CBS News Poll For release: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 6:30 PM ET Before the State of the Union

Address February 6-10, 2013

As he prepares to give his State of the Union address, President Obama receives public support for many of his policies. Americans favor a combination of spending cuts and taxes to tackle the deficit (59%); stricter guns laws (53%); a path to citizenship for immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (74%); development of alternative energy sources (68%) and drone strikes against suspected terrorists overseas (71%). At the same time, fewer than half approve of the President's handling of the economy (the nations top problem) and 53% say he doesn't have a clear plan for solving the nation's problems. President Obama faces skepticism that cooperation between Democrats and Republicans will be any better this time around than it was in his first term. 58% expect it to be the same as it was, 22% expect less cooperation, and just 17% expect more.

The President and the Direction of the Country As President Obama prepares for the first State of the Union Address of his second term, 52% of Americans approve of the job he is doing as President, while 38% disapprove. President Obamas approval rating is similar to what it was last month. Now 52% 38 President Obamas Job Rating 1/2013 12/2012 3/2012 51% 57% 41% 41 37 47 2/2012 50% 43

Approve Disapprove

The percentage that thinks the country is headed in the right direction has risen about 10 percentage points since last summer to 40% today, and it is far higher than it was four years ago. Still, a majority of Americans - 54% - think the country is off on the wrong track. Now 40% 54 Direction of the Country 1/2013 10/2012 38% 40% 57 53 7/2012 30% 64 2/2009 23% 68

Right direction Wrong track

The President enjoys particularly strong support for his handling of terrorism (though a majority of Republicans disapprove), and more Americans approve than disapprove of his handling of the war in Afghanistan, foreign policy, energy policy, and immigration. But slightly more Americans disapprove than approve of his handling of the economy and gun policy, and most disapprove of his handling of the federal budget deficit.

President Obamas Job Ratings Approve Disapprove Terrorism 57% 31 Afghanistan 50% 33 Foreign policy 48% 31 Energy policy 47% 34 Immigration 46% 41 Economy Gun policy Deficit 45% 44% 37% 49 49 55

Looking ahead, a slight majority of Americans dont think the President has a clear plan for solving the nations problems. Less than half think he shares the same priorities for the country as they do. Barack Obama has Yes No A clear plan for solving the nations problems 40% 53 The same priorities for the country as you do 45% 50 And while two-thirds of Americans think Barack Obama cares at least somewhat about people like them, just 38% think he cares a lot far less than the 53% who said so four years ago at the start of his first term. Barack Obama Cares About People Like You Now 9/2011 1/2011 38% 38% 36% 28 31 35 33 29 27 1/2010 41% 28 29 2/2009 53% 30 14

A lot Some Not much/not at all

Still, the percentage that has a favorable opinion of Barack Obama has reached 50% for the first time since July 2009, while just 34% view him unfavorably. Views of Vice President Joe Biden are more mixed, while outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is viewed favorably by 57% of Americans. Favorable 50% 32% 57% Opinion of Unfavorable 34 31 24 Undecided/Dont know 16 36 19

Barack Obama Joe Biden Hillary Clinton ISSUES The Economy

Ahead of the Presidents State of the Union Address, the economy and jobs remains the top concern for Americans, far outdistancing any other issue. A significant majority continues to view the economy negatively, but 32% now say it is in good shape, up from 23% a year ago and significantly higher than it was in February 2009. Back then, a mere 5% rated the economy as good the lowest percentage ever recorded in a CBS News Poll.

