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POLL: Campaign 2012—Who Will Win?

We’re a year out from the 2012 election. Can President Barack Obama win a second term? How will Senator Scott Brown fare? Take our poll and let us know.

 

Tuesday, Nov. 8 is Election Day, and it will be a fairly quiet one with only town or citywide positions on the ballot for those communities heading to the polls.

But at this time next year, Americans will be casting their vote in the 2012 presidential election. In Massachusetts, Senator Scott Brown will also be making his bid for reelection. There will also be assorted races for congressional representation and races for state representative and state senator.

Polls show that a majority of Americans disapprove of President Barack Obama’s job performance and that they feel the country is on the wrong track.

In a race against a generic Republican, the President trails, according to a Real Clear Politics average of the latest polls. But, when matched up against individual Republicans, President Obama either has a slight lead (Mitt Romney) or holds a sizeable advantage (Herman Cain and Rick Perry).

A Real Clear Politics average of the latest polls shows businessman Herman Cain with a slight lead over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the fight for the Republican Party nomination.

What do polls a year out from an election mean? Take them with a grain of salt.

A year out from the 2008 Presidential Election, eventual Republican Party nominee John McCain was running a distant second to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and only a few tenths of a percentage point ahead of third-place Fred Thompson. In the Democratic primary race, former Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton had a 27-point lead over Obama.

A lot can (and does) change.

Still, we want to know what where Massachusetts voters stand a year out from the 2012 election. What are your thoughts on President Obama’s job performance? How does he matchup against some of the top Republican contenders? Will Scott Brown be reelected?

Take our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments section.

  • What is the most important issue the country faces heading into next year’s election?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • The economy and job creation
        575 (90%)
    • Health care
        15 (2%)
    • National security and terrorism
        20 (3%)
    • Social issues (like abortion and gay marriage)
        8 (1%)
    • Other
        15 (2%)
    Total votes: 633
  • What letter grade would you give Barack Obama at this point in his presidency?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • A—excellent
        26 (4%)
    • B—satisfactory
        82 (12%)
    • C—average
        95 (14%)
    • D—unsatisfactory
        145 (22%)
    • F—failing
        289 (45%)
    Total votes: 637
  • Does Barack Obama deserve a second term?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes, he needs more time to accomplish his goals
        137 (21%)
    • No, it’s time for a change
        434 (67%)
    • Let’s see how this next year goes
        35 (5%)
    • Depends on who wins the Republican nomination
        35 (5%)
    Total votes: 641
  • In the Republican presidential primary, I’d vote for:

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Herman Cain
        69 (10%)
    • Newt Gingrich
        76 (11%)
    • Ron Paul
        76 (11%)
    • Rick Perry
        17 (2%)
    • Mitt Romney
        279 (43%)
    • Other
        21 (3%)
    • None of the above
        106 (16%)
    Total votes: 644
  • In a hypothetical general election matchup between President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney, I’d vote for:

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Barack Obama
        158 (24%)
    • Mitt Romney
        409 (64%)
    • Neither
        53 (8%)
    • Undecided
        19 (2%)
    Total votes: 639
  • How would you grade Scott Brown's performance as senator so far?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • A—excellent
        213 (34%)
    • B—satisfactory
        162 (26%)
    • C—average
        129 (20%)
    • D—unsatisfactory
        74 (11%)
    • F—failing
        44 (7%)
    Total votes: 622
  • In a hypothetical matchup between Sen. Scott Brown and Democrat Party front-runner Elizabeth Warren, I'd vote for:

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Scott Brown
        422 (65%)
    • Elizabeth Warren
        130 (20%)
    • Neither
        49 (7%)
    • Undecided
        39 (6%)
    Total votes: 640
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: 2012 election, 2012 presidential election, 2012 presidential election poll, Barack Obama, Elizabeth Warren, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, and Scott Brown

Bob Havey

10:16 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011

As important as the economy and job creation are right now, they have to rank second in importance behind the issue of national security and terrorism. Having a job and being financially secure won't matter all that much if we're attacked by the lunatic fringe - from within and outside our country. All the money in the world cannot secure our freedom.

