MANCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- While more than
two-thirds of Americans believe the state of the U.S. economy has
more to do with factors beyond the president's control, Americans
are evenly split as to whether the country would have been better
off had someone else won the White House in 2008, according to new
poll results announced today by The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:
ALL) and National Journal.
Newly released figures from the quarterly Allstate-National
Journal Heartland Monitor Poll show that 36% of Americans
believe they are worse off than they were four years ago, while
about 40% are "about the same." A further 23% say they are better
off than four years ago.
The latest update to the Heartland Monitor series will take
place on Saturday, January 7
during "The Economy and the Electorate" briefing
(www.nh2012heartlandmonitor.eventbrite.com) at St. Anselm College in New
Hampshire. Senator Rick
Santorum, Republican presidential candidate;
Joel Benenson, lead pollster
for President Obama's re-election campaign; Mike Murphy, Republican strategist; and
other political insiders will participate in a series of panel
discussions and interviews exploring how economic issues will
impact the upcoming election. Central to the discussion will be
findings from more than three years of quarterly
Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Polls, which
analyze more than 12,000 interviews to provide insights on
Americans' economic concerns, expectations and social mobility. The
results are part of a cumulative analysis of all 11 polls that
offers a panoramic look at American economic and political
attitudes as the election year commences.
"After three years of research, we have learned that the
recession and ongoing economic uncertainty, combined with partisan
politics and brinkmanship, have created a highly divided and
frustrated electorate," said Joan
Walker, Allstate executive vice president. "However,
it's also clear that common values still bind Americans to one
another. Broad agreement on the American Dream of homeownership,
education and financial stability – as well as hopefulness for
ourselves and our children – have been the hallmarks of the
Heartland Monitor series of polls. Despite partisan politics, these
values also are at the core of our political and social dialogue."
In the most recent poll, 69% of survey respondents do not hold
the president responsible for the country's economic situation
because they consider the weak economy to be the result of factors
behind his control. Likewise, the poll does not show an
overwhelming anti-Obama impulse, as 41% of poll respondents say
they are "better off" because Obama won, and a further 41% say they
are "worse off" due to his electoral victory.
"With more than 12,000 cumulative interviews, these surveys
paint a portrait of a nation struggling to maintain faith in old
beliefs about opportunity, self-sufficiency, and the rewards of
hard work," said Ronald
Brownstein, editorial director of National Journal
Group. "An uneasy mix of anxiety and determination infuses all 11
surveys, revealing a nagging fear that the economy's new dynamics
expose average Americans to far more financial insecurity than
earlier generations."
Since its launch in April 2009,
the Heartland Monitor Poll has consistently demonstrated that
Americans are convinced their individual economic fates hinge on
their own efforts, rather than the actions of government or
industry. This finding adds credence to another key conclusion of
the Heartland Monitor Poll: Americans remain skeptical of large
institutions – ranging from big banks to Congress – and they are
divided along partisan, ideological and racial lines over
Washington's proper role in their
lives.
Over time, the quarterly Allstate-National Journal
Heartland Monitor Poll has reported the following data about
Americans' current political and economic mood:
- 60% of those polled in the most recent Heartland Monitor say
they are living the American Dream, consistent with the 59% who
gave the same response in March 2011
and a testament to Americans' resilience and confidence.
- In April 2010, 70% of respondents
said they thought the economy would improve in the next 12 months,
compared with just 56% who expected improvement in December 2011, evidence of a worsening of
Americans' economic mood.
- 70% of respondents to the most recent Heartland Monitor Poll
say the country is off on the wrong track, compared to 42% in
April 2009, highlighting a
significant rise in pessimism about politics as usual.
- In the most recent Heartland Monitor Poll, 49% of respondents
disapprove of the president's performance, compared with 28% in
April 2009.
- If the election were held today, 39% of poll respondents who
are registered to vote would re-elect President Obama, a figure
identical to the percentage in January
2010. On the other end of the spectrum, 54% would not
re-elect the president, only slightly more than the 50% recorded in
January 2010.
To register for the Manchester
event, please visit NH2012HeartlandMonitor.eventbrite.com.
EVENT DETAILS
DATE/TIME:
Saturday, January 7
Registration – 9:30 a.m.
Program – 10 a.m. to noon
LOCATION:
New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College
100 St. Anselm Drive
Manchester, NH 03102
Notes to Editors
Survey Methodology
The most recent poll was a nationally representative survey of
American adults conducted November 30
– December 4, 2011, among N=1,200
American adults age 18+. The sample includes oversampling of 200
adults age 50+, with the data weighted to reflect age distribution
of adult population. Respondents were reached via landline and cell
phone. The survey has a margin of error of +/-2.83%.
Since April 2009, the
Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Polls have
explored American attitudes on the changing economy. The 11 polls,
conducted by Ed Reilly, Brent McGoldrick and Jeremy Ruch of FTI Strategic Communications, a
communications-strategy consulting firm, have surveyed between
1,000 and 1,200 adults each time, with a margin of error ranging
between 2.8 and 3.1 percentage points. To provide more detailed
data, several surveys have oversampled specific populations such as
young people, retirees and racial minorities.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good
Hands With Allstate®" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th
anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and
retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they
have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access
Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and
services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and
Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and
Canada, as well as via
www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. For an overview of the other
Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Polls, visit
http://www.allstate.com/heartland-monitor. Additional information
is available at www.storiesfromtheheartland.com.
About National Journal Group
National Journal is Washington's premier source for 360-degree
insight on politics and policy. With up-to-the-minute breaking news
and analysis at NationalJournal.com, the essential intelligence of
National Journal Daily, the knowledge and depth of
National Journal magazine, and the comprehensive campaign
coverage of National Journal Hotline, National Journal
delivers everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve in
Washington.
About the Strategic Communications Practice of FTI
Consulting
The Strategic Communications practice of FTI Consulting,
formerly known as FD, is one of the world's most highly regarded
communications consultancies. With more than 20 years of experience
advising management teams in critical situations, the Strategic
Communications practice supports clients in protecting and
enhancing their reputation in the capital markets, society and the
political environment. Services of the Strategic Communications
practice are financial communications, corporate communications and
public affairs, with specialty offerings that include strategy
consulting, research, creative engagement, crisis and issues
management, and change communications. The Strategic Communications
practice of FTI Consulting is an established market leader in
M&A communications and has been for many years.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm
dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise
value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic
environment. With more than 3,700 employees located in 22
countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients
to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges
in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and
acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management and
restructuring. The company generated $1.4
billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More
information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.
SOURCE The Allstate Corporation