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CBS News/New York Times PollFor release: July 18, 2012

6:30 PM EDTThe Presidential Race Remains Close

July 11-16, 2012

President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney remain in a close race for thepresidency, effectively tied among leaned voters. One in 5 voters says they couldchange their mind about which candidate to support.

On handling the economy which most voters say will be extremely important in theirvote -- Mitt Romney holds an advantage over the President by 49% to 41%.

But by a large margin, the President bests Mitt Romney on helping the middle class,52% to 38%. More voters think President Obama (38%) cares a lot about their needsand problems than think Mitt Romney does (25%).

In the wake of disappointing jobs reports and weak economic news, Americans views ofthe economy have become more negative in this poll. The percentage that says it isimproving has dropped to 24% from 33% in April, and 30% now say it is getting worse.The Presidents approval rating on handling the economy remains low, at 39%. 64% sayhis policies have contributed at least some to the economic downturn.

The State of the Race

The presidential contest continues to be very tight. Among registered voters who lean towards acandidate, Mitt Romney has just a one point lead over the President in this poll, well within thepolls margin of error and, as other polls have shown, effectively a tie.

2012 Vote for President(Among leaned registered voters)

Mitt Romney 47%Barack Obama 46Undecided 4Wont vote 1

The President leads among women by five points, while Romney has an 8 point lead amongmen. Independents favor Romney by 9 points. White evangelicals and conservatives backRomney by a large margin, while liberals and African Americans support Barack Obama.

Just over half of the voters who back the President say they strongly favor him far larger than

the share of Romneys supporters who say the same (29%). More than a third of the voterswho back Romney say they are supporting him because they dislike President Obama.

Strength of Support(Among registered voters with a candidate choice)

Total Romney Voters Obama VotersStrongly favor 41% 29% 52%Like with reservations 34 32 37Dislike other candidate 23 37 8

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But this pattern is not unusual when a challenger faces an incumbent. In June 2004, 56% ofPresident George W. Bushs voters said they strongly favored him. Democrat John Kerryssupport was mixed; 31% said they strongly favored him, but 37% said they supported himbecause they disliked the other candidate.

There is still some room for movement in the race. About four in 5 voters say they have madeup their minds which candidate to support, but for about a fifth of each candidates supportersthe race is not yet over, as they say its too early and their minds could still change. Similarpercentages of Obama and Romney voters could change their minds.

Mind Made Up Whom to Support?(Among registered voters with a candidate choice)

Total Romney Voters Obama VotersYes 79% 81% 79%Too early 20 18 20

Overall, a third of registered voters say they are more enthusiastic about voting in this election

compared to past elections but that masks a sizable difference between Republicans andDemocrats. 49% of Republicans are more enthusiastic, compared to just 27% of Democrats.Similarly, 48% of Romney voters are enthusiastic, compared to 23% of those supportingPresident Obama. Republican enthusiasm is growing, having risen from 36% in March.

In March 2008, with a heated fight for the Democratic nomination underway, 41% of voters weremore enthusiastic than usual about voting.

Enthusiasm Compared to Past Elections(Among registered voters)

Republicans Democrats IndependentsAll Now 3/2012 Now 3/2012 Now 3/2012

More enthusiastic 33% 49% 36% 27% 30% 29% 22%Less enthusiastic 25 20 22 24 30 38 29Same 41 30 43 48 39 42 47

Voters attention to the presidential campaign now is similar to what it was in April; 45% arepaying a lot of attention. There is little difference between Democrats (47%) and Republicans(49%). More voters were paying attention to the campaign in July 2008.

Attention to the Campaign(Among registered voters)

Now 4/2012 7/2008 7/2004A lot 45% 43% 53% 39%

Some 38 35 37 44Not much/none 17 22 10 17

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Obama vs. Romney: The Economy and Other Issues

When asked to rate the importance of a number of issues that might affect their vote, theeconomy and jobs ranks first among registered voters (54%) as extremely important, followedby health care (46%) and the federal budget deficit (43%).

