This statistic shows the results of a survey among adult respondents in the United States. The survey was conducted in August 2012. Respondents were asked about candidates’ competence regarding the handling of selected political issues. 54 percent of respondents stated they believed that Barack Obama would handle foreign affairs better, while 40 percent said they considered Mitt Romney the better candidate to handle this issue.
Who would handle the following issues better - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney?
(United States, August 2012)
Characteristic
Barack Obama
Mitt Romney
Foreign affairs
54%
40%
Energy
53%
40%
Medicare
53%
41%
Taxes
52%
43%
Healthcare
52%
43%
The economy
43%
52%
The federal budget deficit
39%
54%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents40%40%40%40%41%41%43%43%43%43%52%52%54%54%54%54%53%53%53%53%52%52%52%52%43%43%39%39%Barack ObamaMitt RomneyForeign affairsEnergyMedicareTaxesHealthcareThe economyThe federal budget deficit
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%
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The source posed the question as follows: "Regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or Mitt Romney would better handle each of the following issues. How about ...?"
Missing percentage points to 100 percent are due to respondents answering with "no opinion" or "same".
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Gallup. (August 24, 2012). Who would handle the following issues better - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? (United States, August 2012) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 03, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/240616/opinion-of-voters-on-competence-of-candidates-regarding-selected-topics/
Gallup. "Who would handle the following issues better - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? (United States, August 2012)." Chart. August 24, 2012. Statista. Accessed March 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/240616/opinion-of-voters-on-competence-of-candidates-regarding-selected-topics/
Gallup. (2012). Who would handle the following issues better - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? (United States, August 2012). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/240616/opinion-of-voters-on-competence-of-candidates-regarding-selected-topics/
Gallup. "Who Would Handle The following Issues Better - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? (United States, August 2012)." Statista, Statista Inc., 24 Aug 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/240616/opinion-of-voters-on-competence-of-candidates-regarding-selected-topics/
Gallup, Who would handle the following issues better - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? (United States, August 2012) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/240616/opinion-of-voters-on-competence-of-candidates-regarding-selected-topics/ (last visited March 03, 2025)
Who would handle the following issues better - Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? (United States, August 2012) [Graph], Gallup, August 24, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/240616/opinion-of-voters-on-competence-of-candidates-regarding-selected-topics/
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