9/19: McClatchy-Marist Poll

President Barack Obama faces some bad news.  His approval rating is at its lowest point, and those who think the nation is moving in the wrong direction is at its highest point in more than a decade.  But, what do Americans think of the president’s plan to create jobs? Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

8/10: Obama’s Re-Election Prospects: Voters Divide

President Barack Obama asserts that change doesn’t occur overnight.  But, will registered voters nationwide give him the opportunity to fulfill his promise during a second term?  According to this McClatchy-Marist Poll, voters divide.  Four in ten — 40% — say they will definitely vote for the president next year while 40% think they will definitely vote against him.  A notable one in five — 20% — is unsure.

Click Here for Complete August 10^th, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in June, 43% of registered voters thought they would definitely vote against President Obama while 36% said they would definitely vote for him.  21%, at the time, were unsure.

“Voters nationally continue to be mixed about President Obama’s re-election prospects,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “The difference occurs when he is matched against specific GOP wannabes.  Here, he has the edge against a host of possible challengers.”

Although 40% of independent voters report they plan to vote against President Obama next year, more than one-third of independents — 35% — currently plan to vote for the president, and a notable 25% are unsure.  In McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey, only 29% of independents thought they would back the president while 43% planned to vote for another candidate.  28%, at the time, were unsure.

There has been little change among Democrats.  69% report they will support President Obama, 14% will not, and 16% are unsure.  In June, those proportions stood at 70%, 10%, and 20%, respectively.  Among Republican voters nationally, 7% plan to vote for the president.   77% say they will cast their ballot for another candidate, and 16% are unsure.  In McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey, only 4% of GOP voters reported Mr. Obama would receive their vote while 85% said they were not planning to back the president.  10%, then, were unsure.

Table: Definitely Plan to Vote For or Against President Obama in 2012

Table: Definitely Plan to Vote For or Against President Obama in 2012 (Over Time)

Obama Leads GOP Challengers … Majority Support Against Bachmann, Perry, & Palin

Regardless of whether or not voters plan to cast their ballot for the president next year, Mr. Obama fares well against most potential Republican challengers.  In fact, the president has either majority support or his backing has remained consistent since McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey in June.

When paired against leading Republican challengers, here is how the contests stand:

• President Obama receives 46% of registered voters’ support to 41% for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.  13% are undecided.  In June, 46% backed Obama while 42% rallied for Romney.  11%, at the time, were undecided.
• When the president goes head-to-head with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 48% say they are for Obama while 43% are behind Giuliani.  Nine percent are undecided.  Little has changed on this question since June when 48% backed Obama, 41% touted Giuliani, and 12% were undecided.
• President Obama has a 13 percentage point lead over former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.  Nearly half — 49% — support the president while 36% throw their support behind Pawlenty.  15% are undecided.  In June, 47% supported the president, about one-third — 33% — backed Pawlenty, and one in five — 20% — was undecided.
• When matched against Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, the president receives majority support.  52% rally behind the president while 35% are in Bachmann’s corner.  13% are undecided.  A couple of months ago, 49% backed Obama, 37% were behind Bachmann, and 14% were undecided.
• The president has a 19 percentage point lead over Texas Governor Rick Perry.  Here, 52% support the president, 33% are behind Perry, and 14% are undecided.  In McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey, 48% said they would vote for Obama while 39% reported they would cast their ballot for Perry.  13%, at the time, were undecided.
• President Obama receives the greatest support when up against former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.  56% support the president while 35% are in Palin’s camp.  Nine percent are undecided.  In June, 56% gave their endorsement to Obama, 30% touted Palin, and 14% were undecided.

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Romney

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

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Giuliani

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Pawlenty

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Bachmann

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Perry

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Palin

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

Romney, Perry Lead Pack of GOP Contenders

Is there a likely Republican candidate to face-off against President Barack Obama in next year’s general election?  Although Mitt Romney and Rick Perry top the list of potential candidates, they each only receive support from about one in five Republican primary voters.

