October 2, 2012 - Women Give Obama An Edge Over Romney, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds Likely Voters Pick President To Win Debate 2-1 Word format Watch Video: Assistant Director Tim Malloy discusses poll results Clip Information and Download: FLV File - For Website (1920x1080 / 66.3MB) Original .MP4 File - For Broadcast (1920x1080 / 72.1MB) An 18 point lead among women puts President Barack Obama ahead of Gov. Mitt Romney 49 - 45 percent among likely voters nationwide, and voters expect 54 - 28 percent that the president will win the debates, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. The president leads 56 - 38 percent among women and 94 - 2 percent among black voters, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Men back Romney 52 - 42 percent while white voters back the Republican 53 - 42 percent. Independent voters are divided with 47 percent for Romney and 45 percent for Obama. American likely voters say 60 - 25 percent that the federal government would make progress addressing the nation's problems if one party controls the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Voters dislike the Democratic Party less than they dislike the Republican Party, giving the Democrats a negative 45 - 49 percent favorability rating, compared to a negative 41 - 52 percent for the Republicans. "President Barack Obama won only about 43 percent of the white vote in 2008, so his current standing among whites tracks his earlier winning performance," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "If the president can match or exceed his 2008 showing among whites it will be difficult to impossible for Romney to win. "It is also very difficult to win an election when you are getting shellacked among women, the group that makes up about half the electorate." "Historically, voters have preferred divided government in the belief that one side can keep the other in line, but these numbers may indicate that the public is fed up with gridlock in Washington," said Brown. The economy is the most important issue in this election, 50 percent of American likely voters say, while 17 percent list health care, followed by 13 percent who cite the budget deficit and 7 percent who point to national security. The candidates are even on who would do a better job on the economy, with 48 percent of voters betting on Obama and 47 percent picking Romney. Romney would do a better job on the budget deficit, voters say 52 - 42 percent. Obama leads on every other issue: 50 - 45 percent on health care, 50 - 44 percent on national security, 52 - 43 percent on handling an international crisis. If they or a family member were at risk of violence in a foreign country, American likely voters say 50 - 45 percent they would want Obama in the White House. "Some critical keys to the president's lead are that Romney has not convinced voters that he would do a better job on the economy," Brown said. "Romney is more trusted to address the budget deficit, but Obama is the choice to handle other major problems - and the go-to guy if you or a family member is in danger overseas." Obama cares about their needs and problems, voters say 60 - 38 percent. Romney doesn't care, voters say 51 - 46 percent. Among likely voters, 93 percent say they plan to watch the presidential debates, but 86 percent say they do not expect the candidates to say anything that would change their mind. "Voters clearly are interested in the debates but skeptical that the events will make them reconsider their voting preference," said Brown. "The best news for Romney going into the debates is that voters have very low expectations for him and therefore the bar for him to change some minds is set lower than it is for the president." From September 25 - 30, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,912 likely voters nationwide, with margin of error of +/- 2.2 percent. 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 individual statewide crosstabs and trends visit - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x2881.xml or call (203) 582-5201. 1. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and Mitt Romney the Republican, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or Romney? LIKELY VOTERS............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 49% 7% 94% 45% 42% 56% 42% 94% Romney 45 91 5 47 52 38 53 2 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - - 4 3 1 2 1 DK/NA 4 2 2 5 3 5 3 3 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 50% 36% 32% 36% 35% 49% 18% 43% Romney 45 57 63 60 59 46 77 53 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 3 2 1 3 1 2 1 DK/NA 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 54% 46% 56% 49% 48% 48% 62% 49% 46% Romney 41 48 37 44 48 49 30 46 51 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 3 3 3 2 2 6 2 1 DK/NA 3 4 4 3 3 1 3 3 3 1a. (If candidate chosen q1) Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election? LIKELY VOTERS....... CANDIDATE CHOSEN Q1 Tot Obama Romney Mind made up 95% 94% 95% Might change 5 5 4 DK/NA 1 - 1 2. Is your opinion of Mitt Romney favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 45% 88% 6% 46% 51% 38% 52% 5% Unfavorable 48 7 88 45 42 55 42 83 Hvn't hrd enough 5 3 5 7 5 5 4 10 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Favorable 48% 55% 62% 57% 58% 46% 74% 53% Unfavorable 47 38 32 36 36 49 20 40 Hvn't hrd enough 3 5 4 6 5 4 4 5 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favorable 43% 46% 35% 45% 48% 48% 32% 44% 50% Unfavorable 51 46 57 47 46 48 61 48 44 Hvn't hrd enough 4 6 7 7 5 2 6 6 5 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 3. Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 50% 7% 94% 46% 43% 57% 42% 96% Unfavorable 47 90 5 49 54 40 55 4 Hvn't hrd enough 1 1 - 2 1 1 1 - REFUSED 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Favorable 51% 37% 33% 37% 36% 50% 18% 44% Unfavorable 47 59 63 60 61 47 78 54 Hvn't hrd enough 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 REFUSED 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favorable 54% 47% 57% 49% 48% 48% 63% 49% 46% Unfavorable 43 49 39 47 50 50 34 47 51 Hvn't hrd enough 1 2 2 3 1 - 2 1 1 REFUSED 2 2 3 1 1 3 - 3 2 4. (If Obama q1) Would you describe your support for Barack Obama as strongly favoring him, or do you like him but with reservations, or do you support him because you dislike Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.... OBAMA Q1......... Tot Men Wom Strongly favor 74% 68% 79% Like/Reservations 21 25 17 Dislike Romney 5 6 4 DK/NA - - - 5. (If Romney q1) Would you describe your support for Mitt Romney as strongly favoring him, or do you like him but with reservations, or do you support him because you dislike Barack Obama? LIKELY VOTERS.... ROMNEY Q1........ Tot Men Wom Strongly favor 60% 57% 65% Like/Reservations 21 22 20 Dislike Obama 17 20 12 DK/NA 2 1 2 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 48% 7% 93% 44% 42% 55% 41% 94% Disapprove 49 92 5 52 56 41 56 4 DK/NA 3 1 2 5 3 4 3 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Approve 48% 36% 33% 36% 34% 48% 19% 43% Disapprove 48 61 64 61 63 48 78 55 DK/NA 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 52% 47% 55% 48% 46% 47% 60% 48% 45% Disapprove 44 51 41 47 52 51 36 50 52 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 1 2 4 2 3 7. 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? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very satisfied 9% 4% 19% 6% 8% 10% 6% 30% Smwht satisfied 28 4 53 26 24 33 25 48 Smwht dissatisfied 18 14 18 23 18 18 19 18 Very dissatisfied 43 77 9 45 48 38 49 4 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Very satisfied 5% 6% 4% 7% 4% 7% 4% 7% Smwht satisfied 32 21 20 23 21 29 9 26 Smwht dissatisfied 21 18 18 17 19 20 15 20 Very dissatisfied 41 53 57 52 54 43 71 46 DK/NA 1 1 2 - 2 1 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Very satisfied 5% 11% 11% 10% 8% 6% 11% 9% 9% Smwht satisfied 34 25 32 27 28 30 38 27 26 Smwht dissatisfied 20 17 18 20 19 19 26 19 15 Very dissatisfied 40 45 38 42 45 44 24 44 49 DK/NA 1 1 2 2 - 1 1 1 1 8. Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 41% 89% 5% 38% 45% 37% 47% 8% Unfavorable 52 9 90 53 49 55 47 85 Hvn't hrd enough 4 1 4 4 3 5 3 5 REFUSED 3 1 1 4 3 3 3 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Favorable 41% 52% 55% 56% 52% 43% 68% 49% Unfavorable 55 42 37 39 43 51 24 46 Hvn't hrd enough 1 4 3 3 2 3 4 3 REFUSED 2 3 4 2 3 2 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favorable 38% 44% 34% 41% 45% 43% 31% 41% 45% Unfavorable 56 49 59 51 51 52 63 53 49 Hvn't hrd enough 4 4 6 4 3 2 5 3 3 REFUSED 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 9. Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 45% 7% 91% 37% 38% 52% 38% 88% Unfavorable 49 89 7 53 56 42 56 9 Hvn't hrd enough 3 3 1 4 3 3 2 2 REFUSED 3 1 1 5 3 3 3 1 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Favorable 45% 34% 31% 34% 31% 46% 18% 40% Unfavorable 50 61 64 62 63 49 79 56 Hvn't hrd enough 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 REFUSED 3 3 4 2 3 3 2 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favorable 48% 43% 52% 45% 43% 43% 50% 43% 45% Unfavorable 46 51 41 51 53 50 44 50 50 Hvn't hrd enough 3 3 3 2 3 2 5 3 2 REFUSED 3 3 4 2 1 4 2 4 3 10. Thinking about the major problems facing this country today do you think Washington is more likely to make progress on them after the 2012 election if one party controls the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, or if control of the White House, the Senate, and the House and Representatives is divided between the parties? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk One party controls 60% 68% 61% 57% 64% 56% 63% 50% Control divided 25 20 26 25 23 27 23 31 DK/NA 15 12 13 17 13 17 14 20 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No One party controls 68% 59% 62% 62% 66% 58% 61% 61% Control divided 20 25 24 25 21 26 24 27 DK/NA 12 16 14 12 13 16 15 12 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ One party controls 67% 56% 50% 63% 64% 68% 57% 62% 61% Control divided 22 27 32 24 23 24 30 25 22 DK/NA 11 17 19 14 12 8 12 13 16 11. In deciding who you would like to see elected President this year, which one of the following issues will be most important to you, national security, the economy, health care, the budget deficit, taxes, immigration, or something else? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk National security 7% 8% 3% 7% 6% 7% 7% 3% The economy 50 55 47 49 53 47 51 45 Health care 17 7 30 14 14 20 15 33 The budget deficit 13 17 5 17 15 10 14 5 Taxes 3 2 6 1 2 4 3 7 Immigration 1 2 - 1 1 2 1 - Something else 7 6 7 7 7 7 7 2 DK/NA 2 3 2 2 1 3 2 4 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No National security 5% 8% 8% 7% 6% 7% 8% 7% The economy 52 51 48 57 55 48 49 54 Health care 15 16 14 14 11 20 12 14 The budget deficit 16 12 18 10 16 11 19 12 Taxes 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 4 Immigration 1 1 1 2 - 2 1 1 Something else 8 7 6 7 8 6 8 5 DK/NA 1 2 2 2 1 3 2 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ National security 5% 8% 7% 7% 6% 4% 7% 6% 7% The economy 52 49 42 53 54 55 45 53 50 Health care 15 19 27 17 13 12 19 14 20 The budget deficit 15 12 10 11 13 16 13 13 13 Taxes 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 Immigration 1 1 1 2 2 - 1 1 1 Something else 8 6 8 4 7 8 13 8 5 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 1 1 - 2 3 12. Compared to past presidential elections, how would you describe your level of enthusiasm about voting in this year's presidential election; are you more enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as usual? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More 44% 55% 41% 39% 47% 41% 42% 58% Less 14 12 10 20 13 16 15 11 About the same 41 33 49 40 39 43 43 31 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 - 1 - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No More 38% 44% 42% 45% 46% 38% 48% 41% Less 15 14 16 13 14 16 17 13 About the same 46 41 41 42 40 46 35 45 DK/NA - 1 - - 1 - - - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More 38% 47% 45% 48% 42% 39% 41% 45% 44% Less 16 14 15 14 15 15 16 15 14 About the same 45 39 39 38 43 45 41 40 42 DK/NA - 1 1 - - 1 1 1 - 13. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on - the economy, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 48% 6% 92% 43% 42% 54% 40% 93% Romney 47 91 4 51 54 40 55 2 DK/NA 5 2 3 7 4 7 5 5 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 48% 35% 31% 35% 35% 46% 17% 40% Romney 48 59 64 61 61 48 79 55 DK/NA 4 6 5 4 4 6 4 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 52% 45% 56% 47% 46% 47% 60% 47% 44% Romney 44 49 37 50 49 51 34 48 51 DK/NA 4 6 8 3 5 2 5 5 5 14. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on - health care, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 50% 8% 93% 48% 45% 56% 44% 93% Romney 45 88 4 46 50 39 51 6 DK/NA 5 4 2 6 5 5 5 1 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 52% 39% 34% 38% 38% 50% 19% 44% Romney 44 55 60 58 56 45 75 52 DK/NA 4 6 6 4 6 5 6 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 55% 48% 59% 51% 48% 49% 67% 50% 46% Romney 41 47 35 44 50 48 30 47 48 DK/NA 4 5 7 5 3 3 3 3 5 15. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on - national security, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 50% 7% 92% 48% 43% 57% 43% 91% Romney 44 87 4 46 51 37 51 3 DK/NA 6 6 4 6 6 6 6 5 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 51% 38% 33% 39% 37% 50% 21% 43% Romney 44 56 61 58 58 44 72 53 DK/NA 5 6 7 4 6 6 7 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 54% 48% 60% 50% 47% 49% 63% 51% 46% Romney 40 47 33 46 48 48 32 44 48 DK/NA 5 6 7 4 5 3 5 5 5 16. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job - handling an international crisis, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 52% 11% 94% 49% 46% 59% 46% 93% Romney 43 84 4 45 50 35 50 3 DK/NA 5 5 2 6 5 5 5 4 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 54% 41% 35% 41% 39% 53% 21% 47% Romney 43 54 59 56 56 42 74 49 DK/NA 4 5 6 3 4 5 5 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 57% 50% 60% 52% 52% 51% 71% 50% 48% Romney 39 45 34 43 46 46 25 45 47 DK/NA 4 5 6 5 2 3 4 5 4 17. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on - the budget deficit, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 42% 5% 83% 38% 37% 48% 35% 87% Romney 52 92 11 56 58 45 59 10 DK/NA 6 3 6 6 5 7 6 3 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 42% 31% 25% 32% 30% 41% 15% 35% Romney 54 62 68 63 65 53 80 60 DK/NA 4 7 7 4 5 7 5 6 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 44% 41% 50% 41% 41% 40% 54% 41% 40% Romney 51 53 40 53 56 56 42 54 54 DK/NA 5 6 9 5 3 4 4 5 6 18. If you or a family member were at risk of violence in a foreign country, who would you want in the White House Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 50% 7% 93% 46% 44% 56% 43% 90% Romney 45 90 3 46 51 38 52 4 DK/NA 6 3 3 8 6 6 6 6 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 49% 39% 34% 36% 37% 49% 20% 43% Romney 45 56 60 60 58 45 75 53 DK/NA 6 6 7 4 6 6 6 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 53% 48% 59% 50% 47% 47% 64% 49% 47% Romney 41 47 33 46 49 49 32 46 48 DK/NA 6 5 8 4 3 4 4 5 5 19. Would you say that - Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 60% 23% 94% 58% 55% 64% 54% 94% No 38 73 4 40 43 34 44 5 DK/NA 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Yes 64% 47% 47% 49% 49% 58% 35% 55% No 34 51 51 49 48 40 62 44 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes 65% 56% 64% 59% 59% 62% 68% 62% 55% No 32 42 33 39 39 37 30 36 43 DK/NA 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 20. Would you say that - Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 46% 85% 11% 47% 50% 41% 53% 5% No 51 9 86 51 46 56 44 90 DK/NA 3 5 3 2 3 3 3 5 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Yes 49% 54% 62% 60% 57% 48% 77% 53% No 48 42 35 38 40 50 20 45 DK/NA 2 4 4 2 3 3 3 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes 46% 46% 34% 44% 50% 53% 33% 46% 50% No 52 50 63 53 48 46 65 51 46 DK/NA 3 4 4 3 3 2 2 3 4 21. