Post on 05-Apr-2018
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o They also want problem solving candidates to be inventive in coming up with new ideas(71%) and to not feel bound by pledges (67%)
PSVs are open minded with their voting decisions and less tied to party affiliationo 33% are at least somewhat likely to change their mind between now and the 2012
election vs 15% for non-PSVs
o 38% have changed their party affiliation at some point, vs 23% of non-PSVs
PROBLEM SOLVING VOTER
Problem Solving Voter is defined as:
When voting for national office, chooses candidates who are focused on solving problems rather than thecandidates who align most closely with their party affiliation
If a member of a political party, somewhat often or frequently votes for candidates outside of their partyfor national office
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
Democrats
N=348
Republicans
N=292
Independents
N=364
Problem Solving Voter 54 100 0 30 33 94
Not Problem Solving
Voter46 0 100 70 67 6
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POLITICS IN GENERAL
In general, do you believe that things in the country are headed in the right direction or are they off on the
wrong track?
Which of the following is closer to your view regarding candidates for national office?
Do you consider yourself a Democrat, a Republican, or are you an Independent?
Have you ever changed your party affiliation?
TotalN=1004
PS VotersN=537
Non-PS
VotersN=467
PS
DemocratsN=99
PS
RepublicansN=100
PS
IndependentsN=338
Right direction 35 29 42 60 15 23
Wrong track 65 71 58 40 85 77
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
I vote for political
candidates who I feel
are focused on solving
problems
81 100 59 100 100 100
I vote for political
candidates who align
most closely with my
political party
19 0 41 0 0 0
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
VotersN=467
PS
DemocratsN=99
PS
RepublicansN=100
PS
IndependentsN=338
Democrat 35 19 53 100 0 0
Republican 29 18 42 0 100 0
Independent 36 63 5 0 0 100
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Yes 31 38 23 28 34 42No 69 62 77 72 66 58
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What party did you change from?
How often do you vote for candidates for national office from a party other than your own?
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=340
PS Voters
N=220
Non-PS
Voters
N=120
PS
Democrats
N=26
PS
Republicans
N=41
PS
Independents
N=153
From Democrat
to Republican
34 21 59 11 68 13
From Democrat
to Independent20 26 8 8 0 36
From Republican
to Democrat17 17 16 71 13 8
From Republican
to Independent17 24 2 0 2 33
From
Independent to
Democrat
6 5 9 5 6 4
From
Independent toRepublican
6 7 5 5 12 6
Total
N=642
PS Voters
N=199
Non-PS
Voters
N=443
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=0
Frequently 15 38 4 41 35 0
Somewhat
often22 62 4 59 65 0
Rarely 35 0 51 0 0 0
Never 28 0 41 0 0 0
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GENERAL CANDIDATE, PARTY & ISSUES PROBE
How favorable are you towards Barack Obama?
How favorable are you towards Mitt Romney?
How favorable are you towards each of the following?
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338Favorable
(Very + Somewhat)50 48 52 87 16 44
Unfavorable
(Somewhat + Very)49 52 48 12 83 55
Very favorable 31 24 39 63 4 17
Somewhat
favorable19 24 13 24 12 27
Somewhat
unfavorable11 14 8 4 25 14
Very unfavorable 38 38 40 8 58 41
Don't know 1 1 1 1 0 1
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Favorable
(Very + Somewhat)45 46 45 24 75 44
Unfavorable
(Somewhat + Very)49 49 50 76 22 48
Very favorable 13 11 16 6 23 8
Somewhatfavorable
32 35 29 18 52 36
Somewhat
unfavorable20 23 16 30 14 24
Very unfavorable 29 26 34 46 8 24
Don't know 6 5 6 1 2 8
Showing Very +
Somewhat Favorable
Ranked by Total
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
The Republican Party 46 45 46 21 75 45
The Democratic Party 45 39 54 85 20 31
The Republican
leadership in Congress40 37 43 14 69 35
US Congress 39 39 41 52 58 29
The Democratic
leadership in Congress39 33 46 76 16 25
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If the 2012 Presidential election were held today, for whom would you vote?
For which partys candidate are you more likely to vote for in this falls Congressional elections?
How likely are you to change your mind between now and the election?
