READ FULL STORY HEREA recent Franklin & Marshall poll surveying Pennsylvanians on a number of topics finds continued pessimism in the state. Rasmussen Reports meanwhile shows that six in ten in New Jersey were casting votes against Governor Corzine in his defeat last week. Below are some of the key findings from each survey.
1) Record high number of Pennsylvanians think state is headed in wrong direction
The latest Franklin & Marshall poll indicates just 32% of Pennsylvanians believe that things in their home state are heading in the right direction overall. 60% feel the Keystone State is on the wrong track. Just 8% of families consider themselves to be better off now than a year ago with 36% saying they are worse off and 55% feeling about the same. One bright note is the level of optimism being shared looking ahead a year. Although 50% of state residents think their financial situation will remain roughly the same a year from now, many more (31%) think they will be better off than those who feel they will be worse off (14%) by late-2010.
2) The recessions continues in the eyes of most Pennsylvanians and less money is being spent
In spite of certain economic indicators that suggest the United States has crawled out of its recession Pennsylvanians do not agree. Just 3% think the recession is over now and an additional 6% think it will end before the close of 2009. 30% are confident it will end next year with a whopping 57% of those polled are of the opinion that economic recovery is still several years away. The level of spending by Keystone State residents reflects the opinion many have of a prolonged recession. Just 8% say they are spending more money now than a year ago against 54% who are saving more and 37% who suggest there is no difference in their buying habits.
3) Governor Rendell’s favorability rating rebounds slightly, Specter struggling, Casey dips
The heads of state in Pennsylvania are all mired in the negatives. Governor Rendell has experienced a small turnaround from two months ago when he was embroiled in the state’s ongoing budget crisis. His favorable to unfavorable ratings at that time were a record low 32-53%. Rendell has rebounded somewhat since and currently stands at a 37%-47% favorable margin. Senator Arlen Specter meanwhile has plummeted to a new low with 28% of Pennsylvanians now holding a favorable view against some 46% who view him negatively. Senator Bob Casey has taken a hit as well in recent months. In August he stood at a 41% favorable, 18% unfavorable with 41% of Pennsylvanians undecided or not familiar enough with the politician. Casey now sits at 32-21-47% margin.
4) President Obama’s favorability drops, Joe Sestak and pat Toomey remain largely unknown
President Obama’s favorability rating has dropped ten-points from the previous Franklin & Marshall poll from August. At the same time the number of those claiming to be uncertain of their feelings towards the President has increased eight-points. Currently Obama’s favorable to unfavorable rating stands at 45-39% with 16% of state residents either uncertain or not knowing. Current Congressman and 2010 Senate candidates Joe Sestak and Pat Toomey continue to fly under the radar meanwhile. 77% claim to be unfamiliar with Sestak, strangely a higher number than recorded in the last poll. Toomey goes essentially unrecognized by 64% of Pennsylvanians virtually holding steady from last month.
5) Specter’s lead over Sestak shrinks, narrowly out in front of Toomey
Still nearly a year to go but the Pennsylvania Senate saga continues with each ensuing poll. Arlen Specter continues to lead Congressman Joe Sestak by twelve in the state’s upcoming primary battle but his 30-18% margin is far less that the 37-11% lead recorded in August. 47% of Pennsylvania Democrats remain undecided, a number that is holding steady from recent polls. Specter also leads Republican challenger Pat Toomey by just two-points (33-31%) down from an eight-point lead in August. Toomey scores better against Sestak as well than in recent polling. His lead on the 7th District Congressman has grown to 28-20%, up from a more modest 26-22% advantage registered two and a half months ago.
6) Democrats and Republicans narrowly divided, state legislature heavily unpopular
Some questions being asked of Pennsylvanians in this poll indicates a narrow 37-34% lead for Democratic Party candidates in the state when the upcoming House elections are discussed. Keystone State residents are divided in their perceptions between what they feel about the state at large and how they feel about their own district. By a 44-30% margin a plurality would like to see their specific candidate in Harrisburg reelected next year. When asked about the state House of Representatives in general however just 24% would like to see “most” of the members reelected in the next election. The state legislate meanwhile is mired with terrible ratings. Just 15% feel the body is doing a good or excellent job against 78% who think they have performed only fair or poorly.
7) In New Jersey most voters see Christie’s success as a result of pessimism towards Corzine
60% of those from the Garden State say that most of Republican Chris Christie’s support in his victory for Governor came from votes cast by disenfranchised voters against Jon Corzine. Just 22% think that Christie won due to his popularity with the electorate and an additional 18% remain uncertain. These numbers are according to a just released survey from Rasmussen Reports. Broken down to specifics 45% of voters claim Christie was elected specifically as a rejection of Governor Corzine’s job performance. Another 27% suggest that the state’s economy was the main reason with an additional 16% claiming a desire for change was on the horizon.
8) Voters give Christie modest approval but have mixed feelings about the likelihood of his success as Governor
Chris Christie is viewed favorably by 49% of New Jersey voters, 47% hold an unfavorable opinion of the Governor elect. A similar number (49%) think the first order of business for Christie as Governor is to cut state taxes. Voters are not particularly optimistic of the new Governor’s chances of fulfilling campaign promises however. The Rasmussen survey indicates a large number (86%) of voters do not think Christie can deliver working with the Democratic-controlled state Senate and assembly. By a margin of 54-40% most in New Jersey also feel that Christie will not be able to improve the state’s economy. One positive area of expectations is the 51% who think Christie can effectively crack down on corruption as promised.
Photo Credit: Associted Press / Mel Evans
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