Importance in Your Vote for President(Among registered voters)

Extremely Very Somewhat Not at allEconomy & jobs 54% 39 7 0Health care 46% 36 15 2Federal budget deficit 43% 36 18 2Taxes 39% 41 17 2Terrorism & security 37% 37 22 3Illegal immigration 28% 35 29 7Foreign policy 25% 38 31 4Social issues 21% 23 28 27

Mitt Romney (49%) has the edge over Barack Obama (41%) on which candidate voters thinkwill do a better job handling the economy and jobs. Voters also see Romney as better able tohandle the federal budget deficit, taxes, and illegal immigration. The two candidates are abouteven when it comes to handling health care and terrorism and national security, while BarackObama is seen as better able to handle foreign policy and social issues.

Who Will Do a Better Job Handling?(Among registered voters)

Mitt Romney Barack ObamaEconomy & jobs 49% 41Federal budget deficit 50% 36Taxes 47% 42

Illegal immigration 46% 38

Health care 42% 43Terrorism & security 43% 44

Foreign policy 40% 47Social issues 37% 48

Obama vs. Romney: Helping the Middle Class

Although Romney has the edge on handling the economy, President Obama is viewed as doingmore for the middle class. Voters choose President Obama (52%) over Romney (38%) by a

wide margin as the candidate who would do more to help middle class Americans. PresidentObama wins on this measure among all income groups. There are large partisan differences,however three in four Republicans pick Mitt Romney as the better candidate for the middleclass, while nine in 10 Democrats pick Barack Obama. Independents also break for thePresident on this measure.

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Who Will Do More to Help Middle Class Americans?(Among registered voters)

Total Reps Dems IndsBarack Obama 52% 15% 87% 48%Mitt Romney 38 74 5 40

And while voters are divided as to which social class Barack Obamas policies favor, they aremore decisive when it comes to Mitt Romney. 53% of voters think Mitt Romneys policies wouldfavor the rich if he were elected president.

Who Do Their Policies Favor?(Among registered voters)

Barack Obama Mitt RomneyThe rich 21% 53%The middle class 22 11The Poor 24 2All groups equally 25 30

Still, most voters say that neither Mitt Romneys personal wealth nor his experience as the headof the private equity firm Bain Capital will have an effect on their vote in November. 73% say hiswealth will not make a difference, and 60% say the same of his tenure at Bain Capital. Amongthe voters who will take these into consideration, more say it will make them less likely to votefor him.

How Does it Affect Your Vote for Mitt Romney?(Among registered voters)

Romneys Wealth Experience with Bain CapitalMore likely to vote for him 5% 14%Less likely to vote for him 20 23No difference 73 60

Obama vs. Romney: Economic Policies

Relatively few voters think Barack Obamas economic policies are currently improving theeconomy (17%), though another one in three think they will improve the economy if given moretime. 46% think they are not improving the economy and never will. There are partisandifferences: most Democrats think Obamas policies are improving things now or will in thefuture, while half of independents and eight in 10 Republicans think his economic policies willnever improve the economy.

Effect of Barack Obamas Policies on the Economy(Among registered voters)

Total Reps Dems IndsImproving it now 17% 6% 32% 12%Will improve it if given more time 34 14 55 31Will never improve it 46 79 10 53

Voters are divided as to how Barack Obamas approach to creating jobs will affect their vote:29% say it will make them more likely to vote for him, while 26% say it will make them less likelyto do so. 43% say it will make no difference.

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Does Obamas Approach to Job Growth Make You?(Among registered voters)

Total Reps Dems IndsMore likely to vote for him 29% 9% 59% 19%Less likely to vote for him 26 49 5 29No difference 43 42 35 51

Many hold the President at least somewhat responsible for current economic problems.Looking back, nearly two-thirds of voters think the Presidents policies have contributed at leastsomewhat to the nations economic downturn, but far more lay a lot of the blame on hispredecessor, George W. Bush.

How Much Did Their PoliciesContribute to the Economic Downturn?

(Among registered voters)Barack Obama George W. Bush

A lot 34% 48%Some 30 33

Not much/at all 35 18

Though 65% of voters think Romneys policies will follow those of former President George W.Bush at least somewhat closely, just one in five thinks his policies would do so very closely.

How Closely Would Mitt RomneyFollow the Policies of George W. Bush?

