For immediate release August 16, 2012

Franklin & Marshall College Poll

SURVEY OF PENNSYLVANIANS SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Prepared by: Center for Opinion Research Floyd Institute for Public Policy Franklin & Marshall College
BERWOOD A. YOST DIRECTOR, FLOYD INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR OPINION RESEARCH HEAD METHODOLOGIST, FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL G. TERRY MADONNA DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL ANGELA N. KNITTLE SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, CENTER FOR OPINION RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER, FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL KAY K. HUEBNER PROGRAMMER, CENTER FOR OPINION RESEARCH

August 16, 2012

Table of Contents
KEY FINDINGS ........................................................................................................................3 THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA ......................................................................3 THE US SENATE ELECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA ..........................................................................6 METHODOLOGY .....................................................................................................................7 ATTACHMENT A .....................................................................................................................8 ATTACHMENT B .....................................................................................................................9 MARGINAL FREQUENCY REPORT .....................................................................................10

The Franklin & Marshall College Poll is produced in conjunction with the Philadelphia Daily News, WGAL-TV (South Central PA), Pittsburgh Tribune Review, WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), WPVI-TV6/ABC (Philadelphia), Times-Shamrock Newspapers, Harrisburg Patriot-News, and Lancaster Newspapers. It may be used in whole or in part, provided any use is attributed to Franklin & Marshall College.
2

Key Findings
The August 2012 Franklin & Marshall College Poll finds increasing voter interest in the presidential election. President Barack Obama continues to lead his Republican challenger Mitt Romney, although his advantage is smaller than in June. The president enjoys significant advantages over Romney in his personal popularity and most voters believe he better understands their concerns. The president is also thought to be better prepared to handle the presidency even though there is ambivalence about some of his major policy initiatives. In the US Senate race, incumbent Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. leads the Republican challenger Tom Smith by a wide margin, although many voters remain undecided at the moment.

The Presidential Election in Pennsylvania

President Obama has led Mitt Romney in every Franklin & Marshall College Poll since August 2011 (see Figure 1). The president currently leads Romney among registered voters in Pennsylvania 44% to 38% with 15% undecided. Allocating voters who lean to a candidate produces a similar advantage for the president, 47% to 42%, but shows that 7% of voters are truly undecided. President Obama leads in most regions of the state, including Philadelphia, Allegheny County, the southwest and southeast, and he has comfortable leads among young voters, non-whites and women (see Attachment A). Mitt Romney holds an advantage among working-class whites.

Figure 1:

Presidential Horse Race, Pennsylvania August 2012

If the November 2012 general election for president were being held today and the candidates were [rotate] Mitt Romney, the Republican, and Barack Obama, the Democrat, would you vote for [rotate] Mitt Romney, Barack Obama, some other candidate, or arent you sure how you would vote?

Mitt Romney June 2012 February 2012 January 2012 38% 36% 33%

Barack Obama 44% 48% 41% 41% 35% 36%

Other

DNK 3% 15% 5% 12%

June

8% 6% 10% 8%

18% 24% 30% 27%

January
October 2011

30% 26%

August 2011

August

30%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Both President Obamas personal favorability ratings and job approval ratings declined in Pennsylvania since June. Mitt Romneys favorability ratings have slightly improved. Registered voters in Pennsylvania believe the president is better prepared than Mitt Romney to handle specific aspects of his job and to better reflect their concerns and values, although Romney has an advantage on economic issues that he did not have in the June survey (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Presidential Attributes, Pennsylvania August 2012
Regardless of how you plan to vote, which presidential candidate do you think is best described by each of the following statements? Do you think Barack Obama or Mitt Romney

Best understands the concerns of ordinary Americans? Is most prepared to handle foreign policy issues?

57% 30% 53% 34% 47% 37% 44% 42% 42% 44%

Barack Obama Mitt Romney

Will better Will better handle the job of commander in chief of the military? handle the job
Is the closest to your views on value issues, such as abortion and gay marriage?

