October 1, 2013 - American Voters Reject GOP Shutdown Strategy 3-1, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Dems Up 9 Points In 2014 Congressional Races PDF format American voters oppose 72 - 22 percent Congress shutting down the federal government to block implementation of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Voters also oppose 64 - 27 percent blocking an increase in the nation's debt ceiling as a way to stop Obamacare, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. American voters are divided on Obamacare, with 45 percent in favor and 47 percent opposed, but they are opposed 58 - 34 percent to Congress cutting off funding for the health care law to stop its implementation. Republicans support the federal government shutdown by a narrow 49 - 44 percent margin, but opposition is 90 - 6 percent among Democrats and 74 - 19 percent among independent voters. President Barack Obama gets a negative 45 - 49 percent overall job approval rating, compared to his 46 - 48 percent score August 2. American voters disapprove 74 - 17 percent of the job Republicans in Congress are doing, their lowest score ever, and disapprove 60 - 32 percent of the job Democrats are doing. "Americans are certainly not in love with Obamacare, but they reject decisively the claim by Congressional Republicans that it is so bad that it's worth closing down the government to stop it," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "President Barack Obama enters this standoff over the budget with an edge over Congressional Republicans in the voters' eyes." American voters trust President Obama more than Republicans in Congress on a number of issues: 63 - 26 percent on helping low income families; 51 - 38 percent on helping the middle class; 47 - 38 percent on handling health care; 47 - 42 percent on handling the economy. Voters are divided on the federal budget deficit as 43 percent trust Obama and 42 percent trust Republicans. On gun policy, Republicans get 45 percent to Obama's 42 percent. Gridlock in Washington is mainly because Republicans are determined to block any Obama initiative, 55 percent of voters say, while 33 percent blame Obama's lack of skill. In another question, 28 percent of voters blame Republicans for gridlock, while 10 percent blame Democrats and 58 percent blame both equally. 2014 Congressional Races Looking at the 2014 Congressional races, voters pick a generic Democrat over a generic Republican candidate 43 - 34 percent, the widest Democratic margin measured so far. "On almost all questions, voters see President Obama as more reasonable, and better able to handle the issues," Brown said. "But it is not because the president is beloved. He remains under water in job approval and is tied with Congressional Republicans on who best handles the budget deficit. Voters are angry at almost everyone in Washington over their inability to keep the trains running, but they are madder at the Republicans than the Democrats. "In general, the Republican brand is down as evidenced by the Democrats' unusually large lead in the so called generic ballot. But we have 13 months before an election can translate this public opinion edge into electoral gains and in politics that amount of time is forever." Iran Approval Voters approve 48 - 40 percent of the way Obama is handling Iran, but disapprove 53 - 41 percent of his handling foreign policy overall, similar to his all-time worst disapproval of 52 - 40 percent July 11. Voters disapprove 51 - 41 percent of his handling of Syria. From September 23 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,497 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 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 Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Virginia 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 34% 87% 3% 30% 36% 32% 41% 7% 30% Democratic 43 3 86 32 39 46 36 79 51 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 4 2 2 7 6 1 3 3 5 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 - 6 3 1 2 - 1 DK/NA 17 8 9 26 15 19 18 10 14 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Republican 