THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BATTLEGROUND POLL A national survey of 1,000 Registered Likely Voters
Do you feel things in the country are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track? 67% 64% 24% 28% 10% 8% Right direction Unsure Wrong track 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q1
October 27-31, 2013/ N=1,000 Registered likely voters / 3.1% M.O.E. Do you feel things in the country are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track? 57% 55% 54% 52% 54% 67% 62% 60% 51% 72% 6 64% 62% 59% 56% 55% 75% 61% 59% 59% 57% 57% 59% 56% 54% 7 67% 64% 38% 40% 40% 41% 39% 38% 36% 32% 31% 34% 31% 32% 28% 28% 29% 35% 3 32% 37% 38% 37% 39% 34% 24% 28% Mar- 04 Jun- 04 Aug- 04 Oct- 04 Mar- 05 Oct- 05 Feb- 06 Sep- 06 Jul- 09 Dec- 09 Apr- 10 Aug- 10 Sep- 10 Right Direction 38% 40% 40% 41% 39% 28% 32% 31% 38% 34% 36% 28% 31% 29% 32% 19% 18% 35% 3 32% 37% 38% 37% 39% 34% 19% 24% 28% Wrong Track 57% 55% 54% 52% 54% 67% 60% 62% 51% 56% 55% 62% 6 64% 59% 72% 75% 59% 59% 61% 57% 56% 57% 54% 59% 7 67% 64% Uns ure 7% 7% 9% 7% 11% 9% 9% 10% 7% 9% 9% 8% 6% 8% 7% 6% 6% 7% 6% 7% 8% 10% 8% Oct- 10 May- 11 Sep- 11 Nov- 11 Feb- 12 May- 12 Aug- 12 Sep- 12 9/27 /12 10/1 8/12 11/5 /12 12/6 /12 10/3 1/13 1/16 /14 3/20 /201 4 Q1
If the election for Congress were being held today, and you had to make a choice, would you be voting for the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate, in your Congressional district? 4 4 41% 4 16% 14% Republican Undecided Democratic 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q2
October 27-31, 2013/ N=1,000 Registered likely voters / 3.1% M.O.E. If the election for Congress were being held today, and you had to make a choice, would you be voting for, the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate, in your Congressional district? 44% 4 47% 45% 46% 45% 44% 42% 47% 45% 44% 46% 46% 46% 46% 47% 45% 42% 44% 41% 4 4 41% 4 1 8% 11% 1 8% 1 9% 10% 7% 15% 16% 14% 11/9/11 2/22/12 5/3/12 8/8/12 9/20/12 9/27/12 10/18/12 11/5/12 12/6/12 10/31/13 1/16/14 3/20/2014 Republican 4 45% 46% 45% 45% 44% 46% 47% 42% 41% 4 4 Undecided 1 8% 11% 1 9% 10% 8% 7% 1 15% 16% 14% Democratic 44% 47% 44% 42% 47% 46% 46% 46% 45% 44% 41% 4 Q2
Now I would like to read you the names of several individuals or entities who have been mentioned in the news recently. For each one, please tell me whether you have heard of that person and if so, whether you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of that person. If you do not recognize the name, just say so. The Koch Brothers, Charles and David Koch 12% 25% 11% 52% US Senator Harry Reid 24% 35% 16% 25% US Senator Rand Paul 38% 31% 15% 17% Wall Street 29% 39% 21% 11% Barack Obama 47% 49% 4% Favorable Unfavorable No Opinion Never Heard Q3-7
Now I would like to read you the names of several individuals or entities who have been mentioned in the news recently. For each one, please tell me whether you have heard of that person and if so, whether you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of that person. If you do not recognize the name, just say so. Hillary Clinton 54% 42% 4% 1% Vice President Joe Biden 44% 48% 6% 2% New Jersey Governor Chris Christie 34% 40% 15% 11% Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush 36% 40% 18% 7% Favorable Unfavorable No Opinion Never Heard Q8-11
How would you rate the job Barack Obama has been doing as President? Do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing? 54% 5 41% 44% 5% Approve Unsure Disapprove 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q12
October 27-31, 2013/ N=1,000 Registered likely voters / 3.1% M.O.E. How would you rate the job Barack Obama has been doing as President? Do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing? 51% 52% 50% 52% 5 48% 49% 50% 49% 49% 49% 50% 54% 52% 5 46% 45% 45% 44% 45% 48% 48% 48% 49% 48% 49% 47% 45% 41% 44% 4% 4% 5% 5% 5% 2% 2% 2% 2% 5% 10/20/1 0 5/12/11 9/1/11 11/9/11 2/22/12 5/3/12 8/8/12 9/20/12 9/27/12 10/18/1 2 11/5/12 12/6/12 10/31/1 3 1/16/14 3/20/20 14 Approve 46% 52% 45% 44% 5 48% 48% 50% 49% 49% 49% 50% 45% 41% 44% Unsure 4% 4% 5% 5% 5% 2% 2% 2% 2% 5% Disapprove 51% 45% 50% 52% 45% 48% 49% 48% 49% 48% 49% 47% 52% 54% 5 Q5
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue. Here is the first one: The Economy 1/16/2014 40% 57% 3/20/2014 4 2% 55% Approve Unsure Disapprove Q13
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue. Solving problems 1/16/2014 4 55% 3/20/2014 4 54% Approve Unsure Disapprove Q14
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue. Working with Congress 1/16/2014 40% 56% 3/20/2014 40% 5% 55% Approve Unsure Disapprove Q15
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue. The federal budget and spending 1/16/2014 3 4% 6 3/20/2014 34% 6 Approve Unsure Disapprove Q16
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue. Jobs 1/16/2014 4 54% 3/20/2014 45% 4% 51% Approve Unsure Disapprove Q17
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue. Taxes 1/16/2014 41% 6% 5 3/20/2014 42% 8% 50% Approve Unsure Disapprove Q18
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue. Foreign policy 40% 6% 54% Social Security 4 11% 47% Medicare 4 9% 48% Standing up for the middle class 48% 4% 48% Representing middle class values 47% 4% 49% Approve Unsure Disapprove Q19-23
