This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Jan. 12 - 15, 2015, among a random national sample of 1,003 adults, including landline and cell phone-only respondents. Results have a 3.5 point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York. (Full methodological details appended at the end.) *= less than 0.5 percent 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? 1/15/15 12/14/14 10/26/14 10/12/14 9/7/14 6/1/14 4/27/14 3/2/14 1/23/14 12/15/13 11/17/13 10/20/13 9/15/13 7/21/13 5/19/13 4/14/13 3/10/13 1/13/13 12/16/12 11/4/12 11/3/12 11/2/12 11/1/12 10/31/12 10/30/12 10/29/12 10/28/12 10/27/12 10/26/12 10/25/12 10/24/12 10/23/12 10/22/12 10/21/12 10/13/12 9/29/12 9/9/12 8/25/12 7/8/12 5/20/12 4/8/12 3/10/12 2/4/12 1/15/12 12/18/11 11/3/11 10/2/11 9/1/11 8/9/11* RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 50 24 26 41 21 20 43 21 22 40 20 20 42 24 18 46 23 23 41 23 19 46 25 22 46 23 23 43 23 20 42 22 21 48 28 20 47 25 22 49 25 24 51 32 20 50 27 23 50 29 21 55 32 23 54 33 21 52 33 10 51 33 10 51 32 11 50 31 11 50 30 11 50 28 12 50 28 11 51 28 11 50 28 11 51 29 10 50 29 9 50 29 10 50 29 21 50 30 20 51 31 20 50 30 21 50 26 24 49 29 20 50 27 23 47 24 24 47 26 21 50 30 20 46 28 18 50 29 22 48 25 23 49 25 24 44 22 22 42 21 21 43 21 22 44 18 26 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 44 9 35 54 13 41 51 12 39 51 12 39 51 12 39 51 14 37 52 12 40 50 12 38 50 9 41 55 14 41 55 11 44 49 10 39 47 11 37 44 12 32 44 10 33 45 10 35 46 11 36 41 8 33 42 9 32 46 10 36 47 10 37 47 11 36 48 11 37 48 11 37 48 12 37 48 11 36 46 11 36 46 11 36 46 10 36 47 9 37 48 10 38 47 9 37 47 10 38 47 10 37 44 10 34 46 12 34 45 11 35 46 13 33 49 15 34 49 13 36 45 10 35 50 11 39 46 11 36 48 11 37 47 13 34 53 15 37 54 14 40 53 16 38 46 9 37 1 No opinion 6 5 6 8 6 3 6 3 4 3 3 3 6 7 5 5 4 4 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 6 4 6 4 4 3 6 4 3 4 4 3 4 3 10 7/17/11 47 25 22 6/5/11 47 27 20 5/2/11** 56 29 27 4/17/11 47 27 21 3/13/11 51 27 24 1/16/11 54 30 23 12/12/10 49 24 25 10/28/10 50 27 23 10/3/10 50 26 24 9/2/10 46 24 22 7/11/10 50 28 22 6/6/10 52 30 22 4/25/10 54 31 23 3/26/10 53 34 20 2/8/10 51 29 22 1/15/10 53 30 24 12/13/09 50 31 18 11/15/09 56 32 23 10/18/09 57 33 23 9/12/09 54 35 19 8/17/09 57 35 21 7/18/09 59 38 22 6/21/09 65 36 29 4/24/09 69 42 27 3/29/09 66 40 26 2/22/09 68 43 25 *Washington Post **Washington Post/Pew Research Center 48 49 38 50 45 43 47 45 47 52 47 45 44 43 46 44 46 42 40 43 40 37 31 26 29 25 14 13 14 12 12 15 15 11 13 14 12 12 11 8 12 13 13 13 11 12 11 9 10 8 9 8 35 37 24 37 33 28 32 34 34 38 35 33 33 35 33 32 33 29 29 31 29 28 22 18 20 17 5 4 6 3 4 3 4 5 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 2 4 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 7 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling [ITEM]? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? 1/15/15 - Summary Table ------- Approve -----NET Strongly Smwht a. The economy 48 26 21 b. The threat of terrorism 47 22 25 *Half sample asked item a; other half asked item b. ----- Disapprove ----NET Smwht Strongly 48 10 38 45 14 31 Trend: a. The economy 1/15/15 12/14/14 10/26/14 10/12/14 9/7/14 6/1/14 4/27/14 3/2/14 1/23/14 12/15/13 11/17/13 10/20/13 9/15/13 7/21/13 5/19/13 4/14/13 -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 48 26 21 44 24 20 42 21 20 44 25 19 42 22 19 43 21 21 42 20 21 43 23 20 43 22 21 42 24 18 41 