November 25, 2014 - American Voters Split On Obama's Immigration Move, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; President's Approval Near All-Time Low

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American voters are divided on whether President Barack Obama should take action to address the immigration issue if Congress fails to act, as 45 percent say the president should issue an executive order while 48 percent say he should not, according to a Quinnipiac University National poll released today.





At the same time, support for immigrants is at its lowest level ever measured by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll. Offered three choices on what to do about illegal immigrants:

48 percent of American voters say they should be allowed to stay, with a path to citizenship, down from 57 percent November 13, 2013, and the lowest this number ever has been;

11 percent say immigrants should be allowed to stay, but not be allowed to apply for citizenship, consistent with previous surveys;

35 percent say illegal immigrants should be required to leave the U.S., up from 26 percent 12 months ago and higher than this number ever has been.

There is a wide gender gap on Obama's action, as women support it 50 - 39 percent, while men oppose it 57 - 39 percent. Support is 59 - 33 percent among voters 18 to 29 years old, but drops among older voters, with voters over 65 years old opposed 53 - 36 percent.





Democrats support Obama's immigration move 74 - 18 percent, with opposition at 75 - 20 percent among Republicans and 51 - 40 percent among independent voters.





"While President Barack Obama's popularity wallows, support for immigrants wanes as Americans look at immigration reform with ambivalence," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.





American voters oppose 68 - 25 percent Congress shutting down "major activities of the federal government" as a way to block Obama's immigration move.





Only 44 percent of Republicans support a shutdown, with 47 percent opposed.





"Americans seem divided on immigration, but they agree on one thing: They don't want a government shutdown over President Obama's action on immigration," Malloy added.





President's Approval Rating





American voters give Obama a negative 39 - 54 percent approval rating, close to his lowest-ever 38 - 57 percent score in a December 10, 2013, Quinnipiac University poll.





Democrats and voters under 30 years old are the only party, gender or age groups who approve of the president.





Only 42 percent of American voters trust Obama more than Republicans in Congress to do what is best for the nation, while 47 percent trust Republicans more.





It's good for the country that Republicans have taken over control of the U.S. Senate, voters say 51 - 37 percent, but 67 percent of voters expect more gridlock in the next two years. Gridlock will be Obama's fault, 44 percent of voters say, as 42 percent would blame Republicans.





"American voters are happy the Republicans have the ball, but don't feel confident there will be a lot of scoring on the deal-making front," Malloy said.





"If that's the case, the numbers say blame will fall on Obama as much as Republicans.





"With the exception of voters born after 1985, Obama's approval is deep under water."





Ransom for Hostages





The U.S. should never pay ransom to terrorists who are holding American hostages, voters say 70 - 21 percent, with support among all listed groups, including 77 - 16 percent among voters in military households. American voters agree 83 - 13 percent that paying ransom to terrorists encourages more hostage taking.





Former Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill should have remained quiet about his involvement in the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, voters say 69 - 19 percent, but only 10 percent of voters, including 16 percent of voters in military households, say he should be prosecuted.





From November 18 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,623 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.





The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research.





For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.





3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Approve 39% 6% 78% 34% 32% 45% 56% 41% 33% 33% Disapprove 54 93 15 54 60 48 30 53 62 59 DK/NA 8 1 7 11 8 8 14 6 6 8

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? (* High also 59% Mar 2009)

APPROVE....... High Low Nov 25 Jul 02 Apr 02 Jan 22 Jan 08 Jun 04 Dec 10 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2009* 2013 Approve 39 40 42 40 41 59 38 Disapprove 54 53 50 54 53 31 57 DK/NA 8 7 8 6 7 10 6

6. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Very satisfied 2% 1% 3% 3% 2% 3% 5% 2% 3% 1% Smwht satisfied 23 7 41 22 23 24 30 25 20 22 Smwht dissatisfied 32 29 34 33 30 34 41 36 28 27 Very dissatisfied 42 62 21 43 45 39 25 36 49 50 DK/NA 1 - 1 - 1 - - 1 1 1

TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Nov 25 Jul 08 Apr 02 Jan 22 Jan 08 Dec 11 Nov 13 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2001 2008 Very satisfied 2 2 2 2 1 21 2 Smwht satisfied 23 24 24 22 24 47 14 Smwht dissatisfied 32 31 33 32 31 19 38 Very dissatisfied 42 43 40 43 43 10 44 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 3 2

30. Who do you trust more to make decisions that are good for the country, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 42% 4% 85% 42% 35% 48% 60% 42% 37% 36% Reps in Congress 47 90 8 41 53 41 26 47 52 52 DK/NA 12 6 8 17 12 12 13 12 11 12

