Research

Voters Are Citing The Economy As Their Top Issue In 2012

66 Percent Of Americans Cite Economic Issues Among Their Primary Concerns. “Economic issues overshadow all others as Americans' primary concerns. Thirty-six percent say unemployment or jobs and 30% say the economy in general is the most important problem facing the United States.” (Jeffrey Jones, “Jobs, Economy Remain Dominant Concerns For Americans,” Gallup, 11/14/11)

“From A Broader Perspective, Americans Are Nearly Twice As Likely To Mention Any Economic Issue, 76%, As Any Non-Economic Issue, 39%, As The Nation's Top Problem.” (Jeffrey Jones, “Jobs, Economy Remain Dominant Concerns For Americans,” Gallup, 11/14/11)

Economic Issues Have Been Among The Top Concerns Of Voters Since February 2008. “The results are based on a Nov. 3-6 Gallup poll. The economy in general or unemployment has ranked as the No. 1 overall issue since February 2008, with unemployment leading in the last three months.” (Jeffrey Jones, “Jobs, Economy Remain Dominant Concerns For Americans,” Gallup, 11/14/11)

And That’s Not A Good Sign For Obama

“In A Perhaps Ominous Sign For Barack Obama As He Seeks Re-Election Next Year, Today's 12% Satisfaction Rating Is No Better Than When He Took Office In January 2009.” (Jeffrey Jones, “Jobs, Economy Remain Dominant Concerns For Americans,” Gallup, 11/14/11)

Only 21 Percent Of Voters Say The Next Generation Will Be Better Off Economically. “A severe crisis of national confidence grips the country. Only 21 percent believe the next generation will be better off economically than the current one. Two-thirds say it will not.” (James Hohmann, “Battleground Poll: Obama Vulnerable,” Politico, 11/13/11)

Obama May Be “Doomed By A Sagging Economy.” “If the economy does not recover and Americans remain highly dissatisfied with the state of the nation, Obama may join George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter as recent one-term presidents doomed by a sagging economy.” (Jeffrey Jones, “Jobs, Economy Remain Dominant Concerns For Americans,” Gallup, 11/14/11)

Even In The Blue Northeast, Obama Is Struggling

NEW HAMPSHIRE

“Driven Down By Economic Forces, President Barack Obama Is Running Poorly In New Hampshire, A State He Carried In 2008 And One That Has Been A Swing State In Recent Presidential Elections.” (Mike Dorning, “Obama Loses To Romney In New Hampshire Poll,” Bloomberg, 11/16/11)

“Independent Voters In The State, The Site Of The Nation’s First Presidential Primary, Have Swung Even More Strongly Against Obama.” (Mike Dorning, “Obama Loses To Romney In New Hampshire Poll,” Bloomberg, 11/16/11)

Only 40 Percent Of New Hampshire Residents Approve Of Obama, 53 Percent Disapprove, A Lower Approval Rating Than His National Average. “Just 40 percent of the state’s residents and 37 percent of its political independents now say they approve of Obama’s performance in office, with 53 percent overall disapproving. By comparison, the president’s national job-approval rating was 43 percent for the week ended Nov. 13, according to a Gallup poll.” (Mike Dorning, “Obama Loses To Romney In New Hampshire Poll,” Bloomberg, 11/16/11)

New Hampshire Residents “Are Voicing Pervasive Gloom” On The Economy, 56 Percent Saying The U.S. Is In A Recession.  “This time, its residents are voicing pervasive gloom about the economy’s prospects. Fifty-six percent say the U.S. is still in a recession and another 9 percent say the economy is faltering and will fall back into recession, the poll shows. (Mike Dorning, “Obama Loses To Romney In New Hampshire Poll,” Bloomberg, 11/16/11)

• “Only 32 Percent Say The Economy Is In A Sustainable Recovery.” (Mike Dorning, “Obama Loses To Romney In New Hampshire Poll,” Bloomberg, 11/16/11)

NEW JERSEY

Maurice Carroll, Director Of The Quinnipiac Polling Institute: “Obama’s Job Approval In Blue New Jersey In Anemic, To Say The Least.” "’President Barack Obama's job approval in blue New Jersey is anemic, to say the least, but he's doing better than the other guys, and that's what counts. Let's see what shapes up once the Republicans rally around one candidate,’ Carroll said.” (Quinnipiac Polling Institute, 1,788 RV, MoE 2.3%, 11/9 – 14/11)

Only 37 Percent Of New Jersey Independent Voters Approve Of Obama’s Job Performance As President, Compared To 54 Percent Who Disapprove. (Quinnipiac Polling Institute, 1,788 RV, MoE 2.3%, 11/9 – 14/11)

• 51 Percent Of Independents Say They Have An “Unfavorable” Opinion Of Obama, Compared To 43 Percent Who Say They Have “Favorable Opinion. (Quinnipiac Polling Institute, 1,788 RV, MoE 2.3%, 11/9 – 14/11)

Among Suburban New Jersey Voters, Just 46 Approve Of Obama’s Job Performance. (Quinnipiac Polling Institute, 1,788 RV, MoE 2.3%, 11/9 – 14/11)