RECOMMENDED CITATION: Pew Research Center, May, 2015, Negative Views of New Congress Cross Party Lines

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1 NUMBERS, FACTS AND TRENDS SHAPING THE WORLD FOR RELEASE MAY 21, 2015 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT: Carroll Doherty, Director of Political Research Jocelyn Kiley, Associate Director, Research Rob Suls, Research Associate Rachel Weisel, Communications Associate RECOMMENDED CITATION: Pew Research Center, May, 2015, Negative Views of New Congress Cross Party Lines

2 1 The new Republican-led Congress is drawing harsh reviews from the public including most Republicans. Just 23% of Americans say congressional Republicans are keeping the promises they made during last fall s campaign, while 65% say they are not. In Public s View, GOP-Led Congress Fails to Impress % who say in Congress are keeping campaign promises Nearly four-in-ten (37%) say the new Congress has accomplished less than they expected, while 4% say it has accomplished more than expected. About half (53%) say its accomplishments are in line with what they expected On both measures, the public s views are far more negative than they were of the Democratic-led Congress in March 2007, after the Democrats regained control of both chambers following several years of Republican control. Views are also much more negative than they were in April 1995, shortly after the GOP had gained control of the House and Senate for the first time in four decades. The new national survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted May among 2,002 adults, finds that just 22% approve of the job performance of Republican congressional leaders, little changed since the summer of Ratings for Democratic congressional leaders are somewhat better (33% approve). Reps 1995 Dems 2007 Reps 2011 Reps 2015 In its first 100 days, has new Congress accomplished More than 12 expected About 65 what expected Less than 18 expected Reps 1995 Dems 2007 Reps 2015 Survey conducted May 12-18, 2015.

3 2 Unlike after some previous partisan turnovers on Capitol Hill, negative assessments of the new Congress now cross party lines. Today, just 41% of Republicans approve of the job their party s leaders in Congress are doing. By comparison, in April 2011, 60% of Republicans approved of GOP leaders job performance and in April 1995, 78% approved of GOP leadership s policies and proposals. Republicans Are Critical of the New Congress and its Leaders Reps Apr 1995 Dems Mar 2007 Reps Apr 2011 Reps May 2015 GOP leaders are keeping campaign promises % % % % Total Republican Democrat Independent And just 37% of Republicans say their party s leaders are keeping their campaign promises, while 53% say they are not. In 2011, after the party won its House majority, 54% said GOP leaders were keeping promises. And in April 1995 as the Republican-led Congress hit the 100-day milestone fully 80% of Republicans said this. Democrats were also relatively upbeat about their party s leaders at the 100-day mark in 2007, when 60% said Democratic leaders were keeping their campaign promises. Currently, Republicans (36%) are about as likely as Democrats (38%) or independents Congress accomplished less than expected (38%) to say Congress is accomplishing less than they expected. Total Republican Democrat Independent Job approval of party s leaders Total Republican Democrat Independent Survey conducted May 12-18, asked about Republicans in the House and 2007 asked about policies and proposals of the leaders. To be sure, public views of Congress overall have been negative for several years, since well before Republicans won control of the Senate last fall or gained control of the House in January In March, 22% expressed a favorable opinion of Congress; in March 2010, when Democrats still controlled Congress, just 26% had a favorable view.

4 3 The survey finds deep differences in how Republicans and Democrats want President Obama and GOP leaders to deal with issues. Fully 75% of Republicans want GOP leaders to challenge Obama more often; just 15% say they are handling relations with the president about right and 7% say GOP leaders should go along with Obama more often. Fewer Democrats (49%) want Obama to challenge Republicans more often; 33% say he is handling this about right while 11% want him to go along with GOP leaders more often. The survey also finds: Democrats more positive about party s handling of issues. About six-in-ten Democrats and Democratic leaners (62%) say the Democratic Party is doing a good job representing their views on same-sex marriage, 51% say the same about the party s stance on immigration and 47% think the party does well in representing their views on government spending. Most Republicans Favor a More Confrontational Stance Toward Obama In dealing w/ Congress, Obama should Challenge GOP more Is handling Go along w/ GOP often about right more often (Vol.) Neither/ DK % % % % Total =100 Republican =100 Democrat =100 Independent =100 In dealing w/ Obama, Republicans in Congress should Challenge Obama more often Are handling about right Go along w/ Obama more often (Vol.) Neither/ DK % % % % Total =100 Republican =100 Democrat =100 Independent =100 Survey conducted May 12-18, Figures may not add to 100% because of rounding. Republicans and Republican leaners are more critical of their party on all three issues: 35% say it does well in representing their views on government spending, 34% on illegal immigration and 29% on same-sex marriage. Obama job approval little changed. Currently, 46% approve of Obama s job performance, while 48% disapprove. Obama s job approval is little changed over the course of 2015: In January, 47% approved and 48% disapproved. More say jobs are available locally. About three-in-ten Americans (27%) rate national economic conditions as excellent or good, while 73% say they are only fair (43%) or poor (30%). Economic attitudes also are little changed since the start of the year, but positive views have increased 10 points since April Over the same period, the percentage saying plenty of jobs are available locally has risen 13 points (from 27% to 40%).

