March 14, 2012 - Favorite Son Santorum Thumps Romney In Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Santorum Ties Obama In Fall Matchup Word format Pennsylvania Republicans are going for favorite son Rick Santorum big time, giving the former U.S. Senator a 36 - 22 percent lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the Keystone State's presidential primary, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has 12 percent, with 8 percent for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. In a head-to-head matchup, Santorum tops Romney 52 - 32 percent among Republican voters, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. If Santorum gets to November, he gets 44 percent of Pennsylvania voters, to 45 percent for President Barack Obama - too close to call. In other possible November matchups: President Obama tops Romney 46 - 40 percent; Obama beats Gingrich 50 - 37 percent; The president leads Paul 45 - 40 percent. In the four-person Republican contest, Santorum leads Romney 41 - 18 percent among women and 30 - 27 percent among men, 50 - 21 percent among Tea Party members, 44 - 20 percent among self-described conservatives and 46 - 17 percent among white evangelical Christians. Romney leads 29 - 20 percent among self-described moderates. "Pennsylvania Republicans are turning to their native son, former Sen. Rick Santorum. The last time we surveyed the Keystone State, during the Gingrich boomlet in December, the former House Speaker led the GOP pack with 31 percent, followed by Gov. Mitt Romney with 17 percent and Santorum with 9 percent," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Pennsylvania Republican women like Santorum over Romney more than men." "Santorum's lead among conservatives, Tea Party members and white evangelical Christians is what we have found in other states," Malloy added. "What we've also seen in other states is that Romney comes from behind, riding a tidal wave of negative advertising. Whether attack ads work against a native son remains to be seen." Among all Pennsylvania voters, President Obama gets a split 47 - 49 percent job approval rating, his best score in months, and a split 47 - 47 percent favorability rating. Favorability ratings for GOP presidential contenders all are negative: Santorum: 39 - 44 percent; Romney: 33 - 43 percent; Gingrich: 25 - 55 percent; Paul: 30 - 31 percent, with 37 percent who don't know enough about him. Pennsylvania voters are divided 47 - 49 percent on whether Obama deserves to be reelected. "President Barack Obama has lackluster approval, favorability and reelection numbers in Pennsylvania, but this is his highest approval rating in a year and his best performance in months running against Mitt Romney," Malloy said. "Romney's favorability drops from a positive 34 - 30 percent in December to a negative 33 - 43 percent today." U.S. Senate Race Voters give Sen. Robert Casey Jr. a 46 - 27 percent approval rating and say 48 - 30 percent he deserves to be reelected. Casey tops an unnamed Republican challenger 46 - 34 percent. Voters approve 42 - 28 percent of the job U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is doing. "Senator Robert Casey, who is up for reelection, has a 12-point margin over an unnamed Republican challenger. But he probably would sleep better if he could break 50 percent on his job approval and reelection numbers," Malloy said. From March 7 - 12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,256 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The survey includes 508 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, 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. 1. (If Registered Republican) If the Republican primary for President were being held today, and the candidates were: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul, for whom would you vote? REGISTERED REPUBLICANS.................................