Among Republicans and Republican leaning independents, here is how the contest stands:

• 21% for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
• 18% for Texas Governor Rick Perry
• 10% for former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
• 9% for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
• 8% for Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
• 6% for businessman Herman Cain
• 3% for Texas Congressman Ron Paul
• 3% for former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum
• 2% for former Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich
• 2% for former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
• 2% for former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson
• 2% for former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer
• 1% for former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman
• Less than 1% for Political Activist Fred Karger
• 14% are undecided

Table: 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

Previous Survey Results for the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

8/9: McClatchy-Marist Poll

As speculation grows about a possible presidential run by Texas Governor Rick Perry, what are his electoral chances when matched against other potential Republican candidates and President Barack Obama?  Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

8/9: Nation’s Direction Takes Sharp Turn for the Worse

Americans’ views toward the future of the country have become increasingly negative.  According to this McClatchy-Marist Poll, seven in ten U.S. residents — 70% — believe the nation is moving in the wrong direction while only 21% say it is traveling along the right one.  One in ten — 10% — is unsure.

Click Here for Complete August 9^th, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

There has been a major change on this question since McClatchy-Marist last reported it in June.  At that time, 59% thought the country was on the wrong track while 32% said it was on the right one.  Nine percent, at that time, were unsure.

The current proportion of Americans who report the nation needs its course corrected is the largest since President Barack Obama took office in January of 2009 and the worst in more than a decade.

“It’s getting harder and harder for Washington to have a tin ear to Americans who are clamoring about the direction of the nation,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Republicans are the most negative in their views.  But, Democrats and independents have increasingly soured to the direction of the country.”

Looking at registered voters, the largest change has occurred among Democrats and independent voters.

• 72% of registered voters view the nation as going downhill while 21% perceive it as on the right track.  Just 7% are unsure.
• 54% of Democrats now report the country is moving in the wrong direction.  37% said the same in June.
• Among independents, nearly eight in ten — 78% — believe the nation’s trajectory is negative while 62% thought the same in McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey.
• 88% of Republicans currently think the nation is on the wrong path, little changed from 87% in June.

Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country

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

 

Plurality Denounces Debt Deal

The debate over whether or not to raise the nation’s debt ceiling has dominated political debate for most of the summer.  How do Americans assess the agreement?  A plurality of Americans — 47% — characterizes it as bad for the nation while 41% believe the deal, overall, is good for America.  12% are unsure.

Among registered voters:

• 47% report the agreement is bad for the country while 43% say it is a good thing.  One in ten — 10% — is unsure.
• 63% of Republicans and 49% of independents think the debt deal is bad for the country.
• A majority of Democrats — 56% — believe it is good for the nation.

On the specifics of the debt ceiling deal, about two-thirds of Americans — 66% — think the agreement’s approach is unbalanced.  Almost one in five — 19% — believe the deal is balanced, and 14% are unsure.

Registered voters have similar views.  68% of registered voters say the agreement is out of balance while one in five — 20% — report it is balanced.  12% are unsure.  Independent voters tip the scale on this question.  72% of independents say the debt deal is not balanced.  This compares with 67% of Republicans and 64% of Democrats.

But, who do Americans believe will benefit from the deal, and who will carry the burden?

Key points:

• 65% of residents nationwide think the deal is unfair to the elderly.  26% say it is fair, and 9% are unsure.
• More than six in ten residents — 62% — think the deal is unfair to the poor.  28% disagree, and 10% are unsure.
• About six in ten adults — 61% — believe the agreement shortchanges the middle class.  29% believe the deal is fair, and 10% are unsure.
• However, a majority of U.S. adults — 55% — say the debt ceiling agreement is fair to Americans with high incomes.  34% call it unfair, and 11% are unsure.
• A majority also believes the agreement is fair to Corporate America.  54% of residents have this view.  31% think the opposite is true, and 15% are unsure.

Table: Is the Debt Ceiling Agreement Good or Bad for the Nation?

