May 30, 2013 - American Voters 4-1 Want Special Prosecutor For IRS, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; But Fixing Economy Is More Important, Voters Say 3-1 PDF format American voters say 76 - 17 percent, including 63 - 30 percent among Democrats, that a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate charges the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative groups, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. President Barack Obama gets a negative 45 - 49 percent job approval rating, compared to 48 - 45 percent positive in a May 1 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, conducted before the IRS allegations surfaced. The president's biggest drop is among independent voters, who give him a negative 37 - 57 percent score, compared to a negative 42 - 48 percent May 1. He gets a negative 9 - 86 percent from Republicans and a positive 87 - 8 percent from Democrats, both virtually unchanged. Women approve 49 - 45 percent while men give a negative 40 - 54 percent score. Americans are divided 49 - 47 percent on whether Obama is honest and trustworthy, down from 58 - 37 percent, the last time Quinnipiac University asked the question September 1, 2011. Support for an independent prosecutor to probe the IRS issue is 88 - 6 percent among Republicans and 78 - 17 percent among independent voters, 78 - 17 percent among men and 74 - 18 percent among women. "There is overwhelming bipartisan support for a special prosecutor to investigate the IRS," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Voters apparently don't like the idea of Attorney General Eric Holder investigating the matter himself, perhaps because they don't exactly think highly of him. Holder gets a negative 23 - 39 percent job approval rating." American voters say 43 - 32 percent that congressional criticism of the Obama Administration's handling of the terrorist attack in Libya is 'just politics.' Voters say 44 - 33 percent, however, that members of Congress who criticize the way the Obama Administration handled the IRS are raising 'legitimate concerns.' Criticism of the Justice Department's seizure of journalists' phone records also raises 'legitimate concerns,' voters say 37 - 24 percent. Of the three controversies, 44 percent of voters see the IRS probe as the most important, with 24 percent citing Benghazi and 15 percent picking the AP records seizure. But voters say 73 - 22 percent that dealing with the economy and unemployment is a higher priority than investigating these three issues. "The fact that voters say 34 - 25 percent that the economy is getting better also may be a reason the president's job approval numbers have not dropped further," Brown added. American voters disapprove 66 - 24 percent of the job the IRS is doing. A total of 68 percent of American voters are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" with the way things are going in the nation today, while 32 percent are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied." Voters also have negative opinions of political parties: 47 - 42 percent unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party; 50 - 35 percent unfavorable opinion of the Republican Party; 38 - 28 percent unfavorable opinion of the Tea Party. Only 3 percent of voters trust the federal government to do the right thing almost all the time, while 12 percent say they trust it most of the time; 47 percent say some of the time and 36 percent hardly ever. That compares to results of a Quinnipiac University poll in July 2010, four months before the Republican sweep that year on the back of anti-government sentiment, when 2 percent said almost always, 16 percent said most of the time; 50 percent said some of the time and 31 percent said hardly ever. "All of these investigations may be having a negative effect on voters' willingness to trust the federal government.to do the right thing," said Brown. From May 22 - 28, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,419 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 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, Iowa and the nation as a public service and for research. For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 1. If the election for the U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate or for the Democratic candidate in your district? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Republican 38% 87% - 36% 45% 32% 45% 8% 31% Democratic 38 2 90 23 33 43 31 81 48 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3 2 - 5 4 2 2 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 3 1 1 1 1 4 DK/NA 20 10 9 33 17 22 21 10 15 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Republican 39% 48% 56% 39% 54% 37% 63% 46% 43% Democratic 40 26 23 34 23 37 15 30 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 3 3 3 4 1 3 2 5 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 19 23 18 24 18 24 18 21 17 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Republican 37% 39% 33% 42% 45% 31% 39% 39% 41% Democratic 43 36 43 36 35 39 37 41 35 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 3 3 1 3 6 2 2 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 2 1 1 1 3 - 1 DK/NA 17 21 19 20 16 23 19 18 20 TREND: If the election for the U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican candidate, or for the Democratic candidate in your district? (*High also 40% Mar 2011, Feb 2012) REPUBLICAN.... High Low May 30 May 01 Apr 03 Jul 11 Apr 19 Jul 11 Nov 02 2013 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012* 2011 Republican 38 37 35 40 39 40 34 Democratic 38 41 43 43 40 43 42 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3 3 2 1 1 1 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 DK/NA 20 19 18 15 17 15 19 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 45% 9% 87% 37% 40% 49% 37% 90% 57% Disapprove 49 86 8 57 54 45 57 8 33 DK/NA 6 5 5 6 6 6 6 2 10 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 50% 30% 27% 39% 33% 40% 17% 38% 38% Disapprove 47 63 68 56 63 52 78 58 58 DK/NA 4 7 5 5 4 7 5 4 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Approve 52% 41% 49% 43% 40% 48% 44% 47% 39% Disapprove 44 52 46 53 55 39 52 48 55 DK/NA 4 7 6 4 4 14 4 5 6 HEARD OR READ ABOUT BENGHZ IRS AP Q30 Q35 Q41 Approve 44% 43% 40% Disapprove 51 51 55 DK/NA 5 5 4 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 May 30 May 01 Apr 03 Mar 07 Feb 08 Jun 04 Oct 06 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2009* 2011 Approve 45 48 49 45 46 59 41 Disapprove 49 45 45 46 45 31 55 DK/NA 6 8 6 9 9 10 4 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 24% 46% 12% 19% 26% 22% 25% 13% 30% Disapprove 67 45 84 70 67 67 65 84 59 DK/NA 9 10 4 11 7 12 10 3 11 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 19% 29% 31% 25% 28% 23% 35% 26% 28% Disapprove 74 60 61 66 65 65 54 67 65 DK/NA 7 11 8 9 7 12 11 7 7 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Approve 18% 27% 24% 21% 23% 29% 20% 24% 24% Disapprove 75 63 66 73 70 53 69 71 65 DK/NA 7 11 10 7 7 18 11 5 11 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, **Low also 19% Nov 2011, Feb 2013) APPROVE....... High Low May 30 May 01 Apr 03 Mar 07 Feb 08 Mar 31 Apr 03 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2011* 2013** Approve 24 24 19 20 19 34 19 Disapprove 67 67 71 71 72 55 71 DK/NA 9 8 10 9 8 11 10 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 30% 8% 61% 20% 26% 33% 23% 63% 40% Disapprove 60 86 29 68 66 54 67 26 47 DK/NA 11 6 10 12 8 13 10 10 13 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Approve 29% 19% 18% 25% 19% 26% 12% 24% 27% Disapprove 63 69 75 66 74 61 78 69 66 DK/NA 8 11 8 9 7 13 10 8 7 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Approve 31% 29% 33% 27% 25% 36% 27% 31% 25% Disapprove 60 60 54 67 68 48 61 62 64 DK/NA 9 11 13 6 6 17 13 7 11 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 May 30 May 01 Apr 03 Mar 07 Feb 08 Mar 4 Nov 23 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2009 2011* Approve 30 31 34 32 33 45 24 Disapprove 60 60 59 60 59 45 69 DK/NA 11 9 7 8 9 10 7 13. Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 48% 9% 90% 42% 44% 52% 39% 91% 64% Unfavorable 49 87 7 56 55 43 57 7 31 Hvn't hrd enough 2 2 2 1 1 3 2 2 1 REFUSED 1 1 - 1 1 2 1 1 3 TREND: Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? FAVORABLE..... High Low May 30 Feb 08 Jul 11 Apr 19 Feb 22 Nov 12 Oct 05 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2008 2011 Favorable 48 51 45 45 47 67 42 Unfavorable 49 46 48 49 48 19 53 Hvn't hrd enough 2 2 4 3 2 11 3 REFUSED 1 2 4 3 2 3 3 14. 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 Hsp Very satisfied 6% 2% 11% 4% 6% 6% 2% 22% 14% Smwht satisfied 26 11 48 18 25 26 22 48 30 Smwht dissatisfied 26 24 26 29 25 26 27 20 24 Very dissatisfied 42 63 13 49 42 42 48 10 32 DK/NA 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 May 30 May 01 Apr 03 Mar 07 Feb 08 Dec 11 Nov 13 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2001 2008 Very satisfied 6 2 2 2 3 21 2 Smwht satisfied 26 25 28 23 28 47 14 Smwht dissatisfied 26 35 31 28 28 19 38 Very dissatisfied 42 37 38 46 40 10 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 15. How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right; almost all of the time, most of the time, only some of the time, or hardly ever? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Almost all the time 3% 1% 6% - 2% 4% 1% 7% 10% Most of the time 12 6 23 9 12 12 9 35 16 Some of the time 47 47 55 43 44 51 48 44 49 Hardly ever 36 46 15 48 41 32 41 14 26 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 1 1 1 1 - TREND: How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right; almost all of the time, most of the time, only some of the time, or hardly ever? May 30 Jul 22 Mar 24 Feb 11 2013 2010 2010 2010 Almost all the time 3 2 2 2 Most of the time 12 16 17 16 Some of the time 47 50 50 54 Hardly ever 36 31 30 27 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 16. Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 42% 5% 86% 33% 37% 46% 36% 81% 46% Unfavorable 47 88 5 52 54 41 54 11 34 Hvn't hrd enough 8 4 7 11 7 9 8 7 15 REFUSED 3 2 2 3 2 4 3 1 5 TREND: Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? FAVORABLE..... High Low May 30 Apr 03 Jul 11 Apr 19 Feb 22 Nov 12 Apr 21 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2008 2010 Favorable 42 38 37 37 37 55 32 Unfavorable 47 44 50 46 49 35 52 Hvn't hrd enough 8 15 11 15 11 6 12 REFUSED 3 3 2 2 3 4 3 17. Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 35% 74% 6% 34% 39% 32% 41% 10% 23% Unfavorable 50 18 78 50 50 51 46 72 56 Hvn't hrd enough 11 6 13 12 8 14 10 17 19 REFUSED 3 1 2 4 2 3 3 1 2 TREND: Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? (*Low also 25% Jul 2009) FAVORABLE.... High Low May 30 Apr 03 Jul 11 Apr 19 Feb 22 Nov 22 Oct 8 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2010 2009* Favorable 35 28 33 33 32 40 25 Unfavorable 50 52 50 49 53 45 53 Hvn't hrd enough 11 17 14 16 12 13 18 REFUSED 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 18. Is your opinion of the Tea Party movement favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 28% 52% 6% 27% 35% 21% 31% 12% 20% Unfavorable 38 11 61 40 37 38 35 54 40 Hvn't hrd enough 33 34 33 32 27 39 32 34 40 REFUSED 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 - - TREND: Is your opinion of the Tea Party movement favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? FAVORABLE..... High Low May 30 Apr 03 Nov 23 Nov 03 Sep 01 Nov 17 Apr 03 2013 2013 2011 2011 2011 2010 2013 Favorable 28 24 29 31 29 34 24 Unfavorable 38 43 42 45 42 38 43 Hvn't hrd enough 33 32 28 24 29 26 32 REFUSED 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 19. Would you say that Barack Obama - is honest and trustworthy or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 49% 15% 90% 40% 45% 52% 41% 92% 60% No 47 80 8 56 51 43 54 8 34 DK/NA 5 5 2 5 4 6 5 - 6 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama is honest and trustworthy or not? May 30 Sep 01 Jan 13 Sep 09 Jan 13 2013 2011 2011 2010 2010 Yes 49 58 63 55 56 No 47 37 31 38 37 DK/NA 5 6 6 6 7 