August 31, 2015 - American Voters Dissatisfied, Angry, Distrustful, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Wide Support For College Tuition Assistance PDF format Additional Trend Information A total of 71 percent of American voters are "dissatisfied" with the way things are going in the nation today, including 41 percent who are "very dissatisfied," according to a Quinnipiac University National poll released today. Only 2 percent are "very satisfied," with 26 percent "somewhat satisfied." Looking at the federal government, 49 percent of voters are "dissatisfied, but not angry" with Washington, while 27 percent are "angry," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Only 2 percent are "enthusiastic" about the federal government, while 21 percent are "satisfied, but not enthusiastic." Only 2 percent of voters trust government "almost all the time," while 13 percent trust government "most of the time." Another 51 percent trust government "some of the time" and 34 percent trust government "hardly ever." Voters disapprove 81 - 12 percent of the way Republicans in Congress are doing their job and give the Republican Party a negative 31 - 58 percent favorability. Disapproval of Democrats in Congress is 66 - 27 percent and the Democratic Party gets a negative 40 - 50 percent favorability. The Tea Party gets a negative 26 - 45 percent favorability. "Most American voters sing sadly, along with The Rolling Stones, that they are unable to find any satisfaction with the way things are going in the nation or with the federal government," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "More than 25 percent of voters go beyond dissatisfaction to anger with government. And very few voters think Congress is doing a good job." Voters are divided 44 - 44 percent on whether the Republicans or Democrats should control the U.S. Senate. Voters also are divided on control of the House of Representatives as 46 percent want the Democrats in charge and 44 percent want Republicans. College Tuition Assistance American voters support 61 - 34 percent "major new spending by the federal government" to help students pay tuition at public colleges. Support is 85 - 12 percent among Democrats and 57 - 37 percent among independent voters, with Republicans opposed 59 - 36 percent. All age groups support the measure, especially voters 18 to 34 years old, who back the idea 76 - 21 percent. Support is the same among voters with or without a college degree. "Higher education on Uncle Sam's dime gets a big thumbs up from Americans and an even bigger high five from younger voters," Malloy said. Abortion Abortion should be legal in all cases, 23 percent of American voters say, while 33 percent say it should be legal in most cases. Another 26 percent say it should be illegal in most cases and 14 percent say it should be illegal in all cases. Abortion should be legal in cases of rape or incest, voters say 78 - 17 percent and voters say 85 - 9 percent it should be legal to save the life of the mother. There is almost no gender gap on either issue and no opposition from any party, age, racial or income group. But American voters say 65 - 28 percent that they could support a presidential candidate if they agree with the candidate on other issues, but not abortion. Men could support the candidate 72 - 22 percent and women could support the candidate 59 - 33 percent. Voters oppose 51 - 41 percent cutting off federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Democrats oppose a cutoff 80 - 13 percent, while Republicans support a cutoff 66 - 25 percent. Independent voters are divided, as 47 percent support a cutoff and 44 percent oppose it. American voters disapprove 53 - 45 percent of the job President Barack Obama is doing. Voters oppose 55 - 25 percent the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran. From August 20 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,563 registered voters nationwide 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 Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado 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 @QuinnipiacPoll. 42. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 45% 8% 86% 37% 43% 47% 51% 42% Disapprove 53 90 12 60 54 51 48 55 DK/NA 3 2 2 3 3 2 1 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 54% 47% 41% 42% 35% 38% 36% 92% 60% Disapprove 43 52 56 55 63 60 62 5 35 DK/NA 3 1 3 3 3 2 2 3 5 43. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 12% 23% 6% 10% 10% 14% 10% 13% Disapprove 81 69 89 83 85 77 86 79 DK/NA 7 7 5 7 5 9 4 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 13% 12% 10% 13% 10% 16% 13% 5% 25% Disapprove 75 80 85 82 85 77 81 88 70 DK/NA 12 8 5 5 5 8 6 8 5 44. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 27% 7% 56% 17% 23% 32% 29% 27% Disapprove 66 89 37 74 72 60 67 65 DK/NA 7 3 7 9 5 8 4 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 29% 28% 29% 26% 17% 27% 22% 62% 34% Disapprove 60 64 67 71 78 67 72 32 54 DK/NA 11 7 5 4 5 7 6 6 12 45. 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? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very satisfied 2% 1% 3% 2% 1% 3% 2% 2% Smwht satisfied 26 10 48 18 25 27 29 24 Smwht dissatisfied 30 29 33 30 29 31 32 29 Very dissatisfied 41 61 15 50 45 38 37 43 DK/NA 1 - 2 - 1 1 1 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very satisfied 1% 2% 2% 2% - 1% 1% 4% 3% Smwht satisfied 32 29 24 21 21 22 22 48 42 Smwht dissatisfied 37 32 25 30 30 34 32 31 26 Very dissatisfied 30 37 48 47 48 41 45 17 27 DK/NA - 2 - 1 - 1 1 - 1 46. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States Senate? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Republican Party 44% 93% 5% 45% 47% 42% 43% 45% Democratic Party 44 4 90 36 41 47 48 42 DK/NA 11 3 5 19 11 11 9 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Republican Party 41% 40% 46% 49% 54% 49% 52% 6% 35% Democratic Party 45 47 45 43 34 41 37 90 50 DK/NA 15 13 9 8 12 10 11 4 15 47. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Republican Party 44% 89% 6% 46% 48% 40% 42% 45% Democratic Party 46 6 89 39 42 50 49 44 DK/NA 10 5 5 16 10 10 8 11 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Republican Party 41% 39% 46% 49% 55% 47% 51% 9% 35% Democratic Party 47 49 46 43 34 43 39 88 52 DK/NA 12 12 8 8 11 10 10 4 13 48. Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 40% 5% 81% 29% 37% 43% 45% 37% Unfavorable 50 87 10 60 56 44 48 51 Hvn't hrd enough 9 6 7 10 5 12 5 10 REFUSED 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 45% 41% 39% 36% 30% 36% 33% 82% 49% Unfavorable 40 48 55 54 64 53 58 10 34 Hvn't hrd enough 13 9 5 8 5 10 8 7 13 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 4 49. Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 31% 64% 7% 27% 30% 32% 30% 31% Unfavorable 58 27 83 62 63 54 63 56 Hvn't hrd enough 9 7 8 8 6 12 5 11 REFUSED 2 1 1 3 2 2 3 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 36% 27% 31% 32% 33% 37% 35% 10% 30% Unfavorable 52 64 61 56 60 51 56 79 53 Hvn't hrd enough 11 8 7 10 5 9 7 10 17 REFUSED 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 1 50. Is your opinion of the Tea Party movement favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 26% 48% 4% 25% 30% 22% 24% 27% Unfavorable 45 22 70 45 46 44 58 38 Hvn't hrd enough 28 30 26 28 23 33 18 34 REFUSED 1 - - 2 1 1 1 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 21% 23% 28% 29% 34% 23% 29% 9% 24% Unfavorable 39 48 47 43 44 43 44 55 42 Hvn't hrd enough 39 28 24 27 20 33 27 36 34 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 51. 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? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Almost all the time 2% 2% 3% - 2% 2% 2% 2% Most of the time 13 9 21 7 12 14 15 12 Some of the time 51 48 59 48 49 52 54 49 Hardly ever 34 41 15 44 37 31 29 36 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 - 1 1 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Almost all the time 2% 2% - 2% 1% 1% 1% 2% 3% Most of the time 15 12 12 15 11 12 11 25 16 Some of the time 52 53 51 49 50 52 51 57 49 Hardly ever 31 31 36 33 38 33 35 16 29 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 3 52. Who do you trust more to make decisions that are good for the country, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Obama 44% 6% 87% 38% 43% 46% 50% 42% Reps in Congress 44 88 6 46 45 43 41 46 DK/NA 11 6 7 16 13 10 9 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Obama 49% 47% 44% 41% 36% 39% 37% 86% 53% Reps in Congress 37 42 46 49 52 51 51 8 31 DK/NA 14 11 10 9 13 10 11 6 15 83. If you had to choose, which type of experience do you think would better help a candidate serve effectively as president; someone who has experience in Washington or someone who is a Washington outsider? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No DC experience 45% 21% 77% 37% 41% 49% 48% 44% DC outsider 48 73 18 55 54 42 44 50 DK/NA 7 6 6 8 5 9 8 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp DC experience 44% 49% 46% 45% 36% 44% 40% 78% 60% DC outsider 49 44 50 47 59 47 53 17 34 DK/NA 7 8 4 9 5 9 7 5 6 84. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best describes how you feel about the way the federal government works. Do you feel enthusiastic, satisfied but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Enthusiastic 2% 1% 3% - 2% 2% 1% 2% Sat/Not enthusiastic 21 12 35 13 20 21 22 20 Dissat/Not angry 49 47 50 52 48 51 49 50 Angry 27 39 9 33 30 25 28 27 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 1 - 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Enthusiastic 2% - 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 6% - Sat/Not enthusiastic 27 24 16 20 17 17 17 38 42 Dissat/Not angry 52 54 46 46 49 52 51 48 42 Angry 19 21 35 30 32 29 30 7 16 DK/NA - - - 3 1 1 1 2 1 85. Would you support or oppose major new spending by the federal government that would help undergraduates pay tuition at public colleges without needing loans? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 61% 36% 85% 57% 56% 65% 62% 60% Oppose 34 59 12 37 40 29 34 34 DK/NA 5 6 3 6 4 6 4 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 76% 65% 54% 52% 51% 59% 55% 86% 80% Oppose 21 30 42 40 46 34 40 11 17 DK/NA 3 4 5 8 4 7 5 3 4 86. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Legal all cases 23% 10% 37% 20% 21% 24% 26% 21% Legal most cases 33 20 41 37 35 31 36 32 Illegal most cases 26 44 12 23 27 25 24 27 Illegal all cases 14 23 7 15 13 15 12 15 DK/NA 4 3 3 5 4 4 2 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legal all cases 28% 27% 23% 17% 20% 24% 22% 33% 24% Legal most cases 37 28 36 30 35 31 33 32 30 Illegal most cases 21 28 27 30 29 25 27 18 27 Illegal all cases 13 15 11 15 12 16 14 13 17 DK/NA 1 3 3 8 4 4 4 4 2 87. How about when the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest; do you think abortion should be legal in that situation or illegal? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Legal 78% 62% 90% 80% 79% 76% 81% 76% Illegal 17 30 8 14 15 19 17 17 DK/NA 5 8 2 6 5 5 2 7 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legal 83% 77% 81% 73% 79% 75% 77% 83% 79% Illegal 14 18 16 20 16 20 18 15 14 DK/NA 4 5 3 7 5 5 5 2 7 88. How about when an abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother; do you think abortion should be legal in that situation or illegal? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Legal 85% 77% 94% 82% 86% 84% 87% 84% Illegal 9 16 4 9 9 10 8 10 DK/NA 6 7 1 9 5 6 4 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legal 84% 84% 90% 83% 87% 83% 85% 91% 82% Illegal 12 11 6 10 8 11 9 7 10 DK/NA 4 5 4 7 5 6 6 2 7 89. If you agreed with a presidential candidate on other issues, but not on the issue of abortion, do you think you could still vote for that candidate or not? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 65% 69% 62% 66% 72% 59% 69% 63% No 28 23 33 28 22 33 26 28 DK/NA 7 8 5 6 6 8 5 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 65% 71% 66% 59% 73% 57% 65% 68% 67% No 29 26 28 27 21 34 28 25 30 DK/NA 6 3 5 14 5 9 7 7 3 90. Is your opinion of Planned Parenthood favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Favorable 43% 13% 72% 41% 40% 45% 50% 39% Unfavorable 38 68 11 41 40 37 40 38 Hvn't hrd enough 17 17 16 16 19 16 9 21 REFUSED 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 46% 45% 44% 38% 37% 43% 40% 64% 42% Unfavorable 30 40 40 40 46 40 43 13 29 Hvn't hrd enough 22 14 15 21 16 15 16 22 27 REFUSED 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 91. Do you support or oppose cutting off federal government funding to Planned Parenthood? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 41% 66% 13% 47% 45% 37% 39% 42% Oppose 51 25 80 44 47 55 56 48 DK/NA 9 9 7 9 8 9 5 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 31% 40% 43% 44% 50% 42% 46% 18% 26% Oppose 59 52 49 45 43 50 46 74 61 DK/NA 9 7 8 10 7 8 8 8 13 92. Would you support or oppose shutting down the government over differences about federal government funding to Planned Parenthood? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 22% 37% 8% 21% 24% 19% 20% 22% Oppose 69 53 85 69 68 70 75 67 DK/NA 9 10 6 10 7 11 5 11 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 18% 23% 23% 22% 27% 21% 24% 14% 16% Oppose 71 71 70 68 67 70 68 80 71 DK/NA 11 6 7 10 7 9 8 6 13 93. Who would you blame more for a government shutdown; the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Reps in Congress 41% 9% 77% 37% 40% 42% 50% 37% Obama/Dems in Congrs 33 65 6 32 33 33 29 35 BOTH EQUALLY(VOL) 17 18 10 21 18 16 15 18 DK/NA 9 8 8 10 9 9 5 11 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Reps in Congress 46% 38% 43% 42% 35% 37% 36% 81% 39% Obama/Dems in Congrs 25 30 36 39 37 39 38 4 29 BOTH EQUALLY(VOL) 20 23 13 10 20 15 17 8 23 DK/NA 9 9 9 9 8 9 8 7 9 94. Do you support or oppose the nuclear deal with Iran? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 25% 4% 46% 24% 29% 21% 36% 20% Oppose 55 87 25 59 59 52 48 59 DK/NA 20 9 28 17 12 27 16 21 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 23% 26% 25% 27% 26% 20% 23% 39% 25% Oppose 51 49 61 58 63 53 58 38 60 DK/NA 26 24 15 15 12 27 19 23 15 95. Do you think the nuclear deal with Iran would make the world safer or less safe? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Safer 28% 4% 51% 29% 31% 25% 39% 23% Less safe 56 88 25 56 57 54 49 59 DK/NA 16 8 23 15 11 21 13 17 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Safer 29% 30% 26% 28% 28% 25% 27% 39% 32% Less safe 50 51 62 58 61 56 58 42 54 DK/NA 21 18 12 14 11 19 15 20 14 96. Would you support or oppose the U.S. sending ground troops to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 52% 73% 37% 53% 55% 49% 51% 52% Oppose 41 22 54 41 41 41 42 40 DK/NA 7 5 9 6 4 10 7 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 47% 51% 56% 52% 59% 54% 57% 42% 37% Oppose 45 44 37 37 36 36 36 50 61 DK/NA 7 5 8 10 4 11 7 8 3 97. Would you support or oppose the U.S. sending ground troops to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria? COMBINED WITH: (If support/oppose q96) Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? Q96 & Q96A COMBINED........................................ COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support/Strongly 30% 47% 15% 32% 36% 24% 27% 31% Support/Somewhat 22 26 22 21 19 25 24 21 Oppose/Somewhat 15 11 19 15 15 15 17 14 Oppose/Strongly 26 10 35 26 25 26 25 26 DK/NA(Q96 or 96A) 8 6 9 6 5 11 7 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support/Strongly 21% 28% 35% 32% 41% 26% 33% 22% 19% Support/Somewhat 26 23 21 20 19 27 23 20 17 Oppose/Somewhat 22 17 12 10 14 13 14 16 25 Oppose/Strongly 23 27 25 27 22 23 22 35 35 DK/NA(Q96 or 96A) 7 6 8 11 4 11 8 8 3 98. Do you think the United States and its allies are winning or losing the fight against ISIS? COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Winning 21% 15% 26% 19% 21% 21% 20% 21% Losing 57 73 45 58 59 56 61 55 DK/NA 22 12 29 23 20 24 19 23 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Winning 34% 20% 18% 14% 17% 20% 19% 27% 31% Losing 43 55 64 64 63 59 61 52 38 DK/NA 23 25 18 22 20 21 20 21 30 Sample and Methodology detail
