4/12: Michelle Obama’s Favorability Rock Solid

Almost two-thirds of registered voters nationwide have a positive impression of First Lady Michelle Obama.  65% have a favorable view of Mrs. Obama while less than one in four members of the electorate — 23% — has an unfavorable impression of her.  12% are unsure.

Click Here for Complete April 12, 2012 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

Mrs. Obama’s favorability rating is consistent.  When Marist last reported this question in October, 63% of registered voters in the United States thought well of the First Lady.  21%, however, had a less than stellar impression of Mrs. Obama, and 16% were unsure.

“The First Lady may be the president’s best asset,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “With numbers like these, expect her to have a high profile on the campaign trail.”

In the same poll, President Obama is viewed favorably by 50% of registered voters and unfavorably by 46%.  Three percent are unsure.

Table: Michelle Obama Favorability

Table: Michelle Obama Favorability Over Time

How the Survey was Conducted

Nature of the Sample

4/4: Take Me Out to the Ball Game? Maybe Not

Major League Baseball’s Opening Night is tonight!  As teams gear up to take the field, a majority of baseball fans nationally say they, once again, are not planning to attend any games this season.  53% report they did not attend any baseball games last season and do not plan to venture out to the stadium this season.  31% of baseball fans think they will go to about the same number of games as last year, 10% are planning to attend more, and 6% report they will be present for fewer games.  Results were similar when the Marist Poll last reported this question in April 2010.

Click Here for Complete April 4, 2012 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

Ticket prices are likely a factor here.  Nearly 6 in 10 national baseball fans — 56% — report the cost of a ticket for a major league baseball game is not a good value for the money.  34% disagree and say they get a good bang for their buck.  10% are unsure.  These proportions are unchanged from two years ago.

Looking at region, those in the Northeast are most likely to balk about the value received for the cost of a ticket to the game.  Nearly three-quarters — 73% — do not think they are getting their money’s worth.  Majorities in the Midwest — 55% — and South — 52% — share this view.  Baseball fans in the West divide.  47% say the cost of a ticket to a game is not a good value for the money while 46% state it is.

Table: More or Less Games Than Last Year

Table: Ticket Prices Value

Root, Root, Root for the Home Team?

Who do national baseball fans root for on the diamond?  16% cheer for the New York Yankees, 7% root for the Boston Red Sox, 6% say they support the Atlanta Braves, and the same proportion — 6% — is in the Chicago Cubs’ corner.  Five percent are on the side of the St. Louis Cardinals while a majority of baseball fans — 53% — pick another team for which to root.  Seven percent are unsure.

Region is a factor.  38% and 24% of fans living in the Northeast, respectively, say they cheer for the Yankees and Red Sox.  In the Midwest, 21% are Cubs fans.  Those in the South divide with 18% pulling for the Braves and 16% cheering for the Bronx Bombers.

Table: Favorite Baseball Team

Pre-Season Picks…Yankees are Early Favorite to Win World Series

Baseball fans nationally — 21% –choose the Yankees as the early favorite to take home the title of World Series Champions.  Coming in a distant second are the Red Sox — 7% — followed by the Philadelphia Phillies — 7%.  Rounding out the top five are the LA Angels of Anaheim — 5% — and the Texas Rangers with the same proportion — 5%.  Nearly three in ten fans — 29% — think another team will win it all, and a notable 27% are unsure.

When the Marist Poll reported this question at the beginning of last year’s post-season in September 2011, the New York Yankees — 22% –were at the top of the heap as baseball fans’ favorite.  At that time, only 2% picked the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals to win it all.

Table: Team Favored to Win the World Series

Baseball Fans

Half of adults nationally — 50% — report they follow Major League Baseball at least a little.  This includes 10% who watch a great deal of the sport, 10% who take in a good amount, and 30% who watch what happens on the diamond a little.  50% do not follow baseball at all.

These proportions are similar to when Marist last reported this question.  47% of adults in September followed baseball at least a little, while 53% said they didn’t watch at all.

Table: Baseball Fans

How the Survey was Conducted

Nature of the Sample

 

3/30: Romney Leads Santorum by 7 Points in Wisconsin

In the race for the Republican nomination in Wisconsin, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum face another competitive contest in the Midwest.  Romney has 40% to 33% for Santorum among likely Republican primary voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, early voters, and those who voted absentee in the state.