Is most our economic Is most prepared to fixprepared problems? to fix our

0% 25%

50%

75%

100%

President Obamas re-election prospects in Pennsylvania today are quite similar to his position in August 2008 (see Table 1). His personal favorability scores are a bit lower than in 2008, but Mitt Romneys favorability scores are much lower than John McCains were at the time. The presidents job performance scores are also much better than were President Bushs in 2008; President Bushs poor job performance ratings were undeniably a drag on the Republican ticket at the time. Compared to 2004, President Obamas favorability and job performance

scores are similar to President Bushs ratings when he stood for re-election, although the personal popularity of Mr. Bushs challenger was much higher than Mitt Romneys.
Table 1: Pennsylvania Survey Indicator Comparison: August 2004, 2008, and 2012

August 2004 Bush (2004) - Obama Favorable / Unfavorable Challenger Favorable / Unfavorable President Job Performance (Exc+Good / Fair+Poor) Personal Finances (Better / Worse) Voter Interest (very interested) Democratic Candidate Advantage (D% - R%) 44% / 46% 46% / 35% 46% / 54% 56% +6

August 2008 43% / 29% 39% / 32% 21% / 78% 16% / 37% 62% +8

August 2012 46% / 45% 32% / 49% 43% / 56% 15% / 27% 58% +6

The US Senate Election in Pennsylvania

Incumbent US Senator Bob Casey, Jr. has a comfortable advantage over his Republican challenger, Tom Smith, 35% to 23%, with nearly two in five voters undecided (39%). Allocating initially undecided voters increases Senator Caseys lead, 43% to 28%, but the truly undecided remains high at 24%. Tom Smith is unrecognized by most (68%) of the states voters. Senator Casey leads in most regions of the state and among most voter groups at the moment (see Attachment B).

Methodology
The survey findings presented in this release are based on the results of interviews conducted August 7 August 12, 2012. The interviews were conducted at the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College under the direction of the polls Director Dr. G. Terry Madonna, Head Methodologist Berwood Yost, and Senior Project Manager Angela Knittle. The data included in this release represent the responses of 681 Pennsylvania registered voters, including 343 Democrats, 254 Republicans, and 84 registered as Independent/Other. The sample of registered voters was obtained from Voter Contact Services. Survey results were weighted (region, gender, and party) using an iterative weighting algorithm to reflect the known distribution of those characteristics as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of State. The sample error for this survey is +/- 3.8 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, this poll is also subject to other sources of non-sampling error. Generally speaking, two sources of error concern researchers most. Non-response bias is created when selected participants either choose not to participate in the survey or are unavailable for interviewing. Response errors are the product of the question and answer process. Surveys that rely on selfreported behaviors and attitudes are susceptible to biases related to the way respondents process and respond to survey questions.

Attachment A
Horse Race: Obama vs. Romney, Pennsylvania August 2012
If the November 2012 general election for president was being held today and the candidates were [rotate] Mitt Romney, the Republican and Barack Obama, the Democrat, would you vote for: [rotate] Mitt Romney or Barack Obama, some other candidate, or arent you sure how you would vote? Obama Political Party* Republican Democrat Independent/Other Ideology* Liberal Moderate Conservative Gender* Male Female Age* 18-34 35-54 55 and over Education High school or less 38% Some college 41% College degree 50% Household Income** Less than $35,000 49% 42% $35-75,000 49% Over $75,000 Race* Non-white 85% 41% White Marital Status* Not currently married 47% Single, never married 59% Married 38% Religious Affiliation* Other/unaffiliated 61% 34% Protestant 40% Catholic Born Again Christian or Fundamentalist* Yes 29% 49% No Household Union Member Yes 49% No 43% Military Veteran Yes 32% No 46% Region* Northeast 39% 73% Philadelphia 47% Southeast 45% Northwest 33% Central 59% Allegheny 29% Southwest Employment* Fulltime 46% Other 48% Retired 36% Other 39% White, working Class 40% 40% 35% 29% 44% 34% 6% 40% 36% 20% 43% 20% 49% 40% 57% 31% 32% 39% 46% 36% 40% 14% 38% 37% 47% 28% 43% 36% 30% 48% 46% 5% 3% 2% 5% 4% 1% 2% 3% 2% 7% 2% 4% 4% 2% 3% 3% 4% 3% 4% 3% 4% 0% 2% 2% 3% 2% 11% 4% 3% 2% 4% 17% 16% 14% 18% 11% 16% 7% 16% 15% 14% 16% 15% 13% 17% 11% 17% 15% 15% 18% 15% 17% 13% 13% 16% 17% 11% 18% 14% 19% 13% 11% 55% 40% 44% 20% 37% 41% 11% 3% 2% 13% 21% 13% 38% 49% 43% 34% 5% 2% 14% 16% 82% 51% 13% 6% 24% 74% 1% 4% 3% 10% 21% 10% 11% 72% 26% 69% 13% 46% 4% 2% 5% 16% 13% 23% Romney Other Dont know

