Poll Watch: CBS News/New York Times 2012 Presidential Survey

CBS News/New York Times 2012 Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 48% [48%] (49%)
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 47% [46%] (46%) 

Independents

• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 51% [42%] (50%) 
• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 39% [46%] (44%)

Men

• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 51% [47%] (52%)
• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 44% [47%] (44%) 

Women

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 52% [50%] (53%)
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 44% [45%] (41%) 

Would you describe your support for Barack Obama as strongly favoring him, or do you like him with reservations, or do you support him because you dislike Mitt Romney?

• Strongly favor 68% [65%] (65%)
• Like with reservations 19% [20%] (20%)
• Dislike Romney 12% [13%] (12%)

Would you describe your support for Mitt Romney as strongly favoring him, or do you like him with reservations, or do you support him because you dislike Barack Obama?

• Strongly favor 57% [61%] (47%)
• Like with reservations 25% [22%] (27%)
• Dislike Obama 17% [15%] (23%)

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Mitt Romney 44% [43%] (37%) / 43% [40%] (38%) {+1%}
• Paul Ryan 35% (29%) / 34% (26%) {+1%} 
• Barack Obama 46% [47%] (44%) / 46% [42%] (44%) {0%}
• Joe Biden 37% (33%) / 43% (37%) {-6%} 

Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling each of the following issues – Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

The Federal Budget Deficit

• Mitt Romney 54% [48%] (51%)
• Barack Obama 39% [42%] (43%)

The Economy and Unemployment

• Mitt Romney 51% [48%] (46%)
• Barack Obama 45% [45%] (47%) 

Foreign Policy

• Barack Obama 49% [50%] (49%)
• Mitt Romney 44% [41%] (39%)

Health Care

• Barack Obama 48% (50%)
• Mitt Romney 45% (46%) 

Taxes

• Mitt Romney 47% (46%)
• Barack Obama 46% (48%)

Medicare

• Barack Obama 51% (50%)
• Mitt Romney 42% (43%)

Help Middle Class Americans

• Barack Obama 52% (54%)
• Mitt Romney 43% (40%)

Dealing with the Issue of Abortion

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 39%

Dealing with Illegal Immigration

• Mitt Romney 48%
• Barack Obama 42%

Dealing with Terrorism and National Security

• Barack Obama 49% [49%]
• Mitt Romney 44% [42%]

Which candidate do you think would work better with both Democrats and Republicans in Congress?

• Mitt Romney 50%
• Barack Obama 39%

Do you think Barack Obama has strong qualities of leadership, or not?

• Has 59%
• Does not have 39%
  

Do you think Mitt Romney has strong qualities of leadership, or not?

• Has 67%
• Does not have 30%
  

Do you think Barack Obama says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what he thinks people want to hear?

• Says what he believes 50% (54%)
• What people want to hear 47% (43%)

Do you think Mitt Romney says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what he thinks people want to hear?

• Says what he believes 42% (42%)
• Says what people want 54% (53%)

How much confidence do you have in Barack Obama’s ability to handle an international crisis -- a lot, some, a little, or none at all?

• A lot 40% [38%] (39%)
• Some 22% [24%] (26%)
• A little 15% [15%] (13%)
• None at all 22% [22%] (21%)

How much confidence do you have in Mitt Romney’s ability to handle an international crisis -- a lot, some, a little, or none at all?

• A lot 30% [30%] (26%)
• Some 27% [28%] (32%)
• A little 15% [16%] (15%)
• None at all 26% [25%] (22%)

Do you think Barack Obama has made it clear what he wants to accomplish if he were re-elected president, or not?

• Yes, he has 57% (59%)
• No, he has not 41% (37%)

Do you think Mitt Romney has made it clear what he wants to accomplish if he were elected president, or not?

• Yes, he has 53% (50%)
• No, he has not 46% (44%)

Do you think Barack Obama's views on most issues are too liberal for you, not liberal enough, or just about right?

• Too liberal 42%
• Not liberal enough 9%
• About right 46%

Do you think Mitt Romney's views on most issues are too conservative for you, not conservative enough, or just about right?

• Too liberal 35%
• Not liberal enough 15%
• About right 45%

Do you think Barack Obama does or does not understand the needs and problems of people like yourself?

• Does 59% [59%] (60%)
• Does not 39% [38%] (37%)

Do you think Mitt Romney does or does not understand the needs and problems of people like yourself?

• Does 49% [48%] (46%)
• Does not 48% [48%] (48%)

Do you think Barack Obama understands the needs and problems of women in the workforce, or not?

• Yes 66%
• No 29%

Do you think Mitt Romney understands the needs and problems of women in the workforce, or not?

• Yes 46%
• No 50%

Regardless of how you intend to vote for President in 2012, who do you expect to finally win the 2012 presidential election?

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 36%

Survey of 563 likely voters was conducted October 25-28, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points.  Party ID: 36% [32%] (35%) Democrat; 31% [32%] (29%) Republican; 33% [35%] (32%) Independent.  Results from the poll conducted October 17-20, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted September 8-12, 2012 are in parentheses.