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Gingrich 8% 9% 7% 9% 7% 6% 9% 11% 7% Romney 22 27 18 20 29 17 26 21 23 Santorum 36 30 41 44 20 46 27 50 31 Paul 12 17 7 9 19 7 15 11 12 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 - 4 1 2 - 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 3 2 1 5 2 4 - 3 DK/NA 18 12 24 17 16 21 18 8 21 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Gingrich 9% 7% 8% 10% 8% 6% 7% 7% 11% Romney 41 15 14 18 19 38 20 24 24 Santorum 26 40 49 37 35 27 36 35 34 Paul 9 13 6 16 13 13 18 10 6 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 2 - - 1 1 1 4 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 2 2 2 3 3 2 4 2 DK/NA 10 21 18 17 22 12 18 18 19 MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY Q27 Knowldg Moral Defeat MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE Q26 Exprnc Leader Char Obama Economy Gingrich 10% 8% 2% 14% 8% Romney 24 19 10 38 23 Santorum 22 36 55 30 39 Paul 17 15 10 4 11 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 3 1 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 3 1 - 4 DK/NA 20 16 21 12 13 TREND: (If Registered Republican)If the Republican primary for President were being held today, and the candidates were: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul, for whom would you vote? (na=not asked/2011 wording referenced "2012 election") REGISTERED REPUBLICANS........................ Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Sep 28 Aug 02 Jun 15 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 Gingrich 8 31 13 4 4 5 Romney 22 17 17 18 21 21 Santorum 36 9 13 12 14 16 Paul 12 7 5 5 5 6 Bachmann na 3 2 6 11 5 Cain na 3 17 5 4 8 Huntsman na 3 2 2 1 1 Johnson na na na na na - McCotter na na na na - na Palin na na na 8 12 11 Pawlenty na na na na 2 4 Perry na 3 5 16 8 na SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 2 2 3 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 4 2 2 2 3 DK/NA 18 18 21 19 14 17 2. (If Registered Republican) Suppose the primary came down to a choice between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, for whom would you vote? REGISTERED REPUBLICANS.................................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Romney 32% 38% 28% 25% 50% 24% 40% 24% 36% Santorum 52 48 55 61 31 60 45 67 46 DK/NA 16 14 17 13 19 16 15 9 18 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Romney 52% 25% 21% 27% 28% 55% 34% 31% 33% Santorum 35 58 67 59 49 39 50 54 52 DK/NA 13 17 12 13 23 7 17 15 15 MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY Q27 Knowldg Moral Defeat MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE Q26 Exprnc Leader Char Obama Economy Romney 37% 33% 14% 49% 34% Santorum 44 49 70 44 51 DK/NA 19 18 17 7 15 3. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and - Rick Santorum the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Obama 45% 8% 82% 42% 46% 45% Santorum 44 85 10 42 46 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 2 2 8 3 4 DK/NA 6 4 5 6 4 7 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Obama 55% 35% 30% 39% 16% 45% 42% Santorum 38 53 60 50 76 44 51 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2 1 1 - 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 4 4 3 3 3 1 DK/NA 5 6 6 8 4 7 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Obama 57% 40% 44% 43% 49% 49% 47% 47% 42% Santorum 36 48 43 48 43 43 44 43 47 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - 2 1 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 5 6 3 3 1 3 3 4 DK/NA 5 6 7 4 5 5 5 5 6 TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and Rick Santorum the Republican, for whom would you vote? (2011 wording referenced "2012 election") Mar 14 Sep 28 Aug 02 Jun 15 2012 2011 2011 2011 Obama 45 45 45 49 Santorum 44 42 43 38 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 3 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 3 3 4 DK/NA 6 8 7 7 4. 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? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Obama 46% 8% 86% 41% 47% 46% Romney 40 80 4 41 41 38 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 5 2 8 4 5 DK/NA 8 6 7 8 7 9 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Obama 52% 37% 31% 40% 17% 45% 42% Romney 39 46 54 46 66 42 49 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 3 1 2 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 6 6 4 7 4 2 DK/NA 6 9 8 9 9 8 6 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Obama 55% 42% 49% 44% 49% 44% 46% 50% 44% Romney 37 41 35 41 41 45 41 35 44 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2 1 2 1 1 1 3 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 5 7 4 2 3 5 4 4 DK/NA 6 9 8 8 7 6 7 8 8 TREND: 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? (2011 wording referenced "2012 election") Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Sep 28 Aug 02 Jun 15 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 Obama 46 46 44 45 42 47 Romney 40 43 43 43 44 40 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 2 2 3 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 3 3 2 3 4 DK/NA 8 6 8 8 8 6 5. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and - Newt Gingrich the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Obama 50% 12% 89% 47% 49% 52% Gingrich 37 77 4 36 41 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 - 3 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 5 2 9 4 6 DK/NA 6 5 4 6 5 7 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Obama 59% 40% 33% 48% 22% 51% 46% Gingrich 32 45 52 39 64 37 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 3 2 1 1 2 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 6 5 5 6 5 6 DK/NA 4 7 7 7 7 6 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Obama 61% 46% 52% 51% 51% 51% 51% 54% 47% Gingrich 31 40 32 39 40 40 38 34 39 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 2 3 - 2 2 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 6 8 3 3 3 5 4 5 DK/NA 4 7 6 4 5 4 4 6 7 TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and Newt Gingrich the Republican, for whom would you vote? (2011 wording referenced "2012 election") Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 2012 2011 2011 Obama 50 48 48 Gingrich 37 40 38 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 4 4 DK/NA 6 6 8 6. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and - Ron Paul the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Obama 45% 11% 82% 39% 43% 47% Paul 40 71 9 43 44 36 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 - 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 6 10 2 8 4 7 DK/NA 8 7 7 8 7 9 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Obama 55% 34% 29% 46% 17% 46% 40% Paul 35 48 53 39 63 39 47 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 7 7 7 7 6 6 DK/NA 5 9 8 6 10 7 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Obama 57% 40% 47% 43% 46% 46% 42% 50% 47% Paul 32 43 34 45 42 42 45 37 34 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 6 9 5 5 4 4 5 9 DK/NA 5 9 9 7 6 7 7 7 9 7. 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? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More 29% 37% 26% 23% 31% 26% Less 29 26 25 39 27 30 About the same 42 35 49 37 41 42 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 1 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds More 27% 26% 26% 29% 31% 26% 35% Less 30 31 32 28 28 33 27 About the same 42 41 41 41 40 41 37 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ More 31% 27% 26% 32% 28% 32% 24% 31% 33% Less 28 29 29 28 27 31 27 31 26 About the same 40 42 43 39 44 36 47 37 38 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 TREND: 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? (2011 wording referenced "2012 election") Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Sep 28 2012 2011 2011 2011 More 29 27 25 31 Less 29 26 28 23 About the same 42 46 46 46 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 8. Is your opinion of - Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 47% 9% 84% 46% 46% 48% Unfavorable 47 84 11 51 49 45 Hvn't hrd enough 3 5 2 2 3 3 REFUSED 3 3 2 1 2 3 TREND: Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? FAVORABLE..... High Low Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Sep 28 May 22 May 22 Feb 08 2012 2011 2011 2011 2008 2008 2007 Favorable 47 46 47 45 50 50 39 Unfavorable 47 47 49 49 34 34 15 Hvn't hrd enough 3 3 2 2 13 13 45 REFUSED 3 4 3 3 3 3 1 9. Is your opinion of - Rick Santorum favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 39% 66% 17% 36% 37% 40% Unfavorable 44 14 68 48 48 40 Hvn't hrd enough 16 19 12 14 13 18 REFUSED 2 2 2 2 1 2 TREND: Is your opinion of Rick Santorum favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Mar 14 Sep 28 2012 2011 Favorable 39 33 Unfavorable 44 37 Hvn't hrd enough 16 29 REFUSED 2 1 10. Is your opinion of - Mitt Romney favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 33% 55% 15% 34% 38% 28% Unfavorable 43 22 63 