 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 - 1 - 3 2 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Excellent - 1% 1% - - 1% - - - Good 14 12 12 13 13 14 11 12 13 Not so good 47 40 44 44 39 39 41 43 51 Poor 38 46 42 43 47 45 47 44 36 DK/NA - 1 1 - 1 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 Feb 23 Oct 06 Sep 01 Jul 14 Jan 18 Dec 10 Mar 04 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2003 2009 Excellent 1 - - - 1 3 - Good 13 6 4 9 13 37 3 Not so good 43 38 35 45 43 42 28 Poor 43 55 61 45 43 16 68 DK/NA 1 - - - - 1 - 29. 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 35% 11% 62% 33% 36% 34% 32% 57% 34% Worse 26 43 10 25 26 26 28 13 27 The same 38 45 26 42 37 39 39 29 39 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - - COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Better 46% 30% 35% 37% 33% 31% 35% 35% 44% Worse 19 30 22 30 29 28 30 23 19 The same 34 40 42 33 36 41 35 41 37 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 - TREND: Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? (* Low also 11% Sep 2011) BETTER........ High Low Feb 23 Oct 06 Sep 01 Jul 14 Jan 18 Jan 18 Oct 06 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011* Better 35 11 11 23 36 36 11 Worse 26 44 49 32 20 20 44 The same 38 44 39 43 43 43 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 30. 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 His Obama 46% 4% 87% 45% 42% 49% 38% 89% 48% Reps in Congress 41 87 6 36 45 37 49 5 30 DK/NA 13 9 7 19 13 14 13 5 22 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Obama 50% 43% 47% 48% 40% 48% 44% 45% 47% Reps in Congress 41 41 39 41 45 34 42 44 44 DK/NA 9 16 14 11 14 17 15 11 9 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, Jun 2011) OBAMA......... High Low Feb 23 Nov 22 Nov 02 Oct 06 Sep 01 Nov 02 Oct 06 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011* Obama 46 44 48 41 44 48 41 Reps in Congress 41 41 39 43 41 39 43 DK/NA 13 15 12 16 15 12 16 34. Do you think the United States economy is in a recession now? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 66% 80% 53% 66% 66% 67% 68% 52% 65% No 30 17 43 29 31 29 29 39 30 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 5 3 9 4 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes 59% 69% 66% 64% 67% 68% 65% 69% 57% No 38 26 30 33 26 26 32 28 41 DK/NA 2 5 4 3 6 6 3 3 2 TREND: Do you think the United States economy is in a recession now? YES RECESSION. High Low Feb 23 Oct 06 Sep 01 Jul 14 Jun 09 Jun 22 Feb 23 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 2012 Yes 66 77 76 71 78 79 66 No 30 20 20 25 19 18 30 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 3 4 35. Do you think the economy is beginning to recover or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 54% 28% 80% 53% 53% 55% 50% 84% 54% No 43 68 18 44 44 42 47 15 44 DK/NA 3 4 2 3 3 3 3 - 1 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes 63% 49% 54% 56% 53% 51% 51% 53% 61% No 34 48 44 43 43 45 47 45 36 DK/NA 3 3 3 1 5 4 2 2 3 TREND: Do you think the economy is beginning to recover or not? Feb 23 Sep 01 Jul 14 Jun 09 Jan 18 Jul 22 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 Yes 54 28 45 45 54 44 No 43 68 52 52 43 52 DK/NA 3 4 3 3 3 5 35a. (If economy not recovering Q35) Who do you blame more for the economy not beginning to recover, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? ECONOMY NOT RECOVERING Q35................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Obama 61% 81% 31% 51% 62% 60% Reps in Congress 21 6 54 29 20 21 DK/NA 18 13 14 20 18 19 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Obama 71% 57% 56% 62% 72% 49% 60% 60% 73% Reps in Congress 16 23 24 20 15 28 20 23 14 DK/NA 13 20 20 18 13 23 20 17 13 36. 