March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON
BATTLEGROUND POLL
A national survey of 1,000 Registered “Likely” Voters
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Do you feel things in the country are going in the right direction,
or do you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track?
67%
24%
64%
28%
10%
Right direction
8%
Unsure
1/16/2014
Wrong track
3/20/2014
Q1
October 27-31, 2013/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Do you feel things in the country are going in the right direction, or do
you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track?
72%
67%
60%
57%
55%54%
54%
52%
64%
62%63%
59%
62%
56%55%
73%
75%
61%
59%59%
57%56%57% 59%
54%
67%
64%
51%
39%
38%
41%
40%
40%
38%
32% 31%
28%
36%
34%
32%
31%
29%
28%
35%
33%
39%
37% 38%37%
34%
32%
28%
24%
3/20
Mar- Jun- Aug- Oct- Mar- Oct- Feb- Sep- Jul- Dec- Apr- Aug- Sep- Oct- May- Sep- Nov- Feb- May- Aug- Sep- 9/27 10/1 11/5 12/6 10/3 1/16
/201
04 04 04 04 05 05 06 06 09 09 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 /12 8/12 /12 /12 1/13 /14
4
Right Direction 38% 40% 40% 41% 39% 28% 32% 31% 38% 34% 36% 28% 31% 29% 32% 19% 18% 35% 33% 32% 37% 38% 37% 39% 34% 19% 24% 28%
Wrong Track
Unsure
57% 55% 54% 52% 54% 67% 60% 62% 51% 56% 55% 62% 63% 64% 59% 72% 75% 59% 59% 61% 57% 56% 57% 54% 59% 73% 67% 64%
7% 7% 9% 7% 11% 9% 9% 10%
7% 9% 9% 8% 6% 8% 7% 6% 6% 7% 6% 7% 8% 10% 8%
Q1
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
If the election for Congress were being held today, and you had to
make a choice, would you be voting for the Republican candidate
or the Democratic candidate, in your Congressional district?
43%
43%
41%
16%
Republican
14%
Undecided
1/16/2014
43%
Democratic
3/20/2014
Q2
October 27-31, 2013/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
If the election for Congress were being held today, and you had to make a
choice, would you be voting for, the Republican candidate or the Democratic
candidate, in your Congressional district?
47%
44%
43%
45%
13%
8%
46%
45%
47%
44%
42%
45%
11%
13%
9%
44%
46%
10%
46%
46%
46%
45%
47%
42%
8%
13%
44%
43%
43%
41%
41%
43%
15% 16%
14%
7%
11/9/11
2/22/12
5/3/12
8/8/12
9/20/12
9/27/12
10/18/12
11/5/12
12/6/12
10/31/13
1/16/14 3/20/2014
Republican
43%
45%
46%
45%
45%
44%
46%
47%
42%
41%
43%
43%
Undecided
13%
8%
11%
13%
9%
10%
8%
7%
13%
15%
16%
14%
Democratic
44%
47%
44%
42%
47%
46%
46%
46%
45%
44%
41%
43%
Q2
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Now I would like to read you the names of several individuals or entities who have
been mentioned in the news recently. For each one, please tell me whether you have
heard of that person and if so, whether you have a favorable or an unfavorable
impression of that person. If you do not recognize the name, just say so.
The Koch Brothers, Charles and David
12%
Koch
US Senator Harry Reid
US Senator Rand Paul
Wall Street
Barack Obama
Favorable
Unfavorable
25% 11%
24%
52%
35%
38%
29%
47%
No Opinion
16%
31%
39%
25%
15% 17%
21% 11%
49%
4%
Never Heard
Q3-7
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Now I would like to read you the names of several individuals or entities who have
been mentioned in the news recently. For each one, please tell me whether you have
heard of that person and if so, whether you have a favorable or an unfavorable
impression of that person. If you do not recognize the name, just say so.
Hillary Clinton
Vice President Joe Biden
54%
44%
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
34%
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush
36%
Favorable
Unfavorable
42%
No Opinion
48%
40%
40%
4%
1%
6%
2%
15% 11%
18% 7%
Never Heard
Q8-11
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
How would you rate the job Barack Obama has been doing as
President? Do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing?