42 42 45 Hvn't hrd enough 21 21 19 22 18 24 REFUSED 3 3 3 2 2 3 TREND: Is your opinion of Mitt Romney favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? FAVORABLE..... High Low Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Sep 28 Dec 05 Nov 10 Feb 08 2012 2011 2011 2011 2007 2011 2007 Favorable 33 34 36 32 23 36 12 Unfavorable 43 30 30 28 23 30 11 Hvn't hrd enough 21 33 32 37 53 32 76 REFUSED 3 3 2 2 1 2 1 11. Is your opinion of - Newt Gingrich favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 25% 46% 4% 28% 28% 21% Unfavorable 55 30 77 57 57 53 Hvn't hrd enough 19 22 17 15 13 25 REFUSED 1 1 2 1 2 1 TREND: Is your opinion of Newt Gingrich favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Feb 08 2012 2011 2011 2007 Favorable 25 30 28 30 Unfavorable 55 44 42 48 Hvn't hrd enough 19 24 29 21 REFUSED 1 2 2 2 12. Is your opinion of - Ron Paul favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 30% 34% 22% 37% 36% 24% Unfavorable 31 28 41 21 32 29 Hvn't hrd enough 37 37 36 39 30 44 REFUSED 2 2 2 3 2 2 13. How would you rate the job Rick Santorum did as a United States Senator; excellent, good, not so good, or poor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 7% 15% 2% 6% 7% 8% Good 42 61 25 43 41 43 Not so good 18 11 26 14 18 17 Poor 21 3 36 24 24 18 DK/NA 12 9 11 13 10 14 16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob Casey Jr. is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 46% 31% 63% 43% 46% 46% Disapprove 27 38 18 27 31 24 DK/NA 26 31 19 30 23 30 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob Casey Jr. is handling his job as United States Senator? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 14 Sep 28 Aug 02 Jun 15 Apr 28 May 28 Dec 16 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2010 Approve 46 46 48 47 44 56 39 Disapprove 27 30 29 26 26 21 29 DK/NA 26 24 23 27 30 23 32 17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pat Toomey is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 42% 62% 25% 39% 48% 36% Disapprove 28 13 41 31 30 26 DK/NA 31 24 35 31 22 38 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pat Toomey is handling his job as United States Senator? Mar 14 Sep 29 Aug 02 Jun 15 Apr 28 Feb 17 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 Approve 42 43 44 45 43 41 Disapprove 28 32 31 28 25 21 DK/NA 31 26 25 27 31 39 18. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 47% 12% 86% 40% 45% 49% Disapprove 49 86 13 55 51 48 DK/NA 4 3 2 5 3 4 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Approve 53% 38% 31% 43% 21% 46% 41% Disapprove 44 58 65 53 76 50 57 DK/NA 3 4 4 4 3 5 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Approve 56% 43% 48% 48% 50% 46% 49% 49% 45% Disapprove 41 53 46 49 50 52 48 49 51 DK/NA 3 4 6 2 1 3 3 2 4 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Sep 28 Aug 02 May 04 Apr 28 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2009 2011 Approve 47 43 44 43 43 66 42 Disapprove 49 52 52 54 54 29 53 DK/NA 4 5 5 3 3 5 5 20. 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 Yes/Deserves 47% 9% 84% 43% 47% 47% No/Does not 49 88 12 50 50 47 DK/NA 5 3 4 7 3 6 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Yes/Deserves 51% 38% 31% 40% 19% 45% 42% No/Does not 46 57 63 55 75 50 56 DK/NA 4 5 6 5 6 5 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Deserves 54% 44% 48% 47% 49% 44% 48% 50% 43% No/Does not 43 51 47 48 48 52 48 48 50 DK/NA 3 5 5 5 3 4 5 2 7 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 48% Feb 2011, **Low also 42% Apr 2011, Jul 2010) YES/DESERVES.. High Low Mar 14 Dec 08 Nov 10 Sep 28 Aug 02 Jun 15 Aug 02 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011* 2011** Yes/deserves 47 47 46 44 42 48 42 No/does not 49 49 50 51 52 46 52 DK/NA 5 4 4 5 6 6 6 21. If the election for United States Senator were being held today, do you think you would vote for Bob Casey Jr. the Democratic candidate, or for the Republican candidate? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Casey 46% 8% 82% 44% 45% 48% Republican 34 72 5 29 36 32 DEPENDS ON CAND(VOL) 8 12 3 10 7 8 DK/NA 12 8 10 17 13 12 TREND: If the election for United States Senator were being held today, do you think you would vote for Bob Casey Jr. the Democratic candidate, or for the Republican candidate? (2011 wording referenced "2012 election") Mar 14 Sep 28 Aug 02 Jun 15 Apr 28 Feb 17 Dec 16 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 Casey 46 50 47 47 46 45 43 Republican 34 31 35 32 34 35 35 DEPENDS ON CAND(VOL) 8 9 8 10 9 9 11 DK/NA 12 10 10 11 11 11 11 22. Do you feel that Bob Casey Jr. deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Deserves 48% 21% 75% 46% 46% 50% No/Does not 30 53 10 32 35 26 DK/NA 21 26 15 22 19 24 TREND: Do you feel that Bob Casey Jr. deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Mar 14 Sep 28 Aug 02 Jun 15 Apr 28 Feb 17 Dec 16 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2010 Yes/Deserves 48 48 47 47 48 46 40 No/Does not 30 31 33 31 31 28 33 DK/NA 21 20 19 21 21 26 27 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 Excellent - - - - - - Good 13 5 23 10 16 10 Not so good 46 37 53 48 46 46 Poor 40 56 24 41 37 43 DK/NA 1 1 - 2 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Excellent - - - - - - - - 1% Good 20 10 13 8 14 16 13 13 13 Not so good 43 47 44 52 45 45 49 42 47 Poor 36 42 43 37 41 39 37 44 38 DK/NA 1 1 - 2 - 1 1 1 2 TREND: Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? (*Low also 4% Feb 2009) EXLNT+GOOD.... High Low Mar 14 Mar 25 Feb 12 Feb 27 Sep 28 Jul 14 Mar 25 2012 2009 2009 2008 2004 2004 2009* Excellent - - - 1 2 3 - Good 13 4 4 19 34 37 4 Not so good 46 39 30 44 39 41 39 Poor 40 56 66 35 23 18 56 DK/NA 1 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 Better 34% 15% 54% 34% 41% 28% Worse 28 41 14 28 25 30 The same 37 43 31 35 33 40 DK/NA 1 1 1 3 1 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Better 47% 29% 30% 34% 39% 43% 34% 37% 34% Worse 20 31 33 24 30 22 24 32 26 The same 32 39 35 40 31 34 39 29 40 DK/NA 1 2 2 2 - 1 2 1 1 TREND: Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Mar 14 Mar 25 2012 2009 Better 34 19 Worse 28 36 The same 37 42 DK/NA 1 3 25. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better off 32% 20% 45% 32% 37% 28% Worse off 44 57 29 45 41 48 SAME(VOL) 22 21 25 21 22 22 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Better off 44% 27% 24% 31% 36% 46% 44% 28% 19% Worse off 37 47 53 44 41 36 37 51 47 SAME(VOL) 18 24 21 22 21 18 16 21 33 DK/NA 1 2 2 3 1 - 3 - 1 TREND: Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago? (*Low also 23% Nov 2008) BETTER OFF.... High Low Mar 14 Feb 12 Nov 26 Jul 13 Apr 22 Jul 13 Feb 12 2012 2009 2008 2004 2004 2004 2009 Better off 32 23 23 39 38 39 23 Worse off 44 54 54 35 38 35 54 SAME(VOL) 22 22 22 24 24 24 22 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 26. (If Registered Republican) Which of the following will be the single most important issue in your vote in the Republican primary for President; the economy, health care, immigration issues, terrorism, the federal budget deficit, taxes, foreign policy, abortion or something else? REGISTERED REPUBLICANS.................................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No The economy 43% 43% 42% 42% 45% 38% 46% 39% 43% Health care 11 8 13 10 10 11 11 16 9 Immigration issues 3 6 1 4 3 2 6 4 3 Terrorism 3 2 4 3 5 7 1 1 4 The deficit 16 19 12 17 15 14 16 15 17 Taxes 6 7 6 5 10 4 7 9 5 Foreign policy 3 6 1 3 3 3 4 3 3 Abortion 6 2 10 8 2 10 4 6 6 Something else 6 4 7 4 6 7 4 3 7 DK/NA 3 4 3 4 1 4 2 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ The economy 46% 41% 39% 42% 40% 46% 40% 51% 37% Health care 9 11 18 6 8 9 11 3 18 Immigration issues 1 4 7 5 2 1 3 1 6 Terrorism 1 4 2 3 4 3 5 - 3 The deficit 14 16 6 11 23 20 17 18 12 Taxes 9 5 7 7 5 10 8 6 5 Foreign policy 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 Abortion 6 6 6 8 5 6 5 9 5 Something else 6 5 4 11 7 1 7 5 3 DK/NA 4 3 7 2 3 - 2 4 4 MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY Q27 Knowldg Moral Defeat Exprnc Leader Char Obama The economy 44% 54% 34% 41% Health care 12 14 5 12 Immigration issues 4 1 4 4 Terrorism 4 1 3 6 The deficit 16 15 22 9 Taxes 7 4 2 13 Foreign policy 4 2 4 - Abortion 2 3 17 1 Something else 5 6 6 7 DK/NA 2 - 4 6 TREND: (If Registered Republican) Which of the following will be the single most important issue in your vote in the Republican primary for President: the economy, health care, immigration issues, terrorism, the federal budget deficit, taxes, foreign policy, abortion or something else? REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Mar 14 Dec 08 2012 2011 The economy 43 43 Health care 11 9 Immigration issues 3 2 Terrorism 3 1 The deficit 16 25 Taxes 6 6 Foreign policy 3 1 Abortion 6 5 Something else 6 5 DK/NA 3 3 27. (If Registered Republican) When you decide who to vote for in the Republican primary for President, which of the following is the single most important quality you look for in a candidate; knowledgeable and experienced, strong leader, strong moral character, likable, or ability to defeat Barack Obama? REGISTERED REPUBLICANS.................................