CBS NEWS POLL For release: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 6:30 PM (EST)

Gingrich and Romney: Tied on the Economy & Tied for the Nomination December 14-18, 2011 Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are now tied for the Republican nomination, with Ron Paul coming in third. Romney and Gingrich receive support from different voter groups: Romney from moderates and non-Tea Party supporters, Gingrich from conservatives. Romneys strengths include having the best chance to beat Barack Obama and having the right temperament for president. Many Republican primary voters (most of whom are conservative) see him as a moderate. He falls below Gingrich and Paul on fighting hard for his economic policies. Gingrich is viewed as a conservative, and best prepared for the presidency. He and Ron Paul are seen as the candidates who would represent the biggest change from Barack Obama. Like Americans overall, Republican primary voters think the nations most important issue is the economy and jobs, and they are more likely to think the economy is very bad (52%) and getting worse (38%). Gingrich and Romney are tied as the candidate most trusted to handle the economy and unemployment.

The State of the Race Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney lead the field of Republican candidates nationally, each with 20%. Ron Paul takes the third spot at 10%, while the remaining candidates are in single digits. Last month, Herman Cain was the top choice of Republican primary voters, but Gingrich and Romney now lead after Cains exit from the race. 2012 Republican Nomination for President (among Republican primary voters) Now 11/11 10/25 20% 15% 10% 20 15 21 10 5 8 6 8 6 4 4 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 na 18 25 19 14 12 17 17 14

Newt Gingrich Mitt Romney Ron Paul Rick Perry Michele Bachmann Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman Herman Cain Someone else Undecided/Dont know

10/3 8% 17 7 12 4 3 2 17 10 18

9/16 7% 16 5 23 7 1 1 5 11 22

While the Iowa caucuses are just two weeks away, nationally the race for the nomination remains fluid. 17% of Republican primary voters are undecided about a candidate, and another 19% want someone else. Even among Republican voters who pick a candidate, nearly eight in 10 say its too early to say whether their mind is made up. Mind Made Up Whom to Support? (among Republican Primary Voters with a Choice) Now 11/2011 12/2007 Yes 21% 28% 23% Too early 79 72 76 There is further indication that candidate support is not yet solidified: 62% of Republican primary voters say they have reservations about their candidate choice, and less than a quarter strongly favors their candidate. Support for Candidate (among Republican primary voters with a choice) Now 11/2011 Strongly favor your candidate 23% 32% Like your candidate, but with reservations 62 58 Dislike other candidates 13 8 Gingrich and Romney receive their support from different factions of the Republican primary electorate. Gingrich leads among self-identified conservatives, and Republican primary voters who support the Tea Party movement. Romney has the advantage with non-Tea Party supporters and moderates, but less than a third of Republican primary voters call themselves moderates. The race is now even among white evangelicals. Herman Cain was the top choice of evangelical voters early last month. 2012 Republican Nomination for President (among Republican primary voters) Gingrich Romney 20% 20 21% 20% 20% 26% 14% 28% 14% 17 23 20 18 25 12 26

Total Men Women

Paul 10 14 7 10 9 15 6 15

White evangelicals Conservative Moderate Tea Party Non-Tea Party

Two weeks before the caucuses and primaries get underway, 26% of registered voters nationwide say they are more enthusiastic about the 2012 presidential election compared to past elections. This level of enthusiasm is lower than in it was in December 2007, when 35% of voters were more enthusiastic.

But there is a partisan enthusiasm gap: 38% of Republican voters are more enthusiastic about voting in 2012, while just 21% of Democrats are. This is a reversal from four years ago, when Democrats expressed more enthusiasm than Republicans about voting. Enthusiasm Now vs. Past Elections (among registered voters) ----------- Now ------------------------ 12/2007 -------------All Reps Dems Inds All Reps Dems Inds 26% 38% 21% 23% 35% 31% 44% 30% 23 12 27 27 22 24 13 29 50 49 51 49 43 45 42 41

More Less Same

74% of voters overall are paying at least some attention to the 2012 campaign -- but only a third are paying a lot of attention. Candidate Qualities 60% of Republican primary voters identify themselves as conservatives, and pluralities identify both Newt Gingrich (41%) and Ron Paul (38%) as conservatives. Thats not the case for Mitt Romney: more see him as a moderate (39%) than as a conservative (31%). Is Candidate More of a? (Among Republican Primary Voters) Gingrich Romney Paul 14% 16% 12% 29 39 17 41 31 38 16 14 33

