CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL

For release: October 27, 2010

6:30 PM EDT

Less Than a Week to Go

October 22-26, 2010

• The Republicans maintain their lead in the House vote in this poll with a six-point
advantage over Democrats. Independent voters continue to support Republicans over
Democrats by a large margin.

• Anti-incumbent sentiment runs high. Four in five voters disapprove of Congress and a
similar percentage does not think most members deserve reelection.

• Likely voters this year say they are willing to take a chance on a candidate who has little
previous experience, but not on one who they see as too extreme.

• More than half of voters say President Barack Obama will be a factor in their vote, and
more say theirs will be a vote against him rather than for him.

• The President’s approval rating remains below 50%, and more than half say he has no
clear plan for creating jobs and has made little or no progress improving the economy.

The 2010 House Vote

With less than a week before voters go to the polls, Republicans continue to hold an edge in the
generic ballot for the U.S. House of Representatives. 46% of likely voters plan to vote
Republican, while 40% say they’ll vote for the Democratic candidate. 12% remain undecided.

2010 House Vote

(Among likely voters)
Now 10/7/2010
Republican 46% 45%
Democrat 40 37
Don’t Know/Depends 12 16

The choice remains a partisan one among most Republicans and Democrats: more than eight
in 10 of each plan to vote for a member of their own party. Republicans hold a substantial edge
among independent voters: 47% will vote Republican and 32% Democratic. 17% of
independents haven’t made up their minds.

2010 House Vote

(Among likely voters)
Total Reps Dems Ind
Republican 46% 85% 8% 47%
Democrat 40 5 82 32
Don’t Know/Depends 12 7 9 17

When likely voters who lean toward a candidate are included, Republicans still hold a six point
lead over the Democrats, 49% to 43%.

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A little more than half of likely voters see this election as a referendum on Barack Obama, and
more are voting against the President than for him. Those voting Republican are particularly
likely to see their vote as against Obama, while less than half of those voting Democratic think
of their vote as in support of the President.

Is Your 2010 House Vote…?

(Among likely voters)
Total Voting Voting
Voters Republican Democrat
For Obama 22% 3% 47%
Against Obama 32 59 6
About something else 42 35 46

The President has made recent campaign stops in Washington, California, and Nevada, but
56% of voters say the President’s support for a candidate won’t affect their vote.

Just 14% of likely voters say the President’s support for a candidate would make them more
likely to vote for him or her, while more voters – 29% - say his support would make them less
likely to do so.

Impact of Pres. Obama’s Support for a Candidate on Your Vote

(Among likely voters)
Now 10/7/2010
More likely 14% 15%
Less likely 29 31
Wouldn’t affect vote 56 52

There is widespread disapproval of how Congress is doing its job, and voters are not feeling
very forgiving of incumbents this year. Just 8% think most members of Congress deserve re-
election; 8 in 10 think it’s time to give someone new a chance.

Most likely voters feel the same way about their own representative in Congress. Just a third
thinks their own representative deserves re-election; 58% think it’s time for someone new.
Disillusionment with one’s own representative is far higher now than it was right before the 2006
midterm elections.

Do Members of Congress…?
(Among likely voters)
Most Members Own Representative
Now 10/2006 Now 10/2006
Deserve re-election 8% 16% 34% 49%
Time for new person 80 69 58 42

Overall, 82% of likely voters disapprove of how Congress is handling its job.

Congressional Approval
(Among likely voters)
Approve 10%
Disapprove 82

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Likely voters this year say they are willing to take a chance on a candidate who has little
previous experience, but they are divided about whether they would take a chance on someone
who is not from their own political party, and most are unwilling to take a chance on a candidate
whose views seem too extreme or with whom they disagree on major issues.

This Year, Are You More Willing To Vote for Someone …?

(Among likely voters)
Yes No
With little previous political experience 59% 35
From a different party than you usually support 46% 47
Whose views on issues seem extreme 28% 65
Who disagrees with you on major issues 18% 79

Most Republicans and Democrats who are likely to vote think of their vote in terms of putting
their own party in control of Congress. Independents don’t see it the same way - most
independents are voting based on other factors.

Is Your 2010 House Vote for…?

(Among likely voters)
Total Reps Dems Inds
Republican control of Congress 28% 59% 4% 22%
Democratic control of Congress 27 3 62 14
Something else 43 35 32 61

Most likely voters are paying attention to the campaign, but Republicans are paying more. 64%
of Republicans say they are paying a lot of attention, compared to 51% of independents and just
47% of Democrats.

Attention to the Campaign

(Among likely voters)
Total Reps Dems Inds
A lot 54% 64% 47% 51%
Some 34 30 39 33
Not much/none 11 6 13 15

The enthusiasm gap between Republicans and other voters hasn’t changed much. More than
six in 10 Republican likely voters say they are more enthusiastic about voting than usual,
dropping to 43% of Democratic voters and 48% of independents.