Table: Is the Debt Deal Balanced or Not Balanced?

Table: Is the Debt Deal Fair or Unfair to the Elderly?

Table: Is the Debt Deal Fair or Unfair to the Poor?

Table: Is the Debt Deal Fair or Unfair to the Middle Class?

Table: Is the Debt Deal Fair or Unfair to Americans with High Incomes?

Table: Is the Debt Deal Fair or Unfair to Corporate America?

Debt Deal Fallout

More than three in four adults nationally — 77% — say the debt ceiling debate has made them less confident in government in Washington.  79% of registered voters agree.  Just 15% of U.S. residents say the political wrangling has given them increased confidence in the federal government, and 9% are unsure.

Despite the debt ceiling debate, President Obama’s job performance has changed little.  44% of registered voters approve of the job he is doing while 46% disapprove.  One in ten — 10% — is unsure.  In McClatchy-Marist’s June survey, 45% approved of how the president was performing in office while 47% disapproved.  Eight percent, at the time, were unsure.

The job approval rating of Republicans in Congress still lags behind that of the president, but it has changed little over the past few weeks.  More than six in ten registered voters — 62% — still disapprove of their job performance while only 27% approve.  11% are unsure.  In June, those proportions stood at 63%, 27%, and 10%, respectively.

Even 44% of Republican voters disapprove of how members of their own party are doing in Congress.

Looking at the Democrats in Congress, a majority — 55% — of registered voters disapprove of the job they are doing.  35% approve, and 11% are unsure.  In June, 60% gave the Democrats in Congress poor marks while 30% rated them well.  10% were unsure.

Is President Obama too liberal, too conservative, or about right?  48% believe President Obama is ideologically positioned about right.  More independent voters think the president’s ideology is on track than believe the same about the Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

Key points:

• 48% of registered voters say President Obama is neither too liberal nor too conservative.  36% perceive the president as too liberal while 7% think he is too conservative.  Eight percent are unsure.

o   Not surprisingly, 71% of Democrats perceive the president’s ideology to be about right while 71% of Republicans think he is too liberal.  46% of independents believe Mr. Obama’s ideology is on target.

• When it comes to Republicans in Congress, 41% of registered voters say they are too conservative while 31% think they are about right.  17% call them too liberal.  11% are unsure.

o   Only 29% of independent voters say the Republicans in Congress are on track.  40% believe they are too conservative.

• 42% of voters believe Democrats in Congress are too liberal.  36% say their ideology is on the mark while 12% report they are too conservative.  One in ten — 10% — is unsure.

o   Among independent voters, 35% describe the ideology of Democrats in Congress as about right.  40% believe they are too liberal.

Is the president still perceived as likeable?  52% of registered voters view President Obama favorably.  41% have a less than stellar impression of him, and 8% are unsure.

Little has changed on this question since McClatchy-Marist last reported it in June.  At that time, half — 50% — thought well of the president, 44% had a lesser impression of Mr. Obama, and 6% were unsure.

And, what about the Tea Party?  31% of Americans say it played a major role in shaping the debt deal, about one-third — 33% — think the movement played a minor role, and 19% believe it played no role at all.  17% are unsure.

Nearly three in ten registered voters — 29% — still identify with the Tea Party compared with 25% who did so in June.

Among registered voters who support the Tea Party, 34% think the movement played a major role in shaping the deal.  46% believe it had a minor role, and 15% say it played no part at all.  Six percent are unsure.

When it comes to electoral politics, the message registered voters are sending to candidates who plan to run for Congress next year depends on their political allegiance.  Among registered voters overall, 41% say they are less likely to cast their ballot for a candidate who supported the debt ceiling deal while 36% report they are more likely to vote for such a candidate.  11% state that support for the debt ceiling agreement makes no difference to their vote, and 12% are unsure.

