CNN Poll: Romney's likability fading
February 14th, 2012
06:00 PM ET
11 years ago

CNN Poll: Romney's likability fading

(CNN) - Mitt Romney's overall favorable ratings have dropped, while Rick Santorum's standing has jumped among Republicans, according to a new national survey.

A CNN/ORC International poll released Tuesday indicates Romney's popularity has especially taken a tumble among Republicans, with a 13-point decline in positive reviews from his own party.

See full results (pdf)

In the new survey, 54% of Republicans said they hold a favorable opinion of Romney, while 67% said the same in January. Among all Americans, 34% described the candidate as likable, down from 41% last month.

Meanwhile, Santorum's recent victories have boosted his standing among Republicans, 56% of whom had a good opinion of the former Pennsylvania senator, up from 49% in January.

The survey was conducted Friday through Monday, the tail end of a big week for Santorum with three contest victories followed by a spike in fundraising and poll numbers.

But among all Americans, Santorum's favorable rating has remained flat. Thirty-two percent held a good opinion in the new survey, while 31% said the same in January.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich received positive reviews from roughly half of all Republicans.

But those numbers declined when Americans of all political affiliations were surveyed. In that case, Paul came in at 42%, ahead of Romney and Santorum, and Gingrich's favorable rating fell to 25%.

That leaves only one presidential candidate in the race with a national favorable rating above the 50% mark: President Barack Obama.

Among all Americans, Obama received positive reviews from 53%, with the poll suggesting he may have grown more popular in recent months.

Asked about issues, Republicans see Romney as the candidate most suited to handle the economy, taxes, health care and the deficit.

Gingrich, meanwhile, has a major advantage on foreign policy and illegal immigration, and Santorum is viewed as most equipped on abortion issues.

The CNN poll was conducted by ORC International from February 10-13, with 1,026 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

The sample also includes 937 interviews among registered voters, with a sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.

- CNN's Ashley Killough contributed to this report.

Also see:

Romney seeks to unite conservatives

Protestors disrupt Santorum event, get arrested

National Review calls for Gingrich to leave race

Pro-Romney super PAC increases buy in Michigan


Filed under: 2012 • CNN/ORC International poll • Mitt Romney • Republicans
soundoff (121 Responses)
  1. Frank

    The cult thing is the problem

    February 14, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |
  2. nolimits3333

    Romney represents the 1% who pay taxes at a 13% rate and hide their millions in the Cayman Islands.

    Obama represents the rest of us.

    February 14, 2012 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |
  3. Ryan (future president)

    Glad to see Ron Paul came across most favorable amongst all Americans. Maybe Americans aren't as dumb as I think they are. Wake up America, don't vote for the same puppets time and again (including Obama). Ron Paul 2012!

    February 14, 2012 08:18 pm at 8:18 pm |
  4. waikikijohn

    it took a while, but peeps r seeing right through mitt's lack of credibility. This guy has changed positions so often he is even confused and has to check what state he's in b4 speaking.

    February 14, 2012 08:19 pm at 8:19 pm |
  5. cisco4

    He is Phoney...He dismissed our Amrican auto industry saying get rid of it...Let it go.. He had a company that went in and rescued companies.. made them good.. or let them go down the drain and raid their assetts..But I do like his romneycare...

    February 14, 2012 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |
  6. Blizzardo

    fading?
    I think they mean coming into focus

    February 14, 2012 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |
  7. once upon a horse

    the more people find out about Mitt the LESS they like him. But to me what's worse is the other choice Santorum who I dislike even MORE. He's a WHACKJOB!

    February 14, 2012 08:21 pm at 8:21 pm |
  8. John Locke

    This cast of clowns is pathetic. Romney is an Obama clone that will please dixiecrats and Santorum and Gingrich are phoney evangelical conservative panderers. That leaves the sole voice of reason, Congressman Ron Paul who while being the only one willing to truly address the serious issues we face is constantly ridiculed with schoolyard insults from people who have barely enough intellect to parrot off the Beck, Levin, Limbaugh talking points they've been spoon fed! If the GOP doesn't prove they offer something different than the democrats and nominate Ron Paul I'm voting for Gary Johnson and I don't care if Obama wins!

