This Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted by telephone March 3-6, 2016, among a
random national sample of 1,000 adults, including landline and cell phone respondents.
Results have a 3.5 point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by
Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
(Full methodological details and sampling error margins for subgroups appended at the
end.)
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as
president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?

3/6/16
1/24/16
12/13/15
11/19/15
10/18/15
9/10/15
7/19/15
5/31/15
3/29/15
1/15/15
12/14/14
10/26/14
10/12/14
9/7/14
6/1/14
4/27/14
3/2/14
1/23/14
12/15/13
11/17/13
10/20/13
9/15/13
7/21/13
5/19/13
4/14/13
3/10/13
1/13/13
12/16/12
11/4/12
11/3/12
11/2/12
11/1/12
10/31/12
10/30/12
10/29/12
10/28/12
10/27/12
10/26/12
10/25/12
10/24/12
10/23/12
10/22/12
10/21/12
10/13/12
9/29/12
9/9/12
8/25/12
7/8/12

RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV

-------- Approve -------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
51
31
20
50
31
18
45
24
22
46
24
22
51
28
23
49
27
22
45
26
20
45
22
23
47
26
21
50
24
26
41
21
20
43
21
22
40
20
20
42
24
18
46
23
23
41
23
19
46
25
22
46
23
23
43
23
20
42
22
21
48
28
20
47
25
22
49
25
24
51
32
20
50
27
23
50
29
21
55
32
23
54
33
21
52
33
10
51
33
10
51
32
11
50
31
11
50
30
11
50
28
12
50
28
11
51
28
11
50
28
11
51
29
10
50
29
9
50
29
10
50
29
21
50
30
20
51
31
20
50
30
21
50
26
24
49
29
20
50
27
23
47
24
24

------- Disapprove -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
43
11
33
46
11
36
51
12
39
50
10
40
45
10
35
46
9
37
50
13
37
49
11
38
47
11
36
44
9
35
54
13
41
51
12
39
51
12
39
51
12
39
51
14
37
52
12
40
50
12
38
50
9
41
55
14
41
55
11
44
49
10
39
47
11
37
44
12
32
44
10
33
45
10
35
46
11
36
41
8
33
42
9
32
46
10
36
47
10
37
47
11
36
48
11
37
48
11
37
48
12
37
48
11
36
46
11
36
46
11
36
46
10
36
47
9
37
48
10
38
47
9
37
47
10
38
47
10
37
44
10
34
46
12
34
45
11
35
46
13
33
49
15
34

No
opinion
6
4
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
6
5
6
8
6
3
6
3
4
3
3
3
6
7
5
5
4
4
5
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
6
4
6
4
4

 5/20/12
47
26
21
4/8/12
50
30
20
3/10/12
46
28
18
2/4/12
50
29
22
1/15/12
48
25
23
12/18/11
49
25
24
11/3/11
44
22
22
10/2/11
42
21
21
9/1/11
43
21
22
8/9/11*
44
18
26
7/17/11
47
25
22
6/5/11
47
27
20
5/2/11**
56
29
27
4/17/11
47
27
21
3/13/11
51
27
24
1/16/11
54
30
23
12/12/10
49
24
25
10/28/10
50
27
23
10/3/10
50
26
24
9/2/10
46
24
22
7/11/10
50
28
22
6/6/10
52
30
22
4/25/10
54
31
23
3/26/10
53
34
20
2/8/10
51
29
22
1/15/10
53
30
24
12/13/09
50
31
18
11/15/09
56
32
23
10/18/09
57
33
23
9/12/09
54
35
19
8/17/09
57
35
21
7/18/09
59
38
22
6/21/09
65
36
29
4/24/09
69
42
27
3/29/09
66
40
26
2/22/09
68
43
25
*Washington Post
**Washington Post/Pew Research Center

49
45
50
46
48
47
53
54
53
46
48
49
38
50
45
43
47
45
47
52
47
45
44
43
46
44
46
42
40
43
40
37
31
26
29
25

13
10
11
11
11
13
15
14
16
9
14
13
14
12
12
15
15
11
13
14
12
12
11
8
12
13
13
13
11
12
11
9
10
8
9
8

36
35
39
36
37
34
37
40
38
37
35
37
24
37
33
28
32
34
34
38
35
33
33
35
33
32
33
29
29
31
29
28
22
18
20
17

3
6
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
10
5
4
6
3
4
3
4
5
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
2
4
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
7

2. Compared to when he took office, do you think things overall have gotten better or
gotten worse for the country during Obama’s presidency? Have things gotten somewhat
better/worse or much better/worse?