Key points:

• By party, a majority of Republican voters — 53% — report that a candidate’s backing of the agreement makes them less likely to support that candidate for Congress next year.  24% report it makes them more likely to do so.  However, nearly half of Democrats — 47% — say support of the deal makes them more likely to back a candidate for Congress while 30% state it makes them less likely to cast their ballot for that candidate next year.
• Only 27% of those who support the Tea Party movement say a candidate’s support for the debt agreement makes them more likely to back that candidate.  61% report it makes them less likely while 6% say it makes no difference to their vote.  Six percent are unsure.

Table: Debt Ceiling Agreement’s Impact on Confidence in Government

Table: President Obama Approval Rating

Table: President Obama Approval Rating (Over Time)

 

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Approval Rating

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Approval Rating (Over Time)

Table: Congressional Democrats’ Approval Rating

Table: Congressional Democrats’ Approval Rating (Over Time)

Table: President Obama’s Ideology

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Ideology

Table: Congressional Democrats’ Ideology

Table: President Obama Favorability

Table: President Obama Favorability (Over Time)

 

Table: Role of Tea Party in Shaping the Debt Ceiling Agreement

Table: Tea Party Supporters

Table: Tea Party Supporters Over Time

Table: Impact of Debt Ceiling Support on 2012 Congressional Campaign

Round Two

When the budget talks resume, Americans expect a replay in the lack of cooperation between President Barack Obama and Congress.  Seven in ten American adults — 70% — believe it will be about the same during the next round of deficit talks.  16% believe they will be less cooperative while 14% think they will be more cooperative.

Which actions do Americans support to pay down the debt?  The direction of the debate in Washington is out of touch with what people want.

• Nearly seven in ten adults nationally — 68% — support increasing taxes on income over $250,000.  29% oppose such an action, and 3% are unsure.

o   Similar proportions of registered voters share these views.  69% support raising income taxes on the wealthiest Americans, 28% oppose it, and 2% are unsure.

o   Even 51% of Republicans and 43% of Tea Party supporters favor these tax increases.

• 60% of U.S. residents support eliminating oil subsidies for oil and gas companies while 33% oppose such an action.  Seven percent are unsure.
• Half of Americans — 50% — back the reduction of defense spending while 46% do not want to cut the current level of spending.  Four percent are unsure.

o   The same proportions of registered voters — 50%, 46%, and 4%, respectively — have these views.

o   60% of Democrats back the reduction of defense spending while 63% of Republicans oppose such a cut.

• Most U.S. residents — 83% — are against cutting Medicare and Social Security.  15% disagree, and 3% are unsure.

o   Among registered voters, the proportions are similar.  84% oppose reducing these benefits, 14% support such an action, and 2% are unsure.

o   Even eight in ten Republican voters — 80% — and 74% of Tea Party supporters are against reducing Medicare and Social Security.

• There is also opposition to cutting Medicaid and entitlements.  More than seven in ten Americans — 72% — are against reducing this area to pay down the debt while only 23% favor it.  Four percent are unsure.

o   There is little difference among registered voters nationally.  73% oppose slashing Medicaid and entitlements, 23% support it, and 4% are unsure.

o   Even majorities of Republican voters — 58% — and Tea Party supporters — 53% — oppose cutting Medicaid and entitlements.

Table: Level of Cooperation During the Next Round of Budget Talks

Table: Support or Oppose Increasing Taxes on Income Over $250,000?

Table: Support or Oppose Eliminating Oil Subsidies for Oil and Gas Companies?

Table: Support or Oppose Reducing Defense Spending?

Table: Support or Oppose Cutting Medicare and Social Security?

Table: Support or Oppose Cutting Medicaid and Entitlements?

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

 

8/8: McClatchy-Marist Poll

Are Americans optimistic about the direction of the nation?  What is their reaction to the debt ceiling agreement? Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

6/29: 2012, Obama, and the GOP

According to this McClatchy-Marist Poll, a plurality of registered voters nationally say they plan to vote against President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election.  However, regardless of whom voters support, the national electorate divides about who they think will actually win.  Is there a Republican candidate who can mount a formidable challenge to the president?  In an evolving Republican field, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney receives the backing of only 19% of Republican and Republican leaning independent voters.  And, three of the top four vote getters for the Republican nomination are still on the sidelines.

