Chris Christie on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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. 

Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) 2012 Presidential Survey

Rasmussen (R) 2012 Presidential Poll

I’m going to read you a short list of issues in the news. For each, please let me know which presidential candidate you trust more to handle that issue—Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.

Economy

• Mitt Romney 50% (50%) [48%] {49%} (50%) [51%] {49%} (45%) [48%]
• Barack Obama 43% (43%) [44%] {43%} (42%) [39%] {39%} (44%) [39%]

Health care

• Mitt Romney 46% (45%) [47%] {46%} (47%) [45%] {46%} (41%)
• Barack Obama 45% (46%) [45%] {45%} (44%) [40%] {42%} (44%)

National security

• Mitt Romney 46% (43%) [42%] {45%} (45%) [44%] {42%} (41%)
• Barack Obama 44% (46%) [47%] {42%} (44%) [42%] {45%} (45%)

Taxes

• Mitt Romney 47% (46%) [45%] {47%} (49%) [48%] {47%} (45%) 
• Barack Obama 44% (45%) [46%] {44%} (42%) [38%] {42%} (45%)

Energy Policy

• Mitt Romney 46% (45%) [44%] {44%} (43%) [43%] {45%}
• Barack Obama 45% (44%) [44%] {41%} (44%) [40%] {43%}

National survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted October 7-8, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted September 11-12, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted August 26-27, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted July 23-24, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted June 11-12, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted May 10-11, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted April 10-11, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted March 1-2, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted January 13-14, 2012 are in square brackets.

Inside the numbers:

Republicans express slightly more trust in Romney in all five areas than Democrats do in Obama. The Republican even earns low double-digit support from Democratic voters in every case.

By a 51% to 32% margin, voters not affiliated with either party express more confidence in Romney when it comes to the economy, and the GOP challenger leads among these voters in three other areas. Only when it comes to energy policy do unaffiliated voters show more trust in the president – 43% to 38%.

Interestingly, however, in every area, roughly one-in-five unaffiliateds are undecided.

Voters who are members of the Tea Party overwhelmingly trust Romney more when it comes to the economy and the other issues, while most voters who are members of a labor union have more faith in the president in all five policy areas.

MTP PRESS Pass: Simpson & Bowles

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) 2012 Presidential Survey

Rasmussen (R) 2012 Presidential Poll

I’m going to read you a short list of issues in the news. For each, please let me know which presidential candidate you trust more to handle that issue—Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.

Economy

• Mitt Romney 50% [48%] {49%} (50%) [51%] {49%} (45%) [48%]
• Barack Obama 43% [44%] {43%} (42%) [39%] {39%} (44%) [39%]

Health care

• Barack Obama 46% [45%] {45%} (44%) [40%] {42%} (44%)
• Mitt Romney 45% [47%] {46%} (47%) [45%] {46%} (41%)
  

National security

• Barack Obama 46% [47%] {42%} (44%) [42%] {45%} (45%)
• Mitt Romney 43% [42%] {45%} (45%) [44%] {42%} (41%)

Taxes

• Mitt Romney 46% [45%] {47%} (49%) [48%] {47%} (45%) 
• Barack Obama 45% [46%] {44%} (42%) [38%] {42%} (45%)

Energy Policy

• Mitt Romney 45% [44%] {44%} (43%) [43%] {45%}
• Barack Obama 44% [44%] {41%} (44%) [40%] {43%}

National survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted September 11-12, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted August 26-27, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted July 23-24, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted June 11-12, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted May 10-11, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted April 10-11, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted March 1-2, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted January 13-14, 2012 are in square brackets.

Inside the numbers:

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Republicans and 15% of Democrats have more faith in Romney when it comes to the economy. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Democrats and eight percent (8%) of GOP voters trust Obama more. Voters not affiliated with either party are almost evenly divided: 44% for Romney, 42% for Obama.

On all issues but the economy, Republicans and Democrats express equal levels of confidence in their respective candidates. However, unaffiliated voters now put more faith in the president by several points in all four of these areas.

Among all voters nationwide, 47% trust Obama more on the issue of job creation versus 45% who trust Romney more.

