MTSUPoll

National: Tennesseans approve of Obama, worry about economy

• Fully 53% approve of Obama's job performance despite vote last fall
• Obama trying to be bipartisan, but Republicans aren't, Tennesseans say
• Barometer measuring perceptions of national mood up since fall
• Income best predictor of how things are going, perception of economy
• No. 1 national problem is the economy, stupid
• Recession hurts two-thirds of Tennesseans, older worse off than younger
• More political knowledge translates into less worry about family financial future
• Obama race jokes common, but most Tennesseans say they're not funny
• Over half call Iraq war a mistake but perceptions of current situation improving

State: Legislature's approval tanks; education, wine get thumbs up

• Deadlock over party control of legislature as approval sinks
• Education tops Tennessee spending priorities
• Groceries and wine sound fine, hefty majority says
• Introduce or ban state income tax? It's a toss-up
• Bredesen approval down to slim majority
• Economy also state's No. 1 problem
• Most say abortion should be legal under some circumstances

To view the current poll press release, click here. Or click here for the national findings and here for state findings. For news coverage of past polls, click here. To learn about the accuracy of the MTSU Poll in elections, click here.

The MTSU Poll's mission is to provide independent, non-partisan, and unbiased public opinion data regarding major social, political, and ethical issues affecting Tennessee.

Surveys are conducted twice yearly under the direction of faculty specialists in public opinion research in accordance with scientifically validated polling standards. Students serve as poll interviewers as an integral part of their training in mass communication.

The poll's directors welcome suggestions about issues and topics from any individual or group. The poll's directors are, however, charged to select, formulate, and interpret results independent of outside interests.

The poll fulfills the major goals of Middle Tennessee State University in that it provides an opportunity for student- and faculty- centered research in partnership with the citizens of Tennessee and the news media that serve them.

Sponsored by the Office of Communication Research at Middle Tennessee State University's College of Mass Communication, the poll tracks attitudes regarding free expression, faith in major institutions, and a wide range of public issues.

The poll is supported by MTSU's Office of Communication Research, College of Mass Communication, and School of Journalism.

• Students wishing to register for an MTSU Poll session may click click here to access the online registration system. Additional information for students is available here.
• The polling lab is in BAS S302. To learn how to find the polling lab and what to expect when you get, go to: http://www.mtsu.edu/~commres/findlab.htm.
• MTSU faculty using the MTSU Poll in their classes will find helpful material at: www.mtsu.edu/~commres/271/271.htm. A password is required.

NOTE: Data files may be downloaded and analyzed with these restrictions: Researchers wishing to make academic or scientific use of these data must request and obtain permission in writing from the Director of the Office of Communication Research prior to presentation or publication. For general descriptive use, we ask only that the Middle Tennessee Poll at Middle Tennessee State University be cited as the source of the data.