Voters Want Policy Details, Not Inspirational State of the Union Address, Shows George Washington University Battleground Poll

Majority of Voters plan to watch State of the Union

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two-thirds (65 percent) of American voters say they likely will watch President Barack Obama's fifth State of the Union address Tuesday night and a nearly equal number (66 percent) view the speech as "important," according to the results of the latest George Washington University Battleground Poll.

    

However, American voters are less certain about what the president should include in his speech. Persistent concerns about the availability of jobs and the shape of the economy lead the list in terms of what the public wants President Obama to address. Ninety-five percent of those questioned said it was "extremely important" or "very important" for the president to discuss the state of the economy, and 83 percent felt that way about "jobs." Far fewer likely voters (26 percent) are that concerned about the civil war in Syria. A slim majority (56 percent) said it was "extremely" or "very important" for President Obama to speak about income inequality, an issue that the president reportedly plans to make a major point in his address. Almost one in four (18 percent) said income inequality was "not at all important."

    

One clear finding is that Americans don't want an inspirational speech. The survey asked whether likely voters wanted to hear "detailed policy proposals to address our problems" or "an inspirational speech that will bring us together as a nation." Twice as many respondents (56 percent) indicated they wanted a speech with policy details rather than an inspiring one (27 percent).

    

For complete results, including questions on the recently passed budget deal, the 2014 elections and the state of the economy, visit www.mediarelations.gwu.edu/battleground-poll.



About the George Washington University Battleground Poll
    

The George Washington University Battleground Poll is a nationally recognized series of surveys conducted by Republican pollster Ed Goeas of The Tarrance Group and Democratic pollster Celinda Lake of Lake Research Partners. The George Washington University Global Media Institute, affiliated with the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) and the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA), serves as the university's home for the partnership.

George Washington's Gelman Library houses the data archive of the survey results dating back more than two decades. The poll, which is distinguished from other surveys by its presentation of separate analyses from these top pollsters representing both sides of the aisle, surveyed 1,011 registered likely voters nationwide Jan. 12 through Jan. 16. It included protocol for reaching mobile phone users and yields a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.



Interview Opportunities
    

Christopher Arterton, founding dean of GW's Graduate School of Political Management; Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners; and Ed Goeas, president/CEO of The Tarrance Group; are all available for comment. For Dr. Arterton, contact John Brandt at 202-994-3199. For Ms. Lake, contact Anderson Gardner at Lake Research Partners, 202-776-9066. For Mr. Goeas, contact Brian Nienaber at The Tarrance Group, 703-684-6688. Additional GW political experts are available.

    

A video of Lara Brown, director of the Political Management Graduate program, commenting on the State of the Union address is available for media.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
John Brandt 202-994-3199; [email protected] 
Angela Olson 
202-994-3087 [email protected]

SOURCE George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management