7% 24% 64% 28% 42% 38% 23% 35% 37% 37% Democratic 81 46 17 49 36 43 46 42 44 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 4 4 4 3 3 6 4 3 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 3 1 2 2 2 7 2 1 1 DK/NA 8 23 15 17 17 14 18 18 15 17 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? DEMOCRATIC ADVANTAGE High Low Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 12 May 30 May 01 Apr 03 Oct 01 May 30 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 Republican 34 36 34 38 37 35 34 38 Democratic 43 40 39 38 41 43 43 38 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 4 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 DK/NA 17 19 21 20 19 18 17 20 3. 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% 83% 36% 44% 46% 37% 90% 49% Disapprove 49 89 12 55 50 47 57 6 44 DK/NA 6 2 5 9 5 7 6 4 7 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 76% 51% 19% 50% 39% 47% 45% 43% 49% 43% Disapprove 20 40 78 42 58 50 46 51 46 51 DK/NA 5 8 4 9 3 3 9 6 5 6 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 Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 30 May 01 Jun 04 Oct 06 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2009* 2011 Approve 45 46 44 45 48 59 41 Disapprove 49 48 48 49 45 31 55 DK/NA 6 6 8 6 8 10 4 4. 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 17% 38% 6% 13% 17% 16% 19% 8% 16% Disapprove 74 56 89 76 76 72 73 80 76 DK/NA 9 6 5 11 6 12 9 12 8 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 7% 16% 25% 17% 17% 14% 17% 16% 16% 18% Disapprove 89 77 61 72 77 82 71 74 78 70 DK/NA 4 7 14 11 6 4 12 9 6 11 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job? (*High also 34% Mar 2011, Mar 2010) APPROVE....... High Low Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 12 May 30 May 01 Mar 31 Oct 01 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2011* 2013 Approve 17 19 19 24 24 34 17 Disapprove 74 73 71 67 67 55 74 DK/NA 9 8 10 9 8 11 9 5. 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 32% 6% 62% 24% 32% 33% 27% 62% 34% Disapprove 60 91 32 64 63 56 66 27 55 DK/NA 8 3 6 12 5 11 7 12 11 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 60% 34% 12% 38% 27% 29% 37% 29% 33% 34% Disapprove 34 56 81 53 67 66 53 62 60 58 DK/NA 6 10 7 9 6 5 11 9 6 8 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 Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 12 May 30 May 01 Mar 4 Nov 23 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2009 2011* Approve 32 31 29 30 31 45 24 Disapprove 60 61 62 60 60 45 69 DK/NA 8 7 9 11 9 10 7 6. 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 2% 1% 1% 2% 2% 1% 1% 3% - Smwht satisfied 23 6 39 20 23 23 19 38 32 Smwht dissatisfied 34 27 38 33 31 36 31 43 38 Very dissatisfied 41 64 21 44 43 39 47 16 27 DK/NA 1 2 - 1 1 1 1 - 3 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Very satisfied 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 3% 2% Smwht satisfied 31 29 11 24 18 24 31 24 19 22 Smwht dissatisfied 41 38 24 35 37 30 38 35 35 26 Very dissatisfied 26 29 62 39 43 45 30 39 44 49 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - - 1 - 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 Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 30 May 01 Dec 11 Nov 13 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2001 2008 Very satisfied 2 2 3 6 2 21 2 Smwht satisfied 23 26 28 26 25 47 14 Smwht dissatisfied 34 29 29 26 35 19 38 Very dissatisfied 41 41 40 42 37 10 44 DK/NA 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% 2% 4% 2% 2% 3% 2% 7% 4% Most of the time 14 7 23 9 16 12 12 20 17 Some of the time 51 49 55 49 44 57 50 53 54 Hardly ever 31 41 16 38 36 27 34 16 24 DK/NA 2 1 3 2 3 2 2 4 1 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Almost all the time 3% 3% 1% 4% 1% 1% 7% 1% 2% 2% Most of the time 23 15 7 16 8 16 19 13 14 10 Some of the time 50 55 47 48 60 47 41 53 51 53 Hardly ever 23 25 43 30 30 35 28 32 32 31 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 1 1 4 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? ALMST+MOST.... High Low Oct 01 Jul 12 May 30 Jul 22 Mar 24 Mar 24 May 30 2013 2013 2013 2010 