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Primaries 2012: Primary Polls
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Primaries 2004: Primary Polls
Who gets your vote in 2012?
Democrat Polls
Franklin Marshall
Date: 9/23-28
Pennsylvania
Added: 10/1/08
Quinnipiac University
Date: 9/27-29
Pennsylvania
Added: 10/1/08
Quote: The economy is the most important issue, 59 percent of Pennsylvania voters say, and voters trust Obama more than McCain 55 - 36 percent to handle this issue, compared to 50 - 39 percent pre-debate. By a 48 - 45 percent margin, voters trust McCain more to handle foreign policy, compared to 53 - 39 percent pre-debate. Obama's role in trying to solve the economic crisis has been helpful more than harmful, voters say 51 - 15 percent, compared to 39 - 35 percent for McCain. Pennsylvania voters oppose the $700 billion economic rescue plan 46 - 33 percent. "Pennsylvania is back in its role as the most Democratic swing state in the 2008 election, mainly because voters believe that Sen. Obama will do a better job handling the economy. Three quarters of voters say economic issues, including energy and health care, are the most important in this campaign and Obama wins big on every economy-related question in the poll. Sen. McCain can't win Pennsylvania with just 36 percent of voters saying he is the candidate for the economy," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Rasmussen Reports
Date: 9/28
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/29/08
Quote: In Pennsylvania, both McCain and Obama have the support of 84% of the members of their respective parties, but Obama now leads among unaffiliated voters 45% to 28%. Women support Obama by a sizable 59% to 35% margin, while men back McCain 50% to 39%. Among white voters in Pennsylvania, McCain ahead 48% to 42%. The Republican is viewed favorably by 59% percent of white voters and unfavorably by 41%. For Obama, it�s 52% favorable and 48% unfavorable. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of white voters would not be comfortable at all with Obama as president, while 31% feel that way about McCain. Forty-one percent (41%) say the same of Sarah Palin as vice president, but only 31% would not be comfortable with Democrat Joseph Biden in the number two slot. More than three-quarters of Pennsylvania voters (77%) say they are certain of the presidential candidate they intend to vote for, including 78% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats. But 23% say they may still change their minds before Election Day. The economy is the most important issue in the election according to 46% of voters, but 25% say national security is more important. Obama is trusted more on the economy and jobs 52% to 39%. McCain is trusted more on national security and the war on terror by a 51% to 43% margin.
Muhlenberg College Morning Call
Date: 9/24-28
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/29/08
Quote: Now, I would like to ask your overall impression of a few political figures. For each name I read please tell me if your impression of him is favorable or unfavorable. First, Barack Obama
FAVORABLE........................51%
UNFAVORABLE..................35%
NEUTRAL/NOT SURE�.....13%
HAVEN'T HEARD OF HIM...1% Next, John McCain
FAVORABLE........................47%
UNFAVORABLE..................36%
NEUTRAL/NOT SURE.........15%
HAVEN'T HEARD OF HIM...1%
Muhlenberg College Morning Call
Date: 9/21-25
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/27/08
Quote: Which political party are you currently registered with?
DEMOCRAT..................51%
REPUBLICAN............... 39%
INDEPENDENT.............. 8%
OTHER PARTY...............2% Q2. Now, I would like to ask your overall impression of a few political figures. For each name I read please tell me if your impression of him is favorable or unfavorable. First, Barack Obama
FAVORABLE........................49%
UNFAVORABLE..................37%
NEUTRAL/NOT SURE�.....14%
HAVEN'T HEARD OF HIM...1% Q3. Next, John McCain
FAVORABLE........................47%
UNFAVORABLE..................35%
NEUTRAL/NOT SURE.........16%
HAVEN'T HEARD OF HIM...1% Q4.. Sarah Palin
FAVORABLE.........................44%
UNFAVORABLE....................37%
NEUTRAL/NOT SURE.......... 16%
HAVEN'T HEARD OF HER.....3% Q5. and Joe Biden
FAVORABLE.......................49%
UNFAVORABLE..................30%
NEUTRAL/NOT SURE.........18%
HAVEN'T HEARD OF HIM...4%
Strategic Vision
Date: 9/20-22
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/26/08
Quote: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama? Favorable 47% Unfavorable 36% Undecided 17% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Joseph Biden? Favorable 47% Unfavorable 38% Undecided 15% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of John McCain? Favorable 47% Unfavorable 36% Undecided 17% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin? Favorable 52% Unfavorable 34% Undecided 14% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the economy, Barack Obama or John McCain? Barack Obama 48% John McCain 43% Undecided 9% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the war in Iraq, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 48% Barack Obama 35% Undecided 17% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance? Approve 18% Disapprove 74% Undecided 8%
Rasmussen Reports
Date: 9/24
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/26/08
Quote: Pennsylvania, with 21 Electoral College votes, is one of the few traditionally Democratic states where McCain is thought to have a chance at scoring an upset. One percent (1%) of Pennsylvania voters plan on casting their ballot for a third-party candidate while five percent (5%) remain undecided. The latter figure includes 15% of unaffiliated voters, four percent (4%) of Democrats and one percent (1%) of Republicans. Obama leads by eight among women while the candidates are tied among men. McCain leads among those who attend church on a regular basis while Obama leads among those who don�t. Among voters who see the economy as the top issue of Election 2008, Obama leads by a 63% to 22% margin. Those who see national security issues as the highest priority prefer McCain, 75% to 22%.