(Among registered voters)Very closely 19%Somewhat closely 46Not too/at all closely 25

But few voters think either candidates policies will help their own finances. That said, votersare more optimistic about the potential impact of Mitt Romneys policies than Barack Obamason their own financial situation. More voters think Romneys policies would improve theirfinancial situation (32%) than make it worse (25%). For Obama, the opposite is true: morevoters think his policies will make their financial situation worse (39%) than make it better (26%).

Impact of Policies on Own Financial Situation(Among registered voters)

Barack Obama Mitt RomneyNow 4/2012 Now 4/2012

Improve it 26% 26% 32% 28%Make it worse 39 38 25 26

No effect 30 33 34 36

Obama vs. Romney: Personal Qualities

Majorities of voters think both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney share the values mostAmericans try to live by. Just over half also think both candidates mostly say what they thinkpeople want to hear rather than what they believe, though President Obama fares better thanRomney on this measure. President Obama has a clear advantage in empathy: nearly four in

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ten voters think he cares a lot about their needs and problems, while just one in four say thesame of Romney.

Does the Candidate?(Among registered voters)

Barack Obama Mitt Romney

Share the values of most AmericansDoes 57% 58%Does not 38 34

Says whatHe believes 45% 37%What people want to hear 51 56

Care about your needs and problemsA lot 38% 25%Some 25 30Not much/at all 36 41

Voters are skeptical about whether or not Barack Obama has delivered the change he promisedduring his 2008 presidential campaign. Just 28% think he has delivered change that has beengood for the country, while 58% think he has not delivered change. Most Democrats think hehas delivered positive change, while most Republicans and independents do not.

Has Barack Obama Delivered Change?(Among registered voters)

Total Reps Dems IndsYes, good for the country 28% 4% 56% 22%Yes, bad for the country 7 13 1 9Has not delivered change 58 76 35 64

Overall, both candidates are viewed more unfavorably than favorably, but while opinion of MittRomney is essentially unchanged from April, favorable opinion of Barack Obama has dropped.Amid increased pessimism about the economy and after a couple of months of bad economicnews, favorable evaluations of the President are down 6 points since April, to slightly more thana third, and nearly half of voters view him unfavorably. Current evaluations of the President aresimilar to those he received in January. Voters are more evenly divided in their views ofRomney.

Opinion of the Candidates(Among registered voters)

Barack Obama Mitt Romney

Favorable 36% 32%Not favorable 48 36Undecided/dont know 15 31

Barack Obamas Presidency and the State of the Country

The presidents job approval rating is mixed, as it has been for many months. Overall, 44% ofAmericans approve of the job Mr. Obama is doing as president, while 46% disapprove.

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Barack Obamas Job Approval RatingsApprove Disapprove

Overall 44% 46Economy 39% 55Foreign policy 41% 42

More than half of Americans disapprove of the way President Obama is handling the economy.Evaluations of how the President is handling the economy are similar to what they were inMarch, but less positive than they were in April.

Barack Obamas Handling of the EconomyNow 4/2012 3/2012

Approve 39% 44% 39%Disapprove 55 48 54

The public is divided on the job the President is doing on foreign policy.

The economy has long been the top concern for voters, and seven in 10 Americans continue to

think the economy is in bad shape.

Condition of the EconomyNow 4/2012

Good 27% 27%Bad 71 70

After a disappointing jobs report earlier this month, 30% of Americans now think the economy isgetting worse -- the highest percentage since last December. Just 24% say the economy isimproving, a drop from 33% earlier in the spring.

Direction of the Economy

Now 4/2012 3/2012 12/2011Better 24% 33% 30% 24%Worse 30 28 24 30Same 45 38 44 45

In addition, nearly two-thirds of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that someone intheir household may lose their job in the next year, including 39% who are very concerned. Thislevel of concern is similar to what it was in February.

Concerned Someone in Household Will Lose their JobNow 2/2012

Very 39% 38%

Somewhat 27 27Not at all 33 35

With three half months to go before the presidential election, most Americans continue to thinkthe country is off on the wrong track (64%), while only 30% feel it is headed in the rightdirection. These opinions have held fairly steady throughout this year.