“All signs point to a competitive 2012 election cycle,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “But, which scenario ends up ruling the day is still anyone’s guess.”

Click Here for Complete June 29, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Second Term for Obama? 43% Plan to Vote Against President

Looking to 2012, 43% of registered voters nationwide report they plan to vote against President Obama in 2012.  This compares with 36% who say they definitely plan to support him.  A notable 21% are unsure.  Little has changed on this question since McClatchy-Marist last reported it in April. At that time, 44% reported they planned to back someone else while 37% said they planned to vote for the president.  18%, at the time, were unsure.

Independents play a key role in Obama’s re-election bid.  43% say they would vote against Mr. Obama in 2012 while 29% are securely in his corner.  Nearly three in ten independent voters — 28% — are unsure.  The president has failed to make inroads with these all-important voters.  In McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey, 47% of independents reported they would not support the president while 32% said they would cast their ballot for Mr. Obama.  21% were unsure.

While 70% of Democratic voters report they will unequivocally cast their ballot for the president and only 10% say they will vote against him, a notable one in five — 20% — are unsure.  Not surprisingly, most Republicans — 85% — don’t plan on supporting the president while just 4% say they will.  One in ten — 10% — are unsure.

Regardless of whether registered voters plan to support the president or the Republican candidate in 2012, voters divide about who will win.  44% believe the president will be victorious while 42% say the Republican candidate will win.  15% are undecided.

Looking at party lines, 67% of Democrats think the president will retain the White House while 69% of Republicans believe their candidate will defeat him.  Independents divide.  44% think the Republican challenger will be sworn into office while 42% say the president will achieve a second term.

Table: Definitely Vote For or Against President Obama in 2012

Table: Definitely Vote For or Against President Obama in 2012  Over Time

Table: 2012 Presidential Prediction

Obama Receives Majority Support Against Palin … Plurality Lead Over Rest of Field

While President Obama either leads or runs neck-in-neck with many potential Republican challengers, there is only one candidate over whom the president receives majority support.  When up against former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, 56% of registered voters say they would support the president while three in ten — 30% — would back Palin.  14% are undecided.  Little has changed on this question since McClatchy-Marist last reported it in April when 56% supported Obama, 34% were behind Palin, and 10% were undecided.

When the president is matched up against other leading Republican challengers, here is how the contests stand:

• The closest contest occurs between President Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.  Here, 46% of registered voters nationally report they would cast their ballot for the president while 42% say they would cast their ballot for Romney.  11% are undecided.  Little has changed on this question since April.  At that time, 46% backed the president while 45% supported Romney.  Nine percent were unsure.
• When paired against former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 48% of voters report they would vote for President Obama while 41% say they would cast their ballot for Giuliani.  12% are undecided.
• When Mr. Obama goes head-to-head with Texas Governor Rick Perry, the president receives the backing of 48% of registered voters while Perry garners 39%.  13% are undecided.
• Nearly half of registered voters — 49% — report they would cast their ballot for President Obama if he were to face off against Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.  In this potential contest, 37% say they would support Representative Bachmann.  14% are undecided.
• When matched up against former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, the president has a 14 percentage point advantage.  President Obama receives the backing of 47% of registered voters while Pawlenty garners 33%.  A notable 20% are undecided.

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Palin

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

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Romney

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

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Giuliani

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Perry

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Bachmann

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Pawlenty

Romney Edges Wide Field of Republican Primary Candidates

As the Republican field for 2012 evolves, is there a runaway favorite?  Among Republicans and Republican leaning independents, here is how the contest stands:

• 19% for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
• 13% for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
• 13% for Texas Governor Rick Perry
• 11% for former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
• 8% for Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
• 5% for former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
• 5% for Texas Congressman Ron Paul
• 5% for businessman Herman Cain
• 2% for former Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich
• 2% for former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman
• 1% for former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum
• Less than 1% for Political Activist Fred Karger
• Less than 1% for former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson
• 15% are undecided

Table: 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

Previous Survey Results for the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

What Matters to GOP Voters?

