Tim Malloy, Assistant Director,

Quinnipiac University Poll

(203) 645-8043
Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
Public Relations
Contact: Pat Smith (212) 843-8026

FOR RELEASE: NOVEMBER 5, 2015

AMERICAN VOTERS SAY CARTER IS BEST EX-PRESIDENT,

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NATIONAL POLL FINDS;
THE WORD CONTROL AFFECTS ATTITUDES ON GUNS
Former President Jimmy Carter has had the best post presidency, 40 percent of American
voters, including 29 percent of Republicans and 49 percent of Democrats, say in a Quinnipiac
University National poll released today.
President Ronald Reagan is the best ex-president, 24 percent of voters say, with 19
percent for President Bill Clinton, 6 percent for George W. Bush and 5 percent for President
George H.W. Bush, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds.
Pummeled for his presidency but praised for how he conducted his post White House
life, Jimmy Carter far surpasses Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton for what he accomplished once
he left the Oval Office, said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
In a test of how language influences attitudes, half of the respondents were asked one
question and the other respondents were asked a question with different wording:

Support for stricter gun control laws, asked of the first group, is a negative 46 51
percent;
Support for stricter gun laws, without the word control, asked of the second group,
is 52 45 percent.
Republican voters oppose either option by wide margins, while Democrats support either

option by similarly wide margins.

The most pronounced difference is among independent voters who oppose stricter gun
control laws 57 39 percent, but support stricter gun laws 50 45 percent.
All American voters support 93 5 percent requiring background checks for all gun
buyers. Among voters in households with a legal gun, support for background checks is 92 7
percent. Support for universal background checks ranges from 88 percent to 93 percent in every
Quinnipiac University poll since February 7, 2013, two months after the Sandy Hook massacre.
-more-

Quinnipiac University Poll/November 5, 2015 page 2

American voters say 59 33 percent that its possible to make new gun laws without
interfering with gun rights. Republicans are divided as 48 percent say gun laws will interfere
with gun rights while 44 percent say they wont. All other party, gender, education, age and
racial groups believe new gun laws are possible without interfering with gun rights.
If a presidential candidate is supported by gun rights groups, 20 percent say they are more
likely to vote for the candidate, with 23 percent less likely and 56 percent saying this wont
affect their vote.
If more people carry guns, the U.S. would be less safe, 49 percent of voters say, while 41
percent say the U.S. would be safer.
American voters just dont like the term gun control, but they believe overwhelmingly
there should be background checks, Malloy said. And about the axiom that more people
packing makes the country a safer place. Not the case, voters say by a small margin.
American voters support 54 38 percent sending U.S. troops to fight ISIS in Iraq and
Syria. The U.S. and its allies are losing the fight against ISIS, voters say 66 16 percent, with
no listed group disagreeing.
On strictly partisan lines, 45 percent of voters, including 75 percent of Republicans, say
removing U.S. troops from Iraq is more to blame for the rise of ISIS, while 42 percent, including
68 percent of Democrats, say going to war in Iraq is more to blame. Independent voters are
divided 43 44 percent.
President Barack Obama gets a negative 42 54 percent job approval rating, continuing a
negative streak that began with a 45 49 percent approval rating in a May 30, 2013, Quinnipiac
University poll.
Voters disapprove 83 12 percent of the job Republicans in Congress are doing and
disapprove 70 26 percent of Democrats in Congress.
From October 29 November 2, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,144 registered voters
nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 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.

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

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

42%
54
5

7%
92
2

81%
12
7

37%
59
4

38%
58
4

45%
50
5

48%
49
3

38%
56
6

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

57%
36
8

33%
64
3

35%
61
4

83%
10
8

39%
57
5

38%
58
4

41%
55
4

36%
58
5

36. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their
job?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

12%
83
4

23%
72
5

7%
88
5

5%
93
2

11%
85
4

13%
82
5

10%
88
2

13%
81
6

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

26%
71
3

11%
85
4

12%
84
4

10%
85
4

11%
84
5

8%
89
3

10%
86
5

12%
83
5

37. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their
job?