Mitt Romney on Meet the Press

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Poll Watch: Quinnipiac New Jersey 2012 Presidential Survey

Quinnipiac New Jersey 2012 Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama 51% (49%) {49%} [49%] (49%) {48%} [49%] (47%)
• Mitt Romney 44% (38%) {39%} [40%] (39%) {38%} [40%] (41%)

Among Men

• Mitt Romney 51% (43%) {44%} [47%] (44%) {40%} [43%] (46%)
• Barack Obama 44% (44%) {45%} [42%] (46%) {46%} [47%] (42%)

Among Women

• Barack Obama 57% (53%) {52%} [55%] (52%) {49%} [51%] (52%)
• Mitt Romney 38% (33%) {34%} [34%] (34%) {37%} [36%] (36%)

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 52% (52%) {54%} [52%] [50%] (47%) / 44% (42%) {41%} [43%] [44%] (47%) {+8%}
• Joe Biden 44% / 41% {+3%}
• Mitt Romney 43% (35%) {35%} [39%] [39%] (35%) / 41% (43%) {41%} [37%] [29%] (31%) {+2%}
• Paul Ryan 33% / 34% {-1%}

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

• Approve 51% (51%) {53%} [51%] (51%) {49%} [48%] (43%)
• Disapprove 46% (45%) {43%} [46%] (45%) {48%} [48%] (52%)

Does Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden for Vice President make you more likely to vote for Obama for President, less likely, or doesn't it make a difference?

• More likely 14%
• Less likely 14%
• No difference 71%

Does Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan for Vice President make you more likely to vote for Romney for President, less likely, or doesn't it make a difference?

• More likely 23%
• Less likely 25%
• No difference 51%

Do you think Joe Biden is or is not qualified to serve as President if it becomes necessary, or don't you know enough about Joe Biden to say?

• Qualified 46%
• Not qualified 37%
• Don't know enough 16%

Do you think Paul Ryan is or is not qualified to serve as President if it becomes necessary, or don't you know enough about Paul Ryan to say?

• Qualified 33%
• Not qualified 29%
• Don't know enough 37%

Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 59%
• No 38%

Would you say that Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 45%
• No 48%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on health care?

• Barack Obama 52%
• Mitt Romney 43%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on taxes?

• Mitt Romney 48%
• Barack Obama 46%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on the economy?

• Mitt Romney 48%
• Barack Obama 45%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on the budget deficit?

• Mitt Romney 52%
  
• Barack Obama 41%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on foreign policy?

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 41%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on Medicare?

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 41%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on women's reproductive health issues?

• Barack Obama 58%
• Mitt Romney 27%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on abortion?

• Barack Obama 55%
• Mitt Romney 29%

Survey of 1,471 likely voters was conducted August 27 - September 2, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 2.6 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted July 9-15, 2012 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted May 9-14, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted April 3-9, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted February 21-27, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted January 10-16, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted November 9-14, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted October 5-10, 2011 are in parentheses.

Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) 2012 Presidential Survey

Rasmussen (R) 2012 Presidential Poll

I’m going to read you a short list of issues in the news. For each, please let me know which presidential candidate you trust more to handle that issue—Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.

Economy

• Mitt Romney 48% {49%} (50%) [51%] {49%} (45%) [48%]
• Barack Obama 44% {43%} (42%) [39%] {39%} (44%) [39%]

Health care

• Mitt Romney 47% {46%} (47%) [45%] {46%} (41%)
  
• Barack Obama 45% {45%} (44%) [40%] {42%} (44%)

National security

• Barack Obama 47% {42%} (44%) [42%] {45%} (45%)
• Mitt Romney 42% {45%} (45%) [44%] {42%} (41%)

Taxes

• Barack Obama 46% {44%} (42%) [38%] {42%} (45%)
• Mitt Romney 45% {47%} (49%) [48%] {47%} (45%)
  

Energy Policy

• Mitt Romney 44% {44%} (43%) [43%] {45%}
• Barack Obama 44% {41%} (44%) [40%] {43%}

National survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted August 26-27, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted July 23-24, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted June 11-12, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted May 10-11, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted April 10-11, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted March 1-2, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted January 13-14, 2012 are in square brackets.

Inside the numbers:

Republicans (83%) show slightly more confidence in Romney to handle the economy than Democrats (75%) do in the president. Among voters not affiliated with either of the major parties, however, Romney holds a 51% to 39% lead over the president when it comes to the economy.

Unaffiliated voters express more faith in Romney on every issue. The GOP challenger has an 18-point lead over Obama among these voters on the issue of health care.

