CBS NEWS/KNOWLEDGE NETWORKS POLL

For release: Tuesday October 19, 2010

6:30 PM EDT

BARACK OBAMA’S 2008 VOTERS

October 7-14, 2010

• According to a CBS News Poll conducted online by Knowledge Networks among voters
who say they voted for Barack Obama in 2008, the President still receives their support:
more than four in 5 approve of how he is handling his job as President. But that may not
help candidates in November: two thirds of these voters are less enthusiastic about
voting than they were two years ago.

• These voters’ biggest disappointment with the Obama presidency concerns the
economy, an issue that nearly half say the President has spent too little time on. Few of
these voters say the President’s economic policies have impacted them a lot.

• Among independents who backed President Obama in 2008, 71% are less enthusiastic
about voting this year, and 38% are uncommitted to a candidate now. Just 39% say the
President has made progress trying to solve problems, and half say the country is on the
wrong track.

• Overall, half of Obama voters are looking for change again this year: 49% say it is time
to give someone new a chance rather than re-elect their Congressional Representative.
Among independents who backed Barack Obama in 2008, that number rises to 61%/

Most voters who say they cast their vote for Barack Obama in 2008 are not especially excited
about voting in the midterm elections this year; 67% are less enthusiastic than they were then.
This diminished enthusiasm is prevalent among some of the voter groups that made up
President Obama’s winning coalition in 2008 – independents, Hispanics and 2008 first time
voters.

Enthusiastic About Voting 2010 vs. 2008

(Among likely voters)
All Independents Hispanics First time voters
More 33% 29% 32% 46%
Less 67 71 67 54

Most of those who cast their vote for Barack Obama in 2008 say they will definitely vote in
November. But some are less sure, including 16% of independents.

Likelihood of Voting In 2010

(Among registered voters)
All Democrats Independents Hispanics
Definitely 69% 70% 67% 54%
Probably 19 20 16 27
Prob/Definitely not 11 9 16 19

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The Obama Presidency: Achievements and Disappointments

Overall, three in four Obama voters are satisfied with the Obama presidency so far, including
26% who say they are very satisfied. But 22% are disappointed, rising to 34% among
independents.

How Do You Feel About the Obama Presidency So Far?

Total Democrats Independents
Very satisfied 26% 33% 10%
Somewhat satisfied 51 51 56
Somewhat disappointed 15 12 22
Very disappointed 7 5 12

Disappointment with President Obama may well impact the outcome of November’s elections.
Two-thirds of likely voters who are disappointed with the President feel less enthusiastic about
voting this year.

Two thirds of Obama voters characterize the national economy as bad, and it tops the list as the
greatest disappointment of his presidency. Nearly half of 2008 Obama voters who are
dissatisfied with his presidency pick the economy (50%), ahead of the combined percentage
that chooses health care reform (17%), the budget deficit (13%), the war in Afghanistan (8%),
immigration policy (6%) and energy policy (1%).

Greatest Disappointment of the Obama Presidency

(among those disappointed with Obama’s presidency)
All Democrats Independents
Economy 50% 54% 48%
Health care reform 17 17 18
Budget deficit 13 8 19
War in Afghanistan 8 7 8
Immigration policy 6 2 5
Energy policy 1 1 2
Something else 5 10 0

One reason some of these voters may be unhappy with the President is that they see no benefit
to them personally as a result of some of his policies. 44% say the administration’s economic
policies have had no effect on their families’ financial situation.

How Much Effect Has the Obama Administration

Had on Your Financial Situation?
A lot 14%
A little 40
None 44

There is frustration with the attention the President has given to economic problems. 48% of
Obama voters think he spent too little time trying to fix the economy, though just as many say he
spent the right amount of time on this issue. Most think he spent the right amount of time on
health care and financial reform.

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 Time the Obama Administration has Spent On…?
Right amount Too much Too little
Health care 60% 23 15
Financial reform 58% 7 33
The economy 48% 2 48

Six in ten Obama voters think the president has a clear plan for creating jobs – but 35% think he
does not, a figure that rises to 50% among independents.

Does Obama Have a Clear Plan for Creating Jobs?

