National (US) Poll * July 2, 2009 * Cracks In Obama Facade As Disa - Quinnipiac University

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July 2, 2009 - Cracks In Obama Facade As Disapproval Grows, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; But Voter Outlook On Economy, Nation Improve

Word format President Barack Obama's first five months in office have seen his job approval remain stable overall - currently at a politically healthy 57 - 33 percent, but his disapproval has risen 8 - 10 points among several key demographic groups even as the national mood has improved somewhat in recent months, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.
Approval among independent voters is 52 - 37 percent, compared to 57 - 30 percent in a June 4 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. The survey of more than 3,000 voters also finds that voters feel 32 - 30 percent that things in the nation have gotten better since President Obama was inaugurated. Independent voters say 32 - 27 percent that things are worse, with 40 percent saying things are the same.
"Those who liked President Obama the most from the start - African-Americans, Democrats, women - still like him by the same margins, but a chunk of voters who were undecided have decided he's not their cup of tea," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Among independents, men, white Catholics, white evangelical Christians and Republicans, his numbers have fallen. He still has a ways to go before his coalition becomes politically unstable, but there are some groups and issues - especially the economy - where he needs to make sure this trend does not continue."
Voters approve 54 - 26 percent of Justice Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, with a similar demographic split when voters are asked about Obama himself. Her rating shows little change from the 55 - 25 percent approval in the June 4 poll, but approval among Hispanic voters has jumped from 58 percent to 78 percent.
"Republican complaints about Justice Sotomayor have made no dent in public opinion about her selection," said Brown.
The U.S. economy is excellent, 1 percent of American voters say, as 7 percent say it's good, with 44 percent saying not so good and 47 percent calling it poor. This compares to the first post- inaugural survey March 4, in which 3 percent rated the economy good, with 28 percent not so good and 68 percent poor.
A total of 39 percent of voters are somewhat or very satisfied with the way things are going in America, while 60 percent are somewhat or very dissatisfied. This compares to an April 1 survey in which 30 percent said they were very or somewhat satisfied, while 68 percent were somewhat or very dissatisfied.
"We are not talking about big movement here, but the changes have been counterintuitive in that the President has been losing some support, or more accurately alienating more voters, at the same time the country is feeling a bit better about itself and its prospects," said Brown.
"The good news for President Obama is that he is running ahead of where he was on Election Day in November. The bad news is that prospects for building a bipartisan governing coalition appear to be ebbing."
In the March 4 survey, after six weeks in office, Obama got a 59 percent job approval, not statistically different than the current 57 percent. But his 25 percent disapproval has grown to 33 percent in four months. Among independents, a key voting group, his approval rating has remained almost the same, but his disapproval has grown from 26 percent to 37 percent; among men from 29 percent to 38 percent and among whites from 29 percent to 39 percent.
"Two areas of potential concern for the White House are voters' declining approval of Obama's handling of the economy and lack of majority support for him on health care," Brown said. "He still gets a positive 52 - 42 percent approval from the voters on his handling of the economy, but this is down from the 57 - 33 percent grade in March. This is the first time we asked about health care, so there is no comparison, but the current 46 - 42 percent approval is a warning sign that the White House has not yet completed the sale on that issue to the country."
From June 23 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 3,063 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 1.8 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 and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
1. If the 2010 election for U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for - the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Republican 34% 84% 3% 28% 36% 32% 38% 6% 30% Democrat 42 3 87 28 39 45 36 80 48 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 - 4 3 1 2 - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - - 3 1 2 2 - - DK/NA 21 12 10 37 21 21 21 14 22 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Republican 29% 39% 32% 30% 36% 42% 7% 24% 63% Democrat 48 40 41 48 37 38 77 47 16 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 1 2 1 - 1 1 1 DK/NA 19 19 24 19 24 19 13 26 17 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Republican 34% 35% 52% 47% 38% 23% Democrat 41 44 24 27 38 54 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 1 1 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 2 2 2 - DK/NA 22 19 21 23 22 19
TREND: If the 2010 election for U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for - the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district?