Ranked by
Total
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Mitt Romney 50 51 48 15 82 53
Barack Obama 50 49 52 85 18 47
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Democratic 39 31 49 76 6 24
Republican 36 32 39 10 77 27
Independent 18 26 8 3 7 39
Other 8 11 5 11 10 11
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Very likely 4 5 3 1 3 6
Somewhat
likely21 28 12 18 33 30
Not very likely 29 29 30 33 25 28
Not at all likely 46 38 56 47 40 35
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In 2008, for whom did you vote for President?
For which partys candidate did you vote for in the last Congressional elections in 2008?
WASHINGTON
Who do you believe is to blame for gridlock in Washington (inability for Congress to agree on a budget, etc.)?
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Democrats
Barack Obama
and Joe Biden
49 48 50 83 17 47
Republicans
John McCain
and Sarah Palin
38 37 40 12 79 33
Green Party
candidates
Ralph Nader and
Matt Gonzalez
1 2 1 1 0 2
Did not vote 9 10 6 3 3 15
Other 3 3 3 2 1 4
Ranked by
Total
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Democratic 42 36 50 75 10 32
Republican 39 37 41 11 77 35
Other 14 19 7 9 11 24
I voted fordifferent
parties for
House & Senate
5 7 2 5 3 9
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Republicans 24 24 25 48 15 19Republicans in Congress 21 21 22 33 5 21
The President 18 18 17 3 29 20
Democrats in Congress 16 15 17 1 29 16
Democrats 14 15 13 8 18 16
I believe everything is
getting done in
Washington
7 8 6 8 4 9
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Which of the following is closer to your view?
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
The best way to ensurethat things get done in
Washington would be
to elect a new group of
leadership that is
committed to solving
problems
77 82 72 64 84 86
The best way to ensure
that things get done in
Washington would be
a shift in which political
party is in power
23 18 28 36 16 14
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
I believe that
ultimately we need a
new group of leaders
who are focused on
solving problems
79 84 74 57 97 88
I believe that the
current leaders in
Washington are ableto get things done
21 16 26 43 3 12
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
The criteria have
changed, and more
voters are now looking
across party lines to
find candidates who
are focused on solvingproblems
53 60 46 56 72 57
The criteria for
choosing candidates
remains the same as it
always has been and
most voters still pick
the candidate that falls
within their own party
47 40 54 44 28 43
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Many members of Congress have taken a pledge not to raise taxes under any circumstances. Do you believe this
has hurt or helped Congresss ability to solve problems?
Many members of Congress have taken a pledge not to raise taxes under any circumstances. Do you believe this
has hurt or helped Congresss ability to solve problems?
PROBLEM SOLVING CANDIDATE DRILLDOWN
In casting your vote in the 2012 election, are you looking for someone who best represents your party or
someone who solves problems regardless of party?
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
I believe that thepledge has hurt
Congresss ability to
solve problems
68 67 69 66 68 68
I believe that the
pledge has helped
Congresss ability to
solve problems
32 33 31 34 32 32
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
I believe that the
pledge has hurt
Congresss ability to
solve problems
77 76 78 68 84 76
I believe that the
pledge has helped
Congresss ability to
solve problems
23 24 22 32 16 24
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Someone who
solves problems
regardless of
party
82 91 71 80 93 93
Someone whobest represents
my party
18 9 29 20 7 7
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How important are each of the following qualities to you in defining what a problem solving candidate needs to
do?
Do you think Washington can produce a problem-solving mentality or does that really need to come from
outside of Washington?
Which of the two Presidential candidates do you believe is more focused on solving problems in general rather
than aligning with their political party?
Showing Very
Important
Ranked by Total
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Willing to work withthose from the other
party direct to try to
find solutions
80 84 76 90 87 82
Has a strong grasp of
policy and is inventive
in coming up with new
ideas
71 71 71 73 72 70
Does not feel bound
by pledges, but willing
to look beyond them
when necessary to
solve a problem
65 67 63 65 58 70
Willing to go publicly
against own party on
some issues
59 65 50 58 69 67
Willing to back
unconventional
solutions to problems
54 54 53 54 50 56
Ranked by TotalTotal
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338A problem-solving
mentality needs to
come from outside of
Washington
62 67 57 50 67 73
Washington can
produce a problem-
solving mentality
38 33 43 50 33 27
TotalN=1004
PS VotersN=537
Non-PSVoters
N=467
PSDemocrats
N=99
PSRepublicans
N=100
PSIndependents
N=338
Mitt Romney 49 50 48 21 78 52
Barack Obama 51 50 52 79 22 48
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Which candidate do you believe is more focused on solving problems regarding tax policy rather than aligning
with their political party?