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Tax Cuts

President Obama has proposed extending the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 for householdsearning less than $250,000. 49% of Americans think those tax cuts should be extended only forthose with incomes below that amount. Another 27% would like to see the tax cuts extended foreveryone, while 17% want them to expire for all. This is similar to public opinion in November

2010.

There are differences by party, with most Democrats and nearly half of independents supportingthe Presidents proposal, while a plurality of Republicans want them continued for everyone.

Tax Cuts ShouldAll Reps Dems Inds

Continue for all 27% 42% 18% 24%Continue for households < $250K 49 36 62 48Expire for all 17 16 14 21

The Health Care Ruling and the Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling a few weeks ago that upheld most of the 2010 healthcare law, and the public is divided on the decision: 46% think the decision was a good thing,while 41% think it was bad.

View of the Supreme Courts Decision toUphold Most of the 2010 Health Care Law

Total Reps Dems IndsGood thing 46% 18% 76% 40%Bad thing 41 71 12 46Not sure 11 9 10 12

While views on the decision may be mixed, more than half of Americans think the SupremeCourts decision was based mostly on personal and political views, rather than legal analysis.Majorities of Republicans and independents hold this view, but Democrats are split.

How Did the Supreme Court Decideon the 2010 Health Care Law?

Total Reps Dems IndsBased on legal analysis 31% 21% 43% 29%Based on personal or political views 53 65 42 56

Overall views of the Supreme Court have changed little in the aftermath of the health careruling. Among Republicans and conservatives, more now disapprove of the job the Supreme

Court is doing than did so before the landmark ruling.

Job Rating of the U.S. Supreme Court---------- Now -------------- -------- May 2012 -------

Total Reps Dems Inds Total Reps Dems IndsApprove 41% 30% 48% 41% 44% 42% 51% 39%Disapprove 41 52 33 42 36 35 32 39DK/NA 18 18 19 17 20 23 17 22

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Very few Americans express an opinion of Chief Justice John Roberts, who sided with thecourts more liberal justices in upholding the health care law; most are undecided or dont knowenough about him to have an opinion. Republicans and conservatives hold more negative thanpositive views of Chief Justice Roberts -- just 9% of conservatives view the Chief Justicefavorably, while twice as many have an unfavorable opinion of him.

Opinion of Chief Justice John RobertsTotal Conservatives Moderates Liberals

Favorable 14% 9% 20% 13%Not favorable 12 18 9 8Undecided/Dont know 73 72 69 77

Still, the Supreme Courts ruling does not appear to have changed overall opinions of the healthcare law very much: more still disapprove than approve of the law.

View of the 2010 Health Care LawNow 5/2012 6/2011 7/2010 3/2010

Approve 36% 34% 37% 36% 37%

Disapprove 50 48 48 49 48

As to what Congress should do about the health care law, a third of Americans say it should bekept as is or expanded, 27% think only the individual mandate should be repealed, while 34%would like Congress to repeal the entire law.

Politically, more than half of voters say the courts ruling will make no difference in their vote forpresident this November. Among those for whom it matters, 28% say the ruling makes themmore likely to vote for Romney, while 13% say it makes them more likely to back the President.The issue of the courts ruling on health care is more of a motivator for Romney supporters thanit is for those who are backing the president.

How Does the Supreme Court Decision on Health Care Affect Your Vote?(Among registered voters)

Total Obama Voters Romney VotersMore likely to vote for Obama 13% 28% 1%More likely to vote for Romney 28 1 55No difference 55 68 41

Congress

Congress job approval rating is just 12% in this poll.

______________________________________________________________________

This poll was conducted by telephone from July 11-16, 2012 among 1,089 adults nationwide.Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due tosampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. Theerror for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of theNational Council on Public Polls.

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CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLLThe Presidential Race Remains Close

July 11-16, 2012

attn How much attention have you been able to pay to the 2012 Presidential campaign -- a

lot, some, not much, or no attention so far?

