Poll Watch: POLITICO/George Washington University 2012 Battleground Poll

POLITICO/George Washington University 2012 Battleground Poll

Republican Nomination

• Rick Perry 36%
• Mitt Romney 17%
• Michele Bachmann 10%
• Ron Paul 10%
• Rick Santorum 5%
• Newt Gingrich 5%
• Herman Cain 4%
• Jon Huntsman 1%
• Other 1%
• Unsure/Refused 11%

As you probably have already heard, there are several candidates who are running to be the Republican Presidential nominee. I am going to read you the names of some of these candidates. For each one, please tell me if you would definitely vote for this candidate, if you would consider voting for this candidate, or if you would definitely not vote for this candidate.

Mitt Romney

• Definitely vote for 9%
• Would consider 41%
• Definitely not 43%

Michele Bachmann

• Definitely vote for 7%
• Would consider 28%
• Definitely not 58%

Rick Perry

• Definitely vote for 11%
• Would consider 33%
• Definitely not 45%

Rick Santorum

• Definitely vote for 3%
• Would consider 20%
• Definitely not 53%

Herman Cain

• Definitely vote for 5%
• Would consider 22%
• Definitely not 46%

Newt Gingrich

• Definitely vote for 5%
• Would consider 22%
• Definitely not 66%

Ron Paul

• Definitely vote for 8%
• Would consider 29%
• Definitely not 55%

Jon Huntsman

• Definitely vote for 2%
• Would consider 21%
• Definitely not 50%

Are you satisfied with the field of Republican candidates running for President? And do you feel strongly?

• Yes/strongly 30%
• Yes 23%
• No 10%
• No/strongly 28%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Mitt Romney 39% / 34% {+5%}
• Barack Obama 49% / 46% {+3%}
• Rick Perry 31% / 28% {+3%}
• Ron Paul 31% / 32% {-1%}
• Michele Bachmann 26% / 43% {-17%}
• Sarah Palin 30% / 61% {-31%}

How would you rate the job Barack Obama has been doing as President? Do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing? And do you feel strongly about that?

• Approve/strongly 24%
• Approve 21%
• Disapprove 9%
• Disapprove/strongly 41%

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. Is that strongly approve/disapprove or somewhat approve/disapprove?

The economy

• Strongly approve 11%
• Somewhat approve 28%
• Somewhat disapprove 14%
• Strongly disapprove 45%

Foreign policy

• Strongly approve 24%
• Somewhat approve 29%
• Somewhat disapprove 15%
• Strongly disapprove 24%

Terrorism

Strongly approve 40%
Somewhat approve 28%
Somewhat disapprove 12%
Strongly disapprove 14%

Dealing with Congress

• Strongly approve 20%
• Somewhat approve 23%
• Somewhat disapprove 22%
• Strongly disapprove 30%

The federal budget and spending

• Strongly approve 12%
• Somewhat approve 22%
• Somewhat disapprove 13%
• Strongly disapprove 48%

Jobs

• Strongly approve 12%
• Somewhat approve 26%
• Somewhat disapprove 16%
• Strongly disapprove 40%

As you may have heard, President Obama is planning to propose measures aimed at creating jobs. One of these proposals may be a large scale federally subsidized nationwide construction program putting Americans back to work building roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. With this in mind, would you favor or oppose this proposal, or are you undecided? And do you strongly Favor/Oppose or somewhat Favor/Oppose?

• Strongly favor 40%
• Somewhat favor 11%
• Somewhat oppose 4%
• Strongly oppose 17%

Whether you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President, what is your impression of Barack Obama as a person? Do you approve or disapprove of him? And do you feel strongly about that?

• Approve/strongly 55%
• Approve 19%
• Disapprove 4%
• Disapprove/strongly 14%

As you may know, Obama has announced that he is running for reelection in 2012. Would you say you will definitely vote for him, you will consider voting for him, or you definitely will not vote for him?

• Definitely vote for Obama 26%
• Consider voting for Obama 28%
• Definitely will not vote for Obama 43%

Do you consider yourself a part of or do you identify with the Tea Party movement? And do you feel strongly about that?

• Yes/strongly 13%
• Yes 9%
• No 25%
• No/strongly 48%

Survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted August 28 - September 1, 2011 by The Tarrance Group (R) and Lake Research Partners (D). The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points.  Click here to view crosstabs.