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 His Bush 51% 10% 87% 55% 47% 55% 44% 87% 63% Obama 35 74 5 30 38 32 41 7 23 NEITHER (VOL) 5 4 2 6 5 5 5 3 6 BOTH (VOL) 6 9 2 8 7 5 7 1 2 DK/NA 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 1 5 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Bush 54% 50% 54% 53% 45% 57% 50% 49% 52% Obama 35 35 33 33 41 30 35 38 36 NEITHER (VOL) 5 5 6 4 4 5 8 4 4 BOTH (VOL) 4 7 5 7 6 6 6 5 6 DK/NA 3 3 3 3 4 2 2 4 3 TREND: Who do you blame more for the current condition of the U.S. economy, former President George W. Bush or President Barack Obama? Feb 23 Oct 06 Sep 01 Jul 14 Jan 18 Jul 22 Jan 13 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 2010 Bush 51 51 53 54 57 53 55 Obama 35 32 32 27 21 25 20 NEITHER(VOL) 5 7 6 8 11 10 14 BOTH(VOL) 6 9 7 7 7 7 7 DK/NA 3 2 3 3 4 4 4 37. Who do you trust to do a better job handling the federal budget deficit, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Obama 44% 4% 84% 44% 40% 48% 37% 87% 48% Reps in Congress 46 89 10 43 51 41 53 10 37 DK/NA 10 7 6 13 9 11 10 4 16 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Obama 47% 43% 46% 45% 39% 47% 44% 42% 44% Reps in Congress 46 46 45 46 49 40 45 49 50 DK/NA 7 11 9 8 12 13 10 8 6 TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling the federal budget deficit, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? (*the budget deficit) BIN LADEN DEATH Post Pre Feb 23 Jun 09 May 05 May 05 Mar 3 2012 2011 2011* 2011* 2011* Obama 44 39 42 42 43 Reps in Congress 46 46 44 46 46 DK/NA 10 15 14 11 11 46. Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law, or should they let it stand? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Should repeal it 52% 88% 19% 50% 58% 46% 58% 24% 44% Should let it stand 39 8 71 38 36 41 34 68 42 DK/NA 10 5 11 12 6 13 9 8 14 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Should repeal it 53% 60% 66% 61% 64% 51% 77% 55% 59% Should let it stand 43 29 25 31 31 37 14 36 33 DK/NA 4 11 9 7 5 12 9 9 8 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Should repeal it 48% 53% 52% 51% 51% 47% 54% 54% 52% Should let it stand 47 35 39 43 35 40 37 40 43 DK/NA 5 12 9 6 14 13 9 6 5 TREND: Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law, or should they let it stand? (2011 wording referenced "new" health care law) Feb 23 Nov 23 May 04 Jan 18 2012 2011 2011 2011 Should repeal it 52 47 44 48 Should let it stand 39 41 45 43 DK/NA 10 12 11 8 47. The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the health care law. Do you want the Supreme Court to uphold the health care law or overturn it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Uphold it 39% 7% 72% 37% 37% 41% 34% 72% 41% Overturn it 50 86 16 51 57 44 56 20 42 DK/NA 11 7 12 12 7 15 10 8 17 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Uphold it 42% 29% 26% 29% 31% 36% 15% 35% 32% Overturn it 53 58 64 63 64 49 73 56 58 DK/NA 5 12 11 8 5 14 11 9 10 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Uphold it 46% 35% 38% 43% 35% 40% 38% 39% 43% Overturn it 47 52 52 49 50 45 54 53 51 DK/NA 6 13 10 8 14 15 8 9 6 TREND: The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the health care law. Do you want the Supreme Court to uphold the health care law or overturn it? (2011 wording referenced "new" health care law) Feb 23 Nov 23 2012 2011 Uphold it 39 40 Overturn it 50 48 DK/NA 11 12 48. As you may know, in 2010 the state of Arizona passed a law that requires police to verify the legal status of someone they have already stopped or arrested if they suspect that the person is in the country illegally. Do you approve or disapprove of Arizona's immigration law? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 64% 88% 38% 67% 65% 62% 71% 42% 33% Disapprove 32 10 57 30 32 32 25 53 65 DK/NA 4 2 5 4 2 5 4 5 2 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 61% 77% 77% 75% 73% 70% 86% 71% 68% Disapprove 36 19 19 21 25 25 11 25 28 DK/NA 3 4 4 4 2 5 3 4 4 TREND: As you may know, in 2010 the state of Arizona passed a law that requires police to verify the legal status of someone they have already stopped or arrested if they suspect that the person is in the country illegally. Do you approve or disapprove of Arizona's immigration law? (2011 wording "As you may know, last year...") Feb 23 Nov 03 2012 2011 Approve 64 61 Disapprove 32 34 DK/NA 4 5 49. The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to Arizona's immigration law. Do you want the Supreme Court to uphold Arizona's immigration law or overturn it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Uphold it 61% 87% 36% 63% 64% 59% 69% 39% 31% Overturn it 31 9 55 29 31 32 25 50 56 DK/NA 8 4 9 8 5 9 6 11 13 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Uphold it 59% 74% 76% 72% 72% 66% 85% 68% 64% Overturn it 35 19 18 22 24 26 9 26 27 DK/NA 6 7 6 6 4 8 6 6 9 50. Do you think that women who serve in the military and who want to serve in ground units that engage in close combat should be allowed to do that or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 75% 60% 85% 77% 70% 79% 73% 85% 77% No 22 35 13 20 27 17 24 12 20 DK/NA 3 4 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes 76% 71% 68% 74% 69% 77% 64% 76% 67% No 20 25 28 22 28 19 32 21 29 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 3 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes 77% 73% 80% 73% 66% 78% 72% 72% 79% No 19 23 17 23 29 19 26 24 18 DK/NA 4 3 3 3 5 3 2 4 4 51. Have you heard or read anything about the proposed Keystone oil pipeline to carry oil from Canada to the United States? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 73% 78% 71% 74% 80% 67% 78% 57% 58% No 25 22 27 25 19 31 21 43 35 DK/NA 1 - 2 2 1 2 1 1 7 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes 84% 74% 81% 77% 83% 73% 77% 78% 78% No 15 25 19 23 17 26 23 21 21 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1 - 1 1 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes 83% 69% 65% 79% 83% 60% 74% 82% 82% No 16 30 34 20 16 39 26 16 17 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 52. Supporters of the pipeline say it will ease America's dependence on Mideast oil and create jobs. Opponents fear the environmental impact of building a pipeline. What about you, do you support or oppose building the Keystone oil pipeline? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Support 64% 89% 43% 63% 72% 57% 68% 47% 58% Oppose 23 7 38 24 21 25 21 33 23 DK/NA 13 4 19 13 7 18 11 20 18 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Support 62% 71% 75% 73% 75% 61% 83% 68% 68% Oppose 27 17 16 15 19 23 9 21 21 DK/NA 11 11 9 12 6 16 9 11 11 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Support 58% 68% 61% 68% 69% 66% 65% 65% 64% Oppose 30 20 25 23 18 20 24 25 25 DK/NA 13 13 15 9 12 14 11 10 12 53. Do you think that health insurance plans should cover birth control as preventive care for women or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 71% 50% 89% 72% 66% 75% 68% 85% 72% No 24 44 8 23 28 20 27 11 22 DK/NA 5 6 3 6 5 5 5 5 6 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes 75% 65% 63% 58% 63% 73% 52% 70% 65% No 22 29 31 36 32 22 40 26 27 DK/NA 3 6 7 6 6 5 8 5 8 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes 77% 68% 76% 75% 56% 70% 72% 70% 77% No 20 26 21 21 33 24 23 26 19 DK/NA 4 6 3 4 11 6 5 4 3 54. Do you think the federal government should require private employers to offer free birth control coverage as part of their health insurance benefit plans or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 47% 25% 69% 48% 43% 51% 44% 66% 47% No 48 72 27 46 53 43 52 28 46 DK/NA 5 3 5 6 4 6 5 6 7 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes 43% 44% 38% 38% 41% 46% 30% 43% 44% No 53 50 56 59 55 48 64 52 49 DK/NA 4 5 6 3 4 6 6 5 7 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes 47% 47% 51% 47% 40% 52% 50% 44% 47% No 49 47 45 49 52 42 46 52 52 DK/NA 4 6 4 4 8 7 4 4 1 55. As you may know, President Obama recently announced an adjustment to the administration's health-care rule regarding religiously affiliated employers providing birth control coverage to female employees. Women will still be guaranteed coverage for birth control without any out-of-pocket cost, but will have to seek the coverage directly from their insurance companies if their employers object to birth control on religious grounds. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's decision? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 54% 32% 75% 56% 52% 56% 50% 79% 59% Disapprove 38 63 18 36 42 34 42 16 35 DK/NA 7 6 7 8 5 9 8 5 6 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 56% 47% 46% 46% 47% 53% 38% 52% 49% Disapprove 39 44 46 48 47 38 53 42 45 DK/NA 5 9 8 6 6 10 9 6 6 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Approve 58% 53% 57% 59% 43% 53% 54% 54% 58% Disapprove 37 39 37 35 46 39 40 40 38 DK/NA 6 8 6 6 11 8 5 7 4 56. Do you think it is wrong or not wrong to use artificial birth control methods, also known as contraceptives? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes, wrong 12% 16% 10% 12% 14% 10% 10% 13% 22% No, not wrong 82 77 86 82 80 83 84 78 71 DK/NA 6 8 5 7 6 7 6 9 6 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes, wrong 7% 12% 10% 18% 12% 9% 13% 11% 10% No, not wrong 90 81 84 75 82 85 80 83 83 DK/NA 3 7 6 7 6 5 7 6 7 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes, wrong 7% 14% 11% 12% 13% 18% 11% 11% 6% No, not wrong 89 78 84 84 75 73 83 84 92 DK/NA 4 8 5 4 12 9 6 5 2 57. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Legal all cases 22% 12% 33% 21% 20% 24% 22% 21% 19% Legal most cases 33 21 40 37 35 30 32 36 39 Illegal most cases 25 37 12 27 27 23 27 20 22 Illegal all cases 14 24 10 9 13 16 14 16 14 DK/NA 6 5 5 6 6 6 5 7 6 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Legal all cases 24% 20% 15% 17% 20% 24% 8% 21% 21% Legal most cases 37 29 29 32 33 30 18 37 29 Illegal most cases 25 28 33 29 29 24 41 25 29 Illegal all cases 9 17 17 16 12 17 29 10 14 DK/NA 5 6 6 6 6 5 5 7 8 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Legal all cases 26% 20% 24% 24% 16% 21% 23% 23% 25% Legal most cases 36 31 33 34 31 31 31 31 41 Illegal most cases 24 25 26 23 27 23 24 27 24 Illegal all cases 8 17 14 13 17 19 16 13 8 DK/NA 5 6 3 6 10 6 6 5 3 TREND: Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases? (*Combined high also 57% Aug 2007, Dec 2005, Jul 2005, & Dec 2004) COMBINED LEGAL ALL & MOST CASES High Low Feb 23 Apr 21 Jan 14 May 14 Jul 17 Jul 17 Apr 21 2012 2010 2010 2009 2008 2008* 2010 Legal all cases 22 18 18 15 19 19 18 Legal most cases 33 33 34 37 38 38 33 Illegal most cases 25 27 24 27 24 24 27 Illegal all cases 14 16 18 14 14 14 16 DK/NA 6 6 5 7 5 5 6 58. If you agreed with a presidential candidate on other issues, but not on the issue of abortion, do you think you could still vote for that candidate or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Yes 62% 63% 61% 63% 70% 55% 63% 61% 59% No 29 28 31 27 23 34 28 29 34 DK/NA 9 9 8 10 7 11 9 10 7 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes 67% 61% 63% 68% 71% 56% 58% 69% 65% No 26 28 28 23 22 33 32 23 24 DK/NA 6 10 9 9 7 11 10 9 11 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes 67% 60% 63% 64% 61% 58% 60% 66% 71% No 27 29 30 29 27 30 32 27 25 DK/NA 6 11 7 7 12 13 8 6 4 TREND: If you agreed with a presidential candidate on other issues, but not on the issue of abortion, do you think you could still vote for that candidate or not? Feb 23 May 03 2012 2007 Yes 62 69 No 29 22 DK/NA 9 9 59. In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Agree 64% 44% 80% 67% 63% 65% 62% 70% 63% Disagree 31 51 16 29 32 31 33 25 30 DK/NA 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 5 7 