CBS News/New York Times Survey, January #3, 2011

This poll, fielded January 15-19, 2011 is a part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicits public opinion on a range of political and social issues. Respondents were asked how well Barack Obama was handling the presidency and key issues such as foreign policy and the economy. Respondents were also queried on what they felt Congress should focus on right now, the economy, trust in politicians to address national issues, and whether the president would work with Congress to get things done. Respondents were asked for their overall opinions of Republicans and Democrats, as well as individual politicians such as Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Additional questions asked them about the federal deficit, the overall direction of the country, respondents' optimism or pessimism over the next two years with Obama as president. Respondents were also asked what were the most important issues facing the country, to rate the national economy, if they felt the economy was improving, and whether they knew someone who was killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Respondents were further questioned about Medicare, Social Security, military spending, the overall civility in politics today, gun control laws, and health care. They were also asked about hypothetical scenarios relating to fixing problems such as Social Security and health care. Lastly, respondents were queried as to which news networks they watched for information as well as which radio shows they listened to. Demographic information includes sex, age, race, marital status, education level, household income, employment status, religious preference, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), political party affiliation, political philosophy, and whether respondents thought of themselves as born-again Christians.