* p<0.01

** p<0.05

Attachment B
Horse Race: Casey vs. Smith, Pennsylvania August 2012
If the November 2012 general election for U.S. Senator was being held today and the candidates were [rotate] Tom Smith, the Republican, and Bob Casey, Jr., the Democrat, would you vote for: [rotate] Tom Smith, Bob Casey, Jr., some other candidate, or arent you sure how you would vote? Casey Political Party* Republican Democrat Independent/Other Ideology* Liberal Moderate Conservative Gender* Male Female Age* 18-34 35-54 55 and over Education* High school or less 28% Some college 28% College degree 45% Household Income Less than $35,000 33% 36% $35-75,000 43% Over $75,000 Race** Non-white 39% 36% White Marital Status* Not currently married 40% Single, never married 37% Married 33% Religious Affiliation* Other/unaffiliated 39% 30% Protestant 38% Catholic Born Again Christian or Fundamentalist* Yes 18% 41% No Household Union Member Yes 40% No 35% Military Veteran* Yes 35% No 35% Region Northeast 37% 47% Philadelphia 38% Southeast 32% Northwest 28% Central 43% Allegheny 33% Southwest Employment* Fulltime 40% Other 30% 35% Retired 31% 20% 20% 25% 26% 16% 6% 24% 21% 10% 27% 14% 32% 22% 37% 19% 18% 25% 39% 20% 31% 7% 23% 26% 27% 17% 23% 16% 19% 37% 4% 2% 1% 3% 2% 3% 8% 2% 2% 4% 2% 4% 2% 1% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 2% 2% 4% 2% 1% 2% 4% 0% 3% 2% 1% 36% 50% 34% 40% 37% 38% 47% 38% 37% 48% 37% 43% 37% 38% 42% 39% 40% 38% 25% 42% 30% 41% 37% 40% 43% 36% 45% 41% 49% 28% 30% 33% 39% 10% 19% 28% 4% 2% 2% 57% 47% 31% 37% 34% 30% 18% 2% 2% 31% 46% 59% 48% 9% 3% 13% 47% 2% 3% 2% 36% 37% 42% 11% 57% 21% 48% 4% 27% 2% 2% 3% 39% 37% 49% Smith Other Dont know

* p<0.01

** p<0.05

Marginal Frequency Report

Responses may not total 100% due to rounding.

REG. Some people are registered to vote, and many others are not. Are you CURRENTLY REGISTERED to vote at your present address? 100% 0% Yes No

RegPARTY. Are you currently registered as a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or as something else? 37% 50% 11% 1% Republican Democrat Independent Something else

RightDir. All in all, do you think things in PENNSYLVANIA are generally headed in the RIGHT DIRECTION, or do you feel that things are off on the WRONG TRACK? Headed in right direction 31% 30% 31% 38% 38% 34% 37% 27% 31% 30% 35% 32% 37% 39% Off on the wrong track 56% 57% 56% 47% 49% 53% 53% 64% 59% 58% 55% 58% 50% 53% Dont know 13% 13% 13% 15% 13% 13% 10% 9% 10% 12% 10% 10% 13% 8%

Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010

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MIP_PA. What do you think is the MOST IMPORTANT problem facing PENNSYLVANIA TODAY? Mar 2005 3% 8% 10% 26% 15% 0% 8% 3% 4% 0% 0% 2% 2% 2% 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 4% 8% Jun 2005 2% 6% 8% 24% 18% 1% 6% 2% 6% 0% 0% 1% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 2% 2% 0% 4% 0% 1% 0% 0% 2% 8% 4% Sep 2005 1% 8% 9% 25% 15% 9% 5% 2% 3% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 2% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 2% 1% 1% 8% 6% Nov 2005 3% 8% 6% 23% 16% 3% 5% 1% 5% 0% 0% 2% 0% 3% 0% 0% 2% 1% 2% 0% 1% 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 8% 7% Feb 2006 1% 7% 7% 23% 18% 2% 8% 3% 8% 0% 0% 2% 1% 1% 0% 1% 0% 2% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 10% 6% Aug 2006* 0% 7% 10% 17% 18% 2% 7% 1% 8% 1% 0% 2% 4% 2% 1% 1% 0% 4% 0% 1% 1% 0% 2% 1% 0% 0% 8% 5% Aug 2007* 0% 9% 10% 15% 12% 1% 10% 7% 11% 2% 0% 1% 2% 2% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 7% 5% Oct 2010 17% 14% 4% 39% 8% 0% 7% 1% 1% 1% 0% 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 1% Aug 2011 38% 11% 12% 9% 5% 3% 2% 3% 1% 0% 0% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 6% 1% Aug 2012* 30% 15% 13% 12% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 6% 2%

