BostonGlobePoll#32.docxVIP

PAGE  Boston Globe Poll #32 MA 2012 Senate Election Prepared by: Andrew E. Smith, Ph.D. The Survey Center University of New Hampshire March 29, 2012  Contents Executive Summary A Technical Report 1 Questionnaire 2 Data Tables 15 PAGE H The Boston Globe Poll MA 2012 Senate Election Conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center March, 2012 Executive Summary I. Presidential Election Barack Obama has strong approval ratings among MA voters – 56% say they approve of the job he is doing as president, 39% disapprove, and 5% are neutral. A 46% approval rating is generally seen as the level needed for reelection and Obama well exceeds this. Democrats (89%), even moderate to conservative Democrats (82%), liberals, poor, and minorities give Obama his highest approval ratings. Republicans are most likely to disapprove (87%) and 52% of independents disapprove; residents of southeastern MA, Cape Islands are more likely to disapprove. Obama also enjoys high favorability ratings – 59% have a favorable opinion of Obama, 35% have an unfavorable opinion of him and 6% are neutral or don’t know. Obama’s favorability ratings have slowly increased over the past two years. Democrats, liberals, minorities, low income, people with post graduate educations, and people living inside 128 give Obama his highest favorability ratings. Republicans, conservatives, middle income residents, and residents of southeastern MA, Cape Islands are most likely to have an unfavorable opinion of Obama. Mitt Romney is viewed favorably by 42% of MA voters, 47% have an unfavorable opinion of him, and 11% are neutral or don’t know. Republicans, conservatives and residents of southeastern MA, Cape Islands are most likely to have favorable opinions of Romney. Democrats, liberals, and minorities give Romney his lowest favorability ratings. In a matchup between Romney and Obama, 49% of MA voters say they will vote for Obama, 33% will vote for Romney, 2% prefer some other candid