Liberal Moderate Conservative Dont know

The poll suggests a challenge for Romney: half of Republican primary voters think Romney says what people want to hear, while just 38% think he says what he believes. Majorities think both Gingrich and Paul say what they believe. Romney does well on having the right temperament to be president 63% view him that way. 56% of voters say the same about Gingrich. 40% say that about Paul, but one in four doesnt have an opinion. Candidate Qualities (Among Republican Primary Voters) Gingrich Romney Says what he believes 61% 38% Says what people want to hear 28 49 Has the right temperament/ Personality to be president Yes No Dont know

Paul 61% 16

56% 29 15

63% 25 12

40% 36 24

Candidate Qualities (Among Republican Primary Voters) Shares your values Gingrich Romney Yes 51% 57% No 32 27 Dont know 17 16

Paul 53% 19 28

Newt Gingrich is viewed by a large margin as the candidate that is best prepared for the presidency (45%); Romney follows far behind with 22%. But when asked which candidate represents the biggest change from Barack Obamas policies, Gingrich (27%) and Paul (23%) come out on top. Only 11% of Republican primary voters say Romneys policies would represent the biggest change from President Obamas policies. Which Candidate ? (Among Republican Primary Voters) Best prepared Biggest change For presidency from Obama 45% 27% 22 11 12 23 6 8 3 12 2 4 1 0

Gingrich Romney Paul Perry Bachmann Santorum Huntsman

24% of Republican primary voters say they prefer a candidate who represents the goals and values of the Tea Party but far more, 70%, say that doesnt matter to them. Electability Republican primary voters are divided about which is more important half prefer a candidate who agrees with them on the issues (49%), but nearly as many (48%) are looking for someone who has a good chance to win the presidency in 2012. Whats More Important in Your Vote - A Candidate Who? (Among Republican Primary Voters) Agrees on the issues 49% Will win in 2012 48 When asked directly which candidate has the best chance of beating Barack Obama next year, Romney leads Gingrich for the top spot. Which Candidate Has Best Chance of Beating Obama? (Among Republican Primary Voters) Romney 37% Gingrich 31 Paul 8 Perry 5 Bachmann 3 Santorum 2 Huntsman 2

Whos Best on the Economy? Just 7% of Republican primary voters say the economy is in good shape, and 38% think it is getting worse and its the top issue on these voters minds. When it comes to handling the economy and jobs, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are tied for the top spot, with 26% each. However, Newt Gingrich takes the lead over other candidates on dealing with the budget deficit and tax reform. Which Candidate Will Do the Best Job On? (Among Republican Primary Voters) Economy/jobs Budget Deficit Tax Reform 26% 30% 29% 26 20 16 16 20 18 9 7 6 8 8 8 3 3 4 1 1 0

Gingrich Romney Paul Perry Bachmann Santorum Huntsman

In addition, Gingrich is seen as the candidate who will fight hardest for his economic policies. Ron Paul comes in second on this measure, followed by Romney in third. Who Will Fight Hardest for His/Her Economic Policies? (Among Republican Primary Voters) Gingrich 33% Paul 20 Romney 15 Bachmann 9 Perry 8 Santorum 4 Huntsman 1 While roughly four in 10 think Gingrichs and Romneys policies will treat all groups of Americans the same, about a quarter says that the policies of each will favor the rich. Just 7% say that about Ron Pauls policies. His Policies will Favor (Among Republican Primary Voters) Gingrich Romney Rich 23% 24% Middle class 18 17 Poor 0 2 Treat all equally (vol.) 39 36

Paul 7% 15 3 48

And four in 10 Republican primary voters think there are major differences among the candidates on economic issues. Just over half think there are minor differences. Views are similar when it comes to social issues.