2010 2010 2013 Almost all the time 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 Most of the time 14 14 12 16 17 17 12 Some of the time 51 46 47 50 50 50 47 Hardly ever 31 37 36 31 30 30 36 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 16. Would you say that Barack Obama is honest and trustworthy or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 54% 19% 89% 49% 53% 56% 47% 90% 59% No 41 76 9 45 44 39 48 9 37 DK/NA 4 5 1 6 4 5 5 1 3 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 86% 62% 25% 58% 48% 61% 48% 55% 59% 51% No 13 32 70 38 49 37 48 42 38 41 DK/NA 1 5 5 4 3 2 4 2 3 7 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama is honest and trustworthy or not? YES........... High Low Oct 01 Jul 11 May 30 Sep 01 Jan 13 Jan 13 May 30 2013 2013 2013 2011 2011 2011 2013 Yes 54 50 49 58 63 63 49 No 41 44 47 37 31 31 47 DK/NA 4 5 5 6 6 6 5 17. Would you say that Barack Obama has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 53% 20% 84% 46% 51% 54% 46% 91% 52% No 45 79 15 50 46 43 52 8 46 DK/NA 3 2 2 4 3 2 3 1 1 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 76% 59% 30% 57% 49% 51% 62% 54% 52% 45% No 21 38 68 40 50 48 34 45 45 51 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 1 2 5 1 2 5 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama has strong leadership qualities or not? YES........... High Low Oct 01 Jul 11 May 30 Jul 11 Apr 19 Jan 13 Oct 05 2013 2013 2013 2012 2012 2010 2011 Yes 53 52 53 59 60 66 49 No 45 46 45 39 36 32 49 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 4 2 2 18. 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 54% 18% 90% 49% 52% 57% 47% 92% 59% No 42 79 9 45 45 40 50 6 35 DK/NA 3 3 1 6 4 3 3 2 6 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 86% 64% 24% 60% 49% 55% 56% 54% 58% 49% No 11 33 72 37 50 41 35 44 41 47 DK/NA 3 3 4 3 1 3 9 2 1 5 TREND: Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not? YES........... High Low Oct 01 Jul 11 May 30 Jul 11 Apr 19 Nov 12 Jul 11 2013 2013 2013 2012 2012 2008 2013 Yes 54 52 53 56 57 70 52 No 42 45 45 41 39 22 45 DK/NA 3 3 3 3 4 7 3 Q19-23. Summary table - Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Obama is handling...? App Dis Terrorism 52% 42% Iran 48 40 Economy 44 52 Syria 41 51 Foreign policy 41 53 19. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 44% 9% 79% 36% 44% 44% 36% 86% 48% Disapprove 52 88 16 60 53 52 60 12 48 DK/NA 4 3 4 5 3 5 4 2 5 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 76% 47% 19% 50% 37% 44% 43% 42% 47% 44% Disapprove 22 46 79 46 60 52 54 55 48 52 DK/NA 2 7 2 4 3 4 3 3 5 4 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? (* Low also 32% Sep 2011) APPROVE....... High Low Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 01 Jul 11 Mar 04 Oct 06 2013 2013 2013 2013 2012 2009 2011* Approve 44 42 41 41 40 57 32 Disapprove 52 54 55 53 55 33 64 DK/NA 4 4 4 6 4 10 4 20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 41% 11% 71% 33% 40% 41% 34% 72% 52% Disapprove 53 85 22 61 56 50 60 14 45 DK/NA 7 4 7 7 4 9 6 14 3 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 67% 47% 17% 44% 35% 44% 39% 37% 45% 41% Disapprove 29 46 77 49 58 53 54 57 49 51 DK/NA 5 7 7 7 7 3 7 5 7 8 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? APPROVE....... High Low Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 01 Jul 11 Apr 29 Jul 11 2013 2013 2013 2013 2012 2009 2013 Approve 41 44 40 47 47 57 40 Disapprove 53 50 52 43 44 32 52 DK/NA 7 6 8 10 9 11 8 21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling terrorism? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 52% 22% 79% 46% 54% 49% 46% 83% 53% Disapprove 42 73 15 46 41 43 48 11 42 DK/NA 6 5 5 9 5 8 6 6 5 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 75% 59% 30% 53% 48% 57% 44% 56% 54% 47% Disapprove 22 34 65 39 46 40 48 41 39 43 DK/NA 4 7 6 8 6 2 8 3 7 10 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling terrorism? (* Post Bin Laden Death) APPROVE....... High Low Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 01 Nov 03 May 05 Jan 13 2013 2013 2013 2013 2011 2011* 2010 Approve 52 54 52 55 66 67 48 Disapprove 42 39 43 38 28 27 44 DK/NA 6 6 6 8 6 7 8 22. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Syria? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 41% 17% 66% 37% 41% 41% 35% 69% 48% Disapprove 51 77 26 57 55 47 58 17 43 DK/NA 8 7 8 7 4 12 7 14 9 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 65% 43% 23% 44% 40% 43% 28% 41% 48% 42% Disapprove 29 49 69 46 55 54 62 53 47 47 DK/NA 6 7 8 10 5 3 10 6 6 11 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Syria? Oct 01 Jul 11 May 01 2013 2013 2013 Approve 41 33 37 Disapprove 51 48 35 DK/NA 8 19 27 23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Iran? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 48% 21% 76% 41% 49% 47% 43% 72% 48% Disapprove 40 71 12 46 42 39 45 12 44 DK/NA 12 9 12 13 9 14 12 16 8 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 72% 54% 26% 49% 48% 50% 41% 48% 53% 46% Disapprove 18 35 61 38 43 41 48 43 36 38 DK/NA 9 11 13 13 9 9 11 10 11 16 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Iran? Oct 01 Nov 23 Apr 22 Oct 07 2013 2011 2010 2009 Approve 48 46 44 45 Disapprove 40 38 43 39 DK/NA 12 16 13 17 Q24-28. Summary table - Who do you trust to do a better job..., President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Obama Reps in Congress Helping low income families 63% 26% Helping the middle class 51 38 Handling health care 47 38 Handling economy 47 42 Handling federal budget deficit 43 42 Handling gun policy 42 45 24. 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 47% 9% 84% 39% 45% 48% 39% 90% 45% Reps in Congress 42 86 9 43 42 43 50 5 43 DK/NA 11 6 6 18 13 9 11 5 12 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 82% 50% 20% 54% 39% 46% 44% 47% 51% 44% Reps in Congress 13 36 71 35 53 42 41 44 39 45 DK/NA 5 14 10 11 8 12 15 9 10 11 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 Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 30 Mar 07 Nov 02 Oct 06 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2011 2011* Obama 47 45 44 43 44 48 41 Reps in Congress 42 39 38 43 40 39 43 DK/NA 11 16 18 14 15 12 16 25. Who do you trust to do a better job - handling gun policy, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Obama 42% 7% 76% 33% 38% 45% 35% 80% 37% Reps in Congress 45 84 12 50 50 40 52 7 51 DK/NA 14 8 11 18 12 15 13 12 12 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 75% 44% 17% 47% 36% 45% 33% 41% 45% 42% Reps in Congress 15 40 72 39 54 44 53 47 43 41 DK/NA 10 16 11 14 10 11 14 12 12 17 TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling gun policy, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Oct 01 Mar 07 Feb 07 2013 2013 2013 Obama 42 42 45 Reps in Congress 45 44 43 DK/NA 14 14 12 26. Who do you trust to do a better job - handling health care, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Obama 47% 8% 85% 41% 46% 48% 39% 89% 49% Reps in Congress 38 81 7 36 39 36 45 3 36 DK/NA 15 11 9 23 14 16 16 8 15 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 84% 53% 17% 52% 43% 47% 53% 46% 47% 45% Reps in Congress 11 29 67 32 46 37 33 40 37 40 DK/NA 5 18 16 16 11 16 14 14 16 15 TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling health care, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? (*Low also 42% Jan 2010 & Mar 2010) BETTER PRES... High Low Oct 01 Mar 07 Feb 11 Mar 03 Nov 17 Jul 1 Apr 21 2013 2013 2013 2011 2010 2009 2010* Obama 47 46 48 46 44 53 42 Reps in Congress 38 41 40 43 45 33 39 DK/NA 15 13 12 12 10 14 19 27. Who do you trust to do a better job - handling the federal budget deficit, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Obama 43% 6% 80% 33% 42% 44% 36% 84% 44% Reps in Congress 42 84 11 43 43 41 48 9 43 DK/NA 15 10 9 24 15 15 16 8 12 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 75% 46% 18% 51% 35% 42% 40% 42% 47% 41% Reps in Congress 13 37 68 36 52 43 40 43 41 42 DK/NA 11 17 14 13 13 15 20 15 12 17 TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling the federal budget deficit, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? (* High also 44% Feb 2012) BETTER PRES... High Low Oct 01 Mar 07 Feb 11 Feb 23 Jun 09 Feb 11 Jun 09 2013 2013 2013 2012 