This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Oct. 17-20, 2013, among a random national sample of 1,002 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. *= 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? 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* 7/17/11 6/5/11 5/2/11** 4/17/11 3/13/11 1/16/11 12/12/10 10/28/10 10/3/10 RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 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 47 25 22 47 27 20 56 29 27 47 27 21 51 27 24 54 30 23 49 24 25 50 27 23 50 26 24 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 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 48 14 35 49 13 37 38 14 24 50 12 37 45 12 33 43 15 28 47 15 32 45 11 34 47 13 34 No opinion 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 5 4 6 3 4 3 4 5 3 1 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 52 47 45 44 43 46 44 46 42 40 43 40 37 31 26 29 25 14 12 12 11 8 12 13 13 13 11 12 11 9 10 8 9 8 38 35 33 33 35 33 32 33 29 29 31 29 28 22 18 20 17 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? 10/20/13 - Summary Table a. The economy b. Implementation of the new health care law ------ Approve -----NET Strngly Smwht 44 23 20 ---- Disapprove ----NET Smwht Strngly 54 12 42 41 53 25 15 10 43 No op. 2 6 Trend: a. The economy 10/20/13 9/15/13 7/21/13 5/19/13 4/14/13 3/10/13 1/13/13 12/16/12 10/13/12 RV 9/29/12 RV 9/9/12 RV 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 7/17/11 6/5/11 5/2/11* -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 44 23 20 45 25 20 45 22 22 48 26 22 44 22 22 44 24 20 50 24 25 50 27 23 47 26 21 47 23 25 45 24 21 44 20 23 44 21 23 42 20 22 44 23 21 38 20 18 44 23 22 41 19 22 41 17 24 38 18 20 35 17 19 36 15 21 39 18 22 40 20 20 40 18 22 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 54 12 42 51 14 37 49 14 35 48 10 37 53 12 41 52 10 42 47 10 37 48 10 38 51 10 41 52 10 41 53 8 45 54 12 42 54 13 41 55 11 44 54 12 42 59 9 50 53 11 41 57 11 46 56 13 43 61 13 48 61 13 48 62 15 47 57 15 43 59 10 49 55 16 39 No opinion 2 4 6 4 3 4 3 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 4 2 3 2 4 2 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 57 55 51 54 54 53 57 54 49 49 52 53 52 52 47 48 46 46 46 41 38 38 34 11 13 13 15 15 13 13 13 12 10 12 15 13 12 12 13 13 13 10 13 13 12 NA 46 41 38 39 39 41 44 41 37 39 40 38 39 40 36 35 33 33 35 27 25 26 NA 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 implementation of the new health care law -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 41 25 15 34 20 14 10/20/13 9/15/13 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 53 10 43 55 12 43 No opinion 6 11 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)? 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 LV RV RV RV RV Right direction 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 Wrong track 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 No opinion 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 3 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 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 LV RV RV RV LV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV 42 31 19 15 13 8 14 19 14 16 21 24 25 26 39 30 32 29 30 41 42 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 57 67 78 82 85 90 83 78 84 82 77 74 73 71 59 68 66 69 68 55 57 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 1 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 4 1 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 4 6/7/92 14 4/9/92 16 3/11/92 18 1/15/92 19 11/10/91 24 10/29/91 26 8/27/91 31 7/28/91 30 6/2/91 39 4/9/91 42 2/26/91 58 1/27/91 49 10/14/90 19 9/9/90 36 8/20/90 35 7/24/90 37 5/21/90 39 3/26/90 44 2/4/90 49 1/16/90 48 5/23/89 42 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 83 81 79 78 72 71 60 67 57 51 39 48 79 60 60 60 60 53 48 49 55 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 3 3 4 3 4 3 9 3 4 7 3 4 2 4 5 2 2 2 3 3 3 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. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the U.S. Congress is doing its job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 12 4 8 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 85 15 70 No opinion 3 5 7/21/13 3/10/13 1/13/13 1/15/12 10/2/11 3/13/11 1/16/11 10/28/10 RV 10/3/10 9/2/10 6/6/10 3/26/10 2/8/10 7/13/08 2/1/08 12/9/07 11/1/07 9/30/07 7/21/07 6/1/07 4/15/07 2/25/07 1/19/07 12/11/06 11/4/06 RV 10/22/06 10/8/06 9/7/06 8/6/06 5/15/06 4/9/06 3/5/06 1/26/06 1/8/06 12/18/05 11/2/05 8/28/05 6/5/05 10/29/03 4/30/03 9/26/02 7/15/02 2/21/02 1/27/02 12/19/01 9/9/01 7/30/01 4/22/01 10/31/99 9/2/99 6/6/99 3/14/99 2/14/99 12/20/98 12/19/98 12/13/98 11/7/98 11/1/98 10/25/98 10/18/98 9/28/98 9/13/98* 8/21/98 21 16 19 13 14 27 28 23 24 25 26 24 26 23 33 32 28 29 37 39 44 41 43 37 36 31 32 40 36 33 35 36 43 41 43 37 37 41 40 57 51 57 57 58 59 45 48 58 42 46 48 44 46 44 45 49 41 49 45 46 52 56 55 5 3 4 3 3 7 6 6 6 5 7 7 NA 16 12 15 11 11 20 21 17 18 20 20 18 NA " 8 NA " 36 NA " 7 5 5 NA " 29 25 27 NA 73 80 76 84 82 69 66 74 73 72 71 72 71 71 59 60 65 65 60 53 54 54 50 57 60 65 66 55 60 63 62 62 53 55 53 59 59 54 52 37 43 36 39 35 34 48 48 33 53 47 46 49 50 51 50 46 55 47 44 45 44 38 39 20 22 21 19 20 24 24 21 22 21 20 18 NA 53 58 55 65 62 45 43 53 51 51 51 54 NA " 25 NA " 29 NA " 25 27 29 NA " 35 38 37 NA 7 4 4 3 4 4 7 3 3 4 2 4 3 6 8 8 7 6 4 8 3 5 8 6 4 4 2 5 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 4 4 4 9 6 6 7 4 7 7 7 4 8 6 7 6 7 4 5 5 5 4 5 11 8 4 6 6 6 7/12/98 46 5/12/98 45 4/4/98 47 1/31/98 55 1/30/98 55 1/25/98 56 1/24/98 55 1/19/98 47 10/13/97 36 8/27/97 39 7/8/97 40 4/24/97 40 3/9/97 35 1/15/97 38 8/5/96 42 6/30/96 35 5/22/96 35 3/10/96 30 1/7/96 31 11/19/95 27 10/1/95 32 7/17/95 34 4/5/95 37 3/19/95 39 1/29/95 42 10/31/94 21 10/23/94 18 9/11/94 24 6/26/94 34 3/27/94 35 2/27/94 32 1/23/94 29 11/14/93 28 8/8/93 33 4/26/93 30 1/17/93 29 6/7/92 16 4/9/92 17 3/18/92 19 3/8/92 22 2/2/92 32 12/15/91 35 10/21/91 45 6/2/91 49 10/14/90 34 2/4/90 41 1/16/90 39 8/21/89 42 5/23/89 54 2/14/89 53 1/23/88** 43 6/1/87 56 6/22/85 54 5/83 33 6/81 38 6/79 19 9/78 29 6/77 34 6/75 29 8/74 48 " *Washington Post **1/23/88 and previous: Gallup " 44 45 45 35 35 37 38 49 57 54 53 53 60 56 52 58 60 64 65 68 65 63 57 56 52 72 78 70 61 62 64 60 66 64 69 66 77 78 76 73 64 59 50 46 63 55 55 53 44 44 53 40 37 43 40 61 49 42 54 35 " " 11 9 8 10 10 8 7 5 7 7 6 7 5 6 7 7 5 6 5 5 3 3 6 5 6 8 4 5 5 3 4 11 6 3 2 6 6 5 5 6 4 6 5 5 3 4 6 5 2 3 4 4 9 24 22 20 22 24 17 17 7 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your own representative to the U.S. House of Representatives in Congress is handling his or her job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 10/28/10 10/3/10 6/6/10 4/15/07* 11/4/06 10/22/06 10/8/06 9/7/06 8/6/06 5/15/06 4/9/06 1/26/06 12/18/05 11/2/05 6/5/05 9/26/02 7/15/02 11/1/98 10/18/98 9/28/98 7/12/98 1/19/98 4/5/95 10/31/94 10/23/94 9/11/94 6/26/94 3/27/94 1/17/93 4/9/92 3/18/92 2/2/92 12/15/91 10/21/91 6/2/91 10/14/90 5/23/89 *4/15/07 -------- Approve ------------- Disapprove ------NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly 43 15 28 47 19 28 RV 53 19 34 40 18 21 51 18 33 40 19 21 49 17 32 44 18 25 69 NA NA 25 NA NA RV 56 35 59 33 60 33 60 30 55 37 62 31 59 34 64 30 65 29 60 33 61 32 64 27 68 23 72 20 68 20 70 21 70 18 74 19 65 25 51 38 49 43 53 35 59 31 62 26 60 29 47 39 49 40 56 32 60 28 64 27 61 26 64 29 71 " " 18 " " and previous: No "strongly" or "somewhat" follow-up. No opinion 10 7 9 7 6 8 8 6 9 7 7 6 6 6 7 8 9 9 8 11 10 12 7 9 11 8 12 10 12 11 13 11 12 12 9 14 7 11 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way [ITEM] is/are handling negotiations over the federal budget? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 - Summary Table a. b. c. d. Obama The Republicans in Congress The Democrats in Congress Republicans in Congress who are affiliated with the Tea Party political movement ------ Approve -----NET Strngly Smwht 43 26 17 21 7 14 36 15 21 ---- Disapprove ----NET Smwht Strngly 54 12 42 77 19 59 61 18 43 No op. 3 2 3 23 67 10 9 14 18 49 Trend: 8 a. Obama 10/20/13 10/13/13 10/6/13 9/29/13 -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 43 26 17 42 25 17 45 24 21 41 21 19 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 54 12 42 53 14 39 51 12 39 50 15 35 No opinion 3 5 4 10 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 77 19 59 74 20 54 70 19 51 63 21 42 No opinion 2 5 5 11 ------ Disapprove ------NET Somewhat Strongly 61 18 43 61 17 44 61 16 45 56 20 36 No opinion 3 6 4 11 b. The Republicans in Congress 10/20/13 10/13/13 10/6/13 9/29/13 -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 21 7 14 21 10 11 24 11 14 26 9 17 c. The Democrats in Congress 10/20/13 10/13/13 10/6/13 9/29/13 -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 36 15 21 33 17 16 35 15 21 34 14 19 d. No trend. 7. Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of (ITEM)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 - Summary Table a. b. c. d. Barack Obama The Republican Party The Democratic Party The political movement known as the Tea Party ----- Favorable ----NET Strngly Smwht 50 31 19 32 10 22 46 19 27 ---- Unfavorable ---NET Smwht Strngly 48 11 37 63 25 38 49 18 31 No op. 2 6 5 26 59 16 9 17 17 42 Trend: a. Barack Obama 10/20/13 6/23/13 3/24/13 1/27/13 11/2/12 LV 10/21/12 LV 10/7/12 9/9/12 9/2/12 8/26/12 8/5/12 5/27/12 4/15/12 ------- Favorable ------NET Strongly Somewhat 50 31 19 53 31 22 57 34 23 60 39 21 54 38 16 52 37 15 56 32 24 54 34 21 51 29 22 50 27 24 53 29 24 52 29 23 56 30 26 ------ Unfavorable -----NET Somewhat Strongly 48 11 37 44 11 33 41 11 30 37 11 26 45 11 34 46 10 36 42 11 31 42 13 29 45 14 31 44 14 29 43 12 31 45 14 31 40 14 26 No opinion 2 3 2 3 1 2 2 4 4 6 4 3 5 9 3/25/12 2/26/12 1/22/12 12/11/11 9/18/11 4/17/11 4/25/10 1/15/10 11/15/09 9/12/09 4/24/09 1/16/09 11/2/08 10/23/08 10/11/08 9/7/08 8/22/08 6/15/08 4/13/08 1/10/08 11/1/07 2/25/07 1/19/07 12/11/06 LV LV RV RV RV 53 51 53 48 47 52 57 58 61 63 72 79 63 63 64 58 62 63 56 63 51 53 45 44 31 26 27 23 22 33 37 38 39 40 46 50 47 47 44 35 37 35 28 31 21 21 NA 21 23 25 25 25 25 20 21 20 21 23 26 29 16 16 20 23 25 28 28 32 30 33 NA 22 43 45 43 49 46 45 41 40 38 35 26 18 33 34 33 36 34 33 39 30 36 30 29 23 15 13 14 16 15 13 12 13 11 12 11 9 7 7 12 12 13 12 14 14 16 16 NA 17 28 32 29 33 31 32 29 27 27 24 15 9 26 27 21 24 21 21 25 16 20 14 NA 6 3 3 4 3 7 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 4 3 3 7 4 4 5 7 13 16 25 33 b. The Republican Party 10/20/13 9/30/12 10/30/11 3/26/10 2/8/10 6/21/09 8/22/08 11/1/07 3/5/06 6/5/05 12/15/02 1/27/02 7/30/01 12/15/00 1/16/00 1/10/00* 1/10/00 11/21/99 5/2/99 2/21/99 2/13/99 2/8/99 1/10/99 12/20/98 12/16/98 10/29/97 9/1/96 8/18/96 8/7/96 4/10/96 4/19/95 7/8/92 6/6/91** 4/2/90 RV LV RV RV RV RV ------- Favorable ------NET Strongly Somewhat 32 10 22 39 18 21 40 13 27 40 17 23 44 19 25 36 NA NA 47 39 51 49 56 63 51 54 53 53 56 50 47 45 40 45 40 31 43 50 50 55 51 52 52 53 62 58 ------ Unfavorable -----NET Somewhat Strongly 63 25 38 53 19 33 53 21 32 55 24 30 52 23 29 56 NA NA 49 56 46 49 38 30 46 35 37 41 39 44 44 46 54 47 52 57 47 42 45 41 44 41 42 39 28 34 No opinion 6 8 7 5 4 8 4 5 3 2 5 7 3 11 10 6 5 6 9 9 5 8 8 12 10 8 5 4 5 7 6 8 10 8 10 1/15/90 63 28 11/16/88 57 34 11/4/84 58 33 10/4/84 53 " " 36 *1/10/00 to 7/8/92: Gallup **6/6/91 and previous: CBS News/New York Times " " 9 9 9 11 c. The Democratic Party 10/20/13 9/30/12 10/30/11 3/26/10 2/8/10 6/21/09 8/22/08 11/1/07 3/5/06 6/5/05 12/15/02 1/27/02 7/30/01 12/15/00 1/16/00 1/10/00* 1/10/00 11/21/99 5/2/99 2/21/99 2/13/99 2/8/99 1/10/99 12/20/98 12/16/98 10/29/97 9/1/96 8/18/96 8/7/96 4/10/96 4/19/95 7/8/92 6/6/91** 4/2/90 1/15/90 11/16/88 11/4/84 10/4/84 *1/10/00 **6/6/91 ------- Favorable ------------ Unfavorable -----NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly 46 19 27 49 18 31 49 28 22 42 14 28 48 21 26 46 21 25 50 25 24 45 14 31 50 24 26 46 17 28 53 NA NA 40 NA NA RV 58 36 51 45 55 41 51 47 56 37 56 36 60 36 64 25 56 35 61 33 LV 58 37 51 41 53 37 55 37 56 38 57 37 57 35 57 30 58 32 54 39 RV 60 36 RV 55 41 RV 57 38 55 38 51 43 RV 54 38 52 34 54 35 58 32 54 36 47 42 RV 50 " " 39 " " to 7/8/92: Gallup and previous: CBS News/New York Times No opinion 5 9 7 5 4 6 5 5 4 2 6 8 4 11 9 6 5 8 10 8 6 6 8 13 10 7 4 4 5 7 6 8 14 11 10 10 11 11 d. The political movement known as the Tea Party 10/20/13 9/30/12 3/13/11 1/16/11 9/2/10 6/6/10 3/26/10 ------- Favorable ------NET Strongly Somewhat 26 9 17 32 12 20 36 18 18 35 16 19 38 18 19 36 17 19 41 21 21 ------ Unfavorable -----NET Somewhat Strongly 59 17 42 46 15 30 48 18 30 52 21 31 45 24 21 50 25 24 39 16 23 No opinion 16 23 16 13 18 14 20 11 2/8/10 35 20 15 40 20 20 25 8. How satisfied are you with the way this country's political system is working would you say very satisfied, mostly satisfied, mostly dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? ---- Satisfied ------ Dissatisfied -No NET Very Mostly NET Mostly Very opinion 10/20/13 23 2 21 75 35 40 1 8/5/12 32 6 26 67 29 38 2 10/2/11* 20 2 18 79 38 41 1 8/9/11 21 2 19 78 33 45 1 11/23/09 38 4 34 61 30 31 1 6/3/07 34 5 29 64 34 30 1 *Washington Post/ABC News, all others Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation 9. 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? 10/20/13 9/29/12 2/4/12 11/3/11 7/17/11 6/5/11 10/28/10 10/3/10 9/2/10 7/11/10 6/6/10 4/25/10 2/8/10 10/29/03 11/4/02 11/3/02 11/2/02 10/27/02 2/21/02 12/15/00 2/14/99 9/28/98 8/16/98* 1/19/98 8/27/97 3/17/96 5/14/95 1/4/95 11/6/94 10/31/94 10/23/94 10/9/94 9/11/94 3/27/94 2/28/93 10/4/92 7/8/92 6/7/92 RV LV LV LV RV RV ----- Positive ------Enthusi- SatisNET astic fied 21 2 19 28 4 25 24 2 22 20 2 18 20 2 18 30 3 27 27 4 23 29 4 25 22 2 20 36 4 32 30 2 28 30 4 26 32 3 29 42 2 41 49 4 45 50 5 45 51 6 45 50 4 47 56 7 49 59 4 55 52 3 48 50 4 46 41 2 39 46 2 43 34 2 33 29 2 27 48 3 45 29 2 27 28 2 26 26 1 25 28 1 26 25 2 24 26 2 25 30 1 29 33 4 29 17 1 16 23 1 22 21 1 20 ----- Negative ----DissatNET isfied Angry 78 47 32 71 44 27 75 49 26 80 49 31 80 54 25 69 44 25 72 51 21 71 46 25 78 52 25 64 43 21 69 45 25 69 51 18 67 48 19 57 42 15 50 41 9 49 40 9 49 40 9 49 42 7 43 36 7 39 34 6 47 35 12 49 36 12 57 46 11 53 45 8 64 52 11 70 54 16 50 41 9 69 53 16 70 49 21 73 55 18 71 52 20 72 53 19 73 53 20 68 48 20 66 50 16 81 56 25 76 53 23 79 58 21 None/ Other NA NA " 1 2 NA " * 1 1 * 2 NA 1 * 1 * * No opinion * 1 * * 1 1 1 * * 1 1 1 * * 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 * 1 * 1 1 1 1 * * * 1 * 1 1 1 12 4/9/92 21 1 20 3/18/92 22 1 21 3/11/92 18 1 17 *After 8/16/98: No "None/other" option 79 55 77 54 80 60 recorded. 24 23 20 1 1 1 * * 1 10. Generally, do you think [ITEM] is/are more interested in doing what's best for the country or what's best for himself/themselves politically? 10/20/13 - Summary Table a. Obama b. The Republicans in Congress c. The Democrats in Congress Best for the country 52 20 34 Best for himself/ themselves 46 77 63 No opinion 2 3 3 Trend: a. Obama 10/20/13 Best for the country 52 Best for himself 46 No opinion 2 41 4 Compare to: Bill Clinton 9/11/94 54 b. The Republicans in Congress 10/20/13 9/11/94 Best for the country 20 20 Best for themselves 77 77 No opinion 3 3 c. The Democrats in Congress 10/20/13 9/11/94 Best for the country 34 26 Best for themselves 63 71 No opinion 3 3 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the partial shutdown of the U.S. government this month? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 -------- Approve -------NET Strongly Somewhat 17 9 9 ------- Disapprove -----NET Somewhat Strongly 81 10 71 No opinion 2 12. Who do you think was mainly responsible for the partial shutdown of the federal government - (Obama) or the (Republicans in Congress)? 10/20/13 Obama 29 Republicans 53 Both (vol.) 15 Neither (vol.) 1 No opinion 2 Compare to: As you may know, the federal government might have to partially shut down later this month if (the Obama administration) and (the Republicans in Congress) cannot agree on a plan to keep it running while they work on a new budget. Who do you think is mainly responsible for this situation - (the Obama administration) or (the Republicans in Congress)? 13 3/13/11 Obama 31 Republicans 45 Both (vol.) 17 Neither (vol.) 2 No opinion 4 Compare to: If the federal government shuts down because (Republicans) and (the Obama administration) can't agree on a budget, who do you think would be more to blame: 2/27/11 Obama 35 Republicans 36 Both (vol.) 17 Neither (vol.) 1 No opinion 10 Compare to: As you may know, the Clinton administration and the Republicans have agreed to temporarily reopen the government offices that were closed for nearly three weeks while they worked on a new budget. Whose fault do you think this partial government shutdown mainly was -- Clinton's or the Republicans' in Congress? Clinton GOP Both (vol.) 1/7/96* 27 50 20 1/3/96** 25 44 24 11/19/95 24 51 20 11/13/95*** 27 46 20 *Reworded and phrased in past tense **"many" changed to "some" ***Phrased in future tense Neither (vol.) 1 3 1 2 No opinion 2 3 4 5 13. Were you personally inconvenienced by the partial shutdown of the federal government or not? (IF INCONVENIENCED) Was it a major inconvenience or a minor inconvenience? ------------ Yes ------------NET Major Minor No op. 10/20/13 22 11 11 0 1/7/96* 12 4 8 NA 1/3/96 12 5 6 11/19/95 12 6 6 " *Phrased in past tense No 78 88 88 88 No opinion * * 1 * 14. Do you think the partial shutdown is an isolated incident, or a sign of broader problems in the political process in Washington? (IF BROADER PROBLEMS) Would you call these problems a crisis, serious but not a crisis, not so serious or not serious at all? 10/20/13 ---------------- Broader problems ----------------Serious but Not so Not serious NET Crisis not a crisis serious at all 87 42 42 3 1 Isolated incident 9 No opinion 3 15. Do you think the budget dispute in Washington has or has not damaged [ITEM]? (IF YES) Is this serious damage, or damage, but not serious? 10/20/13 - Summary Table a. The United States' image in the world b. The morale of federal government employees d. The U.S. economy ----------- Yes ----------Serious Damage but NET damage not serious 86 56 30 No 11 No opinion 2 82 80 13 17 5 3 49 48 33 32 14 16. Congress has agreed to end the government shutdown and raise the nation's debt limit through early next year. This agreement drops Republican efforts to change the federal health care law and sets up a commission to negotiate budget issues. Overall, do you support or oppose this agreement? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 -------- Support -------NET Strongly Somewhat 51 16 34 -------- Oppose --------NET Somewhat Strongly 41 14 27 No opinion 8 17. When the current agreement runs out early next year, how confident are you that (Obama) and (the Republicans in Congress) will avoid another budget crisis over the debt limit - very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all? 10/20/13 ----- Confident ----NET Very Somewhat 27 4 23 ----- Not confident ----NET Not so Not at all 72 31 41 No opinion 1 18. On another subject, would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good or poor? 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 7/25/04 6/20/04 4/18/04 3/7/04 ------ Positive -----NET Excellent Good 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 46 4 42 45 4 41 43 4 39 39 2 37 ------- Negative ------NET Not so good Poor 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 53 39 14 55 38 17 57 39 18 60 38 22 No opinion 1 * 1 * * * * * * * 1 * 0 0 0 * * * 0 * * * * * * * * * * 1 * * 1 * * * * 1 15 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 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 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 0 1 * * * * * 1 1 1 1 * * 1 * * 2 * * * 1 * * * * 1 1 1 1 * * 19. When it comes to finding the right balance between [cutting government spending that is not needed] and [continuing government spending that is needed], who do you trust to do a better job - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)? 10/20/13 3/10/13 10/2/11 6/5/11 4/17/11 3/13/11 Obama 47 43 44 41 45 43 Reps 36 44 39 44 44 42 Both (vol.) 2 1 1 2 2 2 Neither (vol.) 12 9 14 11 7 10 No opinion 3 3 2 2 2 3 20. Do you think an agreement between Obama and Republicans in Congress to reduce the federal budget deficit should include only spending cuts, or a combination of spending cuts and tax increases? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 -- Only spending cuts --NET Strongly Somewhat 37 29 7 ------ Combination -----NET Somewhat Strongly 59 23 35 No opinion 5 Compare to: Overall, what do you think is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit - (by cutting federal spending), (by increasing taxes), or by a combination of both? 12/16/12 7/17/11 Cutting federal spending 29 32 Increasing taxes 4 4 Combination of both 65 62 No opinion 2 3 16 6/5/11 4/17/11 3/13/11 12/12/10 37 36 31 36 4 3 3 2 57 59 64 60 2 2 3 1 21. Some Republicans in Congress say reducing the federal deficit needs to be a part of an agreement to increase the debt ceiling in the future. Obama has said that increasing the debt ceiling should not be used as a tool in budget negotiations. Whose position do you agree with more, Obama's or that of some of the Republicans' in Congress? 10/20/13 Obama 54 Republicans 40 Both (vol.) 1 Neither (vol.) 4 No opinion 2 Compare to: Some Republicans in Congress say they've wanted to keep the government partially shut down to pressure Clinton into agreeing to balance the budget in seven years. Clinton has said partially shutting the government should not be used as a tool in budget negotiations. Whose position do you agree with more, Clinton's or that of some of the Republicans in Congress? 1/7/96 Clinton 72 Republicans 24 Both (vol.) 1 Neither (vol.) 2 No opinion 1 On another subject... 22. Overall, do you support or oppose the federal law making changes to the health care system? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat? 10/20/13 9/15/13 7/21/13 7/08/12 4/8/12 3/10/12 -------- Support -------NET Strongly Somewhat 46 25 21 42 26 16 42 25 17 47 27 20 39 23 17 41 24 17 --------- Oppose -------NET Somewhat Strongly 49 13 36 52 13 39 49 10 39 47 14 33 53 13 40 52 11 41 No opinion 5 6 9 6 8 7 Compare to: Overall, given what you know about them, would you say you support or oppose the changes to the health care system that have been enacted by (Congress) and (the Obama administration)? -------- Support ---------------- Oppose -------No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion 1/16/11 45 25 20 50 14 36 5 12/12/10 43 22 21 52 14 37 6 10/3/10 47 26 21 48 13 35 5 3/26/10 46 32 13 50 10 40 4 2/8/10* 46 22 25 49 11 38 5 1/15/10 44 22 22 51 12 39 5 12/13/09 44 25 19 51 11 40 5 11/15/09 48 30 18 49 10 39 3 10/18/09 45 26 19 48 12 36 7 9/12/09 46 30 16 48 12 36 6 8/17/09 45 27 18 50 10 40 5 *2/8/10 and prior: "proposed changes...that are being developed by" 23. (IF OPPOSE HEALTH CARE CHANGES) Overall, do you think the new health care law (goes too far) or (does not go far enough) in changing the health care system? 17 10/20/13 1/16/11 Too far 74 71 Not far enough 20 25 No opinion 6 3 Support 46 45 ------------------ Oppose ----------------NET Too far Not far enough Don't know 49 36 10 3 50 35 13 2 22/23 NET: 10/20/13 1/16/11 No opinion 5 5 24. (ASKED IF DO NOT SUPPORT HEALTH CARE LAW) Which of these is your preference: (Repeal the health care law), or (let the health care law go ahead and see how it works)? 10/20/13 Repeal the health care law 60 Let it go ahead 37 Repeal parts of law (vol.) 1 No opinion 3 22/24 NET: 10/20/13 Support 46 -------- Do not support (oppose/no opinion) --------Repeal the Let it Repeal parts No NET health care law go ahead of law (vol.) op. 54 33 20 * 1 25. As you may have heard there have been problems with the website set up under the health care law for uninsured people to sign up for health insurance. Do you think this is (an isolated incident) or do you think it's (a sign of broader problems in implementing the health care law)? 10/20/13 Isolated incident 40 Sign of broader problems 56 No opinion 4 Changing topics... 26. Thinking about the next election in November 2014, right now, are you inclined to vote to re-elect your representative in Congress, or are you inclined to look around for someone else to vote for? 10/20/13 2/4/12 11/3/11 8/9/11* 7/17/11 6/5/11 10/28/10 10/3/10 9/2/10 7/11/10 6/6/10 4/25/10 RV 2/8/10 11/15/09 5/15/06 6/5/05 2/21/02 10/31/99 9/28/99 Re-elect 24 34 31 17 30 34 32 29 31 25 29 32 36 38 35 40 40 41 44 Look around 66 53 59 69 63 55 50 55 58 60 60 57 56 50 55 50 48 47 46 Depends (vol.) 4 3 3 6 2 4 7 9 5 6 5 7 4 6 6 8 7 8 NA No opinion 6 9 8 7 5 6 11 7 6 8 6 4 4 5 4 3 6 3 10 18 7/12/98 1/19/98 8/27/97 11/6/94 RV 10/31/94 10/23/94 9/11/94 6/26/94 3/27/94 1/23/94 11/14/93 8/21/92 RV 7/8/92 6/7/92 4/9/92 3/18/92 3/11/92 2/2/92 10/21/91 6/2/91 11/4/90 LV 10/14/90 5/21/90 5/23/89 *Washington Post 42 47 34 37 35 32 36 35 32 32 38 35 34 36 33 35 36 38 31 37 41 36 43 45 44 41 52 47 56 58 53 54 56 46 52 48 54 53 56 56 54 51 55 49 50 57 50 44 5 7 9 7 2 4 4 6 6 10 5 5 3 4 3 3 3 4 7 5 NA " 3 4 10 4 5 8 7 6 7 5 7 12 5 12 9 7 8 5 7 7 6 9 8 7 3 6 27. If the election for the U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for (the Democratic candidate) or (the Republican candidate) in your congressional district? (IF OTHER, NEITHER, DK, REF) Would you lean toward the (Democratic candidate) or toward the (Republican candidate)? NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE 10/20/13 All 10/20/13 RV 5/19/13*** 10/28/10 10/3/10 9/2/10** 7/11/10 6/6/10 4/25/10 3/26/10 2/8/10 10/22/06 10/8/06 9/7/06 8/6/06 6/25/06 5/15/06 4/9/06 1/26/06 12/18/05 11/2/05 7/15/02 1/27/02* 9/6/00 7/23/00 2/27/00 10/31/99 Dem cand. 49 48 48 49 47 45 46 47 48 48 45 54 54 50 52 52 52 55 54 51 52 47 43 49 46 45 50 Rep cand. 38 40 40 44 43 47 47 44 43 44 48 41 41 42 39 39 40 40 38 41 37 46 50 42 45 46 43 Other (vol.) 1 1 2 1 1 1 * 2 1 1 * * * * * 1 1 * 1 1 1 1 NA Neither (vol.) 5 5 4 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 4 1 2 2 3 2 3 Would not vote (vol.) 1 1 1 * 1 1 * 1 1 * * * 1 2 1 1 1 * 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 No opinion 6 4 6 3 5 5 5 4 6 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 4 3 5 4 6 4 5 6 5 5 3 19 9/2/99 3/14/99 2/14/99 1/30/99 11/1/98 10/25/98 10/18/98 9/28/98 9/13/98 8/21/98 7/12/98 1/31/98 1/19/98 10/8/96 9/29/96 9/22/96 9/15/96 9/4/96 8/29/96 8/28/96 8/27/96 8/26/96 8/25/96 8/24/96 8/19/96 8/18/96 8/15/96 8/14/96 8/13/96 8/12/96 8/11/96 8/10/96 8/5/96 6/30/96 5/22/96 3/17/96 3/10/96 1/21/96 11/13/95 10/1/95 11/6/94 10/31/94 10/23/94 10/9/94 9/11/94 8/7/94 3/27/94 2/27/94 10/21/91 7/28/91 6/2/91 11/4/90 10/14/90 9/9/90 7/24/90 5/21/90 10/10/88 9/19/88 6/22/85 10/16/84 9/11/84 7/8/84 10/27/82 48 50 48 49 51 48 49 49 49 48 47 49 47 51 48 50 49 48 53 51 51 51 48 47 49 45 46 48 49 49 49 49 48 49 52 48 51 52 51 49 47 48 50 46 50 49 49 50 51 49 48 51 50 47 51 47 52 51 48 52 53 58 58 44 41 41 39 43 43 44 44 43 45 45 40 44 41 41 43 45 44 39 40 41 41 43 43 42 46 43 42 43 42 40 41 45 44 41 48 43 43 43 44 42 44 45 47 45 42 35 40 41 41 42 41 41 46 41 45 41 39 44 44 45 40 39 3 2 3 8 4 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 4 2 3 3 2 2 3 4 3 5 4 2 3 1 4 6 8 4 6 4 5 5 3 4 5 2 3 5 2 2 2 NA * 1 1 1 * 1 1 * 1 1 * 1 1 1 1 1 1 * 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 * 1 * * 1 * * 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 * * 1 * * * 1 1 1 1 * NA 5 6 7 3 2 4 4 4 4 3 6 8 5 5 7 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 5 6 5 5 6 5 4 3 3 2 4 1 2 3 5 3 2 2 4 4 9 2 4 3 5 3 3 3 4 2 4 6 3 5 1 1 3 20 10/11/82 55 36 9/13/82 58 36 11/22/81 53 41 " " " *1/27/02 and previous: No "other candidate" option recorded **9/2/10 and previous: "Will not vote (vol.)" ***5/19/13 and previous: Among registered voters 9 6 7 28. What's your view of the Tea Party political movement - would you say you support it strongly, support it somewhat, oppose it somewhat or oppose it strongly? -------- Support ---------------- Oppose -------NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly 10/20/13 36 9 27 54 20 34 5/19/13 40 10 30 43 21 22 8/25/12 44 13 31 42 18 24 8/5/12* 41 12 29 46 19 27 4/8/12 41 12 29 45 21 24 3/10/12 44 15 29 43 17 26 2/4/12 43 12 31 45 20 25 1/15/12 40 13 28 50 23 27 12/18/11 42 13 28 45 20 26 11/3/11 43 14 29 44 20 24 10/2/11 42 12 30 47 20 27 9/1/11 47 13 35 45 18 27 7/17/11 44 13 31 46 23 24 6/5/11 46 13 33 44 21 24 4/17/11 42 16 26 49 21 27 *Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation No opinion 10 17 14 13 14 13 12 10 13 13 11 8 10 10 10 Party ID. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a Republican), an independent or what? Democrat 10/20/13 30 9/15/13 34 7/21/13 31 5/19/13 33 4/14/13 33 3/10/13 33 1/13/13 33 12/16/12 31 11/4/12 33 11/4/12 RV 33 11/4/12 LV 35 10/13/12 33 9/29/12 31 9/9/12 33 8/25/12 31 7/8/12 33 5/20/12 32 4/18/12 34 3/10/12 31 2/12/12 34 1/15/12 32 Republican 24 23 21 22 23 25 24 24 25 27 29 22 25 23 22 24 22 23 27 23 25 Independent 40 34 37 38 36 35 37 38 34 35 32 37 36 37 39 36 38 34 36 37 36 Other (vol.) 4 4 7 5 5 5 5 4 4 3 3 4 5 4 6 4 7 5 3 5 5 No opinion 3 4 4 2 3 2 1 4 5 2 1 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 1 2 *** END *** 21