Major differences Minor differences

Differences Among Candidates on? (Among Republican Primary Voters) Economic Issues Social Issues 42% 44% 54 50

Two in three Republican primary voters say they know at least something about the candidates economic policies but few, just 14%, know a lot. A third knows not much or nothing. Know about Candidates Economic Policies? (Among Republican Primary Voters) A lot 14% Some 51 Not much 30 Nothing 4 In this election, social issues take a back seat to economic issues -- and by a large margin. Even among evangelical voters the economy dominates. Which Candidate Views Will Matter More in Your Vote? (Among Republican Primary Voters) All White Evangelicals Economic issues 76% 71% Social issues 20 24 Election Issues: The Economy As it is for the country as a whole, the economy and jobs is foremost on the minds of Republican primary voters. 55% of Republican primary voters volunteer the economy and jobs as the countrys most important problem, far ahead of other issues. Most Important Problem All Americans Republican Primary Voters 53% 55% 5 9 3 2 3 1

Economy and Jobs Budget Deficit/Debt Politicians/Government Partisan Politics

Republican primary voters are even more pessimistic than Americans overall about both the condition of the national economy and the direction it is heading. 93% of Republican primary voters say the condition of the economy is bad, including 52% who say it is very bad. Condition of the Economy All Americans Republican Primary Voters 1% 1% 18 6 41 41 40 52

Very good Fairly good Fairly bad Very bad

While just 24% of Americans think the economy is getting better, only 12% of Republicans agree. Direction of the Economy All Americans Republican Primary Voters 24% 12% 30 38 45 48

Better Worse Same

Republicans economic priorities are different too. Most Americans pick unemployment (55%) as their top economic priority, ahead of the federal deficit (29%) and taxes (12%). Republican primary voters are more likely to think the federal deficit comes first (45%). What Should be the Nations Highest Economic Priority? All Americans Republican Primary Voters 55% 39% 29 45 12 14

Unemployment Federal deficit Taxes

Despite the weak economy, fewer Republican primary voters who tend to have higher incomes than most Americans say their own household finances are suffering. While 28% of Americans overall say they earn enough to save and buy extras, this is true of 37% of Republican primary voters. Is Your Household Income? All Americans Enough to save and buy extras 28% Just enough to pay bills 51 Not enough to pay bills 20

Republican Primary Voters 37% 49 12

51% of Republican primary voters are concerned about someone in their household losing their job in the next twelve months, but that is slightly lower than the percentage among all Americans (59%). Concern About Household Job Loss Over the Next 12 Months All Americans Republican Primary Voters Very concerned 32% 23% Somewhat concerned 27 28 Not at all concerned 40 48 Election Issues: Taxes and Spending 60% of Americans overall think taxes should be increased on households earning over $1 million a year, but only 43% of Republican primary voters agree. Should Taxes on Those Earning Over $1 Million Should Be Increased? All Americans Republican Primary Voters Yes 60% 43% No 35 51

And only 29% of Republican primary voters think a tax increase on those earning $1 million or more would hurt job creation. Most 55% - dont think it would make a difference. When asked which one they would be willing change in order to cut government spending, 27% of Republican primary voters say theyd be willing to make changes to the military, while 23% would make changes to Medicare, and 22% would change Social Security. Willing to Change to Cut Government Spending? (Among Republican Primary Voters) The military 27% Medicare 23 Social Security 22 Election Issues: Illegal Immigration Republican primary voters are less likely than Americans overall to allow most illegal immigrants who are living and working illegally in the U.S. to apply for citizenship. 37% would have them leave the country. Another 29% would permit them to stay as guest workers. What Should Happen to Illegal Immigrants Working in the U.S.? All Americans Republican Primary Voters Stay and apply for citizenship 44% 31% Stay as guest workers 26 29 Leave the U.S. 26 37 The Government, the President, Congress, and the Direction of the Country Like Americans overall, Republican primary voters show widespread displeasure with the way the federal government is working, and are even more dissatisfied and angry than the general public. While 17% of Americans nationwide are either satisfied or enthusiastic with the government, this percentage drops to just 8% of Republican primary voters. Nine in 10 are dissatisfied, including three in 10 who are angry. Feelings About the Federal Government All Americans Republican Primary Voters 1% 0% 16 8 56 61 26 30

Enthusiastic Satisfied Dissatisfied Angry

President Obamas job approval rating is 47%, up slightly from 44% earlier this month. Not surprisingly, Republican primary voters are far more negative about the Presidents job performance. 86% of Republican primary voters disapprove of Barack Obamas job performance, and 89% disapprove of his handling of the economy. President Obamas Job Ratings All Americans ___ Republican Primary Voters Approve Disapprove Approve Disapprove 47% 44 11% 86 40% 53 8% 89 51% 32 24% 63

Overall The economy Foreign policy

And like Americans overall, eight in 10 Republican primary voters disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job. Just 9% of Republican primary voters approve. Job Approval of Congress All Americans Republican Primary Voters 11% 9% 83 83