All Democrats Independents
Yes 63% 69% 48%
No 35 28 50

Among those Obama voters who are satisfied with his presidency, four in 10 pick health care
reform as his greatest achievement (41%), far ahead of removing most troops from Iraq (21%),
reforming the banking and financial industry (12%), the economic stimulus package (12%), and
credit card reform (9%).

Greatest Achievement of the Obama Presidency

(among those satisfied with Obama’s presidency)
All Democrats Independents
Health care reform 41% 43% 38%
Removing troops from Iraq 21 21 20
Banking reform 12 11 12
Stimulus package 12 10 16
Credit card reform 9 9 7
Something else 4 4 0

75% of Obama voters approve of the health care reform law that was passed in March. But
many Obama voters are not completely satisfied with the bill: 54% think the law did not go far
enough. One in four independents who voted for Obama think it went too far.

Just 18% expect the health care reform laws will help them, and most don’t think the law will
have much of an effect on them personally.

Overall, views are mixed when it comes to how much these voters think the President has
accomplished. Just half of those who voted for him think President Obama has made progress
trying to solve the nation’s problems, while 40% think he has tried but not made progress.
Fewer independents think he has made real progress.

In Trying to Solve the Nation’s Problems, Has Barack Obama…?

All Democrats Independents
Made progress 51% 58% 39%
Tried but no progress 40 36 44
Made them worse 6 3 13
Not addressed them 2 2 3

There is a sense among some of these voters that the President may have been overly
ambitious since taking office; 38% of Obama voters think he tried to accomplish too much in his
first two years in office. 14% think he tried to accomplish too little, while about half think he tried
to accomplish the right amount.

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 Has Barack Obama Tried to Accomplish…?
All Democrats Independents
Too much 38% 36% 39%
Too little 14 12 19
Right amount 48 51 43

And while 62% of Obama’s voters think the country is headed in the right direction, just 48% of
independents agree.

Direction of the Country

Total Democrats Independents Hispanics
Right direction 62% 68% 48% 73%
Wrong track 38 32 51 27

Vote Choice and the President

A solid majority (67%) of 2008 Obama voters who are likely to vote say they will vote for the
Democratic candidate for House of Representatives. However, just under one in 10 says they
will vote Republican, and 21% are uncommitted at this point.

Democratic candidates receive less support from independents who voted for the President in
2008. Fewer than half - 42% - say they will back the Democratic candidate, while 12% of
independents plan to vote for the Republican. A sizeable number - about four in 10 - say it
depends or they don’t know who they will vote for at this point.

2010 Vote for House of Representatives

(Among likely voters)
All Democrats Independents
Republican 8% 3% 12%
Democrat 67 81 42
Depends 21 14 38

The President will not factor into vote choice for many of his 2008 supporters; 52% of them say
their vote for Congress will not be about Barack Obama. Still, they are more likely to say their
vote will be in support of the president (44%) than to oppose him (4%). And while
independents are not voting against the President this fall, few are voting in support of him
either.

Your Vote for Congress this Fall is…

(Among likely voters)
All Democrats Independents
In support of Obama 44% 51% 29%
To oppose Barack Obama 4 3 5
Not about Barack Obama 52 46 65

Many Want Change, But Don’t See Much

Change was the mantra of the Obama campaign in 2008, but his voters are mixed in their
assessment of how much real change Obama has brought to Washington. Most Obama voters
think he brought at least some change, though few – just 16% - think he brought a lot. Nearly
half of independents who voted for Obama think he hasn’t brought much change.

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 How Much Real Change has Obama Brought to Washington?
All Democrats Independents
A lot 16% 19% 9%
Some 51 55 43
Not much/none 32 26 48

And many express some unhappiness with the way things are going in Washington. 58% are
dissatisfied or angry about the way things are going; just 41% are satisfied or enthusiastic.
Independents are especially dissatisfied, with nearly seven in 10 expressing that view.

Feelings about Washington

(Among registered voters)
All Democrats Independents
Enthusiastic 4% 5% 0%
Satisfied 37 40 30
Dissatisfied 45 43 49
Angry 13 10 20

The poll shows nearly half of these voters are again looking for change. 2008 Obama voters
hold mixed views about their own Representative in Congress: 49% say their member of
Congress deserves to be re-elected, but just as many - 49% - think it’s time to give someone
new a chance. Independents who voted for Barack Obama are especially desirous of change in
Congress; 61% think it’s time for a new person to represent them.

