Winthrop Poll of 11 Southern States: Health Care Reform

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NOTE: PERCENTAGES MAY NOT SUM TO 100% DUE TO ROUNDING

 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president of the United States?

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Approve      47.4%     78.7%     15.9%          43.4%  

  Disapprove   42.2%     12.9%     74.7%          46.3%  

  Not Sure     9.9%      8.1%      9.4%           9.5%  

  Refused      .6%       .4%       .0%            .8% 

 

 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling healthcare policy?

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Approve      37.0%     63.4%     7.7%           36.1%  

  Disapprove   50.9%     21.2%     87.6%          50.6%  

  Not Sure     11.4%     15.0%     4.3%           12.4%  

  Refused      .7%       .4%       .4%            .8% 

 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Approve      38.0%     57.1%     22.2%          34.3%  

  Disapprove   47.9%     27.1%     69.2%          54.5%  

  Not Sure     13.2%     15.4%     7.3%           9.9%  

  Refused      .9%       .4%       1.3%           1.2% 

 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way the United States Congress is handling its job?

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Approve      18.4%     26.4%     8.5%           16.5%  

  Disapprove   69.5%     58.6%     82.1%          73.6%  

  Not Sure     11.7%     14.3%     9.4%           9.5%  

  Refused      .4%       .7%       .0%            .4% 

 

Regardless of how you voted in the 2008 presidential election, are you still happy with your vote choice?

 

 

               Obama Voters   McCain Voters  

  Yes          92.5%          87.5%  

  No           3.6%           9.0%  

  Not Sure      3.6%           2.9%  

  Refused      .3%            .6% 

 

Thinking about the current path that our nation is taking, do you think our country is on the right track or headed in the wrong direction?

 

 

                    All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Right Track       35.1%     62.3%     9.8%           31.5%  

  Wrong Direction    54.0%     23.8%     84.7%          57.7%  

  Not Sure           10.7%     13.6%     5.5%           10.4%  

  Refused            .2%       .4%       .0%            .4% 

 

Is your opinion of Michelle Obama favorable, not favorable, or undecided?

 

 

                     All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Favorable          53.2%     77.7%     26.2%          55.4%  

  Not Favorable      13.4%     3.6%      21.9%          16.5%  

  Undecided          32.4%     18.2%     51.1%          26.9%  

  Refused            1.0%      .4%       .9%            1.2% 

 

In 2010, all members of the U.S. House of Representatives are up for reelection and one-third of the members of the U.S. Senate are up for reelection.  Which of the following comes closest to your opinion: [ANSWERS ROTATED]

 

"I would rather have a Republican-controlled Congress to serve as a check on President ObamaÕs agenda"

 

OR

 

"I would rather have a Democratic-controlled Congress to help with President ObamaÕs agenda"

 

                          All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Republican Congress     44.5%     10.6%     90.2%          42.1%  

  Democratic Congress     39.6%     79.1%     3.0%           36.8%  

  Not Sure                13.1%     8.4%      5.6%           16.9%  

  Refused                 2.8%      1.8%      1.3%           4.1% 

 

Regardless of whether the president is a Republican or Democrat, I want you to tell me which of the following comes closest to your beliefs: [ANSWERS ROTATED]

 

It is better to have Congress controlled by the same party as the president because it helps things run smoother and more efficiently.

 

OR

 

It is better to have Congress controlled by a different party than the president because this serves as a check on extremes.

 

 

                     All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Same Party         36.9%     59.9%     18.7%          31.8%  

  Different Party    44.2%     22.4%     65.1%          51.0%  

  Not Sure          16.8%     16.2%     13.6%          15.9%   

  Refused            2.0%      1.5%      2.6%           1.3% 

 

As you may know, Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Do you approve or disapprove of Barack Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize?

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Approve      39.7%     69.7%     12.8%          35.1%  

  Disapprove   48.1%     21.2%     77.4%          50.0%  

  Not Sure      11.5%     8.8%      9.0%           13.2%  

  Refused      .7%       .4%       .9%            1.7% 

 

Whether you approve or disapprove, do you think Barack Obama deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Yes          34.5%     63.0%     9.4%           26.4%  

  No           54.9%     26.0%     83.7%          62.4%  

  Not Sure      9.8%      10.6%     6.4%           10.3%  

  Refused      .8%       .4%       .4%            .8% 

 

IÕd like to ask more about your opinion of Barack Obama. For each of the following, tell me which statement comes closest to your opinion.