31. Do you think it is good for the country or bad for the country that the Republicans have taken over control of the United States Senate from the Democrats?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Good 51% 96% 9% 49% 59% 44% 36% 53% 54% 54% Bad 37 3 79 33 30 44 52 37 36 31 DK/NA 12 2 12 18 10 13 12 10 11 15

32. Do you believe there will be more gridlock or less gridlock in the final two years of the Obama presidency?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ More 67% 64% 72% 66% 67% 68% 63% 72% 68% 62% Less 19 24 15 20 22 17 20 21 19 18 SAME(VOL) 4 3 4 4 4 3 2 3 5 5 DK/NA 10 9 9 9 6 12 15 5 7 16

33. If there is continued gridlock in Washington, who do you believe will be to blame, President Obama or Republicans in Congress?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Obama 44% 77% 18% 39% 47% 42% 32% 42% 48% 48% Reps in Congress 42 11 74 42 39 44 55 42 39 36 DK/NA 14 12 7 19 14 15 13 16 13 16

34. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Excellent 2% 1% 4% 1% 2% 2% 2% 1% 3% 2% Good 31 15 48 32 32 30 39 35 27 27 Not so good 38 45 31 39 38 39 38 37 37 41 Poor 28 39 15 28 28 28 22 25 33 28 DK/NA 1 1 2 - 1 1 - 2 1 1

TREND: Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

EXLNT+GOOD.... High Low Nov 25 Jul 02 Apr 02 Jan 22 Dec 10 Dec 10 Mar 04 2014 2014 2014 2014 2013 2003 2009 Excellent 2 1 - 1 - 3 - Good 31 22 26 21 20 37 3 Not so good 38 43 44 44 44 42 28 Poor 28 34 30 33 36 16 68 DK/NA 1 - - 1 1 1 -

35. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Better 34% 17% 52% 36% 36% 31% 43% 34% 33% 28% Worse 22 34 10 21 20 24 11 18 29 25 The same 43 48 37 42 43 43 46 47 37 45 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1 - 1 1 2

TREND: Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? (* Low also 11% Sep 2011)

BETTER........ High Low Nov 25 Jul 02 Apr 02 Jan 22 Dec 10 Jan 18 Oct 06 2014 2014 2014 2014 2013 2011 2011* Better 34 26 29 28 29 36 11 Worse 22 31 29 26 28 20 44 The same 43 43 42 44 42 43 44 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1

38. Do you support or oppose the health care law passed by Barack Obama and Congress in 2010?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 40% 8% 77% 38% 34% 46% 57% 39% 38% 33% Oppose 54 89 16 54 62 46 38 56 56 57 DK/NA 6 2 7 8 4 9 4 5 6 10

TREND: Do you support or oppose the health care law passed by Barack Obama and Congress in 2010?

SUPPORT....... High Low Nov 25 Jul 02 Apr 02 Jan 22 Jan 08 Oct 01 Jan 22 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2013 2014 Support 40 43 41 38 40 45 38 Oppose 54 55 55 56 56 47 56 DK/NA 6 2 5 7 4 8 7

39. Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law, or should they let it stand?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Should repeal it 48% 82% 12% 48% 54% 42% 35% 50% 49% 50% Should let it stand 46 14 82 45 40 50 64 47 44 37 DK/NA 6 4 6 8 5 8 1 3 7 13

TREND: Do you think Congress should try to repeal the health care law, or should they let it stand?

Nov 25 Jul 12 Apr 20 Feb 23 Nov 23 May 04 Jan 18 2014 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 Should repeal it 48 49 51 52 47 44 48 Should let it stand 46 43 38 39 41 45 43 DK/NA 6 8 11 10 12 11 8

40. Do you think Congress will try to repeal the health care law or not?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 75% 68% 83% 74% 74% 75% 82% 71% 77% 71% No 17 21 11 20 21 13 15 21 16 14 DK/NA 8 11 6 6 5 12 3 7 7 15

41. If Congress tries to repeal the health care law, do you think it will be successful or not?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 30% 39% 24% 27% 31% 29% 32% 32% 32% 24% No 56 51 62 58 59 54 53 62 55 52 DK/NA 14 10 14 15 10 17 14 6 14 24

42. Do you think the United States military should have combat troops on the ground in Iraq or not?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Should 37% 53% 24% 30% 44% 31% 33% 37% 40% 36% No 55 39 68 61 49 60 60 58 53 48 DK/NA 8 7 8 9 7 10 7 5 7 16 Mltry HsHld Yes/Should 45% No 49 DK/NA 7