When it comes to the quality that is most important to Republicans and Republican leaning independents, 38% want a candidate who shares their values.  Nearly one in four — 24% — believe it’s most important that the Republican candidate is closest to them on the issues.  20% say they want a candidate who has the experience to govern, and 15% say the most important quality in a Republican presidential candidate is that he or she can beat President Obama.  Only 4% are unsure.

When it comes to Tea Party backing, 70% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents report that it makes no difference to their vote if a candidate is supported by the Tea Party movement.  However, 20% say the Tea Party endorsement will make them more likely to vote for a candidate while 10% report it will make them less likely to vote for a specific candidate.

Table: Most Important Quality in a Republican Nominee

Table: Importance of Candidate’s Tea Party Backing

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

6/28: McClatchy-Marist Poll

What are President Barack Obama’s re-election chances?  Is there a Republican who can mount a formidable challenge?

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

6/28: More than Six in Ten Unhappy with Obama on Deficit … Handling of Economy at New Low

President Barack Obama met with Senate leaders yesterday to jumpstart stalled budget talks, but do voters nationwide agree with how the president is handling the federal budget deficit?

Click Here for Complete June 28, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

According to this McClatchy-Marist poll, 61% of voters disapprove of how the president is handling the deficit.  Fewer than one-third — 31% — approve, and 8% are unsure.

“President Obama is increasingly focusing on and is the focus of budget negotiations,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Once again, it seems the buck stops in the oval office.”

While a majority of Democrats — 56% — approve of the president’s performance on the issue of the deficit, nearly four in ten — 37% — disapprove, and 8% are unsure.  True to party lines, most Republicans — 89% — disapprove of the president’s fiscal management while only 7% approve.  Four percent of Republicans are unsure.  Among independent voters nationally, 65% disapprove of how the president is dealing with the budget deficit, and 26% approve.  Nine percent of independents are unsure.

Voters are also voicing their dissatisfaction over the president’s handling of the economy.  In fact, President Obama’s rating on the economy has hit an all-time low.  Just 37% of registered voters nationally approve of the way the president is handling the economy while nearly six in ten — 58% — disapprove.  Five percent are unsure.

When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in April, 40% gave the president high marks on how he was dealing with the economy while 57% rated his performance as sub-par.  Three percent, at the time, were unsure.

However, many voters still don’t blame President Obama for the nation’s current economic conditions.  61% report the president inherited them while 31% think they are the result of his own policies.  Nine percent are unsure.  Little has changed on this question since McClatchy-Marist’s previous survey.  In April, 63% thought the president faced these trying economic conditions when he entered office while 30% said his policies created them.  Seven percent, at the time, were unsure.

Table: President Obama’s Handling of the Deficit
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

Majority Supports President’s Handling of War in Afghanistan, But War Viewed as Not Worth Fighting

President Obama scores higher on his handling of the war in Afghanistan than he does on the economy.  53% say they approve of the president’s actions while 39% disapprove.  Eight percent are unsure.  During the time period this McClatchy-Marist Poll was conducted, the president addressed the nation and shared his plans for withdrawing troops from the region.  Did his address influence voters’ views toward his handling of the conflict?  It did not.  Similar proportions of voters before and after his speech approve of the president’s approach.

But, where do voters stand on bringing the troops home?  Only 14% of registered voters think the United States has important work to do in Afghanistan and should keep the number of soldiers deployed at its current level.  38% believe there is still work to be done in Afghanistan, but some of the troops should return home now.  However, 43% report the mission in Afghanistan is complete, and the troops should return home now.  Five percent are unsure.

A majority of voters — 54% — say that, when thinking about the war’s costs and benefits to the United States, the nearly decade long conflict has not been worth fighting.  Four in ten — 40% — disagree and report it has been worth the effort.  Six percent are unsure.

While views differ along party lines, even 43% of Republicans don’t think the war has been worth the costs.  This compares with 62% of Democrats and 54% of independent voters who share this view.

Table: President Obama Handling the War in Afghanistan
Table: Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Table: Worth Fighting War in Afghanistan?

Obama Receives Mixed Reviews on Libya

Voters divide about how the president is handling the situation in Libya.  44% of voters nationally approve of his methods while 40% disapprove.  16% are unsure.  In April, 44% approved, and 46% disapproved. Looking at party, 64% of Democrats approve of the president’s actions, 23% disapprove, and 13% are unsure.

Among Republicans, nearly six ten — 57% — disapprove of how President Obama is handling the situation in Libya.  25% approve, and 18% are unsure.    Independent voters divide.  43% disapprove while 41% approve.  16% are unsure.

Table: President Obama’s Handling of the Situation in Libya

Overall Approval Rating Stuck in Mid 40’s… Half View President Favorably

So, what does all of this mean for the president’s overall job approval rating?  Voters divide.  45% approve of how Mr. Obama is performing in office while 47% disapprove.  Eight percent are unsure.  In McClatchy-Marist’s April survey, 44% thought highly of how the president was doing in office, 49% disapproved, and 6%, at the time, were unsure.

President Obama continues to struggle with independent voters.  A slim majority of these voters — 51% — disapprove of the president’s job performance while 39% approve.  10% are unsure.  Little has changed among independent voters since April.  At that time, 51% disapproved of the president’s job performance, 42% approved, and 8% were unsure.

When it comes to Mr. Obama’s favorability, half of voters — 50% — think well of him while 44% have a less than stellar impression of him.  Six percent are unsure.  In April, when 48% had a favorable view of the president, 48% also held an unfavorable impression of Mr. Obama, and 5% were unsure.

Table: President Obama Approval Rating
Table: President Obama Approval Rating (Over Time)

Table: President Obama Favorability
Table: President Obama Favorability Over Time

Capitol Failures?  Many Disapprove of Congressional Democrats and Republicans

President Obama’s job approval rating isn’t the only one that’s struggling.  Registered voters are voicing their dissatisfaction with Democrats and Republicans in Congress.  63% say they disapprove of the job Republicans are doing in office while 27% approve.  10% are unsure.  There is relatively no change on this question since April.  At that time, 63% disapproved of how Republicans in office were doing their job, 30% approved, and 7% were unsure.

Democrats in Congress don’t fare any better.  60% of registered voters give them a thumbs-down while 30% praise the job they are doing.  10% are unsure.  In April, 60% disapproved of their job performance, 34% approved, and 6%, at that time, were unsure.

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Approval Rating
Table: Congressional Democrats’ Approval Rating

Americans Pessimistic about Nation’s Direction

Nearly six in ten American adults — 59% — report the country is moving in the wrong direction.  However, 32% believe it is moving on the right path.  Nine percent are unsure.  When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in April, 64% thought the nation needed a new compass, 31% believed the country was traveling along the right course, and 5% were unsure.

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

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

6/27: McClatchy-Marist Poll

The U.S. deficit and economy loom over President Barack Obama’s administration.  What kind of an impact could these issues have as the president seeks re-election?  Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.  To read the full article, click here.

5/24: Michelle Obama Remains Fine First Lady

First Lady Michelle Obama is perceived favorably by about two-thirds of American voters.  According to this Marist Poll, 66% of voters think well of Mrs. Obama while 17% do not.  17% are unsure how to rate her.

Click Here for Complete May 24, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

Michelle Obama continues to be well-received by voters.  When Marist last reported this question in September, 65% thought highly of Mrs. Obama while 24% had an unfavorable view of her.  11%, at the time, were unsure how to rate her.

Mrs. Obama has grown in favor among the youngest voters.  83% of those 18 to 29 currently say they have a positive impression of Mrs. Obama compared with 71% who felt that way in September.

Table: Michelle Obama Favorability

Table: Michelle Obama Favorability Over Time

Marist Poll Methodology

« Previous Page — Next Page »