Poll Watch: Gallup Survey on Acceptance of Presidential Candidates

Gallup Poll on Acceptance of Presidential Candidates

Between now and the 2012 political conventions, there will be discussion about the qualifications of presidential candidates -- their education, age, religion, race, and so on. If your party nominated a generally well-qualified person for president who happened to be ________________ , would you vote for that person?

BLACK

• Yes, would 96%
• No, would not 4%

A WOMAN

• Yes, would 95%
• No, would not 5%

CATHOLIC

• Yes, would 94%
• No, would not 5%

HISPANIC

• Yes, would 92%
• No, would not 7%

JEWISH

• Yes, would 91%
• No, would not 6%

MORMON

• Yes, would 80%
• No, would not 18%

GAY or LESBIAN

• Yes, would 68%
• No, would not 30%

MUSLIM

• Yes, would 58%
• No, would not 40%

AN ATHEIST

• Yes, would 54%
• No, would not 43%

National survey of 1,004 adults was conducted June 7-10, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points.

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Poll Watch: Fox News Survey on Health Care

Fox News Survey on Health Care

Do you favor or oppose the new national health care law that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in 2010?

• Favor 40% (40%)
• Oppose 49% (53%)

Democrats

• Favor 72%
• Oppose 16%

Republicans

• Favor 9%
• Oppose 85%

Independents

• Favor 34%
• Oppose 51%

Recently the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the new health care law, which is called the 2010 Affordable Care Act. What do you think the Supreme Court should do?

• Uphold the law as constitutional and let it stand 30% (27%)
• Keep most of the law, but rule the requirement for Americans to buy health insurance as unconstitutional 21% (24%)
• Invalidate the whole law as unconstitutional 38% (42%)

Democrats

• Uphold the law as constitutional and let it stand 53%
• Keep most of the law, but rule the requirement for Americans to buy health insurance as unconstitutional 23%
• Invalidate the whole law as unconstitutional 14%

Republicans

• Uphold the law as constitutional and let it stand 10%
• Keep most of the law, but rule the requirement for Americans to buy health insurance as unconstitutional 15%
• Invalidate the whole law as unconstitutional 65%

Independents

• Uphold the law as constitutional and let it stand 22%
• Keep most of the law, but rule the requirement for Americans to buy health insurance as unconstitutional 25%
• Invalidate the whole law as unconstitutional 40%

The new Obama health care law requires that employer health plans provide birth control coverage as part of preventive services for women. Most Catholic and other religious-affiliated hospitals and universities don’t do that and are fighting the new requirement in court because they say it violates their religious rights under the Constitution. Overall, who do you believe is right in this situation -- the Catholic Church or the government?

• The government 47%
• The Catholic Church 41%

Democrats

• The government 74%
• The Catholic Church 17%

Republicans

• The Catholic Church 68%
• The government 23%

Independents

• The Catholic Church 42%
  
• The government 38%

Men

• The Catholic Church 49%
  
• The government 42%

Women

• The government 51%
• The Catholic Church 35%

Do you believe the federal government forcing Americans to buy health insurance is a violation of individual rights protected by the Constitution -- or not?

• Yes it is 60%
• No it isn’t 36%

Democrats

• Yes it is 33%
• No it isn’t 61%

Republicans

• Yes it is 87%
• No it isn’t 10%

Independents

• Yes it is 66%
• No it isn’t 30%

Survey of 907 registered voters was conducted June 3-5, 2012. The margin of error is ± 3 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted April 9-11, 2012 are in parentheses.

Poll Watch: Quinnipiac New York Survey on Social Issues

Quinnipiac New York Survey on Social Issues

Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?

• Legal in all cases 30%
• Legal in most cases 37%
• Illegal in most cases 19%
• Illegal in all cases 10%

Democrats

• Legal in all cases 37%
  
• Legal in most cases 41%
  
• Illegal in most cases 10%
  
• Illegal in all cases 8%

Republicans

• Legal in all cases 17%
  
• Legal in most cases 27%
  
• Illegal in most cases 39%
• Illegal in all cases 13%

Independents

• Legal in all cases 26%
  
• Legal in most cases 40%
  
• Illegal in most cases 19%
  
• Illegal in all cases 9%

Age 18-34

• Legal in all cases 35%
  
• Legal in most cases 39%
  
• Illegal in most cases 19%
  
• Illegal in all cases 6%

Age 35-54

• Legal in all cases 34%
  
• Legal in most cases 34%
  
• Illegal in most cases 18%
  
• Illegal in all cases 9%

Age 55+

• Legal in all cases 23%
  
• Legal in most cases 39%
  
• Illegal in most cases 19%
  
• Illegal in all cases 13%

College Degree

• Legal in all cases 36%
  
• Legal in most cases 39%
  
• Illegal in most cases 15%
  
• Illegal in all cases 7%

No College Degree

• Legal in all cases 26%
  
• Legal in most cases 36%
  
• Illegal in most cases 21%
  
• Illegal in all cases 11%

Do you think that health insurance plans should cover birth control as preventive care for women or not?