Enthusiasm about Voting this Year

(Among likely voters)
Total Reps Dems Inds
More enthusiastic 52% 63% 43% 48%
Less enthusiastic 31 23 37 33
Same (vol.) 16 12 19 18

Who is Voting for Whom?

• Men favor Republican candidates in their House vote this year by eight points, while the
Republican edge is narrower among women.
• Likely voters under age 45 are divided in their vote for Congress, while older voters are
more likely to vote for Republicans.

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 • 77% of liberals plan to vote Democratic, but they make up just about a fifth of likely
voters this year. Moderates (35% of the electorate) also edge Democratic, but
conservatives, who make up four in 10 likely voters, strongly favor Republican
candidates.
• Six in 10 white evangelicals and eight in 10 Tea Party supporters favor Republican
candidates.
• The coalitions that voted for Barack Obama and John McCain have mostly held together
for this midterm election. 76% of 2008 Obama voters plan to vote Democratic in this
election, while 82% of McCain voters plan to vote Republican.

2010 House Vote – Demographics

(Among likely voters)
Voting Voting
Republican Democrat
Men 47% 39
Women 45% 41

Age:
18-44 43% 43
45-64 48% 40
65+ 49% 36

Republicans 85% 5
Democrats 8% 82
Independents 47% 32

Liberals 14% 77
Moderates 33% 52
Conservatives 73% 14

White evangelicals 60% 25

Tea Party supporters 83% 7

2008 Presidential Vote:

Obama 13% 76
McCain 82% 6

Assessments of the President

Americans are divided in their views of the job President Obama is doing: 45% approve, while
47% disapprove. The President’s approval rating has been below 50% since the spring.

President Obama’s Overall Job Rating

Now 10/7/10 9/2010 8/2010 5/2010 4/2010
Approve 45% 44% 45% 48% 47 51%
Disapprove 47 45 47 44 43 39

The President’s job performance is viewed positively by most in his own party, but among the
key group of independents, just 36% approve of the job he is doing. Most Republicans
disapprove.

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 President Obama’s Overall Job Rating – by Party ID
All Reps Dems Inds
Approve 45% 10% 82% 36%
Disapprove 47 86 13 51

In addition, 54% of Americans are very or somewhat disappointed with his presidency so far,
while 45% are satisfied. Most Democrats are satisfied, but a majority of Republicans and
independents are disappointed.

Feelings About Barack Obama’s Presidency So Far

All Reps Dems Inds
Satisfied 45% 13% 78% 35%
Disappointed 54 86 21 63

Despite these mixed approval ratings and disappointment, 56% of Americans are optimistic
about the next two years with Barack Obama in the White House, and just 37% are pessimistic.
Still, the percentage that is optimistic has dropped during the course of his presidency.

Feelings About Next Two Years with Obama as President

Now 1/2010 2/2009
Optimistic 56% 62% 77%
Pessimistic 37 33 18

The President and the Economy

There are also negative assessments of the current state of the country. Three in four
Americans think the economy is in bad shape, and just 25% think it is improving. 34% think the
country is headed in the right direction, while 61% think it is off on the wrong track.

36% of Americans say the condition of the economy is worse than they expected it to be at this point in
Barack Obama’s presidency, and 50% disapprove of the way he is handling the issue. While the
President’s ratings on the economy have improved since earlier this month, more Americans continue
to disapprove than approve of the job he is doing addressing the issue; this has been the case since
May of this year.

President Obama’s Job Approval Handling the Economy…

Now 10/7/10 9/2010 8/2010 7/2010 10/2009
Approve 42% 38% 41% 44 40 54%
Disapprove 50 50 51 48 54 38

In addition, 53% do not think the President has a clear plan for creating jobs, while fewer - 42%
- think he does. More than half (55%) say he has made little or no progress in improving the
economy.

Progress Barack Obama has Made Improving the Economy

A lot 7%
Some 35
Not much 27
None 28

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Americans give the President mixed reviews on the progress he has made on some other key
issues as well. While 47% thinks he has made at least some progress on making health care
affordable for all, as many say he has made little progress. More than six in 10 Americans say
he has made progress toward ending the war in Iraq.

Progress Barack Obama has Made in …?

A lot Some Not much None
Ending the war in Iraq 22% 40 19 15
Making health care affordable for all 12% 35 22 25
The war in Afghanistan 9% 41 27 20

Personal opinions of President Obama are mixed. First Lady Michelle Obama, who has also
been on the campaign trail, receives a lower unfavorable rating than the President.

Opinion of …
Barack Obama Michelle Obama
Favorable 40% 41%
Unfavorable 36 15
Undecided/Haven’t heard 22 41

Views of the Parties

Americans think Republicans are more likely to reduce the federal budget deficit, but they think
Democrats are more likely to improve the health care system. When it comes to creating new
jobs – an important issue to the public - neither party has the edge.