Good Bad

Now 32% 67

1/2013 32% 66

Condition of the Economy 2/2012 2/2011 23% 24% 75 75

2/2010 17% 83

2/2009 5% 94

About a third of Americans think the economy is getting better, slightly more than say it is getting worse. Direction of the Economy Now 1/2013 2/2012 2/2011 2/2010 2/2009 Better 32% 33% 34% 32% 24% 5% Worse 28 30 22 22 29 51 Same 39 36 43 45 45 42 The Budget Deficit While the economy and jobs are the top concern for Americans, the budget deficit comes in a distant second. Americans favor a combination of taxes and spending cuts as the best way to reduce the deficit. Best Method of Deficit Reduction Only cut federal spending 32% Only raise taxes 3 Combination of spending cuts and taxes 59 The Drone Program and Targeting U.S. Citizens Abroad The practice of using unmanned drone aircrafts to attack suspected terrorists in foreign countries a policy begun by the Bush Administration and expanded under President Obama enjoys widespread and bipartisan support. Seven in 10 Americans favor using drones to attack suspected terrorists abroad, including large majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Drone Attacks Against Suspected Terrorists in Foreign Countries Total Reps Dems Inds Favor 71% 78% 70% 68% Oppose 20 13 19 25 Americans also support a more controversial measure, although in smaller numbers. 49% of Americans favor the targeting and killing of U.S. citizens living abroad who are suspected of carrying out terrorist activities against the U.S.; 38% oppose that. Killing U.S. Citizens Abroad Suspected of Terrorist Activities Total Reps Dems Inds Favor 49% 58% 48% 45% Oppose 38 31 39 43

Immigration At 53%, support for allowing illegal immigrants working in the U.S. to stay and apply for citizenship is now the highest it has been since 2007, when the question was first asked. Just 21% want to require these illegal immigrants to leave the country. Partisanship plays a role in views: 38% of Republicans and 66% of Democrats want these illegal immigrants to be able to apply for citizenship. What Should Happen to Illegal Immigrants Working in the U.S.? Now 1/2013 12/2012 2/2012 9/2011 4/2010 12/2007 Stay & apply for citizenship 53% 51% 47% 42% 37% 43% 38% Stay as guest workers 21 20 24 22 20 21 28 Leave the U.S. 21 24 27 30 38 32 28 Support for a path to U.S. citizenship is even higher for those who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. 74% favor a path to citizenship for such people; just 18% oppose that. Path to Citizenship for Those Brought to US as Children All Reps Dems Inds Favor 74% 60% 81% 76% Oppose 18 26 14 16 Most dont see illegal immigrants as an employment threat. By two to one, the public thinks illegal immigrants coming to the U.S. take jobs Americans dont want, rather than taking jobs away from Americans. Among Republicans, 41% think illegal immigrants take jobs away from Americans. Illegal Immigrants Take Jobs Now 8/2010 5/2007 Away from Americans 29% 39% 30% That Americans dont want 59 51 59 5/2006 36% 53

By a large margin, Americans think the U.S. could be doing more along its borders to stop illegal immigration. That view is held by people of all political views. U.S. Doing All It Can To Stop Illegal Immigration? Now 8/2010 4/2010 Yes, doing all it can 26% 19% 17 Could be doing more 69 77 78 About two in three think significant changes to immigration policy are at least somewhat likely to occur within the year but just 21% think that is very likely to happen. Significant Changes to Immigration Policy This Year? Very likely 21% Somewhat likely 42 Not very/not at all likely 32

Energy and Climate Change Nearly all Americans think it is at least somewhat important to develop energy sources as alternatives to using oil, including 68% who say that is very important. While there are differences between Republicans and Democrats on this, even a majority of Republicans think that is very important. Important to Develop Alternative to Oil? All Reps Dems Inds Very 68% 52% 76% 72% Somewhat 22 31 21 16 Not very/not at all 8 18 2 8 There are real concerns about global warming and its source. Half of Americans think global warming is having a serious impact now, and another 28% think the impact will happen in the future. Just 19% think global warming wont have a serious impact at all. Impact of Global Warming All Reps Dems Inds Serious impact now 49% 29% 58% 54% Will have serious impact in future 28 29 29 27 Wont have serious impact 19 36 9 16 48% think global warming is being caused mostly by human activity, such as burning fossil fuels. Another 31% think it is caused by natural patterns in the earths environment. Just one in 10 says it does not exist. Gun Policy Views on changes to gun control laws are similar to last month, with more than half saying they should be made stricter. Now 53% 10 34 Gun Control Laws Should Be 1/2013 4/2012 54% 39% 9 13 34 41 1/2011 47% 12 36 10/2002 56% 11 30