• Yes 77%
• No 19%

Do you think the federal government should require private employers to offer free birth control coverage as part of their health insurance benefit plans or not?

• Yes 58%
• No 39%

Do you think the federal government should require religiously affiliated employers to offer free birth control coverage as part of their health insurance benefit plans or not?

• Yes 45%
• No 50%

Men

• Yes 38%
• No 58%

Women

• Yes 51%
• No 42%

Democrats

• Yes 63%
• No 30%

Republicans

• Yes 24%
• No 73%

Independents

• Yes 38%
• No 58%

Age 18-34

• Yes 56%
• No 40%

Age 35-54

• Yes 45%
• No 52%

Age 55+

• Yes 41%
• No 53%

College Degree

• Yes 50%
• No 46%

No College Degree

• Yes 42%
• No 52%

As you may know, Catholic dioceses, schools, and social service agencies have filed lawsuits challenging the Obama administration's rule that their employees receive coverage for contraception in their health insurance policies. Do you approve or disapprove of these lawsuits?

• Approve 38%
• Disapprove 55%

Do you think Catholic Church leaders are too involved in politics, not involved enough in politics, or is their involvement in politics about right?

• Too involved 43%
• Not involved enough 11%
• About right 32%

Do you think it is wrong or not wrong to use artificial birth control methods, also known as contraceptives?

• Yes, wrong 10%
• No, not wrong 83%

In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage?

• Support 54%
• Oppose 37%

Democrats

• Support 69%
• Oppose 24%

Republicans

• Support 32%
• Oppose 60%

Independents

• Support 52%
• Oppose 37%

Age 18-34

• Support 68%
• Oppose 24%

Age 35-54

• Support 57%
• Oppose 36%

Age 55+

• Support 46%
• Oppose 44%

College Degree

• Support 68%
• Oppose 24%

No College Degree

• Support 46%
• Oppose 45%

Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

• Marry 51%
• Civil unions 32%
• No recognition 12%

Democrats

• Marry 66%
• Civil unions 21%
• No recognition 8%

Republicans

• Marry 29%
• Civil unions 50%
• No recognition 16%

Independents

• Marry 49%
• Civil unions 31%
• No recognition 13%

Survey of 1,504 registered voters was conducted May 22-28, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 2.5 percentage points.  Party ID: 42% Democrat; 22% Republican; 29% Independent.

Poll Watch: Quinnipiac Survey on Health Care

Quinnipiac Survey on Health Care

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

• Approve 40%
• Disapprove 56%

Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law, or should they let it stand?

• Should repeal it 52%
• Should let it stand 39%

The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the health care law. Do you want the Supreme Court to uphold the health care law or overturn it?

• Uphold it 39%
• Overturn it 50%

Do you think that health insurance plans should cover birth control as preventive care for women or not?

• Yes 71%
• No 24%

Do you think the federal government should require private employers to offer free birth control coverage as part of their health insurance benefit plans or not?

• Yes 47%
• No 48%

Among Democrats

• Yes 69%
• No 27%

Among Republicans

• Yes 25%
• No 72%

Among Independents

• Yes 48%
• No 46%

Among Men

• Yes 43%
• No 53%

Among Women

• Yes 51%
• No 43%

As you may know, President Obama recently announced an adjustment to the administration's health-care rule regarding religiously affiliated employers providing birth control coverage to female employees. Women will still be guaranteed coverage for birth control without any out-of-pocket cost, but will have to seek the coverage directly from their insurance companies if their employers object to birth control on religious grounds. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's decision?

• Approve 54%
• Disapprove 38%

Among Democrats

• Approve 75%
• Disapprove 18%

Among Republicans

• Approve 32%
• Disapprove 63%

Among Independents

• Approve 56%
• Disapprove 36%

Do you think it is wrong or not wrong to use artificial birth control methods, also known as contraceptives?

• Yes, wrong 12%
• No, not wrong 82%

Among Catholics

• Yes, wrong 18%
• No, not wrong 75%

Survey of 2,605 registered voters was conducted February 14-20, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 1.9 percentage points. Party ID: 30% Democrat; 28% Republican; 33% Independent.