Which candidate do you believe is more focused on solving problems regarding immigration rather than aligning
with their political party?
Which candidate do you believe is more focused on solving problems regarding the budget deficit rather than
aligning with their political party?
Which candidate do you believe is more focused on solving problems regarding healthcare rather than aligning
with their political party?
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Mitt Romney 53 55 52 19 82 58
Barack Obama 47 45 48 81 18 42
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Mitt Romney 47 51 43 23 70 55
Barack Obama 53 49 57 77 30 45
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Mitt Romney 55 58 51 28 85 59
Barack Obama 45 42 49 72 15 41
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Mitt Romney 41 41 42 11 60 45
Barack Obama 59 59 58 89 40 55
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Demographics
Region
Gender
Please indicate which of the following best represents your age.
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Northeast 19 18 20 17 19 19
Midwest 24 28 20 24 21 30
South 37 36 38 34 32 38
West 19 18 21 24 27 13
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Male 47 49 44 38 50 53
Female 53 51 56 62 50 47
TotalN=1004 PS VotersN=537 Non-PS VotersN=467
PS Democrats
N=99
PS
RepublicansN=100
PS
IndependentsN=338
18-20 3 3 3 0 4 4
21-24 6 6 6 8 8 5
25-29 7 6 9 5 0 8
30-34 8 9 7 6 8 10
35-39 8 9 7 15 6 8
40-44 9 9 9 15 10 7
45-49 10 9 11 4 13 10
50-54 10 11 9 13 9 11
55-59 10 11 9 7 11 12
60-64 9 9 9 10 8 8
65-69 6 7 5 6 8 7
70-74 5 4 6 5 5 4
75+ 9 7 11 9 11 6
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What is the last grade in school you completed?
Which of the following best describes your ethnic or racial background or heritage?
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Less than high
school5 5 5 2 1 7
High school
graduate22 21 23 34 19 18
Some college 25 26 23 20 31 27
College graduate(Associates or
Bachelors degree)
33 31 34 25 34 33
Graduate school 15 16 14 20 14 15
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
White, Caucasian,
European, European-American
76 75 78 58 80 78
Black, African-
American, Caribbean,
African, Caribbean-
American
10 9 12 20 1 7
Hispanic, Latino, Latin
American8 10 6 18 10 7
Asian-American,
Asian, Pacific Islander3 4 2 3 7 3
Other 3 3 3 2 3 4
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Do you consider yourself liberal, centrist, or conservative?
For statistical purposes only, we need to know your total family income for 2011. Will you please tell me which
of the following categories best represents your total family income?
Total
N=1004
PS Voters
N=537
Non-PS
Voters
N=467
PS
Democrats
N=99
PS
Republicans
N=100
PS
Independents
N=338
Liberal 29 25 34 41 15 22
Centrist 17 21 12 14 12 26
Conservative 49 49 49 43 70 44
Don't know 5 5 5 2 3 7
TotalN=1004
PS VotersN=537
Non-PSVoters
N=467
PSDemocrats
N=99
PSRepublicans
N=100
PSIndependents
N=338
Less than $20,000 13 13 14 12 12 14
$20,000-$34,999 13 14 12 20 13 13
$35,000-$49,999 15 16 14 19 11 16
$50,000-$74,999 16 17 16 13 20 17
$75,000-$99,999 14 12 16 13 13 12
$100,000-
$150,00012 12 13 9 11 13
$150,000+ 8 10 6 9 14 9
Don't
know/refused8 7 9 4 6 8
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METHODOLOGY
PSB conducted a phone poll among 1,004 registered voters in the United States. This survey fielded June
4th-June 11th, 2012. The margin of error was 3.1%.
Random Digit Dialing (RDD) telephone samples were used to survey a representative sample of the US
voting population.
Penn, Schoen & Berland used the Genesys system to produce RDD numbers for US dialing.o Area codes and exchanges were determined for an area based on various geographic or
demographic criteria.
o After this, the final 4 digits of the phone number were randomly created.o Demographics were based on US Census data and PRIZM cluster categorization,
updated quarterly along with geographic exchange information.
o Cell phone only exchanges were excluded from the generation since they dont followregular geographic regulations. Removing these does not significantly affect results.
In analyzing the survey data we employed statistical weighting techniques to compensate for any
remaining variance from demographic or other targeted sampling parameters since RDD calls cannot be
highly targeted based on demographic variables