5 4 Public evaluations of the congressional leadership of both parties remain negative. Today, just a third (33%) say they approve of the job Democratic leaders are doing, while even fewer (22%) say they approve of GOP Congressional leadership. Low Marks for Congressional Leaders in Both Parties % who approve of the way are handling their job Ratings for the Congressional leadership of both parties have been relatively stable over the past few years. Though the job approval ratings of both GOP and Democratic leadership rose slightly earlier this year, current ratings are now on par with attitudes last spring. Democratic leaders in Congress Republican leaders in Congress Survey conducted May 12-18,

6 5 While the overall ratings of Republican congressional leaders over the last few months have dropped a modest four points, Republican ratings of their own party s leadership have moved in a significantly negative direction over the first few months of a GOP-controlled Congress. Today, more Republicans say they disapprove (55%) than approve (41%) of the Republican congressional leadership s job performance. In February, Republican evaluations were more positive (50% of Republicans approved of the GOP leadership s job performance, 44% disapproved). And this shift in opinion is primarily seen among conservative Republicans: 54% approved of GOP congressional leaders job performance in February, Republican Views of GOP Congressional Leadership Have Declined Since February % who say they of the job of... Feb 2015 May 2015 Disapprove Approve approve Dis- Approve % % % % today just 41% approve. By contrast, Democratic views of their party s congressional leadership are substantially more positive and are little changed over this time. Currently 60% of Democrats approve of the job performance of Democratic leaders, while 35% disapprove. Change in approve Republican leaders in Congress Republican Democrat Independent Democratic leaders in Congress Republican Democrat Independent Survey conducted May 12-18, Don t know responses not shown. Independent views of the two parties largely track those of the overall public: Just 19% approve of GOP leaders job performance, while 27% approve of Democratic congressional leadership.

7 6 On a set of three current issues government spending, illegal immigration and same-sex marriage rank-and-file Republicans are much more critical of how their party has dealt with each than Democrats are of their own party s performance. Fewer than four-in-ten Republicans and Republican leaners say the Republican Party is doing a good job representing their views on the issues of government spending (35%), illegal immigration (34%) and same-sex marriage (29%). On all three issues, majorities of Republicans say their party is not doing a good job representing their views. And there is little difference in these ratings between conservative Republicans and moderate and liberal Republicans. Republicans Say GOP Not Doing Good Job on Set of Current Issues % of Republicans/Republican-leaners who say party does representing their views on Government spending Illegal immigration Good job Not a good job DK Republican ratings of their party on these issues are no better than they were in a September 2014 survey, prior to the GOP winning control of the Senate in the November midterm elections. Same-sex marriage % of Democrats/Democratic-leaners who say party does representing their views on 13 Good job Not a good job DK By contrast, Democrats are more positive about their own party s performance on these three issues than are Republicans. About sixin-ten Democrats and Democratic leaners (62%) say the Democratic Party is doing a good job representing their views on same-sex marriage, while just 30% say they are not doing a good job. Views are more mixed when it comes to illegal immigration and government spending. Overall, 51% of Democrats say their party is doing a good job on the issue of illegal immigration, compared Same-sex marriage Illegal immigration Government spending Survey conducted May 12-18, Figures may not add to 100% because of rounding. with 43% who say they are not doing a good job. On the issue of government spending, as many Democrats say their party is doing a good job representing their views on the issue (47%) as say it

8 7 is not doing a good job (47%). Democratic views have shown little change on these measures since the questions were last asked in September 2014.