Paul Ryan and Chris Van Hollen on Meet the Press

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Jack Lew on Fox News Sunday

CNN State of the Union: Interview with Jack Lew (Part 1)

Jack Lew on Meet the Press

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This Week Roundtable: Contraceptive Controversy

This Week: Interview with Jack Lew

Poll Watch: PPP (D) Survey on Birth Control and Catholic Hospitals & Universities

PPP (D) Survey on Birth Control and Catholic Hospitals & Universities

Some people say that institutions such as Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from the requirement that health plans cover prescription birth control with no additional out of pocket costs, because contraception runs counter to Catholic teachings. Other people say that women of all faiths who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women. Which view do you agree with -- Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control, or that women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women?

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 57%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 39%

Among Democrats

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 76%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 23%

Among Republicans

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 38%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 58%

Among Independents

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 56%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 39%

Among Catholics

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 53%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 45%

Among Catholic Democrats

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 73%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 24%

Among Republican Catholics

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 27%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 72%

Among Independent Catholics

• Women who are employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have the same rights to contraceptive coverage as other women 60%
• Catholic hospitals and universities should be exempted from covering prescription birth control 39%

National survey of 1,085 registered voters was conducted on behalf of Planned Parenthood February 3-5, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.0 percentage points. An oversample of 359 Catholic voters was conducted and the margin of error for that group is +/- 5.2 percentage points.

Inside the numbers:

A solid 56 percent majority of voters support the decision to require health plans to cover prescription birth control with no additional out-of-pocket fees, while only 37 percent are opposed. It’s particularly noteworthy that pivotal independent voters support this benefit by a 55/36 margin; in fact, a majority of voters in every racial, age, and religious category that we track express support. In particular, a 53 percent majority of Catholic voters, who were oversampled as part of this poll, favor the benefit, including fully 62 percent of Catholics who identify themselves as independents.

A lot more Republicans (36%) support it than Democrats (20%) oppose it. Women are for it by a 63/29 margin.

Republican agitating on this issue could cause themselves trouble at the polls this year. 40% of voters say Mitt Romney's stance makes them less likely to vote for him, while only 23% consider it a positive. With the Catholic oversample it's 46% less likely and 28% more likely. And Congressional Republicans are imperiling themselves as well. 58% of voters oppose them trying to take the benefit away, including 56 percent of independents, while only 33% are supportive.

The Last Word: Why Rick Perry Doesn't Have a Prayer's Chance in 2012

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Poll Watch: Quinnipiac 2012 Presidential Survey

Quinnipiac 2012 Presidential Survey

• Barack Obama 47% (44%)
• Mitt Romney 41% (45%)

• Barack Obama 48%
• Tim Pawlenty 36%

• Barack Obama 48%
• Jon Huntsman 34%

• Barack Obama 53% (48%)
• Sarah Palin 36% (40%)

Among Independents

• Barack Obama 45% (35%)
• Mitt Romney 38% (46%)

• Barack Obama 47%
• Tim Pawlenty 32%

• Barack Obama 45%
• Jon Huntsman 28%

• Barack Obama 56% (44%)
• Sarah Palin 29% (37%)

Among Moderates

• Barack Obama 55% (56%)
• Mitt Romney 31% (32%)

• Barack Obama 58%
• Jon Huntsman 23%

• Barack Obama 59%
• Tim Pawlenty 23%

• Barack Obama 65% (63%)
• Sarah Palin 22% (22%) 

Among Men

• Mitt Romney 45% (51%)
• Barack Obama 43% (40%)

• Barack Obama 46%
• Tim Pawlenty 38%

• Barack Obama 46%
• Jon Huntsman 37%

• Barack Obama 50% (44%)
• Sarah Palin 37% (44%)

Among Women

• Barack Obama 50% (48%)
• Mitt Romney 38% (39%)

• Barack Obama 50%
• Tim Pawlenty 35%

• Barack Obama 50%
• Jon Huntsman 32%

• Barack Obama 55% (52%)
• Sarah Palin 35% (36%)

College Degree

• Barack Obama 51% (51%)
• Mitt Romney 41% (42%)

• Barack Obama 50%
• Jon Huntsman 35%

• Barack Obama 51%
• Tim Pawlenty 36%

• Barack Obama 58% (56%)
• Sarah Palin 32% (33%) 

No College Degree

• Barack Obama 45% (42%)
• Mitt Romney 42% (46%)

• Barack Obama 47%
• Tim Pawlenty 37%

• Barack Obama 50% (46%)
• Sarah Palin 38% (42%)

• Barack Obama 47%
• Jon Huntsman 34%

Looking ahead to the 2012 election for President, do you feel that Barack Obama deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?

