Topics At A Glance: Political Parties

Job Ratings of Congressional Republicans and Democrats

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(Next, we'd like you to rate the job elected officials in Washington have done this year (2011). Please say whether you think each of the following has done an excellent, good, fair or poor job this year.) How about...the Democrats in Congress?

Gallup/USA Today Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Now let me read you some statements that some people have made about Democrats in Congress. After I read each statement, please tell me whether this raises very serious doubts, serious doubts, minor doubts, or no real doubts in your mind about Democrats in Congress....The Democrats' deficit reduction plan actually raises taxes on job creators. It increases the already high corporate tax rate, raises the top individual tax rate, and is sure to create a stranglehold on the economy. We can debate about how to fix the deficit, but raising taxes during a recession is not the right place to start.

Sample: National likely voters in 60 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices.Women Vote Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Economy

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Who do you trust to do a better job handling the economy, President (Barack) Obama or the Republicans in Congress?

Sample: National registered voters
Quinnipiac University Poll, [Apr, 2012]

Now I am going to read a list of issues and I want you to tell me whether, overall, you think the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job with this issue. If you do not know, just tell me and we will move on to the next item....The economy...(If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Is that much better or somewhat better?)

%
23		Democrats much better
17		Democrats somewhat better
17		Republicans somewhat better
30		Republicans much better
1		Both (Vol.)
5		Neither (Vol.)
9		Don't know/Refused

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Now I'm going to read you a pair of statements from Democrats and Republicans on the economy. Democrats say: The middle class has been smashed. Regular Americans are working harder for less, while special interests and those at the top get all the breaks. That has to change. We need to put middle class priorities, like education and Medicare, first--not tax breaks for millionaires and big oil. But the Republicans voted to end Medicare as we know it and raise taxes on middle class families while giving even more tax breaks to big corporations and the wealthiest Americans. Republicans say: Excessive government spending like the failed stimulus bill and Obamacare has made it harder for American businesses to grow while saddling our children with debt. That has to change. We need to make it easier for businesses to create jobs by ending unnecessary regulations, cutting spending and lowering taxes. But the Democrats' solution is more government and more spending, all financed by higher taxes on families and job-creating businesses. After hearing both statements, who do you think would do a better job when it comes to the economy, Democrats or Republicans? (If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Is that much or somewhat better?)

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form A half sample of those in Republican districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Foreign Policy

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(Please tell me if you think the Republican Party or the Democratic Party could do a better job in each of the following areas.) Which party could do a better job of...making wise decisions about foreign policy?

Note: Asked of Form 2 half sample
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Political Survey, [Mar, 2011]

(Next, please tell me if you think the Democratic Party or the Republican Party could do a better job in each of the following areas) Which party could do a better job of...making wise decisions about foreign policy?

Ipsos-Public Affairs/Reuters Poll, [Dec, 2010]

(Do you think the Republicans in Congress or the Democrats in Congress would do a better job of dealing with each of the following issues and problems?)...Foreign affairs

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll, [Sep, 2010]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Environment

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Now let me read you some statements that some people have made about Democrats in Congress. After I read each statement, please tell me whether this raises very serious doubts, serious doubts, minor doubts, or no real doubts in your own mind about Democrats in Congress....Democrats' excessive regulations and red tape are causing uncertainty for families and small businesses at the worst time. The President's (Barack Obama's) health care bill and burdensome regulations on small businesses are costing our country money and jobs when we need to be creating a better environment for private sector job growth.

Sample: National likely voters in 60 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Democracy Corps Poll, [Sep, 2011]

When it comes to...protecting the environment which party do you think would do a better job--the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, or both about the same? If you think that neither would do a good job, please just say so.

Note: Asked of Form B half sample
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Mar, 2011]

(Next, please tell me if you think the Democratic Party or the Republican Party could do a better job in each of the following areas) Which party could do a better job of...protecting the environment?

Ipsos-Public Affairs/Reuters Poll, [Dec, 2010]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Taxes

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(Now I am going to read a list of issues and I want you to tell me whether, overall, you think the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job with this issue. If you do not know, just tell me and we will move on to the next item.)...Taxes...(If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Is that much better or somewhat better?)

%
21		Democrats much better
19		Democrats somewhat better
17		Republicans somewhat better
27		Republicans much better
*		Both (Vol.)
4		Neither (Vol.)
11		Don't know/Refused

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Now I'm going to read you a pair of statements from Democrats and Republicans on the economy. Democrats say: Our economy is upside down--99 percent of America is in a recession, but the one percent at the top are doing better than ever. That has to change. We need an economy where everyone has a fair shot and everyone pays their fair share. We should invest in education and protect Medicare. But the Republicans voted to end Medicare as we know it and raise taxes on the 99 percent while giving even more tax breaks to big corporations and the top one percent. Republicans say: Excessive government spending like the failed stimulus bill and Obamacare has made it harder for American businesses to grow while saddling our children with debt. That has to change. We need to make it easier for businesses to create jobs by ending unnecessary regulations, cutting spending and lowering taxes. But the Democrats' solution is more government and more spending, all financed by higher taxes on families and job-creating businesses. After hearing both statements, who do you think would do a better job when it comes to the economy, Democrats or Republicans? (If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Is that much or somewhat better?)

%
31		Democrats much better
15		Democrats somewhat better
17		Republicans somewhat better
31		Republicans much better
*		Both (Vol.)
3		Neither (Vol.)
4		Don't know/Refused

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form B half sample of those in Republican districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

General Opinion of Republican Party and Democratic Party

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In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Jun, 2011]

In general, is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable or not favorable?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Jun, 2011]

In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable?

CBS News Poll, [Jun, 2011]

Opinion About the Formation of a Third Political Party

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Some people say the country needs a third political party in addition to the Democratic and Republican parties, others say it's unnecessary. Do you think this country needs a third party or not? (If Yes/No, ask:) Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Which of the following statements is closest to your own view of the two-party system today, in terms of how well it defines issues and provides choices for voters?...The two-party system works fairly well. The two-party system has real problems, but with some improvements it can still work well. The two-party system is seriously broken, and the country needs a third party.

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Dec, 2011]

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Aug, 2011]

From the Archives

(I am going to read a series of statements. For each please tell me if you believe or do not believe the statement.)...Democrats are not focused enough on jobs and the economy.

Sample: National registered voters
New Models National Brand Poll, [Sep, 2010]

Do you think many of the Democratic leaders in Washington voted for the war (in Iraq)...Because they though it was the right thing to do or did they vote for the war because they were afraid to stand up and oppose the president?

Sample: National likely Democratic primary voters (see note)
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Democratic Primary Preview Poll, [Nov, 2003]

(Which political party--the Democrats or the Republicans--do you think would do a better job on each of the following issues?)...Afghanistan

Sample: National registered voters
FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll, [Jan, 2011]