Zogby Interactive
Date: 9/15-19
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/26/08
Quote: Still very close, with slight edge to Obama.
National Journal AllState
Date: 9/18-22
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/25/08
Quote: In Pennsylvania, McCain is also close to overtaking Obama, according to the Allstate/National Journal poll, even though Democrats have added more voters to their rolls in recent years. McCain's success in the Keystone State will probably depend on his ability to draw a significant portion of voters who disapprove of Bush's performance. Among voters in Pennsylvania who gave Bush a negative job rating, Obama was favored by 58 percent. McCain was supported by less than half as many -- 26 percent. But a relatively low number of voters in this battleground state, which has gone Democratic in recent presidential elections, saw Obama as better prepared for the presidency: Only 31 percent said he is "more prepared to lead the country," while 51 percent said that description fit McCain. "I just don't think Obama has any experience," said Fred Stoichess, an independent from Lewistown who is a self-employed auto parts dealer. For the moment, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania look like better targets than Michigan for McCain. In a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, McCain's chief pollster, Bill McInturff, listed five blue states as Democratic territory where his candidate is competitive: Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Of those five, he said that McCain's best pickup opportunities are New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Survey USA
Date: 9/23-24
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/25/08
Quote: No State More Important To Both Camps Than PA ... Where The Other Guy's Grass Looks Oddly Greener: In an election for President of the United States today in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania, Democrat Barack Obama edges Republican John McCain 50% to 44%, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WCAU-TV Philadelphia, KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, WNEP-TV Wilkes-Barre Scranton, WHTM-TV Harrisburg, and WJAC-TV Johnstown. 19% of Democrats are voting Republican. 17% of Republicans are voting Democrat. This is a level of party defection not seen in other states, and may be a window into just how unhappy some Keystone voters are with news events in general, as much as they might be unhappy with their party's candidate in particular. McCain holds 81% of Conservatives, Obama holds 86% of Liberals, but Obama is positioned to capture PA's 21 vital Electoral Votes on the backs of Moderates, among whom he leads by 22 points today. There is much meat on the bone: McCain leads in West Central PA, which includes Johnstown, and in South Central PA, which includes Harrisburg. Obama leads in Southeastern PA, which includes Philadelphia, and Southwestern PA, which includes Pittsburgh. The candidates are effectively tied in Northeastern PA, which includes Scranton, birthplace of Joe Biden, and as much as any town in America, is the epicenter of the entire national campaign. McCain leads among whites, among gun owners, among those who attend religious services regularly, among those who do consider the United States to be a Super Power but who do not consider themselves to be an intellectual, and among voters older than McCain. Obama leads among lower income voters, among African Americans and among voters younger than McCain.
American Research Group
Date: 9/20-22
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/23/08
Quote: Independents (8%) : McCain 51, Obama 41.
Mason Dixon for NBC News
Date: 9/16-18
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/23/08
Quote: "Pennsylvania has the nation's third-highest percentage of seniors, after Florida and West Virginia, in part because seniors have been extraordinarily effective in winning the benefits that keeps people such as Generette living in York. Now this same political power is being put to a national test, with many experts saying the presidential campaign in Pennsylvania is likely to be decided by the senior vote. While 15 percent of the state's residents are over 65, they turn out in high numbers at the polls, leading to predictions that 25 percent to 30 percent of voters who go to the polls in November are likely to be seniors."
Rasmussen Reports for FOX News
Date: 9/21
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/23/08
Quote: On national security, McCain has the edge, 48% to 42%. This week, the number of Pennsylvania voters who name the economy as the top voting issue jumped to 45% from 35% a week ago. Forty percent (40%) of Pennsylvania voters would be very or extremely comfortable with Obama as President. Thirty-six percent (36%) say the same about McCain. Those figures reflect a seven-point drop for McCain and little change for Obama. Thirty-four percent (34%) say they would not be comfortable at all with Obama as President and 38% say the same about McCain. Voters are evenly divided as to whose advice they would seek for the toughest decision of their life�45% say they�d prefer McCain and 44% choose Obama.