Approve Disapprove

Only a quarter of Americans think the country is headed in the right direction, and Republican primary voters are even more negative. 94% of Republican primary voters think the country is off on the wrong track; just 5% think it is headed in the right direction. Direction of the Country All Americans Republican Primary Voters 25% 5% 69 94

Right direction Wrong track

____________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone from December 14-18, 2011 among 992 adults nationwide. 893 interviews were conducted with registered voters and 291 with voters who said they plan to vote in a Republican primary. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The margin of error for the sample of registered voters could be plus or minus three points and six points for the sample of Republican primary voters. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS News Poll Gingrich and Romney: Tied on the Economy & Tied for the Nomination December 1418, 2011 q1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? ************** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ************** **** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind Rep. Primary voters % % % % % 47 16 78 41 11 44 80 17 43 86 9 4 5 16 3

Approve Disapprove DK/NA

Dec11a % 44 46 10

q2 Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track DK/NA 25 69 6 5 94 1 40 53 7 25 67 8 5 94 1 21 75 4

q3 What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? Economy & Jobs Budget Deficit/Debt Politicians/Government Partisan Politics Moral/Family Values Health Care Poverty/Homelessness Immigration The President Other DK/NA 53 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 21 4 57 8 1 1 3 3 1 0 2 20 4 60 2 2 5 0 1 1 1 3 21 4 46 5 4 4 4 1 4 4 1 24 3 55 9 2 1 4 3 1 0 2 19 4 57 5 3 3 0 2 1 2 1 22 4

q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 51 32 17 24 63 13 74 10 16 49 31 20 24 63 13 41 41 18

q5 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? Approve Disapprove DK/NA Q6-7 BLANK q8 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 11 83 6 9 82 9 10 86 4 12 82 6 9 83 8 11 82 7 40 53 7 12 86 2 66 26 8 37 55 8 8 89 3 33 60 7

10

q9 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad? ************** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ************** **** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind Rep. Primary voters % % % % % 1 1 1 1 1 18 4 20 24 6 41 42 46 36 41 40 52 32 39 52 0 1 1 0 0

Very good Fairly good Fairly bad Very bad DK/NA

Dec11a % 1 12 44 42 1

q10 Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Better Worse Same DK/NA Q11-12 BLANK q13 Which best describes your feelings about the way the federal government is working: enthusiastic, or satisfied but not enthusiastic, or dissatisfied but not angry, or angry? Sep11a 3 10 54 30 3 24 30 45 1 11 39 50 0 34 22 43 1 24 31 44 2 12 38 48 2 21 39 40 0

Enthusiastic Satisfied Dissatisfied Angry DK/NA Q14 BLANK

1 16 56 26 1

0 9 65 26 0

0 18 56 24 2

1 19 50 28 2

0 8 61 30 1

q15 Which one of these economic issues should be the higher priority for the nation right now -- the federal budget deficit, unemployment, or taxes? Federal deficit Unemployment Taxes DK/NA 29 55 12 4 42 47 10 1 20 69 7 4 29 49 18 4 45 39 14 2

q16 Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently working in the U.S.: 1. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs, and to eventually apply for U.S. citizenship; OR 2. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs only as temporary guest workers, but NOT to apply for U.S. citizenship; OR 3. They should be required to leave their jobs and leave the U.S. Stay and apply Stay as guest worker Leave jobs and U.S. DK/NA 44 26 26 4 32 32 33 3 59 22 17 2 40 25 30 5 31 29 37 3 37 20 38 5

11

q17 How much attention have you been able to pay to the 2012 presidential campaign -- a lot, some, not much, or no attention so far? ************** REGISTERED VOTERS ************** **** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind Rep. Primary voters % % % % % 32 40 30 30 40 42 37 45 41 39 17 15 17 17 16 9 8 7 12 5 0 0 1 0 0

A lot Some Not much None DK/NA

Nov11a % 33 39 21 7 0

q18 Which one of these candidates would you like to see the Republican Party nominate for President in 2012 - Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, or would you like to see someone else nominated? Republican Primary Voters % 20 20 10 6 4 3 1 19 NA 13 0 4 Nov11a* % 15 15 5 8 4 2 1 14 18 12 1 5

Newt Gingrich Mitt Romney Ron Paul Rick Perry Michele Bachmann Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman Someone Else Herman Cain Undecided (Vol.) No/No one (vol.) DK/NA
*Asked with Herman Cain

q19 Is your mind made up or is it still too early to say for sure? Republican Primary Voters with Choice 21 79 0