    February 14, 2012 08:22 pm at 8:22 pm |
  9. Bryon pickering

    The repubs are going to blow this thing! The country is center/right,thank God! Socially liberal and economically conservative. This posture has delivered us the best from civil rights to trickle down economics. As long as the right wing of the republican party and the Teapartiers are running the show the further away the White House becomes. Good Luck with that. Nominate Romney and be done with it. Oh. Ps thank God Obama is not only left , but far left. This only helps Romney win. A right rebup will nullify the chance of the independent vote.

    February 14, 2012 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |
  10. Really?

    Romney's likability has only changed because of the negative attacks from the media, other GOP candidates and the Obama reelection team. Nothing else has changed in his message that wasn't there 2,3,4,5,6, months ago or four years ago when he ran as the "conservative alternative". Now all of the sudden he has been labeled a moderate, a liberal. Santorum has yet to be vetted in the same way and when he has been fully vetted in the same way that Romney has he be sent home crying like Newt and republicans will realize more than ever his lack of electability among other things.

    February 14, 2012 08:28 pm at 8:28 pm |
  11. Terry Conklin

    This survey shows we tend to a pick "Leaders" we agree with, which negates their value s leaders. For decades Americans have slumped into the 99% profile of spending too much, saving too little, and expecting government to carry the load. How many times have se asked for some "Federal money" to solve some local problem? WHO do we think provides that money? WHY do we think those credit card payments are UNFAIR? Of course many people like Obama or someone like Obama. Those people want to not think about our real problems and make believe we have no problems.

    February 14, 2012 08:31 pm at 8:31 pm |
  12. Thomas Scott

    The pathetic thing is that Mitt Romney is the victim of......Mitt Romney. All you have to do is look in those vacant eyes every time he gives his canned stump speech...or answers a reporter question....or interacts with some in the crowds of ":supporters" his campaign manufactures for the benefit of press coverage. THERE IS NO ONE HOME BEHIND THOSE EYES. Mitt is The Hollow Man who will say anything and claim anything just to get somebody to love him. If there was ever a public figure with "Daddy Issues", it's Mitt. You really think this country can afford to elect another scared little boy who needs to prove something to "Daddy George"?? Please!

    February 14, 2012 08:32 pm at 8:32 pm |
  13. John Brown

    Romney said he wants to create jobs but based on his history in Bain Capital? He fired hundred of thousands of people. That's what he likes the most! Firing people.

    Romney said he wants to build America but based on his investment in Cayman Islands? He believes in investing in foreign land.

    Romney said he can relate to American  people but he pays 14% tax while we pay 30% tax. Do the math: who is paying for that 16% tax credit? the poor!!!

    Romney said he is for middle class but not poor American since he does not care with poor American. I think he lives on his world.

    Romney.. Romney.. We dont need you! You just like Whitman. Your money can't buy my vote!

    You are not for poor people like me. Just like you said I just made $300k and that's not a lot!!

    Whatttt?? I never seen 10k in my whole life!! And you said 300k is not a lot? It's just a joke!

    February 14, 2012 08:33 pm at 8:33 pm |
  14. Lori

    And they called President Obama a one-term President... 🙂
    President Obama- we, the American people support you, like you and want to see you succeed!!!!

    February 14, 2012 08:34 pm at 8:34 pm |
  15. Brian

    Next to this clown club the GOP is offering having no president would be better!

    February 14, 2012 08:42 pm at 8:42 pm |
  16. Jim

    This is a huge relief. I can only hope come the next election republicans are kicked out the door and our president gets welcomed back to the white house. Also I am praying they fix this whole filibuster fiasco so one unknown republican can sabotage the hole process.

    February 14, 2012 08:45 pm at 8:45 pm |
  17. rw

    Romney is a complete phoney, who is totally out of touch with real people. He also avoids interviews because he doesn't think well on his feet. He reminds me of Sarah Palin.

    February 14, 2012 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |
  18. mirrorlogic

    Willard Mitt has continued to be exposed as a HYPER-RICH out-of-touch ELITE. I like the line one of the CNN writers used, calling Romney a flip-flopper is an insult to flip-floppers.

    February 14, 2012 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |
  19. Anonymous

    I didn't know he had any!

    February 14, 2012 08:50 pm at 8:50 pm |
  20. mirrorlogic

    Willard Mitt is without a doubt a step closer to an Oligarchy. He has the Wealth (Money)...and now is looking for the POWER. ...the drive to prevent ever growing control by so few is paramount - Say no to R-money!

    February 14, 2012 08:51 pm at 8:51 pm |
  21. Johnson

    Us voters saw that snake in the grass

    February 14, 2012 08:51 pm at 8:51 pm |
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