9 8 Barack Obama s overall approval ratings have been stable over the course of Currently about as many say they approve of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president as say they disapprove of his job performance (46% vs. 48%). Similar to his overall approval ratings, the public is about evenly divided in its ratings of how Obama is handling race relations (48% approve, 44% disapprove) and the threat of terrorism (47% approve, 46% disapprove). Obama Job Approval: % who of way Obama is handling his job 64 Approve Disapprove But on several other key policy areas, there is more disapproval than approval of Obama s performance. Ratings of Obama s performance on the economy remain relatively unchanged over the past year: 52% disapprove, while 43% approve Survey conducted May 12-18, And a majority of Americans continue to disapprove (56%) of how the president is handling immigration policy. Obama s Mixed Ratings on Issues Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling... (%) Obama s ratings on foreign policy and his handling of Iran are similarly in negative territory. And amid debate over the Trans- Pacific Partnership trade proposal, 39% of respondents say they approve of Obama s handling of international trade, while 44% say they disapprove; 17% do not offer a rating of his performance on trade. Race relations Threat of terrorism Economy International trade Foreign policy Immigration policy Iran Disapprove Approve Survey conducted May 12-18, Don t know responses not shown.

10 9 Obama s handling of race relations is currently one of his better ratings: 48% approve, while 44% disapprove. This is up eight points from December, in a poll conducted in the immediate wake of grand jury decisions not to charge police officers in the deaths of African Americans in Ferguson, Missouri and New York City and the associated protests. Public reactions to how the president is handling race relations are now equal to where they were in August (48% approved). Obama Job Rating on Race Relations Rebounds % saying they approve of President Obama s handling of race relations Aug Dec May % % % Dec-May change Total Men Women Obama s improved rating is seen across most political and demographic groups. About sevenin-ten blacks (71%) now approve of his efforts on race relations, though he ended the year with 57% of blacks giving him a positive rating and 33% a negative one. His marks among blacks are now on par with those of August. The views of whites are more mixed, with 43% today approving of Obama s handling of race relations and half (50%) disapproving. This is an improvement from December when most gave him a negative rating (33% approved, 57% disapproved). On balance, Hispanics remain positive toward Obama on this issue: 53% now approve of his handling of race relations and 37% disapprove. Hispanic ratings of Obama on this issue have remained relatively stable since last August. White Black Hispanic College grad Some college H.S. or less Republican Democrat Independent Survey conducted May 12-18, Disapprove and don t know responses not shown. Whites and blacks include only those who are not Hispanic; Hispanics are of any race. Democrats continue to rate Obama highly for his handling of race relations. About seven-in-ten Democrats (69%) including 80% of liberal Democrats approve of how he is handling the issue. As with many policy areas, far more Republicans disapprove (71%) than approve (23%) of how Obama handles race relations. The attitudes of independents mirror those of the public overall.

11 10 Four-in-ten (40%) currently say there are plenty of jobs available in their community, though 53% still see local jobs as difficult to find. The current assessments of job availability continue an upward trend over the last five years and are among the most positive since In March 2010 when the unemployment rate was almost 10% 85% said jobs were difficult to find and just 10% said plenty of jobs were available. Young Adults Perceive More Job Opportunities in Community Plenty of jobs Jobs difficult Mixed/ available to find DK % % % Total = = = = =100 Younger adults and those with some college experience are most likely to be optimistic about job opportunities: 55% of adults and 42% of those say there are plenty of jobs available, but just 31% of adults 50 and older say the same. Among those with a college College grad =100 Some college =100 HS or less =100 Survey conducted May 12-18, Figures may not add to 100% because of rounding. degree, 43% say there are plenty of jobs available locally, as do 47% of those with some college experience but who do not have a Bachelor s degree; by comparison, just 32% of those with a high school degree or less education say there are plenty of jobs available in their community. Since April of 2014 there has been a 13-percentage point rise in the share of the public saying there are plenty of jobs available in the local communities.

12 11 Ratings of the nation s overall economic conditions have changed little since the start of 2015 after increasing over the past few years. About one-in-four say the U.S. economy is excellent (3%) or good (24%). A plurality (43%) continues to rate the economy as only fair, while three-in-ten (30%) say it is poor. Democrats are about twice as likely as Republicans to rate the economy positively. Among Democrats, 36% see conditions as excellent or good and 64% say they are fair or poor; 16% of Republicans say the economy is at least good and 83% say it is fair or poor. And college graduates and higher-income adults are somewhat more positive. Meanwhile, 53% expect the country s economic conditions to be the same next year. Somewhat more say the economy will be better (25%) than worse (20%) a year from now. By comparison, many more were optimistic about the future of the economy in the depths of the Great Recession in 2008 and National Economic Ratings Steady; Majority Expect Same Next Year Economic conditions in country today are (%) 45 Excellent/Good Only fair Poor A year from now, economic conditions will be Same Better Worse Today, people who are positive about the economy are the most likely to predict that it will improve. Among those who say the economy is currently excellent or good, 43% Survey conducted May 12-18, say it will be better in a year and 4% say it will be worse (51% predict the same). By comparison, just 12% of those rating the economy as poor expect improvement and 41% think it will decline over the next year (45% say it will be the same).

