Poll Watch: Vanderbilt Tennessee 2012 Presidential Survey

Vanderbilt Tennessee 2012 Presidential Survey

• Barack Obama 42%
• Sarah Palin 37%

Survey of 710 respondents was conducted January 17-23, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3.7 percentage points.

Inside the numbers:

Palin also trailed Obama among possible swing voters. Obama outpolled Palin 44 percent to 32 percent among independents, and he outperformed Palin 57 percent to 24 percent among moderates. 

Obama's support was strongest among black respondents, 80 percent of whom said they would vote for him, and Democrats, 84 percent of whom backed him. Palin's support was strongest with people who identified themselves as members of the Tea Party movement, 64 percent of whom said they would vote for her, and Republicans, 63 percent of whom backed her. 

Less than 44 percent of respondents said they approve of how Obama is handling his job. Nearly 54 percent said they disapprove.