Poll Watch: CNN/ORC 2012 Presidential Survey

CNN/ORC 2012 Presidential Poll

I'm going to mention a few issues and for each one, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would better handle that issue if they were elected President.

THE ECONOMY

Registered Voters

• Mitt Romney 49% (48%)
• Barack Obama 46% (47%)

Likely Voters

• Mitt Romney 50%
  
• Barack Obama 46%

FOREIGN POLICY

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 55% (53%)
• Mitt Romney 40% (41%)

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 44%

HEALTH CARE

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 50% (51%)
• Mitt Romney 46% (44%)

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 48%

THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT

Registered Voters

• Mitt Romney 50% (52%)
• Barack Obama 42% (42%)

Likely Voters

• Mitt Romney 52%
• Barack Obama 42%

MEDICARE

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 45%

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 48%

TAXES

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 52%
• Mitt Romney 42%

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 46%

Now I'm going to mention a few issues and for each one, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would better handle that issue if they were elected President.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Registered Voters

• Mitt Romney 48% (49%)
• Barack Obama 45% (46%)

Likely Voters

• Mitt Romney 52%
• Barack Obama 42%

TERRORISM

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 52%
• Mitt Romney 40%

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 43%

POLICIES TOWARD GAYS AND LESBIANS

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 62%
• Mitt Romney 30%

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 59%
• Mitt Romney 33%

WELFARE POLICY

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 52%
• Mitt Romney 45%

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 47%

ENERGY POLICY
 

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 44%

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 45% 

ABORTION POLICY
 

Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 55%
• Mitt Romney 36%

Likely Voters

• Barack Obama 53%
• Mitt Romney 40%

In general, do you think the policies being proposed by each of the following presidential candidates would move the country in the right direction or the wrong direction?

BARACK OBAMA

Registered Voters

• Right direction 52%
• Wrong direction 47%
  

Likely Voters

• Right direction 49%
• Wrong direction 50%

MITT ROMNEY

Registered Voters

• Right direction 51%
  
• Wrong direction 46%
  

Likely Voters

• Right direction 52%
  
• Wrong direction 45%
  

Survey of 924 registered voters, including 719 likely voters, was conducted August 22-23, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points among registered voters; +/- 3.5 percentage points among likely voters. Results from the poll conducted June 28 - July 1, 2012 are in parentheses.

Poll Watch: CNN/ORC 2012 Presidential Survey

CNN/ORC 2012 Presidential Poll

Among Likely Voters

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 49%
  
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 47%

Among Registered Voters 

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 52% [52%] (49%) {49%} [52%] (54%) {51%} [47%] (52%) {47%} [49%] (49%) {54%}
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 43% [45%] (46%) {46%} [43%] (43%) {46%} [48%] (45%) {51%} [48%] (48%) {43%}

Among Independents

• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 48% [42%] (49%) {51%} [43%]
• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 45% [53%] (42%) {39%} [48%] 
  

Among Moderates

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 57% [61%] (55%) {55%} [67%]
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 37% [35%] (40%) {42%} [25%]

Among Men

• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 53% [45%] (49%) {47%} [46%]
• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 43% [51%] (44%) {48%} [49%] 

Among Women

• Barack Obama-Joe Biden 54% [53%] (54%) {49%} [55%]
  
• Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 42% [44%] (43%) {46%} [39%]

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

Among Likely Voters

• Paul Ryan 45% / 39% {+6%}
• Barack Obama 52% / 47% {+5%}
• Mitt Romney 50% / 46% {+4%}
• Joe Biden 46% / 47% {-1%}
  

Among Registered Voters

• Barack Obama 54% [55%] (54%) {53%} [55%] (55%) {51%} [48%] / 44% [44%] (45%) {46%} [43%] (44%) {47%} [50%] {+10%}
• Paul Ryan 41% [29%] (25%) / 38% [20%] (22%) {+3%}
• Mitt Romney 48% [48%] (49%) {51%} [46%] (39%) {36%} [44%] / 46% [47%] (42%) {41%} [44%] (49%) {54%} [43%] {+2%} 
• Joe Biden 44% {41%} / 47% {46%} {-3%}
  

Just your best guess -- if Mitt Romney is elected president in November, how likely is it that he would work hard as president to implement the Republican party's policies in each of the following areas -- very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?