Unemployment, personal finances Government, politicians Education, school Economy Taxes Energy issues, gas prices Healthcare, insurance Roads, infrastructure Crime, drugs, violence Retaining, attracting businesses Civil liberties Environment Senior issues, social security Social issues Welfare Values, morals Housing, real estate Gambling, slot machines Public transportation Immigration Population, urban sprawl Population loss Foreign policy, terrorism, war Legislative pay raise Justice system Nothing Don't know Other

*Question asked of registered respondents only

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IntFav. Please let me know your opinion of some people involved in politics today. Is your opinion of [FILL name] favorable, unfavorable, undecided, or havent you heard enough about [FILL name] to have an opinion? (rotated) Strongly favorable BARACK OBAMA Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Mar 2011 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Feb 2009 Oct 2008 Sep 2008 Aug 2008 MITT ROMNEY Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 BOB CASEY Aug 2012 June 2012 Jan 2012 Mar 2011 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Feb 2009 TOM SMITH Aug 2012 June 2012 25% 26% 23% 25% 17% 26% 25% 27% 23% 29% 29% 39% 38% 38% 31% 25% 14% 11% 6% 4% 11% 14% 9% 6% 10% 9% 13% 9% 11% 17% 11% 11% 5% 2% Somewhat favorable 21% 21% 22% 20% 24% 18% 17% 22% 21% 16% 26% 17% 18% 15% 18% 18% 18% 16% 21% 21% 25% 24% 20% 19% 23% 24% 20% 23% 21% 24% 21% 19% 8% 6% Somewhat unfavorable 8% 11% 12% 12% 11% 12% 13% 10% 11% 12% 9% 6% 8% 8% 9% 7% 17% 17% 18% 13% 12% 10% 9% 11% 9% 10% 9% 11% 9% 10% 12% 9% 4% 2%
Continued on next page

Strongly unfavorable 37% 33% 35% 32% 33% 34% 33% 29% 33% 27% 28% 21% 15% 25% 21% 22% 32% 31% 26% 22% 10% 8% 8% 8% 11% 11% 9% 9% 12% 8% 5% 8% 4% 4%

Undecided 7% 9% 8% 9% 14% 10% 11% 11% 10% 13% 7% 14% 17% 12% 17% 23% 13% 16% 21% 21% 16% 14% 18% 19% 16% 17% 15% 17% 15% 17% 17% 21% 11% 8%

Dont know 1% 1% 0% 1% 2% 0% 1% 1% 2% 3% 1% 3% 4% 3% 3% 5% 6% 10% 8% 19% 27% 29% 35% 37% 31% 29% 34% 31% 32% 24% 34% 32% 68% 77%

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Strongly favorable TOM CORBETT Aug 2012 June 2012 Jan 2012 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 7% 7% 6% 14% 17% 12% 8% 7% 8% 5%

Somewhat favorable 25% 25% 23% 19% 18% 15% 19% 17% 14% 16%

Somewhat unfavorable 15% 14% 15% 8% 8% 5% 7% 5% 4% 3%

Strongly unfavorable 27% 25% 17% 15% 9% 5% 8% 5% 3% 3%

Undecided 14% 15% 18% 24% 17% 17% 19% 17% 17% 19%

Dont know 13% 14% 20% 21% 31% 45% 40% 49% 54% 54%

Vote_Nov. Many people will vote in the election for president in November, however, many other people will not. What would you say are the chances you will vote in the November presidential election? Are you certain to vote, will you probably vote, are the chances fifty-fifty you will vote, OR don't you think that you will vote in the November election for president? 89% 6% 4% 1% Certain to vote Will probably vote Chances 50-50 Dont think will vote