Which Party is More Likely to…?

Republican Party Democratic Party
Reduce the deficit 43% 32
Create new jobs 39% 37
Improve health care 28% 46

And while neither party is viewed positively by most Americans, they give the Republican Party
slightly more negative marks than the Democratic Party.

Views of the Parties

Republican Party Democratic Party
Favorable 41% 46%
Not favorable 52 48

Looking Ahead: Voters Prefer Cooperation

Thinking about what may happen after the election, voters of all partisan stripes want
compromise. If the Republicans control Congress, three in four voters want Republicans to
compromise some of their positions to get things done, and a large majority wants President
Obama to compromise as well. Most Republican voters would also want a Republican
Congress to compromise.

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 Should Obama & Reps Compromise?
(Among likely voters)
All voters Republicans
Republicans should compromise 75% 66%
Obama should compromise 71% 79%

Similarly, three in four voters think Democrats in Congress should compromise.

But cynicism about politicians’ motives pervades the country. Three in four registered voters
think Republicans oppose legislation mainly for political reasons, not principles, and almost the
same number feel that way about Democrats’ motives when they stand against legislation.

Republicans have Opposed Democrats Mainly for…

(Among registered voters)
Honest disagreements 17%
Political reasons 75

Democrats have Opposed Republicans Mainly for…

(Among registered voters)
Honest disagreements 19%
Political reasons 72

Expectations for a Republican Congress

More than eight in ten likely voters believe that if elected, Republicans in Congress would try to
repeal the new health care law, and two-thirds think the Republicans would try to make the 2001
Bush tax cuts permanent for upper income Americans. Fewer, though, expect a Republican
Congress would work with the President.

If Elected, Would Republicans Try to…?

(Among likely voters)
Yes No
Repeal health care reform 84% 8
Keep ’01 tax cuts 66% 21
Work with Pres. Obama 47% 47

Overall, likely voters are split over what should be done about the new health care law; 47%
want it repealed, and 43% favor leaving it alone.

The 47% who want it repealed are voting Republican this year by a 79%-11% margin. Those
who want to allow the law to remain as it is are voting Democratic by a similarly lopsided
margin.

New Health Care Law Should…

(Among likely voters)
2010 Congressional Vote
Voters Dem Rep
Be repealed 47% 11% 79
Stand as is 43 75% 14

Voters are split as to whether divided government, with different parties in control of the
Presidency and Congress, is better or worse for the country.

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Campaign Finance

In the wake of a Supreme Court ruling this year that drastically changed the way corporations
and advocacy groups can raise and spend money for elections, Americans remain firmly in
support of both spending limits and full disclosure. Nearly six in 10 think it is very important that
the amount of money campaigns can spend be limited. Even more - eight in 10 - think it is very
important that campaigns be required by law to disclose how much money they have raised,
where that money came from, and how they have spent it.

Campaign Finance: How Important is…?

Spending Limits Full Disclosure
Very important 58% 81%
Somewhat important 28 11
Not too/not at all important 9 6

Under current law, groups not affiliated with a candidate are able to spend unlimited amounts of
money on advertisements during a political campaign. Most Americans – including most
Republicans, Democrats, and independents – think this spending should be limited by law.

Should Campaign Spending on Advertising

by Unaffiliated Groups Be Limited?
Total Reps Dems Inds
Yes 72% 68% 75% 73%
No 20 28 14 20

Social Security

It was recently announced that people who receive Social Security payments will not get an
increase in the amount they receive in 2011 because the cost of living hasn’t risen very much
this year. Most Americans disapprove of this decision, especially those who live in households
where someone receives Social Security benefits.

Social Security Recipients Not Getting an Increase in 2010

All Receive Social Security
Approve 38% 25%
Disapprove 57 68

In general, 45% Americans think people who receive Social Security benefits should get an
increase each year, and 56% of Social Security recipients agree.

The public opposes two possible options that could help contain the costs of the Social Security
program: reducing benefits for future retirees and raising the retirement age.

An overwhelming seven in 10 Americans oppose reducing Social Security benefits for future
retirees in order to keep Social Security afloat. 54% are against raising the age at which a
person can retire and receive full Social Security benefits, but 42% support the idea.

If Necessary to Keep Social Security Solvent, Would you…

Favor Oppose
Reducing benefits for future retires 23% 71
Raise retirement age 42% 54

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Americans across all age groups disapprove of reducing future benefits as well as raising the
retirement age. And majorities of Democrats and Republicans oppose both of these measures
as well.

__________________________________________________________________________

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,173 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone
October 22-26, 2010. An oversample of African Americans was interviewed, for a total of 273 interviews with
African Americans. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cell
phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three
percentage points. The sampling error could be plus or minus six percentage points for the African American
sample. The error for subgroups is higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the
National Council on Public Polls.