THE ECONOMY

Among Likely Voters

• Very likely 66%
• Somewhat likely 21%
• Not very likely 5%
• Not likely at all 7%

Among Registered Voters

• Very likely 62%
• Somewhat likely 23%
• Not very likely 5%
• Not likely at all 8%

HEALTH CARE

Among Likely Voters

• Very likely 60%
  
• Somewhat likely 24%
  
• Not very likely 6%
  
• Not likely at all 9%

Among Registered Voters

• Very likely 55%
  
• Somewhat likely 27%
  
• Not very likely 7%
  
• Not likely at all 10%

ABORTION

Among Likely Voters

• Very likely 43%
  
• Somewhat likely 28%
  
• Not very likely 11%
  
• Not likely at all 13%

Among Registered Voters

• Very likely 41%
  
• Somewhat likely 29%
  
• Not very likely 10%
  
• Not likely at all 15%

How would you rate Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan for vice president? Would you rate this choice as excellent, pretty good, only fair, or poor?

Among Registered Voters

• Excellent 27%
• Pretty good 24%
• Only fair 22%
• Poor 23%

Based on what you know about Paul Ryan, do you think he is qualified to serve as president if it becomes necessary, or not?

Among Registered Voters

• Yes, qualified 52%
• No, not qualified 43%

Do you think Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan reflects favorably or unfavorably on Romney's ability to make important presidential decisions?

Among Registered Voters

• Favorably 57%
• Unfavorably 39%

Survey of 924 registered voters, including 719 likely voters, was conducted August 22-23, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points among registered voters; +/- 3.5 percentage points among likely voters. Results from the poll conducted August 7-8, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted June 28 - July 1, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted May 29-31, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted April 13-15, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted March 24-25, 2012 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted February 10-13, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted January 11-12, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted December 16-18, 2011 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted November 11-13, 2011 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted September 23-25, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted August 5-7, 2011 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted April 29 - May 1, 2011 are in curly brackets.

Poll Watch: USA Today/Gallup 2012 Presidential Survey

USA Today/Gallup 2012 Presidential Poll

Regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would better handle each of the following issues:

Federal Budget Deficit

• Mitt Romney 54% (55%)
• Barack Obama 39% (36%)

Economy

• Mitt Romney 52% (51%)
• Barack Obama 43% (41%)

Taxes

• Barack Obama 52% (45%)
• Mitt Romney 43% (49%)

Health Care

• Barack Obama 52% (47%)
• Mitt Romney 43% (47%)

Foreign Affairs

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

Energy

• Barack Obama 53%
• Mitt Romney 40%

Medicare

• Barack Obama 53%
• Mitt Romney 41%

Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think each one applies more to Barack Obama or more to Mitt Romney:

Is likable

• Barack Obama 54% (60%)
• Mitt Romney 31% (30%)

Cares about the needs of people like you

• Barack Obama 52%
• Mitt Romney 36%

Is honest and trustworthy

• Barack Obama 48% (47%)
• Mitt Romney 36% (39%)

Would stand up to special interests, including those aligned with his own party

• Barack Obama 48%
• Mitt Romney 37%

Is a strong and decisive leader

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 42%

Would work well with both parties to get things done in Washington

• Barack Obama 45%
• Mitt Romney 40%

Can manage the government effectively

• Barack Obama 45%
• Mitt Romney 44%

National survey of 1,033 adults was conducted August 20-22, 2012. The margin of error is ±4 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted July 19-22, 2012 are in parentheses.

Robert Gibbs on Morning Joe

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Romney Spokeswoman Defends Massachusetts' Individual Mandate

SAUL: To that point, you know, if people had been in Massachusetts under Governor Romney’s health care plan, they would have had health care. There are a lot of people losing their jobs and their health care in President Obama’s economy.

