Bloomberg National Poll

SELZER & COMPANY Study #1999

1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and over October 7-10, 2010
Margin of Error: ± 3.1 percentage points Weighted by age and race

Includes 721 likely voters

Margin of Error for likely voters: ± 3.7 percentage points

Methodology

October 13 (Bloomberg) -- The Bloomberg National Poll, conducted October 7-10 for Bloomberg News
by Selzer & Co. Inc. of Des Moines, IA, is based on interviews with 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 or older, of
whom 721 qualified as likely voters in the 2010 general election.

Interviewers contacted households with randomly selected landline and cell phone telephone numbers.
Percentages based on the full sample of 1,000 U.S. adults may have a maximum margin of error of plus or
minus 3.1 percentage points. Many questions are reported based on likely voters only. Percentages based
on the subsample of 721 likely voters may have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.7
percentage points.

Responses were weighted by age and race to reflect the general population based on recent census data.
Results based on smaller samples of respondents—such as by gender or age—have a larger margin of
error. Republishing the copyrighted Bloomberg National Poll without credit to Bloomberg News is
prohibited.

Poll Questions

In general, do you think things in the nation are headed in the right direction, or have they gotten off on
the wrong track? (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general
election; n=721.)

31 Right direction
64 Wrong track
5 Not sure

Which of the following do you see as the most important issue facing the country right now? (Read list.
Rotate.) (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)
Sorted.
49 Unemployment and jobs
27 The federal deficit and government spending
10 Health care
7 The war in Afghanistan
5 Immigration
1 Other (VOL) (specify:)
1 Not sure
Which of the following best describes your view of your economic situation compared to the
beginning of 2009? (Based on all adults in the survey, n = 1,000.)
25 Things have improved for me recently
34 Things have not improved, but I know things will get better
12 Things are worse
22 I’m mad at how bad things are and do not expect things will not get better anytime soon
7 Not sure

Thinking about your future, how confident are you in each of the following—very confident, fairly
confident, just somewhat confident, or not confident? If this does not apply to you, just say so. (Rotate
list.) (Based on all adults in the survey, n = 1,000.)
Just
Very Fairly Somewhat Not Does not
Confident Confident Confident Confident Apply Not sure

You will have enough money 19 20 16 39 4 2

in retirement
You will not have to keep 19 15 12 37 16 1
working beyond the age you
want to retire
(Asked only of those <age 65; 7 11 17 57 6 2
n=621) Social Security and
Medicare will pay you
benefits equivalent to what
seniors get today
The children in your life will 22 15 18 33 11 1
have a better life than you
have
The U.S. avoided what many experts said could have been a major economic collapse in 2008 and there
are signs of recovery, though unemployment remains high and many people are still struggling. For
each of the following people and institutions, I’d like you to tell me if you think they did more to help or
more to hurt the U.S. economy. Just answer “helped” or “hurt.” If you don’t know enough to answer,
just say so. (Read list. Rotate.)
Helped Hurt Not sure

Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Likely voters 33 34 33

Reserve U.S. adults 29 31 40
Timothy Geithner, the secretary of the Treasury Likely voters 23 40 37
U.S. adults 20 34 46
President Barack Obama Likely voters 45 47 8
U.S. adults 44 45 11
Former President George W. Bush Likely voters 24 66 10
U.S. adults 22 66 12
Wall Street financial firms and banks Likely voters 6 82 12
U.S. adults 8 78 14
The Democrats in Congress Likely voters 33 53 14
U.S. adults 34 47 19
The Republicans in Congress Likely voters 25 57 18
U.S. adults 23 54 23
The mortgage industry Likely voters 6 88 6
U.S. adults 7 83 10

Which of the following best describes your attitude toward the federal budget deficit? (Read list.)
Likely U.S.
voters adults
55 53 It is dangerously out of control and threatens our economic future
39 40 It is a manageable burden that will require some sacrifice down the road
4 4 It will cause no lasting harm
2 3 Not sure

A few weeks ago, the Republicans in Congress issued a platform for the midterm elections called
the Pledge to America. It calls for cutting taxes and reducing some government spending,
excluding Social Security, Medicare, and defense. Do you think this plan is a good idea or a bad
idea? (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election;
n=721.)

48 Good idea
39 Bad idea
13 Not sure
To reduce the budget deficit, spending cuts or changes to major government programs may be
required. In that context, please tell me for each of the following if you think this approach should
be strongly considered, just considered, or taken off the table. (Read list. Rotate.)
Strongly Taken off
Considered Considered Table Not Sure

