CNN/Opinion Research Political Survey on Barack Obama and Congress

Apart from whether you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president, what do you think of Obama as a person? Would you say you approve of him or disapprove of him?

• Approve 73%
• Disapprove 22%

Among Democrats

• Approve 94%
• Disapprove 5%

Among Republicans

• Approve 42%
• Disapprove 49%

Among Independents

• Approve 73%
• Disapprove 21%

In general, do you hope that Barack Obama’s policies will succeed or do you hope that his policies will fail?

• Succeed 61%
• Fail 27%

Among Democrats

• Succeed 89%
• Fail 5%

Among Republicans

• Succeed 27%
• Fail 61%

Among Independents

• Succeed 59%
• Fail 27%

And in general, do you think it is more likely that Obama’s policies will succeed or more likely that his policies will fail?

• Succeed 44%
• Fail 47%

Among Democrats

• Succeed 68%
• Fail 22%

Among Republicans

• Succeed 18%
• Fail 72%

Among Independents

• Succeed 39%
• Fail 53%

Thinking about the major issues facing the country today, who do you have the most confidence in — Barack Obama, or the Republicans in Congress, or the Democrats in Congress?

• Republicans in Congress 40%
• Barack Obama 35%
• Democrats in Congress 15%

Among Democrats

• Barack Obama 60%
• Democrats in Congress 30%
• Republicans in Congress 5%

Among Republicans

• Republicans in Congress 91%
• Barack Obama 6%
• Democrats in Congress 0%

Among Independents

• Republicans in Congress 41%
• Barack Obama 31%
• Democrats in Congress 12%

Do you think it will be good for the country or bad for the country that the Republican party will be in control of the U.S. House?

• Good for country 51%
• Bad for country 42%

Among Democrats

• Good for country 17%
• Bad for country 76%

Among Republicans

• Good for country 98%
• Bad for country 1%

Among Independents

• Good for country 54%
• Bad for country 37%

Do you think the Republicans will do a better job running the U.S. House than the Democrats did, a worse job than the Democrats, or won’t there be much difference?

• Better 26%
• Worse 22%
• No difference 52%

Among Democrats

• Better 3%
• Worse 48%
• No difference 47%

Among Republicans

• Better 68%
• Worse 0%
• No difference 31%

Among Independents

• Better 22%
• Worse 14%
• No difference 64%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

• John Boehner 36% / 24% {+12%}
• Mitch McConnell 32% / 25% {+7%}
• Harry Reid 33% / 33% {0%}
• Jim DeMint 14% / 16% {-2%}
• Nancy Pelosi 34% / 51% {-17%}

Among Democrats

• Harry Reid 60% / 10% {+50%}
• Nancy Pelosi 60% / 29% {+31%}
• Jim DeMint 5% / 24% {-19%}
• John Boehner 19% / 41% {-22%}
• Mitch McConnell 14% / 44% {-30%}

Among Republicans

• John Boehner 64% / 8% {+56%}
• Mitch McConnell 54% / 6% {+48%}
• Jim DeMint 24% / 9% {+15%}
• Harry Reid 6% / 64% {-58%}
• Nancy Pelosi 12% / 83% {-71%}

Among Independents

• John Boehner 35% / 20% {+15%}
• Mitch McConnell 35% / 20% {+15%}
• Jim DeMint 15% / 14% {+1%}
• Harry Reid 27% / 35% {-8%}
• Nancy Pelosi 27% / 52% {-25%}

Survey of 1,008 adults was conducted December 17-19, 2010. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.