More strict Less strict Kept as they are

There continue to be differences along party lines on this issue, with most Republicans wanting gun laws to be kept as they are now (60%) and most Democrats wanting stricter gun laws (78%). A majority of Americans - regardless of whether or not they want stricter gun laws - think it is at least somewhat likely that significant changes to gun policy will be made this year, but only 27% think that is very likely to happen. Significant Changes to Gun Policy This Year? Very likely 27% Somewhat likely 40 Not very/not at all likely 32

Americans overwhelmingly approve of universal background checks on all potential gun buyers. Smaller majorities also approve of two other proposals by the Obama Administration for curbing gun violence: a national ban on high-capacity magazines and a national ban on semi-automatic assault weapons. Would You Favor or Oppose ? Background checks on all potential gun buyers A national ban on high capacity magazines A national ban on semi-automatic weapons Favor 91% 59% 52% Oppose 7 38 44

Gun owners support universal background checks (90%), but they oppose bans on semiautomatic weapons (64%) or high capacity magazine clips (57%). 54% of Americans think stricter gun laws would help deter gun violence at least somewhat, including 21% who think that would deter it a lot. Gun owners are far more skeptical than Americans who dont own a firearm. How Much Would Stricter Gun Laws Help to Deter Gun Violence? Total Gun-owners A lot 21% 9% Some 33 28 Not much 19 24 Not at all 26 39 But gun owners agree with Americans who dont own guns on two other measures to reduce gun violence that have recently been endorsed by the NRA: better mental health screening and treatment, and more police and armed security guards. 81% of Americans think better mental health screening would help at least somewhat to reduce gun violence overall, and 75% think more police and armed security guards would help at least somewhat to curb mass shootings in public places such as schools, movie theaters, and malls. Iran Even as diplomatic talks with Iran stall over their potential nuclear weapons program and the resulting economic sanctions against them, more than half of Americans 52% - think Iran is a threat that can be contained with diplomacy. But the percentage that thinks Iran is a threat that requires military action now 22% - is the highest it has been since CBS began asking the question in 2006, and up nine points from four years ago. How Great a Threat is Iran? Now 10/2012 Requires military action now 22% 20% Can be contained with diplomacy 52 55 Not a threat at this time 14 16 Afghanistan Americans are divided over how things are going for the U.S. in its eleven-year long conflict in Afghanistan. 43% think the war in Afghanistan is going at least somewhat well for the U.S., while 47% think it is going at least somewhat badly. Optimism about how things are going in 11/2011 15% 55 17 2/2009 13% 58 19

Afghanistan has risen 18 points since March 2012, when it plummeted temporarily to 25% after the alleged killing of 16 Afghanistan civilians in Kandahar by Sgt. Robert Bales. Now 43% 47 How is the War in Afghanistan Going? 3/2012 11/2011 2/2011 25% 48% 36% 68 42 55 3/2010 41% 51 3/2009 33% 57

Well Badly

Congress and the Parties Congressional approval historically tends to be low, and it remains low today at just 14% approval -- though disapproval has lessened somewhat of late. Today 77% disapprove. Now 14% 77 Congress Job Approval 1/2013 12/2011 10/2011 12% 11% 9% 82 83 84 2/2011 24% 62

Approve Disapprove

Low approval is found among Democrats, Republicans and independents alike, although Democrats (20%) are more likely than Republicans (8%) to approve. The Democratic Party continues to enjoy substantially more favorable views than the Republican Party, 47% to just 31%. A majority of Americans has held a negative view of the Republican Party since the spring of 2011. Now at 60% unfavorable, those views are near their all-time high of 61% reached in the summer of 2011. However, neither party is viewed positively by a majority of Americans: favorable views of the Democrats are down slightly to 47% from their post-election 51%. Views of the Democratic, Republican Parties Favorable Unfavorable Democratic party 47% 45 Republican party 31% 60 Few Americans foresee more cooperation between Democrats and Republicans in President Obamas second term. Just 17% think there will be more, 22% say less, while 58% say cooperation rates will remain about the same. In Second Term, Cooperation Between Dems and Reps More cooperation 17% Less 22 Same 58 Trust, Role of Government In assessing the role of government, a majority of Americans (58%) continues to say that in general government is doing too much that should be left to individuals. 35% say the government should be doing more than it is to solve problems. Role of Government Should be doing more to solve problems Is doing too much already 35% 58