On Social Security, remove the cap so Likely voters 31 41 22 6

that wages over $107,000 a year are U.S. adults 30 42 21 7
subject to the tax
Allow the income tax rate for the Likely voters 36 29 30 5
highest income earners to go back up U.S. adults 33 32 28 7
to where it was 10 years ago
Raise the income tax rate on middle- Likely voters 5 22 71 2
class Americans by 2% U.S. adults 5 23 70 2
Cut federal spending on roads, bridges Likely voters 13 37 48 2
and public transportation U.S. adults 14 37 47 2
Privatize Medicare with assistance for Likely voters 19 38 38 5
low-income seniors U.S. adults 19 39 37 5
Stop extending unemployment benefits Likely voters 21 38 38 3
beyond the usual 26 weeks to
workers who lost their jobs during U.S. adults 21 36 40 3
the recession
Privatize Social Security Likely voters 15 30 50 5
U.S. adults 13 31 48 8
Raise the age at which a person can Likely voters 14 33 50 3
start receiving Medicare benefits U.S. adults 12 33 52 3
Raise the age at which a person can Likely voters 15 34 49 2
start receiving full Social Security U.S. adults 14 33 51 2
benefits
Cut defense spending by 10%, which Likely voters 22 31 45 2
could mean closing military bases
and eliminating major weapons U.S. adults 21 28 48 3
programs
Reduce federal subsidies for college Likely voters 19 36 42 3
loans by 20% U.S. adults 19 36 42 3
Substantially reduce federal research Likely voters 17 31 51 1
funds for diseases like cancer or U.S. adults 17 31 51 1
Alzheimer’s
To address a weakening economy, the government has put in place a number of measures that may
take time to show results. For each of the following, please tell me if you think the program will
eventually lead to a stronger economy, a weaker economy, or will make no difference. (Read list.
Rotate, but D must always follow C.) (Based on all adults in the survey, n = 1,000.)
Stronger Weaker No Not
Economy Economy Difference Sure

The financial overhaul bill, which put limits on 44 21 21 14

banks
The health care bill, which set new rules for health 41 38 15 6
insurance and insured more than 30 million
Americans who did not have coverage
The Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as 24 43 21 12
TARP, which gave financial help to banks
The part of TARP that gave financial help to the 34 41 17 8
auto companies
The 2009 stimulus package that gave financial help 43 26 25 6
to state and local governments
The more recent stimulus package that gives help 61 14 19 6
to small businesses

In the past couple of years, have you done any of the following? (Based on all adults in the survey, n =
1,000.) Sorted.

54 Put off a needed major purchase, such as a large appliance or a car

54 Started doing some household chores or home repairs yourself rather than pay others to do it
54 Figured out ways to drive less often, by carpooling, taking public transportation, or just
staying home more often
49 Started using coupons
47 Changed where you shop for regular household items like groceries to save money
44 Made cuts in regular household expenses, such as cable television, telephone, or internet
service
19 Added people to your household or moved in with someone else to save on housing costs
15 None of these (VOL)
- Not sure

The U.S. Congress is considering whether to renew most or all of the Bush tax cuts that expire at
the end of December. In your view, what action would be best for the U.S. economy? (Based just on
those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)

34 Extend the tax cuts for all income levels, which is what the Republicans in Congress recommend
43 Extend the tax cuts for the middle class but not for the highest-income taxpayers, which is what
President Obama recommends
20 Let all tax cuts expire as scheduled and return rates to previous levels to help cut the deficit,
which is what former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan recommends
3 Not sure
 Turning to the war in Afghanistan, do you think the U.S. can win the war or do you think it is a lost
cause? (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)
31 Can win the war
60 It is a lost cause
9 Not sure

Turning to the health care law passed earlier this year, what is your opinion of the bill—should it be
repealed or not? (Read list.) (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the
2010 general election; n=721.)

47 It should be repealed
42 It should not be repealed
11 Not sure

Here are some of the main provisions of the health care law. For each, please tell me if you think it
should be kept or repealed. (Read list. Rotate.) (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or
have already voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)

Not
Kept Repealed Sure
Eliminates lifetime caps on how much insurance 54 41 5
companies must pay for a person’s health care
Prohibits insurance companies from denying 75 24 1
coverage based on pre-existing conditions
Sets up insurance exchanges to cover about 30 60 34 6
million Americans who are not insured now
Allows children up to age 26 to remain on their 67 32 1
parents’ policies
Requires everyone to have health insurance 45 51 4
Requires states to set up special plans so people with 78 20 2
major health problems can still get health
insurance
Adds more benefits for prescription drugs for those 73 23 4
on Medicare
Starts taxing companies that provide especially 31 62 7
generous health insurance plans

If the elections for the U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, which party’s candidate
would you vote for in your congressional district: the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate
or for some other candidate? (If not sure, ask:) Which way are you leaning—toward the Republican
candidate or the Democratic candidate or for some other candidate? (If leaning toward other, mark
Other.) (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election;
n=721.)

