Poll Watch: NBC News/Wall Street Journal 2012 Presidential Survey

NBC/WSJ 2012 Presidential Poll

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 50%
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 45%

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 50% (48%) [49%] {47%} (47%) [49%] {50%} (49%) [47%] {49%} (46%) [46%] {48%} [49%] {49%} [47%]
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 44% (44%) [43%] {44%} (43%) [43%] {44%} (43%) [45%] {43%} (44%) [45%] {41%} [43%] {40%} [40%]

(Among Obama Voters) Would you definitely vote for Barack Obama, probably vote for Barack Obama but are still thinking about it, or are you just leaning toward voting for Obama?

• Definitely vote for Obama 83% (76%) [78%] {78%} (73%) [74%]
• Probably vote for Obama, but still thinking about it 9% (13%) [13%] {10%} (13%) [13%]
• Just leaning toward voting for Obama 8% (10%) [9%] {12%} (13%) [12%]

(Among Romney Voters) Would you definitely vote for Mitt Romney, probably vote for Mitt Romney but are still thinking about it, or are you just leaning toward voting for Romney?

• Definitely vote for Romney 79% (72%) [72%] {68%} (72%) [65%]
• Probably vote for Romney, but still thinking about it 13% (15%) [12%] {20%} (14%) [16%]
• Just leaning toward voting for Romney 8% (13%) [15%] {12%} (14%) [19%]

Definitely Vote for Candidate

• Barack Obama 41% (37%) [38%] {37%} (34%) [37%]
• Mitt Romney 34% (32%) [31%] {30%} (31%) [28%]

And, compared to when Barack Obama became President—do you think that the country is better off, worse off or in about the same place?

• Better off 38% (31%)
• Worse off 41% (42%)
• Same place 21% (27%)

Now, who do you think is better prepared to lead the country for the NEXT four years - Mitt Romney or Barack Obama?

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 36%

Do you think the U.S. economy is recovering or is not recovering? 

• Economy is recovering 51% [50%] 
• Economy is not recovering 45% [46%] 

I'd like you to compare Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on a few qualities that people might look for in a president. For each one, please tell me whether you think that Barack Obama would be better or Mitt Romney would be better on that item.

Who do you think would be better when it comes to:

Being a good commander-in-chief

• Obama 45% (45%) [45%]
• Romney 38% (38%) [35%]

Dealing with issues of concern to women

• Obama 54% (52%)
• Romney 26% (24%)

Looking out for the middle class

• Obama 53% [49%]
• Romney 34% [33%]

Now I'd like you to compare Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on a few issues. For each one, please tell me whether you think that Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would be better on that issue.
Dealing with Medicare

• Obama 47% [42%]
• Romney 37% [34%]

Dealing with taxes

• Obama 45% [40%]
• Romney 39% [38%]

Dealing with the economy

• Obama 43% [37%]
• Romney 43% [43%]

Rate your feelings toward each one as very positive, somewhat positive, neutral, somewhat negative, or very negative.

Barack Obama

• Very positive 35% (31%) [33%]
• Somewhat positive 13% (17%) [16%]
• Neutral 9% (8%) [8%]
• Somewhat negative 11% (13%) [11%]
• Very negative 31% (30%) [32%]

Mitt Romney

• Very positive 18% (18%) [13%]
• Somewhat positive 20% (20%) [22%]
• Neutral 18% (17%) [23%]
• Somewhat negative 16% (15%) [16%]
• Very negative 27% (29%) [24%]

Bill Clinton

• Very positive 39% (34%)
• Somewhat positive 18% (23%)
• Neutral 15% (18%)
• Somewhat negative 15% (13%)
• Very negative 12% (10%)

In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as president?

• Approve 50% (48%) [49%]
• Disapprove 48% (49%) [48%]

Do you generally approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing in handling the economy?

• Approve 47% (44%) [44%]
• Disapprove 51% (54%) [53%]

Do you generally approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing in handling foreign policy?

• Approve 49% (54%) [53%]
• Disapprove 46% (40%) [41%]

Survey of 900 registered voters, including 736 likely voters, was conducted September 12-16, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.27 percentage points among registered voters; +/- 3.61 percentage points among likely voters.  Party ID (among registered voters): 32% (34%) [35%] Democrat; 25% (27%) [23%] Republican; 38% (36%) [39%] Independent.  Ideology: 37% (35%) [34%] Moderate; 19% (22%) [20%] Somewhat conservative; 16% (18%) [19%] Very conservative; 14% (14%) [15%] Somewhat liberal; 10% (9%) [10%] Very liberal.  Results from the poll conducted August 16-20, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted July 18-22, 2012 are in square brackets. Results from the poll conducted June 20-24, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted May 16-20, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted April 13-17, 2012 are in square brackets.   Results from the poll conducted February 29 - March 3, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted January 22-24, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted December 7-11, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted November 2-5, 2011 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted October 6-10, 2011 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted August 27-31, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted July 14-17, 2011 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted June 9-13, 2011 are in square brackets. Results from the poll conducted March 31 - April 4, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted February 24-28, 2011 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted January 13-17, 2011 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted December 9-13, 2010 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted September, 2010 are in curly brackets.