Poll Watch: Third Way (D) 2012 Independent Swing State Presidential Survey

Third Way (D) 2012 Independent Swing State Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama 44%
• Mitt Romney 44%

Among Swing Independents

• Barack Obama 44%
• Mitt Romney 38%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 49% / 47% {+2%}
• Mitt Romney 41% / 47% {-6%}
• The Tea Party 37% / 49% {-12%}
• Democrats in Congress 32% / 57% {-25%}
• Republicans in Congress 31% / 58% {-27%}

Among Swing Independents

• Barack Obama 57% / 35% {+22%}
• Mitt Romney 41% / 40% {+1%}
• Democrats in Congress 33% / 53% {-20%}
• The Tea Party 28% / 54% {-26%}
• Republicans in Congress 24% / 65% {-41%}

In the November election for Congress, are you more likely to vote for the Democratic Party candidate or the Republican Party candidate?

• Democrat 34%
• Republican 39%

Among Swing Independents

• Democrat 32%
• Republican 28%

What do you think would be the most effective way to strengthen our economy?

• Reducing the budget deficit 37%
• Reducing regulations and taxes on businesses 32%
• Reducing income inequality 19%

Among Swing Independents

• Reducing the budget deficit 42%
• Reducing regulations and taxes on businesses 28%
• Reducing income inequality 22%

To grow the U.S. economy, which of the following is most important to do?

• Provide more economic opportunity for Americans to succeed through hard work 50%
• Give Americans the greatest amount of freedom to make it on their own 27%
• Create more economic security so all Americans can withstand life's misfortunes 19%

Among Swing Independents

• Provide more economic opportunity for Americans to succeed through hard work 55%
• Give Americans the greatest amount of freedom to make it on their own 20%
• Create more economic security so all Americans can withstand life's misfortunes 19%

Which of the following do you think is more important - fixing the budget deficit or reducing the income gap between rich and middle class?

• Fixing the budget deficit 60%
• Reducing the income gap 35%

Among Swing Independents

• Fixing the budget deficit 57%
• Reducing the income gap 38%

Which candidate would you be more likely to vote for? 

• One who says we should focus on economic growth and opportunity. 83% 
• One who says we should focus on reducing income inequality. 11% 

Among Swing Independents 

• One who says we should focus on economic growth and opportunity. 80% 
• One who says we should focus on reducing income inequality. 15%  

Which statement do you agree with more?

• The best way to address income inequality is to expand economic opportunities for the middle class. 69%
• The best way to address income inequality is to ensure the rich are paying their fair share in taxes. 24%

Among Swing Independents

• The best way to address income inequality is to expand economic opportunities for the middle class. 71%
• The best way to address income inequality is to ensure the rich are paying their fair share in taxes. 22%

Which statement do you agree with more?

• The best way to address income inequality is to lower taxes on those who can create jobs and expand economic opportunities for everyone. 54%
• The best way to address income inequality is to ensure the rich are paying their fair share in taxes. 38%

Among Swing Independents

• The best way to address income inequality is to lower taxes on those who can create jobs and expand economic opportunities for everyone. 45%
• The best way to address income inequality is to ensure the rich are paying their fair share in taxes. 45%

Which of the following do you personally think is most fair?

• Wealthy Americans should pay a higher tax rate than other Americans. 35%
• Everyone should pay the same tax rate, no matter how much they earn. 33%
• Every American should pay at least something in taxes, even if they are lower income. 27%

Among Swing Independents

• Wealthy Americans should pay a higher tax rate than other Americans. 36%
• Everyone should pay the same tax rate, no matter how much they earn. 33%
• Every American should pay at least something in taxes, even if they are lower income. 27%

Which candidate would you be more likely to support?

• One who says, "We need an economy based on opportunity - where hard work is rewarded, the government lives within its means, and economic growth is our top priority. Because more opportunity means a stronger economy." 47%
• One who says, "We need an economy based on fairness - where the rich pay their fair share, corporations play by the rules, and all Americans get a fair shot. Because a fairer economy is a stronger economy." 42%

Among Swing Independents

• One who says, "We need an economy based on opportunity - where hard work is rewarded, the government lives within its means, and economic growth is our top priority. Because more opportunity means a stronger economy." 51%
• One who says, "We need an economy based on fairness - where the rich pay their fair share, corporations play by the rules, and all Americans get a fair shot. Because a fairer economy is a stronger economy." 43%

Survey of 1,000 Independent likely voters in 12 swing states (CO, FL, IA, MI, NC, NH, NM, NV, OH, PA, VA, and WI) was conducted March 8-18, 2012 by Global Strategy Group. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points among Independents; +/- 5.1 percentage points among swing Independents.