Foster McCollum White Baydoun (FMW)B, a national public opinion polling and voter analytics consulting firm based in Michigan and representing the combined resources of Foster McCollum White & Associates (Troy Michigan) and Baydoun Consulting (Dearborn Michigan) conducted a telephone-automated polling random survey of Michigan 11th Congressional District registered and most likely November 2012 General election voters for Fox 2 News Detroit to determine their voting and issue preferences for the 11th Congressional District election.
An initial qualifying statement was read to respondents asking them to participate only if they were very likely to vote in the November General Election.
Eight thousand (8,000) calls were placed, and 392 respondents fully participated in the survey. The response rate for this survey was 3.79%.
The margin of error for this total polling sample is 4.95% with a confidence level of 95%.
Question 1:
Michigan's 2012 General Election will include votes for President, US Senate, Congress, Supreme Court, other statewide offices and 6 statewide ballot proposals. How enthusiastic are you in voting for candidates for the 11th Congressional District?
I am very enthusiastic 78.27%
I am somewhat enthusiastic 12.38%
Total Enthusiastic about the 11th district race 90.65%
I am somewhat unenthusiastic 6.82%
I am very unenthusiastic 2.54%
Question 2:
Michigan's 11th Congressional District campaign has gained national interest since Congressman Thad McCotter was removed from the ballot due to the petition signature scandal? How aware are where you of this issues?
I am very aware 60.15%
I am somewhat aware 20.14%
You do not know about this issue 19.71%
Question #3:
Michigan's 11th Congressional District will elect a new 1st term congressman in this election. Republican nominee and businessman Kerry Bentivolio faces Democratic Nominee and Canton Trustee Dr. Syad Taj; who are you most likely to vote for?
Republican nominee Kerry Bentivolio 47.49%
Democratic nominee Dr. Syad Taj 39.00%
Another candidate 4.60%
Undecided 8.92%
Question #4:
Republican nominee Kerry Bentivolio, who is Roman Catholic, is heavily supported by the Tea Party, US Congressman and former Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul and defeated Republican establishment candidate Sen. Nancy Cassis in the Primary. Bentivolio, who owns a reindeer farm, had to leave his job as a teacher for conduct and behavior issues and was not supported by the Republican leadership after Congressman McCotter was kicked off of the ballot? Knowing these things are you more likely or less likely to vote for Kerry Bentivolio?
More likely 17.29%
Less likely 46.17%
Do not know 36.54%
Question #5:
Democratic Nominee and Canton Trustee Dr. Syad Taj is a political newcomer but has served as a trustee for Canton Township. He is an internal medicine Doctor with Oakwood Hospital. If elected, Syad would be the third Indian-American ever elected to Congress and first Muslim elected from Michigan. He would also be the first Michigan elected congressman who was not White or African American? Knowing these things are you more likely or less likely to vote for Syad Taj?
More likely 18.06%
Less likely 25.27%
Do not know 56.67%
Question #6:
Which candidate for the 11th Congressional district are you more confident in to address our country's economic challenges such as job creation, gas prices, the rising cost of healthcare, energy development and housing values?
Kerry Bentivolio 42.59%
Dr. Syad Taj 37.23%
Have no confidence in either candidate to address domestic challenges 20.19%
Question #7:
Which candidate for the 11th Congressional district are you more confident in to address women's issues such as equal pay, educational access, health care and contraception needs and opportunity to break the glass ceiling?
Dr. Syad Taj 37.25%
Kerry Bentivolio 41.65%
You have no confidence in either candidate to address Women's issues 21.11%
Question #8:
Which candidate for the 11th Congressional district do you have more confidence in to address the challenges our country faces in the areas of national security and foreign policy?
Dr. Syad Taj 33.94%
Kerry Bentivolio 44.34%
you have no confidence in either candidate to address national security and foreign policy challenges 21.73%
Question #9:
Do you believe either Kerry Bentivolio or Dr. Syad Taj have provided detailed positions about their plans to fix America's challenges?
Believe only Kerry Bentivolio provided detailed positions 19.40%
Believe only Dr. Syad Taj provided detailed positions 22.94%
Believe both Kerry Bentivolio and Dr. Syad Taj provided detailed positions 24.01%
Believe neither candidates have provided detailed positions 33.64%
Question #10:
Given the mood on politics, the economy and the direction of our state and country, which political party do you feel confident in fixing the problems of Michigan and moving Michigan in the right direction? Do you feel confident in the Republican Party, confident in the Democratic Party, confident in the Tea Party independent of the Republican Party or No confidence in any political party?
Confident in the Republican Party 46.15%
Confident in the Democratic Party 34.21%
Confident in the Tea Party independent of the Republican party 8.32%
No confidence in any political party 11.33%
Question #11:
The economy was discussed greatly at last Tuesday's debate. Governor Romney cited 23 million Americans who are looking for work and the growing number of people living in poverty. President Obama cited 31 months of private sector job growth, the automotive industry recovery and a declining unemployment rate. Do you believe that the economy is improving, staying the same or getting worse?
The economy is improving 43.74%
The economy is stationary 17.48%
The economy is getting worse 38.78%
TO READ THE ENTIRE POLLING STUDY, INCLUDING METHODOLOGY AND CROSS TAB DEMOGRAPHICS, CLICK HERE>>