Your Representative in Congress:

(Among registered voters)
All Democrats Independents
Deserves re-election 49% 55% 37%
Time for someone new 49 42 61

Many aren’t satisfied with the politicians running for office this year either. Just over half of 2008
Obama voters wish there were more candidate choices this year, rising to 67% among
independents.

Satisfied With Choices This Election

(Among likely voters)
All Democrats Independents
Yes, satisfied 43% 49% 31%
No, wish there were other choices 56 50 67

Fully 73% of 2008 Obama voters disapprove of the job Congress is doing.

Congress Job Rating

Approve 25%
Disapprove 73

These mostly Democratic voters hold favorable opinions of the Democratic Party (74%), while
83% view the Republican Party negatively.

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Views of the President

But Americans who voted for Barack Obama in 2008 are still behind the president in 2010. 82%
of Obama voters approve of the way he is handling his job nearly two years later. 73% of
independent Obama voters also approve, as do six in 10 Obama voters who say they typically
vote for Democrats and Republicans in equal numbers.

Obama’s Job Rating

Total Democrats Independents
Approve 82% 87% 73%
Disapprove 18 13 27

Nine in 10 Obama voters who consider themselves liberal approve of the job the President is
doing, dropping to a two thirds majority among conservatives who voted for him.

These voters also approve of the way the President is handling a number of individual issues.
President Obama gets his highest marks from his 2008 supporters for keeping the country safe
– 80% approve of the job he’s doing in this area, followed by his handling of health care (75%),
the economy (67%), and the war in Afghanistan (65%). He gets lower marks for handling job
creation (64%) and the budget deficit (62%), though a majority approve of his handling of these
issues as well.

Obama’s Job Approval Ratings

Approve Disapprove
Terrorism 80% 18
Health Care 75% 24
Economy 67% 31
Afghanistan 65% 34
Job Creation 64% 34
Budget Deficit 62% 36

His job approval ratings – overall and on specific issues -- are lower among independents who
voted for him in 2008.

Most Obama voters also retain a positive image of the President. Three fourths say they have a
favorable opinion of Barack Obama, and Democrats and liberals are even more positive in their
assessment. But among independents who voted for him in 2008, 63% are favorable, and one
in four are undecided.

Opinion of Barack Obama

Total Democrats Independents
Favorable 74% 80% 63%
Not favorable 10 7 14
Undecided/don’t know 15 10 22

2008 First Time Voters

The President is still popular among those who say they came to the polls for the first time in
2008 – an important group in the coalition of voters who helped to elect him President.

Many of them are young; just over half are under age 30. More than six in 10 are women.

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They like the job President Obama has been doing: 79% approve, and 21% disapprove. They
also approve of how the President is handling specific issues, such as the economy (64%), the
war in Afghanistan (70%), the budget deficit (61%), jobs (61%), health care (77%) and terrorism
(81%). But while three in four are at least some satisfied with his presidency, just 33% say they
are very satisfied.

President Obama Job Approvals

(among 2008 first time Obama voters)
Overall 79%
Economy 64
Afghanistan 70
Budget deficit 61
Job creation 61
Health care 77
Terrorism 81

They also express some frustration with government generally: while 40% are enthusiastic or
satisfied about how things are going in Washington, even more, 57%, are dissatisfied or angry.

Feelings about Washington

(among 2008 first time Obama voters)
Enthusiastic 3%
Satisfied 37
Dissatisfied 46
Angry 11

Those who voted for the first time in 2008 are less enthusiastic about voting this year than they
were in 2008 – 54% say that, and 46% are more enthusiastic. But enthusiasm runs higher
among this group than it does among 2008 Obama supporters overall.

Enthusiastic About Voting 2010 vs. 2008

(Among likely voters)
All First time 2008 voters
More 33% 46%
Less 67 54

Nearly four in five would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district.

Two in three of these first time voters say that President Obama has made at least some
progress bringing real change to the way things are done in Washington. However, 32% say he
has brought little or none.

Progress Obama has Made Bringing Change to Washington

All First time voters
A lot 16% 23%
Some 51 42
Not much/none 32 34

While most credit him for at least trying to address the country’s problems, less than half thinks
he has made progress in solving them.

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 On Country’s Major Problems, President Obama has…
(among 2008 first time Obama voters)
Made progress solving them 46%
Tried but hasn’t made progress 40
Made problems worse 8
Not tried to address them 4

Like 2008 Obama voters overall, those who voted for the first time in 2008 give negative marks
to Congress: 69% disapprove. The Republican Party is widely disliked (87% have an
unfavorable opinion of it), but the Democratic Party is nearly as widely liked (82% are favorable)
by this group.

The 2008 “Flip” States

In 2008 then-candidate Obama won a host of states that President Bush had taken in 2004,
including Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, and
Virginia. Today, Obama voters in those “flipped” states offer a mix of disappointment similar to
voters elsewhere in the country.

Just 30% of Obama voters in these states are enthusiastic about voting this year.

Voting Enthusiasm This Year

Among Voters in States That Went Red-to-Blue in 2008
(Among Registered Voters)
Red to Blue States All other states
More enthusiastic 29% 32%
Less enthusiastic 70 68

These voters are still looking for change at the ballot box: among likely voters in these states,
the majority of likely voters say it’s time to give someone new a chance in Congress. That
attitude is more prevalent among 2008 Obama voters in states that switched from red to blue in
2008 than elsewhere.

Your Congressperson: Deserves Re-Election, or Want Someone New?

(Among Likely Voters)
Red to Blue States All other states
Deserves Reelection 40% 51%
Time for someone new 56 47

Their votes look solidly Democratic (65%). Still, 8% are backing a Republican, and many voters
in these states are up for grabs - two in ten are undecided.

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This CBS News Poll was conducted online by Knowledge Networks among a nationwide random sample
of 1077 Americans who say they voted for Barack Obama for President in 2008. Knowledge Networks, a
Silicon Valley company, conducted the poll among a sample of adult members of its household panel,
which is a nationally representative sample given access to the Internet. This is a scientifically
representative poll of self-identified 2008 Obama voters. The margin of sampling error could be plus or
minus three percentage points for the entire sample of 2008 Obama voters. Sampling error for subgroups
could be higher.

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CBS NEWS/KNOWLEDGE NETWORKS POLL
Barack Obama’s 2008 Voters
October 7-14, 2010

q1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?

** TOTAL 2008 OBAMA VOTERS **

Approve 82%
Disapprove 18

q2 Do you feel things in this country:

Are generally going in the right direction 62%

Have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track 38

q3 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling:

Approve Disapprove
The economy 67% 31
The situation with Afghanistan 65% 34
The budget deficit 62% 36
Job creation 64% 34
Terrorism 80% 18
Health care 75% 24

q4 In general which comes closest to your feelings about the Obama presidency so far?

Very satisfied 26%

Somewhat satisfied 51
Somewhat disappointed 15
Very disappointed 7

q5 Regardless of your view of Barack Obama, which ONE of the following do you think has been the greatest
achievement of his presidency so far?

AMONG 2008 OBAMA VOTERS WHO ARE SATISFIED WITH HIS PRESIDENCY
Banking and financial industry reform 12%
Health care reform 41
The economic stimulus 12
Bringing troops home from Iraq 21
Reform of the credit card industry 9
Something else 4

q6 Regardless of your view of Barack Obama, which ONE of the following do you think has been the greatest
disappointment of his presidency so far?

AMONG 2008 OBAMA VOTERS WHO ARE DISSATISFIED WITH HIS PRESIDENCY
The economy and jobs 50%
Health care reform 17
The budget deficit 13
Immigration 6
Energy policy 1
The war in Afghanistan 8
Something else 5

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q7 Has Barack Obama spent too much time, too little time, or about the right amount of time on each of the following?