22 20 44 23 20 45 25 20 45 22 22 48 26 22 44 22 22 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 48 10 38 52 14 38 52 14 38 51 12 39 54 15 39 53 15 38 54 13 41 54 14 41 55 13 42 55 14 40 57 14 42 54 12 42 51 14 37 49 14 35 48 10 37 53 12 41 2 No opinion 5 4 7 4 5 4 4 2 3 4 2 2 4 6 4 3 No op. 5 8 3/10/13 44 24 20 1/13/13 50 24 25 12/16/12 50 27 23 10/13/12 RV 47 26 21 9/29/12 RV 47 23 25 9/9/12 RV 45 24 21 8/25/12 44 20 23 7/8/12 44 21 23 5/20/12 42 20 22 4/8/12 44 23 21 3/10/12 38 20 18 2/4/12 44 23 22 1/15/12 41 19 22 12/18/11 41 17 24 11/3/11 38 18 20 10/2/11 35 17 19 9/1/11 36 15 21 7/17/11 39 18 22 6/5/11 40 20 20 5/2/11* 40 18 22 4/17/11 42 23 19 3/13/11 43 22 21 1/16/11 46 22 24 12/12/10 43 21 22 10/28/10 RV 44 21 23 10/3/10 45 22 23 9/2/10 41 20 21 7/11/10 43 20 23 6/6/10 50 26 24 4/25/10 49 24 25 3/26/10 45 23 22 2/8/10 45 22 23 1/15/10 47 22 24 12/13/09 46 23 24 11/15/09 51 26 25 10/18/09 50 29 22 9/12/09 51 28 24 8/17/09 52 27 25 7/18/09 52 29 23 6/21/09 56 28 28 4/24/09 58 31 28 3/29/09 60 34 25 2/22/09 60 NA NA *Washington Post/Pew Research Center 52 47 48 51 52 53 54 54 55 54 59 53 57 56 61 61 62 57 59 55 57 55 51 54 54 53 57 54 49 49 52 53 52 52 47 48 46 46 46 41 38 38 34 10 10 10 10 10 8 12 13 11 12 9 11 11 13 13 13 15 15 10 16 11 13 13 15 15 13 13 13 12 10 12 15 13 12 12 13 13 13 10 13 13 12 NA 42 37 38 41 41 45 42 41 44 42 50 41 46 43 48 48 47 43 49 39 46 41 38 39 39 41 44 41 37 39 40 38 39 40 36 35 33 33 35 27 25 26 NA 4 3 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 4 2 3 2 4 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 4 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 4 3 6 b. The threat of terrorism 1/15/15 12/14/14 10/12/14 1/23/14 1/15/12 11/3/11 9/1/11 6/5/11 5/2/11* 2/8/10 1/15/10 11/15/09 9/12/09 6/21/09 -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 47 22 25 43 21 22 42 21 21 50 29 21 56 36 20 60 37 23 62 33 29 60 35 25 69 42 27 56 28 28 55 31 23 53 31 22 55 31 24 57 NA NA ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 45 14 31 48 14 34 50 15 35 42 14 28 38 10 28 34 12 22 32 12 21 34 13 21 21 9 12 39 14 25 42 14 28 41 14 27 34 12 23 36 NA NA 3 No opinion 8 9 8 8 6 6 6 6 10 5 4 6 11 7 4/21/09** 57 " " *Washington Post-Pew Research Center **Pew Research Center 26 " " 17 3. Do you think things in this country (are generally going in the right direction) or do you feel things (have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track)? 1/15/15 10/26/14 10/12/14 9/7/14 4/27/14 1/23/14 11/17/13 10/20/13 7/21/13 5/19/13 1/13/13 10/31/12 10/13/12 9/29/12 8/25/12 7/8/12 4/8/12 1/15/12 11/3/11 9/1/11 6/5/11 1/16/11 12/12/10 10/28/10 6/6/10 3/26/10 1/15/10 11/15/09 10/18/09 8/17/09 6/21/09 4/24/09 3/29/09 2/22/09 1/16/09 12/14/08 10/25/08 10/11/08 9/22/08 8/22/08 6/15/08 5/11/08 1/12/08 11/1/07 6/1/07 1/19/07 11/4/06 10/22/06 10/8/06 5/15/06 11/2/05 10/24/04 4/18/04 LV RV RV RV RV LV RV RV RV LV Right direction 39 28 29 31 30 35 27 28 36 39 39 43 42 38 29 33 33 30 22 20 32 38 31 27 37 38 37 44 44 44 47 50 42 31 19 15 13 8 14 19 14 16 21 24 25 26 39 30 32 29 30 41 42 Wrong track 56 68 66 65 66 62 70 68 60 57 57 55 56 60 69 63 64 68 74 77 66 60 67 71 60 60 62 55 54 55 50 48 57 67 78 82 85 90 83 78 84 82 77 74 73 71 59 68 66 69 68 55 57 No opinion 5 5 5 5 4 2 3 4 4 4 5 2 3 2 2 4 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 1 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 4 1 4 4/30/03 