In Novembers CBS News Exit Polls, a majority of voters in 2012 agreed, even as they reelected President Obama. Democrats, perhaps unsurprisingly, favor the government doing more (55%) while Republicans in principle oppose the notion, with 85% saying it is doing too much. A majority of all age groups in this poll including people under 30 (55%) and those over 65 (57%) say the government is doing too much; though younger people, who tend to be more liberal, are comparatively a little less likely to say so. As a new term begins for Congress and the President, just 20% of Americans feel they can trust the government to do what is right most or all of the time. This measure has historically been low since the 1970s, when this poll began asking the question. But today that number has bounced back from the all-time low that it hit in the fall of 2011 (10%), which came after the downgrade of the countrys credit and the budget battles. It is now back around where it has been for the last few years. Now 3% 17 70 8 Trust Govt. to Do What is Right 10/2011 10/2010 10/2001 2/1995 1/1989 3/1980 6/1976 1% 2% 10% 2% 6% 3% 4% 9 19 45 16 38 22 30 77 67 42 77 53 69 58 12 11 2 4 1 2 5

Always Most of the time Some of the time Never (vol.)

Distrust spans all age groups and partisan stripes, though today Democrats are more likely (at 35%) to trust government than are Republicans (just 9%). This isnt a new phenomenon, as it has historically been the case that whichever party is in power is mistrusted by the opposing side. Respondents who say they dont usually trust the government were asked what they distrusted the most. The answers, in their own words, described what they saw as an insular and ineffective Washington, seemingly more concerned with partisanship and infighting instead of the average person. 17% mentioned partisanship and paralysis; another 15% said Washington prioritized special interests over the common people; another 15% volunteered they thought politicians pandered or didnt tell the truth. Another 11% noted the amount of money in the system as a source of mistrust. Why Dont You Trust the Govt. to Do What is Right? (Among those only trusting sometimes/never) Ineffective/Partisan infighting 17% Not for average person, only for themselves 15 Politicians pander, dont tell truth 15 Too much money in politics 11
_______________________________________________________________________ This poll was conducted by telephone from February 6-10, 2013 among 1,148 adults nationwide. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS POLL Before the State of the Union Address February 6-10, 2013 q1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 52 12 86 48 38 82 8 37 10 7 6 15

Approve Disapprove DK/NA

Jan13a % 51 41 7

q2 Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track DK/NA 40 54 6 10 88 2 66 25 9 36 57 7 Jan13a 38 57 5

q3 What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? Economy & jobs Budget Deficit/National Debt Guns Immigration Health Care Abortion Education Partisan Politics President/Barack Obama Crime Other DK/NA 40 11 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 25 4 44 17 2 3 2 1 1 0 3 0 25 2 42 5 6 5 4 1 1 4 0 2 27 3 35 12 5 1 2 3 3 1 2 2 28 6 Dec12a 39 12 2 1 3 0 3 4 3 1 28 4

q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 48 31 21 20 60 20 71 10 19 44 32 24 Jan13a 49 36 15

q5 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 45 49 6 7 90 3 79 16 5 38 52 10 46 49 5

q6 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation with Afghanistan? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 50 26 72 45 33 59 13 33 17 15 15 22

Approve Disapprove DK/NA

Aug12b % 45 38 18

q7 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the threat of terrorism? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 57 31 13 27 61 12 80 10 9 54 30 16 Dec12a 60 29 12

q8 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the federal budget deficit? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 37 55 8 6 91 3 69 21 10 29 61 10 Jan13a 37 54 9

q9 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the issue of immigration? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 46 41 13 13 75 12 71 16 13 45 43 12

q10 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling gun policy? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 44 49 6 13 83 4 72 21 8 40 53 7

q11 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling energy policy? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 47 34 18 18 60 22 74 11 15 43 39 19

q12 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 14 77 8 8 86 6 20 71 9 13 77 9 12 82 6

q13 In general is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable? Favorable Not favorable DK/NA 31 60 9 66 31 3 11 83 6 27 59 14 Dec12a 31 60 9

