Tim Malloy, Assistant Director, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute (203) 645-8043 Rubenstein Associates, Inc.

Public Relations Contact: Pat Smith (212) 843-8026

FOR RELEASE: APRIL 3, 2012

SANTORUM LEADS ROMNEY IN PENNSYLVANIA GOP PRIMARY, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS; ETCH A SKETCH RAP UNFAIR TO ROMNEY, REPUBLICANS SAY
Favorite Son Rick Santorum leads former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney 41 35 percent among likely voters in Pennsylvanias Republican presidential primary, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has 10 percent, with 7 percent for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. With three weeks before the primary, 6 percent of likely voters remain undecided and 37 percent of those who name a candidate say they still could change their mind, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. This is the first look at likely voters and cannot be compared with earlier surveys of registered voters. Santorum tops Romney 43 33 percent among men, while women split 39 38 percent. Santorum also leads 53 24 percent among white evangelical Christians, 50 32 percent among Tea Party members and 48 30 percent among self-described conservatives. Romney is ahead 45 29 percent among self-described moderates. The Keystone State is critical for Sen. Rick Santorum, the native son who must win to reasonably continue the race for the presidency, said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. Can Santorum hold on against Gov. Mitt Romneys money machine which has turned the tide in other states, washing away Santorums early leads? Pennsylvania is a critical swing state, so the Republican primary winner wants to make a good showing in April to bolster chances for success in November. -more-

Quinnipiac University Poll/April 3, 2012 page 2 By a 59 22 percent margin, Pennsylvania likely Republican primary voters have a favorable opinion of Romney, compared to 64 24 percent favorable for Santorum, a slightly negative 33 36 percent for Paul and a positive 44 39 percent favorable for Gingrich.

Its better for the Republican Party if Santorum stays in the race, 57 percent of likely primary voters say, while 33 percent say its better for the party if Santorum drops out. Pennsylvania likely Republican primary voters also see native son Santorum as more principled than Romney, saying: 52 7 percent that Santorum has more honesty and integrity than most people in public life, with 36 percent saying about the same; 25 14 percent that Romney has more honesty and integrity than most people in public life, with 55 percent saying about the same; 49 8 percent that Santorum changes his position less often than most public figures, with 38 percent saying about the same; 27 7 percent that Romney changes his position more than most public figures, with 60 percent saying about the same; 49 41 percent that Santorum changes his position on issues because of politics rather than principle; 74 17 percent that Romney changes his position on issues because of politics rather than principle. Likely Republican primary voters say 52 37 percent that the Etch A Sketch criticism of Romney is an unfair attack. It looks like the Etch A Sketch gaffe was a one week wonder and has run its course as far as damaging Romney, if it damaged him at all, Malloy said. Rick Santorum can take some solace in knowing Republican voters, at least in Pennsylvania, believe he flip flops with less frequency than Mitt Romney. From March 27 April 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 647 likely Repub1ican primary voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter.

1. If the Republican primary for President were being held today, and the candidates were: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul, for whom would you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Gingrich, Romney, Santorum or Paul? (Table includes leaners and early voters) LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Gingrich Romney Santorum Paul SMONE ELSE(VOL) DK/NA 7% 35 41 10 6 8% 33 43 12 4 5% 38 39 9 9 6% 30 48 11 4 9% 45 29 8 8 8% 24 53 7 8 6% 43 39 10 3 9% 32 50 7 2 6% 37 37 12 7

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Gingrich Romney Santorum Paul SMONE ELSE(VOL) DK/NA 6% 47 31 12 4 7% 29 46 10 8

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 8% 31 37 9 14 10% 26 44 13 7 8% 34 46 10 3 4% 44 39 12 1

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 7% 31 41 15 5 6% 33 47 9 4 8% 44 36 5 7

1a. (Candidate choice given q1) Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS CAND CHOICE Q1 Tot MR RS Mind made up Might change DK/NA 61% 37 2 63% 35 1 64% 34 3

2. Is your opinion of Mitt Romney favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 59% 22 16 3 60% 24 13 2 58% 19 20 3 61% 23 14 2 58% 20 18 4 59% 22 16 3 63% 23 13 1 63% 22 15 58% 23 16 3

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 73% 15 10 3 53% 26 19 3

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 42% 20 33 6 54% 29 16 2 62% 24 12 2 70% 19 10 1

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 55% 26 19 1 59% 24 14 2 65% 16 14 5

3. Is your opinion of Newt Gingrich favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 44% 39 14 3 51% 38 9 2 36% 41 20 4 53% 33 11 3 32% 49 17 3 44% 35 17 4 47% 43 9 2 65% 28 6 1 39% 44 14 3

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 44% 43 9 4 45% 38 16 2

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 34% 39 24 3 49% 36 15 1 51% 38 8 2 46% 42 9 3

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 47% 34 17 2 44% 42 13 1 43% 43 10 4

4. Is your opinion of Rick Santorum favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 64% 24 10 2 65% 25 8 1 62% 22 12 4 74% 20 5 1 48% 32 16 4 74% 15 7 5 65% 27 8 1 78% 16 6 1 59% 27 11 2

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 58% 35 6 1 67% 18 12 3

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 60% 14 21 4 70% 22 4 4 66% 24 8 2 62% 32 6 -

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 66% 23 10 1 67% 22 11 61% 25 8 6

5. Is your opinion of Ron Paul favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 33% 36 28 2 36% 41 20 2 30% 29 39 2 36% 40 23 2 30% 31 36 3 33% 32 32 2 34% 41 24 1 32% 46 18 3 35% 33 30 2