13 12 As has been the case for the last year, about two-thirds of the public (68%) say that the economy is recovering, but not strongly. Today, about one-in-ten (11%) see a strong economic recovery; roughly two-in-ten (19%) say the economy isn t recovering at all. Since Last April, Little Change in Attitudes About Economic Recovery The economy is (%) Recovering, but not strongly The share saying there is a strong recovery is somewhat lower than it was in January (16% then, 11% today), but remains higher than in April 2014 (when just 6% said the economy was recovering strongly) Not recovering at all Recovering strongly Large majorities across partisan lines say there has been a less-than-strong recovery, but those in the GOP are more likely than Democrats to view the situation negatively. One-in-three Republicans (33%) say the economy isn t recovering at all, compared with 7% of Democrats. On the other hand, more Democrats than Republicans think there is a strong recovery (19% vs. 5%). April 2014 May 2015 Survey conducted May 12-18, Partisan Divide in Views of the Recovery The economy is... Recovering, Not Recovering strongly but not strongly recovering at all DK % % % % Total =100 Republican =100 Democrat =100 Independent =100 Survey conducted Jan. 7-11, Q30.

14 13 About the Survey The analysis in this report is based on telephone interviews conducted May 12-18, 2015 among a national sample of 2,002 adults, 18 years of age or older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (700 respondents were interviewed on a landline telephone, and 1,302 were interviewed on a cell phone, including 750 who had no landline telephone). The survey was conducted by interviewers at Princeton Data Source under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates International. A combination of landline and cell phone random digit dial samples were used; both samples were provided by Survey Sampling International. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. Respondents in the landline sample were selected by randomly asking for the youngest adult male or female who is now at home. Interviews in the cell sample were conducted with the person who answered the phone, if that person was an adult 18 years of age or older. For detailed information about our survey methodology, see The combined landline and cell phone sample are weighted using an iterative technique that matches gender, age, education, race, Hispanic origin and nativity and region to parameters from the 2013 Census Bureau's American Community Survey and population density to parameters from the Decennial Census. The sample also is weighted to match current patterns of telephone status (landline only, cell phone only, or both landline and cell phone), based on extrapolations from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey. The weighting procedure also accounts for the fact that respondents with both landline and cell phones have a greater probability of being included in the combined sample and adjusts for household size among respondents with a landline phone. The margins of error reported and statistical tests of significance are adjusted to account for the survey s design effect, a measure of how much efficiency is lost from the weighting procedures.

15 14 The following table shows the unweighted sample sizes and the error attributable to sampling that would be expected at the 95% level of confidence for different groups in the survey: Group Unweighted sample size Plus or minus Total sample 2, percentage points Form percentage points Form 2 1, percentage points Republican percentage points Democrat percentage points Independent percentage points Republican/Republicanleaning percentage points Democrat/Democraticleaning percentage points Sample sizes and sampling errors for other subgroups are available upon request. In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls. Pew Research Center is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. Pew Research Center, 2015

16 15 MAY 2015 POLITICAL SURVEY FINAL TOPLINE MAY 12-18, 2015 N=2,002 RANDOMIZE Q.1 AND Q.2 ASK ALL: Q.1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? [IF DK ENTER AS DK. IF DEPENDS PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS DK] Dis- (VOL.) Approve approve DK/Ref May 12-18, Mar 25-29, Feb 18-22, Jan 7-11, Dec 3-7, 2014 (U) Nov 6-9, Oct 15-20, Sep 2-9, Aug 20-24, 2014 (U) Jul 8-14, Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Feb 27-Mar 16, Feb 14-23, Jan 15-19, 2014 (U) Dec 3-8, 2013 (U) Oct 30-Nov 6, Oct 9-13, Sep 4-8, 2013 (U) Jul 17-21, Jun 12-16, May 1-5, Mar 13-17, Feb 13-18, 2013 (U) Jan 9-13, Dec 5-9, Jun 28-Jul 9, Jun 7-17, May 9-Jun 3, Apr 4-15, Mar 7-11, Feb 8-12, Jan 11-16, Dec 7-11, Nov 9-14, Sep 22-Oct 4, Dis- (VOL.) Approve approve DK/Ref Aug 17-21, Jul 20-24, Jun 15-19, May 25-30, May 5-8, May 2, 2011 (WP) Mar 30-Apr 3, Feb 22-Mar 1, Feb 2-7, Jan 5-9, Dec 1-5, Nov 4-7, Oct 13-18, Aug 25-Sep 6, Jul 21-Aug 5, Jun 8-28, Jun 16-20, May 6-9, Apr 21-26, Apr 8-11, Mar 10-14, Feb 3-9, Jan 6-10, Dec 9-13, Oct 28-Nov 8, Sep 30-Oct 4, Sep 10-15, Aug 20-27, Aug 11-17, Jul 22-26, Jun 10-14, Apr 14-21, Mar 31-Apr 6, Mar 9-12, Feb 4-8, See past presidents approval trends: George W. Bush, Bill Clinton