3/6/16

------- Better -----NET
Much
Somewhat
48
24
24

------- Worse ------NET
Somewhat
Much
43
15
28

Stayed the
same (vol.)
6

No
opinion
2

3. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Who would you like to see win the Republican
nomination for president this year – (Ted Cruz), (John Kasich), (Marco Rubio), or
(Donald Trump)? Which candidate are you leaning toward?

3/6/16 RV

Cruz
25

Kasich
13

Rubio
18

Trump
34

Other
(vol.)
4

None
(vol.)
5

No
opinion
2

Compare to:
(ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) I'm going to read a list of candidates for the
Republican nomination for president in 2016. If the 2016 Republican presidential
primary or caucus in your state were being held today, for whom would you vote? Which
candidate would you lean toward?

 1/24/16 - NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Among reg voters:

Donald Trump
Ted Cruz
Marco Rubio
Ben Carson
Jeb Bush
Chris Christie
Carly Fiorina
John Kasich
Mike Huckabee
Rand Paul
Rick Santorum
Jim Gilmore
Lindsey Graham
Bobby Jindal
George Pataki
Rick Perry
Paul Ryan
Scott Walker
Other (vol.)
None of
these (vol.)
Would not
vote (vol.)
No opinion

2016
1/24
37
21
11
7
5
4
3
2
2
1
*
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1

--------------- 2015 ---------------12/13 11/19 10/18 9/19 7/31 5/31 3/29
38
32
32
33
24
4
NA
15
8
6
7
4
8
12
12
11
10
7
7
10
8
12
22
22
20
6
8
6
5
6
7
8
12
10
21
4
2
3
1
3
6
7
1
4
5
2
*
2
1
2
3
2
3
2
3
1
1
3
3
3
8
9
8
2
3
2
5
6
11
8
*
1
*
1
1
4
2
NA
NA
NA
0
NA
NA
NA
1
1
1
*
*
1
1
NA
0
0
1
2
*
1
0
*
1
*
1
1
NA
NA
NA
NA
1
4
2
1
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2
13
11
13
*
1
1
*
*
1

------ 2014 --------12/14 10/12 4/27 1/23
NA
NA
NA
NA
8
4
7
12
7
8
6
10
8
7
NA
NA
14
13
12
18
7
8
9
14
NA
NA
NA
NA
2
2
1
NA
7
12
14
NA
10
12
15
11
3
4
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
3
2
2
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
5
6
5
NA
11
9
12
18
7
2
5
NA
*
1
2
2

1

2

1

1

1

4

2

3

2

3

4

4

*
5

0
4

1
3

0
2

1
3

1
2

1
5

1
4

*
6

0
9

*
5

1
9

4. (ASK IF NOT CRUZ OR TRUMP) What if the choice was just between (Trump) and (Cruz),
who would you like to see win? Who do you lean toward?

3/6/16 RV

Trump
17

Cruz
72

Neither
(vol.)
7

No
opinion
4

Q3/Q4 NET Table among all Republican-leaning registered voters, including initial vote
support for Trump/Cruz:

3/6/16 RV

Trump
41

Cruz
54

Neither
(vol.)
3

No
opinion
2

5. (ASK IF NOT RUBIO OR TRUMP) What if the choice was just between (Trump) and
(Rubio), who would you like to see win? Who do you lean toward?

3/6/16 RV

Trump
23

Rubio
69

Neither
(vol.)
5

No
opinion
3

Q3/Q5 NET Table among all Republican-leaning registered voters, including initial vote
support for Trump/Rubio:

3/6/16 RV

Trump
45

Rubio
51

Neither
(vol.)
2

No
opinion
1

 6. (ASK IF NOT TRUMP) If Trump has the most delegates going into the Republican
Convention but not enough to win a majority on the first ballot, do you think he
should win the nomination, or do you think the convention should pick someone else
instead?