RedState: The Moment All the Doubts About Romney Resurfaced on the Right
The "Read My Lips" Moment of Betrayal At Least Comes Before the Election This Time

• Mitt Romney aide cites Mass. healthcare law to criticize super-PAC ad 
- The Hill
• Romney moves to embrace ‘Romneycare’ - Washington Post

Romney Campaign Completely Validates Obamacare While Defending Against Controversial Ad

- Mediaite

Romney Spokesperson: Priorities USA Ad Subject Would Have Had Health Care Under Romneycare

- Mediaite

Romney Camp Touts Romneycare When Blasting Priorities USA Ad 

- National Review

David Frum: Romneycare Really is the Answer 

- The Daily Beast

Conservatives Are Saying This Could Have Been The Moment Mitt Romney Lost The Election 

- Business Insider

Romney Spokesperson Touts Massachusetts’ Individual Mandate

- Think Progress

Romney spokeswoman uses Mass. health law to respond to Priorities USA ad

- Politico

Romney: Sick People May Live, If They Move to Massachusetts

- New York

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

Quinnipiac/NY Times/CBS Virginia 2012 Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 45%

Among Independents

• Mitt Romney 50%
• Barack Obama 43%

Among Men

• Mitt Romney 50%
• Barack Obama 45%

Among Women

• Barack Obama 54%
• Mitt Romney 40%

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

• Strongly favor Barack Obama 68%
• Like but with reservations 25%
• Dislike Mitt Romney 7%

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

• Strongly favor Mitt Romney 40%
• Like but with reservations 36%
• Dislike Barack Obama 22%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 50% / 46% {+4%}  
• Mitt Romney 40% / 44% {-4%}

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

• Approve 47%
• Disapprove 49%

Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 59%
• No 37%

Would you say that Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 44%
• No 48%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on the economy, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Mitt Romney 47%
• Barack Obama 45%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on health care, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 42%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on national security, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 48%
• Mitt Romney 43%

If Barack Obama is reelected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 26%
• Hurt 39%
• No difference 34%

If Mitt Romney is elected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 28%
• Hurt 30%
• No difference 37%

From what you have read or heard, does Mitt Romney have the right kind of business experience to get the economy creating jobs again or is Romney's kind of business experience too focused on making profits?

• Right experience 43%
• Focused on profits 47%

Which comes closest to your view of Barack Obama's economic policies, A) They are improving the economy now, and will probably continue to do so, OR B) They have not improved the economy yet, but will if given more time, OR C) They are not improving the economy and probably never will.

• A)Improving now 24%
• B)Will improve 29%
• C)Will never improve 46%

Do you think presidential candidates should publicly release several years of tax returns, or is releasing only one or two years of tax returns necessary, or don't you think it is necessary for presidential candidates to release any of their tax returns?

• Several years 52%
• One or two years 19%
• Not necessary 23%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Mitt Romney, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Mitt Romney's television commercials spend more time explaining what Mitt Romney stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Barack Obama?

• Yes/Explained 21%
• Yes/Attacked Obama 57%
• No/Haven't seen 10%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Barack Obama, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Barack Obama's television commercials spend more time explaining what Barack Obama stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Mitt Romney?

• Yes/Explained 28%
• Yes/Attacked Romney 52%
• No/Haven't seen 9%

Survey of 1,412 likely voters was conducted July 31 - August 6, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 2.6 percentage points.  Party ID: 30% Democrat; 23% Republican; 40% Independent; 8% Other.  Click here to view crosstabs.

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

Quinnipiac/NY Times/CBS Colorado 2012 Presidential Poll

• Mitt Romney 50%
• Barack Obama 45%

Among Independents

• Mitt Romney 47%
• Barack Obama 45%

Among Men

• Mitt Romney 56%
• Barack Obama 39%

Among Women

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 43%

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

• Strongly favor Barack Obama 62%
• Like but with reservations 30%
• Dislike Mitt Romney 7%

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

• Strongly favor Mitt Romney 51%
• Like but with reservations 27%
• Dislike Barack Obama 21%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Mitt Romney 47% / 42% {+5%}
• Barack Obama 46% / 50% {-4%}  

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

• Approve 44%
• Disapprove 53%

Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 52%
• No 44%

Would you say that Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 47%
• No 46%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on the economy, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Mitt Romney 51%
• Barack Obama 41%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on health care, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 45%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on national security, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Mitt Romney 50%
• Barack Obama 41%

If Barack Obama is reelected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 22%
• Hurt 43%
• No difference 33%

If Mitt Romney is elected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 34%
• Hurt 30%
• No difference 32%

From what you have read or heard, does Mitt Romney have the right kind of business experience to get the economy creating jobs again or is Romney's kind of business experience too focused on making profits?

• Right experience 48%
• Focused on profits 42%

Which comes closest to your view of Barack Obama's economic policies, A) They are improving the economy now, and will probably continue to do so, OR B) They have not improved the economy yet, but will if given more time, OR C) They are not improving the economy and probably never will.