July 2 Jun 4 Apr 29 2009 2009 2009 Republican 34 32 34 Democrat 42 42 41 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 1 DK/NA 21 22 22
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 His Approve 57% 21% 90% 52% 54% 59% 51% 94% 70% Disapprove 33 66 5 37 38 29 39 - 21 DK/NA 10 13 5 11 8 12 10 5 9 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 66% 51% 57% 61% 54% 53% 86% 68% 27% Disapprove 25 39 33 28 37 41 8 21 64 DK/NA 8 10 9 11 9 6 6 11 9 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Approve 55% 61% 35% 41% 53% 75% Disapprove 34 33 55 48 37 20 DK/NA 11 7 10 11 10 4
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?
July 2 Jun 4 Apr 29 Apr 1 Mar 4 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 57 59 58 58 59 Disapprove 33 31 30 31 25 DK/NA 10 10 12 11 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?
APPROVE.................................................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Jul 02, 2009 57 21 90 52 54 59 51 94 70 Jun 04, 2009 59 23 91 57 54 64 52 93 66 Apr 29, 2009 58 26 90 53 53 63 53 93 67 Apr 01, 2009 58 25 90 56 53 62 51 94 73 Mar 04, 2009 59 26 90 53 54 64 55 89 72 DISAPPROVE................................................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Jul 02, 2009 33 66 5 37 38 29 39 - 21 Jun 04, 2009 31 65 3 30 36 26 37 2 24 Apr 29, 2009 30 59 4 33 35 25 35 1 18 Apr 01, 2009 31 60 4 32 35 27 36 3 16 Mar 04, 2009 25 54 4 26 29 21 29 3 15
3. Would you say that Barack Obama is doing a better job as president than you expected, a worse job, or about what you expected?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Better 18% 7% 30% 13% 17% 19% 14% 40% 23% Worse 14 26 3 17 17 12 17 1 7 About expected 64 63 64 66 62 66 66 55 66 DK/NA 3 3 2 4 3 4 3 4 5 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Better 17% 16% 20% 20% 15% 12% 26% 21% 11% Worse 8 17 16 12 14 22 4 9 27 About expected 72 64 60 63 69 65 68 67 60 DK/NA 3 2 4 5 2 1 2 3 3 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Better 19% 16% 12% 13% 13% 21% Worse 15 14 22 20 19 19 About expected 63 68 63 65 66 59 DK/NA 4 2 2 3 2 1
TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama is doing a better job as president than you expected, a worse job, or about what you expected?
July 2 Apr 1 Mar 4 2009 2009 2009 Better 18 18 19 Worse 14 13 9 About expected 64 62 64 DK/NA 3 6 8
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 His Approve 38% 14% 69% 27% 34% 42% 34% 71% 49% Disapprove 50 78 19 61 57 43 55 16 38 DK/NA 12 8 12 12 8 15 11 13 13 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 46% 35% 37% 44% 33% 35% 60% 42% 22% Disapprove 43 53 51 42 57 58 28 44 72 DK/NA 11 12 12 14 11 7 13 14 6 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Approve 39% 36% 25% 28% 36% 50% Disapprove 48 54 64 61 54 42 DK/NA 13 9 11 12 10 8
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job?
July 2 Jun 4 Apr 29 Apr 1 Mar 4 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 38 43 43 40 45 Disapprove 50 45 46 49 45 DK/NA 12 11 11 11 10
5. 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 29% 49% 20% 24% 28% 29% 29% 25% 37% Disapprove 57 39 67 62 62 54 58 60 49 DK/NA 14 12 14 15 10 17 14 14 14 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 36% 30% 24% 29% 27% 32% 22% 25% 38% Disapprove 48 58 64 55 61 58 66 59 52 DK/NA 16 12 13 16 12 10 12 16 10 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Approve 30% 26% 35% 31% 30% 20% Disapprove 54 64 51 55 58 72 DK/NA 15 10 15 14 13 7
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job?