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Agree 69% 58% 55% 58% 61% 63% 36% 68% 60% Disagree 28 36 40 37 34 32 60 26 34 DK/NA 2 6 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Agree 72% 60% 66% 67% 57% 61% 63% 64% 72% Disagree 26 34 30 30 36 32 34 33 26 DK/NA 3 6 4 3 7 7 3 3 2 TREND: In general, do you agree or disagree with the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that established a woman's right to an abortion? AGREE......... High Low Feb 23 Apr 21 Jul 17 Aug 16 Dec 7 Jul 27 Apr 21 2012 2010 2008 2007 2005 2005 2010 Agree 64 60 63 62 63 65 60 Disagree 31 35 33 32 32 30 35 DK/NA 5 5 5 6 5 6 5 60. Is your opinion of Planned Parenthood favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 55% 32% 74% 57% 50% 60% 52% 65% 58% Unfavorable 22 43 4 19 24 19 25 9 17 Hvn't hrd enough 22 23 21 22 25 19 21 26 23 REFUSED 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 - 2 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Favorable 59% 49% 44% 46% 47% 57% 32% 54% 53% Unfavorable 27 24 32 29 28 22 42 22 22 Hvn't hrd enough 12 26 22 24 23 18 26 22 24 REFUSED 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Favorable 63% 51% 59% 57% 44% 52% 57% 55% 62% Unfavorable 25 21 20 25 22 17 19 27 23 Hvn't hrd enough 12 27 20 17 31 29 23 16 14 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 2 - 61. Do you support or oppose cutting off federal government funding to Planned Parenthood? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Support 31% 51% 12% 30% 36% 25% 32% 19% 31% Oppose 60 38 79 61 53 65 58 74 55 DK/NA 10 11 9 9 11 9 10 8 13 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Support 31% 33% 38% 40% 38% 27% 48% 30% 35% Oppose 62 56 50 50 52 64 40 60 52 DK/NA 7 11 12 10 11 9 12 10 13 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Support 29% 32% 27% 32% 36% 27% 32% 33% 29% Oppose 64 57 64 61 49 60 61 58 65 DK/NA 7 11 8 7 15 13 7 8 6 TREND: Do you support or oppose cutting off federal government funding to Planned Parenthood? Feb 23 Mar 03 2012 2011 Support 31 43 Oppose 60 53 DK/NA 10 5 61a. (If support cutting funding Q61) If you knew that federal government funding to Planned Parenthood was being used only for non-abortion health issues such as breast cancer screening, would you still favor cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood? SUPPORT CUTTING FUNDING Q61................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Cut 39% 44% 18% 33% 39% 38% No/Don't cut 58 52 80 65 58 59 DK/NA 3 4 3 2 3 4 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes/Cut 48% 38% 40% 42% 43% 39% 42% 40% 42% No/Don't cut 51 58 55 56 55 56 55 57 56 DK/NA 1 4 4 3 2 5 3 3 3 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Yes/Cut 45% 36% 42% 34% 35% 32% 38% 42% 39% No/Don't cut 53 61 56 63 59 64 61 56 58 DK/NA 2 4 2 3 6 4 1 2 3 61b. (Combined questions 61 & 61a) Do you support or oppose cutting off federal government funding to Planned Parenthood? (If support cutting funding Q61) If you knew that federal government funding to Planned Parenthood was being used only for non-abortion health issues such as breast cancer screening, would you still favor cutting off funding to Planned Parenthood? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Cut gov funding 12% 22% 2% 10% 14% 10% 13% 2% 12% Do not cut 77 64 89 80 74 80 76 90 74 DK/NA 11 13 9 10 12 10 11 8 15 WHITE................................................ COLLEGE DEG BrnAgnEvngl Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Cut gov funding 15% 12% 15% 17% 16% 11% 20% 12% 14% Do not cut 78 75 71 73 72 80 66 77 72 DK/NA 7 12 14 11 11 10 13 11 14 COLLEGE DEG AGE IN YEARS..... ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Yes No 18-49 50-64 65+ <30K 30-50 50-100 >100 Cut gov funding 13% 11% 12% 11% 13% 9% 12% 14% 11% Do not cut 80 76 80 81 70 77 81 77 82 DK/NA 7 12 9 8 17 14 7 9 7 Demographic Summary