Click Here for Complete March 30, 2012 Wisconsin NBC News/Marist Poll Release

Click Here for Complete March 30, 2012 Wisconsin NBC News/Marist Poll Tables

Here is how the contest stands in Wisconsin:

• 40% for Mitt Romney
• 33% for Rick Santorum
• 11% for Ron Paul
• 8% for Newt Gingrich
• 7% are undecided

“The pattern of support is similar in Wisconsin as elsewhere,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “The advantage for Romney is the Wisconsin GOP primary electorate more closely resembles states he has carried.”

Key points:

• 43% of likely Republican primary voters who are liberal or moderate support Romney compared with 24% for Santorum.  Romney — 42% — also leads Santorum — 33% — among conservatives.  However, Santorum — 42% — bests Romney — 33% — among those who are very conservative.
• Among those who strongly support the Tea Party, Santorum has an 8 percentage point lead over Romney, 40% to 32%.  In contrast, Romney — 42% — has the advantage over Santorum — 31% — among those who are not Tea Party supporters.
• Evangelical Christians favor Santorum 40% to 29% for Romney.
• Romney — 47% — is ahead of Santorum — 32% — among those who earn $75,000 or more a year.  Those who earn less than $75,000 divide.  35% back Romney while the same proportion — 35% — is for Santorum.     

Table: 2012 Wisconsin Republican Presidential Primary (WI Likely Voters with Leaners, Early Voters, and Absentees)

Lukewarm Support for Candidates

Only 47% of likely Republican primary voters in Wisconsin are firmly committed to their choice of candidate.  39% are somewhat in their candidate’s camp.  13% might vote differently on Election Day, and 1% is unsure.

Key points:

• 49% of Santorum’s supporters strongly support him compared with 46% of Romney’s backers, 45% of those who are behind Paul, and 40% of those who are for Gingrich.

Table: Intensity of Support (WI Likely Voters)

Romney and Santorum Head to Head: Advantage Still Romney

What if Romney and Santorum were the only two candidates in the Republican contest?  46% would back Romney while 41% would support Santorum.  One percent would choose another candidate, and 12% are undecided.

Table: 2012 Wisconsin Republican Presidential Primary between Romney and Santorum (WI Likely Voters)

Obama Leads Potential GOP Challengers

In a state Barack Obama carried by 14 points in 2008, President Obama outpaces all of his Republican challengers.

Among registered voters in Wisconsin:

• Obama — 51% — leads Santorum — 38% — by 13 percentage points.  11% are undecided.
• 51% support Obama compared with 36% for Paul.  13% are undecided.
• Obama receives 52% to 35% for Romney.  13% are undecided.
• President Obama — 56% — has the widest lead against Gingrich — 31%.  14% are undecided.

In each matchup, including the Obama-Romney tossup, independent and Republican voters are more undecided than Democrats.  Independents who lean toward the Republican party and those who do not lean toward any party are more likely to be undecided in their choice for president than independents who lean toward the Democratic party.

“President Obama is running behind his 2008 vote,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “But, the wide gap between Obama and his potential opponents results from a lack of consensus among Republican and some independent voters behind the eventual GOP nominee.”

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Santorum (WI Registered Voters)

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Paul (WI Registered Voters)

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Romney (WI Registered Voters)

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Gingrich (WI Registered Voters)

Only 37% Very Enthusiastic to Vote in November

Less than four in ten Wisconsin registered voters — 37% — say they are very enthusiastic about voting in November’s general election.  About one-third — 33% — are somewhat enthusiastic while 19% are not too enthusiastic.  11% are not enthusiastic at all.

Table: Enthusiasm to Vote (WI Registered Voters)

Dems Viewed as Having Wider Appeal… Battle with GOP on Social Issues

When it comes to the party which does a better job appealing to voters who are not among its hard-core supporters, 48% of registered voters in Wisconsin say the Democratic party better accomplishes this goal.  32% disagree and believe the Republicans attract those who are not as fervent in their support.  A notable 20% are unsure.

Key points:

• Looking at independent voters, a plurality — 44% — views the Democrats as appealing to less ardent supporters compared with 28% who have this view of the Republicans.  28% are unsure.