 

Would you say Barack Obama is a good communicator or NOT a good communicator?

 

 

                               All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  A Good Communicator          84.4%     94.9%     75.2%          86.0%  

  Not a Good Communicator      12.8%     3.7%      20.1%          11.6%  

  Not Sure                     2.6%      1.5%      4.3%           2.5%  

  Refused                      .2%       .0%       .4%            .0% 

 

Would you say Barack Obama is warm and friendly or cold and aloof?

 

 

                     All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Warm and Friendly  76.0%     91.6%     63.7%          72.7%   

  Cold and Aloof     12.5%     3.3%      19.2%          15.3%  

  Not Sure          11.0%     5.1%      16.7%          10.7%  

  Refused           .6%       .0%       .4%            1.2% 

 

Would you say Barack Obama is trustworthy or untrustworthy?

 

 

                     All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Trustworthy        54.4%     86.8%     21.4%          54.1%  

  Untrustworthy      36.2%     9.2%      65.0%          39.3%  

  Not Sure          8.6%      4.0%      11.5           6.6%  

  Refused            .8%       .0%       2.1%           .0% 

 

Would you say Barack Obama cares about people like me or does NOT care about people like me?

 

 

                                         All       Democrat  Republican           Independent

  Cares About People Like Me             61.5%     87.2%     36.3%                58.9%  

  Does Not Care About People Like Me     30.6%     8.8%      53.8%                33.2%  

  Not Sure                               7.3%      4.0%      8.5%                 7.5%  

  Refused                                .6%       .0%       1.3%                 .4% 

 

 

  White Males  

  Cares About People Like Me             51.3%  

  Does Not Care About People Like Me     43.3%  

  Not Sure                               5.0%  

  Refused                                .4% 

 

Barack Obama has traveled to more foreign countries in his first year in office than any previous U.S. president topping the record set by President Gerald Ford and the first President Bush.  Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion: [ANSWERS ROTATED]

 

It is important for President Obama to travel internationally in order to repair relationships with foreign nations and restore our standing in the world.

 

OR

 

President Obama should spend less time traveling abroad and instead focus on problems at home.           

 

 

                               All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Important to Travel          44.6%     67.4%     19.7%          46.3%    

  Focus on Problems at Home   49.8%     26.7%     74.4%          50.0%    

  Not Sure                     4.9%      5.5%      5.6%           3.3%

  Refused                      .7%       .4%       .4%            .4% 

 

 

What do you think is the most important problem facing the country today?  ANSWERS REFLECT THE TOP FIVE RESPONSES GIVEN FOR ÒALL,Ó ÒDEMOCRAT,Ó ÒREPUBLICANÓ AND ÒINDEPENDENTÓ CATEGORIES

 

 

               All                 Democrat            Republican           Independent  

               Economy 39.4%       Economy 35.5%       Economy 39.1%        Economy 45.6% 

               Healthcare 12.8%     Unemployment 15.0%   Healthcare 14.0%     Healthcare 12.9%    

               Unemployment 12.1%   Healthcare 13.9%     Unemployment 11.1%   Unemployment 9.5%   

               War 6.2%             War 8.8%             Politicians/ Government 7.2%   War7.0%  

     Politicians/Government 4.7%    Politicians/ Government 3.7%   War (Iraq, Afghanistan, and in general) 3.9% Politicians/ Government 4.6% 

 

How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good, fairly good, fairly bad or very bad?

 

 

                    All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Very Good         .8%       1.5%      .9%            .4% 

  Fairly Good       17.1%     23.0%     13.7%          15.7%    

  Fairly Bad        43.6%     44.9%     46.4%          42.6%    

  Very Bad           37.5%     28.8%     39.1%          40.9%    

  Don't Know/Refused .9%       1.8%      .0%            .4% 

 

Right now, do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Getting Better          46.5%     64.1%     34.0%          45.9%    

  Getting Worse           42.1%     24.2%     55.3%          45.5%    

  DonÕt Know/ Refused     11.4%     11.7%     10.6%          8.7% 

 

In the past week, have you, personally, worried about either you or a family member getting the Swine Flu?

 

 

          All  

  Yes     44.2%    

  No      55.5%    

  Refused .3% 

 

Have you gotten, or do you intend to get a Swine Flu vaccine this year?