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q14 In general is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable or not favorable? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 47 9 84 39 45 89 11 47 7 1 5 13

Favorable Not favorable DK/NA

Dec12a % 51 41 8 Is it very Jan13a 2 30 43 23 1

q15 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad? Very good Fairly good Fairly bad Very bad DK/NA 1 31 38 29 1 1 11 39 49 0 2 51 32 14 1 1 25 43 29 2

q16 Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Better Worse Same DK/NA q17-q18 SEPARATE RELEASE q19 Which comes closer to your view: Government should do more to solve national problems; or government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals? Gov't do more Gov't doing too much DK/NA 35 58 7 12 85 3 55 37 7 31 60 10 Feb10a 35 59 6 32 28 39 1 13 47 40 0 53 14 33 0 27 29 43 1 33 30 36 1

q20 How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to do what is right--just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time? Just about always Most of the time Some of the time Never(Vol.) Don't know/No answer 3 17 70 8 1 1 8 81 11 0 4 31 60 4 2 3 12 72 11 2 Oct11a1 1 9 77 12 1

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q21 What do you distrust the most about the government the Washington? * TRUST GOVERNMENT ONLY SOMETIMES OR NEVER * *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % Ineffective/partisan politics 17 12 23 16 Not for the average person 15 15 14 16 Politicians pander/lie 15 20 11 14 Too much money in politics 11 12 7 12 Special interests/business 5 3 6 6 Politicians (general) 4 3 3 6 Government is too big 3 4 2 3 Tax and spend/take our money 2 4 2 2 Other 17 19 19 14 DK/NA 11 8 13 11 q22 Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Barack Obama yet to have an opinion? Favorable Not favorable Undecided Haven't heard enough Refused 50 34 13 3 1 ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** 12 83 45 76 6 31 12 9 17 0 3 5 1 0 2 Jan13a 46 34 16 3 1

q23 Is your opinion of Joe Biden favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Joe Biden yet to have an opinion? Favorable Not favorable Undecided Haven't heard enough Refused
*Among registered voters

Total 32 31 17 19 1

Rep 4 66 17 12 1

Dem 58 7 14 20 0

Ind 27 29 20 22 2

Oct12c* 36 39 11 12 1

q24 Is your opinion of Hillary Clinton favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Hillary Clinton yet to have an opinion? Favorable Not favorable Undecided Haven't heard enough Refused q25 BLANK 57 24 14 5 1 28 51 17 4 0 79 6 8 6 0 55 23 17 4 2 Dec12a 55 23 17 5 1

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q26 In general, do you think gun control laws should be made more strict, less strict, or kept as they are now? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 53 25 78 48 10 13 3 15 34 60 15 33 3 2 3 4

More strict Less strict Kept as they are now Don't know/No answer

Jan13a % 54 9 34 3

q27 Do you think Barack Obama has a clear plan for solving the nation's problems, or doesn't he? Does Does not Don't know/No answer 40 53 7 9 88 3 71 23 6 31 59 10 Sep10b 39 57 4

q28 Do you think Barack Obama has the same priorities for the country as you have, or doesn't he? Yes No DK/NA 45 50 5 10 87 3 80 16 5 38 55 7 Jan12b 44 50 6

q29 How much do you think Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like yourself -- a lot, some, not much, or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all Don't know/No answer q30-33 BLANK q34 Regardless about how you feel about the issue, how likely do you think it is that Barack Obama will bring about significant changes to immigration policy -- very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not at all likely? Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely Don't know/No answer 21 42 22 10 4 15 40 28 16 1 25 47 16 6 6 22 39 24 10 5 38 28 17 16 2 9 25 32 31 3 67 24 4 4 1 30 32 20 16 2 Sep11b 38 31 14 15 2

