Poll Watch: Washington Post/ABC News 2012 Presidential Survey

Washington Post/ABC News 2012 Presidential Poll

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

(Among Obama Voters) Will you definitely vote for Barack Obama, or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for someone else? If there's a chance you could change your mind, is there a good chance you'll change your mind, or is it a pretty unlikely chance?

• Definitely vote for Obama 89%
• Chance change mind, but unlikely 9%
• Good chance will change mind 1%

(Among Romney Voters) Will you definitely vote for Mitt Romney, or is there a chance you could change your mind and vote for someone else? If there's a chance you could change your mind, is there a good chance you'll change your mind, or is it a pretty unlikely chance?

• Definitely vote for Romney 91%
• Chance change mind, but unlikely 6%
• Good chance will change mind 2%

(Among Obama Voters) Would you say you are very enthusiastic about supporting Barack Obama, somewhat enthusiastic, not so enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?

• Very enthusiastic 60%
• Somewhat enthusiastic 35%
• Not so enthusiastic 4%
• Not enthusiastic at all 1%

(Among Romney Voters) Would you say you are very enthusiastic about supporting Mitt Romney, somewhat enthusiastic, not so enthusiastic, or not enthusiastic at all?

• Very enthusiastic 62%
• Somewhat enthusiastic 31%
• Not so enthusiastic 4%
• Not enthusiastic at all 2%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president? 

• Approve 50%
• Disapprove 48%
  

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? 

• Approve 47%
• Disapprove 52%
  

Regardless of who you support, which candidate do you trust to do a better job:

Handling the economy

• Barack Obama 48%
• Mitt Romney 47%
  

Handling international affairs

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 43%
  

Handling taxes

• Barack Obama 48%
• Mitt Romney 46%

Dealing with the federal budget deficit

• Mitt Romney 51%
• Barack Obama 43% 

Handling health care policy

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 46%

Handling Medicare, the government health insurance program for seniors

• Barack Obama 54%
• Mitt Romney 41%

Handling an unexpected major crisis

• Barack Obama 52%
• Mitt Romney 43%

Regardless of who you may support, who do you think:

Better understands the economic problems people in this country are having

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 42%

Seems like the more friendly and likable person

• Barack Obama 58%
• Mitt Romney 32%

Has better ideas about the right size and role of the federal government

• Mitt Romney 48%
• Barack Obama 44% 

Is the stronger leader

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 47%

Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Barack Obama, or not?  He is honest and trustworthy.

• Yes 55%
• No 41%
  

Please tell me whether the following statement applies to Mitt Romney, or not?  He is honest and trustworthy.

• Yes 47%
• No 47%

If Barack Obama is re-elected, how confident are you, if at all, that the country will get back on track economically in the next year or two?

• Very confident 19%
• Somewhat confident 29%
• Not so confident 13%
• Not confident at all 38%

If Mitt Romney is elected, how confident are you, if at all, that the country will get back on track economically in the next year or two?

• Very confident 20%
• Somewhat confident 31%
• Not so confident 19%
• Not confident at all 29%

As you may know, the unemployment rate has moved below 8 percent for the first time in nearly four years. How much credit, if any, do you think Obama deserves for this – a lot of credit, some, a little or none at all?

• A lot 23%
• Some 29%
• A little 15%
• None at all 31%
  

Do you think Obama does more to favor the middle class or more to favor the wealthy?

• Favor middle class 68%
• Favor wealthy 16%

As president, do you think Romney would do more to favor the middle class or more to favor the wealthy?

• Favor middle class 33%
• Favor wealthy 57%

Do you think Obama has or has not done enough to provide details about the policies he would pursue in a second term as president?

• Has done enough 44%
  
• Has not done enough 54%

Do you think Romney has or has not done enough to provide details about the policies he would pursue as president?

• Has done enough 34%
  
• Has not done enough 63%

I have a question about the first presidential debate between Obama and Romney. From what you've seen, heard or read about it - who, in your opinion, won the debate?

• Mitt Romney 71%
• Barack Obama 17% 

As a result of the debate do you have a better opinion of Romney, a worse opinion of him, or didn't your opinion of Romney change one way or the other?

• Better 37%
• Worse 14%
  
• Has not changed 47%

As a result of the debate do you have a better opinion of Obama, a worse opinion of him, or didn't your opinion of Obama change one way or the other?

• Better 8%
• Worse 19%
  
• Has not changed 72%

Just your best guess, who do you think will win the presidential election this year, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 56%
• Mitt Romney 35%

On a ship in a storm, who would you rather have as the captain, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 46%

Who would you rather have babysit your children, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 39%

If you ran a company, who would you rather have as an employee, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? 

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 46%

Who do you think is more likely to go bungee jumping, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 61%
• Mitt Romney 19%

Survey of 923 likely voters was conducted October 10-13, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 3.5 percentage points.  Party ID: 35% [33%] (33%) Democrat; 26% [30%] (27%) Republican; 33% [33%] (36%) Independent.  Results from the poll conducted September 26-29, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted September 7-9, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted August 22-25, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted July 5-8, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted May 17-20, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted April 5-8, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted March 7-10, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted February 1-4, 2012 are in parentheses.   Results from the poll conducted January 12-15, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted December 15-18, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted October 31 - November 3, 2011 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted September 29 - October 2, 2011 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted August 29 - September 1, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted July 14-17, 2011 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted June 2-5, 2011 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted April 14-17, 2011 are in square brackets.