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Approve
Disapprove
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

26%
70
4

4%
94
2

55%
37
8

15%
83
2

21%
77
2

31%
63
7

29%
67
4

25%
71
5

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

34%
61
5

15%
84
2

20%
76
4

56%
36
8

24%
71
6

23%
74
3

28%
67
5

25%
70
6

38. 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 satisfied
Smwht satisfied
Smwht dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
DK/NA

Very satisfied
Smwht satisfied
Smwht dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

2%
23
31
43
-

1%
10
28
61
-

5%
38
38
19
-

2%
21
30
48
-

2%
22
28
48
1

3%
25
34
38
-

2%
29
33
36
-

2%
21
30
46
-

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

2%
35
33
29
-

2%
20
25
52
1

1%
23
28
48
-

8%
27
43
21
1

2%
23
31
43
1

2%
20
31
48
-

4%
20
32
43
1

1%
26
30
44
-

39. Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about it?

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

37%
52
9
2

6%
86
7
1

76%
14
9
1

24%
61
11
4

32%
59
7
2

41%
46
11
2

42%
51
6
1

34%
53
11
2

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

48%
38
14
-

24%
67
7
2

30%
59
10
2

74%
19
5
1

37%
51
11
2

33%
59
6
2

34%
55
10
2

35%
51
12
2

40. Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about it?

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

31%
55
11
2

65%
26
8
-

5%
82
13
1

25%
58
11
6

32%
56
9
2

30%
54
13
2

29%
63
6
2

33%
51
14
2

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

29%
51
19
1

34%
55
9
3

36%
51
10
3

11%
78
10
-

31%
57
10
2

36%
54
9
1

29%
57
11
3

37%
49
12
3

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

Obama
Reps in Congress
DK/NA

Obama
Reps in Congress
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

44%
45
11

6%
84
10

85%
10
5

39%
46
15

39%
48
12

48%
42
9

53%
39
9

40%
49
12

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

57%
37
6

34%
55
12

36%
52
11

84%
12
4

42%
44
14

38%
50
12

45%
46
9

39%
51
10

42. Is your opinion of John Boehner favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

21%
49
29
1

29%
50
19
2

15%
52
33
1

21%
45
33
2

24%
55
20
1

19%
43
36
2

28%
52
17
2

18%
47
34
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

7%
34
57
2

26%
56
16
1

24%
51
24
2

15%
44
40
-

18%
51
30
-

25%
54
20
1

33%
48
17
2

21%
45
31
2

43. Is your opinion of Paul Ryan favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about
him?

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Favorable
Unfavorable
Hvn't hrd enough
REFUSED

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

34%
25
39
1

60%
12
28
-

12%
42
45
-

36%
21
41
2

38%
27
34
1

31%
24
44
1

43%
31
26
1

30%
23
46
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

21%
28
52
-

41%
26
33
1

38%
25
36
1

14%
24
57
5

34%
25
40
2

39%
26
35
1

43%
26
30
1

36%
25
39
1

91. Now thinking about the last five presidents before Barack Obama - George W. Bush, Bill
Clinton, George Bush Sr., Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter - thinking about the work they
did after they left office, who do you think has had the best post presidency?

Bush
Clinton
Bush Sr.
Reagan
Carter
DK/NA

Bush
Clinton
Bush Sr.
Reagan
Carter
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

6%
19
5
24
40
7

13%
7
9
36
29
7

1%
34
2
8
49
6

5%
16
5
26
42
6

5%
19
6
25
40
5

7%
20
4
22
39
8

6%
18
6
16
50
4

6%
20
4
27
34
8

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

7%
28
5
28
19
14

6%
14
6
27
43
6

6%
13
5
26
44
6

2%
47
4
5
35
8

4%
25
5
20
41
5

6%
13
4
26
47
5

8%
16
7
20
46
3

7%
13
5
26
44
5

92. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a terrorist attack
in the United States causing large numbers of lives to be lost; very likely, somewhat
likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?

Very likely
Smwht likely
Not very likely
Not likely at all
DK/NA

Very likely
Smwht likely
Not very likely
Not likely at all
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

32%
41
19
5
3

48%
38
12
1
1

16%
41
30
8
5

30%
48
17
4
1

35%
38
21
5
1

30%
44
18
4
4

24%
46
23
4
2

37%
39
17
5
3

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

19%
39
35
7
-

35%
40
21
4
1

34%
42
19
3
2

20%
41
25
8
7

32%
36
21
6
4

39%
41
16
2
2

35%
45
12
5
5

34%
44
17
2
3

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

Excellent
Good
Not so good
Poor
DK/NA

Excellent
Good
Not so good
Poor
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

1%
26
39
32
1

13
40
45
1

2%
39
42
17
1

2%
27
36
34
-

2%
27
38
33
1

1%
25
41
32
1

1%
36
39
24
-

1%
21
40
37
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

3%
30
45
22
-

1%
25
38
34
1

1%
26
40
33
1

2%
36
42
20
-

27
35
37
1

1%
24
40
35
-

2%
25
39
31
2

26
41
32
1

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

Better
Worse
The same
DK/NA

Better
Worse
The same
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

26%
32
41
1

8%
47
44
1

48%
12
40
-

21%
38
40
-

23%
34
43
-

28%
31
40
1

32%
26
42
-

22%
36
41
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

39%
21
40
-

19%
34
46
1

22%
34
43
1

40%
26
34
-

23%
37
40
-

23%
32
45
-

22%
34
42
2

25%
33
40
1

95. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year
ago?

Better off
Worse off
SAME(VOL)
DK/NA

Better off
Worse off
SAME(VOL)
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

39%
37
23
1

31%
43
25
1

48%
27
22
2

35%
39
25
-

43%
33
22
1

35%
40
24
1

44%
28
27
1

36%
41
21
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

64%
21
14
2

41%
34
24
1

37%
36
25
1

47%
35
15
3

43%
38
18
2

31%
43
25
-

27%
38
33
2

34%
39
27
1

96. Thinking about the 2016 Presidential election, would your family be better off
financially with a Republican or a Democrat in The White House?

Republican
Democrat
DK/NA

Republican
Democrat
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

47%
38
15

84%
5
11

10%
79
11

50%
27
23

50%
34
16

43%
42
14

47%
41
12

46%
37
16

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

37%
55
8

55%
29
16

53%
31
16

16%
77
7

46%
36
18

52%
34
14

45%
38
17

51%
34
15

97. (Split Sample) Do you support or oppose stricter gun control laws in the
United States?

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

46%
51
3

21%
76
3

78%
19
3

39%
57
4

33%
65
2

58%
37
4

56%
40
3

Gun
HsHld

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural

30%
68
2

54%
41
5

47%
52
1

41%
55
3

35%
63
2

98. (Split Sample) Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States?

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

52%
45
3

22%
77
1

83%
14
4

50%
45
5

48%
50
2

56%
41
3

68%
32
1

Gun
HsHld

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural

34%
63
2

57%
37
6

56%
43
1

41%
57
2

43%
53
4

99. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers?

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

93%
5
1

88%
10
2

98%
1
-

95%
3
1

90%
9
2

97%
2
1

96%
3
1

92%
6
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

96%
4
-

93%
3
3

90%
9
2

93%
6
1

98%
2
-

Gun
HsHld

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural

92%
7
1

95%
4
1

91%
8
1

94%
5
1

96%
4
-

97%
3
1

90%
7
2

100. Do you think any new gun laws will interfere with the right to own guns, or do you
think it's possible to make new gun laws without interfering with gun rights?
Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

Will interfere
33%
Won't interfere
59
NO RIGHT TO OWN(VOL) 1
DK/NA
7

48%
44
8

15%
78
2
6

32%
58
9

40%
53
7

26%
65
1
8

24%
68
1
6

37%
55
8

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

41%
52
6

34%
58
1
7

25%
67
1
8

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+
Will interfere
33%
Won't interfere
66
NO RIGHT TO OWN(VOL) DK/NA
1
Gun
HsHld
Will interfere
41%
Won't interfere
52
NO RIGHT TO OWN(VOL) DK/NA
6

28%
63
1
8

37%
54
1
7

30%
59
1
11

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural
28%
62
1
9

30%
63
6

42%
52
1
6

27%
64
1
8

101. If a presidential candidate is supported by gun rights groups, does that make you
more likely to vote for that candidate, less likely to vote for that candidate, or doesn't
it make a difference?

More likely
Less likely
No difference
DK/NA

More likely
Less likely
No difference
DK/NA

More likely
Less likely
No difference
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

20%
23
56
1

35%
7
58
-

7%
42
49
2

15%
19
65
2

23%
19
58
1

18%
26
54
2

11%
36
51
1

25%
16
58
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

24%
18
56
1

17%
25
58
-

24%
17
58
-

21%
22
56
1

16%
25
58
1

Gun
HsHld

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural

25%
16
58
1

16%
26
56
2

19%
22
57
1

18%
25
56
1

20%
25
53
2

18%
27
54
1

26%
17
56
-

102. If more people carried guns, do you think the United States would be safer or less
safe?

Safer
Less safe
DK/NA

Safer
Less safe
DK/NA

Safer
Less safe
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

41%
49
9

65%
24
11

14%
79
6

42%
47
11

49%
41
10

35%
57
9

29%
59
11

47%
44
8

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

41%
54
6

44%
47
9

52%
37
11

46%
44
11

17%
80
3

Gun
HsHld

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural

55%
33
12

34%
59
7

44%
46
10

40%
50
10

33%
57
11

53%
37
10

40%
50
10

103. Have the mass shootings that have taken place in the United States in the last few
years made you more likely to purchase a gun, less likely to purchase a gun, or haven't
they had any effect either way on your likelihood of purchasing a gun?

More likely
Less likely
No effect
DK/NA

More likely
Less likely
No effect
DK/NA

More likely
Less likely
No effect
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

24%
11
64
1

35%
5
59
1

12%
20
67
1

24%
6
69
1

24%
8
67
1

25%
13
61
2

19%
11
70
-

27%
10
61
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

33%
11
56
-

25%
7
65
2

24%
6
70
-

25%
8
67
1

14%
20
65
-

Gun
HsHld

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural

32%
5
62
1

21%
12
66
1

23%
9
68
-

24%
8
68
-

18%
17
62
2

25%
9
64
1

30%
11
57
2

104. Have the mass shootings that have taken place in the United States in the last few
years made you more likely to carry a gun, less likely to carry a gun, or haven't they had
any effect either way on your likelihood of carrying a gun?

More likely
Less likely
No effect
DK/NA

More likely
Less likely
No effect
DK/NA

More likely
Less likely
No effect
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

24%
11
64
1

38%
4
59
-

13%
19
67
1

21%
7
71
1

27%
8
65
-

22%
13
63
2

17%
10
73
1

28%
11
60
1

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

34%
6
60
-

24%
9
65
2

28%
6
65
-

24%
8
66
1

19%
20
60
-

Gun
HsHld

DENSITY............
Urban Suburb Rural

36%
6
57
1

21%
13
65
2

25%
10
65
-

23%
9
68
-

18%
19
62
2

31%
10
59
1

21%
10
67
1

105. Would you support or oppose the U.S. sending ground troops to fight ISIS in Iraq and
Syria?

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Support
Oppose
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

54%
38
8

68%
23
9

41%
51
7

57%
34
9

58%
37
6

51%
39
10

52%
39
9

56%
37
8

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

52%
44
4

60%
33
6

57%
34
9

40%
55
5

55%
38
6

57%
35
8

54%
35
11

55%
34
11

106. Do you think the United States and its allies are winning or losing the fight against
ISIS?

Winning
Losing
DK/NA

Winning
Losing
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

16%
66
18

11%
81
8

24%
47
29

13%
72
15

16%
67
16

16%
65
19

16%
69
16

17%
64
19

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

28%
48
24

15%
69
16

14%
70
16

25%
49
26

19%
65
16

13%
73
15

11%
70
19

13%
71
15

107. Which do you blame more for the rise of ISIS: the United States going to war in Iraq
in 2003 or the United States removing all troops from Iraq by the end of 2011?

Going to war
Removing troops
DK/NA

Going to war
Removing troops
DK/NA

Tot

Rep

Dem

Ind

Men

Wom

COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No

42%
45
12

15%
75
10

68%
19
13

44%
43
13

40%
50
10

44%
42
15

47%
41
12

40%
48
13

AGE IN YRS..............
18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

WHITE.....
Men
Wom

Wht

Blk

62%
29
9

37%
54
9

39%
51
10

57%
23
20

40%
43
17

37%
53
10

36%
51
13

41%
49
11