Democratic candidate 40
Lean Democratic candidate 2
Republican candidate 37
Lean Republican candidate 3
Other 12
Not sure 6
Here are some reasons that might affect your vote in the Congressional elections this fall. For each,
please tell me if this will make you more likely or less likely to support a particular candidate, or would
it not matter. (Read list. Rotate.) (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in
the 2010 general election; n=721.)
More Less Would not Not
Likely Likely Matter Sure

Voted to give financial assistance to the banking 22 51 25 2

industry when it was in crisis
Supports government spending to create jobs and 59 30 10 1
stimulate the economy
Has worked cooperatively with the other party 67 12 19 2
Has been an incumbent for many years 16 35 43 6
Voted to give financial assistance to the auto industry 28 45 26 1
when it was in crisis
Has the endorsement of the Tea Party 30 36 29 5
Supports changing the Constitution to prevent 34 48 15 3
children of non-citizens born in the U.S. from
automatically becoming citizens
Voted for the health care law 45 40 14 1
Supports withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, 48 34 15 3
regardless of whether conditions are getting better
or worse
Campaign was aided by advertising paid for by 9 47 41 3
anonymous business groups

If the Republicans win control of the U.S. Congress in the November elections, do you think things would
get better or worse for each of the following? (Follow with:) Would get substantially (BETTER/WORSE)
or just somewhat (BETTER/WORSE) or would things not change? (Rotate list, but “For you personally”
should always be last.) (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general
election; n=721.)

Condensed Better and Worse categories Better Worse No Change Not sure

The U.S. economy 50 36 12 2

Unemployment 45 35 16 4
The federal budget deficit 44 38 15 3
Cooperation between parties in Congress 30 45 20 5
Small businesses 54 33 10 3
Large corporations 69 13 13 5
The middle class 46 40 12 2
The wealthy 69 11 16 4
Banks 57 18 18 7
For you personally 41 29 27 3
 Do you approve or disapprove of the job Barack Obama is doing as president?
(Follow with:) Do you approve or disapprove of the job he is doing: (Rotate rest of options.)
(Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)

Approve Disapprove Not Sure

As president 47 48 5
With the economy 43 53 4
With health care 49 49 2
With the budget deficit 35 60 5
With creating jobs 42 53 5
With relations with other countries 55 38 7
With policies on trade with China 28 39 33

Now, I'd like to mention some major economic and political figures and groups. For each, please tell me if
your feelings are very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don’t
know enough to answer, just say so. (Record “don’t know” as “not sure.” Rotate list.)
Net Net Very Mostly Mostly Very Not
Favorable Unfavorable Favorable Favorable Unfavorable Unfavorable Sure
Barack Obama, President of Likely voters 53 44 25 28 18 26 3
the United States U.S. adults 55 40 25 30 18 22 5
Sarah Palin, former Likely voters 38 54 11 27 19 35 8
governor of Alaska U.S. adults 34 54 10 24 20 34 12
Glenn Beck, a Fox television Likely voters 34 40 14 20 13 27 26
personality
U.S. adults 28 37 11 17 14 23 35
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Likely voters 64 31 23 41 17 14 5
State U.S. adults 63 28 23 40 15 13 9
The Republican Party Likely voters 45 49 11 34 27 22 6
U.S. adults 42 46 11 31 27 19 12
The Democratic Party Likely voters 47 49 13 34 26 23 4
U.S. adults 47 44 14 33 25 19 9
The Tea Party Likely voters 41 43 14 27 16 27 16
U.S. adults 36 40 12 24 18 22 24
John Boehner, Republican Likely voters 29 32 8 21 16 16 39
leader of the U.S. House of
U.S. adults 26 28 7 19 14 14 46
Representatives
Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the Likely voters 34 52 10 24 15 37 14
U.S. House of
U.S. adults 31 46 9 22 16 30 23
Representatives
George W. Bush, former Likely voters 42 55 10 32 25 30 3
president of the United
U.S. adults 39 55 9 30 26 29 6
States
Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Likely voters 39 25 19 20 12 13 36
Central’s satirical newscast U.S. adults 36 22 16 20 11 11 42
Michelle Obama, the first Likely voters 62 25 29 33 13 12 13
lady U.S. adults 62 22 29 33 11 11 16
If the 2012 election for U.S. President were held today and the candidates were [Sarah Palin for the
Republicans] and [Barack Obama for the Democrats], for whom would you vote—[Sarah Palin] or
[Barack Obama], or would you likely not vote? (Alternate which candidate is read first every other
interview.) (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election;
n=721.)

51 Barack Obama
35 Sarah Palin
10 Will likely not vote
4 Not sure

At any time since 2007, have you considered yourself a supporter of Barack Obama? (If yes, ask:)
How would you describe yourself now? (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already
voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)

31 Yes, I still support him as much as I ever did

10 Yes, I still support him but not as much as before
9 Yes, some days I support him, some days I don’t
3 Yes, he disappointed me and I no longer support him
1 Yes, I am angry and now actively oppose him
45 Never supported him
1 Not sure

Do you think President Obama is too pro-business, too anti-business, or has about the right balance?
(Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)

7 Too pro-business
36 Too anti-business
47 About the right balance
10 Not sure

If the 2010 general election for Congress and other state officials were held today, would you
definitely vote, probably vote, might or might not vote, or probably not vote, or have you
already voted? (Based just on those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010
general election; n=721.)

8 Already voted
92 Definitely vote Ask b
- Probably vote
- Might or might not vote
- Probably not vote Skip to next question
- Refused/not sure

b. How important is the November election to you—is it exceptionally important, very

important, somewhat important, or not all that important to you? (Based just on those who say they
will definitely vote or have already voted in the 2010 general election; n=721.)

43 Exceptionally important
44 Very important
12 Somewhat important
1 Not all that important
- Refused/not sure