54%
41%
53%
44%
5%
Approve
3%
Unsure
1/16/2014
Disapprove
3/20/2014
Q12
October 27-31, 2013/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
How would you rate the job Barack Obama has been doing as President?
Do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing?
54%
51% 52% 50% 52% 53%
52%
50%
48% 49% 50% 49% 49% 49%
53%
48% 48% 49% 48% 49%
47%
46% 45% 45% 44% 45% 48%
44%
4%
4%
5%
5%
3%
5%
10/20/1
5/12/11 9/1/11 11/9/11 2/22/12 5/3/12
0
2%
3%
2%
8/8/12 9/20/12 9/27/12
2% 2%
3%
45%
41%
3%
5%
3%
10/18/1
10/31/1
3/20/20
11/5/12 12/6/12
1/16/14
2
3
14
Approve
46%
52%
45%
44%
53%
48%
48%
50%
49%
49%
49%
50%
45%
41%
44%
Unsure
4%
4%
5%
5%
3%
5%
2%
3%
2%
2%
2%
3%
3%
5%
3%
Disapprove
51%
45%
50%
52%
45%
48%
49%
48%
49%
48%
49%
47%
52%
54%
53%
Q5
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.
Here is the first one:
The Economy
1/16/2014
3/20/2014
40%
3%
43%
57%
2%
Approve
Unsure
55%
Disapprove
Q13
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.
Solving problems
1/16/2014
43%
3%
55%
3/20/2014
43%
3%
54%
Approve
Unsure
Disapprove
Q14
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.
Working with Congress
1/16/2014
40%
3%
3/20/2014
40%
5%
Approve
56%
55%
Unsure
Disapprove
Q15
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.
The federal budget and spending
1/16/2014
33%
4%
63%
3/20/2014
34%
3%
63%
Approve
Unsure
Disapprove
Q16
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.
Jobs
1/16/2014
43%
3/20/2014
45%
3%
4%
Approve
Unsure
54%
51%
Disapprove
Q17
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.
Taxes
1/16/2014
41%
3/20/2014
42%
6%
8%
Approve
Unsure
53%
50%
Disapprove
Q18
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you several issues. For each one, please tell me if you approve or
disapprove of the job that President Obama is doing on this issue.
Foreign policy
40%
Social Security
43%
11%
47%
Medicare
43%
9%
48%
6%
54%
Standing up for the middle class
48%
4%
48%
Representing middle class values
47%
4%
49%
Approve
Unsure
Disapprove
Q19-23
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
How would you rate the job Congress is doing? Do you approve
or disapprove of the job they are doing?
87%
81%
9%
14%
13%
4%
Approve
4%
5%
Unsure
10/31/2013
82%
1/16/2014
Disapprove
3/20/2014
Q24
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
How would you rate the job your Member of Congress is doing?
Do you approve or disapprove of the job they are doing?
47%
50%
46%
44%
39%
11%
Approve
9%
12%
Unsure
10/31/2013
42%
1/16/2014
Disapprove
3/20/2014
Q25
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you a list of issues. Please listen as I read the list and tell me, for
each one, whether you have more confidence in - the Republican Party or the
Democratic Party - to deal with this issue.
Here is the first one:
The economy
Solving problems
47%
35%
43%
43%
1% 6%3%
2%15% 5%
The federal budget and spending
48%
41%
8%2%
Jobs
45%
45%
1%7%2%
Taxes
47%
44%
6% 3%
Foreign policy
47%
42%
GOP Party
DEM Party
Both Equal
Neither
1%6%4%
Unsure
Q26-31
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
I am going to read you a list of issues. Please listen as I read the list and tell me, for
each one, whether you have more confidence in - the Republican Party or the
Democratic Party - to deal with this issue.
Social Security
39%
49%
1% 7%4%
Medicare
37%
51%
1%6% 5%
Standing up for the middle class
36%
54%
Representing middle class values
39%
GOP Party
DEM Party
Both Equal
52%
Neither
8% 3%
1% 6%3%
Unsure
Q32-35
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Do you think that the national economy has gotten better, worse,
or stayed the same over the past four years?
42%
35%
41%
37%
23%
20%
1%
Gotten better
Gotten worse
1/16/2014
Stayed the same
1%
Unsure/Refused
3/20/2014
Q35.1
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
And, who do you think is most responsible for the current state of the national
economy? Would you say it is…President Obama, Republicans in Congress,
Democrats in Congress, Big companies, Wealthy people, or Big labor unions?
President Obama
32%
Republicans in Congress
12%
Democrats in Congress
13%
Big companies
9%
Wealthy people
4%
Big labor unions
4%
Q36
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Do you think that your personal economic situation has gotten
better, worse, or stayed the same over the past four years?
22%
26%
Gotten better
36%
34%
Gotten worse
40%
39%
Stayed the same
Combo/Other
Unsure/Refused
1/16/2014
1%
1%
3/20/2014
Q37
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Now, I would like to read you a list of statements that some people made. Please listen
carefully as I read each statement and tell me if you would agree or disagree with that
particular statement.
In America, anyone can get ahead if they work
hard enough.
I think the next generation will be better off
economically than I am now.
65%
20% 4%
Our economy makes it too tough for the middle
class to make ends meet.
I am optimistic about where I will be financially
five years from now.
Agree
Unsure
2% 34%
76%
70%
65%
1% 29%
4% 31%
Disagree
Q38-41
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Now, I would like to read you a list of statements that some people made. Please listen
carefully as I read each statement and tell me if you would agree or disagree with that
particular statement.
People who work hard for a living and play by
the rules never seem to get ahead.
The economic rules in this country unfairly
favor the rich.
Middle class people have it the toughest in our
economic system. There are assistance
programs for the poor and tax breaks for the
rich, but no real help for middle class people.
The government should be doing something to
reduce the gap between the rich and everyone
else.
Agree
Unsure
54%
64%
1%
45%
2%
72%
59%
34%
3% 25%
3%
38%
Disagree
Q42-45
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Do you believe that in the future your children will be…Better
off, about the same, or worse off than you are right now?
37%
33%
26%
3%
Better off
About the same
Worse off
Unsure/Refused
Q46
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
In thinking about your own efforts to get ahead financially, what do you think
is the biggest obstacle to you getting ahead? Would you say it is…
Big government, Big labor, Big business, Big banks, All of these groups, or
None of these groups?
Big government
23%
Big labor
2%
Big business
6%
Big banks
5%
All
35%
None
Unsure/Refused
26%
4%
Q47
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
In general, do you favor or oppose the Affordable Care Act, which is also
called Obamacare?
53%
43%
41%
56%
53%
43%
4%
3%
4%
Favor
Unsure
1/31/2013
1/16/2014
Oppose
3/20/2014
Q48
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Do you think that the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, went too
far, did not go far enough, or was about right?
49%
Too far
49%
48%
23%
Not far enough
23%
22%
21%
Was about right
Combo/Other
None
Unsure/Refused
1/16/2013
20%
22%
1%
1%
2%
1%
6%
7%
1/16/2014
3/20/2014
Q49
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
As you may know, several states have taken steps to legalize the use of marijuana. I am
going to ask you about two proposals on this issue that you might vote on. Please tell
me if you would favor or oppose this proposal.
Making marijuana available in your state for
medical purposes.
73%
Decriminalizing the possession of marijuana
Favor
53%
Unsure
2% 25%
3%
44%
Oppose
Q50&51
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
If there was a proposal on the ballot to legalize the use of marijuana, would
you be…Much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or
much less likely to vote in that election?
More likely
Less likely
No difference
Unsure/refused
68%
13%
16%
3%
Q52
March 16-20, 2014/ N=1,000 Registered “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Would you be more likely or less likely to support a candidate who was
committed to providing financial transparency for government spending so
you could see how tax dollars are being spent?
92%
More likely
2%
1%
Unsure
No Difference
4%
Less likely
Q53