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Elaine Dahlgren

11:16 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011

I sincerely hope that Barack Hussein Obama doesn't win another four years!! He has done enough damage to our country!! I also dont feel safe with him as the POTUS!! He has zero knowlege of terrorism. Just look at Fast

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Kathleen Anderson

7:29 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Do you really watch the news ....or just Fox ......I do believe President Barack Hussein Obama has actually accomplished a few missions as commander in chief.......and I get the impression you think his middle name is indicative of some sinister plot......funny I feel a whole lot safer than I did 2000-2008

Trot Nixon

12:36 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Zero knowledge of terrorism? Didn't he kill Bin Laden? Didn't he ouster Qaddafi? He kept Guantanmo Bay open and increased troops in afghanistan...typical right winger response

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Tonto

8:59 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Bush could have killed Bin Laden Anytime he wanted they knew where he was at......The community organizer from nowhere killed him to kick off his election campaign. Nobama is no hero for that.

Trot Nixon

7:13 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I just find it funny that you say it was a politcal ploy even though it happened almost 2 years away from re-election. I mean who is the other better choice? Mittens? He's flipped flop more than Kerry did in '04. Do you honestly think, Cain, Perry, Bachmann or Gingrich is a better choice? I mean if you think those whack jobs are any better then you truly live in La-La Land.

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lowertaxes

8:32 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I think the results of this poll says it all. The majority of people don't want Obama reelected. 68% is a pretty large amount. Yes, he got Bin Ladin, but it was because of intelligence gathered by the Bush Administration. As for Qaddafi, that was the Lybian people that finished him off, not the US. Time for some new blood and to get this country back together.

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Trot Nixon

9:36 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Polls mean nothing until the day off the election...remember when everyone thought Deval Patrick was finished, had horrendous poll numbers....and what happened the guy gets re-elected with more votes than any incumbent governor in the history of mass elections. I love how people refuse to give this guy credit for Bin Laden. It just shows you cant give him credit for anything! Remind who funded the libyian people with weapons and oh that little thing called...air strikes?

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DJ

9:49 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I think the results of this pole does say it all: that the majority of Americans have gotten fat and greedy and want everything now. Just look at posts related to shopping. Our economy is in trouble because we sold out our country and lost our manufacturing base, a first ever. Everyone wants what everyone else has now so they by Walmart and Xmass tree shop and everything cheap China and they wonder later why no one has jobs? And worse, blames it on current administrations?

Personally I wasn't an Obama fan from the start, and no better this time, but if your going to credit the prior administration for intelligence gathered 2+ years prior to the Bin Ladin capture, it's far more reasonable and accurate to credit them for the economy as well.

I won't vote for Romney and anyone who is honest will admit he left for higher office when he did because he felt the door being closed on him here. He can communicate as well as Gingrich, but smooth talkers with little to show for it is why we have Obama so I see little difference on that level. At this point I'm looking to learn more about Paul because I am frankly displeased with both sides and he seems the closest thing to a third view.

Can someone explain to me why we are so reluctant to bring in a third party to at least make these other two do their jobs?

Matt

10:15 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Obama has been a complete utter failure. have no idea how you can debate that - even the true liberals know this. had zero experience, never had a job, he grew up with entitlements and wants to govern with entitlements.the problem these days we are force to vote AGAISNT someone rather than for someone.I will be voting AGAINST Obama

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Liz

11:15 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

So many comments so little time. If Bush knew where Bin Laden was - I am quite sure he would have found taken him out and taken full credit as if done with his own hands. President Obama, who managed a mission stoically, majestically and with great pride in our armed forces, took out the man responsible for the death of so many Americans. Give this man credit for something. He unfortunately inherited a country that was headed in the wrong direction - for whatever reason. Greed - corruption - deception. We can only listen to the media and try to make sense of it all. I see a man running a country that he loves with a Congress folding their hands trying to run out the clock until they can take over. Really? We the people need to work together to get it back on the right path with the person who is best suited for the job. I have no idea who that person is yet.

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Trot Nixon

12:00 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011

First off, I completely agree we should have a credible third party candidate. However, the campaign finance laws are corrupting elected officials. Congress is comprised of wealthy citizens who are out of touch with reality. Deregulation, the blank checks for the Iraq and Afghanistan war and medicare are whats taxing this countries funds. There is no way for us to continue this path unless we fix the tax code, make businesses acutally pay there fair share along with the wealthy in this country and scale back defense spending. Stop going after programs that actually help people.

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