July 2 Jun 4 Apr 29 Apr 1 Mar 4 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 29 30 27 30 30 Disapprove 57 56 59 59 58 DK/NA 14 15 14 11 11
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the economy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 52% 20% 83% 47% 49% 55% 46% 92% 64% Disapprove 42 75 12 46 46 38 48 4 33 DK/NA 6 5 5 7 5 7 6 3 3 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 58% 48% 54% 58% 48% 48% 77% 62% 26% Disapprove 37 47 39 37 47 48 18 31 70 DK/NA 5 5 7 6 5 4 5 7 4 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Approve 52% 53% 34% 40% 48% 66% Disapprove 42 42 60 54 46 30 DK/NA 6 5 6 6 6 4
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - the economy?
July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Mar 4 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 52 53 55 57 Disapprove 42 38 37 33 DK/NA 6 9 8 10
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - foreign policy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 55% 24% 82% 54% 55% 56% 51% 80% 72% Disapprove 35 66 10 37 39 32 40 8 22 DK/NA 9 9 8 9 6 12 9 13 6 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 63% 51% 56% 58% 56% 54% 83% 65% 30% Disapprove 27 41 33 31 37 41 12 25 61 DK/NA 10 7 11 11 8 5 5 10 9 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Approve 53% 60% 36% 43% 55% 64% Disapprove 36 34 54 47 39 30 DK/NA 11 6 10 10 6 6
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - foreign policy?
July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Mar 5 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 55 57 56 56 Disapprove 35 32 25 21 DK/NA 9 11 19 23
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - health care?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 46% 17% 76% 37% 43% 48% 39% 85% 56% Disapprove 42 72 13 48 45 39 47 8 34 DK/NA 13 11 11 15 12 13 14 7 10 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 54% 42% 45% 49% 43% 44% 72% 51% 23% Disapprove 35 47 40 37 47 48 17 33 68 DK/NA 10 12 15 14 10 8 11 15 8 INSURANCE TYPE Q38.. WHITE............. NoHlth M'care/ NoColl Coll BrnAgn Insure M'caid Prvate Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Approve 58% 50% 43% 45% 47% 26% 33% 40% 60% Disapprove 33 34 45 42 43 62 53 50 24 DK/NA 9 15 12 14 10 13 14 10 16
9. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Approve 54% 33% 77% 47% 51% 57% 49% 76% 78% Disapprove 26 47 9 28 33 20 31 6 8 DK/NA 20 20 14 25 17 23 20 18 14 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Approve 59% 50% 55% 55% 52% 59% 79% 61% 34% Disapprove 20 30 27 24 30 27 10 20 45 DK/NA 21 20 18 21 18 14 11 20 22 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Approve 51% 62% 36% 42% 52% 69% Disapprove 27 25 42 37 29 18 DK/NA 23 14 22 22 19 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court?