Marist College Poll
Date: 9/11-15
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/20/08
Quote: Tight Race in Pennsylvania�Edge to Obama: 45% of Pennsylvania�s registered voters support Senator Barack Obama for president while 42% are behind Senator John McCain. Likely voters in the state, including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, give Barack Obama the advantage over McCain -- 49% to 44%. 87% of likely Democratic voters are behind their party�s candidate compared with 92% of likely Republican voters who support their choice. 49% of Independent voters likely to vote on Election Day support Obama compared with 40% who are for McCain. Architect of Change: A majority of Pennsylvania�s registered voters -- 52% -- think Barack Obama has the better plan for bringing about change in this country while only 37% feel John McCain would be the better architect. 86% of Democrats say their candidate has the better vision for bringing about change while 79% of Republicans say that McCain�s plan is preferred. Among the state�s Independent voters, 53% believe Barack Obama is the candidate with the better plan.
Big Ten Battleground Poll
Date: 9/14-17
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/19/08
Rasmussen Reports for FOX News
Date: 9/14
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/16/08
Quote: A week ago, Obama was up by two points after holding five percentage-point leads in August and July. The latest poll finds the Republican candidate is viewed more a bit more favorably among voters than his opponent. McCain is viewed favorably by 60%, up three points from a week ago. Obama�s ratings are at 52% favorable, down three points. Forty-three percent (43%) of Pennsylvania voters would be very or extremely comfortable with McCain as President. Forty-one percent (41%) say the same about Obama. As for the running mates, 44% would be that comfortable if Biden had to assume the duties of President while 40% say the same about Palin in the Oval Office. Nationally, 63% say that McCain is prepared to be President while 44% say the same about Obama.
Quinnipiac University Poll
Date: 9/5-9
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/11/08
Quote: Obama leads 51 - 41 percent with women, compared to 53 - 37 percent August 26. McCain leads 51 - 45 percent among men. Obama leads 58 - 38 percent among voters 18 to 34 years old and gets 49 percent of voters 35 to 54 to McCain's 47 percent. Voters over 55 back McCain 50 - 43 percent. Independent voters split with 45 percent for the Republican and 44 percent for the Democrat. This compares to a 48 - 38 percent Obama lead August 26. Among former Clinton supporters, 22 percent support McCain, compared to 25 percent August 26. McCain gets a 54 - 34 percent favorability, compared to Obama's 56 - 29 percent. Palin's favorability is 39 - 26 percent, while Biden gets a 53 - 22 percent score. The economy is the most important issue, 51 percent of Pennsylvania voters say, while 12 percent list the war in Iraq; 11 percent cite health care; 10 percent list energy policy and 8 percent say terrorism. The choice of a vice presidential candidate will have little impact on their November vote, 59 percent of Pennsylvania likely voters say. "Sen. McCain has narrowed the gap in Pennsylvania by wiping out Sen. Obama's lead among independent voters. But Obama still holds a three-point edge by convincing previously uncommitted Hillary Clinton primary voters and Catholics to move into his camp - the Catholics perhaps because of some help from running mate Joe Biden, a Catholic from Scranton," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Strategic Vision
Date: 9/5-7
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/10/08
Quote: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Barack Obama? Favorable 48% Unfavorable 38% Undecided 14% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Joseph Biden? Favorable 49% Unfavorable 36% Undecided 15% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of John McCain? Favorable 49% Unfavorable 33% Undecided 18% Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin? Favorable 51% Unfavorable 32% Undecided 17% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the economy, Barack Obama or John McCain? Barack Obama 45% John McCain 44% Undecided 11% Which presidential candidate do you believe would be best able to handle the war in Iraq, Barack Obama or John McCain? John McCain 49% Barack Obama 37% Undecided 14% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance? Approve 22% Disapprove 70% Undecided 8% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy? Approve 16% Disapprove 71% Undecided 13% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq? Approve 38% Disapprove 56% Undecided 6% Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war on terrorism? Approve 54% Disapprove 37% Undecided 9% 12. Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Ed Rendell's overall job performance? Approve 53% Disapprove 35% Undecided 12%
Rasmussen Reports for FOX News
Date: 9/7/08
Pennsylvania
Added: 9/9/08
Quote: The latest poll finds the Republican candidate is viewed more favorably among voters. McCain is viewed favorably by 57% of voters and unfavorably by 40%. Obama�s ratings are 55% favorable, 44% unfavorable. Similarly, Sarah Palin is viewed slightly better than Joe Biden. The Republican Vice Presidential nominee is viewed favorably by 59% and unfavorably by 37%. Biden�s numbers are 54% favorable, 42% unfavorable.
This is a monthly synopsis of many more 2008 Pennsylvania polls.
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