** REGISTERED VOTERS **

*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind Apr12a

% % % % %

A lot 45 49 47 40 43

Some 38 42 31 41 35

Not much 14 6 18 16 15

No attention so far 3 3 3 4 7

DK/NA 0 0 1 0 0

q1 Compared to past presidential elections, how would you describe your level of

enthusiasm about voting in the 2012 presidential election this year -- are you more

enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as usual?

Mar12a

More enthusiastic 33 49 27 29 29

Less enthusiastic 25 20 24 28 27

Same 41 30 48 42 43

DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1

q2 Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you

heard enough about Barack Obama yet to have an opinion?

Apr12a

Favorable 36 7 69 28 42

Not favorable 48 82 16 52 45

Undecided 12 9 10 16 11

Haven't heard enough 3 2 4 3 2

Refused 1 0 1 1 0

q3 Is your opinion of Mitt Romney favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you

heard enough about Mitt Romney yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 32 63 5 32 29

Not favorable 36 5 68 31 34

Undecided 21 20 16 25 22

Haven't heard enough 10 11 10 9 15

Refused 1 1 1 3 0

q4 HELD FOR RELEASE

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q5 If the 2012 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were Barack

Obama, the Democrat, and Mitt Romney, the Republican, would you vote for Barack Obama or

Mitt Romney?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %

Obama 43 6 82 35

Romney 45 88 9 47

Other (Vol.) 2 1 0 3

Won't vote (Vol.) 1 0 2 1

Depends (Vol.) 2 1 2 3

DK/NA 7 4 5 11

q6 Is your mind made up or is it still too early to say for sure?

*REGISTERED VOTERS WITH A CANDIDATE CHOICE*

Total Obama Romney

Voters Voters Voters

% % %Mind made up 79 79 81

Too early to say for sure 20 20 18

DK/NA 1 1 1

q7 Would you describe your support for Barack Obama/Mitt Romney as strongly favoring him,

or do you like him but with reservations, or do you support him because you dislike Mitt

Romney/Barack Obama?

*REGISTERED VOTERS WHO CHOSE OBAMA OR ROMNEY*

Strongly favor 41 52 29

Like but with reservations 34 37 32

Dislike other candidate 23 8 37

DK/NA 2 3 2

q8 Well as of today, do you lean more toward Barack Obama or more toward Mitt Romney?

*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %

Obama 46 7 84 40

Romney 47 90 9 49

Won't vote (Vol.) 1 0 2 1

Other (Vol.) 2 1 0 3

DK/NA 4 2 5 7

q9 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Apr12a

% % % % %

Approve 44 16 78 35 48


DK/NA 10 3 7 16 10

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q10 Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do

you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **

*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind May12b

% % % % %

Right direction 30 9 49 27 31

Wrong track 64 86 43 67 62

DK/NA 6 5 8 6 7

q11 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy?

Apr12a

Approve 41 16 64 39 46


DK/NA 17 16 20 15 18

q12 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?

Approve 39 12 71 31 44


DK/NA 6 1 7 8 8

q13 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?

May12b

Approve 12 10 15 11 15


DK/NA 9 11 7 9 8

q14 Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job?

Approve 41 30 48 41 44


DK/NA 18 18 19 17 20

q15 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good,

fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad?

Apr12a

Very good 1 0 2 1 1

Fairly good 26 15 39 23 26

Fairly bad 39 36 36 43 41

Very bad 32 48 19 32 29

DK/NA 2 1 4 1 3

q16 Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

Better 24 8 45 18 33

Worse 30 45 14 32 28

Same 45 46 40 48 38

DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1

q17 BLANK

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q18 Is the condition of the national economy something a president can do a lot about, or

is that beyond any president's control?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind Sep11a

% % % % %

Can do a lot about 51 71 35 53 41

Beyond a president's control 40 24 55 39 53

Don't know/No answer 9 5 10 8 6

q19 BLANK

q20-q21 SEPARATE RELEASE

q22 How important is the Vice Presidential candidate when you decide how to vote in a

Presidential election: Does it matter a lot to you, or does it matter somewhat, or

doesn't it really affect your vote?


Matters a lot 26 28 27 24Somewhat 48 46 46 50

Doesn't affect vote 25 25 27 24

DK/NA 1 1 0 2

q23 In deciding how you will vote for President this year, please tell me how important

each of the following issues will be. How about health care? Will health care be

extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important?