When it comes to social issues, Democrats edge Republicans.  45% of Wisconsin registered voters think the Democrats more closely represent their views on these issues while 41% report the Republicans come closer to their positions.  14% are unsure.

Key points:

• 44% of independent voters identify more closely with the Democrats on social issues compared with 36% who think the Republicans come closer to their position.  One in five — 20% — is unsure.

Table: Party which Does Better Job at Appealing to those who are Not Hard-Core Supporters (WI Registered Voters)

Table: Party which Most Closely Reflects Views on Social Issues (WI Registered Voters)

Obama Approval Rating at 50%

Half of registered voters in Wisconsin — 50% — approve of the job President Obama is doing in office.  40% disapprove, and 10% are unsure.

Table: President Obama Approval Rating in Wisconsin (WI Registered Voters)

Better Economic Days Ahead, Says Majority

Has the U.S. economy turned the economic corner?  52% of registered voters in Wisconsin believe the worst of the nation’s economic news is over while 40% think the worst is still to come.  Seven percent are unsure.

Looking at the state of the U.S. economy in the next 12 months, more than three in ten Wisconsin registered voters — 32% — think it will get better.  19% report it will get worse, and 45% believe it will stay about the same.  Three percent are unsure.

Table: U.S. Economy — Will It Get Worse? (WI Registered Voters)

Table: The U.S. Economy in the Next Year (WI Registered Voters)

Country Needs Course Correction, Says Majority

55% of Wisconsin registered voters believe the nation is off on the wrong track while 39% say it is headed in the right direction.  Six percent are unsure.

Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country (WI Registered Voters)

Voters Divide about Walker’s Job Performance, Recall Election

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is facing a recall election, and right now, registered voters in the state are torn about his performance as governor.  48% approve of the job he is doing while 48% disapprove.  Four percent are unsure.

Key points:

• There is a partisan divide.  Most Republicans — 91% — approve of Walker’s job performance while most Democrats — 84% — disapprove.  Independent voters in Wisconsin also divide.  47% approve while the same proportion — 47% — disapproves.

Will voters support Walker in the upcoming recall election?  46% say they will support Governor Walker while 48% plan to back the Democratic candidate.  Six percent are undecided.

Key points:

• Independent voters divide here as well.  46% favor the Democratic candidate while 45% are for Walker.

Table:  Scott Walker’s Approval Rating (WI Registered Voters)

Table: Recall Election for Governor (WI Registered Voters)

More Republican Voters Following Recall Election than GOP Presidential Primary

A majority of likely Republican primary voters in Wisconsin are focusing more on state politics than national politics.  51% say they are tracking the recall election more closely than the Republican primary.  37% report the opposite to be the case, and 12% are unsure.

Table: Which Race Are You Following More Closely: the Recall Election or GOP Presidential Primary (WI Likely Voters)

Baldwin with Plurality Support in U.S. Senate Race

In the race for the open U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin, Democrat Tammy Baldwin receives the support of 45% of registered voters in the state.  A generic Republican candidate garners 40%, and 16% are undecided.

Table: 2012 Hypothetical U.S. Senate Tossup in Ohio: Baldwin/Republican Candidate (WI Registered Voters)

How the Survey was Conducted

Nature of the Sample

 

3/29: Majority Thinks Colleges Break NCAA Rules…Most Say Only Scholarships for Athletes

All eyes will be on the NCAA Final Four this weekend.  But, when it comes to recruiting and training practices, do college sports’ programs break NCAA rules?  A majority of sports fans nationally — 55% — think it is common practice to act outside of the regulations while 35% believe it is not common practice.  10% are unsure.

This Marist Poll has been done in conjunction with The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.

Click Here for Complete March 29, 2012 USA Poll Release and Tables

There’s been a lot of debate about the type of compensation top college athletes should receive, and now, sports fans are weighing in.  Nearly seven in ten sports fans nationally — 68% — believe athletes should only receive scholarships.  27% think these athletes should be given both a scholarship and a salary while only 5% report college athletes should be given neither a scholarship nor monetary compensation.

What about college coaches?  Nearly six in ten sports fans — 57% — believe coaches of top college sports’ programs should be paid less than coaches in professional sports.  39% think they should receive about the same pay as coaches of professional sports teams while only 4% say they should be paid more.