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q35 Regardless about how you feel about the issue, how likely do you think it is that Barack Obama will bring about significant changes to gun policy -- very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not at all likely? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 27 21 30 28 40 40 43 38 21 23 18 22 11 16 9 10 1 0 1 3

Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely Don't know/No answer

q36 During Barack Obama's second term in office, do you think there will be more cooperation between Republicans and Democrats in Washington than there has been during the last four years, less cooperation, or about the same amount of cooperation as there has been during the last four years? More Less Same DK/NA 17 22 58 3 6 32 61 2 26 17 55 2 15 21 59 4 Jan13a 22 21 55 2

q37 Overall, what do you think is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit--by cutting federal spending, by increasing taxes, or by a combination of both? Cut federal spending Raising taxes Combination of both DK/NA 32 3 59 5 55 0 43 2 17 7 72 3 31 3 58 9 33 3 61 3

q38 How important is it for the U.S. to develop an alternative to oil as a major source of energy--very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important? Very important Somewhat important Not very important Not at all important DK/NA q39-40 BLANK q41 Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently working in the U.S.? 1. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs and to eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. 2. They should be allowed to stay in their jobs only as guest workers, but not to apply for U.S. citizenship. 3. They should be required to leave their jobs and leave the U.S.? Allowed to stay and apply 53 Stay as guest worker 21 Required to leave jobs & U.S. 21 Don't know/No answer 5 38 26 31 5 66 15 15 4 51 24 19 5 Jan13b 51 20 24 5 68 22 5 3 2 52 31 12 6 0 76 21 1 1 1 72 16 4 4 3 Mar11a 76 18 3 3 1

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q42 Do you think illegal immigrants coming to this country take jobs away from American citizens, or do they mostly take jobs Americans don't want? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 29 41 28 23 59 47 63 63 9 11 5 10 3 1 4 4

Take jobs away Take jobs Americans don't Both (Vol.) Don't know/No answer

Aug10b* % 39 51 8 2

*wording change: Do you think illegal immigrants coming into this country

q43 Do you think the U.S. is doing all it can reasonably be expected to do along its borders to keep illegal immigrants from crossing into this country, or could the US be doing more? Doing all it can Could be doing more Don't know/No answer 26 69 5 12 84 4 33 62 5 28 66 6 Aug10b 19 77 4

q44 In general, do you favor or oppose providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants under 30 who were brought to the U.S. as children as long as they do not have a criminal record and obtain either two years of college or military service? Favor Oppose Depends (vol.) DK/NA q45-47 BLANK q48 Which statement comes closest to your view about global warming? 1. Global warming is caused mostly by human activity such as burning fossil fuels. 2. Global warming is caused mostly by natural patterns in the earth's environment. OR 3. Global warming does not exist? Human activity 48 Natural patterns 31 Global warming does not exist 10 Caused by both (Vol.) 6 Not sure what it's caused 1 Don't know/No answer 4 21 44 23 6 2 4 61 25 4 5 1 4 52 27 9 7 2 3 Jan13b 48 32 10 6 0 3 74 18 3 5 60 26 9 5 81 14 2 4 76 16 1 6

q49 Do you think global warming is an environmental problem that is causing a serious impact now, or do you think the impact of global warming won't happen until sometime in the future, or do you think global warming won't have a serious impact at all? Impact now In the future No serious impact Doesnt exist (Vol.) Don't know/No answer q50-51 BLANK 49 28 19 -5 29 29 36 -7 58 29 9 -4 54 27 16 -4 Mar11c 49 25 16 5 5

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q52 Do you favor or oppose ending Saturday deliveries of first class mail as a way to help the Postal Service solve its financial problems? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 71 75 67 71 24 19 29 23 6 6 5 7

Favor Oppose DK/NA

Jun12a^ % 71 24 5

^wording: Would you favor or oppose ending Saturday deliveries as a way to help the Postal Service solve its financial problems?