3/6/16

Should win
nomination
30

Should pick
someone else
63

No
opinion
8

3/6 NET Table based on Republican-leaning adults:

3/6/16

Support Trump/
Should win
nomination
53

Should pick
someone else
42

No
opinion
5

7. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) How would you feel with [ITEM] as the Republican
nominee for president – very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or
very dissatisfied?
3/6/16 – Summary Table

a.
b.
c.
d.

Trump
Cruz
Rubio
Kasich

------ Satisfied----NET
Very
Somewhat
51
26
24
65
22
43
62
16
46
56
18
38

---- Dissatisfied --NET
Somewhat
Very
48
15
32
33
18
15
34
19
15
33
20
12

No
opinion
1
2
4
11

8. (ASK IF NOT VERY SATISFIED WITH TRUMP) Do you support or oppose efforts by some
leaders of the Republican Party to try to prevent Trump from becoming the Republican
nominee for president? Do you feel that way strongly, or somewhat?

3/6/16

-------- Support -------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
43
27
16

-------- Oppose --------NET
Somewhat
Strongly
51
20
31

No
opinion
6

Q7/8 NET Table:

3/6/16

Support
efforts
32

----------Oppose efforts------------Very satisfied
Less satisfied
NET
with Trump
with Trump
64
26
38

No
opin
4

9. (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) Who would you like to see win the Democratic nomination
for president this year – (Hillary Clinton) or (Bernie Sanders)? Which candidate are
you leaning toward?
3/6/16 RV

Clinton
49

Sanders
42

Other (vol.)
2

Neither (vol.)
4

No opinion
3

Compare to:
(ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) If the 2016 Democratic presidential primary or caucus in
your state were being held today and the candidates were (Hillary Clinton), (Bernie
Sanders) and (Martin O'Malley), for whom would you vote? Which candidate would you
lean toward?
1/24/16 - NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE
Among reg voters:

 Hillary Clinton
Bernie Sanders
Martin O'Malley
Lincoln Chafee
Jim Webb
Other (vol.)
None of them (vol.)
Would not vote (vol.)
No opinion

2016
1/24
55
36
4
NA
NA
1
2
1
2

-------------- 2015 --------------12/13
11/19
10/18
9/10
7/19
59
60
64
56
68
28
34
25
28
16
5
3
2
3
2
NA
NA
*
1
1
NA
NA
2
2
5
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
5
3
2
0
1
1
1
4
1
2
4
3

10. (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) How would you feel with [ITEM] as the Democratic
nominee for president – very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or
very dissatisfied?
3/6/16 – Summary Table

a. Clinton
b. Sanders

----- Satisfied ----NET
Very
Somewhat
74
34
41
72
30
42

---- Dissatisfied --NET
Somewhat
Very
25
15
11
25
14
10

No
opinion
*
3

11. Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of [ITEM]?
1/23/14 – Summary Table

a.
b.
c.
d.

Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
Ted Cruz
Marco Rubio

------- Favorable ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
46
24
22
30
15
14
35
12
23
39
10
29

------ Unfavorable -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
52
11
41
67
11
56
51
21
30
45
23
22

Trend:
a. Hillary Clinton

3/6/16
1/10/16
11/8/15
10/11/15
8/30/15
7/12/15
5/31/15
3/29/15
1/23/14
6/23/13
1/20/13
12/2/12
4/22/12
8/22/08 RV
6/15/08
4/13/08
1/12/08
11/1/07
2/25/07
1/19/07
12/11/06

------- Favorable ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
46
24
22
48
24
24
46
23
24
47
20
26
45
21
24
52
25
26
45
24
21
49
30
20
58
32
26
61
31
30
67
35
32
66
35
30
65
33
32
52
29
23
54
26
28
44
22
23
58
32
26
50
28
22
49
25
24
54
31
23
56
27
29

------ Unfavorable -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
52
11
41
49
13
36
51
13
38
49
14
35
53
14
39
45
14
30
49
10
39
46
11
35
38
12
26
33
13
21
26
12
14
28
14
14
27
14
13
44
14
30
43
17
26
54
15
39
40
11
29
46
11
35
48
13
35
44
14
30
40
11
29