“While paying college athletes isn’t largely supported, it seems that a majority also feel that college coaches shouldn’t be compensated as highly either,” says Dr. Keith Strudler, Director of The Marist College Center for Sports Communication.

Nearly six in ten adults nationally — 58% — are sports fans while 42% say they are not.  This is little changed from when Marist last reported this question in December.  At that time, 61% of residents said they were sports fans.

Table: College Sports’ Programs Recruiting Practices

Table: Compensation for Top College Athletes

Table: Salaries for Coaches of Top College Sports’ Programs

Table: Sports Fans Nationally

Number of NCAA Men’s Basketball Teams on Target, Say Fans

The NCAA basketball tournament may be heading into the Final Four, but the men’s tournament starts out with 68 teams, and according to 78% of college basketball fans, that number hits the mark.  18%, however, think there are too many teams while 4% believe there are too few.

Just how many adults nationally are college basketball fans?  43% follow the sport, at least, to some extent.  This includes 9% who watch a great deal of the sport, 9% who follow it a good amount, and 25% who tune in a little.  However, a majority — 56% — does not follow college basketball at all.

Table: Number of Teams in NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Table: College Basketball Fans Nationally

From the Court to the Field: College Football Fans Want a Playoff System

Could college football’s Bowl Championship Series become a thing of the past?  More than two-thirds of college football fans nationally — 68% — believe it’s a good idea to replace the current system with a playoff system.  One in five — 20% — says changing the system is a bad idea, and 12% are unsure.

46% of adults nationally, however, are not college football fans while 54% call themselves fans.  Included here are 15% who watch college football a great deal, 11% who follow the sport a good amount, and 28% who catch a little of it.

Table: Idea to Change College Football Bowl Championship Series to Playoff System

Table: College Football Fans Nationally

How the Survey was Conducted

Nature of the Sample

About Keith Strudler, Ph.D.

Strudler, Ph.D., is the director of the Marist College Center for Sports Communication.  Dr. Strudler founded Marist’s popular concentration in sports communication in 2002, now one of the nation’s largest in the discipline.  He studies and teaches in the areas of sports media, sport and society, and sports reporting and information.  Dr. Strudler also writes weekly sports commentary for WAMC, an NPR radio station in Albany, NY.

3/28: Despite Increased Economic Optimism, Americans Still Feel Pinch…Gas Prices a Factor

More Americans have a brighter outlook about the future of the U.S. economy.  According to this national McClatchy-Marist Poll, 49% of U.S. residents say the worst of the country’s economic woes are behind us while 45% report there is more bad news ahead.  Six percent are unsure.  The proportion of residents who believe the nation’s tough economic times are over is the highest since January of 2011 when a majority — 54% — thought the country had turned the economic corner.

Click Here for Complete March 28, 2012 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

These latest findings are in contrast to McClatchy-Marist’s November survey when 53% of Americans reported that, when thinking about the future of the U.S. economy, the worst was still to come.  41%, at that time, said the worst was behind us, and 5% were unsure.

“A growing number of Americans believe the economy is back on track,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “But, continued pain at the pump threatens to derail this optimism.”

And, while many Americans still view the nation as in a recession, fewer have this perception.  In fact, the proportion who currently reports the country is in a recession — 66% — is the lowest in four years.  Three in ten U.S. adults — 30% — now believe the nation is not in a recession, and 4% are unsure.

When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in November, 73% of residents said America was in a recession, 25% believed the opposite was true, and 3%, at that time, were unsure.

Table: U.S. Economy — Will It Get Worse?

Table: U.S. Economy — Will It Get Worse? (Over Time)

Table: U.S. in a Recession

Table: U.S. in a Recession Over Time

Rising Gas Prices Strap Americans…Plenty of Blame to Go Around

What is the overall impact of the higher cost of gas on Americans’ wallets?  77% of U.S. adults say rising gas prices have put at least a moderate  amount of strain on their family’s budget.  Included here are 37% who say they have experienced a great deal of strain and 40% who have felt a moderate pinch at the pump.  12% report the increased cost has not had much of a strain on their family finances, and 10% say the prices have had no strain at all.