Pol_Int. Some people don't pay much attention to political campaigns. How about you? Would you say that you arevery much interested, somewhat interested or not very interested in the 2012 elections? Very much interested 58% 51% 52% 46% Somewhat interested 34% 38% 39% 44% Not very interested 8% 11% 9% 11%

Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012

Vot08. Did you vote in the last presidential election in 2008, or not? 93% 7% Yes No

Vot08pref. Did you vote for Barack Obama, John McCain, or some other candidate in 2008? 51% 43% 5% 1% Obama McCain Other Do not know

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Pres2012. If the November 2012 general election for president was being held today and the candidates were [rotate] Mitt Romney the Republican and Barack Obama the Democrat, would you vote for: [rotate] Mitt Romney or Barack Obama, some other candidate, or arent you sure how you would vote? Obama Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 44% 48% 41% 41% 35% 36% Romney 38% 36% 33% 30% 26% 30% Other 3% 5% 8% 6% 10% 8% Dont know 15% 12% 18% 24% 30% 27%

CertPres Are you absolutely CERTAIN you will vote FOR [candidate] in the election, or are you still making up your mind? (575 respondents with a vote choice) Certain Aug 2012 June 2012 84% 82% Making up Mind 15% 17% Dont know 0% 1%

LeanPres As of today, do you lean more to (rotated) or are you leaning toward some other candidate? (106 undecided respondents) Rotated Aug 2012 June 2012 Obama 22% 30% Romney 24% 15% Other 10% 12% Dont know 44% 43%

IntDesPres Regardless of how you plan to vote, which presidential candidate do you think is best described by each of the following statements? Do you think Barack Obama or Mitt Romney August 2012 Best understands the concerns of ordinary Americans? Is most prepared to fix our economic problems? Is closest to your views on value issues, such as abortion and gay marriage? Will better handle the job of commander in chief of the military? Is most prepared to handle foreign policy issues? Obama 57% 42% 44% 47% 53% Romney 30% 44% 42% 37% 34% Dont know 13% 15% 14% 16% 13%

June 2012 Best understands the concerns of ordinary Americans? Is most prepared to fix our economic problems? Is closest to your views on value issues, such as abortion and gay marriage? Will better handle the job of commander in chief of the military? Is most prepared to handle foreign policy issues?

Obama 57% 44% 47% 51% 57%

Romney 31% 38% 37% 33% 29%

Dont know 13% 18% 15% 16% 14%

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IntFavPol Please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following policies that President Obama signed into lawDo you favor or oppose the.is that strongly or somewhat (favor/oppose)? August 2012 Fiscal stimulus plan of 2009 Financial bailouts for the automobile industry Health care reform act June 2012 Fiscal stimulus plan of 2009 Financial bailouts for the automobile industry Health care reform act Strongly Favor 19% 23% 27% Strongly Favor 19% 28% 24% Somewhat Favor 26% 24% 18% Somewhat Favor 25% 26% 22% Somewhat Oppose 14% 15% 12% Somewhat Oppose 15% 15% 11% Strongly Oppose 27% 32% 36% Strongly Oppose 23% 29% 37% Do Not Know 15% 7% 8% Do Not Know 19% 2% 6%

RepHCL Would you favor or oppose repealing the health care reform law? Is the strongly or somewhat (favor/oppose)? 35% 13% 14% 28% 10% Strongly favor Somewhat favor Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Do not know

Sen2012 If the November 2012 general election for U.S. SENATOR was being held today and the candidates were [rotate] Tom Smith, the Republican and Bob Casey Jr., the Democrat, would you vote for: [rotate] Tom Smith or Bob Casey Jr., some other candidate, or arent you sure how you would vote? Casey Aug 2012 June 2012 35% 42% Smith 23% 21% Other 2% 2% Dont know 39% 35%

CertSen. Are you absolutely CERTAIN you will vote FOR [candidate] in the election, or are you still making up your mind? (413 respondents with a vote choice) Certain Aug 2012 June 2012 74% 73% Making up Mind 26% 25% Dont know 1% 2%