• Deserves reelection 46% (43%)
• Does not 48% (49%)

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about an Evangelical Christian president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 43%
• Somewhat comfortable 24%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 14%
• Entirely uncomfortable 12%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 30%
• Somewhat comfortable 25%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 18%
• Entirely uncomfortable 17%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 57%
• Somewhat comfortable 24%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 10%
• Entirely uncomfortable 5%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 41%
• Somewhat comfortable 24%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 17%
• Entirely uncomfortable 12%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about a Jewish president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 55%
• Somewhat comfortable 25%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 9%
• Entirely uncomfortable 6%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 49%
• Somewhat comfortable 26%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 11%
• Entirely uncomfortable 9%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 60%
• Somewhat comfortable 24%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 8%
• Entirely uncomfortable 4%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 56%
• Somewhat comfortable 27%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 10%
• Entirely uncomfortable 3%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about a Catholic president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 60%
• Somewhat comfortable 23%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 8%
• Entirely uncomfortable 5%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 57%
• Somewhat comfortable 22%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 11%
• Entirely uncomfortable 7%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 64%
• Somewhat comfortable 25%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 6%
• Entirely uncomfortable 3%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 62%
• Somewhat comfortable 22%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 7%
• Entirely uncomfortable 4%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about an atheist president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 24%
• Somewhat comfortable 13%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 16%
• Entirely uncomfortable 44%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 31%
• Somewhat comfortable 12%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 13%
• Entirely uncomfortable 38%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 12%
• Somewhat comfortable 11%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 18%
• Entirely uncomfortable 57%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 27%
• Somewhat comfortable 16%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 18%
• Entirely uncomfortable 36%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about a woman president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 68%
• Somewhat comfortable 20%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 6%
• Entirely uncomfortable 4%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 69%
• Somewhat comfortable 18%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 6%
• Entirely uncomfortable 4%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 65%
• Somewhat comfortable 23%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 7%
• Entirely uncomfortable 3%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 71%
• Somewhat comfortable 19%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 4%
• Entirely uncomfortable 4%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about an African American president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 76%
• Somewhat comfortable 14%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 3%
• Entirely uncomfortable 2%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 81%
• Somewhat comfortable 13%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 2%
• Entirely uncomfortable 1%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 70%
• Somewhat comfortable 18%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 5%
• Entirely uncomfortable 3%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 79%
• Somewhat comfortable 14%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 3%
• Entirely uncomfortable 2%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about a Hispanic president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 63%
• Somewhat comfortable 19%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 9%
• Entirely uncomfortable 6%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 65%
• Somewhat comfortable 18%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 8%
• Entirely uncomfortable 6%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 59%
• Somewhat comfortable 21%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 9%
• Entirely uncomfortable 8%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 63%
• Somewhat comfortable 18%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 12%
• Entirely uncomfortable 4%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about a Muslim president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 21%
• Somewhat comfortable 17%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 23%
• Entirely uncomfortable 36%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 29%
• Somewhat comfortable 19%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 22%
• Entirely uncomfortable 25%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 11%
• Somewhat comfortable 14%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 21%
• Entirely uncomfortable 51%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 22%
• Somewhat comfortable 17%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 28%
• Entirely uncomfortable 29%

If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about a Mormon president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely uncomfortable with?

• Entirely comfortable 35%
• Somewhat comfortable 25%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 19%
• Entirely uncomfortable 17%

Among Democrats

• Entirely comfortable 28%
• Somewhat comfortable 21%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 24%
• Entirely uncomfortable 22%

Among Republicans

• Entirely comfortable 38%
• Somewhat comfortable 30%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 14%
• Entirely uncomfortable 15%

Among Independents

• Entirely comfortable 38%
• Somewhat comfortable 26%
• Somewhat uncomfortable 20%
• Entirely uncomfortable 12%

Would you say you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of the Mormon religion?

• Favorable 45%
• Unfavorable 32%

Among Democrats

• Favorable 39%
• Unfavorable 38%

Among Republicans

• Favorable 51%
• Unfavorable 31%

Among Independents

• Favorable 48%
• Unfavorable 26%

Survey of 1,946 registered voters was conducted May 31 - June 6, 2011.  The margin of error is +/- 2.2 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted November 8-15, 2010 are in parentheses.