20. Would you say that Barack Obama - has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 53% 24% 87% 44% 50% 55% 45% 95% 62% No 45 75 11 53 49 42 53 5 35 DK/NA 2 1 2 3 1 3 2 - 3 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama has strong leadership qualities or not? YES........... High Low May 30 Jul 11 Apr 19 Oct 05 Sep 01 Jan 13 Oct 05 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011 2010 2011 Yes 53 59 60 49 50 66 49 No 45 39 36 49 48 32 49 DK/NA 2 3 4 2 3 2 2 21. Would you say that Barack Obama - cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 53% 20% 90% 46% 50% 55% 45% 91% 70% No 45 76 9 51 47 42 53 7 26 DK/NA 3 4 1 3 3 3 3 2 4 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes 56% 39% 35% 47% 41% 48% 26% 44% 45% No 42 58 62 50 57 49 70 53 51 DK/NA 2 3 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Yes 59% 50% 56% 51% 50% 65% 52% 53% 44% No 39 47 41 46 49 32 46 44 53 DK/NA 2 3 3 4 - 4 2 3 3 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? YES........... High Low May 30 Jul 11 Apr 19 Feb 22 Oct 05 Nov 12 May 30 2013 2012 2012 2012 2011 2008 2013 Yes 53 56 57 58 54 70 53 No 45 41 39 40 43 22 45 DK/NA 3 3 4 2 3 7 3 22. 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 Hsp Obama 43% 4% 89% 35% 39% 47% 35% 89% 55% Reps in Congress 43 85 6 45 48 38 50 8 34 DK/NA 14 11 5 19 13 15 15 4 11 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Obama 48% 41% 47% 41% 38% 49% 41% 45% 37% Reps in Congress 40 44 39 46 50 35 44 43 47 DK/NA 11 15 14 12 11 15 15 12 15 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 May 30 Mar 07 Feb 11 Apr 20 Feb 23 Nov 02 Oct 06 2013 2013 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011* Obama 43 44 47 43 46 48 41 Reps in Congress 43 40 41 43 41 39 43 DK/NA 14 15 12 15 13 12 16 23. 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 Hsp Excellent 2% - 4% 1% 2% 2% 1% 6% 6% Good 24 12 43 18 23 25 20 42 35 Not so good 40 43 38 39 41 39 42 37 27 Poor 34 46 13 41 33 34 36 14 32 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 1 1 1 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Excellent 1% 2% 1% 2% - 4% 1% 2% 1% Good 30 21 23 27 26 25 22 26 20 Not so good 42 39 37 40 45 35 43 40 40 Poor 26 37 38 30 27 36 32 31 37 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - 2 1 2 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 May 30 May 02 Feb 11 Jul 12 Feb 23 Dec 10 Mar 04 2013 2013 2013 2012 2012 2003 2009 Excellent 2 - 1 1 1 3 - Good 24 17 19 13 13 37 3 Not so good 40 45 41 45 43 42 28 Poor 34 36 38 41 43 16 68 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 - 24. 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 Hsp Better 34% 16% 57% 29% 36% 32% 30% 56% 39% Worse 25 33 10 28 22 27 27 10 17 The same 40 50 33 42 41 40 42 33 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Better 46% 28% 29% 37% 40% 36% 30% 36% 32% Worse 16 29 28 22 18 25 23 24 28 The same 37 42 43 39 42 39 45 39 38 DK/NA 1 1 - 2 - - 2 1 2 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 May 30 May 02 Feb 11 Feb 23 Oct 06 Jan 18 Oct 06 2013 2013 2013 2012 2011 2011 2011* Better 34 32 34 35 11 36 11 Worse 25 24 28 26 44 20 44 The same 40 43 37 38 44 43 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 25. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eric Holder is handling his job as United States Attorney General? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 23% 12% 41% 18% 23% 23% 18% 48% 39% Disapprove 39 58 13 47 49 29 43 12 29 DK/NA 38 30 46 35 28 48 39 40 32 HEARD OR READ ABOUT AP Q41 Approve 24% Disapprove 52 DK/NA 24 26. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 24% 13% 42% 19% 24% 25% 22% 37% 35% Disapprove 66 80 44 74 70 63 69 49 57 DK/NA 9 6 14 7 6 12 9 14 7 HEARD OR READ ABOUT IRS Q35 Approve 22% Disapprove 70 DK/NA 8 30. Some members of Congress criticized the way the Obama administration handled the attack in Benghazi, Libya. How much have you heard or read about this; a lot, a little, or nothing at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A lot 51% 58% 41% 56% 61% 43% 54% 41% 41% A little 38 35 42 35 31 44 36 39 44 Nothing at all 11 7 16 9 8 13 9 20 13 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1 1 - 3 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld A lot 65% 48% 58% 53% 63% 46% 55% 55% 61% A little 32 39 34 37 28 43 35 37 31 Nothing at all 3 13 7 10 9 10 9 8 8 DK/NA - 1 - - - 1 - - - 31. Do you think those members of Congress are raising legitimate concerns, or are they just playing politics, or haven't you heard enough about this? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legitimate concerns 32% 55% 8% 38% 39% 26% 38% 10% 19% Playing politics 43 25 59 43 43 42 41 48 43 Hvn't hrd enough 24 20 31 18 16 30 20 42 35 REFUSED 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 - 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Legitimate concerns 39% 37% 44% 35% 46% 31% 48% 36% 41% Playing politics 46 39 39 40 42 41 35 41 43 Hvn't hrd enough 13 23 16 23 11 27 16 22 15 REFUSED 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 HEARD OR READ ABOUT BENGHAZI Q30 Legitimate concerns 36% Playing politics 45 Hvn't hrd enough 18 REFUSED 1 32. Would you describe the Benghazi matter as a scandal or not, or haven't you heard enough about this? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A scandal 39% 60% 15% 42% 44% 34% 43% 14% 30% Not a scandal 27 12 41 26 29 26 27 31 21 Hvn't hrd enough 34 27 43 31 27 40 29 54 48 REFUSED 1 1 1 - - 1 - - - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld A scandal 40% 45% 50% 44% 47% 39% 56% 43% 48% Not a scandal 40 21 21 25 28 26 13 26 20 Hvn't hrd enough 20 34 29 29 24 34 30 30 31 REFUSED - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 1 HEARD OR READ ABOUT BENGHAZI Q30 A scandal 43% Not a scandal 30 Hvn't hrd enough 27 REFUSED 1 33. Do you think the Obama administration deliberately misled the American people about the events surrounding the death of the American ambassador to Libya, or do you believe the Obama administration shared the facts with the American people as they became available? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Deliberately misled 46% 78% 13% 53% 52% 41% 53% 12% 32% Shared facts 40 12 72 34 37 43 34 77 48 DK/NA 13 10 16 13 11 16 13 11 20 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Deliberately misled 45% 57% 62% 51% 59% 48% 71% 54% 56% Shared facts 43 29 26 39 29 37 17 34 35 DK/NA 12 14 12 10 12 14 12 12 9 HEARD OR READ ABOUT BENGHAZI Q30 Deliberately misled 50% Shared facts 40 DK/NA 10 TREND: Do you think the Obama administration deliberately misled the American people about the events surrounding the death of the American ambassador to Libya, or do you believe the Obama administration shared the facts with the American people as they became available? May 30 Dec 05 2013 2012 Deliberately misled 46 41% Shared facts 40 47 DK/NA 13 12 34. How much do you blame Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the death of the American ambassador to Libya; do you blame her a lot, a little or not at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A lot 22% 40% 3% 25% 28% 17% 25% 5% 15% A little 26 36 14 29 28 25 27 16 28 Not at all 45 16 78 39 39 50 40 74 50 DK/NA 7 7 5 7 5 9 7 5 6 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld A lot 18% 29% 32% 26% 32% 20% 36% 25% 33% A little 28 27 30 25 28 27 31 30 24 Not at all 50 35 31 39 34 44 26 36 37 DK/NA 3 10 7 9 6 9 7 8 6 HEARD OR READ ABOUT BENGHAZI Q30 A lot 24% A little 29 Not at all 42 DK/NA 5 35. It's been disclosed that the IRS singled out some conservative political groups for extra questions about their tax status. How much have you heard or read about this; a lot, a little, or nothing at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A lot 46% 49% 37% 52% 53% 40% 48% 35% 39% A little 33 32 40 30 29 37 34 32 34 Nothing at all 20 19 23 19 17 23 18 33 24 DK/NA 1 1 - - 1 1 - - 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ A lot 59% 40% 36% 56% 62% 20% 42% 52% 57% A little 31 34 35 33 29 36 34 32 33 Nothing at all 9 25 28 12 9 44 23 15 10 DK/NA - 1 1 - - - 1 - - 36. Some members of Congress have criticized the way the Obama administration handled this situation with the IRS. Do you think those members of Congress are raising legitimate concerns, or are they just playing politics, or haven't you heard enough about this? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legitimate concerns 44% 60% 21% 52% 50% 38% 48% 22% 34% Playing politics 33 19 50 27 32 34 30 49 37 Hvn't hrd enough 23 19 27 21 17 28 22 28 29 REFUSED 1 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Legitimate concerns 48% 41% 35% 49% 58% 32% 39% 49% 47% Playing politics 38 31 33 36 31 34 31 32 35 Hvn't hrd enough 13 27 31 14 11 34 28 19 17 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 - - 1 - 1 HEARD OR READ ABOUT IRS Q35 Legitimate concerns 52% Playing politics 37 Hvn't hrd enough 10 REFUSED 1 37. Would you describe the situation with the IRS as a scandal or not, or haven't you heard enough about this? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A scandal 53% 74% 29% 57% 61% 46% 56% 32% 50% Not a scandal 18 6 31 17 19 18 18 21 18 Hvn't hrd enough 28 20 39 26 20 35 25 46 32 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 - 1 1 - - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ A scandal 57% 51% 45% 60% 63% 50% 51% 53% 56% Not a scandal 27 15 15 24 22 16 17 20 19 Hvn't hrd enough 16 34 39 15 15 33 32 26 23 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 - - - - 3 HEARD OR READ ABOUT IRS Q35 A scandal 63% Not a scandal 21 Hvn't hrd enough 15 REFUSED 1 38. Do you think the Obama administration deliberately misled the American people about the situation with the IRS, or do you believe the Obama administration shared the facts with the American people as they became available? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Deliberately misled 40% 68% 10% 47% 47% 34% 46% 11% 27% Shared facts 45 19 75 39 42 48 39 80 53 DK/NA 15 12 15 14 11 18 15 9 20 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Deliberately misled 36% 42% 35% 43% 48% 37% 34% 43% 45% Shared facts 52 42 47 48 42 50 45 47 38 DK/NA 12 16 17 9 10 13 21 10 17 HEARD OR READ ABOUT IRS Q35 Deliberately misled 45% Shared facts 47 DK/NA 9 39. Do you think the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service was a decision made by civil service employees at the IRS or a decision made by the Obama administration? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Civil srvc employees 45% 24% 68% 41% 45% 44% 41% 65% 52% Obama administration 35 55 13 40 40 31 38 16 30 DK/NA 20 20 19 20 15 24 21 19 18 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Civil srvc employees 55% 40% 44% 47% 51% 48% 48% 45% 38% Obama administration 26 39 34 35 35 34 29 37 40 DK/NA 19 21 22 18 15 19 23 18 22 HEARD OR READ ABOUT IRS Q35 Civil srvc employees 48% Obama administration 37 DK/NA 14 40. Do you think an independent special prosecutor should or should not be appointed to investigate the situation with the IRS? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Should be appointed 76% 88% 63% 78% 78% 74% 77% 68% 76% Should not 17 6 30 17 17 18 17 25 15 DK/NA 7 6 7 6 6 8 6 7 9 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Should be appointed 68% 79% 77% 74% 76% 78% 78% 78% 70% Should not 26 13 14 22 21 16 15 18 19 DK/NA 6 7 9 4 3 6 7 4 11 HEARD OR READ ABOUT IRS Q35 Should be appointed 76% Should not 19 DK/NA 5 41. The Associated Press, sometimes referred to as the AP, reported classified information about U.S. anti-terrorism efforts and prosecutors have obtained the AP's phone records through a court order. How much have you heard or read about this; a lot, a little, or nothing at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A lot 26% 28% 15% 33% 34% 19% 28% 13% 21% A little 37 37 42 33 38 36 38 33 30 Nothing at all 37 34 43 33 28 44 34 53 46 DK/NA - 1 - 1 - - - - 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld A lot 35% 24% 30% 27% 34% 22% 29% 29% 33% A little 38 38 39 36 38 39 42 33 36 Nothing at all 26 38 30 37 27 39 29 38 30 DK/NA - - - - - - 1 - - 42. Some members in Congress have criticized the way the Obama administration handled this situation with the AP. Do you think those members in Congress are raising legitimate concerns, or are they just playing politics, or haven't you heard enough about this? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legitimate concerns 37% 52% 16% 44% 43% 30% 41% 22% 21% Playing politics 24 12 37 21 25 23 21 33 35 Hvn't hrd enough 39 35 47 34 31 46 38 45 43 REFUSED - 1 - 1 - 1 - - 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Legitimate concerns 45% 39% 46% 38% 49% 34% 49% 39% 41% Playing politics 22 20 20 19 22 20 15 21 27 Hvn't hrd enough 32 40 34 43 28 45 36 39 31 REFUSED 1 - 1 - - - - 1 - HEARD OR READ ABOUT AP Q41 Legitimate concerns 53% Playing politics 29 Hvn't hrd enough 18 REFUSED - 43. Would you describe the situation with the AP as a scandal or not, or haven't you heard enough about this? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A scandal 31% 42% 15% 35% 35% 27% 33% 13% 30% Not a scandal 14 7 19 14 18 11 13 17 18 Hvn't hrd enough 54 50 65 50 46 62 53 69 52 REFUSED 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld A scandal 34% 33% 37% 34% 37% 29% 41% 32% 37% Not a scandal 21 9 10 10 16 10 5 13 12 Hvn't hrd enough 45 57 52 55 45 60 53 54 50 REFUSED 1 1 2 - 1 1 1 1 2 HEARD OR READ ABOUT AP Q41 A scandal 44% Not a scandal 21 Hvn't hrd enough 35 REFUSED 1 44. Do you think the Obama administration deliberately misled the American people about the situation with the AP, or do you believe the Obama administration shared the facts with the American people as they became available? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Deliberately misled 36% 60% 9% 43% 42% 31% 40% 12% 33% Shared facts 38 16 65 31 36 39 33 70 36 DK/NA 26 25 26 26 22 30 27 18 31 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Deliberately misled 34% 44% 49% 37% 46% 36% 59% 36% 46% Shared facts 39 30 27 38 30 35 19 36 31 DK/NA 28 26 24 25 24 29 22 28 23 HEARD OR READ ABOUT AP Q41 Deliberately misled 47% Shared facts 37 DK/NA 16 45. Do you believe the government has the right to investigate media organizations when the government suspects there has been a leak that jeopardizes national security or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 72% 74% 78% 66% 70% 74% 72% 80% 71% No 22 22 14 29 24 21 22 12 27 DK/NA 6 5 7 5 6 6 5 8 2 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Yes 70% 74% 72% 78% 70% 74% 71% 76% 75% No 25 21 22 18 25 20 23 19 20 DK/NA 5 6 6 4 5 6 6 5 5 HEARD OR READ ABOUT AP Q41 Yes 70% No 25 DK/NA 5 46. Which of these three situations do you believe is the most important to the nation: Benghazi, the IRS, or the AP? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Benghazi 24% 31% 18% 24% 23% 25% 27% 16% 17% IRS 44 47 41 44 49 40 42 51 54 AP 15 8 23 14 14 15 15 13 15 NONE(VOL) 5 2 6 7 6 5 5 5 7 DK/NA 12 12 11 11 8 15 11 15 6 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Benghazi 29% 26% 30% 30% 25% 28% 35% 26% 26% IRS 39 43 43 38 48 36 43 40 47 AP 20 13 12 15 14 16 8 14 13 NONE(VOL) 6 4 4 5 5 5 1 6 4 DK/NA 6 14 12 13 7 15 13 13 11 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Benghazi 28% 22% 17% 31% 31% 16% 26% 29% 19% IRS 40 46 50 42 41 52 46 41 43 AP 20 13 14 17 16 22 11 15 13 NONE(VOL) 7 5 5 4 7 4 6 5 6 DK/NA 6 14 15 6 5 6 12 10 18 47. What do you think should be the higher priority investigating these issues or dealing with the economy and unemployment? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Investigating issues 22% 34% 8% 24% 24% 20% 23% 14% 17% Economy/Unemployment 73 60 89 72 72 75 72 83 82 DK/NA 5 6 3 5 5 5 6 3 1 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Mltry Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No HsHld Investigating issues 19% 25% 28% 21% 25% 21% 34% 22% 26% Economy/Unemployment 75 70 65 71 70 73 60 71 67 DK/NA 6 6 7 8 5 6 6 7 7 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Investigating issues 19% 23% 18% 23% 26% 7% 22% 24% 26% Economy/Unemployment 76 72 77 72 72 91 75 70 65 DK/NA 5 5 5 5 2 2 3 5 9 Demographic Summary