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CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL
Less than a Week to Go
October 21-26, 2010

q1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a
% % % % %
Approve 45 10 82 36 44
Disapprove 47 86 13 51 45
DK/NA 8 4 5 13 11

q2 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?

Right direction 34 9 64 21 32
Wrong track 61 88 29 74 63
DK/NA 5 3 7 5 5

q3 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?

Approve 42 12 75 32 38
Disapprove 50 83 15 59 50
DK/NA 8 5 10 9 12

q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a*
% % % % %
Approve 10 5 19 7 18
Disapprove 82 89 71 86 71
DK/NA 8 6 10 7 11
Trend is among total respondents.

q5 Do you think the future of the next generation of Americans will be better, worse, or
about the same as life today?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind May10c
% % % % %
Will be better 22 11 34 18 20
Worse 51 70 33 53 50
About the same as life tod 23 16 30 21 25
DK/NA 4 3 3 8 5

q6 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good,
fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad?

Oct10a
Very good 0 0 1 0 1
Fairly good 21 9 33 17 18
Fairly bad 45 43 46 47 43
Very bad 33 48 20 34 37
DK/NA 1 0 0 2 1
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q7 Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a
% % % % %
Better 25 13 41 17 22
Worse 28 43 11 35 27
Same 46 43 46 47 50
DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1

q9 How likely is it that you will vote in the 2010 election for Congress this November —
would you say you will definitely vote, probably vote, probably not vote, or definitely
not vote in the election for Congress?

** REGISTERED VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a
% % % % %
Definitely vote 73 78 74 68 74
Probably vote 18 13 19 21 20
Probably not vote 3 3 3 3 4
Definitely not vote 2 1 1 4 2
Already voted (vol.) 4 4 2 5 0
DK/NA 0 1 1 0 0

q10 How much attention have you been able to pay to the 2010 election campaign -- a lot,
some, not much or no attention so far?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a
% % % % %
A lot 54 64 47 51 46
Some 34 30 39 33 36
Not much 9 5 10 12 15
No attention 2 1 3 3 3
DK/NA 1 0 1 1 0

q11 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?

Republican 46 85 8 47 45
Democratic 40 5 82 32 37
Other (Vol.) 2 2 1 4 2
Won't vote (Vol.) 0 1 0 0 0
Depends (Vol.) 6 4 4 9 7
DK/NA 6 3 5 8 9

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q12 Well as of today, do you lean more toward the Republican candidate or more toward the
Democratic candidate?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
Republican 49 89 9 50
Democratic 43 7 86 36
Other (vol.) 3 2 1 5
Won't Vote (vol.) 0 1 0 0
Depends (vol.) 3 1 2 6
DK/NA 2 0 2 3

q13 Compared to previous Congressional elections, this year are you more enthusiastic
about voting than usual, or less enthusiastic?

Oct10a
%
More enthusiastic 52 63 43 48 50
Less enthusiastic 31 23 37 33 30
Same (vol.) 16 12 19 18 18
DK/NA 1 2 1 1 2

q14 Do you think the representative in Congress from your district has performed his or
her job well enough to deserve re-election, or do you think it's time to give a new
person a chance?

Sep10b
Deserves re-election 34 25 46 29 36
Time for new person 58 66 45 63 53
Depends on candidates (vol.) 3 4 2 3 4
DK/NA 5 5 7 5 7

q15 Do you think most members of Congress have done a good enough job to deserve re-
election, or do you think it's time to give new people a chance?

Deserve re-election 8 2 18 5 12
Time for new people 80 92 64 84 78
Depends on candidates(vol.) 8 4 13 7 7
DK/NA 4 2 5 4 3

q16 Do you think of your vote for Congress this fall as a vote for Barack Obama, a vote
against Barack Obama, or don't you think of your vote this fall as being about Barack
Obama?

Vote for Obama 22 4 50 13 21

Vote against Obama 32 58 7 33 27
Obama not a factor 42 35 42 50 47
Won't vote (vol.) 0 1 0 0 0
DK/NA 4 2 1 4 5

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q17 Do you think of your vote for Congress this fall as a vote to help put Republicans in
control of Congress, a vote to help keep Democrats in control of Congress, or will your
vote be about something else?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Sep10b
% % % % %
Put Reps in 28 59 4 22 25
Keep Dems in 27 3 62 14 26
Something else 43 35 32 61 45
Won't vote (Vol.) 0 1 0 0 0
DK/NA 2 2 2 3 4

q18 Do you think it is better for the country to have a president who comes from the same
political party that controls Congress or do you think it is better to have a president
from one political party and the Congress controlled by another?

** REGISTERED VOTERS ** Oct08d

Better when same party 36 23 61 23 36
Better when different part 37 47 21 46 41
DK/NA 27 30 18 31 23

q19 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting for
someone from a different political party than you usually support, or are you not more
willing to take a chance this year?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
Willing to take chance 46 43 37 60
Not more willing 47 50 59 32
DK/NA 7 7 4 8

q20 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting for
someone whose views on major issues you disagree with, or are you not more willing to
take a chance this year?

