Raleigh, N.C. – The latest PPP national poll finds President Obama with his best job approval rating in seven months, while oil drilling still receives majority support despite a plurality saying the Gulf coast spill makes them less likely to support further drilling.
50% of American voters now say they approve of the job Obama is doing, to 46% who disapprove. That is up from 46-48 last month, and is the first time he has been over 49% since posting a 51-43 spread in October 2009. Opinion on the health care law is largely unchanged, from 45-50 last month to 43-49 now.
Oil drilling off the American coast is supported by 55% of American voters, with 30% against it. Democrats oppose, 34-48. 43% of all voters say the oil spill off the Gulf coast makes them less likely to support further exploration, to only 21% who say it makes them more likely and 36% who say it makes no difference to them. Among conservatives, more (29%) say the spill makes them more likely to support drilling than those who say it makes them less likely (23%), as compared to liberals (17-67), moderates (17-49), Democrats (16-58), and independents (20-39). Republicans are split 28-28.
40% of Republicans and 44% of conservatives either agree with the Internet conspiracy theory that environmentalists perpetrated the oil spill to reduce support for oil drilling or are unsure.
“We have been seeing a number of signs lately that Democratic prospects are improving for the midterm elections,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “Meanwhile a majority of Americans continue to support offshore drilling, although many of them have tempered their enthusiasm for it in light of the recent events in the Gulf.”
PPP surveyed 707 registered American voters from May 7th to 9th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.7%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Barack
Obama’s job performance?
Approve…………….. 50%
Disapprove………… 46%
Not Sure……………. 4%
Q2 Do you support or oppose President Obama’s
health care plan, or do you not have an
opinion?
Support ………………………………………………….. 43%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 49%
No Opinion……………………………………………… 7%
Q3 Do you support or oppose drilling for oil off the
American coastline?
Support ………………………………………………….. 55%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 30%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 15%
Q4 Does the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico make
you more or less likely to support further drilling
for oil off the American coastline, or does it not
make a difference to you?
More likely………………………………………………. 21%
Less likely ………………………………………………. 43%
Makes no difference ………………………………… 36%
Q5 Do you think the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico
was intentionally caused by environmentalists
to reduce public support for offshore drilling?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 9%
No …………………………………………………………. 69%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 22%
Q6 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 19%
Moderate………………………………………………… 44%
Conservative…………………………………………… 38%
Q7 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 52%
Man……………………………………………………….. 48%
Q8 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 41%
Republican……………………………………………… 35%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 24%
Q9 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 …………………………………….. 12%
Other……………………………………………………… 6%
Q10 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 9%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 28%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 42%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 21%
Q11 If you live in the Northeast, press 1. If the
South, press 2. If the Midwest, press 3. If the
West, press 4.
Northeast ……………………………………………….. 26%
South …………………………………………………….. 32%
Midwest …………………………………………………. 26%
West ……………………………………………………… 17%