• A)Improving now 21%
• B)Will improve 26%
• C)Will never improve 51%

Do you think presidential candidates should publicly release several years of tax returns, or is releasing only one or two years of tax returns necessary, or don't you think it is necessary for presidential candidates to release any of their tax returns?

• Several years 48%
• One or two years 21%
• Not necessary 26%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Mitt Romney, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Mitt Romney's television commercials spend more time explaining what Mitt Romney stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Barack Obama?

• Yes/Explained 22%
• Yes/Attacked Obama 58%
• No/Haven't seen 9%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Barack Obama, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Barack Obama's television commercials spend more time explaining what Barack Obama stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Mitt Romney?

• Yes/Explained 22%
• Yes/Attacked Romney 58%
• No/Haven't seen 8%

Survey of 1,463 likely voters was conducted July 31 - August 6, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 2.6 percentage points.  Party ID: 32% Republican; 27% Democrat; 37% Independent; 4% Other.  Click here to view crosstabs.

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

Quinnipiac/NY Times/CBS Wisconsin 2012 Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 45%

Among Independents

• Barack Obama 48%
• Mitt Romney 47%

Among Men

• Mitt Romney 53%
• Barack Obama 43%

Among Women

• Barack Obama 59%
• Mitt Romney 36%

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

• Strongly favor Barack Obama 64%
• Like but with reservations 30%
• Dislike Mitt Romney 6%

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

• Strongly favor Mitt Romney 42%
• Like but with reservations 35%
• Dislike Barack Obama 21%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 53% / 44% {+9%}  
• Mitt Romney 41% / 43% {-2%}

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

• Approve 51%
• Disapprove 46%

Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 57%
• No 40%

Would you say that Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 41%
• No 51%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on the economy, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 46%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on health care, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 49%
• Mitt Romney 43%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on national security, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 53%
• Mitt Romney 39%

If Barack Obama is reelected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 22%
• Hurt 35%
• No difference 41%

If Mitt Romney is elected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 28%
• Hurt 31%
• No difference 37%

From what you have read or heard, does Mitt Romney have the right kind of business experience to get the economy creating jobs again or is Romney's kind of business experience too focused on making profits?

• Right experience 43%
• Focused on profits 48%

Which comes closest to your view of Barack Obama's economic policies, A) They are improving the economy now, and will probably continue to do so, OR B) They have not improved the economy yet, but will if given more time, OR C) They are not improving the economy and probably never will.

• A)Improving now 23%
• B)Will improve 33%
• C)Will never improve 42%

Do you think presidential candidates should publicly release several years of tax returns, or is releasing only one or two years of tax returns necessary, or don't you think it is necessary for presidential candidates to release any of their tax returns?

• Several years 52%
• One or two years 18%
• Not necessary 26%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Mitt Romney, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Mitt Romney's television commercials spend more time explaining what Mitt Romney stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Barack Obama?

• Yes/Explained 20%
• Yes/Attacked Obama 48%
• No/Haven't seen 20%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Barack Obama, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Barack Obama's television commercials spend more time explaining what Barack Obama stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Mitt Romney?

• Yes/Explained 32%
• Yes/Attacked Romney 41%
• No/Haven't seen 18%

Survey of 1,428 likely voters was conducted July 31 - August 6, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 2.6 percentage points.  Party ID: 34% Democrat; 27% Republican; 33% Independent; 6% Other.  Click here to view crosstabs.

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

Quinnipiac/NY Times/CBS Pennsylvania 2012 Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama 53%
• Mitt Romney 42%

Among Independents

• Barack Obama 58%
• Mitt Romney 36%

Among Men

• Mitt Romney 50%
• Barack Obama 47%

Among Women

• Barack Obama 59%
• Mitt Romney 35%

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

• Strongly favor Barack Obama 59%
• Like but with reservations 33%
• Dislike Mitt Romney 7%

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

• Strongly favor Mitt Romney 41%
• Like but with reservations 37%
• Dislike Barack Obama 22%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 53% / 42% {+11%}  
• Mitt Romney 39% / 47% {-8%}

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

• Approve 49%
• Disapprove 46%

Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 58%
• No 39%

Would you say that Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 39%
• No 54%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on the economy, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 48%
• Mitt Romney 44%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on health care, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 51%
• Mitt Romney 41%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on national security, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 40%

If Barack Obama is reelected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 23%
• Hurt 37%
• No difference 37%

If Mitt Romney is elected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 26%
• Hurt 32%
• No difference 37%

From what you have read or heard, does Mitt Romney have the right kind of business experience to get the economy creating jobs again or is Romney's kind of business experience too focused on making profits?