July 2 Jun 4 2009 2009 Approve 54 55 Disapprove 26 25 DK/NA 20 20
10. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Very satisfied 5% 2% 9% 3% 5% 5% 3% 19% 9% Smwht satisfied 34 15 51 31 32 35 31 50 45 Smwht dissatisfied 29 30 26 30 30 28 30 19 28 Very dissatisfied 31 52 11 35 32 31 35 9 17 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 3 - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Very satisfied 4% 5% 6% 4% 4% 6% 7% 4% 4% Smwht satisfied 41 30 33 36 33 32 50 42 15 Smwht dissatisfied 34 29 25 29 31 27 28 30 28 Very dissatisfied 21 35 34 30 32 34 13 22 52 DK/NA - 1 2 1 1 - 1 2 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Very satisfied 5% 4% 3% 2% 4% 7% Smwht satisfied 33 36 23 27 34 44 Smwht dissatisfied 27 32 26 27 32 26 Very dissatisfied 33 27 47 42 29 23 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 2 -
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 July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Nov 13 May 15 Dec 11 Nov 13 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 2001 2008 Very satisfied 5 6 4 2 2 21 2 Smwht satisfied 34 30 26 14 15 47 14 Smwht dissatisfied 29 29 31 38 37 19 38 Very dissatisfied 31 34 37 44 45 10 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 3 2
11. Since Barack Obama became President in January 2009, do you feel that things in the country have gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Better 32% 8% 56% 27% 32% 32% 28% 58% 37% Worse 30 55 7 32 33 27 34 2 19 The same 37 36 35 40 34 39 36 39 41 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 4 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Better 33% 30% 35% 32% 33% 33% 53% 38% 12% Worse 18 34 32 24 31 37 8 20 54 The same 49 35 31 43 36 29 37 41 33 DK/NA - 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Better 30% 38% 19% 25% 29% 41% Worse 30 28 46 42 32 19 The same 39 32 34 32 38 38 DK/NA 1 2 1 1 1 2
12. Is your opinion of - Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Favorable 58% 21% 90% 55% 55% 60% 52% 93% 72% Unfavorable 30 63 3 33 35 26 35 - 22 Hvn't hrd enough 10 13 6 10 8 11 11 5 4 REFUSED 2 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Favorable 66% 53% 58% 62% 54% 56% 88% 70% 27% Unfavorable 22 36 29 25 34 37 6 18 59 Hvn't hrd enough 11 8 10 11 9 5 5 10 11 REFUSED 1 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 3 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Favorable 57% 62% 37% 45% 55% 80% Unfavorable 30 30 48 42 32 15 Hvn't hrd enough 11 7 12 10 11 5 REFUSED 2 2 3 3 2 1
TREND: Is your opinion of - Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
High Low July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Nov 12 May 14 Nov 12 Feb 21 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008 2007 Favorable 58 58 59 67 49 67 44 Unfavorable 30 27 26 19 33 19 14 Hvn't hrd enough 10 11 13 11 15 11 40 REFUSED 2 3 2 3 3 3 1
13. 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 His Favorable 42% 10% 81% 30% 39% 45% 37% 71% 57% Unfavorable 42 76 7 49 48 36 47 8 26 Hvn't hrd enough 13 12 10 16 10 16 13 15 12 REFUSED 3 1 3 5 3 3 2 6 4 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Favorable 50% 40% 40% 47% 40% 39% 73% 47% 20% Unfavorable 31 47 42 34 48 50 12 34 68 Hvn't hrd enough 18 10 13 17 10 6 12 15 11 REFUSED 2 2 4 3 2 4 2 5 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Favorable 42% 44% 27% 31% 39% 52% Unfavorable 39 46 58 55 47 32 Hvn't hrd enough 15 7 14 12 13 9 REFUSED 3 3 2 2 2 6
TREND: Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it?
July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Nov 12 2009 2009 2009 2008 Favorable 42 43 41 55 Unfavorable 42 41 42 35 Hvn't hrd enough 13 13 13 6 REFUSED 3 3 3 4
14. 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 His Favorable 25% 56% 9% 20% 25% 26% 27% 13% 28% Unfavorable 52 27 65 57 56 48 52 49 46 Hvn't hrd enough 20 15 22 20 15 24 18 34 22 REFUSED 3 2 3 4 4 3 3 4 4 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Favorable 26% 29% 21% 24% 28% 29% 11% 20% 41% Unfavorable 44 54 55 48 57 56 67 54 41 Hvn't hrd enough 28 14 20 26 12 11 19 21 17 REFUSED 2 2 4 2 3 4 3 4 2 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Favorable 26% 25% 36% 33% 27% 17% Unfavorable 47 62 42 49 48 71 Hvn't hrd enough 24 10 19 15 23 7 REFUSED 3 3 3 3 2 5
TREND: Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it?