17 16 RANDOMIZE Q.1 AND Q.2 ASK ALL: Q.2 All in all, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in this country today? Satis- Dis- (VOL.) fied satisfied DK/Ref May 12-18, Mar 25-29, Feb 18-22, Jan 7-11, Dec 3-7, 2014 (U) Nov 6-9, Oct 15-20, Sep 2-9, Aug 20-24, Jul 8-14, Apr 23-27, Feb 12-26, Jan 15-19, Oct 30-Nov 6, Oct 9-13, Jul 17-21, May 1-5, Feb 13-18, 2013 (U) Jan 9-13, Dec 17-19, Dec 5-9, Oct 18-21, Jun 28-Jul 9, Jun 7-17, May 9-Jun 3, Apr 4-15, Feb 8-12, Jan 11-16, Sep 22-Oct 4, Aug 17-21, Jul 20-24, Jun 15-19, May 5-8, May 2, Mar 8-14, Feb 2-7, Jan 5-9, Dec 1-5, Nov 4-7, Sep 23-26, Aug 25-Sep 6, Jun 24-27, May 13-16, Apr 21-26, Apr 1-5, Mar 11-21, Mar 10-14, Feb 3-9, Jan 6-10, Oct 28-Nov 8, Sep 30-Oct 4, Satis- Dis- (VOL.) fied satisfied DK/Ref Sep 10-15, Aug 20-27, Aug 11-17, Jul 22-26, Jun 10-14, Apr 28-May 12, Apr 14-21, Jan 7-11, December, Early October, Mid-September, August, July, June, Late May, March, Early February, Late December, October, February, Mid-January, Early January, December, Mid-November, Early October, July, May, 2006* March, January, Late November, Early October, July, Late May, 2005* February, January, December, Mid-October, July, May, Late February, 2004* Early January, December, October, August, April 8, January, November, September, Late August, May, March, In September 10-15, 2009 and other surveys noted with an asterisk, the question was worded Overall, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in our country today?

18 17 Q.2 CONTINUED... Satis- Dis- (VOL.) fied satisfied DK/Ref Late September, Early September, June, March, February, January, October, 2000 (RVs) September, June, April, August, January, November, Early September, Late August, Early August, February, January, September, Satis- Dis- (VOL.) fied satisfied DK/Ref August, January, July, March, October, June, April, July, March, October, September, May, January, January, November, Gallup: Late Feb, August, May, January, September, 1988 (RVs) QUESTION 3 HELD FOR FUTURE RELEASE NO QUESTIONS 4-9 ASK ALL: Now thinking about how Barack Obama is handling some issues Q.10 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling [INSERT ITEM, RANDOMIZE; OBSERVE FORM SPLITS]? How about [NEXT ITEM]? [REPEAT INTRODUCTION AS NECESSARY] (VOL.) Approve Disapprove DK/Ref a. Race relations May 12-18, Dec 3-7, 2014 (U) Aug 20-24, 2014 (U) b. The economy May 12-18, Dec 3-7, Aug 20-24, 2014 (U) Jul 8-14, Dec 3-8, 2013 (U) Oct 30-Nov 6, Sep 4-8, 2013 (U) Jun 12-16, Feb 13-18, 2013 (U) Mar 7-11, Jan 11-16, Nov 9-14, Aug 17-21, May 2, Mar 30-Apr 3, Jan 6-9, Jun 16-20, May 6-9, Apr 21-26,

19 18 Q.10 CONTINUED... (VOL.) Approve Disapprove DK/Ref Mar 10-14, Jan 6-10, Oct 28-Nov 8, Jul 22-26, Jun 10-14, Apr 14-21, Feb 4-8, c. The nation s immigration policy May 12-18, Dec 3-7, Aug 20-24, 2014 (U) Oct 30-Nov 6, Jun 12-16, Feb 13-18, 2013 (U) Nov 9-14, Jan 6-9, Jun 16-20, May 6-9, Apr 21-26, Jan 6-10, Oct 28-Nov 8, ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=992]: d.f1 The nation s foreign policy May 12-18, Dec 3-7, Jul 8-14, Oct 30-Nov 6, Sep 4-8, 2013 (U) Jan 11-16, Nov 9-14, Jun 16-20, Mar 10-14, Jan 6-10, Oct 28-Nov 8, July 22-26, June 10-14, April 14-21, Feb 4-8, e.f1 International trade issues Obama May 12-18, Oct 30-Nov 6, Oct 28-Nov 8, G.W. Bush July, Early September, Clinton September, September, August, ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1,010]: f.f2 Dealing with Iran May 12-18,