• Right experience 42%
• Focused on profits 51%

Which comes closest to your view of Barack Obama's economic policies, A) They are improving the economy now, and will probably continue to do so, OR B) They have not improved the economy yet, but will if given more time, OR C) They are not improving the economy and probably never will.

• A)Improving now 21%
• B)Will improve 35%
• C)Will never improve 42%

Do you think presidential candidates should publicly release several years of tax returns, or is releasing only one or two years of tax returns necessary, or don't you think it is necessary for presidential candidates to release any of their tax returns?

• Several years 54%
• One or two years 17%
• Not necessary 25%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Mitt Romney, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Mitt Romney's television commercials spend more time explaining what Mitt Romney stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Barack Obama?

• Yes/Explained 18%
• Yes/Attacked Obama 51%
• No/Haven't seen 21%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Barack Obama, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Barack Obama's television commercials spend more time explaining what Barack Obama stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Mitt Romney?

• Yes/Explained 24%
• Yes/Attacked Romney 50%
• No/Haven't seen 16%

Survey of 1,168 likely voters was conducted July 24-30, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 2.9 percentage points.  Party ID: 38% Democrat; 32% Republican; 26% Independent; 4% Other.  Click here to view crosstabs.

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

Quinnipiac/NY Times/CBS News Ohio 2012 Presidential Poll

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 44%

Among Independents

• Barack Obama 47%
• Mitt Romney 44%

Among Men

• Mitt Romney 52%
• Barack Obama 42%

Among Women

• Barack Obama 58%
• Mitt Romney 37%

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

• Strongly favor Barack Obama 60%
• Like but with reservations 31%
• Dislike Mitt Romney 9%

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

• Strongly favor Mitt Romney 42%
• Like but with reservations 35%
• Dislike Barack Obama 22%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• Barack Obama 51% / 45% {+6%}  
• Mitt Romney 40% / 43% {-3%}

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

• Approve 48%
• Disapprove 48%

Would you say that Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 55%
• No 43%

Would you say that Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like you or not?

• Yes 38%
• No 55%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on the economy, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 46%
• Mitt Romney 45%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on health care, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 48%
• Mitt Romney 42%

Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job on national security, Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?

• Barack Obama 50%
• Mitt Romney 41%

If Barack Obama is reelected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 26%
• Hurt 38%
• No difference 34%

If Mitt Romney is elected, do you think his economic policies would help your personal financial situation, hurt your personal financial situation, or won't make a difference?

• Help 26%
• Hurt 37%
• No difference 34%

From what you have read or heard, does Mitt Romney have the right kind of business experience to get the economy creating jobs again or is Romney's kind of business experience too focused on making profits?

• Right experience 41%
• Focused on profits 50%

Which comes closest to your view of Barack Obama's economic policies, A) They are improving the economy now, and will probably continue to do so, OR B) They have not improved the economy yet, but will if given more time, OR C) They are not improving the economy and probably never will.

• A)Improving now 24%
• B)Will improve 30%
• C)Will never improve 44%

Do you think presidential candidates should publicly release several years of tax returns, or is releasing only one or two years of tax returns necessary, or don't you think it is necessary for presidential candidates to release any of their tax returns?

• Several years 51%
• One or two years 18%
• Not necessary 28%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Mitt Romney, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Mitt Romney's television commercials spend more time explaining what Mitt Romney stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Barack Obama?

• Yes/Explained 21%
• Yes/Attacked Obama 62%
• No/Haven't seen 7%

Have you seen any commercials on television for Barack Obama, or not? (If Yes) Did most of Barack Obama's television commercials spend more time explaining what Barack Obama stands for, or did they spend more time attacking Mitt Romney?

• Yes/Explained 28%
• Yes/Attacked Romney 55%
• No/Haven't seen 7%

Survey of 1,193 likely voters was conducted July 24-30, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 2.8 percentage points.  Party ID: 35% Democrat; 27% Republican; 32% Independent; 5% Other.  Click here to view crosstabs.