If Russians had been Americans, they would have voted for Obama. At the same time, Russians do not expect considerable changes in U.S.-Russia relations.
MOSCOW, November 15, 2012. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data covering the following issues: how much Russians are informed about the results of the 2012 U.S. Presidential Elections; who they would have voted for if they had been Americans; what changes they expect in U.S.-Russia relations; what they expect form Barack Obama during his second term as president; what their attitudes towards him are.
The overwhelming majority of Russians are aware of the presidential elections that took place in the United States (93%); the share of those who know that Obama won is 75%. Those who best informed are supporters of non-parliament parties (84%) and metropolitan residents (87%). And only 6% of respondents have heard about the elections for the first time during the interview. Most of them are rural area residents (10%).
Every second Russian would have supported Barack Obama, if they had had a chance to take part in the voting (48%); only 4% of Russians would have voted for Mitt Romney. To compare: in 2008 Russians did not support Obama much (38%). Every third Russians would have ignored the elections (34%). Those who would have voted for Obama are young Russians (56%) and supporters of non-parliament parties (56%).
Two-thirds of respondents are confident that there will not be any substantial changes in U.S. - Russia relations during the second term of Obama (65%, in 2009– 32%). Those who share this stance are supporters of CPRF party (77%) and residents of million cities (69%). The number of respondents who expect better relations between United States and Russia has decreased, compared to the expectations of Russians after the previous U.S. presidential elections (from 38 to 25%). As a rule, they are non-parliament parties’ adherents (34%), Muscovites and St. Petersburgians (30%). Those who have pessimistic forecasts in bilateral relations after the reelection of Obama are in the minority (5%).
Most of Russians are indifferent towards Obama (40%, in 2009 – 36%). But more respondents perceive him positively compared to his first term as president. More Russians feel respect (from 11 to 19%) or liking (from 12 to 17%) towards him. Over two years the share of those who trust him has also grown (from 4 to 10%). Other 2% feel admiration. At the same time, the share of Russians who hope for him has decreased (from 20% in 2009 to 12% currently). Negative emotions are expressed rarely: 6% - distrust, 4% - scepsis, 3% - dislike, 1% (per each) – disappointment and condemnation.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on November 10-11, 2012. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Do you know that there have recently been the U.S. presidential elections? If yes, do you know who won? (semi-open question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | Cities with population of more than 500 thousand | Cities with population of 100 - 500 thousand | Cities with population less than 100 thousand | Rural area |
I know about elections and I know that Obama won | 75 | 87 | 78 | 82 | 73 | 73 | 68 |
I know about elections but I do not know who won | 18 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
I hear for the first time that there have been elections | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 10 |
Hard to tell | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
If you had had an opportunity to take part in the U.S. Elections, who would you have voted for? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||
2008 |
| 2012 | |
John McCain | 4 | Mitt Romney | 4 |
Barack Obama | 38 | Barack Obama | 48 |
I would have refused to take part | 37 | I would have refused to take part | 34 |
Hard to tell | 21 | Hard to tell | 15 |
In your opinion, what impact will the reelection of Barack Obama have on U.S.-Russia relations? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
2008 | 2012 | |
The relations will get better | 38 | 25 |
The relations will get worse | 5 | 5 |
Nothing will change | 32 | 65 |
Hard to tell | 24 | 6 |
What feelings does Barack Obama evoke in you? (close-ended question, up to two answers) | |||
| 2009 | 2010 | 2012 |
Admiration | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Disappointment | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Hope | 20 | 14 | 12 |
Distrust | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Liking | 12 | 16 | 17 |
Respect | 11 | 15 | 19 |
Dislike | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Condemnation | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Trust | 7 | 4 | 10 |
Scepsis | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Indifference | 36 | 38 | 40 |
Love | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hatred | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hard to tell | 15 | 12 | 8 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!