20 19 Q.10 CONTINUED... (VOL.) Approve Disapprove DK/Ref Dec 3-8, 2013 (U) Oct 30-Nov 6, Jun 12-16, Mar 7-11, Jan 11-16, Jan 6-9, Apr 21-26, Oct 28-Nov 8, g.f2 The threat of terrorism Obama May 12-18, Dec 3-7, Oct 30-Nov 6, Jun 12-16, Jan 11-16, Aug 17-21, May 2, Jan 6-9, May 6-9, Jan 6-10, Oct 28-Nov 8, April 14-21, February 4-8, G.W. Bush April, December, August, June, March, February, December, Late October, Early September, July, Mid-May, February, January, Mid-October, Early September, August, July, June, Late April, Early April, Gallup: December, September, February, January, Early October, June, Mid-September, In May 6-9, 2010, Oct 28-Nov 8, 2009, April, 2007 and earlier, the item was worded terrorist threats. In Mid-September, 2001 the question was worded:...dealing with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington. In Early September 1998 the question was worded: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling current threats from international terrorist groups?

21 20 Q.10 CONTINUED... (VOL.) Approve Disapprove DK/Ref Clinton Early September, ASK ALL: Q.11 Do you approve or disapprove of the job the [INSERT ITEM; RANDOMIZE] are doing? [IF DK ENTER AS DK. IF DEPENDS PROBE ONCE WITH: Overall do you approve or disapprove of the job the [ITEM] are doing? IF STILL DEPENDS ENTER AS DK]. [INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: REPEAT FULL QUESTION FOR NEXT ITEM] Approve Disapprove (VOL.) DK/Ref a. Republican leaders in Congress May 12-18, Feb 18-22, Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Dec 3-8, 2013 (U) Oct 9-13, Sep 4-8, May 1-5, Feb 13-18, 2013 (U) Dec 5-9, Dec 7-11, Nov 9-14, Aug 17-21, Jul 20-24, Mar 30-Apr 3, Feb 24-27, Sep 30-Oct 3, Jul 22-25, Jun 16-20, Apr 8-11, Mar 10-14, Jan 6-10, Dec 9-13, Sep 30-Oct 4, Jun 10-14, Mar 9-12, Feb 4-8, Early October, June, March, January, Early November, Early October, Mid-September, Mid-May, Mid-March, Early February, January, June, May, February, Early September, June, May, April, January, July,

22 21 Q.11 CONTINUED Approve Disapprove (VOL.) DK/Ref May, March, February, January, December, October, Late September, August, July, June, May, March, February, January, Early December, November, Early September, Early August, June, May, April, March, January, November, August, June, May, April, February, January, December, July, June, April, March, February, January, October, September, August, June, April, March, December, b. Democratic leaders in Congress May 12-18, Feb 18-22, Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Dec 3-8, 2013 (U) Oct 9-13, Sep 4-8, May 1-5, Feb 13-18, 2013 (U) Dec 5-9, Dec 7-11, From December, 1994 through December, 1996, the question was worded: As best you can tell, do you approve or disapprove of the policies and proposals of the Republican leaders in Congress?

23 22 Q.11 CONTINUED Approve Disapprove (VOL.) DK/Ref Nov 9-14, Aug 17-21, Jul 20-24, Mar 30-Apr 3, Feb 24-27, Sep 30-Oct 3, Jul 22-25, Jun 16-20, Apr 8-11, Mar 10-14, Jan 6-10, Dec 9-13, Sep 30-Oct 4, Jun 10-14, Mar 9-12, Feb 4-8, August, January, November, October, July, June, April, March, February, Mid-January, Early October, June, March, January, Early November, Early October, Mid-September, Mid-May, Mid-March, Early February, June, May, February, Early September, June, In March 2007 the question was worded: Do you approve or disapprove of the policies and proposals of the Democratic leaders in Congress?