9/26/02 2/21/02 2/14/99 11/1/98 9/13/98* 8/21/98 7/12/98 4/4/98 1/31/98 1/30/98 1/19/98 8/27/97 6/8/97 3/9/97 10/17/96 10/16/96 10/15/96 10/14/96 10/13/96 9/04/96 8/21/96 6/30/96 3/17/96 1/21/96 1/3/96 4/5/95 1/4/95 10/31/94 7/20/94 3/27/94 1/23/94 11/14/93 8/8/93 6/20/93 4/26/93 3/11/93 2/28/93 1/17/93 12/14/92 10/27/92 10/4/92 6/7/92 4/9/92 3/11/92 1/15/92 11/10/91 10/29/91 8/27/91 7/28/91 6/2/91 4/9/91 2/26/91 1/27/91 10/14/90 9/9/90 8/20/90 7/24/90 5/21/90 3/26/90 2/4/90 1/16/90 5/23/89 RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV 52 43 54 55 55 51 57 50 55 61 61 44 39 37 34 40 42 43 44 44 40 28 26 27 27 21 23 27 27 26 28 31 25 26 26 27 36 37 31 35 22 18 14 16 18 19 24 26 31 30 39 42 58 49 19 36 35 37 39 44 49 48 42 46 53 42 41 43 45 40 45 41 34 34 50 57 60 62 55 53 52 51 51 54 67 70 70 66 77 73 68 69 70 69 60 69 71 71 71 57 59 63 60 76 78 83 81 79 78 72 71 60 67 57 51 39 48 79 60 60 60 60 53 48 49 55 2 4 4 4 2 3 4 6 4 5 5 6 4 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 5 5 3 6 3 3 6 4 4 3 10 6 3 3 2 7 4 6 5 2 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 9 3 4 7 3 4 2 4 5 2 2 2 3 3 3 5 3/16/89 46 1/16/89 LV 51 10/25/88 LV 49 9/27/88 48 7/11/88 40 5/25/88 35 3/21/88 40 1/23/88 39 12/13/87 49 12/2/87 35 9/23/87 43 6/29/87 35 4/13/87 37 3/9/87 38 1/18/87 39 9/8/86 50 1/26/86 45 7/29/85 52 1/16/85 59 5/22/84 47 12/13/83 43 11/7/83 51 4/12/83 41 3/2/83 43 10/11/82 35 1/30/82 39 2/80** 20 2/78 34 2/77 41 10/75 19 10/74 15 10/73 16 *Washington Post **2/80 and previous: Roper 52 46 46 44 56 59 56 59 47 61 54 62 60 58 56 48 47 43 36 48 51 44 54 53 57 56 70 53 44 71 75 74 2 3 6 8 4 6 4 2 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 2 8 6 4 5 6 5 4 3 8 5 10 13 14 9 11 10 4. Overall, who do you trust to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years, (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)? 1/15/15 12/14/14 6/1/14 12/15/13 12/16/12 12/12/10 Obama 40 39 43 41 50 43 Reps 36 43 38 41 35 38 Both (vol.) 1 2 1 1 1 2 Neither (vol.) 17 14 14 15 11 12 No opinion 5 3 5 3 3 4 Compare to: 12/11/06 1/18/04 4/30/03 10/27/02 LV 9/26/02 7/15/02 1/27/02 1/26/00 2/14/99* Bush 31 45 55 53 54 53 62 Clinton 45 52 Democrats 57 44 37 37 38 37 31 Republicans 46 35 Both (vol.) 1 1 1 1 3 4 2 Neither (vol.) 8 6 4 5 3 3 3 Both (vol.) * 2 Neither (vol.) 7 7 6 No opinion 2 3 3 4 3 3 2 No opinion 2 3 2/12/99 53 30 1/19/99 50 32 11/7/98 47 38 9/28/98 51 38 8/21/98 48 38 7/12/98 48 38 5/12/98 47 39 1/31/98 52 35 1/19/98 48 40 3/9/97 49 38 1/15/97** 51 37 1/29/95 40 46 1/4/95 30 54 12/15/94 34 49 *1999 and previous: "next few years" **"The Clinton administration" 3 3 4 2 2 1 3 3 2 4 3 4 3 3 11 8 9 6 9 6 8 4 8 8 7 8 9 9 4 7 2 3 3 6 3 6 2 2 2 2 4 6 5. The Republican Party controls both houses of Congress for the first time since 2006, with its largest majority in the House of Representatives in 80 years. Compared with last year's Congress, do you think this Congress will do a better job, a worse job, or about the same? 1/15/15 Better job 33 Worse job 20 About the same 44 No opinion 4 6. Thinking about the country overall, how would you describe the state of the nation these days – excellent, good, not so good or poor? 1/15/15 ------ Positive -----NET Excellent Good 42 4 38 ------ Negative -------NET Not so good Poor 57 39 18 No opinion 1 7. (ASKED IF NOT DK/REF) Why do you say so – is it mainly because of what’s happening with (economic), (political), (social), (national security) or (international) issues, or something else? Economic 1/15/15 29 Positive 41 Negative 21 Political 9 6 12 Social 9 10 8 National security 8 8 9 Int'l 6 6 7 Smthng else 13 12 13 Multiple (vol.) 23 13 29 No op. 2 3 1 8. There’s been talk about government dysfunction, the idea that the federal government is not working well because the (Democrats) and (Republicans) can’t find common ground. Do you see this as a major problem, a problem but not a major one, or not a problem? 1/15/15 ----------- Problem ----------Major Problem but NET problem not a major one 91 66 26 Not a problem 7 No opinion 1 9. (ASKED IF A PROBLEM) Who do you think is mainly responsible for this – (Obama and the Democrats in Congress), (the Republicans in Congress) or both sides equally? No Obama Republicans Both opinion 1/15/15 18 20 61 1 7 8/9 NET: 1/15/15 ---------------- Problem ---------------NET Obama Republicans Both No op. 91 16 18 56 1 Not a problem 7 No opinion 1 10. Just your best guess, in the next year do you think government dysfunction will get better, get worse or stay about the same as it’s been? 1/15/15 Get better 23 Get worse 29 Stay about the same 47 No opinion 2 11. Who do you think has better ideas about [ITEM] – (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)? 1/15/15 – Summary Table Obama 38 45 37 45 a. b. c. d. e. Both (vol.) 3 2 * 1 Republicans 44 37 36 40 Encouraging economic development Helping the middle class Increasing home ownership Creating jobs Helping more students afford college 61 22 f. Dealing with climate change, also known as global warming 45 28 *Half sample asked items a-c; other half asked items d-f. Neither (vol.) 9 11 10 10 No op. 6 5 17 4 2 8 8 2 13 13 12. Who do you think is taking a stronger leadership role in the government in Washington these days, (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)? 1/15/15 4/17/11 3/13/11 12/12/10 Obama 42 40 39 43 Reps 40 45 46 42 Both (vol.) 2 3 2 3 Neither (vol.) 10 9 9 8 No opinion 5 2 3 5 Bush 43 34 36 51 Dems 45 58 56 38 Both (vol.) 3 2 1 3 Neither (vol.) 7 4 3 4 No opinion 3 2 3 4 Clinton 27 24 25 Reps 67 61 59 Both (vol.) 2 4 3 Neither (vol.) 3 5 5 No opinion 7 6 7 Compare to: 6/1/07 4/15/07 1/19/07 7/30/01 4/5/95 1/24/95 12/15/94 13. Do you think the country should go in the direction (Obama wants to lead it), go in the direction (the Republicans in Congress want to lead it), or what? 1/15/15 1/16/11 Obama 35 44 Republicans 34 35 Other (vol.) 15 7 Neither (vol.) 9 8 8 No diff. (vol.) 1 2 No opinion 5 4 Compare to: Bush or Democrats in Congress 1/19/07 1/26/06 1/16/05 12/19/01 9/9/01 7/30/01 6/3/01 4/22/01 Bush 25 35 45 54 41 42 40 46 Democrats 57 51 39 28 42 43 42 36 Other (vol.) 4 4 3 4 4 4 5 4 Neither (vol.) 8 5 6 9 6 6 7 6 No diff. (vol.) 2 3 2 6 1 3 3 3 No opinion 4 2 5 0 5 3 3 4 14. Obama says he’ll take executive actions intended to accomplish some of his administration’s goals if Congress does not act. Do you think Obama is or is not justified in taking this approach? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? 1/15/15 ------- Justified ------NET Strongly Somewhat 50 30 20 ----- Not justified ----NET Somewhat Strongly 46 10 36 No opinion 4 15. The Republicans in Congress say they’ll try to block some executive actions that Obama takes, either by passing new laws or by suing in court. Do you think the Republicans in Congress are or are not justified in taking this approach? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? 1/15/15 ------- Justified ------NET Strongly Somewhat 49 31 19 ----- Not justified ----NET Somewhat Strongly 46 14 32 No opinion 5 16. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) Obama has said he won’t decide whether to approve a new oil pipeline from Canada to Texas until a review has determined whether it is in the national interest. The Republicans in Congress are working on a law to authorize the pipeline without Obama’s approval. Which side do you support – (should the pipeline be authorized now), or (should the review be completed before deciding)? 1/15/15 Authorize pipeline now 34 Complete review before deciding 61 Do not allow pipeline (vol.) 2 No opinion 3 17. (ASKED OF HALF SAMPLE) The federal health care law says companies with 50 or more employees have to offer health insurance to those who work at least 30 hours a week. The Republicans in Congress have proposed changing this to at least 40 hours a week. Which of these do you prefer – should employers be required to provide coverage for employees who work at least 30 hours a week, or should it be at least 40 hours a week? 1/15/15 30 hours a week 53 40 hours a week 40 More than 40 hours (vol.) 0 Less than 30 hours (vol.) 1 Not required (vol.) 3 No op. 3 18. Obama has proposed providing free tuition to attend community colleges at a cost to the federal government of sixty billion dollars over 10 years. Do you support or oppose this proposal? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? 1/15/15 -------- Support -------NET Strongly Somewhat 53 38 15 -------- Oppose --------NET Somewhat Strongly 44 10 33 9 No opinion 3 19. Obama has taken executive action allowing as many as four million undocumented immigrants to avoid deportation. The Republicans in Congress say they may take away federal funding so this order cannot be carried out. Do you think Obama’s action on immigration should go forward, or should it be blocked? 1/15/15 Should go forward 41 Should be blocked 56 No opinion 4 20. Overall, do you think large business corporations pay their fair share in taxes, pay too (little), or pay too (much)? 1/15/15 Pay fair share 19 Pay too little 65 Pay too much 9 No opinion 7 On another subject, 21. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor? 1/15/15 10/26/14 9/7/14 4/27/14 3/2/14 10/20/13 9/29/12 RV 8/25/12 8/5/12* 5/20/12 2/4/12 11/3/11 7/17/11 6/5/11 1/16/11 10/28/10 10/3/10 9/2/10 7/11/10 6/6/10 1/16/09 9/22/08 4/13/08 2/1/08 12/9/07 11/1/07 4/15/07 12/11/06 10/22/06 10/8/06 3/5/06 1/26/06 12/18/05 11/2/05 9/11/05 6/5/05 4/24/05 9/26/04 RV 8/29/04 RV ------ Positive -----NET Excellent Good 41 3 39 27 1 26 30 1 29 29 1 27 27 2 26 24 2 23 18 2 16 15 1 14 13 1 12 17 1 16 11 * 11 10 1 9 10 1 9 11 1 10 13 1 12 9 * 9 9 1 8 8 * 7 10 1 9 12 * 11 5 1 5 9 * 9 10 1 9 19 1 18 28 3 25 35 3 32 42 5 37 50 7 42 55 10 45 47 7 40 43 5 38 40 5 35 45 5 39 35 3 32 40 3 37 44 3 40 37 2 35 46 3 43 45 3 41 ------- Negative ------NET Not so good Poor 58 40 18 72 44 28 69 42 27 71 40 31 72 44 28 75 45 30 81 42 39 84 39 45 87 42 44 83 47 36 89 46 42 89 43 47 90 40 50 89 46 44 87 45 41 90 41 49 90 40 50 92 40 53 90 44 46 88 43 45 94 32 62 91 34 57 90 39 51 81 43 38 72 40 32 64 39 26 57 37 20 50 36 14 45 28 17 53 37 16 57 37 19 60 37 23 55 38 17 65 36 29 59 37 22 56 38 19 63 44 20 53 38 15 55 37 18 10 No opinion 