Extremely important 46 54 53 35

Very important 36 29 36 42

Somewhat important 15 15 9 19

Not at all important 2 2 1 4

DK/NA 1 0 1 0

q24 How about illegal immigration? Will illegal immigration be extremely important, very

important, only somewhat important or not at all important?





DK/NA 1 0 2 1

q25 How important will social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage be?

IF NECESSARY: Will social issues be extremely important, very important, only somewhat

important or not at all important?





DK/NA 1 2 3 1

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q26 How about the federal budget deficit?

IF NECESSARY: Will the federal budget deficit be extremely important, very important,

only somewhat important or not at all important?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %





DK/NA 1 0 0 1

q27 How about the economy and unemployment?

IF NECESSARY: Will the economy and unemployment be extremely important, very important,

only somewhat important or not at all important?


Very important 39 33 43 39Somewhat important 7 5 6 8


DK/NA 0 1 0 1

q28 How about foreign policy?

IF NECESSARY: Will foreign policy be extremely important, very important, only somewhat

important or not at all important?





DK/NA 2 2 2 1

q29 How about taxes?

IF NECESSARY: Will taxes be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important

or not at all important?





DK/NA 1 1 1 0

q30 How about terrorism and national security?

IF NECESSARY: Will terrorism and national security be extremely important, very

important, only somewhat important or not at all important?





DK/NA 1 1 0 0

q31 BLANK

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q32 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better

job handling health care -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %

Obama 43 9 78 38

Romney 42 78 11 44

Both (vol.) 2 0 2 2

Neither (vol.) 4 5 3 5

DK/NA 9 8 6 11


job handling illegal immigration -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

Obama 38 10 69 31

Romney 46 75 15 52

Both (vol.) 1 1 3 0

Neither (vol.) 4 6 2 5DK/NA 11 8 11 12


job handling social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage -- Barack Obama or Mitt

Romney?

Obama 48 20 73 46

Romney 37 68 15 34

Both (vol.) 1 1 1 1


DK/NA 8 8 8 10


job handling the federal budget deficit -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

Obama 36 10 70 27

Romney 50 82 16 56

Both (vol.) 1 0 2 0


DK/NA 8 7 8 8


job handling the economy and unemployment -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

Obama 41 9 77 34

Romney 49 84 12 54

Both (vol.) 1 0 1 0Neither (vol.) 3 1 3 4

DK/NA 6 6 7 8

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job handling foreign policy -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %

Obama 47 13 77 44

Romney 40 74 13 39

Both (vol.) 2 1 3 1


DK/NA 8 11 7 11


job handling taxes -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

Obama 42 13 78 31

Romney 47 81 14 53

Both (vol.) 0 0 1 0


DK/NA 7 5 6 7


job handling terrorism and national security -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

Obama 44 14 81 33

Romney 43 76 10 49

Both (vol.) 4 3 3 4


DK/NA 6 7 4 8

q40 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do more to

help middle class Americans -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

Obama 52 15 87 48

Romney 38 74 5 40

Both (vol.) 1 0 2 0


DK/NA 5 6 4 8

q41 Looking back, how much do you think the economic policies of George W. Bush

contributed to the nation's economic downturn -- a lot, some, not much, or not at all?

A lot 48 18 74 46

Some 33 52 16 33

Not much 12 19 8 12

Not at all 6 8 1 7

DK/NA 1 3 1 2

q42 Looking back, how much do you think the economic policies of Barack Obama contributed

to the nation's economic downturn -- a lot, some, not much, or not at all?

A lot 34 62 11 33

Some 30 25 33 31

Not much 23 10 30 27

Not at all 12 3 23 8

DK/NA 1 0 3 1

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q43 BLANK

q44 How much do you think Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like

yourself--a lot, some, not much, or not at all?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind Apr12a

% % % % %

A lot 38 12 68 31 34

Some 25 29 20 28 28

Not much 18 21 7 24 17

Not at all 18 37 4 16 20

DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1

q45 Do you think Barack Obama shares the values most Americans try to live by, or doesn't

he?