q53 How often do you use the U.S. Postal Service? All the time for all of your correspondence and bills, sometimes, but mainly for bills, only around the holidays, or almost never? All the time Sometimes, but mainly for Only around the holidays Almost never DK/NA 34 38 10 18 1 33 42 10 14 1 36 40 10 14 1 32 34 10 24 0 Jun12a 38 45 9 7 1

q54 Do you think it should be legal or not legal for same-sex couples to marry? Legal Not legal DK/NA 54 39 8 29 65 6 63 28 9 61 31 8 Nov12b 51 41 8

q55 Do you think laws regarding whether same-sex marriage is legal or not should be determined by the federal government or left to each individual state government to decide? Federal government State governments Both (Vol.) Don't know/No answer q56 BLANK q57 Do you favor or oppose a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons - including some rifles, pistols, and shotguns - that have detachable magazines, allowing them to rapidly fire a high number of rounds? Favor ban Oppose ban Don't know/Refused 52 44 5 28 67 5 72 25 4 49 46 5 Jan13a 53 44 4 29 61 2 9 23 68 1 8 40 53 1 7 24 63 2 11 May12a 32 57 1 9

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q58 As you may know, high-capacity magazines or clips can hold many rounds of ammunition, so a shooter can fire more rounds without manually reloading. Would you favor or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines that hold many rounds of ammunition? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 59 37 78 57 38 60 21 38 3 3 1 4

Favor ban Oppose ban DK/NA

Jan13a % 63 34 3

q59 Do you favor or oppose a federal law requiring background checks on all potential gun buyers? Favor Oppose DK/NA 91 7 2 89 9 2 94 5 2 90 8 2 92 7 1

q60 How much do you think stricter gun laws would do to help prevent gun violence? Would stricter laws help a lot, some, not much, or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA 21 33 19 26 2 8 19 23 47 2 35 42 13 9 0 17 34 21 26 2 23 30 17 29 1

q61 How much do you think better mental health screening and treatment would do to help prevent gun violence? Would better mental health screening and treatment help a lot, some, not much, or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA 46 35 9 8 2 40 39 10 8 2 53 33 8 5 1 44 35 9 10 2 44 38 10 7 1

q62 How much do you think more police or armed security guards would do to help prevent mass shootings in public places such as schools, movie theaters, and malls? Would more police or armed security guards help a lot, some, not much or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA 36 39 17 7 1 41 38 14 6 0 39 38 16 6 1 30 41 20 8 1 35 39 17 8 1

q63 Do you favor or oppose the U.S. using unmanned aircrafts or drones to carry out bombing attacks against suspected terrorists in foreign countries? Favor Oppose DK/NA 71 20 9 78 13 9 70 19 11 68 25 7

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q64 Do you favor or oppose the U.S. targeting and killing American citizens in foreign countries who are suspected of carrying out terrorist activities against the U.S.? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 49 58 48 45 38 31 39 43 13 11 13 13

Favor Oppose DK/NA

q65 What is your impression of how the war in Afghanistan is going for the United States right now--very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly? Very well Somewhat well Somewhat badly Very badly DK/NA 4 39 33 14 11 2 39 39 15 6 7 43 27 10 13 3 35 35 16 11 Mar12b 3 22 33 35 7

q66 Thinking about Iran, which comes closer to your opinion? Iran is a threat to the United States that requires military action now. Iran is a threat that can be contained with diplomacy now. Iran is not a threat to the United States at this time.? Threat requiring action now Threat that can be contain Not a threat at this time Don't know/No answer q67-q73 RELEASED SEPARATELY q74 President Barack Obama's State of the Union address is scheduled for the night of Tuesday, February 12, 2013. How likely do you think it is that you will watch or listen to the President's address?-very likely, somewhat likely, or not likely? Very likely Somewhat likely Not likely Don't know/No answer 46 29 24 1 30 29 40 1 63 29 8 0 42 28 30 1 Jan13b 43 28 29 1 22 52 14 12 37 46 8 10 13 58 16 14 20 51 18 11 Oct12c 20 55 16 8

Total Respondents Total Republicans Total Democrats Total Independents

Unweighted 1148 305 414 429

Weighted 288 (25%) 400 (35%) 460 (40%)

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