Likely voters are very much split along partisan lines as to how well President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats and Republicans are practicing bi-partisanship, with none of the three receiving high marks for their efforts and sizeable numbers agreeing with the idea that these elected officials are sticking with their principles and not compromising them.

The Zogby Interactive poll of 2,466 likely voters was conducted Feb. 11-13, 2009 and carries a margin of error of +/- 2.0%. Respondents were asked to choose one of three statements that most closely matched their opinion of bi-partisanship efforts of Obama and both Congressional parties. For all three, a plurality of likely voters chose the statement that was most critical of the bi-partisanship of each.

Specifically, 40% said Obama has not done enough to listen to Republicans and include their ideas; 35% said Republican leaders want Obama to fail for political reasons; and 49% said now that Democrats are in the majority, they want total control and will ignore Republicans.

A second choice allowed respondents to choose a statement saying that Obama and each of the two parties wanted to work with the opposition and find compromise. The percentages choosing that statement to describe each were: Obama 27%, Congressional Republicans 25% and Congressional Democrats 27%.

The third choice allowed respondents to choose a statement saying that Obama and the two parties in Congress were standing by their principles. The percentages choosing that statement were: Obama 24%, Congressional Republicans 31% and Congressional Democrats 16%.

The responses showed strong partisan differences, with Republicans and Conservatives were more likely than others to take a more partisan position.

Here are the statements and those who favored each overall and by party and ideology:

President Obama

This question offered likely voters three statements to choose from as being the closest to their opinion.  It measured whether or not Obama was doing enough to succeed at being bi-partisan, and also offered a choice saying that respondents preferred he stand by his campaign proposals even if Republicans were opposed.

Obama is doing a good job of being bi-partisan because it will be very difficult to achieve progress without agreement from both parties.

Obama has not done enough to listen to Republicans and include their ideas in his proposals.

Obama won the election and he should stand by his campaign proposals even if Republicans oppose them.

Four-of-five Republicans and Conservatives who say Obama has not done enough drive the overall numbers, however, it is also the most popular response of self-described political independents (36%). Moderates differ from independents, with a plurality (40%) saying Obama has done well at bi-partisanship. Forty-eight percent of liberals and 38% of Democrats want Obama to deliver on his campaign proposals even if Republicans are opposed.

Congressional Republican Leaders

This question and the next about Congressional Democrats gave likely voters three statements to chose from that looked deeper at their attitudes about the bi-partisan behavior of Congress. The first statement said that party leaders wanted to work to find common ground with Obama. The second said the GOP leaders were standing by their ideals. The third offered the more sinister motivation that they want Obama to fail.

They want to work with President Obama and find compromises that help solve the nation's problems.

They feel strongly that their ideals are best for the nation and will not compromise on them.

They want President Obama to fail for political reasons.

Nearly half of moderates (45%) say the GOP wants Obama to fail, while more than half of Democrats and liberals agree, compared to only 6% of Republicans and conservatives. One-quarter of Democrats and 21% of liberals believe Republicans are just sticking with their ideals. More than 40% of both Republicans and conservatives also chose that statement.

Congressional Democratic Leaders

The first two statement choices here match those asked about Republicans. The third and more negative statement choice about Democrats said they wanted to use their majority status for total control.

They want to work with Republicans and find compromises that help solve the nation's problems.

They feel strongly that their ideals are best for the nation and will not compromise on them.

Now that they are in the majority, Democrats want total control and will ignore Republicans.

The Democratic leadership fares poorly with independents, as 50% think they are only interested in using their power, and only bit better with moderates (39%). Republicans and conservatives are harsher about the motives of the Democrats than Democrats and liberals were in the previous question about the GOP. Close to nine-in-10 say Democrats will ignore Republicans. Democrats and liberals are also much less likely to say that Democrats are sticking with their ideals than Republicans and conservatives were to say the same about the GOP leadership. 

Pollster John Zogby:  "For the many voters who wanted an end to partisan disagreements, the first month of the Obama Administration and its interactions with Congress are a clear disappointment. In January, an open-ended response survey we conducted for the Walter H. Capps Center found that among the most popular  advice likely voters  had for Obama was: 'Bipartisan - needs to be able to effectively work with Republicans.' This issue is most important to independents. Other findings of this survey show the highly partisan views of party base supporters, especially among Republicans. For now, those voters appear to be having greater influence than independents."

For a detailed methodological statement on this survey, please visit:

http://www.zogby.com/methodology/readmeth.cfm?ID=1387