 

 

          All  

  Yes     39.1%    

  No      58.1%    

  Refused 2.9% 

 

Has your child had, or do you intend for your child to get, a Swine Flu vaccine this year? [among parents with child under 18 living at home]

 

 

          All  

  Yes     53.2%    

  No      43.8%    

  Refused 3.0% 

 

Have you kept your child home from school, pre-school, or daycare out of concern over Swine Flu even though they were not ill? [among parents with child under 18 living at home]

 

 

          All  

  Yes     10.4%    

  No      88.4%    

  Refused 1.2% 

 

I am going to read several items.  For each item, tell me how much blame do you think that item deserves for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?

 

How much blame do you think Banks and other financial institutions, for taking unnecessary risks deserve for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?

 

 

All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Great Deal             47.8%     52.6%     45.7%          48.3%    

  Good Amount            24.1%     22.4%     26.1%          24.2%    

  Only Some              15.7%     12.9%     13.2%          19.2%    

  Hardly Any             7.6%      7.4%      11.1%          3.8%

  None [Volunteered]      1.4%      1.8%      .4%            2.1%

  Not Sure [Volunteered]  .2%       .4%       .4%            .0% 

  Refused                 3.2%      2.6%      3.0%           2.5% 

 

How much blame do you think the Bush administration, for inadequate regulation of the financial industry deserves for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Great Deal             39.1%     65.2%     10.7%          38.2%    

  Good Amount            23.7%     17.9%     33.9%          20.7%    

  Only Some              23.1%     7.7%      36.9%          30.3%    

  Hardly Any             8.1%      5.5%      10.7%          6.6%

  None [Volunteered]      2.6%      1.1%      3.9%           2.1%

  Not Sure [Volunteered]  2.1%      1.5%      2.1%           .4% 

  Refused                 1.2%      1.1%      1.7%           1.7%  

 

How much blame do you think large business corporations, for poor management decisions deserve for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Great Deal              46.8%     53.3%     43.6%          41.7%    

  Good Amount             27.5%     26.3%     26.9%          32.2%    

  Only Some               15.0%     12.0%     18.8%          15.3%    

  Hardly Any              5.9%      5.5%      7.7%           5.4%

  None [Volunteered]      .7%       .4%       .0%            1.2%

  Not Sure [Volunteered]  1.9%      1.5%      .9%            .8% 

  Refused                 2.1%      1.1%      2.1%           3.3% 

 

How much blame do you think Consumers, for taking on too much debt deserve for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Great Deal             42.5%     40.7%     44.4%          46.5%    

  Good Amount            31.3%     31.1%     33.3%          28.6%    

  Only Some              16.6%     17.6%     15.4%          18.7%    

  Hardly Any             5.3%      6.2%      3.4% 2         .5% 

  None [Volunteered]      .7%       1.1%      .4%            .0% 

  Not Sure [Volunteered]  2.0%      2.2%      1.7%           1.2%

  Refused                 1.6%      1.1%      1.3%           2.5% 

 

How much blame do you think the Obama administration, for not doing enough to turn the economy around deserves for the country's economic situation - a great deal, a good amount, only some or hardly any?

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Great Deal              17.9%     8.1%      24.6%          21.5%    

  Good Amount             16.8%     10.3%     20.8%          17.4%    

  Only Some               24.1%     25.3%     29.7%          20.2%    

  Hardly Any              27.2%     39.9%     16.9%          26.0%    

  None [Volunteered]      10.0%     13.2%     3.8%           12.8%    

  Not Sure [Volunteered]  2.8%      2.2%      3.0%           .8% 

  Refused                 1.2%      1.1%      1.3%           1.2% 

 

How concerned are you about the possibility of losing your job in the next year? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all concerned... [among those currently employed]

 

 

                    All       Democrat  Republican^t^tIndependent

  Very Concerned          16.2%     13.6%     12.5%     18.6%    

  Somewhat Concerned   21.7%   22.0%     21.3%     21.4%    

  Not Very Concerned   20.7%   22.0%     22.8%     22.8%    

  Not at All Concerned   41.1% 42.4%     42.6%     37.2%    

  Don't Know/ Refused   .2%    .0%  .7%  .0% 

 

Would you advise your member of Congress to vote for or against the healthcare reform bill currently before Congress, or do you not have an opinion?