Apr10a

%

Does 57 28 85 55 59Does not 38 69 12 40 36

DK/NA 5 3 3 5 5

q46 Do you think Barack Obama says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what

he thinks people want to hear?

Apr12a

What he believes 45 20 73 39 46

What people want to hear 51 78 23 56 51

DK/NA 4 2 4 5 3

q47 If Barack Obama were re-elected, do you think his policies would improve your own

financial situation, make it worse, or would his policies not have any effect on your own

financial situation?

Improve it 26 2 51 21 26

Make it worse 39 70 10 43 38

Not have any effect 30 22 33 32 33

DK/NA 5 6 6 4 3

q48 Which comes closest to your view of Barack Obama's economic policies: 1. They are

improving the economy now, and will probably continue to do so, OR 2. They have not

improved the economy yet, but will if given more time, OR 3. They are not improving the

economy and probably never will.

Improving economy 17 6 32 12

Not improved but will in time 34 14 55 31Not improving and never will 45 78 10 51

Made economy worse (vol.) 1 1 0 2

DK/NA 3 1 3 4

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q49 Do you think Barack Obama has or has not delivered the change he promised during his

2008 presidential campaign? IF YES, ASK: Has that change mostly been good for the

country, or mostly been bad for the country?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %

Has delivered change, good 28 4 56 22

Has delivered change, bad 7 13 1 9

Has not delivered change 58 76 35 64

Don't know/No answer 7 7 8 5

q50 Does Barack Obamas approach to stimulate job growth make you more likely to vote for

him, less likely to vote for him, or doesn't it affect how you will vote one way or

another?

More likely 29 9 59 19

Less likely 26 49 5 29

No effect 43 42 35 51


q51 How much do you think Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like

yourself--a lot, some, not much, or not at all?

A lot 25 49 8 23

Some 30 36 20 35

Not much 20 6 34 18

Not at all 21 4 34 21

DK/NA 4 5 4 3

q52 Do you think Mitt Romney shares the values most Americans try to live by, or doesn't

he?

Does 58 87 33 60

Does not 34 9 59 31

DK/NA 8 4 8 9

q53 Do you think Mitt Romney says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what

he thinks people want to hear?

Apr12a

%

What he believes 37 65 13 37 27

What people want to hear 56 28 81 54 62

DK/NA 7 7 6 9 11

q54 If Mitt Romney were elected, do you think his policies would improve your ownfinancial situation, make it worse, or would his policies not have any effect on your own

financial situation?

Improve it 32 56 11 33 28

Make it worse 25 5 50 19 26

Not have any effect 34 34 28 38 36

DK/NA 9 5 11 10 10

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q55 Does Mitt Romney's experience as head of the private equity firm, Bain Capital, make

you more likely to vote for him, less likely to vote for him, or doesn't it affect how

you will vote one way or another?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %



No effect 60 63 55 62


q56 Does Mitt Romney's personal wealth make you more likely to vote for him, less likely

to vote for him, or doesn't it affect how you will vote one way or another?



No effect 73 84 61 77


q57 If elected, how closely do you think Mitt Romney would follow the economic policies

of George W. Bush -- very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely or not at all

closely?

Very closely 19 6 35 16

Somewhat closely 46 50 47 43

Not too closely 18 25 6 22

Not at all closely 7 8 5 9

DK/NA 10 11 7 10

q58 In general, do you think the policies of the Obama Administration favor the rich,

favor the middle class, favor the poor, or do they treat all groups equally?

Feb12a

%

Favor the rich 21 29 14 21 25

Favor the middle class 22 11 34 19 19

Favor the poor 24 37 8 28 20

Treat all equally 25 12 39 23 26

DK/NA 8 11 5 9 10

q59 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 equally?

Favor the rich 53 18 88 47

Favor the middle class 11 16 3 14Favor the poor 2 4 1 1

Treat all equally 30 57 5 33

DK/NA 4 5 3 5

q60-64 SEPARATE RELEASE

19


20/22

q65 Is your opinion of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts favorable, not favorable,

undecided, or haven't you heard enough about John Roberts yet to have an opinion?