1 1 1 1 * 1 * 1 * * * * * * * 1 * 0 0 0 * * * 0 * * * * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 * 7/25/04 46 4 42 53 6/20/04 45 4 41 55 4/18/04 43 4 39 57 3/7/04 39 2 37 60 1/18/04 42 3 39 58 12/21/03 42 4 39 57 10/29/03 33 1 32 67 9/13/03 30 2 27 70 8/11/03 32 2 30 68 4/30/03 35 1 34 64 2/9/03 28 1 27 72 1/20/03 25 1 25 74 12/15/02 35 1 33 65 11/4/02 LV 28 1 27 72 11/3/02 LV 27 1 26 72 11/2/02 LV 29 1 28 71 9/26/02 31 2 28 69 7/15/02 39 3 36 61 2/21/02 30 1 29 69 1/27/02 31 1 29 69 9/20/01 38 3 35 60 9/9/01 33 1 32 66 7/30/01 50 3 46 50 4/22/01 50 3 47 50 1/15/01 70 10 59 29 10/27/00 LV 86 24 61 14 10/26/00 LV 86 24 61 14 6/11/00 74 17 57 26 2/27/00 80 25 55 20 10/31/99 74 18 56 26 9/2/99 76 19 57 23 3/14/99 80 22 58 19 11/1/98 73 12 61 26 11/1/98 LV 78 13 65 22 10/13/97 61 12 49 39 *Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation 39 38 39 38 42 41 45 45 43 46 49 48 44 55 56 54 50 44 51 50 47 47 39 40 24 11 11 19 14 18 16 15 21 19 27 14 17 18 22 16 16 23 25 25 19 23 26 21 17 17 17 19 17 18 19 14 19 12 9 6 3 3 6 5 7 6 4 5 3 11 * * * 1 0 1 * * * * * 1 1 1 1 * * 1 * * 2 * * * 1 * * * * 1 1 1 1 * * 22. Would you say you, yourself, are better off financially than you were when Obama became president, not as well off, or in about the same shape financially? 1/15/15 10/12/14 10/28/12 9/9/12 5/20/12 1/15/12 11/3/11 9/1/11 7/18/09 LV LV RV RV RV RV Better off 25 22 22 21 17 15 13 14 8 Not as well off 25 30 33 32 31 31 35 36 27 About the same 49 46 45 46 51 53 51 50 64 No opinion 2 2 1 * 1 1 1 1 * 23. Do you think Obama’s policies have helped the economy improve, have slowed economic improvement, or have made no difference either way? 1/15/15 Helped the economy improve 42 Slowed economic development 27 11 Made no difference 29 No opinion 2 24. Thinking about the income gap between wealthy Americans and those who are less well off – do you think this is a major problem facing this country, a problem but not a major one, or not a problem? 1/15/15 ----------- Problem ----------Major Problem but NET problem not a major one 83 51 32 Not a problem 15 No opinion 1 25. Who do you think has better ideas about how to address the income gap, the (Democratic Party) or the (Republican Party)? 1/15/15 Democrats 44 Both (vol.) 3 Republicans 33 Neither (vol.) 12 Not a problem (vol.) * No opinion 7 26. To the extent that the economy has improved, do you think the recovery has (helped Americans at all income levels) or has it (mostly helped wealthy Americans)? 1/15/15 Helped all Americans 38 Mostly helped the wealthy 50 Mostly helped those less than wealthy (vol.) 1 No recovery (vol.) 6 No opinion 5 27. How concerned are you about being able to maintain your current standard of living - are you very worried, somewhat worried, not so worried or not worried at all? 1/15/15 11/3/11 12/13/09 12/14/08 5/11/08 12/9/07 ---- Worried ---NET Very Smwt 62 25 37 67 31 36 64 24 39 66 24 42 68 28 40 51 17 34 ---- Not worried ---NET Not so At all 38 20 18 33 18 15 36 19 17 34 17 16 32 16 15 49 22 27 No opinion * * * * * * On another topic... 