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Vote For     31.5%     55.7%     8.6%           31.5%    

  Vote Against 42.2%     13.2%     75.5%          43.6%    

  No Opinion   25.2%     31.1%     15.5%          23.7%    

  Refused      1.1%      .0%       .4%            1.2% 

 

Do you think you currently lean toward advising your member of Congress to vote FOR the bill or AGAINST the bill, or do you currently lean in neither direction? [Among those reporting Òno opinionÓ above]

 

 

               All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Lean For     23.6%     40.0%     8.6%           14.3%    

  Lean Against 4.8%      .0%       8.6%           10.7%    

  Neither      71.5%     60.0%     82.9%          75.0% 

 

As you may know, the federal government has taken many steps to deal with problems in the economy in the past year.  Please tell me whether, in general, you favor or oppose the government doing each of the following.

 

Funding new government programs to help create jobs

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican      Independent

  Favor                  71.6%     94.5%     53.4%          68.9%    

  Oppose                 23.8%     2.9%      40.6%          28.6%    

  Not Sure/ Don't Know    4.4%      2.6%      5.1%           2.5%

  Refused                .2%       .0%       .9%            .0% 

 

Giving aid to states in serious financial trouble

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Favor                  62.7%     80.6%     50.9%          63.6%    

  Oppose                  31.5%     14.3%     44.0%          31.8%    

  Not Sure/ Don't Know    5.7%      5.1%      5.1%           4.5%

  Refused                 .1%       .0%       .0%            .0% 

 

Giving aid to homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Favor                  53.5%     76.3%     36.3%     48.3%    

  Oppose                  37.5%     16.4%     56.8%     39.7%    

  Not Sure/ Don't Know    8.7%      7.3%      6.8%      12.0%    

  Refused                 .3%       .0%       .0%       .0% 

 

Giving aid to U.S. banks and financial companies in danger of failing

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican     Independent

  Favor                   28.1%     39.4%     16.3%          28.1%    

  Oppose                  63.2%     50.0%     78.5%          62.4%    

  Not Sure/ Don't Know    8.6%      10.2%     5.2%           9.5%

  Refused                 .1%       .4%       .0%            .0% 

 

How satisfied are you with the QUALITY of healthcare available to you and your family?  Would you say you are very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

 

 

      All  

  Very Satisfied     33.8%    

  Satisfied          42.4%    

  Dissatisfied       11.7%    

  Very Dissatisfied  9.3%

  Not Sure           2.5%

  Refused            .2% 

 

How satisfied are you with the COST of healthcare available to you and your family?  Would you say you are very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

 

 

      All  

  Very Satisfied     17.7%    

  Satisfied          34.8%    

  Dissatisfied       24.7%    

  Very Dissatisfied  20.4%    

  Not Sure           2.3%

  Refused            .1% 

 

IÕd like to ask about your health insurance.  Do you currently have private health insurance either through your job or that you purchase yourself, receive health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, or do you not currently have health insurance?

 

 

                     All  

  Private            61.9%    

  Medicare/ Medicaid 25.0%    

  No Insurance       12.3%    

  Refused            .9% 

 

Do you believe that companies should be allowed to require employees who smoke to pay higher health insurance premiums?

 

 

          All       Smokers   Non-Smokers  

  Yes     57.6%     33.1%     63.6%    

  No      37.7%     62.0%     31.7%    

  Not Sure 4.5%      4.8%      4.5%

  Refused .2%       .0%       .1% 

 

Do you believe that companies should be allowed to require employees who are obese, or very overweight, to pay higher health insurance premiums?

 

 

          All  

  Yes     37.7%    

  No      54.2%    

  Not Sure 7.8%

  Refused .4% 

 

Have you, or a member of your immediate family ever chosen to not have a medical treatment because it was not covered by insurance?

 

 

          All  

  Yes     29.5%    

  No      69.7%    

  Not Sure .7% 

  Refused .1% 

 

Up until now, do you think the economic stimulus plan has made the economy as a whole better, not had an effect, or made it worse?

 

 

                         All       Democrat  Republican Independent

  Better                 35.0%     51.1%     19.1%     34.3%    

  No Effect              37.9%     30.3%     46.0%     38.0%    

  Worse                  20.6%     9.1%      31.1%     24.8%    

  Don't Know/ Not Sure    6.2%      8.8%      3.8%      2.9%

  Refused                 .2%       .7%       .0%       .0%