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %

Favorable 14 12 14 14

Not favorable 12 20 8 10

Undecided 20 18 21 19

Haven't heard enough 53 48 56 55

Refused 1 2 1 2

q66-68 SEPARATE RELEASE

q69 From what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the health care law

that was enacted in 2010? IF APPROVE, ASK: Do you strongly approve or somewhat approve?

IF DISAPPROVE, ASK: Do you somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove?


*** Party ID ***Total Rep Dem Ind May12b

% % % % %

Strongly approve 14 2 31 9 18

Somewhat approve 22 5 33 24 16

Somewhat disapprove 14 19 11 14 12

Strongly disapprove 36 66 9 38 36

Don't know/No answer 14 8 16 15 18

q70 As you may know, the Supreme Court upheld most of the 2010 health care law. Do you

think the Supreme Court's decision to keep the health care law mostly in place was a good

thing or a bad thing?

Good thing 46 18 76 40

Bad thing 41 71 12 46

Both good/bad (vol.) 2 2 2 2


q71 Do you think the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld most of the 2010 health

care law was mainly based on legal analysis or mainly based on the justices' personal or

political views?

Legal analysis 31 21 43 29

Personal or political views 53 65 42 56

Both (vol.) 2 1 2 2


20


21/22

q72 Thinking about your vote for president, does the ruling by the Supreme Court that

upheld most of the 2010 health care law make you more likely to vote for Barack Obama,

more likely to vote for Mitt Romney, or will the ruling by the Supreme Court not have

much of an effect on your vote for president?

***** REGISTERED VOTERS *****

Total Obama Romney

Voters Voters Voters

% % %

More likely for Obama 13 28 1

More likely for Romney 28 1 55

Not much of an effect 55 68 41

Neither (vol.) 1 1 1

Won't vote (vol.) 0 0 0

Don't know/No answer 3 2 2

q73 What would you like to see Congress do when it comes to the health care law?

1. Expand the health care law, OR 2. Keep the entire health care law as it is, OR

3. Repeal the part of the law that requires Americans to obtain health insurance if they

don't have it, but keep the rest of the law intact, OR 4. Repeal the entire health care

law.


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind

% % % %

Expand the law 17 2 34 12

Keep entire law in place 15 6 25 12

Repeal the mandate 27 27 22 30

Repeal the entire law 34 60 11 36

DK/NA 7 5 8 10

q74 Regardless of how you feel about the part of the law that requires Americans to

obtain health insurance if they don't have it or pay a fine, do you consider the fine to

be more of a tax or more of a penalty on Americans who don't obtain health insurance?

Tax 34 40 29 36

Penalty 55 54 59 52

No difference (vol.) 3 4 3 4

DK/NA 8 2 9 8

q75 Do you think it is still possible to start out poor in this country, work hard, and

become rich?

Oct11a

%

Possible 71 78 61 73 75

Not possible 27 20 33 26 24Don't know/No answer 2 2 6 1 1

q76 Do you think it should be legal or not legal for same-sex couples to marry?

Legal 46 32 61 44

Not legal 44 60 29 47


21


22/22

q77 Which comes closest to your view about the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003?

1. The tax cuts should be continued for everyone. Or 2. The tax cuts should onlycontinue for households earning less than $250,000 a year. Or 3. The tax cuts should

expire for everyone.


*** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind Nov10c*

% % % % %

Continue for all 27 42 18 24 26

Continue for those earning 49 36 62 48 53

Expire for all 17 16 14 21 14

Don't know/No answer 7 6 6 7 7*omits 2003

q78 How concerned are you that in the next 12 months you or someone else in your

household might be out of work and looking for a job--very concerned, somewhat concerned,

or not concerned at all?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ***** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind Feb12a

% % % % %

Very concerned 39 35 38 42 38

Somewhat concerned 27 25 29 27 27

Not at all concerned 33 39 31 30 35

DK/NA 1 1 2 1 0

UNWEIGHTED WEIGHTED

Total Respondents 1,089

Total Republicans 304 274Total Democrats 341 350

Total Independents 444 465

Total Registered Voters 942

Registered Republican 275 237

Registered Democrats 302 292

Registered Independents 365 365

Date post:	05-Apr-2018
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Jul12a Election

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