Mind made up Still too early DK/NA

28 72 0

q20 Which of these best describes your preference for the Republican nomination for president in 2012: 1) I strongly favor my candidate, 2) I like my candidate but with reservations, or 3) I dislike the other candidates? Strongly favor Like with reservations Dislike others DK/NA 23 62 13 2 32 58 8 2

12

q21 Compared to past Presidential elections, how would you describe your level of enthusiasm about voting in the 2012 Presidential election next year -- are you more enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as usual? ************** REGISTERED VOTERS ************** **** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind Rep. Primary voters % % % % % 26 38 21 23 40 23 12 27 27 12 50 49 51 49 48 1 1 1 1 0

More Less Same DK/NA

Nov11a % 28 23 48 1

q22 Thinking about the Republican party's nominee for President in 2012, if you had to choose, which is more important to you -- having a Republican nominee who agrees with your positions on most issues, or having a nominee with the best chance of defeating Barack Obama in 2012? Republican Primary Voters % 49 48 3

Agrees with issues Win in 2012 Don't know/No answer

58 39 3

q23 Would you prefer the 2012 Republican nominee be someone who represents the goals and values of the Tea Party movement, or would this not matter to you? Prefer represents Tea Party Doesn't matter Don't know/No answer 24 70 6

q24 Which of the following matters more to you in deciding which Republican presidential candidate to support - the candidate's views on economic issues or the candidate's views on social issues? Economic Social Both equally (Vol.) DK/NA 76 20 4 0 budget are Medicare, the government and the military. If you had to be willing to change in order to cut military?

q25 As you may know, the largest items in the federal health insurance program for seniors, Social Security choose one, which of the following programs would you government spending--Medicare, Social Security or the Medicare Social Security Military All (vol.) None (Vol.) Combination (Vol.) DK/NA 23 22 27 3 16 4 5

13

q26 If taxes are increased on households earning one million dollars a year or more, do you think this will help job creation in the US, hurt job creation in the US, or won't it make much difference on job creation? Republican Primary Voters % 11 29 55 5 Sep11b % 10 39 47 4

Help job creation Hurt job creation No difference DK/NA

q27 How much do you know about the Republican presidential candidates economic policies a lot, some, not much or nothing at all? A lot Some Not much Nothing at all DK/NA 14 51 30 4 1

q28 Do you think of Newt Gingrich as more of a liberal, a moderate or a conservative? Liberal Moderate Conservative Don't know/No answer 14 29 41 16

q29 Do you think Newt Gingrich has the right kind of temperament and personality to be a good president, or not? Yes No DK/NA 56 29 15

q30 Do you think Newt Gingrich says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what he thinks people want to hear? Yes, says what he believes No, says what people want Don't know/No answer 61 28 11

q31 Do you think Newt Gingrich shares the values you try you live by, or doesn't he? Yes No DK/NA 51 32 17

q32 If Newt Gingrich is elected president, do think his policies would favor the rich, favor the middle class, favor the poor or would his policies treat all groups equally? Favor Favor Favor Treat DK/NA the the the all rich middle class poor equally (vol.) 23 18 0 39 20

q33 BLANK

14

q34 Do you think of Ron Paul as more of a liberal, a moderate or a conservative? Republican Primary Voters % 12 17 38 33

Liberal Moderate Conservative Don't know/No answer

q35 Do you think Ron Paul has the right kind of temperament and personality to be a good president, or not? Yes No DK/NA 40 36 24

q36 Do you think Ron Paul says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what he thinks people want to hear? Yes, says what he believes No, says what people want Don't know/No answer 61 16 23

q37 Do you think Ron Paul shares the values you try you live by, or doesn't he? Yes No DK/NA 53 19 28

q38 If Ron Paul is elected president, do think his policies would favor the rich, favor the middle class, favor the poor or would his policies treat all groups equally? Favor Favor Favor Treat DK/NA the the the all rich middle class poor equally (vol.) 7 15 3 48 27

q39 BLANK q40 Do you think of Mitt Romney as more of a liberal, a moderate or a conservative? Liberal Moderate Conservative Don't know/No answer 16 39 31 14

q41 Do you think Mitt Romney has the right kind of temperament and personality to be a good president, or not? Yes No DK/NA 63 25 12