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Knowledge/Experience 27% 26% 28% 25% 30% 23% 30% 24% 27% Leader 23 25 21 19 31 23 22 24 23 Moral character 27 22 32 31 21 34 24 23 29 Likable 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 2 Defeat Obama 20 25 16 21 17 16 21 26 18 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 - 2 2 3 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Knowledge/Experience 22% 29% 23% 29% 29% 28% 33% 18% 26% Leader 24 23 18 25 23 26 16 33 25 Moral character 26 28 32 33 26 20 33 24 20 Likable 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 Defeat Obama 25 18 24 10 18 24 15 22 24 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 2 - - 2 4 MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE Q26 Economy Knowledge/Experience 28% Leader 29 Moral character 22 Likable 1 Defeat Obama 19 DK/NA 1 TREND: (If Registered Republican) When you decide who to vote for in the Republican primary for President, which of the following is the single most important quality you look for in a candidate: knowledgeable and experienced, strong leader, strong moral character, likable, or ability to defeat Barack Obama? REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Mar 14 Dec 08 2012 2011 Knowledge/Experience 27 37 Leader 23 25 Moral Character 27 18 Likable 1 1 Defeat Obama 20 15 DK/NA 2 3 28. Would you say that - Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 54% 22% 85% 50% 52% 55% No 43 76 13 44 45 41 DK/NA 3 2 2 6 3 4 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Yes 58% 46% 43% 49% 35% 54% 48% No 39 50 53 48 61 44 51 DK/NA 3 4 4 3 4 3 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 61% 51% 56% 50% 56% 55% 55% 56% 50% No 37 46 40 48 41 43 42 41 45 DK/NA 3 4 4 3 3 2 3 3 5 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Mar 14 May 01 2012 2008 Yes 54 66 No 43 26 DK/NA 3 8 29. Would you say that - Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 31% 53% 14% 32% 33% 30% No 55 32 75 57 57 54 DK/NA 13 15 11 11 10 16 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Yes 37% 33% 37% 39% 45% 34% 35% No 55 54 48 50 39 55 55 DK/NA 8 14 15 11 16 11 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 36% 30% 25% 31% 34% 41% 31% 30% 35% No 57 55 60 54 58 49 56 59 49 DK/NA 7 16 15 15 8 10 13 11 16 30. Would you say that - Rick Santorum cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 48% 78% 27% 40% 48% 48% No 44 15 65 52 46 42 DK/NA 8 7 8 7 7 10 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Yes 46% 54% 57% 56% 69% 50% 53% No 49 39 35 38 23 44 39 DK/NA 5 7 8 7 8 6 8 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 44% 49% 45% 48% 49% 48% 45% 50% 50% No 51 41 45 44 46 45 46 44 39 DK/NA 5 10 10 8 5 7 9 6 11 31. Would you say that - Newt Gingrich cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 29% 56% 8% 29% 30% 29% No 60 32 83 62 61 59 DK/NA 11 12 9 9 9 13 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Yes 30% 33% 37% 33% 46% 30% 34% No 65 56 50 58 40 61 59 DK/NA 6 11 13 8 14 9 7 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 28% 30% 25% 30% 31% 31% 28% 29% 31% No 66 57 61 62 61 64 61 62 56 DK/NA 5 13 15 8 8 6 11 9 13 32. Would you say that - Ron Paul cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 50% 57% 39% 59% 54% 46% No 30 23 42 24 31 29 DK/NA 20 20 19 17 15 24 WHITE................................ COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Military Yes No Prot Cath Yes No HsHlds Yes 55% 53% 52% 52% 54% 53% 57% No 29 27 28 28 23 29 30 DK/NA 16 20 21 20 22 19 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 18-49 50-64 65+ Yes 54% 48% 40% 52% 55% 62% 55% 50% 40% No 31 30 35 28 33 23 28 33 32 DK/NA 15 22 25 21 12 15 17 16 27 Demographic Summary