No
opinion
2
3
3
5
2
4
6
4
4
6
6
6
8
4
3
2
2
4
3
3
4

No
opinion
2
3
14
15

 5/15/06
3/5/06
6/5/05
6/1/03
9/2/99
6/6/99
3/14/99
2/14/99
11/1/98
8/21/98
8/19/98
4/4/98
1/30/98
1/19/98
3/9/97
9/4/96 RV
6/30/96
1/21/96
1/19/96
10/31/94
5/15/94
3/27/94
1/23/94
11/14/93
8/8/93
4/26/93
2/23/93
1/17/93
7/8/92
3/18/92

54
52
51
44
49
59
60
63
64
64
64
58
60
52
47
47
44
28
32
47
54
53
55
58
59
54
59
51
30
28

29
27
NA
15
NA

25
25
NA
29
NA

"

"

42
46
46
48
44
35
36
31
31
28
32
33
30
39
44
42
47
36
34
44
41
39
34
33
33
26
24
20
26
22

11
12
NA
16
NA

31
33
NA
32
NA

"

"

4
2
3
8
7
6
4
6
5
8
4
10
10
9
9
12
9
36
34
8
5
8
11
9
8
20
18
29
43
51

b. Donald Trump
------- Favorable ------------ Unfavorable -----No
NET
Strongly
Somewhat
NET
Somewhat
Strongly
opinion
3/6/16
30
15
14
67
11
56
3
1/10/16
35
17
18
62
14
48
3
11/8/15
38
16
23
59
13
46
3
9/27/15
35
14
21
60
19
41
5
8/30/15
37
16
21
59
16
43
4
7/12/15
33
14
19
61
16
45
6
5/31/15
16
7
9
71
16
55
13
12/18/11
40
12
29
48
21
27
12
1/16/00*
20
NA
NA
70
NA
NA
11
10/31/99*
18
"
"
70
"
"
12
* "Regardless of how you might vote, please tell me if you have a favorable or
unfavorable impression of Donald Trump, or perhaps you don't know enough to say."
c. Ted Cruz

3/6/16
1/10/16
11/8/15
5/31/15
3/29/15

------- Favorable ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
35
12
23
42
12
30
34
9
25
25
7
18
25
8
17

------ Unfavorable -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
51
21
30
43
19
23
44
23
21
38
13
25
45
17
29

No
opinion
14
16
23
37
30

------ Unfavorable -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
45
23
22

No
opinion
15

d. Marco Rubio

3/6/16

------- Favorable ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
39
10
29

 1/10/16
11/8/15
3/29/15
6/23/13
8/10/12
6/3/12

40
41
24
26
29
29

9
10
8
7
13
9

31
31
16
19
16
20

43
37
38
25
26
32

24
23
19
16
14
16

19
14
19
16
12
16

18
22
38
49
45
39

12. Do you think Hillary Clinton [ITEM], or not?
3/6/16 – Summary Table
a.
b.
c.
d.

is honest and trustworthy
understands the problems of people like you
has the right experience to be president
has the kind of personality and temperament
it takes to serve effectively as president

Yes
37
49
66

No
59
50
33

58

40

No opinion
4
1
1
2

Trend where available:
a. Is honest and trustworthy
3/6/16
9/10/15
5/31/15
3/29/15
6/1/14
4/13/08
5/15/06

Yes
37
39
41
46
53
39
52

No
59
56
52
46
42
58
42

No opinion
4
5
7
7
5
3
6

b. Understands the problems of people like you
3/6/16
9/10/15
5/31/15
3/29/15
6/1/14
5/15/06

Yes
49
46
49
47
54
54

No
50
51
46
48
41
43

No opinion
1
4
5
5
5
3

c. No trend
d. Has the kind of personality and temperament it takes to serve effectively as
president
3/6/16
9/10/15

Yes
58
56

No
40
41

No opinion
2
3

13. Do you think Donald Trump [ITEM], or not?
3/6/16 – Summary Table
a.
b.
c.
d.

is honest and trustworthy
understands the problems of people like you
has the right experience to be president
has the kind of personality and temperament
it takes to serve effectively as president

