National Mood a Drag on Obama's Re-Election Prospects
Gallup finds several indicators of national mood -- including U.S. satisfaction, economic confidence, and presidential job approval -- holding steady in May at levels that don't bode particularly well for Barack Obama's re-election.

By a 56% to 36% margin, Americans think Barack Obama rather than Mitt Romney will win the 2012 presidential election. This is the case even though voters' preferences are evenly divided between the two candidates.

U.S. economic confidence for the week ending May 13 is -18, unchanged from the previous week, meaning Americans are maintaining a slightly more positive outlook on the U.S. economy than was recorded in April.

Fifty-nine percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are satisfied with Mitt Romney as their party's nominee; 36% would have preferred someone else. By contrast, eight in 10 Democrats are satisfied with Barack Obama.

Americans' emotional heath climbed to a four-year high in April. Emotional health has generally been improving since it fell to a three-year low in September.

One-Third of U.S. Small-Business Owners Feel Debt Burden
Thirty-six percent of U.S. small-business owners are uncomfortable with their company's debt, according to the April Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index poll. One in five past borrowers cannot get all the credit they need.

EDITORS' PICKS

Air Quality Rated Better Than Water Quality Worldwide
Worldwide, adults are slightly more likely to be satisfied with the air quality where they live than the water quality. Perceptions of water quality vary more by level of human development than do perceptions of air quality.

The slight majority of American adults, 54%, consider gay or lesbian relations morally acceptable, similar to views in 2010 and 2011, but up from 38% in 2002.

MANAGEMENT NEWS

Entrepreneurs Must Save America
The U.S. has no shortage of great ideas and innovations. What the country needs now are highly motivated entrepreneurs who can turn those ideas into great businesses, says Gallup's chairman.

GALLUP EVENTS

Technologies in Education Forum 2012
The Atlantic's Second Annual Technologies in Education Forum will be held at The Gallup Building in Washington D.C. on May 22. Join leading education innovators to learn about how technology will transform American classrooms.
"Cities are the core of job-creating energy" Gallup Chairman Jim Clifton, in his must-read book based on Gallup's most important findings

GALLUP DAILY

May 13-15, 2012 – Updates daily at 1 p.m. ET; reflects one-day change

Presidential Election

45%
-1
45%
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7-day rolling average

Interactive Features

Politics

National Mood a Drag on Obama's Re-Election Prospects

Gallup finds several indicators of national mood -- including U.S. satisfaction, economic confidence, and presidential job approval -- holding steady in May at levels that don't bode particularly well for Barack Obama's re-election.

Election Matters: Americans' Election Predictions

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport and USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page reveal that a majority of Americans expect that President Obama will beat Mitt Romney in this year's presidential election and discuss the political implications of Obama's public support for same-sex marriage.

Americans See Obama as Solid Favorite to Win Election

By a 56% to 36% margin, Americans think Barack Obama rather than Mitt Romney will win the 2012 presidential election. This is the case even though voters' preferences are evenly divided between the two candidates.

Economy

National Mood a Drag on Obama's Re-Election Prospects

Gallup finds several indicators of national mood -- including U.S. satisfaction, economic confidence, and presidential job approval -- holding steady in May at levels that don't bode particularly well for Barack Obama's re-election.

Election Matters: Americans' Election Predictions

Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport and USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page reveal that a majority of Americans expect that President Obama will beat Mitt Romney in this year's presidential election and discuss the political implications of Obama's public support for same-sex marriage.

U.S. Economic Confidence Unchanged Last Week

U.S. economic confidence for the week ending May 13 is -18, unchanged from the previous week, meaning Americans are maintaining a slightly more positive outlook on the U.S. economy than was recorded in April.

Wellbeing

Gulf Coast Residents Remain Worse Off Emotionally Post-Spill

Americans living in Gulf Coast-facing counties have continued to suffer worse emotional health in the two years since the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, but it appears that some improvement is occurring.

Republicans' Wellbeing Higher Than Democrats', Independents'

In the United States, Republicans have higher wellbeing than Democrats, boosted by their healthier behaviors, better workplace perceptions, and higher emotional and physical health.

French Adults' Life Ratings Sink in 2012

French citizens are more pessimistic about their future now than they have been since 2008, according to Gallup surveys ahead of France's presidential election.

World

Southeast Asian Leaders Earn Highest Job Approval in Asia

Residents in most Asian countries surveyed in 2011 are more likely to approve of their leaders than disapprove. Laos' president earned one of the highest approval ratings (97%), while Pakistan's president earned the lowest (20%).

Majority Worldwide Sees Widespread Corruption in Businesses

About two in three adults worldwide believe corruption is widespread in the businesses in their countries. This belief is commonplace throughout the world, ranging from 60% in the U.S. and Canada to 76% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Indians Start to See Less Corruption in Government, Business

Indians were slightly less likely in early 2012 to say corruption is widespread in their country's government and businesses. However, large majorities still see it as a problem and confidence in the government has not improved.

More Data & Analysis

Trends A-Z Explore all Gallup trends in one place.

WorldView Access data that represent the voice of more than 98% of the Earth's residents through a Web-based portal.

Gallup Brain The Gallup Brain is a searchable, living record of more than 70 years of public opinion.

Research Reports Gallup experts and senior scientists are continually analyzing Gallup data and sharing their findings.