When Marist last reported this question in April of 2008, 56% of Americans said higher gas prices put a great deal of strain on their finances while 26% thought it added a moderate amount of stress on their family budgets.

As gas prices rise, there’s little consensus about the cause of the hike.  34% point a finger at the turmoil in the Middle East followed closely by 31% who blame the U.S. oil companies.  17% say President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress are responsible while just 7% put the onus on the Republicans in Congress.  Four percent report state and local taxes are at fault, and 7% are unsure.

When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in April 2011, 36% blamed the upset in the Middle East, 34% said the oil companies were at the root of the problem, and 11% thought the president and Congressional Democrats were at fault.  Seven percent pointed a finger at the Republicans in Congress, and 3% reported state and local taxes were responsible.  10%, at the time, were unsure.

Higher gas prices impact Americans’ daily routine.  A majority — 53% — say they have changed their driving habits due to the price of gas while 46% have not, and 1% is unsure.

And, U.S. residents see no relief in sight.  In fact, Americans expect the cost of a gallon of gas in their neighborhood to average $4.38 a gallon by Memorial Day.

The higher cost of gas isn’t the only factor which has prompted Americans to tighten their belts.

• Higher food costs have caused a great deal of strain for 20% of Americans.  47% have felt a moderate amount of financial burden while 18% have experienced little strain.  15% have undergone no added financial difficulty.  In 2008, 25% reported a substantial strain due to rising food costs while 43% experienced a moderate deal of strain.
• Affording health care has also been problematic for many.  The increased cost has created a great deal of financial burden for 19% while an additional 40% have felt a moderate amount of burden.  14%, though, have not experienced a lot of strain, and 27% have undergone no financial stress at all.  In 2008, 23% of Americans experienced a great deal of financial stress due to increased health care costs while 29% had a moderate amount of additional strain.
• When it comes to the added financial burden caused by the higher cost of a mortgage or rent, 12% have experienced a great deal of financial strain, 28% have felt moderate stress while 17% and 43%, respectively, have undergone very little or none at all.  Four years ago, 15% of U.S. residents said increased mortgage or rent payments added a lot to their financial strain while 23% reported it caused some concern.

There has been an increase in the proportion of Americans who believe their overall, personal financial picture in the next year will improve.  32% have this view while 14% say it will get worse.  A majority — 55% — reports there will be no difference in their family finances.

In McClatchy-Marist’s November survey, 22% thought their money matters would improve, 19% reported they would get worse, and 59% said their finances would remain about the same.

Table: Amount of Financial Strain Caused by Higher Gas Prices

Table: Cause of High Gas Prices

Table: Cause of High Gas Prices (Over Time)

Table: Impact of Gas Prices on Driving Habits

Table: Cost of Gas per Gallon by Memorial Day

Table: Cost of Gas per Gallon by Memorial Day (Over Time)

Table: Amount of Financial Strain Caused by Higher Food Prices

Table: Amount of Financial Strain Caused by Health Care Prices

Table: Amount of Financial Strain Caused by Higher Mortgage or Rent Prices

Table: Amount of Financial Strain Summary (Over Time)

Table: Your Personal Family Finances – Better, Worse, or the Same?

Table: Your Personal Family Finances – Better, Worse, or the Same? (Over Time)

How the Survey was Conducted

Nature of the Sample

3/27: McClatchy-Marist Poll

Is the recession over?  Are Americans feeling the pinch from higher gas prices?

Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.  To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

3/27: Obama and Romney Neck and Neck Nationally

President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney are locked in a close contest among registered voters nationally.  The president, however, leads his other potential GOP challengers.

Click Here for Complete March 27, 2012 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Among registered voters nationally, here are how these hypothetical contests shape up:

• Obama has 46% to 44% for Romney.  Nine percent are undecided.  In McClatchy-Marist’s November survey, Obama — 48% — edged Romney — 44% — with 8% undecided.
• Against Santorum, Obama has 48% to 43% for Santorum.  Nine percent are undecided.
• Obama — 50% — leads Paul — 40% — by 10 percentage points.  10% are undecided.  In November, Obama — 49% — had a similar lead against Paul — 41%.  10%, then, were undecided.
• The president outpaces Gingrich, 53% to 38%.  Nine percent are undecided.  In November, voters divided.  47% were for Obama compared with 45% for Gingrich.  Eight percent, at that time, were undecided.

