Which one of the following qualities is most important to you in deciding who to support for the Republican presidential nomination? A candidate who:
Shares your values Is closest to you on the issues Can beat President Obama in 2012 Has the experience to govern Unsure
Col % Col % Col % Col % Col %
Iowa Likely Voters 30% 29% 20% 17% 4%
Tea Party Supporters 32% 27% 26% 12% 3%
Intensity of Tea Party Support Strongly support Tea Party 38% 30% 26% 3% 3%
Support Tea Party 28% 24% 25% 18% 4%
Does not support Tea Party 30% 32% 14% 22% 2%
Political Ideology Liberal-Moderate 21% 35% 15% 26% 2%
Conservative 34% 27% 22% 14% 4%
Past Participation** Yes 34% 27% 21% 15% 4%
No 26% 31% 19% 20% 4%
Top Tier Republican Candidates Mitt Romney 27% 21% 20% 30% 2%
Herman Cain 36% 29% 26% 7% 2%
Candidate Support Strongly support 26% 31% 24% 17% 2%
Somewhat support 37% 26% 19% 16% 2%
Might vote differently 25% 31% 23% 20% 1%
Gender Men 31% 28% 22% 17% 2%
Women 29% 30% 18% 18% 5%
Age Under 45 33% 36% 15% 14% 2%
45 or older 28% 24% 23% 20% 5%
Region Eastern Cities 32% 31% 14% 18% 4%
East Central 29% 29% 23% 17% 2%
Central 27% 25% 24% 21% 3%
West 35% 32% 16% 12% 5%
Household Income Less than $75,000 34% 28% 18% 17% 3%
$75,000 or more 29% 29% 21% 21% 1%
Evangelical Christians 40% 22% 19% 13% 5%
Education Not college graduate 29% 31% 18% 17% 5%
College graduate 33% 28% 22% 15% 2%
Interview Type Landline 30% 26% 23% 18% 4%
Cell Phone 31% 38% 13% 15% 3%
NBC News/Marist Poll Iowa Likely Republican Caucus Voters. Interviews conducted October 3rd through 5th, 2011, N=371 MOE +/- 5.1%. Totals may not add to 100% due to rounding.
**Past participation refers to previous participation in an Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus.