Poll Watch: Bloomberg/Selzer & Co. Political Survey

Bloomberg/Selzer & Co. Political Survey

If the 2012 election for U.S. President were held today and the candidates were Sarah Palin for the Republicans and Barack Obama for the Democrats, for whom would you vote— Sarah Palin or Barack Obama, or would you likely not vote?

• Barack Obama (D) 51%
• Sarah Palin (R) 35%
• Would likely not vote 10%
• Not sure 4%

Now, I'd like to mention some major political figures and groups. For each, please tell me if your feelings are very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable.

Barack Obama

• Very favorable 25%
• Mostly favorable 28%
• Mostly unfavorable 18%
• Very unfavorable 26%

Sarah Palin

• Very favorable 11%
• Mostly favorable 27%
• Mostly unfavorable 19%
• Very unfavorable 35%

Hillary Clinton

• Very favorable 23%
• Mostly favorable 41%
• Mostly unfavorable 17%
• Very unfavorable 14%

George W. Bush

• Very favorable 10%
• Mostly favorable 32%
• Mostly unfavorable 25%
• Very unfavorable 30%

The Tea Party

• Very favorable 14%
• Mostly favorable 27%
• Mostly unfavorable 16%
• Very unfavorable 27%

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as president?

• Approve 47%
• Disapprove 48%

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing:

With the economy

• Approve 43%
• Disapprove 53%

With health care

• Approve 49%
• Disapprove 49%

With the budget deficit

• Approve 35%
• Disapprove 60%

With creating jobs

• Approve 42%
• Disapprove 53%

At any time since 2007, have you considered yourself a supporter of Barack Obama? How would you describe yourself now?

• Yes, I still support him as much as I ever did 31%
• Yes, I still support him but not as much as before 10%
• Yes, some days I support him, some days I don’t 9%
• Yes, he disappointed me and I no longer support him 3%
• Yes, I am angry and now actively oppose him 1%
• Never supported him 45%

Do you think President Obama is too pro-business, too anti-business, or has about the right balance?

• Too pro-business 7%
• Too anti-business 36%
• About the right balance 47%

Which of the following best describes your attitude toward the federal budget deficit?

• It is dangerously out of control and threatens our economic future 55%
• It is a manageable burden that will require some sacrifice down the road 39%
• It will cause no lasting harm 4%

The U.S. Congress is considering whether to renew most or all of the Bush tax cuts that expire at the end of December. In your view, what action would be best for the U.S. economy?

• Extend the tax cuts for all income levels, which is what the Republicans in Congress recommend 34%
• Extend the tax cuts for the middle class but not for the highest-income taxpayers, which is what President Obama recommends 43%
• Let all tax cuts expire as scheduled and return rates to previous levels to help cut the deficit, which is what former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan recommends 20%

Turning to the health care law passed earlier this year, what is your opinion of the bill—should it be repealed or not?

• It should be repealed 47%
• It should not be repealed 42%

Survey of 721 likely voters was conducted October 7-10, 2010. The margin of error is +/- 3.7 percentage points.