LeanSen. As of today, do you lean more to (rotated) or are you leaning toward some other candidate? (267 undecided respondents) Rotated Aug 2012 June 2012 Casey 18% 19% Smith 13% 10% Other 6% 9% Dont know 62% 63%

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Rate_Gov. How would you rate the way that Tom Corbett is handling his job as Governor? Would you say he is doing an Excellent Job 3% 5% 6% 5% Good Job 25% 33% 26% 26% Only a Fair Job 40% 43% 46% 39% Poor Job 26% 11% 14% 13% Dont Know 6% 8% 9% 18%

Aug 2012 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011

RateSenC. How would you rate the way that Bob Casey, JR. is handling his job as U.S. SENATOR? Would you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job as U.S. Senator? Excellent Job 4% 5% 4% 4% 5% 5% 3% 7% 5% Good Job 32% 33% 26% 31% 33% 27% 26% 31% 37% Only a Fair Job 37% 32% 43% 36% 38% 43% 39% 32% 36% Poor Job 11% 8% 12% 11% 9% 9% 9% 10% 7% Dont Know 16% 21% 15% 19% 16% 16% 23% 20% 15%

Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011 Feb 2009 Aug 2007

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RatePres. How would you rate the way that Barack Obama is handling his job as president? Would you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job as President? Excellent job Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Mar 2009 Feb 2009 12% 13% 11% 9% 9% 9% 7% 8% 10% 9% 14% 12% 12% 11% 17% 14% 20% 23% 25% Good job 31% 29% 26% 31% 28% 25% 28% 24% 26% 28% 24% 28% 29% 27% 23% 33% 35% 37% 30% Only a fair job 23% 30% 29% 29% 31% 33% 30% 31% 33% 28% 32% 27% 32% 32% 31% 29% 25% 22% 23% Poor job 33% 28% 35% 30% 32% 33% 34% 36% 30% 35% 29% 32% 27% 29% 28% 24% 19% 14% 13% Dont know 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 4% 9%

RateBOEcon How would you rate the way that Barack Obama has handled the economyis he doing an excellent job, a good job, only a fair job, or a poor job handling the economy? Excellent Job 7% 8% 9% 6% Good Job 26% 30% 23% 23% Only a Fair Job 22% 26% 26% 27% Poor Job 44% 35% 42% 43% Dont Know 1% 1% 1% 1%

Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012

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FinToday. We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. Would you say that YOU and YOUR FAMILY are better off, worse off, or about the same financially as you were a year ago? Better off Aug 2012* June 2012* Feb 2012* Jan 2012* Mar 2011 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Mar 2009 Feb 2009 Oct 2008* Sep 2008* Aug 2008* Feb 2008* Jan 2008* Nov 2005 Sep 2005 Jun 2005 Mar 2005 Nov 2003 Apr 2003 Sep 2002* Jun 2002* Jul 1999 Jul 1998 Mar 1998 Jul 1996 Feb 1996 Apr 1995 15% 16% 16% 15% 11% 13% 14% 13% 13% 10% 8% 9% 11% 11% 10% 14% 12% 16% 20% 17% 20% 17% 24% 21% 17% 16% 25% 29% 31% 31% 31% 21% 21% 26% Worse off 27% 27% 28% 26% 31% 33% 39% 36% 41% 40% 36% 39% 43% 36% 44% 44% 40% 37% 29% 25% 28% 36% 24% 28% 29% 30% 26% 20% 16% 16% 16% 22% 21% 21% About the same 58% 57% 56% 60% 57% 54% 46% 51% 46% 50% 55% 52% 45% 53% 46% 42% 47% 46% 51% 57% 51% 47% 52% 51% 53% 54% 47% 50% 52% 52% 52% 56% 57% 52% Dont know 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