Willing to take chance 18 20 13 21

Not more willing 79 76 84 77
DK/NA 3 4 3 2

q21 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting for
someone who has little previous political experience, or are you not more willing to take
a chance this year?

Willing to take chance 59 68 44 67

Not more willing 35 27 51 28
DK/NA 6 5 5 5

q22 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting for
someone whose views on some issues seem extreme, or are you not more willing to take a
chance this year?

Willing to take chance 28 32 17 35

Not more willing 65 58 80 57
DK/NA 7 10 3 8

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q23 Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic about the next two years with Barack
Obama as president?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Jan10b*
% % % % %
Optimistic 56 29 83 50 62
Pessimistic 37 64 12 42 33
DK/NA 7 7 5 8 5
*Related Trend: “…the next three years…”

q24 In general which comes closest to your feelings about the Obama presidency so far —
Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat disappointed or very
disappointed?

Very satisfied 13 1 24 11
Somewhat satisfied 32 12 54 24
Somewhat disappointed 25 30 16 30
Very disappointed 29 56 5 33
DK/NA 1 1 1 2

q25-26 blank

q27 How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do
what is right -- just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?

Oct10a
%
Always 2 1 2 4 1
Most 19 6 34 14 17
Some 67 77 61 66 73
Never (vol.) 11 15 3 15 8
DK/NA 1 1 0 1 1

q28 If you had to choose, would you rather have a smaller government providing fewer
services, or a bigger government providing more services?

Sep10b
Smaller gov’t, fewer services 55 79 30 63 48
Bigger gov’, more services 36 15 60 29 41
Depends (vol.) 4 4 5 3 6
DK/NA 5 2 5 5 5

q29 How important is reducing government spending to you -- is it the single most
important issue, or it is important but so are other issues, or is it not important to
you?

Single most important 21 30 12 23

Important but so are other 66 63 68 67
Not important 9 5 15 6
DK/NA 4 2 5 4

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q30 If you had to choose, which ONE of the following programs would you be willing to
reduce in order to cut government spending -- education, national security, health care,
or Social Security and Medicare?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
Education 7 9 5 6
National security 29 14 40 30
Health care 25 43 8 27
Social Security & Medicare 13 15 16 9
DK/NA 26 19 31 28

q31 Thinking back to when Barack Obama took office, is the condition of the national
economy today better than you expected it would be at this point in his presidency, worse
than you expected it would be, or about what you expected it would be?

Better 11 4 17 10
Worse 36 57 19 37
About expected 51 39 61 51
DK/NA 2 0 3 2

q32 Which comes closer to your view? 1. The current economic downturn is temporary and
eventually the economy will fully recover, OR 2. The current economic downturn is part of
a long-term permanent decline and the economy will never fully recover.

Aug10b*
%
Temporary downturn 68 57 79 66 59
Permanent and won't recover 28 38 18 29 37
DK/NA 4 5 3 5 4
*Asked with intro: Thinking more generally about the U.S. economy, which comes closer to
your view?...

q33 Who do you think is mostly to blame for the current state of the nation's economy --
1. the Bush administration, 2. the Obama administration, 3. Wall Street and financial
institutions, 4. Congress, or 5. someone else?

Sep10b
Bush administration 30 9 51 23 37
Obama administration 8 14 4 7 5
Wall Street and financial 22 25 22 21 21
Congress 13 20 5 17 11
Someone else 8 11 3 10 8
All of the above (vol.) 7 9 2 10 4
Combination (vol.) 11 11 10 11 11
DK/NA 1 1 3 1 3

q34 blank

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q35 In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a
% % % % %
Favorable 41 78 13 41 36
Not favorable 52 20 79 50 53
DK/NA 7 2 8 9 11

q36 In general, is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable or not favorable?

Favorable 46 12 83 34 42
Not favorable 48 85 12 57 47
DK/NA 6 3 5 9 11

q37 Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven’t you
heard enough about Barack Obama yet to have an opinion?

Oct10a
Favorable 40 8 74 31 39
Not favorable 36 69 7 42 36
Undecided 18 15 18 22 17
Haven't heard enough 4 7 1 4 6
Refused 2 1 0 1 2

q38 Is your opinion of Michelle Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you
heard enough about Michelle Obama yet to have an opinion?

Aug10b
Favorable 41 19 64 35 45
Not favorable 15 31 3 14 11
Undecided 17 25 10 18 22
Haven't heard enough 24 19 21 30 19
Refused 3 6 2 3 3

q39 Is your opinion of Nancy Pelosi favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you
heard enough about Nancy Pelosi yet to have an opinion?