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Favorable Unfavorable Hvn't hrd enough REFUSED 39% 43 16 3 31% 33 34 2

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 27% 27 44 2 31% 42 22 5 35% 39 25 1 40% 37 21 2

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 39% 30 30 1 32% 41 26 1 27% 38 30 5

6. Do you think it would be better for the Republican party if Rick Santorum stayed in the Presidential race, or dropped out of the Presidential race? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Stayed in race Dropped out of race DK/NA 57% 33 10 56% 36 8 57% 30 13 60% 31 8 49% 39 12 67% 24 10 56% 36 8 64% 31 5 54% 36 11

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Stayed in race Dropped out of race DK/NA 45% 44 11 62% 28 10

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 57% 28 16 62% 28 10 61% 34 5 49% 42 9

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 60% 32 7 61% 31 7 49% 37 14

7. Compared to most people in public life, do you think - Mitt Romney has more honesty and integrity, less honesty and integrity, or about the same amount? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No More honesty/integ Less honesty/integ About the same DK/NA 25% 14 55 6 24% 14 57 5 27% 14 53 6 29% 14 53 4 20% 12 61 6 23% 14 59 5 30% 14 54 3 34% 16 49 2 24% 13 58 6

COLLEGE DEG Yes No More honesty/integ Less honesty/integ About the same DK/NA 32% 8 56 4 22% 16 55 6

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 23% 11 55 12 24% 15 56 5 22% 14 61 3 32% 14 52 2

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 20% 14 64 3 21% 16 58 5 37% 10 45 8

8. Compared to most people in public life, do you think - Rick Santorum has more honesty and integrity, less honesty and integrity, or about the same amount? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No More honesty/integ Less honesty/integ About the same DK/NA 52% 7 36 5 54% 7 35 4 50% 7 37 6 66% 5 26 3 31% 11 51 7 59% 6 31 4 53% 6 39 2 72% 5 22 1 46% 8 41 5

COLLEGE DEG Yes No More honesty/integ Less honesty/integ About the same DK/NA 50% 11 37 2 53% 5 35 7

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 48% 7 36 9 49% 4 44 4 52% 6 39 3 59% 11 27 3

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 46% 8 44 2 61% 6 28 6 49% 8 35 7

9. Compared to most people in public life, do you think - Mitt Romney changes his positions more often, changes his positions less often, or about the same amount? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No More often Less often About the same DK/NA 27% 7 60 6 33% 6 57 4 20% 9 64 8 32% 9 55 4 19% 3 72 6 27% 8 60 5 28% 7 61 4 41% 8 48 4 23% 7 64 5

COLLEGE DEG Yes No More often Less often About the same DK/NA 23% 7 65 5 30% 7 57 6

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 30% 6 50 14 35% 7 55 3 29% 10 60 1 23% 6 68 3

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 23% 6 68 3 33% 8 54 4 26% 8 56 9

10. Compared to most people in public life, do you think - Rick Santorum changes his positions more often, changes his positions less often, or about the same amount? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No More often Less often About the same DK/NA 8% 49 38 5 7% 53 36 3 8% 44 41 6 8% 57 32 3 7% 39 47 6 7% 56 34 4 7% 48 42 2 6% 64 28 2 9% 44 42 5

COLLEGE DEG Yes No More often Less often About the same DK/NA 6% 51 38 5 8% 49 38 5

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 14% 33 41 12 11% 47 39 3 4% 56 39 1 4% 61 33 3

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 6% 50 40 4 9% 56 33 3 9% 42 43 7

11. Do you think most people in public life change their positions usually because of politics or principle? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Politics Principle DK/NA 76% 20 4 77% 19 4 75% 21 4 77% 20 3 77% 18 5 71% 26 3 83% 14 3 78% 20 2 75% 20 4

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Politics Principle DK/NA 85% 12 3 72% 24 4

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 63% 28 9 70% 27 3 83% 17 82% 14 3

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 72% 26 2 84% 14 2 74% 19 8

12. When - Mitt Romney changes his position on an issue, do you think it is usually because of politics or principle? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Politics Principle DK/NA 74% 17 8 76% 17 7 73% 17 10 74% 18 8 77% 16 7 73% 20 7 73% 18 8 74% 21 5 76% 17 8

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Politics Principle DK/NA 77% 16 7 73% 18 9

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 70% 24 6 79% 14 7 80% 12 8 72% 22 6

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 79% 15 5 77% 13 9 67% 24 9

13. When - Rick Santorum changes his position on an issue, do you think it is usually because of politics or principle? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Politics Principle DK/NA 49% 41 10 51% 40 9 48% 42 11 44% 47 9 62% 30 8 40% 49 10 53% 40 7 44% 49 8 52% 39 9

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Politics Principle DK/NA 55% 37 8 47% 43 11

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 46% 44 10 51% 40 8 55% 39 6 47% 45 8

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 54% 41 5 50% 40 11 48% 40 13

14. Some of Mitt Romney's critics have called him an Etch A Sketch candidate who changes his positions too easily. Do you think this is a fair criticism of Mitt Romney or an unfair attack? LIKELY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS.......................... WhtBrnAgnEv TEA PARTY Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No Yes No Fair criticism Unfair attack DK/NA 37% 52 11 41% 53 7 33% 51 17 41% 50 9 31% 57 12 43% 43 14 34% 59 7 40% 54 6 37% 52 11

COLLEGE DEG Yes No Fair criticism Unfair attack DK/NA 30% 58 11 41% 48 11

ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K 39% 45 16 45% 46 9 36% 54 10 35% 58 7

AGE IN YRS....... 18-49 50-64 65+ 44% 45 11 39% 51 9 27% 61 12