Politics and Elections

Sixty percent say things are on the right track

Looking ahead five years, do you think things in Massachusetts are heading in the right direction, or do you think they are off on the wrong track?
100% Right direction Wrong track

80%
60% 60%

40%

31%

20%

0%

Residents somewhat divided on whether Obama is meeting or falling below expectations

As of now, do you think Barack Obama is meeting, exceeding or falling below expectations?
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 7% 0% 4% 6% 6% 8% 8% 7% 9% Meeting Exceeding 59% 53% 34% 51% 40% 32% Falling below Too soon/Don't know

54%

55%

57%
51% 34% 38% 42% 46%

35%

35%

Sixty-two percent have a positive view of the President

100% 80% 60% 65% 59% 55% Favorable Unfavorable

80% 68% 60% 57%

77%

62% 55% 43% 56% 43%

58%

62% 54%

42%
40% 35% 28% 20% 15% 18%

36%

36%

33%

36%

40% 46% 35%

0%

Romneys negative rating peaks at 60%

100% Favorable Unfavorable

80% 60% 47% 46% 37% 49% 49%

60%

55%

50%

48% 50%

51%

56% 49% 43%

50% 52%
45% 43%

52%

40% 40% 20% 36%

45%

41%

43%

43%

44%

43% 36%

0%

Are you registered to vote in Massachusetts?

Yes 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%
90%

No

Democrats: 37% Republicans: 11% Independent: 45%

Something else/Refused:

7%

10%

Oct. '12
6

(Asked if registered to vote in MA, n=405)

The gap between Obama and Romney widens

Thinking ahead to the 2012 general election for President, between the Republican ticket of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan and the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, for whom would you vote?
100%
80% 60% 40% 20% 7% 0% Obama/Lean Obama Romney/Lean Romney Don't know 60% 51% 56% 48% 36% 16% 8% 7% 6% 49% 38% 42% 48% 46% 50%
Democrats: 80% Obama, 16% Romney Republicans: 10% Obama, 83% Romney Independents: 54% Obama, 36% Romney

42%

38% 12%

34%

7%

(Asked if registered to vote in MA, n=405)

About half say election depends on getting the economy moving

Some people have said that this presidential election is a referendum on the past four years of the Obama Administration. Others have said that its more of a choice election between two competing views of government: more government vs. less government. Still others say its an election about who can best get the economy moving. Which of these three positions is closer to your own?

100% 80%

Referendum on Obama Administration Choice between competing views of government Election on who is best to improve economy Combination Don't know

60% 40%
20% 0%

49%
29% 12% 4% Oct. '12
8

6%

A little over one-half have a favorable opinion of Brown

100% Favorable Unfavorable

80% 61% 60% 56% 61% 56% 64% 54% 54% 38% 29% 61%

55%

40% 24% 20% 16% 9% 0% 26% 26% 29% 25%

34%

34%

Warrens ratings rise with her increased visibility

100% Favorable Unfavorable

80%

Cant rate/Never heard = 10%

60%

51%

40%
28% 20% 19%

40%
27%

38%

39%

32%

0%

10

(Asked if registered to vote in MA, n=405)

Warren leads by four points, a very close race

Thinking ahead to the election for the United States Senator from Massachusetts, if the candidates were Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren, for whom would you vote?
100%
Democrats: 70% Warren, 22% Brown Republicans: 0% Warren, 94% Brown Independents: 39% Warren, 51% Brown

80%

Brown

Lean Brown

Warren

Lean Warren

Don't know

60%

52% 44%

54% 42% 40% 43% 42% 41%

46%

40%

39%

20%

4%
0%

11% 3%

12%

0%

4% 1%

1%

1%3%

2%

1%

3%

8% 2%

Oct. '11

Jan. '12

Apr. '12

Jul. '12

Oct. '12

11

(Asked if registered to vote in MA, n=405)

About half want to send a Democrat to the Senate to keep it out of Republican control
Which is more important for Massachusetts?
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

52% 40%

8%
We need to send a Democrat to Having a moderate Republican the U.S. Senate to help ensure Senator is good for MA and the that it doesnt fall under the country control of Republicans Don't know

12

(Asked if registered to vote in MA, n=405)

Slight edge goes to Warren for balance between promoting business and protecting consumers
Which candidate do you think will help produce more jobs by getting the right balance between promoting business and protecting consumers?
100%

80%

60%

43%
40%

48%

20%

9%
0% Scott Brown Elizabeth Warren Don't know

13

For the first time, half give Patrick a positive job rating
On a scale of excellent, good, only fair and poor, how would you rate the job Deval Patrick is doing as Governor of Massachusetts?
100% Excellent/Good Fair/Poor

80%

60%

62%60% 55% 52% 49% 46%46% 43%

77% 73%75%74%72% 70% 64%64% 64%65%

58%58%60%60% 54%

50% 48%

40%

46% 43%42%44% 38%36% 35%34% 33% 25%

41%40%41%39% 37% 34%35%

20%

24%24%25%25%26% 19%

0%

14

Past Governors favorability, job ratings and Consumer Confidence

Governor Ratings - Trend
100% Favorable rating 80% Job rating excellent/good

54% 62%
60%

52% 59%

55%

51% 39%

51%

54%

56% 49%

56%

40%

50% 35% 40% 41% 22%

40%
20%

41% 34%

36%

34% 25%

0% Apr. '92 - Oct. '98 - Oct. '02 - Apr. '04 - Apr. '08 - Apr. '09 - Apr. '10 - Apr. '11 - Oct. '11 - Jan. '12 - Apr. '12 - Oct. '12 Weld Cellucci Swift Romney Patrick Patrick Patrick Patrick Patrick Patrick Patrick Patrick

CC= 65

CC= 116

CC= 80

CC= CC= CC= 93 54 65

CC= 80

CC= 67

CC= 64

CC= CC= 84 85

CC= 91
15

CC = Consumer Confidence