A comprehensive, 30-page Wall Street Journal-NBC News survey completed in December shows Obama in a position to win re-election this year.
Everything could change between now and November, of course. But responses from interviews with 1,000 Americans of all political inclinations, income levels, races, ages, religions, and other characteristics indicated only 6 percent of those identified as Republicans say they are “very favorable” about their party, while 25 percent are “very negative.” Eighty-three percent said they were registered voters.
When asked which party would do “a better job,” 44 percent chose the Democrats. Only 24 chose the Republicans. Only 21 percent of those polled said the Republicans have “strong/many good candidates,” and 27 percent described the party as having “weak/hardly any good candidates.”
The deplorable incompetence of Barack Obama and his destructive economic policies have had some impact on the public, as indicated by the survey. For instance, only 22 percent believe “things in the nation are generally headed in the right direction.” And 57 percent do not approve of what Obama “is doing in handling the economy.” This compares with an apparently naïve 39 percent who do approve.
On how the Republicans have done in Congress, only 26 percent approve, while 69 percent disapprove. The Democrats in Congress get a little better score—31 approve, 62 disapprove. Asked what disappointed respondents most about the current Congress, 17 percent said the Republican leadership is unwilling to compromise with the Democrats. Only 6 percent said Obama is unwilling to compromise with the Republican leadership.
In rating “feelings” toward individuals, Obama was ranked “very positive” by 22 percent and “somewhat positive” by 23 percent. His negative ratings were 27 percent very negative, and 15 percent “somewhat negative.” Obama’s all-time high was 47 percent in February 2009; his low was 10 percent in January 2009.
The Republican Party was given only a 6 percent “very positive” and 21 percent “somewhat positive” score compared with a 25 percent “very negative” grade. The highest “very positive” rating for the Republican Party was 20 percent in 1998, according to the survey, which was conducted by the polling firm Hart/McInturff. In the December 2011 poll, the Republicans got a 25 percent “very negative” grade.
How did Obama stack up against the Republican Party? The president received 45% total positive votes and 42% negative from the respondents, compared with 27% positive and 48% negative for the Republican Party. In this match up, Mitt Romney received 24% positive and 32% negative. The Democratic Party vote was 32% positive, 42% negative.
The Tea Party Movement yielded 27% positive and 43% negative, in spite of its respectful behavior and stand for liberty and Constitutional principles. The Occupy Wall Street Movement, with its disruptive, often illegal, Socialist-inspired ruffians got a higher—27% approval, and only 44% disapproved. The lame-stream media were largely sympathetic with the Occupy Wall Street Movement as they have been with Barack Obama. This true and pathetic media favoritism toward Obama as described by Bernard Goldberg in his book, “A Slobbering Love Affair,” is still tilting the public’s view of the President.
When asked what “has been the most disappointing event of the past year for you personally,” a surprising 31 percent said “the wealthiest one percent getting richer and the middle class declining.” Only 29 percent named “the lack of economic recovery.”
Only 14 percent identified themselves as “somewhat liberal,” and 22 percent as “somewhat conservative.”
Nineteen percent of the respondents had earnings of more than $100,000. And 24 percent had college degrees.
For Mitt Romney, the combination of “very positive” and “somewhat positive” was 27 percent. The “very” and “somewhat negative” score in December totaled 43 percent, fair consistent through the year. The win edged out from the Iowa caucus may help him a bit,
When asked whether the respondents were more enthusiastic about voting in 2012 or less enthusiastic, 43 percent they were more enthusiastic. Some 39 percent responded “less enthusiastic.”
One of the questions asked: “What is your preference for the outcome” of the next Congressional elections—a Congress controlled by Republicans or by Democrats? For Republican-controlled Congress, 43 percent was the response. For a Democrat-controlled Congress, a slightly higher 45 percent were in favor. Democrats were favored in most months going back in 1998, the polling study said.
“If you were voting today in the November 2012 Presidential Election, registered voters were asked, with Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee would you vote for him with enthusiasm (25 percent said they would), with “some reservations” (22 percent said so), “only because he is the nominee (6 percent). Or would you not vote for him (45 percent). Twenty-seven percent they “may vote either way depending on the nominee.”
As for Romney, the vote “with enthusiasm” was 12 percent, with reservations (30 percent), only if he’s the nominee (11 percent), would not vote for him (44 percent).
When registered voters were asked whether they were certain to vote for Obama, 34 percent said they would. But 37 said they would not. If reelected, 19 percent think his performance would “improve a great deal.” Believing his performance would decline were 24 percent. And 28 percent think his performance would be “about the same.”
Ranking highest in Obama accomplishments, at 27 percent, was “killing Osama bin Laden,” although it was the Navy Seals who did it. And rumors persist that the President dithered as some advisers tried to discourage the move for fear his reelection would be hurt if it failed. Passing the health care law was given only a 7 percent grade, one percent less than “improving America’s image abroad.” Inability to improve the economy was ranked as a “failure” by 24 percent of those polled. Only 7 percent mentioned “too much regulation on business” as a failure.
On the question of Party loyalty, 19 percent said they were “strong Democrats.” Independents leaning Democrat were 14 percent. “Strong Republicans” totaled 14 percent. Independents leaning Republican amounted to 13 percent.
When queried about whether they would vote in a presidential primary (if one were held in their state), 33 percent they’d vote in a Republican primary, 26 percent in a democratic primary, and 38 percent indicated they’d wait for the general election.
Some 30 percent think the “economy will get better” in the next 12 months; 47 percent think it will stay about the same. As to their personal status, 17 percent believe “things have gotten better; 33 percent say “things have gotten worse. And 36 percent favor getting rid of ObamaCare.
In foreign affairs, 21 percent see all-out civil war in Iraq as very likely; 12 percent believe there will be more terrorist attacks on our soil as a result. If Iran is “close to developing a nuclear weapon,” 40 percent feel the U.S. “should initiate military action.
Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here.
Leave a Reply