Based on a survey of roughly 1,000 adults conducted during July 12 and 13, here are the results of a TIME poll on the state of political play in America. Highlights include respondents' feelings about President Obama, the upcoming elections and hot-button issues such as the new Arizona immigration law. Some questions include data from previous polls conducted by our partner, SRBI Research and Strategy.
1. To start with, in general, do you approve or disapprove of the way President Obama is handling his job as president?
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Poll Date
Approve
Disapprove
No answer /
Don't know 7/12/10 - 7/13/10 49% 45% 6% 7/27/09 - 7/28/09 56% 38% 6% |
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Obama is doing in handling the economy?
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Poll Date
Approve
Disapprove
No answer /
Don't know 7/12/10 - 7/13/10 44% 53% 3% 7/27/09 - 7/28/09 51% 44% 5% |
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Obama is doing in handling foreign affairs?
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Poll Date
Approve
Disapprove
No answer /
Don't know 7/12/10 - 7/13/10 52% 41% 7% 7/27/09 - 7/28/09 58% 33% 10% |
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Obama is doing in dealing with the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?
Approve 41%
Disapprove 54%
No answer / Don't know 5%
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Obama is doing in handling the situation in Afghanistan?
Approve 47%
Disapprove 44%
No answer / Don't know 9%
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the job President Obama is doing in handling immigration policy?
Approve 35%
Disapprove 53%
No answer / Don't know 11%
7. Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track?
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Poll Date
Right direction
Wrong track
No answer /
Don't know 7/12/10 - 7/13/10 39% 56% 5% 7/27/09 - 7/28/09 51% 44% 6% 10/03/08 - 10/06/08 12% 84% 5% |
8. Overall, who do you think is the better president: George W. Bush or Barack Obama?
Barack Obama 53%
George W. Bush 33%
Equal / Same 4%
No answer / Don't know 10%
9. How would you rate the job that Michelle Obama has done as First Lady?
Excellent 31%
Good 32%
Only fair 23%
Poor 7%
No answer / Don't know 8%
10. These days, many people are so busy they can't find time to register to vote. Are you now registered in your precinct or election district, or haven't you been able to register so far?
Yes, registered 87%
No, not registered 13%
Don't know / Refused *
11. If the presidential election were held today and the candidates were Barack Obama, the Democrat, and Sarah Palin, the Republican, and you had to choose, for whom would you vote? (Only registered voters responding)
Barack Obama, the Democrat 55%
Sarah Palin, the Republican 34%
Other / Neither 7%
Would not vote in election 1%
Undecided / Don't know / No answer 4%
12. Many people tell us that they will probably not vote in November's election. Would you say that you personally will definitely not vote in the November election, probably not vote, may or may not vote, will probably vote or will definitely vote? (Only registered voters responding)
Definitely Vote 77%
Probably Vote 11%
May or may not vote 5%
Probably not vote 4%
Definitely not vote 3%
No answer / Don't know *
13. There will be an election for U.S. Congress in November. If you had to decide today, would you vote for the Democratic candidate in your district or the Republican candidate? (Only registered voters who will definitely/probably vote in the election responding)
Democratic candidate 43%
Republican candidate 42%
Tea Party 1%
Other 2%
Don't know / No answer 12%
14. Are you leaning more toward the Democratic Party candidate or more toward the Republican Party candidate? (Undecided voters responding)
Democratic candidate 30%
Republican candidate 19%
Other 3%
Don't know / No answer 49%