24 23 ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=992]: Q.12F1 In dealing with Congress, do you think President Obama...[RANDOMIZE: Should go along with the Republicans more often [OR] Should challenge the Republicans more often] or is he handling this about right? Bush and Clinton and Democrats Republicans May Aug Mar 30-Apr 3 Mar Mar Aug Apr Should go along with the 30 Republicans more often Should challenge the 34 Republicans more often He is handling this about right Neither (VOL.) Don't know/refused (VOL.) ASK FORM 2 ONLY [N=1,010]: Q.13F2 In dealing with President Obama, do you think Republicans in Congress...[RANDOMIZE: Should go along with President Obama more often [OR] Should challenge President Obama more often] or are they handling this about right? May Should go along with President Obama more often [OR] 40 Should challenge President Obama more often [OR] 14 They are handling this about right 3 Neither (VOL.) 4 Don't know/refused (VOL.) ASK ALL: Q.14 From what you have seen or heard about events in the new Congress, in general, do you think the Republicans in Congress are keeping the promises they made during the campaign, or not? Democrats --- Republicans --- May Mar 30-Apr 3 Mar Apr Newsweek Jan Yes, keeping promises No, not keeping promises Don't know/refused (VOL.) ASK ALL: Q.15 On balance, do you think the new Congress has accomplished more than you expected in its first 100 days, less than you expected, or about what you expected? May Mar Apr More than expected Less than expected About what was expected Don't know/refused (VOL.) 12 5 QUESTIONS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED NO QUESTIONS 19-23, In March 2007 and before, answer choices were not randomized, and the third answer choice read or is handling the situation about right? In April 2011, the question was worded to specifically mention the Republicans in the House of Representatives in the aftermath of the November 2010 election: From what you have seen or heard about events in the new Congress, in general, do you think the Republicans in the House are keeping the promises they made during the campaign, or not?

25 24 QUESTIONS 24 HELD FOR FUTURE RELEASE RANDOMIZE Q.28/Q.29 BLOCK WITH Q.30/Q.31 BLOCK ASK ALL: Thinking about the nation s economy Q.28 How would you rate economic conditions in this country today as excellent, good, only fair, or poor? Only (VOL.) Excellent Good fair Poor DK/Ref May 12-18, * Feb 18-22, * Jan 7-11, * Oct 15-20, Aug 20-24, Jul 8-14, * Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Jan 15-19, 2014 (U) Dec 3-8, 2013 (U) Oct 9-13, * Sep 4-8, * Jul 17-21, Jun 12-16, * Mar 13-17, Jan 9-13, Dec 5-9, Oct 24-28, Sep 12-16, Jun 7-17, Mar 7-11, Feb 8-12, Jan 11-16, Dec 7-11, 2011 * Aug 17-21, Jun 15-19, 2011 * Mar 30-Apr 3, Feb 2-7, Dec 1-5, Oct 13-18, Aug 25-Sep 6, Jun 3-6, Apr 21-26, 2010 * Mar 10-14, Feb 3-9, Dec 9-13, Oct 28-Nov 8, 2009 * Sep 30-Oct 4, Aug 11-17, 2009 * Jun 10-14, Mar 9-12, 2009 * Feb 4-8, 2009 * December, 2008 * November, Late October, 2008 * Early October, Late September, 2008 * July, April, * March, Early February, January,

26 25 Q.28 CONTINUED... Only (VOL.) Excellent Good fair Poor DK/Ref November, September, June, February, December, Early November, 2006 (RVs) Late October, September, March, January, Early October, Mid-September, Mid-May, January, December, Early November, 2004 (RVs) Mid-September, August, Late April, Late February, RANDOMIZE Q.28/Q.29 BLOCK WITH Q.30/Q.31 BLOCK ASK ALL: Q.29 A year from now, do you expect that economic conditions in the country as a whole will be better than they are at present, or worse, or just about the same as now? (VOL.) Better Worse Same DK/Ref May 12-18, Feb 18-22, Jan 7-11, Oct 15-20, Aug 20-24, Jul 8-14, Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Jan 15-19, 2014 (U) Oct 9-13, Sep 4-8, Jun 12-16, Mar 13-17, Jan 9-13, Dec 5-9, Sep 12-16, Jun 7-17, Mar 7-11, Feb 8-12, Jan 11-16, Dec 7-11, Aug 17-21, Jun 15-19, Oct 13-18, Apr 21-26, Feb 3-9, Dec 9-13, Earlier trends available from Gallup.

27 26 Q.29 CONTINUED (VOL.) Better Worse Same DK/Ref Oct 28-Nov 8, Sep 30-Oct 4, Aug 11-17, Jun 10-14, Mar 9-12, Feb 4-8, December, Early October, July, March, January, September, June, February, December, September, January, Early October, Mid-September, Mid-May, January, August, Late February, September, May, Late March, January, January, Newsweek: January, June, Early October, 1998 (RVs) Early September, May, February, September, 1988 (RVs) May, January, Newsweek: January, 1984 (RVs) RANDOMIZE Q.28/Q.29 BLOCK WITH Q.30/Q.31 BLOCK ASK ALL: Thinking about your own personal finances... Q.30 How would you rate your own personal financial situation? Would you say you are in excellent shape, good shape, only fair shape or poor shape financially? Only (VOL.) Excellent Good fair Poor DK/Ref May 12-18, Jan 7-11, Aug 20-24, Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Jan 15-19, 2014 (U) Dec 3-8, 2013 (U) Jun 12-16, Mar 13-17, Dec 5-9, Oct 24-28, Sep 12-16,

28 27 Q.30 CONTINUED... Only (VOL.) Excellent Good fair Poor DK/Ref Jun 7-17, Jan 11-16, Dec 7-11, Jun 15-19, Mar 30-Apr 3, Feb 2-7, Dec 1-5, Oct 13-18, Aug 25-Sep 6, Jun 3-6, Mar 10-14, Dec 9-13, Oct 28-Nov 8, Sep 30-Oct 4, Aug 11-17, Jun 10-14, Feb 4-8, December, Early October, July, April, March, Early February, January, November, September, February, December, Late October, March, January, Mid-May, January, August, September, Late March, January, Early October, June, Late September, June, June, August, May, September, 1996 (RVs) February, March, December, U.S. News: January, U.S. News: October, U.S. News: August, U.S. News: May, U.S. News: January,

29 28 RANDOMIZE Q.28/Q.29 BLOCK WITH Q.30/Q.31 BLOCK ASK ALL: Q.31 Over the course of the next year, do you think the financial situation of you and your family will improve a lot, improve some, get a little worse or get a lot worse? (VOL.) Improve Improve Get a Get a lot Stay the (VOL.) a lot some little worse worse same DK/Ref May 12-18, Jan 7-11, Aug 20-24, Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Jan 15-19, 2014 (U) Jun 12-16, Mar 13-17, Dec 5-9, Sep 12-16, Jun 7-17, Jan 11-16, Dec 7-11, Jun 15-19, Mar 30-Apr 3, Dec 1-5, Oct 13-18, Mar 10-14, Dec 9-13, Oct 28-Nov 8, Sep 30-Oct 4, Aug 11-17, Jun 10-14, Feb 4-8, December, Early October, July, March, January, September, February, December, January, Mid-May, January, August, September, Late March, January, Early October, June, January, Late September, June, January, January, May, February, March, U.S. News: October, U.S. News: August, U.S. News: May, U.S. News: January,

30 29 RANDOMIZE Q.32F1 AND Q.33F1 ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=992]: Q.32F1 Which of these best describes your opinion: [READ; READ CATEGORIES IN REVERSE ORDER FOR HALF THE SAMPLE]? May Jan 7-11 Oct Aug Apr The economy is recovering strongly The economy is recovering, but not so strongly The economy isn t recovering at all Don t know/refused (VOL.) RANDOMIZE Q.32F1 AND Q.33F1 ASK FORM 1 ONLY [N=992]: Q.33F1 Thinking now about job opportunities where you live, would you say there are plenty of jobs available in your community or are jobs difficult to find? (VOL.) Plenty of Jobs are Lots of some jobs, (VOL.) jobs available difficult to find few of others DK/Ref May 12-18, Jan 7-11, Aug 20-24, Jul 8-14, Apr 23-27, 2014 (U) Jun 12-16, Dec 5-9, Jan 11-16, Jun 15-19, Dec 1-5, Mar 10-14, Sep 30-Oct 4, Feb 4-8, December, Early October, July, April, Early February, November, September, June, February, December, March, January, Early October, May, January, Mid-September, August, Late April, Late February, Mid-January, October, June, June, U.S. News: August, U.S. News: May, U.S. News: January, QUESTIONS 34-38, 40-42F1, 44-53, 61F2-64F2 HELD FOR FUTURE RELEASE

31 30 QUESTION 39 PREVIOUSLY RELEASED NO QUESTIONS 43, 54-60, ASK ALL: PARTY In politics TODAY, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat, or independent? ASK IF INDEP/NO PREF/OTHER/DK/REF (PARTY=3,4,5,9): PARTYLN As of today do you lean more to the Republican Party or more to the Democratic Party? (VOL.) (VOL.) No Other (VOL.) Lean Lean Republican Democrat Independent preference party DK/Ref Rep Dem May 12-18, Mar 25-29, * Feb 18-22, Jan 7-11, Dec 3-7, Nov 6-9, * Oct 15-20, * Sep 2-9, Aug 20-24, Jul 8-14, Apr 23-27, Yearly Totals Post-Sept Pre-Sept