CBS NEWS POLLFor release: January 25

, 2011FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEReaction to the 2011 State of the Union:Approval of Economic Plans, Optimism for BipartisanshipJanuary 25

, 2011

A CBS News Poll of Americans who watched President Obama’s State of the Union speech,conducted online by Knowledge Networks immediately after the address, finds viewersgenerally positive about the economic proposals he laid out in the speech and optimistic aboutthe prospects for bipartisanship in Congress.Overall, 91% of speech watchers approve of the proposals the President made in his speech.Just 9% disapprove – typical of the high support a president generally receives among thosewho choose to watch the State of the Union. Last year, 83% of viewers approved of PresidentObama’s plans at the time.

Proposals in the speech

(Among speech viewers)Approve 91%Disapprove 9As is often the case, those who watched the speech were more likely to be from the President’sparty.After the speech, there were also significant increases in approval of the President’s plans in anumber of specific areas. On his plans for the economy, just 53% of speech watchers approvedbefore the speech; that rose to 82% after the speech. There were similar increases in approvalof his plans for the deficit and Afghanistan.

Approval of Obama’s Plans for…

After BeforeThe economy 82% 53%The deficit 80% 45%Afghanistan 83% 57%The sight of Democrats and Republicans sitting side by side gave speech watchers confidenceabout cooperation: 62% say they expect more bipartisanship now than in years past.

Expect Congressional Democrats and Republicans to Work Together More Now?

Yes 62%No 38In his speech, the President mentioned limiting federal spending. 56% of speech watchers thinkhis economic plans will reduce government spending; 43% are not convinced.

Will Obama’s Plans Reduce Spending?

(Among speech viewers)Yes 56%No 43But President Obama had more success convincing viewers that his economic plans wouldmake the U.S. competitive, and lead to jobs.75% of speech watchers think the President’s plans would make America more competitive inthe world economy.

Will Obama’s Plans Make U.S. Economy More Competitive?

(Among speech viewers)Yes 75%No 24He also convinced more speech watchers that his economic plans would create jobs: after thespeech, 75% think his economic plans will create jobs, up from 55% before the speech.

Will Obama’s Plans Create Jobs?

(Among speech viewers)After BeforeYes 75% 55%NoPresident Obama defended the new health care law, but that did not substantially boostapproval of the bill among speech watchers.

Views of Health Care Bill

After BeforeApprove 65% 56%DisapproveAmericans who watched the speech are more Democratic than the nation as a whole.That is not surprising; historically, a President’s supporters are more likely than hisopponents to watch State of the Union addresses. 44% of speech viewers in this pollare Democrat and 25% are Republican. In the most recent CBS News/NY Times poll ofall Americans, conducted , the breakdown is more even between the parties: 34%Democrat and 27% Republican.

Speech Viewers And Americans’ Party AffiliationViewers All Americans

Democrat 44% 34%Republican 25 27Independent 31 39

_____________________________________________________________________________________ This CBS News Poll was conducted online by Knowledge Networks among a nationwide random sample of659 viewers of the President’s State of the Union Address. Knowledge Networks, a Silicon Valley company,conducted the poll among a sample of adult members of its household panel who said in recent days thatthey intended to watch the speech. The Knowledge Networks panel is a nationally representative samplegiven access to the Internet. This is a scientifically representative poll of viewers’ reaction to the speech. Themargin of sampling error could be plus or minus 4 percentage points for the entire sample of speechwatchers.

CBS NEWS POLLState of the UnionJanuary 25, 2011

Q2. In general, do you approve or disapprove of the proposals the President made in hisspeech tonight?** SPEECH WATCHERS **Approve 91%Disapprove 9Q4. From what you have seen or heard, do you generally approve or disapprove of BarackObama’s plans for dealing with …Before AfterThe federal budget deficit?Approve 45% 80%Disapprove 55 20Afghanistan?Approve 57% 83%Disapprove 42 16The economy?Approve 53% 82%Disapprove 46 18Q5. Regardless of what you hope will happen, do you think Barack Obama’s economicplans…Before AfterWill reduce government spending?Yes n/a 56%No n/a 43Will create jobs?Yes 55% 75%No 45 25Will make the U.S. more competitive in the world?Yes n/a 75%No n/a 24Q5a. From what you've heard or read, how do you feel about the new health care law thatwas passed last year? Do you…Before AfterStrongly approve 18% 25%Somewhat approve 38 40Somewhat disapprove 19 19Strongly disapprove 25 16