Yes
27
26
26

No
69
72
73

No opinion
4
2
2

25

72

3

 Trend where available:
a. Is honest and trustworthy
3/6/16
9/10/15

Yes
27
35

No
69
59

No opinion
4
6

b. Understands the problems of people like you
3/6/16
9/10/15

Yes
26
29

No
72
67

No opinion
2
4

c. No trend
d. Has the kind of personality and temperament it takes to serve effectively as
president
3/6/16
9/10/15

Yes
25
33

No
72
63

No opinion
3
4

14. Do you think Ted Cruz [ITEM], or not?
3/6/16 – Summary Table
a.
b.
c.
d.

is honest and trustworthy
understands the problems of people like you
has the right experience to be president
has the kind of personality and temperament
it takes to serve effectively as president

Yes
42
41
43

No
46
50
47

No opinion
12
9
10

43

49

9

Yes
47
43
35

No
39
48
54

No opinion
14
9
11

47

42

10

15. Do you think Marco Rubio [ITEM], or not?
3/6/16 – Summary Table
a.
b.
c.
d.

is honest and trustworthy
understands the problems of people like you
has the right experience to be president
has the kind of personality and temperament
it takes to serve effectively as president

12a-15a Summary Table:
Do you think [ITEM] is honest and trustworthy, or not?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
Ted Cruz
Marco Rubio

Yes
37
27
42
47

No
59
69
46
39

No opinion
4
4
12
14

12b-15b Summary Table:
Do you think [ITEM] understands the problems of people like you, or not?

 a.
b.
c.
d.

Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
Ted Cruz
Marco Rubio

Yes
49
26
41
43

No
50
72
50
48

No opinion
1
2
9
9

12c-15c Summary Table:
Do you think [ITEM] has the right kind of experience to be president, or not?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
Ted Cruz
Marco Rubio

Yes
66
26
43
35

No
33
73
47
54

No opinion
1
2
10
11

12d-15d Summary Table:
Do you think [ITEM] has the kind of personality and temperament it takes to serve
effectively as president, or not?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
Ted Cruz
Marco Rubio

Yes
58
25
43
47

No
40
72
49
42

No opinion
2
3
9
10

16. If the general election were being held today and the candidates were (Hillary
Clinton, the Democrat) and (Donald Trump, the Republican), for whom would you vote?
Would you lean toward (Clinton) or toward (Trump)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS

3/6/16
12/13/15
9/10/15

Clinton
50
50
46

Trump
41
44
43

Other
(vol.)
1
1
1

Neither
(vol.)
3
3
6

Would not
vote (vol.)
5
2
4

No
opinion
1
1
1

17a. (ASK IF NAMED CLINTON) Would you definitely vote for Clinton, probably vote for
her or just possibly vote for her?

3/6/16

Definitely
would
72

Probably
would
14

Possibly
would
14

No
opinion
*

17b. (ASK IF NAMED TRUMP) Would you definitely vote for Trump, probably vote for him
or just possibly vote for him?

3/6/16

Definitely
would
75

Probably
would
11

Possibly
would
13

No
opinion
1

18. Regardless of whom you support, if (Clinton) and (Trump) are the nominees for
president, who would you expect to win, (Clinton) or (Trump)?
Other

No

 3/6/16
1/24/16

Clinton
59
54

Trump
36
42

(vol.)
1
1

opinion
4
3

19. Who do you trust more to handle [ITEM] – (Clinton) or (Trump)? And who do you
trust more to handle [NEXT ITEM]?
3/6/16 – Summary Table

a.
b.
c.
d.

The economy
Terrorism
Immigration issues
An international crisis

Clinton
49
54
56
61

Both
(vol.)
*
*
*
*

Trump
45
40
37
32

Neither
(vol.)
5
4
4
5

No
opinion
1
2
2
1

Trend where available:
b. Terrorism
Clinton
Trump
3/6/16
54
40
3/29/15*
50
42
*”threat of terrorism”

Both
(vol.)
*
*

Neither
(vol.)
4
6

No
opinion
2
1

20. (HALF SAMPLE) What is the single most important issue in your choice for
president?