Oct10a
Favorable 15 4 28 9 14
Not favorable 43 72 16 49 39
Undecided 15 9 23 13 19
Haven't heard enough 25 16 29 28 27
Refused 2 0 4 1 1

q40 Is your opinion of John Boehner favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you
heard enough about John Boehner yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 7 17 1 6 7
Not favorable 14 12 17 14 14
Undecided 16 15 18 13 18
Haven't heard enough 60 55 59 65 59
Refused 3 1 5 2 2

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q41 Do you think Barack Obama does or does not have a clear plan for creating jobs?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Sep10b
% % % % %
Does 42 14 71 35 38
Does not 53 83 23 59 53
DK/NA 5 3 6 6 9

q42 If Barack Obama supported a candidate for political office in your area, would that
make you more likely to vote for that candidate, less likely to vote for that candidate,
or wouldn't it affect how you voted one way or another?

** LIKELY VOTERS ** Oct10a

More likely 14 3 33 5 15
Less likely 29 54 3 29 31
Wouldn't affect vote 56 42 63 64 52
DK/NA 1 1 1 2 2

q43 How much progress has Barack Obama made in making health care affordable for all
Americans -- a lot, some, not much or none at all?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
A lot 12 4 20 8
Some 35 18 50 31
Not much 22 26 17 23
None at all 25 46 3 31
DK/NA 6 6 10 7

q44 How much progress has Barack Obama made in improving the nation's economy -- a lot,
some, not much or none at all?

A lot 7 0 14 5
Some 35 15 55 30
Not much 27 31 21 30
None at all 28 53 5 33
DK/NA 3 1 5 2

q45 How much progress has Barack Obama made in ending the war in Iraq -- a lot, some, not
much or none at all?

A lot 22 8 35 20
Some 40 39 41 41
Not much 19 25 16 18
None at all 15 24 5 18
DK/NA 4 4 3 3

q46 How much progress has Barack Obama made in the war in Afghanistan -- a lot, some, not
much or none at all?

A lot 9 3 14 9
Some 41 32 52 36
Not much 27 30 24 28
None at all 20 33 7 24
DK/NA 3 2 3 3

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q47 Compared to the way the news media have treated other presidents, have the news media
been harder on Barack Obama, easier on Barack Obama, or have they treated him the same
as other presidents?
** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Apr09b
% % % %
Harder 25 9 40 22 18
Easier 32 61 7 36 40
The same 39 29 52 34 38
DK/NA 4 1 1 8 4

q48 Why do you think the news media have been harder on Barack Obama than other
presidents?

** THOSE WHO SAID “HARDER” IN Q47 **

He’s black/his race 38
People expect too much 15
Economy/lack of jobs 8
Blamed for problems from G.W. Bush 7
Media owned/influenced by Reps 6
Don't like him(general) 4
He’s a Democrat 2
He is new/has new ideas 2
Other 8
DK/NA 10

q49 Compared to the way Republicans in Congress have treated other Democratic presidents,
have the Republicans in Congress been harder on Barack Obama, easier on Barack Obama, or
have they treated him the same as other Democratic presidents?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
Harder 41 24 52 42
Easier 7 12 2 8
The same 45 60 38 41
DK/NA 7 4 8 9

q50 Why do you think the Republicans in Congress have been harder on Barack Obama than
other Democratic presidents?

** THOSE WHO SAID “HARDER” IN Q49 **

He’s black/his race 23
He is new/has new ideas 17
Partisan politics 7
Republicans want to be in power 7
He’s a Democrat 4
Economy/lack of jobs 4
People expect too much 3
Different 3
Want to see him fail 3
Don't like him(general) 3
Reps campaigning against him 3
Blamed for problems from G.W. Bush 2
Other 10
DK/NA 11

18
q51 Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the
Democratic party is more likely to improve the health care system?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Feb10a
% % % % %
Republican party 28 61 4 26 27
Democratic party 46 16 77 38 44
Both (Vol.) 1 0 1 1 3
Neither (Vol.) 11 13 3 17 15
DK/NA 14 10 15 18 11

q52 Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the
Democratic party is more likely to create new jobs?

Sep10b*
Republican 39 75 10 41 38
Democratic 37 9 68 27 44
Both (vol.) 2 1 2 1 1
Neither (vol.) 8 7 4 12 8
DK/NA 14 8 16 19 9
*Trend is among registered voters

q53 Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the
Democratic party is more likely to reduce the federal budget deficit?

Sep10b*
Republican party 43 74 20 43 42
Democratic party 32 11 59 21 34
Both (vol.) 1 1 2 1 2
Neither (vol.) 11 10 6 18 14
DK/NA 13 4 13 17 8
*Trend is among registered voters

q54 In general, when Republicans in Congress oppose legislation, is it mostly because of

an honest disagreement about policy or is it mostly for political reasons?

** REGISTERED VOTERS **
Honest disagreement 17 24 10 18
Political reasons 75 68 85 72
DK/NA 8 8 5 10

q55 In general, when Democrats in Congress oppose legislation, is it mostly because of an

honest disagreement about policy or is it mostly for political reasons?