** TOTAL 2008 OBAMA VOTERS **

Too much time Too little time Right amount of time
Health care 23% 15 60
Financial reform 7% 33 58
The economy and jobs 2% 48 48

q8 Looking back over his first two years in office, do you think Barack Obama has tried to accomplish:

Too much 38%

Too little 14
The right amount 48

q9 Looking back over his first two years in office, do you think Barack Obama has tried to work with Republicans in
Congress:

Too much 28%

Too little 15
The right amount 56

q10 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it:

Very good 1%
Fairly good 32
Fairly bad 50
Very bad 16

q11 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?

Approve 25%
Disapprove 73

q13 How likely is it that you will vote in the 2010 election for Congress in November?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among registered voters)
%
Definitely vote 69
Probably vote 19
Probably not vote 9
Definitely not vote 2
Already voted 1

q14 How much attention have you been able to pay to the 2010 election campaign?

A lot 22%
Some 51
Not much 20
No attention 5

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q15 If the 2010 election for U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for the Republican
candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among likely voters)
Republican 8%
Democratic 67
Someone else 2
It depends 21
Won’t vote 2

????
q16 Well, as of today, do you lean more toward the Republican candidate, or more toward the Democratic candidate?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among those who said “depends” in q15)
Republican 29%
Democratic 68

q17 Compared to the 2008 presidential election, this year are you more enthusiastic about voting than usual, or less
enthusiastic?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among likely voters)
More enthusiastic 33%
Less enthusiastic 67

q18 Do you think the representative in Congress from your district has performed his or her job well enough to deserve re-
election, or do you think it's time to give a new person a chance?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among registered voters)
Deserves re-election 49%
Time for new person 49

q19 Generally, are you satisfied with the choices you have in the elections this year in your state, or do you wish there
were other choices?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among likely voters)
Satisfied with choices 43%
Wish there were other choices 56

q20 Do you think of your vote for Congress this fall as:

A vote for Barack Obama 44%

A vote against Barack Obama 4
My vote won’t be about Barack Obama 52

q21 Which comes closest to your feelings about the way things are going in Washington?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among registered voters)
Enthusiastic 4%
Satisfied but not enthusiastic 37
Dissatisfied but not angry 45
Angry 13

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q22 In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party:

** TOTAL 2008 OBAMA VOTERS **

Favorable 15%
Not favorable 83

q23 In general, is your opinion of the Democratic Party:

Favorable 74%
Not favorable 24

q24 Is your opinion of Barack Obama:

Favorable 74%
Not favorable 10
Undecided 14
I haven't heard enough about Barack Obama
yet to have an opinion 1

q25 How much progress do you think Barack Obama has made in bringing real change to the way things are done in
Washington?

A lot 16%
Some 51
Not much 27
None at all 5

q26 Thinking about the major problems facing the country, would you say President Obama has:

Made progress toward solving those problems 51%

Tried but failed to solve these problems 40
Made these problems worse 6
Not addressed these problems 2

q27 Do you think the current condition of the national economy is something President Obama can do a lot about, or is
that something that is beyond the president’s control?

Can do something about 50%

Beyond his control 49

q28 Do you think Barack Obama does or does not have a clear plan for creating jobs?

Does 63%
Does not 35

q29 Compared to two years ago, is your family's financial situation today:

Better 20
Worse 27
About the same 52

q30 How much do you think that has to do with the economic policies of the Obama administration?

A lot 14%
A little 40
Nothing at all 44

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q31 From what you've heard or read, how do you feel about the health care law that was enacted last March?

** TOTAL 2008 OBAMA VOTERS **

Strongly approve 22%
Somewhat approve 53
Somewhat disapprove 16
Strongly disapprove 7

q32 Does the new health care law go too far in reforming the U.S. health care system, not far enough, or is it about right?

Goes too far 17%

Not far enough 54
About right 27

q33 From what you've heard or read, how do you think the new health care reform law will affect you personally?

Mostly help you personally 18%

Mostly hurt you personally 17
Won’t have much of an effect on you personally 63

q34 Think about past elections in which you have voted, including national and statewide elections. Would you say you:

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among registered voters)
Always vote for Republicans 0%
Usually vote for Republican 5
Vote about equally for both parties 22
Usually vote for Democrats 47
Always vote for Democrats 23

q36 Was 2008 the first year you ever voted?

2008 OBAMA VOTERS

(among registered voters)
%
Yes 10
No 88

Sample size: 1,077 2008 Obama Voters

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