Economy/jobs
Income Inequality
Health care/repealing Obamacare
Morals/family values
Ethics/honesty/corruption in government
Supporting the Democrats*
Federal budget deficit
Taxes
Supporting the Republicans*
Education
Change
Environment
Immigration/illegal immigration
Leadership/strong leadership/good leader
Social Security
Supreme Court Appointments
Terrorism/national security
Abortion
Afghanistan/War in Afghanistan
Experience
Gas/oil prices/energy/ethanol
Iraq/War in Iraq
Housing/mortgages
Foreign policy
Global warming
Iran/Situation in Iran
Guns/Gun control
Stock market/Wall Street
Middle class Americans/helping the middle class
Banks/Financial institutions

2016
3/6
28
1
5
3
8
*
2
1
*
2
2
1
11
4
1
*
7
*
NA
1
*
NA
0
4
*
1
*
0
1
0

------ 2012 -----5/20
1/15
11/3
52
51
56
NA
NA
NA
7
3
4
5
3
4
4
6
7
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
*
*
1
*
*
1
*
*
1
0
2
1
1
1
1
NA
NA
NA
1
2
1
1
*
1
1
1
*
1
1
*
*
*
*
NA
1
*
0
1
*
1
1
*
0
0
0
*
*
0
*
*
0
0
0
0
1
1
NA
*
NA

 Gay marriage/gay rights
0
1
Other (SPECIFY)
11
14
No opinion
4
4
*1/15/12 and previous “the/a Republican” instead of “Romney”
*5/20/12 and previous “Beating Romney/re-electing Obama”

*
10
7

"
10
5

21. Do you think the current political system in the United States is basically
functional or basically dysfunctional? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

3/6/16
9/10/15

------- Functional------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
29
10
19
33
12
21

---- Not functional ----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
69
18
51
64
18
46

No
opinion
2
3

22. (ASK IF DYSFUNCTIONAL) Of all the candidates running for president, in either
party, who do you think would try to do the most to address that? (IF NEEDED: Who do
you think would try to do the most to address government dysfunction?)

3/6/16

Clinton
23

Cruz
9

Kasich
5

Rubio
4

Sanders
18

Trump
28

Other
(vol.)
1

None
(vol.)
4

No
opinion
5

23. Of all the candidates running for president, in either party, who do you think
would be most willing to compromise with others to get things done?

3/6/16

Clinton
41

Cruz
8

Kasich
6

Rubio
8

Sanders
14

Trump
15

Other
(vol.)
1

None
(vol.)
2

No
opinion
5

Thinking about a few specific issues…
24. There are about 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
Would you support or oppose an effort by the federal government to deport all these
undocumented immigrants and send them back to their home countries? Do you feel that
way strongly or somewhat?

3/6/16
11/19/15

-------- Support -------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
36
23
12
42
29
13

-------- Oppose --------NET
Somewhat
Strongly
61
19
42
55
21
34

No
opinion
4
2

25. Trump has proposed banning Muslims who are not U.S. citizens from entering the
United States for the time being. He says this would improve security against
terrorism. Others say security would not be improved, and it’s wrong to bar people
from the United States because of their religion. What’s your opinion – would you
support a ban on Muslims entering the United States, or do you think this would be the
wrong thing to do? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

3/6/16
12/13/15

-------- Support -------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
33
23
10
36
25
11

--- Wrong thing to do --NET
Somewhat
Strongly
63
13
50
60
12
48

No
opinion
4
4

26. All else equal, would you like the next president to be someone who has experience in how
the political system works, or someone from outside the existing political establishment?
Experience in
political system

