CBS News 2012 Presidential Poll
- Barack Obama-Joe Biden 48% (49%)
- Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 46% (46%)
Independents
- Barack Obama-Joe Biden 46% (44%)
- Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 42% (50%)
Men
- Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 47% (52%)
- Barack Obama-Joe Biden 47% (44%)
Women
- Barack Obama-Joe Biden 50% (53%)
- Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan 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 65% (65%)
- Like with reservations 20% (20%)
- Dislike Romney 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 61% (47%)
- Like with reservations 22% (27%)
- Dislike Obama 15% (23%)
Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}
- Barack Obama 47% (44%) / 42% (44%) {+5%}
- Mitt Romney 43% (37%) / 40% (38%) {+3%}
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 48% (51%)
- Barack Obama 42% (43%)
The Economy and Unemployment
- Mitt Romney 48% (46%)
- Barack Obama 45% (47%)
Foreign Policy
- Barack Obama 50% (49%)
- Mitt Romney 41% (39%)
Which candidate would do a better job handling terrorism and national security?
- Barack Obama 49%
- Mitt Romney 42%
Which candidate would do a better job handling U.S. policy towards China
- Barack Obama 44%
- Mitt Romney 44%
Which candidate would do a better job handling U.S. policy towards Iran?
- Barack Obama 46%
- Mitt Romney 43%
Which candidate would do a better job handling U.S. policy towards Israel?
- Mitt Romney 46%
- Barack Obama 42%
Do you think Barack Obama does or does not understand the needs and problems of people like yourself?
- Does 59% (60%)
- Does not 38% (37%)
Do you think Mitt Romney does or does not understand the needs and problems of people like yourself?
- Does 48% (46%)
- Does not 48% (48%)
Do you think Barack Obama has offered specific ideas to solve the important problems facing the country today?
Do you think Mitt Romney has offered specific ideas to solve the important problems facing the country today?
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 38% (39%)
- Some 24% (26%)
- A little 15% (13%)
- None at all 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% (26%)
- Some 28% (32%)
- A little 16% (15%)
- None at all 25% (22%)
Do you think the recent economic expansion of China has been generally good for the U.S. economy, or bad for the US economy, or had no effect on the U.S. economy?
- Generally good 15%
- Generally bad 54%
- No effect 12%
Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now?
- Doing the right thing 31%
- Should not be involved 59%
Among Democrats
- Doing the right thing 23%
- Should not be involved 67%
Among Republicans
- Doing the right thing 50%
- Should not be involved 39%
Thinking about Iran, which comes closer to your opinion? 1. Iran is a threat to the United States that requires military action now. 2. Iran is a threat that can be contained with diplomacy now. 3. Iran is not a threat to the United States at this time.
- Threat to U.S. requiring military action now 22%
- Threat can be contained with diplomacy now 52%
- Not a threat to U.S. at this time 17%
Among Democrats
- Threat to U.S. requiring military action now 9%
- Threat can be contained with diplomacy now 61%
- Not a threat to U.S. at this time 22%
Among Republicans
- Threat to U.S. requiring military action now 39%
- Threat can be contained with diplomacy now 45%
- Not a threat to U.S. at this time 7%
If Israel were to attack Iran to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, then what should the U.S. do? Should the U.S. support Israel's military action, or should the U.S. not get involved?
- Support Israel's military action 53%
- Should not get involved 39%
Among Democrats
- Support Israel's military action 43%
- Should not get involved 47%
Among Republicans
- Support Israel's military action 75%
- Should not get involved 19%
Do you think the Obama Administration had information that could have prevented the recent attacks on American embassies and consulates in the Middle East, or didn't they have that information?
- Had information that could've prevented attacks 42%
- Did not have information 35%
Among Democrats
- Had information that could've prevented attacks 21%
- Did not have information 52%
Among Republicans
- Had information that could've prevented attacks 66%
- Did not have information 19%
Among Independents
- Had information that could've prevented attacks 41%
- Did not have information 33%
Who do you think will win the next presidential debate?
- Barack Obama 42%
- Mitt Romney 34%
Survey of 790 likely voters was conducted October 17-20, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points. Party
ID: 32% (35%) Democrat; 32% (29%) Republican; 35% (32%)
Independent. Ideology: (42%) Conservative; (33%) Moderate; (22%) Liberal.
Results from the poll conducted September 8-12, 2012 are in parentheses.