2011 2013* 2011 Obama 43 41 44 44 39 44 39 Reps in Congress 42 43 42 46 46 42 46 DK/NA 15 16 15 10 15 15 15 28. Who do you trust to do a better job - helping the middle class, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Obama 51% 10% 89% 43% 49% 52% 43% 92% 55% Reps in Congress 38 81 6 39 41 36 45 3 35 DK/NA 11 9 6 17 11 12 12 5 10 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 89% 56% 20% 56% 46% 49% 54% 50% 51% 48% Reps in Congress 8 30 69 32 49 40 32 41 37 41 DK/NA 4 14 10 12 6 11 14 9 11 12 29. Who do you trust to do a better job - helping low income families, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Obama 63% 30% 93% 61% 60% 65% 57% 94% 67% Reps in Congress 26 59 3 23 27 25 30 2 27 DK/NA 11 11 4 15 13 10 13 4 6 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 90% 73% 35% 64% 62% 66% 69% 63% 66% 55% Reps in Congress 6 17 50 24 30 25 17 27 25 30 DK/NA 4 11 14 13 8 9 14 9 9 15 30. 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 - - - 1% - - - 1% - Good 23 8 33 25 26 21 22 33 25 Not so good 44 40 50 40 41 46 43 50 37 Poor 31 50 15 33 32 31 34 13 37 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 3 1 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Excellent - - 1% - - - - - - - Good 36 26 12 24 19 27 23 24 25 20 Not so good 49 49 37 42 45 48 52 42 43 42 Poor 14 24 50 32 34 25 24 32 31 34 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - - 1 1 3 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 Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 30 May 02 Dec 10 Mar 04 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2003 2009 Excellent - 1 2 2 - 3 - Good 23 25 27 24 17 37 3 Not so good 44 40 41 40 45 42 28 Poor 31 33 30 34 36 16 68 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 31. 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 31% 15% 49% 26% 35% 27% 29% 40% 33% Worse 24 39 12 22 24 25 26 13 30 The same 44 45 38 51 40 48 44 45 35 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Better 48% 37% 15% 31% 29% 36% 32% 31% 33% 28% Worse 12 15 41 26 20 19 27 21 25 26 The same 39 47 44 41 51 45 41 48 42 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - - - 1 3 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 Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 11 May 30 May 02 Jan 18 Oct 06 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2011 2011* Better 31 34 35 34 32 36 11 Worse 24 25 22 25 24 20 44 The same 44 40 43 40 43 43 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 32. Do you think President Obama is doing too much, too little or about the right amount to compromise with the Republican leaders in Congress on important issues? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Too much 11% 2% 18% 11% 11% 11% 10% 16% 11% Too little 50 80 20 55 51 48 58 11 41 About right 32 13 53 27 31 33 26 59 35 DK/NA 7 5 9 7 7 7 6 14 13 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Too much 26% 8% 4% 10% 11% 14% 11% 15% 10% 7% Too little 20 46 74 43 59 53 49 52 48 48 About right 50 40 14 38 26 31 32 27 36 36 DK/NA 5 6 8 10 5 2 8 6 7 9 TREND: Do you think President Obama is doing too much, too little or about the right amount to compromise with the Republican leaders in Congress on important issues? Oct 01 Jul 12 2013 2013 Too much 11 11 Too little 50 53 About right 32 29 DK/NA 7 6 33. Do you think the Republican leaders in Congress are doing too much, too little or about the right amount to compromise with President Obama on important issues? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Too much 11% 21% 4% 10% 14% 8% 10% 10% 18% Too little 68 42 88 69 65 70 66 82 65 About right 15 30 5 15 15 16 18 6 10 DK/NA 6 7 3 7 6 6 6 2 7 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Too much 7% 4% 20% 9% 13% 13% 10% 13% 11% 8% Too little 86 76 47 69 68 71 69 66 69 68 About right 3 15 24 16 17 12 13 16 16 17 DK/NA 3 5 9 6 3 3 8 4 4 7 TREND: Do you think the Republican leaders in Congress are doing too much, too little or about the right amount to compromise with President Obama on important issues? Oct 01 Jul 12 2013 2013 Too much 11 9 Too little 68 68 About right 15 17 DK/NA 6 6 34. Who do you blame for gridlock in Washington, Democrats, Republicans, or both equally? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Democrats 10% 27% 3% 7% 12% 9% 12% 3% 7% Republicans 28 5 54 20 28 28 24 50 25 Both equally 58 64 40 70 57 59 61 39 61 DK/NA 4 4 4 2 3 4 3 8 6 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Democrats 2% 5% 22% 7% 12% 13% 2% 11% 13% 13% Republicans 62 26 8 29 25 32 19 25 31 32 Both equally 34 65 66 60 60 52 72 62 53 50 DK/NA 1 4 4 4 2 3 7 2 3 5 TREND: Who do you blame for gridlock in Washington, Democrats, Republicans or both equally? Oct 01 Jul 12 Mar 25 Feb 11 2013 2013 2010 2010 Democrats 10 10 14 12 Republicans 28 23 16 17 Both equally 58 64 67 67 DK/NA 4 3 3 3 35. Which comes closer to your point of view; there is gridlock in Washington mainly because President Obama lacks the personal skills to convince leaders of Congress to work together, or there is gridlock in Washington mainly because Republicans in Congress are determined to block any President Obama initiative? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Obama lacks skills 33% 65% 8% 35% 32% 34% 38% 10% 32% Republicans block 55 21 86 51 55 55 50 82 59 DK/NA 12 14 6 14 13 11 12 8 9 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama lacks skills 7% 26% 57% 31% 38% 30% 24% 33% 34% 37% Republicans block 87 63 27 59 51 58 62 53 57 53 DK/NA 6 11 16 11 11 12 14 14 9 11 TREND: Which comes closer to your point of view; there is gridlock in Washington mainly because President Obama lacks the personal skills to convince leaders of Congress to work together, or there is gridlock in Washington mainly because Republicans in Congress are determined to block any President Obama initiative? Oct 01 Jul 12 2013 2013 Obama lacks skills 33 35 Republicans block 55 51 DK/NA 12 14 36. Do you support or oppose the health care law passed by Barack Obama and Congress in 2010? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 45% 9% 80% 37% 43% 46% 37% 79% 53% Oppose 47 86 11 54 52 43 55 11 37 DK/NA 8 5 9 9 5 11 7 10 9 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 82% 49% 17% 50% 39% 45% 53% 44% 45% 40% Oppose 12 40 78 40 55 50 43 48 47 50 DK/NA 6 11 5 10 6 4 3 8 8 10 37. Do you support or oppose Congress cutting off funding of the health care law as a way to stop it from being put into place? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 34% 68% 10% 33% 38% 31% 39% 11% 28% Oppose 58 23 84 58 57 59 52 86 65 DK/NA 8 9 6 9 5 10 9 3 7 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 8% 24% 62% 29% 41% 39% 29% 37% 34% 33% Oppose 90 67 29 63 53 57 67 56 57 57 DK/NA 3 9 9 8 6 4 4 6 9 11 38. Do you support or oppose Congress shutting down major activities of the federal government as a way to stop the health care law from being put into place? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 22% 49% 6% 19% 25% 19% 25% 9% 23% Oppose 72 44 90 74 70 73 69 84 70 DK/NA 6 7 4 7 4 8 6 7 8 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 4% 13% 43% 18% 29% 24% 18% 24% 24% 20% Oppose 94 83 47 75 68 72 79 69 73 71 DK/NA 2 4 9 6 4 4 3 7 3 9 39. Do you support or oppose Congress holding back on increasing the nation's borrowing limit, which could result in a default, as a way to stop the health care law from being put into place? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 27% 52% 6% 30% 32% 23% 32% 7% 23% Oppose 64 39 86 62 63 66 61 80 67 DK/NA 8 9 8 8 5 11 7 13 10 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 7% 22% 48% 24% 31% 33% 29% 29% 27% 25% Oppose 89 69 44 67 63 63 63 66 66 61 DK/NA 4 8 8 9 6 5 8 5 7 14 40. As you may know, automatic cuts in the federal budget, known as sequestration, went into effect on March 1st. All in all, do you think the sequestration is a good thing or a bad thing for the country, or don't you know enough about it to say? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Good thing 18% 32% 5% 20% 26% 11% 20% 5% 14% Bad thing 31 23 40 30 33 29 32 22 28 Don't know enough 50 44 54 48 40 59 46 72 56 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Good thing 6% 14% 30% 9% 23% 28% 10% 21% 19% 15% Bad thing 53 28 20 27 34 40 24 30 34 33 Don't know enough 39 56 49 64 42 31 65 49 45 50 REFUSED 1 1 1 - 1 1 - 1 2 2 41. To help reduce the federal budget deficit, do you think government spending on food stamps that go to low income families should be cut or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Cut 28% 52% 11% 29% 30% 27% 33% 13% 19% No/Not cut 66 40 85 66 66 66 62 83 72 DK/NA 5 8 4 5 4 7 5 4 9 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Cut 10% 23% 47% 22% 34% 33% 24% 29% 28% 30% No/Not cut 88 72 47 73 61 63 73 67 67 61 DK/NA 2 5 7 5 5 4 3 4 5 9 51. What concerns you more about the government's anti-terrorism policies, that they have gone too far in restricting the average person's civil liberties, or that they have not gone far enough to adequately protect the country? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Gone too far 43% 41% 36% 51% 54% 33% 46% 22% 40% Not gone far enough 40 45 44 32 32 48 37 56 52 DK/NA 17 14 19 17 14 19 17 22 8 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Gone too far 51% 38% 46% 39% 45% 52% 64% 47% 42% 27% Not gone far enough 32 45 40 47 40 31 28 37 43 50 DK/NA 16 17 14 14 15 17 9 16 15 23 TREND: What concerns you more about the government's anti-terrorism policies, that they have gone too far in restricting the average person's civil liberties or that they have not gone far enough to adequately protect the country? Oct 01 Aug 02 Jul 10 Jan 14 2013 2013 2013 2010 Gone too far 43 46 45 25 Not gone far enough 40 39 40 63 DK/NA 17 15 15 12 52. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a terrorist attack in the United States causing large numbers of lives to be lost; very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very likely 28% 37% 21% 30% 28% 29% 29% 25% 26% Smwht likely 44 47 47 43 41 47 45 36 50 Not very likely 17 12 22 16 20 15 18 21 12 Not likely at all 6 3 6 6 7 5 4 12 7 DK/NA 4 1 4 5 4 5 3 7 5 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Very likely 17% 26% 38% 33% 25% 23% 18% 30% 26% 35% Smwht likely 48 44 44 41 49 47 34 42 51 45 Not very likely 25 19 11 14 19 22 29 17 16 12 Not likely at all 5 7 4 6 5 5 8 9 3 3 DK/NA 4 4 4 5 1 3 11 1 3 5 TREND: How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a terrorist attack in the United States causing large numbers of lives to be lost? Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all? (* Post Bin Laden Death) Oct 01 May 05 Jan 14 Jul 28 May 5 Feb 21 Dec 10 2013 2011* 2010 2005 2004 2002 2001 Very likely 28 22 35 40 26 31 31 Somewhat likely 44 41 43 45 50 49 43 Not very likely 17 27 16 10 16 14 17 Not likely at all 6 7 4 4 5 3 7 DK/NA 4 4 2 1 3 4 3 53. Do you support or oppose a plan to avert a United States military strike on Syria by having international monitors take control of the Syrian government's chemical weapons? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 71% 64% 78% 71% 76% 65% 73% 58% 66% Oppose 19 24 12 19 18 19 17 21 27 DK/NA 11 12 10 10 5 16 10 21 7 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 81% 76% 61% 66% 77% 79% 63% 72% 77% 68% Oppose 13 15 24 21 16 17 32 19 14 16 DK/NA 6 8 15 14 7 4 5 10 9 16 54. If the Syrian government refuses to allow international monitors to take control of its chemical weapons, would you support or oppose U.S. military strikes against Syria, using cruise missiles launched from U.S. naval ships? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 41% 42% 47% 37% 44% 38% 41% 42% 47% Oppose 49 49 42 55 49 50 51 41 41 DK/NA 10 8 11 8 7 12 9 16 12 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 44% 45% 37% 43% 41% 40% 26% 45% 42% 42% Oppose 47 46 54 47 51 55 66 47 49 43 DK/NA 9 9 9 10 7 6 8 7 9 15 58. Do you consider yourself part of the Tea Party movement or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 12% 26% 1% 12% 15% 10% 14% 4% 8% No 83 68 95 85 81 86 83 92 76 DK/NA 4 5 4 3 4 5 4 4 16 POLITICAL PHILSPHY ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS.............. Lib Mod Con <50K 50-100 >100K 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 3% 3% 27% 12% 15% 10% 14% 11% 14% 13% No 94 94 67 83 83 85 78 86 82 84 DK/NA 3 2 5 5 2 4 7 4 4 4 Demographic Summary