Outside
establishment

No
opinion

 3/6/16
1/24/16
12/13/15
10/18/15

62
62
57
57

34
33
37
39

5
4
5
4

27. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best describes how you
feel about the way the federal government works. Do you feel enthusiastic, satisfied
but not enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?
----- Positive ------Enthusi- SatisNET
astic
fied
3/6/16
29
4
25
1/24/16
28
2
25
9/7/14
25
1
23
10/20/13
21
2
19
9/29/12 RV
28
4
25
2/4/12
24
2
22
11/3/11
20
2
18
7/17/11
20
2
18
6/5/11
30
3
27
10/28/10
27
4
23
10/3/10
29
4
25
9/2/10
22
2
20
7/11/10
36
4
32
6/6/10
30
2
28
4/25/10
30
4
26
2/8/10
32
3
29
10/29/03
42
2
41
11/4/02 LV
49
4
45
11/3/02 LV
50
5
45
11/2/02 LV
51
6
45
10/27/02
50
4
47
2/21/02
56
7
49
12/15/00
59
4
55
2/14/99
52
3
48
9/28/98
50
4
46
8/16/98*
41
2
39
1/19/98
46
2
43
8/27/97
34
2
33
3/17/96
29
2
27
5/14/95
48
3
45
1/4/95
29
2
27
11/6/94 RV
28
2
26
10/31/94
26
1
25
10/23/94
28
1
26
10/9/94
25
2
24
9/11/94
26
2
25
3/27/94
30
1
29
2/28/93
33
4
29
10/4/92 RV
17
1
16
7/8/92
23
1
22
6/7/92
21
1
20
4/9/92
21
1
20
3/18/92
22
1
21
3/11/92
18
1
17
*After 8/16/98: No "None/other" option

----- Negative ----DissatNET
isfied
Angry
69
48
21
71
47
24
74
49
25
78
47
32
71
44
27
75
49
26
80
49
31
80
54
25
69
44
25
72
51
21
71
46
25
78
52
25
64
43
21
69
45
25
69
51
18
67
48
19
57
42
15
50
41
9
49
40
9
49
40
9
49
42
7
43
36
7
39
34
6
47
35
12
49
36
12
57
46
11
53
45
8
64
52
11
70
54
16
50
41
9
69
53
16
70
49
21
73
55
18
71
52
20
72
53
19
73
53
20
68
48
20
66
50
16
81
56
25
76
53
23
79
58
21
79
55
24
77
54
23
80
60
20
recorded.

None/
Other
NA

"
1
2
NA
"
*
1
1
*
2
NA
1
*
1
*
*
1
1
1

No
opinion
2
1
1
*
1
*
*
1
1
1
*
*
1
1
1
*
*
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
*
1
*
1
1
1
1
*
*
*
1
*
1
1
1
*
*
1

On another subject
28. Would you describe yourself as working class, middle class, upper middle class, or
better off than that?

 Worse off than
work. class (vol.)
3/6/16
2
5/20/12
2
4/8/12
2
3/2/10*
2
*ABC News

Working
class
36
32
33
36

Mid.
class
44
50
44
45

Upper
mid. class
14
13
15
11

Better off
than that
3
2
3
3

No
opin.
1
1
2
2

29. (IF WORKING CLASS, MIDDLE CLASS OR UPPER MIDDLE CLASS) Would you say you are
struggling to remain in the (working/middle/upper middle) class, comfortable in the
(working/middle/upper middle) class, or moving up beyond the (working/middle/upper
middle) class?

3/6/16
5/20/12

Struggling
to remain
34
42

Working class:
3/6/16
37
5/20/12
52
Middle class:
3/6/16
5/20/12
4/8/12
3/2/10*
*ABC News

36
39
36
41

Upper middle class:
3/6/16
24
5/20/12
33

Comfortable
in current class
49
47

Moving up
beyond current class
14
9

No
opinion
2
1

44
32

16
13

4
3

48
53
58
52

16
7
5
6

1
1
1
*

68
62

7
5

1
1

28/29 NET:
Worse off than working class (vol.)
NET Working class
Struggling to remain
Comfortable
Moving up
No opinion
NET Middle class
Struggling to remain

3/6/16
2
36
13
16
6
2
44
16

5/20/12
2
32
17
10
4
1
50
19

Changing topics
30. The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has opened a seat on the U.S.
Supreme Court. After Obama nominates someone to replace Scalia, do you think the
Senate should (hold hearings and vote on whether to accept the nomination), or should
the Senate (NOT hold hearings, which would block the nomination and leave it to the
next president)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