*Question asked of registered respondents only

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FinFut. Now looking AHEAD, do you think that A YEAR FROM NOW, YOU and YOUR FAMILY will be better off financially than you are now, worse off, or about the same as you are now? Better off Aug 2012* June 2012* Feb 2012* Jan 2012* Mar 2011 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 Oct 2009 Aug 2009 Jun 2009 Mar 2009 Feb 2009 Oct 2008* Sep 2008* Aug 2008* Nov 2005 Sep 2005 Jun 2005 Mar 2005 Nov 2003 Apr 2003 Sep 2002* Jun 2002* Jul 1999 Jul 1998 Mar 1998 Jul 1996 Feb 1996 Apr 1995 25% 21% 23% 27% 27% 24% 29% 27% 28% 27% 31% 31% 32% 27% 29% 33% 25% 28% 29% 27% 32% 31% 33% 27% 38% 35% 38% 41% 39% 24% 29% 37% Worse off 11% 14% 13% 13% 26% 15% 17% 17% 18% 17% 14% 19% 21% 12% 19% 14% 18% 15% 20% 23% 15% 20% 13% 17% 8% 6% 8% 9% 7% 12% 16% 12% About the same 52% 57% 58% 53% 43% 54% 49% 50% 47% 49% 50% 47% 41% 55% 45% 40% 42% 45% 48% 45% 48% 45% 49% 51% 43% 49% 50% 45% 50% 54% 49% 44% Dont know 12% 8% 6% 6% 5% 7% 5% 6% 7% 7% 5% 3% 6% 6% 7% 14% 15% 12% 3% 5% 5% 4% 5% 5% 11% 10% 4% 5% 4% 10% 6% 7%

*Question asked of registered respondents only

RespEcon. Who do you feel is most responsible for the countrys current economic situation: former President Bush, President Obama, the Congress, are all equally to blame or is no one really to blame? President Bush Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2012 Aug 2010 26% 27% 22% 26% 38% President Obama 13% 9% 9% 7% 12% All equally to blame 37% 38% 45% 42% 29% No one really to blame 4% 5% 5% 4% 15% Do not know 2% 2% 2% 3% 6%

Congress 18% 19% 17% 19% --

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DEMO I now have a final few questions for statistical purposes only. CNTY. Region of state (What is the name of the county you live in?) 9% 12% 10% 11% 9% 26% 24% Philadelphia Northeast Allegheny Southwest Northwest Central Southeast

RESD. How many years have you lived at your current residence? 20.3 Mean

AGE. What was your age on your last birthday? 7% 6% 11% 18% 23% 35% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 and older

EDUC. What was the highest grade level of schooling you have completed? 3% 26% 16% 12% 23% 20% Non high school graduate High school graduate or GED Some college Two-year or tech degree Four year college degree Post graduate degree

MAR. What is your CURRENT marital statusare you single, married, separated, divorced, or a widower? 18% 65% 1% 6% 10% Single, Never Married Married Separated Divorced Widow or widower

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IDEO. Politically speaking, do you consider yourself to be a liberal, a moderate, or a conservative? Liberal Aug 2012 June 2012 Feb 2012 Jan 2011 Oct 2011 Aug 2011 Mar 2011 Oct 2010 Sep 2010 Aug 2010 May 2010 Mar 2010 Feb 2010 Jan 2010 21% 25% 17% 21% 20% 24% 16% 16% 15% 19% 19% 17% 21% 19% Moderate 40% 34% 39% 39% 39% 32% 33% 37% 34% 32% 32% 35% 33% 30% Conservative 36% 36% 40% 36% 33% 37% 41% 39% 40% 40% 40% 40% 37% 42% Dont know 4% 5% 4% 4% 8% 7% 10% 8% 10% 9% 9% 8% 9% 9%

LABR. Are you or is any member of your household a member of a LABOR UNION? 19% 80% 1% Yes No Do not know

VET. Are you a military veteran? 18% 82% Yes No

Hisp. Are you Hispanic or Latino, or not? 1% 99% Yes No

RACE. Which of the following categories best describes your racial background? 93% 7% White Non-white

REL. Do you consider yourself to be Protestant, Catholic, some other religion, or not affiliated with any religion? 36% 36% 14% 14% 1% Protestant Catholic Some other religion Not affiliated with any religion Do not know

BAC. Do you consider yourself to be a born-again Christian or fundamentalist, or not? 26% 72% 2% Yes No Dont know

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WORK. Are you currently working FULL-time, PART-time, going to school, keeping house or something else? 40% 13% 4% 6% 3% 3% 31% Full-time Part-time Going to school Keeping house Unemployed Disabled Retired

INC1. And, just for statistical purposes, we need to know if your total family income is above or below $50,000 per year? 13% 12% 14% 19% 15% 22% 6% Under $25,000 $25-$35,000 $35-50,000 $50-75,000 $75-100,000 Over $100,000 Dont know

DONE. Sex of respondent: 48% 52% Male Female

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