“Despite the twists and turns of the GOP primary contest, little has changed in an Obama-Romney matchup,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “The electorate is polarized and voters are mostly decided.  Don’t expect dramatic swings in voter sentiments along the general election campaign trail.”

If Romney were to receive the Republican nomination and round out the ticket with Jeb Bush as his running mate, the alliance would be beneficial.  47% of registered voters would back Obama and Biden while the same proportion — 47% — would support Romney and Bush. Six percent are undecided.

However, the Democratic ticket would lead, 49% to 44%, if Romney chose Marco Rubio as his running mate.  Eight percent are undecided.

If Santorum were the nominee and joined forces with Newt Gingrich, Obama and Biden would receive majority support — 51% — to 42% for Santorum and Gingrich.  Seven percent are undecided.

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Romney

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Romney (Over Time)

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Santorum

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Paul

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Gingrich

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Biden against Romney/Bush

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Biden against Romney/Rubio

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Biden against Santorum/Gingrich

GOP and Dems Battle for Support on Social Issues … Just 35% Excited for Fall Vote

When it comes to social issues, 47% of registered voters nationally say the Democratic party more closely reflects their views while 44% report the Republican party comes closer to their position on these issues.  10% are unsure.

Just 35% of U.S. registered voters express a high level of enthusiasm about voting in November’s presidential election while 37% say they are somewhat enthusiastic.  17% are not too enthusiastic, and 11% of voters are not enthusiastic at all.

• On enthusiasm the Democrats — 83% — have an early advantage over Republicans — 70%.
• However, voters who strongly support the Tea Party — 57% — and those who are most conservative — 47% — are very enthusiastic.  51% of African American voters share this view, but only 13% of voters under thirty have this level of enthusiasm.

Table: Party which Most Closely Reflects Views on Social Issues

Table: Enthusiasm to Vote

The Favorability Factor

President Obama’s image is on the mend, but how do his potential GOP opponents rate?

• Half of registered voters nationally — 50% — have a favorable view of President Obama while 46% have an unfavorable impression of him.  Three percent are unsure.  In November, 49% had an unfavorable opinion of the president while 47% thought well of him.  Four percent, at that time, were unsure.
• Voters divide about Romney’s favorability.  45% have a favorable impression of him while the same proportion — 45% — have a lesser opinion of him.  10% are unsure.
• Looking at Santorum’s favorability, nearly half — 48% — have a negative impression of him while 39% think well of him, and 13% are unsure.

How do voters describe the political stance of President Obama, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum?

• 47% of registered voters believe President Obama’s ideology is about right while 40% think he is too liberal.  Seven percent say he is too conservative, and 6% are unsure.
• Four in ten registered voters — 40% — perceive Romney’s ideology to be on target.  31% say he is too conservative while 16% think he is too liberal.  13% are unsure.
• While 40% of registered voters report Santorum is too conservative, a similar proportion — 37% — thinks his ideology is about right.  Only 10% believe he is too liberal, and 13% are unsure.

Table: President Obama Favorability

Table: President Obama Favorability (Over Time)

Table: Mitt Romney Favorability

Table: Rick Santorum Favorability

Table: President Obama’s Ideology

Table: Mitt Romney’s Ideology

Table: Rick Santorum’s Ideology

Romney Leads GOP Opponents Nationally

Which Republican candidate will face off against President Obama in November’s general election?  Romney currently edges his competition among Republicans and Republican leaning independents nationally.

Here is how the contest stands:

• 39% for Mitt Romney
• 31% for Rick Santorum
• 13% for Newt Gingrich
• 13% for Ron Paul
• 4% are undecided

If the race comes down to Romney and Santorum, Romney leads Santorum, 50% to 44%.  Six percent are undecided.

Table: 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

Table: 2012 Republican Presidential Primary without Gingrich and Paul

Boost in Obama’s Approval Rating

Registered voters nationally divide about President Obama’s job performance.  48% approve of the job he is doing.  47% disapprove, and 5% are unsure.

Mr. Obama’s job performance is on an upswing.  When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in November, half — 50% — gave Mr. Obama a thumbs-down while 43% applauded his job performance.  Seven percent, at the time, were unsure.

