Forward? Fundamentals of the 2012 Election

FORWARD? FUNDAMENTALS OF THE 2012 ELECTION Would you say that America today is or is not moving forward? DK/REF IS moving forward 39% 54% IS NOT moving forward Results among independents: IS NOT MOVING FORWARD: 58% IS MOVING FORWARD: 35% DK/REF: 7% LIFE IN AMERICA UNDER OBAMA. I'd like to read several aspects of life in America today. Compared to January 2009 when President Obama took office, would you say each one is better than it was, worse than it was, or about the same as it was then? 50% AMERICA'S ECONOMY 51 | 21 | 26 GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SITUATION 57 | 26 | 14 "4-5 FED. GOVT'S ABILITY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS 54 | 28 | 16 AMERICA'S STANDING IN THE WORLD 44 | 28 | 26 AMERICA'S SAFETY FROM TERRORISTS 20 | 38 | 39 measures, voters are more likely to say things are worse, not better, under President Obama. O Worse O DK/REF O About the same O Better If 2012 is a referendum on the incumbent, as almost all reelection campaigns are, President Obama remains in deep trouble. ECONOMY UNDER OBAMA Which of the following types of issues are most likely to affect your vote for President and Congress this year? Would you say that our country currently is or is not in a recession? DK/REF DK/REF National security issues 5% 12% Social issues 26% IS NOT in a recession 68% Eenomie isues 53% 23% IS in a recession issues Fiscal issues I would like to read you a pair of statements about economic policy and have you tell me which one you agree with more. CONGRESSWOMAN A CONGRESSMAN B "President Obama's economic plan is working and we need to stay the course. Unemployment is going down, more jobs are being created, we've taken steps to reduce the deficit, and economic conditions are improving for most of the country." "President Obama's economic plan is not working and we need to try something else. Unemployment remains at record levels, job creation is poor, federal spending is out of control, and much of the country is still in recession." 41% 56% of voters (and 65% of independents) believe President Obama's economic plan is not working AND WE NEED TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE. Worries about the economy continue to dominate the minds of voters, and a majority believes President Obama's economic plan is not working. Survey Information: National Survey of Likely Voters, August 16-22, 2012, N=1000, Margin of Error = +/-3.10%, including n=462 oversample of 12 battleground states, Margin of Error = +/- 5.72 %. RESURGENT REPUBLIC www.resurgentrepublic.com