How would you rate the job Congress is doing? Do you approve or disapprove of the job they are doing? 87% 81% 82% 9% 14% 4% 1 4% 5% Approve Unsure Disapprove 10/31/2013 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q24
How would you rate the job your Member of Congress is doing? Do you approve or disapprove of the job they are doing? 39% 47% 46% 50% 44% 42% 11% 9% 12% Approve Unsure Disapprove 10/31/2013 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q25
I am going to read you a list of issues. Please listen as I read the list and tell me, for each one, whether you have more confidence in - the Republican Party or the Democratic Party - to deal with this issue. Here is the first one: The economy 47% 4 1% 6% Solving problems 35% 4 2% 15% 5% The federal budget and spending 48% 41% 8% 2% Jobs 45% 45% 1% 7% 2% Taxes 47% 44% 6% Foreign policy 47% 42% 1% 6% 4% GOP Party DEM Party Both Equal Neither Unsure Q26-31
I am going to read you a list of issues. Please listen as I read the list and tell me, for each one, whether you have more confidence in - the Republican Party or the Democratic Party - to deal with this issue. Social Security 39% 49% 1% 7% 4% Medicare 37% 51% 1% 6% 5% Standing up for the middle class 36% 54% 8% Representing middle class values 39% 52% 1% 6% GOP Party DEM Party Both Equal Neither Unsure Q32-35
Do you think that the national economy has gotten better, worse, or stayed the same over the past four years? 35% 37% 42% 41% 2 20% 1% 1% Gotten better Gotten worse Stayed the same Unsure/Refused 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q35.1
And, who do you think is most responsible for the current state of the national economy? Would you say it is President Obama, Republicans in Congress, Democrats in Congress, Big companies, Wealthy people, or Big labor unions? President Obama 32% Republicans in Congress 12% Democrats in Congress 1 Big companies 9% Wealthy people 4% Big labor unions 4% Q36
Do you think that your personal economic situation has gotten better, worse, or stayed the same over the past four years? Gotten better 22% 26% Gotten worse Stayed the same 36% 34% 40% 39% Combo/Other 1% Unsure/Refused 1% 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q37
Now, I would like to read you a list of statements that some people made. Please listen carefully as I read each statement and tell me if you would agree or disagree with that particular statement. In America, anyone can get ahead if they work hard enough. 65% 2% 34% I think the next generation will be better off economically than I am now. 20% 4% 76% Our economy makes it too tough for the middle class to make ends meet. 70% 1% 29% I am optimistic about where I will be financially five years from now. 65% 4% 31% Agree Unsure Disagree Q38-41
Now, I would like to read you a list of statements that some people made. Please listen carefully as I read each statement and tell me if you would agree or disagree with that particular statement. People who work hard for a living and play by the rules never seem to get ahead. 54% 1% 45% The economic rules in this country unfairly favor the rich. 64% 2% 34% Middle class people have it the toughest in our economic system. There are assistance programs for the poor and tax breaks for the rich, but no real help for middle class people. 72% 25% The government should be doing something to reduce the gap between the rich and everyone else. 59% 38% Agree Unsure Disagree Q42-45
Do you believe that in the future your children will be Better off, about the same, or worse off than you are right now? 3 37% 26% Better off About the same Worse off Unsure/Refused Q46
In thinking about your own efforts to get ahead financially, what do you think is the biggest obstacle to you getting ahead? Would you say it is Big government, Big labor, Big business, Big banks, All of these groups, or None of these groups? Big government 2 Big labor 2% Big business 6% Big banks 5% All 35% None 26% Unsure/Refused 4% Q47
In general, do you favor or oppose the Affordable Care Act, which is also called Obamacare? 5 56% 5 4 41% 4 4% 4% Favor Unsure Oppose 1/31/2013 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q48
Do you think that the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, went too far, did not go far enough, or was about right? Too far Not far enough Was about right 2 2 22% 21% 20% 22% 49% 49% 48% Combo/Other None Unsure/Refused 1% 1% 2% 1% 6% 7% 1/16/2013 1/16/2014 3/20/2014 Q49
As you may know, several states have taken steps to legalize the use of marijuana. I am going to ask you about two proposals on this issue that you might vote on. Please tell me if you would favor or oppose this proposal. Making marijuana available in your state for medical purposes. 7 2% 25% Decriminalizing the possession of marijuana 5 44% Favor Unsure Oppose Q50&51
If there was a proposal on the ballot to legalize the use of marijuana, would you be Much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or much less likely to vote in that election? More likely 68% Less likely 1 No difference 16% Unsure/refused Q52
Would you be more likely or less likely to support a candidate who was committed to providing financial transparency for government spending so you could see how tax dollars are being spent? 92% 2% 1% 4% More likely Unsure No Difference Less likely Q53