Table: President Obama Approval Rating

Table: President Obama Approval Rating (Over Time)

More Approve of President’s Handling of Economy, But Majority Still Disapprove

Although a majority of registered voters nationally — 51% — disapprove of how the president is handling the nation’s economy, there has been an increase in the proportion of voters — 46% — who approve of Obama’s performance on this issue.  Three percent are unsure.  This is the highest approval rating the president has received on the issue of the economy since January of 2011 when 44% thought he was handling the economy well and matches his highest approval rating on the economy in June of 2010.  In November, 36% gave Mr. Obama high marks, 59% thought he fell short, and 4% were unsure.

Nearly six in ten voters — 58% — say Obama inherited the nation’s current financial situation while 37% think it is mostly a result of the president’s own policies.  Five percent are unsure.  When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in November, 60% reported the president inherited these conditions while 32% said his policies contributed to them.

When it comes to foreign policy, 50% of registered voters approve of how the president is dealing with the issue.  45% disapprove, and 5% are unsure.  When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in November, 49% approved of the way the president was handling foreign policy while 45% disapproved.  Six percent were unsure.

Table: President Obama’s Handling of the Economy

Table: President Obama’s Handling of the Economy (Over Time)

Table: Current Economic Conditions Inherited

Table: Current Economic Conditions Inherited Over Time

Table: Handling Foreign Policy

Table: Handling Foreign Policy Over Time

More View Nation Headed in the Right Direction

While a majority of adults nationally still view the country as headed in the wrong direction, there has been a major shift in public opinion.  53%, now, believe the nation is on the wrong track while 43% say it is on the right one, and 4% are unsure.  The proportion of residents who think the nation is moving on the proper path is the highest since March of 2010 when 43% also shared this view.

In November, seven in ten adults — 70% — thought the country was moving on the wrong road while 25% said she was on the right path.  Four percent were unsure.

Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country

Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country (Over Time)

Congressional Approval Ratings Still Low, But GOP and Dems See Slight Bump

31% of registered voters nationally approve of the job the Republicans in Congress are doing, 62% disapprove, and 8% are unsure.  In November, 23% thought they were doing well while seven in ten — 70% — gave them low marks.  Seven percent were unsure.

When it comes to the Democrats in Congress, 34% approve of their job performance, 59% disapprove, and 7% are unsure.

In November, 28% approved of how they were performing in office, 65% disapproved, and 7% were unsure.

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Approval Rating

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Approval Rating (Over Time)

Table: Congressional Democrats’ Approval Rating

Table: Congressional Democrats’ Approval Rating (Over Time)

Nearly Half Say GOP Candidate will Receive Support in Congressional Races

Looking to November’s elections for Congress, 47% say they will cast their ballot for the Republican candidate in their district while 43% believe they will support the Democratic candidate.  Three percent do not support either party’s candidate, and 7% are undecided.

Table: 2012 Congressional Elections

How the Survey was Conducted

Nature of the Sample

3/26: McClatchy-Marist Poll

In the race for the White House, which Republican candidate runs best against President Barack Obama?  Have the contests changed over the past few months?

Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.  To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

3/26: Majority Wants Highest Court to Change At Least Part of Health Care Law

The 2010 health care law is before the United States Supreme Court today.  What do Americans nationwide want the outcome to be?  35% think the law should stand in its current form while 34% report the law should be completely repealed.  A notable proportion — 21% — wants the part which mandates Americans to buy health insurance to be declared unconstitutional, and 10% are unsure.  Similar proportions of registered voters share these views.

Click Here for Complete March 26, 2012 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Not surprisingly, there is a partisan divide.  65% of Democrats want the health care law to remain as it is while 53% of Republicans want the law repealed completely.  There is little consensus among independent voters.  39% want it overturned completely while 27% believe it should be upheld.  Almost one in four of these voters — 24% — say the aspect requiring residents to buy health insurance should be overthrown.

Table: U.S. Supreme Court Hearings on the 2010 Health Care Law

How the Survey was Conducted

Nature of the Sample

3/23: McClatchy-Marist Poll

The United States Supreme Court is poised to hear arguments about the constitutionality of the 2010 health care law.  What do registered voters nationally want them to decide?  Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »