CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll, February 2010

This poll, fielded February 5-10, 2010, is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way Barack Obama was handling his job as president, whether things in the country were going in the right direction, to rate the condition of the national economy, and what they thought was the most important problem facing the nation. Opinions were solicited on how respondents felt about the current administration, health care reform, the federal budget deficit, and terrorism. Respondents were asked whether they approved or disapproved of the current Congress, the chance they would re-elect members of Congress, whether there was a need for a third party to be formed, how well Congress represents the general population compared to special interests, whether the stimulus package created a substantial number of new jobs or not, whether government programs do enough or too much for the people, new regulations and proposed taxes on financial institutions, the amount of influence the Tea Party has, gays and lesbians in the military, and personal finances. Demographic information includes sex, age, race, education level, household income, marital status, religious preference, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), political party affiliation, political philosophy, and voter registration status and participation history.