28. If the 2016 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were (Hillary Clinton, the Democrat) and ([ITEM], the Republican), for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward (Clinton) or toward ([ITEM])? NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - GEN POP 1/15/15 – Summary Table a. b. c. d. e. Rand Paul Jeb Bush Chris Christie Mike Huckabee Mitt Romney Hillary Clinton 56 55 56 57 55 Rep. 39 39 37 37 38 Other (vol.) * * * * * Neither (vol.) 2 2 3 2 3 Would not vote (vol.) 2 2 3 1 2 No opinion 2 2 2 3 2 Neither (vol.) Would not vote (vol.) No opinion NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE - REG VOTERS 1/15/15 – Summary Table Hillary Clinton Rep. Other (vol.) 12 a. b. c. d. e. Rand Paul Jeb Bush Chris Christie Mike Huckabee Mitt Romney 54 54 53 56 55 41 41 40 39 40 * 0 * 1 * 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 Trend where available among registered voters: a. Rand Paul 1/15/15 RV 6/1/14 RV Hillary Clinton 54 53 Rand Paul 41 43 Other (vol.) * * Neither (vol.) 2 3 Would not vote (vol.) 1 1 No opinion 1 1 Hillary Clinton 54 53 Jeb Bush 41 41 Other (vol.) 0 * Neither (vol.) 2 4 Would not vote (vol.) 1 1 No opinion 1 1 Chris Christie 40 41 Other (vol.) * * Neither (vol.) 3 2 Would not vote (vol.) 2 2 No opinion 2 2 Mitt Romney 40 43 39 Other (vol.) * * 1 Neither (vol.) 2 3 2 Would not vote (vol.) 2 1 1 No opinion 1 1 1 b. Jeb Bush 1/15/15 RV 4/27/14 RV c. Chris Christie 1/15/15 RV 1/23/14 RV Hillary Clinton 53 53 d. No trend. e. Mitt Romney 1/15/15 RV 2/1/08 RV 11/1/07 RV Hillary Clinton 55 51 57 29. [ITEM]. Does that make you more likely to support (Jeb Bush/Hillary Clinton/Mitt Romney) for president, less likely, or does it make no difference? 1/15/15 – Summary Table a. Jeb Bush’s father and his brother both served as president b. Hillary Clinton’s husband served as president c. Hillary Clinton would be the first female president d. Mitt Romney ran as the Republican presidential nominee in 2012 More likely Less likely No difference No opinion 11 33 55 1 23 14 62 1 24 10 65 1 12 26 61 1 Changing topics, 30. How do you feel about the possibility of a major terrorist attack in the United States – very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried or not worried at all? 1/15/15 ------ Worried -----NET Very Somewhat 76 34 42 ------ Not worried ------NET Not too Not at all 23 15 8 13 No opinion * 10/12/14 71 32 39 28 17 11 * Compare to: How concerned are you about the possibility there will be more major terrorist attacks in the United States - is that something that worries you a great deal, somewhat, not too much or not at all? ------- Concerned ---------- Not concerned ---No NET Grt.deal Somewhat NET Not much At all opinion 4/21/13* 68 31 37 31 21 10 1 9/7/08 64 18 46 36 23 13 * 9/7/07 66 25 41 34 23 10 * 9/7/06 74 29 45 25 17 8 * 8/21/05 66 24 42 33 23 10 1 7/21/05 73 30 43 27 17 10 * 9/8/04 RV 73 25 47 27 20 7 1 9/7/03 71 25 46 29 20 9 * 3/20/03 76 29 47 24 16 8 1 2/16/03 72 27 45 27 18 9 1 9/8/02 74 22 52 26 19 7 0 7/15/02 73 29 44 27 20 7 * 4/21/02 73 30 43 26 18 9 * 3/10/02 70 23 47 30 21 9 1 12/19/01 70 27 43 29 22 8 1 10/15/01 77 35 43 23 14 9 0 10/9/01 82 36 46 18 12 6 * 10/7/01 81 41 40 18 13 4 1 9/27/01** 83 43 39 17 12 5 * 9/11/01 87 49 38 12 7 4 1 6/13/97 62 21 41 38 24 14 * 6/2/97 63 22 41 37 28 9 * 8/5/96 74 31 43 26 18 8 * 4/20/95 78 38 40 21 16 5 1 *Washington Post poll. **9/27/01 and previous: "How concerned are you about the possibility there will be more major terrorist attacks in this country." 