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent - - 1% 1% - 1% - 2% Good 17 5 31 17 17 18 13 39 Not so good 38 22 56 36 35 42 37 49 Poor 43 73 12 46 47 40 49 9 DK/NA - - 1 - - - - 1 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Excellent - - - - - - - - Good 16 12 10 11 13 14 7 13 Not so good 44 33 36 37 34 40 27 40 Poor 40 55 54 51 53 45 66 47 DK/NA - - - - - - - - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Excellent - 1% - - - - 1% - - Good 18 17 21 16 18 17 20 17 16 Not so good 43 36 35 41 38 42 51 37 36 Poor 39 46 44 43 44 41 27 46 47 DK/NA - - - 1 - - - - 1 22. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better 39% 7% 75% 36% 37% 42% 33% 79% Worse 34 62 7 35 35 33 39 6 The same 26 30 18 29 27 24 28 15 DK/NA 1 - - - - 1 - - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Better 41% 28% 25% 29% 31% 36% 14% 35% Worse 29 45 47 39 40 38 60 36 The same 30 26 28 30 29 26 26 28 DK/NA 1 - - 1 - 1 - - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Better 44% 37% 40% 41% 39% 41% 48% 39% 37% Worse 28 38 34 35 33 32 22 36 37 The same 28 25 25 24 28 26 30 25 25 DK/NA - - 1 - - - - - 1 23. Compared with four years ago, is the United States better off today, worse off today, or about the same? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better off 40% 7% 75% 36% 35% 44% 34% 76% Worse off 45 85 7 47 49 40 51 5 About the same 15 8 17 16 15 15 15 17 DK/NA 1 - - 1 1 - - 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Better off 43% 28% 24% 28% 30% 38% 14% 32% Worse off 44 55 59 59 55 46 73 51 About the same 12 17 17 13 15 15 13 16 DK/NA 1 - - - - 1 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Better off 46% 36% 42% 39% 38% 44% 53% 38% 36% Worse off 41 47 38 45 47 47 27 48 49 About the same 12 17 21 15 15 8 20 13 15 DK/NA 1 - - - - - - 1 - 24. Compared with four years ago, are you and your family better off today, worse off today, or about the same? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better off 25% 6% 40% 26% 23% 27% 20% 50% Worse off 34 55 11 37 36 32 38 6 About the same 41 39 47 37 41 40 41 43 DK/NA - - 1 - - 1 1 1 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Better off 25% 17% 15% 16% 19% 22% 11% 19% Worse off 28 45 43 41 40 36 51 38 About the same 46 37 41 42 41 40 38 42 DK/NA - 1 - - - 1 - - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Better off 28% 23% 19% 23% 26% 33% 43% 26% 18% Worse off 27 38 39 35 33 26 24 34 37 About the same 44 39 40 41 41 41 32 39 45 DK/NA - 1 1 - - - 1 - - 25. If Barack Obama is reelected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Help 28% 4% 58% 23% 24% 32% 21% 72% Hurt 41 77 6 42 46 35 47 3 No difference 30 17 34 33 29 31 30 25 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Help 23% 20% 18% 19% 16% 26% 10% 23% Hurt 42 50 55 52 53 40 66 47 No difference 34 28 25 27 29 31 20 29 DK/NA 1 3 3 2 2 3 4 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Help 25% 29% 38% 28% 28% 19% 34% 30% 24% Hurt 38 42 32 40 43 46 29 44 43 No difference 35 26 29 29 28 34 37 25 31 DK/NA 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 3 26. If Mitt Romney is elected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Help 35% 70% 6% 36% 40% 30% 39% 2% Hurt 33 4 66 28 30 37 28 64 No difference 29 23 25 34 28 29 29 32 DK/NA 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Help 35% 42% 45% 46% 44% 34% 51% 42% Hurt 33 25 22 25 25 32 13 29 No difference 30 28 29 27 28 30 32 26 DK/NA 2 4 4 2 3 4 4 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Help 33% 36% 26% 36% 34% 46% 21% 37% 38% Hurt 35 32 40 34 35 26 36 32 34 No difference 30 28 30 27 28 28 41 27 25 DK/NA 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 4 3 27. If Barack Obama is re-elected President, do you think the policies of his administration will favor the rich, favor the middle class, favor the poor, or will they treat all groups the same? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favor the rich 9% 12% 3% 10% 10% 8% 11% 4% Favor middle class 27 8 48 26 25 30 24 42 Favor the poor 31 59 7 33 35 26 34 10 Treat all the same 26 11 39 23 22 29 23 41 DK/NA 7 11 2 7 7 7 8 4 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Favor the rich 5% 14% 11% 8% 11% 10% 14% 10% Favor middle class 31 20 21 22 21 28 13 24 Favor the poor 35 34 37 42 39 29 42 37 Treat all the same 23 24 20 21 20 26 18 22 DK/NA 6 8 11 7 8 7 13 7 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favor the rich 6% 11% 12% 13% 7% 6% 9% 9% 10% Favor middle class 33 24 28 26 28 29 35 29 24 Favor the poor 32 30 19 30 35 37 29 31 32 Treat all the same 23 27 35 23 24 21 27 25 26 DK/NA 6 8 6 8 6 7 1 7 8 28. If Mitt Romney is elected President, do you think the policies of his administration will favor the rich, favor the middle class, favor the poor, or will they treat all groups the same? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favor the rich 55% 14% 93% 54% 51% 60% 50% 91% Favor middle class 9 20 1 7 9 8 10 2 Favor the poor 1 - - 1 1 - 1 - Treat all the same 33 62 4 36 36 29 37 5 DK/NA 3 3 1 3 3 2 3 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Favor the rich 55% 46% 38% 44% 46% 54% 25% 50% Favor middle class 10 9 10 13 9 10 14 9 Favor the poor - 1 - 1 1 - 3 - Treat all the same 32 41 47 40 41 34 53 39 DK/NA 2 3 4 2 3 2 5 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favor the rich 59% 53% 64% 55% 53% 54% 71% 56% 50% Favor middle class 10 8 7 8 10 10 11 8 9 Favor the poor - 1 3 - 1 - 3 1 - Treat all the same 29 35 23 34 34 35 14 33 38 DK/NA 2 3 3 3 2 2 1 3 3 29. Who do you blame more for the current condition of the U.S. economy, former President George W. Bush or President Barack Obama? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Bush 50% 10% 91% 47% 44% 57% 45% 88% Obama 42 80 6 44 47 36 47 7 DK/NA 8 10 4 9 9 8 8 6 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Bush 51% 41% 34% 40% 38% 52% 22% 45% Obama 40 51 56 50 53 41 66 48 DK/NA 9 8 10 10 9 7 11 8 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Bush 54% 48% 58% 53% 47% 49% 55% 49% 49% Obama 37 44 35 41 43 44 32 42 45 DK/NA 8 8 7 6 9 8 13 9 6 30. Which comes closer to your view, Government should do more to solve national problems or government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals. LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Should do more 40% 14% 70% 38% 37% 44% 37% 65% Doing too much 52 83 22 56 58 47 57 23 DK/NA 7 4 9 6 5 9 6 11 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Should do more 43% 33% 29% 27% 33% 41% 21% 34% Doing too much 51 61 65 69 61 53 74 61 DK/NA 6 6 6 4 5 7 5 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Should do more 46% 38% 45% 40% 41% 40% 58% 38% 37% Doing too much 47 56 45 54 54 56 40 56 54 DK/NA 7 7 10 5 5 4 2 6 9 31. Do you plan on watching any of the upcoming presidential debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 93% 92% 95% 94% 93% 93% 92% 99% No 6 5 4 6 6 5 6 1 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Yes 94% 92% 92% 95% 92% 93% 92% 94% No 5 7 6 5 7 5 7 5 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes 94% 93% 94% 91% 93% 95% 97% 93% 91% No 5 6 5 8 6 3 3 7 6 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1 - - 2 32. Do you think the candidates are likely to do or say anything during the debates that would make you change your mind about who to vote for? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 11% 6% 9% 16% 10% 12% 9% 14% No 86 92 89 81 87 85 88 83 DK/NA 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Yes 11% 9% 9% 10% 9% 10% 8% 10% No 87 88 88 87 89 87 90 87 DK/NA 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes 13% 10% 9% 12% 11% 11% 14% 13% 8% No 85 86 85 86 86 88 84 84 89 DK/NA 2 3 5 2 3 1 2 3 3 33. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think will win the debates, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? LIKELY VOTERS.............................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Obama 54% 20% 87% 52% 49% 59% 49% 88% Romney 28 59 2 28 32 23 33 3 DK/NA 18 21 11 20 19 18 19 10 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Obama 53% 46% 42% 43% 44% 54% 31% 49% Romney 29 35 36 39 37 28 46 34 DK/NA 19 19 22 18 19 18 24 17 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Obama 56% 53% 64% 53% 52% 53% 74% 54% 48% Romney 26 29 18 27 31 34 21 32 27 DK/NA 18 18 19 20 17 13 5 14 25 Demographic Summary