43. Do you believe the international coalition put together by the White House to defeat ISIS is working or not?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 19% 13% 29% 16% 21% 17% 15% 24% 19% 14% No 61 78 41 64 64 58 53 60 65 61 DK/NA 21 10 29 19 16 25 33 17 16 25 Mltry HsHld Yes 18% No 63 DK/NA 19

44. Do you think there are circumstances when the United States government should pay ransom to international terrorists who are holding American hostages, or should the United States government never pay ransom to terrorists under any circumstances?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Should pay 21% 14% 31% 17% 16% 25% 41% 22% 14% 16% No/Never pay 70 80 56 74 80 61 46 71 77 72 DK/NA 10 5 13 9 4 14 14 7 8 13 Mltry HsHld Yes/Should pay 16% No/Never pay 77 DK/NA 7

45. Some people say the United States should not pay ransom to terrorists because it encourages more hostage taking. Do you agree or disagree?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Agree 83% 89% 76% 84% 87% 79% 69% 84% 88% 83% Disagree 13 8 20 11 12 14 23 14 8 12 DK/NA 4 3 4 5 2 7 9 2 4 6 Mltry HsHld Agree 88% Disagree 9 DK/NA 2

46. Do you think that Robert O'Neill, the former Navy SEAL who claims to have fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden, should have publicly disclosed his involvement or do you think he should have remained quiet about the mission?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Disclosed 19% 25% 13% 19% 21% 18% 19% 21% 18% 18% No/Remained quiet 69 66 77 69 69 70 63 70 73 67 DK/NA 12 10 10 12 10 13 18 9 9 15 Mltry HsHld Yes/Disclosed 20% No/Remained quiet 71 DK/NA 9

47. Do you think Robert O'Neill should be prosecuted for publicly disclosing that he killed Bin Laden or not?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes 10% 6% 12% 10% 10% 9% 9% 11% 10% 7% No 81 88 76 80 82 80 87 81 81 78 DK/NA 9 6 12 10 8 11 3 8 9 15 Mltry HsHld Yes 16% No 75 DK/NA 9

48. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Legal all cases 23% 15% 37% 20% 21% 25% 34% 25% 23% 16% Legal most cases 33 25 36 42 32 35 36 33 33 34 Illegal most cases 24 39 11 21 26 22 15 24 26 25 Illegal all cases 12 16 8 8 12 12 13 11 11 13 DK/NA 8 6 8 8 9 7 3 6 7 13

TREND: Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?

COMBINED LEGAL ALL & MOST CASES High Low Nov 25 Oct 04 Aug 02 Feb 07 Feb 23 Aug 02 Apr 21 2014 2013 2013 2013 2012 2013 2010 Legal all cases 23 20 20 24 22 20 18 Legal most cases 33 36 38 32 33 38 33 Illegal most cases 24 23 25 25 25 25 27 Illegal all cases 12 14 12 14 14 12 16 DK/NA 8 7 5 6 6 5 6

49. As you may know, in 2013 the House of Representatives approved legislation that would ban virtually all abortions nationwide after 20 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of rape and incest that are reported to authorities. Would you support or oppose such legislation?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Support 60% 76% 46% 56% 61% 59% 57% 61% 63% 58% Oppose 33 20 47 36 32 35 38 35 30 32 DK/NA 7 4 7 8 7 6 5 5 6 10

50. Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently living in the United States? A) They should be allowed to stay in the United States and to eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. B) They should be allowed to remain in the United States, but not be allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship. C) They should be required to leave the U.S.

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ A) Stay/Citizenship 48% 27% 67% 53% 44% 51% 64% 47% 47% 42% B) Stay/Not citizen 11 15 11 8 12 11 11 14 10 10 C) Not stay 35 54 17 31 39 31 23 35 38 38 DK/NA 6 5 5 7 4 7 3 4 6 10

TREND: Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently living in the United States? A) They should be allowed to stay in the United States and to eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. B) They should be allowed to remain in the United States, but not be allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship. C) They should be required to leave the U.S.

STAY/CITIZENSHIP High Low Nov 25 Nov 13 Jul 12 May 31 May 02 Apr 04 Nov 25 2014 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 A)Stay/Citizenship 48 57 54 54 52 59 48 B)Stay/Not citizen 11 12 12 12 11 11 11 C)Not stay 35 26 28 29 30 25 35 DK/NA 6 4 6 5 6 5 6

51. If Congress does not act to address the immigration issue, do you think Barack Obama should or should not take action using executive orders?

AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Yes/Should 45% 20% 74% 40% 39% 50% 59% 48% 41% 36% No/Should not 48 75 18 51 57 39 33 45 54 53 DK/NA 8 5 8 9 4 11 8 7 5 11

52. Do you support or oppose Congress shutting down major activities of the federal government as a way to stop President Obama from using executive orders to address the immigration issue?