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Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Pat Gauen takes a look at a section of the recent SP-D poll which asked people to choose their single most important issue facing Illinois. At the top (22 percent) was education funding, followed by expanding health care (21 percent), balancing the budget (15 percent) and rebuilding roads and infrastructure (12 percent).

Gauen comments on the lowest three on the poll’s list of priorities…

PREVENTING TAX INCREASES, 9 PERCENT

I’d have guessed this was the top priority of a lot more than 9 percent, especially since our leaders in Springfield act as if it’s the mandate of 100 percent. Lack of revenue has impacted each of the “most important issues” that rank higher on this list. But barely a soul in the statehouse dares whisper the idea of increasing income or state sales taxes.

Then again, maybe legislators can eventually overcome their fear of an unpopular governor’s threatened veto.

LOWERING GAS PRICES, 6 PERCENT

The state can’t do much about that, short of decreasing its motor fuel tax. As much as lawmakers don’t want to raise taxes, they don’t want to give any back, either.

Um, Pat, lowering the sales tax on gas would result in a big hit to the budget, which could result in more service cuts or pressures to increase other taxes. Lowering the motor fuel tax would further erode the state’s Road Fund.

POLITICAL/CAMPAIGN ETHICS REFORM, 5 PERCENT

A brand new law takes effect Jan. 1 to keep business people from contributing directly to office holders who give them contracts. It’s the biggest campaign finance reform in many years. But this being Illinois, pay particular attention to the word “directly.”

No mention that in a state as supposedly corrupt as Illinois with voters pulling out their teeth in rage that this issue comes in dead last? Actually, maybe that’s why the SP-D poll found Blagojevich’s job approval ratings to be almost three times as high as other polls.

Your thoughts?

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Poll: Voters blame Blagojevich far more than Madigan

Monday, Sep 22, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Rasmussen Reports has a new statewide poll of 500 likely Voters. The survey was conducted September 17, 2008 and has a +/- 4.5 margin of error.

The firm asked voters who was to blame more for Democratic Party feuding, Gov. Blagojevich or House Speaker Madigan (Democratic voter response in parentheses)…

Blagojevich 54% (41%)
Madigan 16% (22%)
Not sure 30% (37%)

Obviously, this is not good news for the guv.

* Here are Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s job performance numbers…

Excellent 3%
Good 9%
Fair 28%
Poor 60%
Not sure 0%

Oof.

The crosstabs show that just 5 percent of African-American voters rate the guv’s performance as “Good” while 0 percent say he is doing an “Excellent” job. Double oof.

* Rasmussen also tested House Speaker Michael Madigan’s job performance…

Excellent 5%
Good 31%
Fair 36%
Poor 20%
Not sure 9%

* I’m not sure why but the Post-Dispatch’s Research 2000 polling firm always has Blagojevich’s job approval ratings far higher than everyone else…

If public opinion is the measure, Gov. Rod Blagojevich may be losing his continuing war of wills against the Legislature.

A new poll conducted for the Post-Dispatch and KMOV-TV (Channel 4) finds Blagojevich facing a dismal 34 percent favorable rating among likely Illinois voters, halfway through his contentious second term. That’s a significant drop from the 42 percent rating he received in a similar poll in January. Almost two out of three poll respondents now rate him unfavorable.

At the same time, the Democratic-controlled Legislature has seen a slight improvement in its own still-low favorable rating. The body’s 37 percent rating from January now stands at 41 — this after a year of open rebellion against fellow Democrat Blagojevich on budgetary, ethics and constitutional issues.

“He’s losing that war,” said pollster Del Ali.

The poll was conducted from Sept. 15-18 by Research 2000, a Maryland-based polling firm. A total of 800 likely Illinois voters who vote regularly in state elections were interviewed statewide by telephone.

* Meanwhile, Rasmussen looks at Dick Durbin’s US Senate reelection…

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin enjoys a 24-percentage-point lead in his bid for re-election.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds the incumbent leading Republican opponent Steve Sauerberg 59% to 35%. That’s little changed from a month ago.

Durbin, the number two ranked Democrat in the United States Senate, is seeking his third term in the Senate. Sauerberg is a doctor from the Chicago suburbs.

Durbin is viewed favorably by 59% of Illinois voters and unfavorably by 35%. Sauerberg’s numbers are 39% favorable and 33% unfavorable, while 28% are not sure.

* Rasmussen also checks into the presidential contest here…

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of voters in [Illinois] shows Obama attracting 56% of the vote while McCain earns 40%. Those results are little changed from last month when Obama held a fifteen point advantage.

Fifty percent (50%) of Illinois voters say that local reporters will try to help Obama win the White House while 8% believe they will try to help McCain. Thirty-three percent (33%) believe the media will try to remain neutral and offer unbiased coverage. These figures are similar to perceptions on a national basis.

McCain has the support of 88% of Illinois Republicans, while 91% of the state’s Democrats are backing Obama. The Democrat has a twenty-one point advantage among unaffiliated voters.

Obama’s is viewed favorably by 66% of Illinois voters while McCain earns positive reviews from 53%.

As for the running mates, 63% have a favorable opinion of Delaware Senator Joe Biden while 50% say the same about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

* The Big Ten Battleground Poll has Obama ahead of McCain 48.7% to 34.1%. It’s 52.9% 37.0% with “leaners.”

Illinois right direction, wrong direction numbers are 15.9% to 77.1%. Makes sense, considering.

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