Polls

TOPICS: Economic conditions, Clinton approval, Clinton vs. Dole on a variety of issues, favorable ratings on Clinton, Dole, Perot, Gore, Kemp, Elizabeth, Hillary, Gingrich, Kennedy

Interviews with 1,229 adult Americans, including 740 likely voters, conducted October 26-29, 1996

Despite Bob Dole's warnings about the nation's economy,the number of Americans who thinks the economy is in good shape has grown significantly in just the past two months. Almost half the public says that economic conditions in this country are excellent or good; only 13% say the economy is in poor shape. Just before Labor Day, only 37% gave the economy good marks. Half the public also believes that economic conditions are getting better.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Economy Conditions Are
Excellent or Good

Now
September
49%
37

All Americans
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Economic Conditions

Getting better
Getting worse
50%
38

All Americans
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

But if economic optimism is on the rise, Clinton's personal popularity may have already peaked. Clinton's approval rating has dropped slightly since September, and his favorable rating has also declined slightly. Nonetheless, both figures show him in good shape for Election Day, and his favorable rating is still higher than Bob Dole's or Ross Perot's standing. Almost as many Americans have an unfavorable view of Dole as think favorably of him. Ross Perot's favorable rating has increased by 10 points, one reason why his support in the tracking poll has gone into double-digits for the first time since Labor Day. But half of all likely voters still have an unfavorable view of the Texas billionaire, indicating the uphill struggle still facing Perot.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Clinton Approval Rating

Now
September
54%
60%

All Americans
Sampling error: +/-3% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Favorable Ratings


FavorableUnfavorable
Clinton
Dole
Perot
58%
49
38
38%
46
50

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Favorable Ratings


NowSept.
Clinton
Dole
Perot
58%
49
38
61%
53
28

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-4% pts

Clinton has an advantage over Dole on a number of issues. More likely voters think Clinton would handle the deficit, welfare policy, health care policy, education, Medicare, the economy and crime better than Dole would. Dole and Clinton are tied on foreign affairs and taxes.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Who Would Do
Better Job?


ClintonDole
Education
Health care
Medicare
Welfare
62%
59
56
55
31%
36
37
38

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-6% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Who Would Do
Better Job?


ClintonDole
Economy
Crime
Deficit
53%
52
50
39%
40
42

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-6% pts

Who can get things done? 65% say Clinton can; 55% say the same about Dole. Who has a clear plan for solving the country's problems? The verdict is split on Clinton -- 49% say he does have such a plan; 46% say he does not. But over six in ten likely voters say that Dole does not have a clear plan for the country. Dole does do better on personal character. Two-thirds say that he is honest and trustworthy; only 45% say the same about Clinton. Why is Clinton comfortably leading Dole when voters don't think the President is as honest as his challenger? Because only one in five say that a President's moral values are more important than his stands on the issues or his ability to manage government.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Can Get Things Done


ClintonDole
Yes
No
65%
31
55%
36

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-6% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Has a Clear Plan For
Solving Country's Problems


ClintonDole
Yes
No
49%
46
31%
62

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/6% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Honest and Trustworthy


ClintonDole
Yes
No
45%
50
66%
27

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-6% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Most Important to Opinion of President

Managing government
Positions on issues
Moral values
45%
25
21

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-4% pts

How dovoters feel about other political figures? Al Gore has a higher favorable rating than Jack Kemp. The number of voters with an unfavorable opinion of Kemp has doubled since his selection as Dole's running mate. Elizabeth Dole has a higher favorable rating than Hillary Rodham Clinton, but the First Lady's standing is better than it was in mid-summer, when her unfavorable rating was higher than her favorable score. Voters have unfavorable impressions of both Newt Gingrich and Ted Kennedy, but Gingrich's unfavorable rating is far higher than Kennedy's.

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Favorable Ratings


FavorableUnfavorable
Gore
Kemp
61%
47
31%
31

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Favorable Ratings


FavorableUnfavorable
Elizabeth Dole
Hillary Clinton
58%
49
24%
43

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-4% pts

CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP POLL
October 26-29
Favorable Ratings


FavorableUnfavorable
Kennedy
Gingrich
41%
26
47%
60

Likely Voters
Sampling error: +/-4% pts

Previous Polls

  • October 26-29
  • October 26-29
  • September 18, 1996
  • August 29, 1996
  • August 25, 1996
  • August 19, 1996
  • August 16-18, 1996
  • August 11, 1996
  • July 18-21, 1996
  • May 9-12, 1996
  • April 9-10, 1996
  • March 15-17, 1996
  • February 23-25, 1996
  • January 26-29, 1996
  • January 12-15, 1996
  • January 5-7, 1996


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