31. What do you think is more important right now - (for the federal government to investigate possible terrorist threats, even if that intrudes on personal privacy); or (for the federal government not to intrude on personal privacy, even if that limits its ability to investigate possible terrorist threats)? Investigate Don't intrude threats on privacy No opinion 1/15/15 63 32 5 7/21/13 57 39 4 6/9/13* 62 34 4 11/21/10 68 26 6 1/15/10 75 23 2 12/11/06 63 34 3 9/7/06 65 32 3 5/15/06 67 30 3 5/11/06 65 31 4 1/8/06 65 32 3 9/7/03** 73 21 5 9/8/02 78 18 4 6/9/02 79 18 3 *Washington Post/Pew **9/7/03 and previous: "FBI" rather than "federal government Party ID. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what? 14 Democrat 30 26 32 31 33 33 32 30 32 1/15/15 12/14/14 10/26/14 10/12/14 9/7/14 6/1/14 4/27/14 3/2/14 1/23/14 Republican 24 23 24 24 23 24 21 22 25 Independent 37 41 36 36 38 35 38 40 37 Other (vol.) 6 7 5 6 4 5 6 4 5 No opinion 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 2 *** END *** METHODOLOGICAL DETAILS This poll was jointly sponsored and funded by The Washington Post and ABC News. The poll is a random sample of the continental United States, not including Alaska and Hawaii, with interviews in English and Spanish. This questionnaire was administered with the exact questions in the exact order as appears in this document. If a question was asked of a reduced base of the sample, a parenthetical preceding the question identifies the group asked. Questions that contain parenthetical phrases indicate clauses that were randomly rotated for respondents. Results preceded by “RV” indicate results among registered voters. A dual frame landline and cell phone telephone sample was generated using Random Digit Dialing procedures by Survey Sampling International (SSI). Interviewers called landlines and asked to interview the youngest male or youngest female who is at home at the time, with the male requested 75 percent of the time. A separate sample of cell phone numbers are dialed and screened for cell phone-only users who have no landline telephone. Both the landline and cellular phones are stratified by Census division according to area code. The survey was conducted with 692 respondents reached on landline phones and 311 among those who are cell phone-only, those no landline phone. This survey uses statistical weighting procedures to account for deviations in the survey sample from known population characteristics, which helps correct for differential survey participation and random variation in samples. The overall adult sample is weighted using a raking procedure to match the demographic makeup of the population by sex, region, age, education and race/ethnicity. The dual-frame sample design for landlines and cell phone-only respondents are weighted separately by Census region for each phone type to match targets for phone usage based on the National Health Interview Survey. The full sample is then weighted to match adult population estimates for four key demographics according to the latest Current Population Survey March Social and Economic Supplement by age, race/ethnicity, sex and education. All error margins have been adjusted to account for the survey’s design effect, which is 1.27 for this survey. The design effect is a factor representing the survey’s deviation from a simple random sample, and takes into account decreases in precision due to sample design and weighting procedures. Surveys that do not incorporate a design effect overstate their precision. Contact polls@washpost.com for further information about how The Washington Post conducts polls. 15