Numbers
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
I didn’t see this Bernie Schoenburg column the other day about a recent poll taken by the Illinois Republican Party.
Among the findings of the 600 registered voter poll taken Feb. 20-21 was that the public ain’t exactly enamored with the idea of selling the Lottery. The idea was opposed by 67.3 percent, while just 13.7 percent approved and 19 percent had no opinion.
The other results are fairly predictable…
* Nearly 51 percent of respondents thought Illinois is “headed off on the wrong track,” compared with 36 percent saying the state us going in the “right direction.” The rest didn’t know or didn’t answer.
* Blagojevich was viewed by almost 37 percent in a “favorable” light, including 12.5 percent “very favorable” and 24.3 percent “somewhat favorable;” However, 46 percent were on the “unfavorable” side, including almost 28 percent saying they have a “very unfavorable” view of the governor. Almost 15 percent had no opinion, and yes, 2.5 percent had not heard of him.
* On job approval, 63.2 rated Blagojevich’s performance as “only fair” or “poor,” including 26.8 percent “poor.” There were 31.7 percent on the plus side, with 5.3 percent rating him as excellent, and 26.3 percent calling the performance “good.”
* 26 percent said state government “works well,” while 65.5 percent said it “needs reform.”
* Just under 20 percent said Blagojevich has “restored honesty and integrity to state government,” while 66.5 percent said it has been “politics as usual” under him. Nearly 14 percent didn’t know or didn’t answer.
* In a question that could be worded in different ways, 77.2 percent said they disapproved of the governor “taking money from the state employee pension fund to help balance the state budget.” In recent budget years, some money that would have gone to the fund was used for other purposes, but it wasn’t taken from the base. So this wording may paint too dismal a picture. […]
* Respondents were asked about a gross receipts tax on business “to pay for state subsidized health insurance for anyone in the state who currently does not have health insurance,” which is somewhat different from the plan the governor announced, which would also help some people pay for insurance they have.
The question also says the tax would end up “raising prices for consumers on all goods and services,” which doesn’t take into account exemptions announced by the governor last week. Given the flaws in the question, disapproval of the idea came in at 50.7 percent, while 33.2 percent approved.
* Just for fun, perhaps, the Republicans threw in a question asking if the state Constitution should be amended to allow voters “the right to recall state elected officials and vote them out of office before their term expires.” In all, 73.3 percent approved, while 13.3 percent disapproved and 13.3 percent didn’t answer.
You can download the poll by clicking here.
- Number 8 - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 6:48 am:
Oh, please Rich, what other facts have been uncovered by republican polling? I cant imagine a better source of more reliable polling out there than that ofthe party that was SWEPT in statewide elections last November, as well as allowing the Dems to get a veto proof majority.
Their numbers are golden, Jerry — GOLDEN!
- Enuf - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 8:39 am:
The public is smart.
If the Lottery is so valuable, why not keep it? Also why give up the public scrutiny to how it is run? Finally, why not improve on it by hiring professionals who are experienced that will run it ethically and productively.
That is all that needs to change.
- Larry McKeon - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 8:51 am:
The so-called Senate veto proof majority is largly media hype. Take out the targets who are unlikely to vote for anything controversial and the Senate does not have a veto proof majority.
- GOPer - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 9:16 am:
Why in the world is McKenna even spending State Party contributors’ money for a poll like this? Shouldn’t the Republican Party be opposing expansion of gov’t and higher taxes in any case? Shouldn’t the GOP be trying to LEAD public opinion, instead of just putting its finger in the wind?
What’s next, McKenna polls to find out if Republicans should still say good things about Abraham Lincoln?
- He Makes Ryan look like a saint - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 12:39 pm:
The poll that mattered was in November. Perhaps McKenna would be better off grooming people to run for county then regional office to get them in the minor leagues ready to run for state office. He should also start now to build a slate for the next statewide election.
And if Jim Edgar is thinking about running….tell him thanks but no thanks!!!
- jake F - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 2:07 pm:
This kind of polling is what any good political organization does… I’m glad the ILL GOP is starting to approach this next campaign in the right way.
Also, Blago is for the biggest tax increase in our state’s history… Doesn’t he know people don’t want a tax increase? He probably just doesn’t care- he is awful, and this poll shows it
- (618) Democrat - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 5:12 pm:
McKenna and the Republican party of Illinois are clueless. Why would anyone spend money to do a meaningless push poll like this one. LOL
- In the Sticks - Wednesday, Mar 14, 07 @ 10:37 pm:
(618) - probably the same kind of people who would do a push poll for gun control, or in support for more money for schools/homeless/health care/teachers/nurses/police/fire fighters or any other topic the interest group wants. There are probably plenty of those kinds of polls paid for by the Governor.