15

q42 Do you think Mitt Romney says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what he thinks people want to hear? Republican Primary Voters % 38 49 13 Jan08e % 35 43 22

Yes, says what he believes No, says what people want Don't know/No answer

q43 Do you think Mitt Romney shares the values you try you live by, or doesn't he? Yes No DK/NA 57 27 16

q44 If Mitt Romney is elected president, do think his policies would favor the rich, favor the middle class, favor the poor or would his policies treat all groups equally? Favor Favor Favor Treat DK/NA the the the all rich middle class poor equally (vol.) 24 17 2 36 21

q45 BLANK q46 Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which one of these candidates do you think has the best chance of beating Barack Obama in the general election in November 2012 -- Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum? Nov11a* Mitt Romney 37 40 Newt Gingrich 31 6 Ron Paul 8 2 Rick Perry 5 6 Michele Bachmann 3 4 Jon Huntsman 2 1 Rick Santorum 2 2 Herman Cain NA 20 All of them (vol.) 2 4 None of them (vol.) 1 2 DK/NA 9 13
*Asked with Herman Cain

q47 Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which candidate do you think is best prepared for the job of President of the United States -- Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum? Newt Gingrich Mitt Romney Ron Paul Rick Perry Michele Bachmann Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman All of them (vol.) None of them (vol.) DK/NA 45 22 12 6 3 2 1 0 1 9

16

q48 Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which candidate do you trust most to deal with the economy and unemployment Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum? Republican Primary Voters % 26 26 16 9 8 3 1 1 10

Newt Gingrich Mitt Romney Ron Paul Rick Perry Michele Bachmann Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman None of them (vol.) DK/NA

q49 Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which candidate do you trust most to handle the federal budget deficit Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum? Newt Gingrich Ron Paul Mitt Romney Michele Bachmann Rick Perry Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman None of them (vol.) DK/NA 30 20 20 8 7 3 1 1 10

q50 Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which candidate do you trust most to reform the federal tax system -- Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum? Newt Gingrich Ron Paul Mitt Romney Michele Bachmann Rick Perry Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman None of them (vol.) DK/NA 29 18 16 8 6 4 0 3 16

q51 Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which one of these candidates' policies do you think would represent the biggest change from Barack Obama's policies? Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum? Newt Gingrich Ron Paul Michele Bachmann Mitt Romney Rick Perry Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman All of them (vol.) DK/NA 27 23 12 11 8 4 0 5 10

17

q52 Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2012, which one of these candidates do you think would fight the hardest to enact his or her economic policies -- Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum? Republican Primary Voters % 33 20 15 9 8 4 1 2 0 8

Newt Gingrich Ron Paul Mitt Romney Michele Bachmann Rick Perry Rick Santorum Jon Huntsman All of them (vol.) None of them (vol.) DK/NA

q55 When you think about where the Republican presidential candidates stand on economic issues, do you think there are major differences among them, or only minor differences? Major differences Minor differences No differences/the same (vol.) DK/NA 42 54 1 3

q56 When you think about where the Republican presidential candidates stand on social issues, do you think there are major differences among them, or only minor differences? Major differences Minor differences DK/NA 44 50 6

q59 In order to lower the nation's budget deficit, do you think taxes should be increased on households earning one million dollars a year or more, or should the government address the budget deficit without increasing taxes on those households? ************** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ************** **** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind Rep. Primary voters % % % % % Should be increased 60 39 79 58 43 Should not be increased 35 54 18 38 51 DK/NA 5 7 3 4 6 q60-q98 HELD FOR FUTURE RELEASE q99 How concerned are you that in the next 12 months you or someone else in your household might be out of work and looking for a job -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not concerned at all? Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned DK/NA 32 27 40 1 25 25 50 0 31 28 40 1 36 28 35 1 23 28 48 1 35 27 38 0

Oct11a1 % 65 30 5

18

q100 Think about your household income, would you say that it is more than enough so that you can save money or buy some extras, just enough to meet your bills and obligations, or is it not enough to meet your bills and obligations? ************** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ************** **** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind Rep. Primary voters % % % % % Save money & buy extras 28 35 24 27 37 Just enough for bills 51 49 57 49 49 Not enough for bills 20 15 19 24 12 DK/NA 1 2 1 0 2

Nov10c % 29 42 28 1

Total Respondents Total Registered Voters Total Republicans Total Democrats Total Independents Total Republican Primary Voters

UNWEIGHTED 992 893 275 336 381 291

WEIGHTED

809 245 319 428 251

19