Defining Romney, In A Single Word

What one word best describes Mitt Romney?

That's a question the Pew Research Center and The Washington Post posed to the public last fall (before the campaign began in earnest), this spring (in the midst of a bitter GOP primary fight), and again in recent days (on the eve of the Republican National Convention).

"Mormon" was the top choice — and by a wide margin — last fall.

"No/No Way/Nope" topped the list this spring, barely edging out "rich."

"Honest" is now the word of choice, followed closely by "business/businessman" and "rich."

Pew said the new report "finds that while many people are now using different words to describe Romney, the words remain on balance more negative than positive. Romney elicits far more positive reactions from Republicans now than in the spring, but both Democrats and independents continue to say more negative than positive things about him."

The report continues:

"Overall, 42% of the words volunteered by respondents are clearly negative, most commonly liar, arrogant, crook, out of touch, distrustand fake. Fewer (28%) offer words that are clearly positive in tone, such as honest, good, leadership, and capable. The remaining 30% of words are more descriptive and neutral in their tone, including businessman, rich, conservative, and Republican. As the campaign progresses, fewer Americans are offering neutral descriptions of Romney, but people continue to have more negative than positive things to say about him."

But the study continues: "While the tone remains negative, the substance of what people say about Romney is substantially different. The words honestand businessmanare now among the most common words people associate with Romney."

And what of Romney's religion?

"Equally telling are the words that do not come up as often when people think of Romney. Most notable is his religion. Last October, the word Mormonwas far and away the most common word associated with Romney, mentioned by 60 people. By March, just 18 people mentioned Romney's religion, and in the current survey, only 8 people say Mormonis the first word they associate with him."

The most recent analysis is based on telephone interviews with 1,010 adults conducted Aug. 23-26.

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