Honest disagreement 19 14 26 16
Political reasons 72 79 64 73
DK/NA 9 7 10 11

q56-57 PLACEHOLDER

19
q58 The Obama administration has proposed letting the tax cuts passed in 2001 expire for
households earning about $250,000 a year or more. This would increase federal income
taxes for those people. Do you think this proposal is a good idea or a bad idea?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Sep10b
% % % % %
Good idea 48 23 70 45 53
Bad idea 43 71 18 46 38
DK/NA 9 6 12 9 9

q59 Do you think Congress should repeal the health care law that was passed in March, or
should they let it stand?
** LIKELY VOTERS **
Repeal law 47 79 10 52
Let stand 43 14 80 35
DK/NA 10 7 9 13

q60 What if repealing the law meant that insurance companies were no longer required to
cover people with existing medical conditions or prior illnesses, then do you think the
law should be repealed, or not?

Should be repealed 67 74 64 57
Should not 25 22 34 28
DK/NA 8 3 3 16

q61 If it were necessary to keep the Social Security program paying benefits as it does
now, would you favor or oppose raising the age at which a person can retire and receive
full Social Security benefits?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Jun05a
% % % % %
Favor 42 40 41 43 30
Oppose 54 54 56 53 67
DK/NA 4 6 3 4 3

q62 If it were necessary to keep the Social Security program paying benefits as it does
now, would you favor or oppose reducing Social Security retirement benefits for future
retirees?

Favor 23 27 20 22
Oppose 71 69 74 68
DK/NA 6 4 6 10

q63 Which comes closer to your view: People receiving Social Security benefits should get
an increase each year because prices are always going up OR people receiving Social
Security benefits should get an increase only in years where prices have risen
substantially?

Increase every year 45 40 49 45

Increase when prices have 51 56 49 49
DK/NA 4 4 2 6

20
q64 As you may know, Congress recently decided that people who receive Social Security
benefits will not be getting an increase in 2011. Do you approve or disapprove of Social
Security recipients not getting an increase in 2011?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
Approve 38 44 37 35
Disapprove 57 50 56 62
DK/NA 5 6 7 3

q65 PLACEHOLDER

q66 How much have you heard or read about the Republican "Pledge to America," which
outlines the ideas of the Republicans in Congress — a lot, some, not much or nothing at
all?

A lot 8 10 5 10
Some 24 36 21 19
Not much 29 24 33 29
Nothing 35 30 35 40
DK/NA 4 0 6 2

q67 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, do
you think they will try to repeal the health care law passed this year or won't they try
to repeal the health care law?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
Will try 84 88 82 82
Won't try 8 6 11 7
DK/NA 8 6 7 11

q68 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, do
you think they will try to make permanent the tax cuts on households earning about
$250,000 a year or more or won't they try to make those tax cuts permanent?

Will try 66 66 67 65
Won't try 21 21 24 17
DK/NA 13 13 9 18

q69 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, do
you think Barack Obama will try to work with Republicans in Congress in order to get
things done, or won't he?

Work with Republicans 69 48 94 65

Not work with Republicans 27 47 4 30
DK/NA 4 5 2 5

q70 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, do
you think they will try to work with Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress in order to
get things done, or won't they?

Work with Obama & Dems 47 65 31 45

Not work with Obama & Dems 47 31 64 46
DK/NA 6 4 5 9
21
q71 Which do you think Barack Obama SHOULD do -- compromise some of his positions in
order to get things done, or stick to his positions even if it means not getting as much
done?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
Compromise 71 79 57 77
Stick to positions 22 15 32 17
Depends (Vol.) 4 2 7 2
DK/NA 3 4 4 4

q72 Which do you think the Republicans in Congress SHOULD do -- compromise some of their
positions in order to get things done, or stick to their positions even if it means not
getting as much done?

Compromise 75 66 81 79
Stick to positions 18 28 10 17
Depends (Vol.) 3 3 4 2
DK/NA 7 3 5 2

q73 Which do you think the Democrats in Congress SHOULD do -- compromise some of their
positions in order to get things done, or stick to their positions even if it means not
getting as much done?

Compromise 77 81 66 83
Stick to positions 18 13 27 14
Depends (Vol.) 3 4 5 1
DK/NA 2 2 2 2

q74-75 blank

q76 Is your opinion of the Tea Party movement favorable, not favorable, undecided, or
haven't you heard enough about the Tea Party movement yet to have an opinion?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a
% % % % %
Favorable 24 48 4 27 22
Not favorable 26 10 43 23 21
Undecided 21 22 19 23 18
Haven't heard enough 27 18 34 27 38
Refused 2 2 0 0 1

q77 Regardless of your overall opinion, do you think the views of the people involved in
the Tea Party movement generally reflect the views of most Republicans, or not?