July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Nov 12 2009 2009 2009 2008 Favorable 25 27 27 36 Unfavorable 52 51 52 52 Hvn't hrd enough 20 17 17 7 REFUSED 3 5 4 5
15. 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% - 2% 1% 1% 1% - 5% 2% Good 7 5 10 6 9 6 6 15 7 Not so good 44 37 53 41 42 45 42 52 48 Poor 47 58 34 52 48 47 50 25 43 DK/NA 1 - 1 - - 1 1 2 - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Excellent 2% 1% 1% 1% - 1% 2% - 1% Good 8 7 7 9 4 7 8 9 5 Not so good 45 43 44 42 48 46 50 47 36 Poor 44 49 47 46 47 46 39 43 57 DK/NA - - 1 1 - - 1 1 - WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Excellent 1% - 1% - 1% - Good 8 6 5 5 8 7 Not so good 41 48 36 42 43 55 Poor 48 45 58 52 47 38 DK/NA 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 July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Mar 4 Nov 13 Dec 10 Mar 4 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 2003 2009 Excellent 1 - 1 - - 3 - Good 7 6 4 3 4 37 3 Not so good 44 41 39 28 37 42 28 Poor 47 52 56 68 58 16 68 DK/NA 1 1 - - 1 1 -
16. 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 27% 13% 42% 23% 30% 25% 25% 44% 33% Worse 29 44 11 32 28 29 32 7 19 The same 42 41 45 43 41 43 42 47 46 DK/NA 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Better 29% 25% 28% 25% 28% 33% 43% 30% 13% Worse 23 30 30 28 26 29 13 20 47 The same 46 44 39 45 45 36 42 47 39 DK/NA 2 1 3 2 1 1 2 2 1 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Better 24% 34% 15% 21% 24% 52% Worse 30 25 42 37 27 19 The same 44 39 42 41 48 28 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1 2
TREND: Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 2009 2009 2009 Better 27 24 19 Worse 29 33 32 The same 42 42 47 DK/NA 2 2 2
17. Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk His Excellent 7% 10% 6% 6% 8% 6% 7% 5% 10% Good 48 51 49 48 52 45 50 45 40 Not so good 29 28 29 29 27 31 29 33 31 Poor 14 10 14 15 11 16 13 16 17 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 0 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con Excellent 11% 6% 6% 3% 9% 18% 6% 7% 8% Good 45 51 48 37 59 62 51 51 46 Not so good 27 29 31 36 25 17 27 29 30 Poor 17 13 13 23 6 4 15 12 14 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 - - 1 2 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew Excellent 6% 10% 6% 6% 10% 8% Good 44 60 48 51 48 53 Not so good 32 22 31 28 31 32 Poor 17 7 14 13 11 8 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 1 -
TREND: Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 2009 2009 2009 Excellent 7 8 6 Good 48 49 47 Not so good 29 28 31 Poor 14 14 14 DK/NA 2 1 1
18. 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 President Obama 54% 15% 91% 49% 52% 57% 48% 91% 69% Reps in Congress 32 71 3 32 35 28 37 2 21 DK/NA 14 14 6 19 13 15 15 7 10 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. POL PHIL......... 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Lib Mod Con President Obama 59% 52% 54% 59% 51% 50% 86% 66% 23% Reps in Congress 28 35 30 27 35 41 6 21 60 DK/NA 13 13 16 15 14 8 8 13 17 WHITE............. NoColl Coll BrnAgn Degree Degree Evngl Prot Cath Jew President Obama 54% 55% 33% 39% 51% 73% Reps in Congress 30 34 52 45 35 17 DK/NA 15 11 15 16 14 9
TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling the economy - President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?
July 2 Apr 29 Apr 1 Mar 4 2009 2009 2009 2009 President Obama 54 54 55 56 Reps in Congress 32 27 27 26 DK/NA 14 18 18 18