3/6/16

-- Should hold hearings NET
Strongly
Somewhat
63
44
19

--- Not hold hearings --NET
Somewhat
Strongly
32
6
25

No
opinion
5

31. On a different subject, all else equal do you think it’s more important for a
child: [ITEM]? How about [NEXT ITEM]?
a. (To be independent) or (to have respect for elders)

 3/6/16

Independent
17

Respect
67

Both
(vol.)
16

Neither
(vol.)
0

No
opinion
*

b. (To be curious) or (to have good manners)

3/6/16

Curious
33

Good
manners
49

Both
(vol.)
18

Neither
(vol.)
0

No
opinion
*

c. (To be obedient) or (to be self-reliant)

3/6/16

Obedient
37

Both
(vol.)
14

Self-reliant
48

Neither
(vol.)
*

No
opinion
1

d. (To be considerate) or (to be well behaved)

3/6/16

Considerate
46

Well
behaved
34

Both
(vol.)
19

Neither
(vol.)
*

No
opinion
*

32. Which of these do you think is the bigger problem in this country – (blacks and
Hispanics losing out because of preferences for whites), or (whites losing out because
of preferences for blacks and Hispanics)? Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

3/6/16

-- Blacks and Hispanics NET
Strongly
Somewhat
40
22
19

-------- Whites --------NET
Somewhat
Strongly
28
13
15

Both
(vol.)
10

Neither
(vol.)
12

Party ID. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as (a Democrat), (a
Republican), an independent or what?

3/6/16
1/24/16
12/13/15
11/19/15
10/18/15
9/10/15
7/19/15
5/31/15
3/29/15
1/15/15
12/14/14
10/26/14
10/12/14
9/7/14

Democrat
34
34
33
33
30
33
30
30
30
30
26
32
31
33

Republican
25
23
23
23
24
22
21
22
22
24
23
24
24
23

Independent
32
34
34
36
39
35
39
36
38
37
41
36
36
38

Other (vol.)
5
5
5
4
4
5
7
6
7
6
7
5
6
4

No opinion
5
4
5
4
2
4
4
6
3
3
3
3
3
2

***END***
METHODOLOGICAL DETAILS
This poll was jointly sponsored and funded by The Washington Post and ABC News. The
poll is a random sample of the continental United States, not including Alaska and
Hawaii, with interviews in English and Spanish.

No
op.
10

 This questionnaire was administered with the exact questions in the exact order as
appears in this document, other than the voter registration which was asked after
question 2 and party identification after that. Demographics and religious identity
questions are not shown. If a question was asked of a reduced base of the sample, a
parenthetical preceding the question identifies the group asked. Phrases surrounded by
parentheticals within questions indicate clauses that were randomly rotated for
respondents. Results preceded by “RV” indicate results among registered voters.
A dual frame landline and cellular phone telephone sample was generated using Random
Digit Dialing procedures. Interviewers called landlines cellular phone numbers, first
requesting to speak with the youngest adult male or female at home. The final sample
included 350 interviews completed on landlines and 650 interviews completed via
cellular phones, including 398 interviews with adults in cell phone-only households.
This survey uses statistical weighting procedures to account for deviations in the
survey sample from known population characteristics, which helps correct for
differential survey participation and random variation in samples. The overall adult
sample is weighted to correct for differential probabilities of selection among
individuals who are landline-only, cell phone-only or dual users. Results are also
weighted match the demographic makeup of the population by sex, region, age, education
and race/ethnicity according to the latest Current Population Survey March Social and
Economic Supplement by age, race/ethnicity, sex and education.
All error margins have been adjusted to account for the survey’s design effect, which
is 1.28 for this survey. The design effect is a factor representing the survey’s
deviation from a simple random sample, and takes into account decreases in precision
due to sample design and weighting procedures. Surveys that do not incorporate a
design effect overstate their precision.
Group
All adults
Registered voters
Leaned Democrats
Leaned Republicans
Registered Leaned Dems
Registered Leaned Reps

Unweighted
sample size
1,000
864
430
433
356
400

Error margin
+/- 3.5 points
4
5.5
5.5
6
5.5

The Washington Post is a charter member of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, which
recognizes organizations that disclose key methodological details on the research they
produce.
Contact polls@washpost.com for further information about how The Washington Post
conducts polls.