ABC News/Washington Post Monthly Poll, January 2011

This poll, fielded January 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 whether they approved of the performances of President Obama and Congress on a range of topics including: the economy, health care, Afghanistan, the budget deficit, taxes, and international relations. Additional queries investigated respondents' opinions of China, the Tea Party movement, the prioritization of political issues, the Affordable Care Act, gun control, partisan cooperation, and the quality of leadership provided by the political parties. Participants were asked if race relations have improved since Barack Obama took office, and whether the current state of political discourse encouraged violence, specifically referencing the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Additional questions included political partisanship, left-right political self-placement, and voting intentions. Demographic and other background information includes age, gender, race, religious affiliation, education, and locality of residence.