CBS News/New York Times National Poll, February #1, 2012

This poll, fielded February, 2012, and the first of two, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way Barack Obama was handling his job as president, foreign policy, the economy, the situation in Afghanistan, job creation, and the federal budget deficit. Respondents were also asked whether they approved of Congress, about the condition of the economy, and whether things in the country were on the right track. Multiple questions addressed the 2012 Republican presidential candidates, including respondents' overall opinions of several of the candidates and their policies. Respondents were asked what issues and qualities were most important in deciding who to support for the Republican nomination, what topics they would like to hear them discuss, as well as the Tea Party movement and the amount of influence they have in the Republican Party. Additionally, respondents were questioned whether they voted in the 2008 presidential election and who they voted for, whether they voted or plan to vote in a Democratic or Republican 2012 primary or caucus, their first and second choice for the 2012 Republican nomination for president, which candidate would have the best chance of winning against Barack Obama, and who they would vote for in the 2012 presidential election. Other topics include the housing market, the federal budget deficit, birth control, same-sex marriage, and illegal immigrants. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, household income, religious preference, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), whether respondents thought of themselves as born-again Christians, marital status, number of people in the household between the ages of 18 and 29, political party affiliation, political philosophy, and voter registration status.