Polls

Americans consider NRA endorsement to be a negative

| Tom Jensen


Header-poll-results
Raleigh, N.C. –

Much has been made in recent weeks about the NRA’s political strength, but
PPP’s newest national poll finds more voters consider their endorsement to be a
negative than a positive. 39% say they would be less likely to vote for a
candidate who had the NRA’s support to just 26% who say they’d be more likely
to, with 32% saying it wouldn’t influence them one way or the other. Among
independents 41% consider an NRA endorsement to be a turn off to 27% who say
it’s a plus.

In general 53% of voters say they support stricter gun laws in the country
to 39% who are opposed to them. Those numbers are basically identical to a
53/40 spread a month ago, suggesting that the desire for stronger legislation
has not died down as Newtown gradually fades from voters’ minds. On the
specific issue of an assault weapons ban 51% of voters are supportive to 42%
who are opposed. It has support from a solid majority of Democrats, as well as
26% of Republicans.

“Politicians really don’t have to be scared of the NRA,” said Dean Debnam,
President of Public Policy Polling. “Voters consider its support to be a
negative thing.”

Congressional Republicans have seen some improvement in their numbers over
the last month. They still have only a 22% approval rating with 68% of voters
disapproving of them, but that’s an improvement from a 15/75 spread a month
ago. Most of the improvement has come with GOP voters, whose anger over the
fiscal cliff deal seems to have subsided a little bit.

64% of voters nationally think illegal immigrants should be given a chance
to apply for legal citizenship, compared to only 27% who think they should be
deported back to their home countries. Over two thirds of white voters with an
opinion on the matter (60/29) and a plurality of Republicans (44/41) support a
path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the country.

PPP surveyed 800 voters nationally from January 31st
to February 3rd. The margin of error for the survey is +/-3.5%. This
poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization.
PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews.

Topline results are below.  Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of President
Barack Obama’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 49%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 48%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 2%

Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of the job
Congressional Democrats are doing?
Approve …………………………………………………. 39%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 53%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 8%

Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of the job
Congressional Republicans are doing?
Approve …………………………………………………. 22%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 68%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%

Q4 If there was an election for the U.S. House
today, would you vote for the Democratic or
Republican candidate from your district?
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 45%
Republican……………………………………………… 45%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%

Q5 Do you support or oppose Chuck Hagel being
confirmed as Secretary of Defense?
Support ………………………………………………….. 39%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 33%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 28%

Q6 Would you support or oppose banning assault
weapons?
Support ………………………………………………….. 51%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 42%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 8%

Q7 Would you support or oppose Congress
passing stricter gun laws?
Support ………………………………………………….. 53%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 39%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 8%

Q8 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the National Rifle Association?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 43%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 41%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 16%

Q9 Would you be more or less likely to vote for a
candidate supported by the National Rifle
Association, or would it not make a difference?
More likely………………………………………………. 26%
Less likely ………………………………………………. 39%
Wouldn’t make a difference……………………….. 32%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 2%

Q10 Do you support or oppose legislation that
would allow for a legal way for illegal
immigrants in America to become U.S.
citizens?
Support ………………………………………………….. 49%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 37%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 14%

Q11 Do you think illegal immigrants who are living in
America should be offered a chance to apply
for legal citizenship, or do you think they should
all be deported back to their native countries?
They should be offered a chance to apply for
legal citizenship………………………………………..64%
They should be deported back to their home
country……………………………………………………27%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 9%

Q12 In the last presidential election, did you vote for
Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?
Barack Obama………………………………………… 51%
Mitt Romney……………………………………………. 43%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 6%

Q13 Would you describe yourself as very liberal,
somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?
Very liberal ……………………………………………… 11%
Somewhat liberal …………………………………….. 19%
Moderate………………………………………………… 28%
Somewhat conservative……………………………. 25%
Very conservative ……………………………………. 18%

Q14 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 51%
Man……………………………………………………….. 49%

Q15 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,
press 2. If you are an independent or identify
with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 42%
Republican……………………………………………… 33%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 25%

Q16 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African-American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 10%
White …………………………………………………….. 72%
African-American …………………………………….. 11%
Other……………………………………………………… 7%

Q17 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to
45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are
older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 14%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 26%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 40%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%

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