Reflect most Republicans 40 52 34 35

Do not reflect most Reps 36 34 36 39
Both/Some (vol.) 2 4 1 1
DK/NA 22 10 29 25

22
q78 If a political candidate said he or she was part of the Tea Party movement, would
that make you more likely to support that candidate, less likely, or wouldn't that make a
difference to you?

** LIKELY VOTERS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
More likely 15 30 1 13
Less likely 29 7 57 23
No difference 51 59 36 59
Depends (vol.) 3 2 2 3
DK/NA 2 2 4 2

q79-80 blank

q81 What is your impression of how the war in Afghanistan is going for the United States
right now -- very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Sep10b

% % % % %
Very well 3 2 4 1 2
Somewhat well 35 38 42 25 36
Somewhat badly 36 37 32 39 34
Very badly 19 17 16 24 21
DK/NA 7 6 6 11 7

q82 As you may know, Barack Obama has announced that he will begin bringing U.S. troops
home from Afghanistan starting in the middle of 2011. Do you think the U.S. should begin
withdrawing troops regardless of whether the war is going well, or do you think
withdrawal should only begin after the U.S. has made clear progress in winning the war?

Withdrawal should begin 53 28 71 53

Only if progress made 42 67 26 38
DK/NA 5 5 3 9

q83 Do you think race relations in the United States are generally good or generally bad?

Apr09b
Good 61 60 63 60 66
Bad 33 37 32 31 22
DK/NA 6 3 5 9 12

q84 In general, who do you think has a better chance of getting ahead in today's society
— white people, black people, or do white people and black people have about an equal
chance of getting ahead?

Apr10a
White people 33 19 47 28 31
Black people 4 5 2 6 4
Equal 59 71 47 62 60
DK/NA 4 5 4 4 5

23
q85 Do you favor or oppose allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military?
Do you favor/oppose that strongly or not so strongly?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **
*** Party ID ***
Total Rep Dem Ind
% % % %
Favor strongly 46 27 59 46
Favor not so strongly 16 20 13 15
Oppose strongly 19 28 13 17
Oppose not so strongly 9 16 5 9
DK/NA 10 9 10 13

q86 blank

q87 When it comes to reforming the way political candidates raise and spend money, how
important is it that the amount of money campaigns can spend be limited -- very
important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?

Very important 58 55 61 57
Somewhat important 28 33 23 30
Not too important 5 5 5 6
Not important at all 4 6 3 4
DK/NA 5 1 8 3

q88 How important is it that campaigns be required by law to disclose how much money they
have raised, where that money came from, and how they have spent the money -- very
important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?

Very important 81 80 84 79
Somewhat important 11 14 7 12
Not too important 4 2 3 5
Not important at all 2 4 1 1
DK/NA 2 0 5 3

q89 Currently, groups not affiliated with a candidate are able to spend unlimited amounts
of money on advertisements during a political campaign. Do you think this kind of
spending should be limited by law, or should it remain unlimited?

Should be limited 72 68 75 73
Should remain unlimited 20 28 14 20
DK/NA 8 4 11 7

q90 blank

q91 Compared to two years ago, is your family's financial situation better today, worse
today, or about the same?

Oct10a
%
Better today 12 13 13 10 11
Worse today 42 47 33 47 43
About the same 45 39 53 42 45
DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1

24
q92 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 Oct10a
% % % % %
Very concerned 36 39 32 38 35
Somewhat concerned 26 24 26 27 29
Not at all concerned 38 37 42 34 36
DK/NA 0 0 0 1 0

q93 How concerned are you that in the next 12 months you will lose your home to eviction
or foreclosure -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not concerned at all?

Very concerned 14 15 9 20
Somewhat concerned 13 11 15 13
Not at all concerned 72 74 76 66
DK/NA 1 0 0 1

q94 In the last 3 years, have you or has someone you know been threatened with
foreclosure or eviction for not paying the mortgage or rent, or not?
IF YES, ASK: Did that result in the loss of the home, or not?

Yes, lost home 26 26 24 29

Yes, didn't lose home 15 17 13 15
No 57 55 62 52
DK/NA 2 2 1 4

q95 Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or not?

Yes 24 45 5 25 18
No 63 44 78 62 63
DK/NA 13 11 17 13 19

q96 Do you or does anyone in your household receive Social Security payments, or not?

Yes 37 30 42 37
No 63 70 58 62
DK/NA 0 0 0 1

Sample sizes:

UNWEIGHTED WEIGHTED
Total Respondents 1173
Total registered voters 1073 975
Total likely voters 1055
Effective likely voters 463

Total Republicans 297 329 (28%)

Total Democrats 479 433 (37%)
Total Independents 397 411 (45%)

Total Registered Republicans 281 302 (31%)

Total Registered Democrats 445 347 (36%)
Total Registered Independents 347 326 (33%)

25