November 12, 2009 - Simmons Runs Better Than McMahon Against Dodd, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Lieberman Is More Republican, Voters Say 2-1 Word format Former Connecticut Congressman Rob Simmons has an early lead in the Republican primary race for the 2010 U.S. Senate contest and runs better than any other challenger against Sen. Christopher Dodd, topping the Democratic incumbent 49 - 38 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Former World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon gets 43 percent to Sen. Dodd's 41 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Even potential Republican contenders with almost no name recognition and almost no Republican primary voter support give Dodd a run for his money. Simmons leads a Republican primary matchup with 28 percent, followed by McMahon with 17 percent. No other contender tops 9 percent and 36 percent are undecided. Connecticut voters disapprove 54 - 40 percent of the job Dodd is doing, compared to a 49 - 43 percent disapproval September 17, and say 53 - 39 percent that he does not deserve reelection. "After inching up in the polls for months, Sen. Christopher Dodd is sliding back down again on job approval. He continues to struggle with independent voters as 60 percent disapprove of the way he is handling his job. President Barack Obama is still popular with independents, but voters say that his support of Dodd won't affect their Senate vote," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD. "Healthcare is an issue that should work for Sen. Dodd. Voters who tell us it's the most important issue side with him. But voters who care most about the economy say the Republican candidate will be better able to deal with it. If the economy worsens, this will hurt Dodd." If McMahon spends millions of her own dollars to be elected U.S. Senator, 61 percent of voters say that means she is free of pressure from lobbyists and other special interests, while 29 percent say this gives her an unfair advantage and looks like she is buying the election. Connecticut voters say 34 - 25 percent, with 41 percent undecided, that McMahon does not have the right kind of experience to be a U.S. Senator. In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 33 percent of Connecticut voters say the economy is the most important issue in the 2010 Senate race, with another 30 percent who cite health care. No other issue tops 5 percent. Dodd gets a negative 42 - 49 percent favorability from voters. Simmons gets a positive 40 - 10 percent favorability, with 49 percent who don't know enough about him to form an opinion. For McMahon, 66 percent don't know enough about her to form an opinion. For other Republican contenders, the "don't know enough" score is 74 percent or higher. "Linda McMahon made a big splash into the race two months ago and finishes second in the primary to Rob Simmons. She tops Dodd by a couple of points, but it appears that more than 40 percent of voters would vote for anybody but Dodd at this point," Dr. Schwartz added. Sen. Joseph Lieberman By a 51 - 25 percent margin, Connecticut voters say Sen. Joseph Lieberman's views on issues are closer to the Republican Party than to the Democratic Party. There is agreement on this among voters in all parties. Voters approve 49 - 44 percent of the job Lieberman is doing. He gets 74 - 20 percent approval from Republicans and 52 - 40 percent approval from independent voters, but Democrats disapprove 62 - 31 percent. Voters say 64 - 29 percent that Democrats should not strip Lieberman of his committee chairmanship if he joins Republicans in a filibuster against the Democrats' health care reform. Connecticut voters approve 58 - 35 percent of the job President Barack Obama is doing, but they disapprove 48 - 45 percent of the way he is handling health care. From November 3 - 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,236 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. The survey includes 474 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percentage points and 332 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 5.4 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio 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. 2. (If registered Democrat) If the 2010 Democratic primary for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Chris Dodd and Merrick Alpert, for whom would you vote? REGISTERED DEMS Dodd 55% Alpert 22 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 DK/NA 21 TREND: (If registered Democrat) If the 2010 Democratic primary for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Chris Dodd and Merrick Alpert, for whom would you vote? REGISTERED DEMS............... Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 2009 2009 2009 2009 Dodd 55 56 52 44 Alpert 22 13 18 24 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 4 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 2 DK/NA 21 25 27 30 3. (If registered Republican) If the 2010 Republican primary for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Rob Simmons, Tom Foley, Sam Caligiuri, Linda McMahon and Peter Schiff, for whom would you vote? REGISTERED REPS Simmons 28% Foley 9 Caligiuri 4 McMahon 17 Schiff 5 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 DK/NA 36 TREND: (If registered Republican) If the 2010 Republican primary for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Rob Simmons, Tom Foley, Sam Caligiuri, Linda McMahon and Peter Schiff, for whom would you vote? REGISTERED REPS............... Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 2009 2009 2009 2009 Simmons 28 43 42 48 Foley 9 5 5 na Caligiuri 4 4 5 10 McMahon 17 na na na Schiff 5 2 - na SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 1 2 DK/NA 36 43 45 39 14. If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Rob Simmons the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Dodd 38% 6% 68% 29% 35% 41% Simmons 49 87 15 57 52 45 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - 2 1 2 1 DK/NA 11 6 14 12 11 12 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Dodd 44% 35% 48% 36% 34% Simmons 45 50 37 47 58 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - 1 1 3 1 DK/NA 11 14 14 12 6 TREND: If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Rob Simmons the Republican, for whom would you vote? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Mar 10 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Dodd 38 39 39 39 34 42 Simmons 49 44 48 45 50 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 2 1 2 1 DK/NA 11 15 10 13 12 12 15. If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Linda McMahon the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Dodd 41% 13% 71% 32% 40% 42% McMahon 43 79 12 51 47 39 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - 1 3 2 1 DK/NA 14 7 17 13 11 18 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Dodd 43% 41% 32% 43% 36% McMahon 44 40 55 41 46 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 2 1 5 DK/NA 12 18 12 14 13 16. If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Sam Caligiuri the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Dodd 42% 11% 72% 35% 41% 44% Caligiuri 42 80 11 49 46 38 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - - - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 3 1 1 2 2 DK/NA 14 5 16 14 11 16 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Dodd 45% 40% 45% 44% 39% Caligiuri 41 41 41 40 46 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 1 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 1 1 2 DK/NA 12 16 12 14 13 TREND: If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Sam Caligiuri the Republican, for whom would you vote? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Mar 10 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Dodd 42 40 42 41 37 47 Caligiuri 42 36 40 39 41 34 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 3 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 1 2 2 2 DK/NA 14 20 15 17 17 16 17. If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Peter Schiff the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Dodd 42% 11% 74% 34% 41% 43% Schiff 41 81 10 47 44 38 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 1 - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 15 6 16 17 13 17 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Dodd 46% 40% 36% 44% 39% Schiff 40 42 51 37 42 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - 2 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 2 DK/NA 12 16 10 17 17 TREND: If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Peter Schiff the Republican, for whom would you vote? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 2009 2009 2009 Dodd 42 42 43 Schiff 41 36 38 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 2 DK/NA 15 19 16 18. If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Tom Foley the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Dodd 40% 9% 73% 27% 38% 42% Foley 47 85 12 58 50 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 - 1 1 DK/NA 13 5 14 14 12 14 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Dodd 42% 37% 25% 43% 39% Foley 47 45 54 44 50 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - 1 1 1 DK/NA 11 17 21 11 9 TREND: If the 2010 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Chris Dodd the Democrat and Tom Foley the Republican, for whom would you vote? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 Apr 2 2009 2009 2009 2009 Dodd 40 40 42 35 Foley 47 38 42 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2 1 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 2 DK/NA 13 18 14 16 19. What do you think is the most important issue in the 2010 election for United States Senator? Tot Economy Total 33% Economy general 14 Unemployment/Jobs 18 Business leaving/ Outsourcing 1 Healthcare Total 30% Hlthcr/Costs/Insurance 28 Medicare 2 Politicians/Gov Total 4% Politicians/Gov general 1 Political corruption 1 Chris Dodd 1 Politicians other 1 Budget Total 5% Budget general 2 Budget deficits 1 Big Gov/Gov spending 1 Budget priorities 1 War 5% Lack of ethics/Morality 3% Education Total 2% Education general 1 Funding education 1 Taxes general 2% Environment/Pollution 1% Foreign Affairs general 1% Immigration 1% Other 4% DK/NA 7% 20. Who do you think would do a better job dealing with that issue - Chris Dodd or the Republican candidate for United States Senator? MOST IMP ISSUE Q19 Tot Econ HlthCare Dodd 37% 38% 47% Republican 43 46 34 DK/NA 21 16 19 21. Is your opinion of - Chris Dodd favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 42% 19% 68% 34% 38% 47% Unfavorable 49 77 22 59 53 46 Hvn't hrd enough 6 3 8 5 7 5 REFUSED 3 1 3 3 3 2 TREND: Is your opinion of Chris Dodd favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? FAVORABLE..... High Low Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Feb 19 Apr 2 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2007 2009 Favorable 42 40 40 37 30 49 30 Unfavorable 49 48 50 51 58 30 58 Hvn't hrd enough 6 10 7 9 8 18 8 REFUSED 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 22. Is your opinion of - Rob Simmons favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 40% 61% 25% 42% 45% 35% Unfavorable 10 7 16 7 8 12 Hvn't hrd enough 49 30 58 50 46 51 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 2 TREND: Is your opinion of - Rob Simmons favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Mar 10 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Favorable 40 41 39 34 39 36 Unfavorable 10 11 12 12 12 10 Hvn't hrd enough 49 46 48 53 47 53 REFUSED 1 2 1 1 2 1 23. Is your opinion of - Linda McMahon favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 20% 33% 7% 22% 20% 19% Unfavorable 13 5 18 14 15 11 Hvn't hrd enough 66 61 73 64 63 70 REFUSED 1 1 2 - 2 - 24. Is your opinion of - Sam Caligiuri favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 10% 15% 4% 12% 12% 8% Unfavorable 3 2 3 3 2 3 Hvn't hrd enough 87 83 93 85 86 89 REFUSED - - 1 - - 1 TREND: Is your opinion of - Sam Caligiuri favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Mar 10 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Favorable 10 11 12 9 8 9 Unfavorable 3 5 4 3 3 3 Hvn't hrd enough 87 83 84 87 88 88 REFUSED - 1 1 1 1 1 25. Is your opinion of - Tom Foley favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 20% 33% 11% 21% 20% 19% Unfavorable 6 3 8 4 6 5 Hvn't hrd enough 74 63 81 75 74 75 REFUSED - 1 1 - - 1 TREND: Is your opinion of - Tom Foley favorable, unfavorable or haven't you eard enough about him? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 Apr 2 2009 2009 2009 2009 Favorable 20 12 17 12 Unfavorable 6 6 5 6 Hvn't hrd enough 74 81 77 80 REFUSED - 1 1 1 26. Is your opinion of - Peter Schiff favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 7% 13% 1% 8% 9% 6% Unfavorable 4 2 5 4 4 4 Hvn't hrd enough 88 85 93 87 86 90 REFUSED 1 1 - 1 1 - TREND: Is your opinion of - Peter Schiff favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about him? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 2009 2009 2009 Favorable 7 6 7 Unfavorable 4 2 3 Hvn't hrd enough 88 92 89 REFUSED 1 - 1 27. Is your opinion of - Merrick Alpert favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 1% 2% 2% - 1% 2% Unfavorable 3 - 5 1 2 3 Hvn't hrd enough 96 98 91 98 97 95 REFUSED - - 1 - - 1 TREND: Is your opinion of - Merrick Alpert favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 2009 2009 2009 2009 Favorable 1 2 3 4 Unfavorable 3 2 1 2 Hvn't hrd enough 96 96 95 93 REFUSED - - 1 1 30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 49% 74% 31% 52% 52% 45% Disapprove 44 20 62 40 43 44 DK/NA 8 6 7 8 5 11 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator? APPROVE....... High Low Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Sep 21 Dec 17 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2000 2008 Approve 49 48 46 46 46 80 38 Disapprove 44 45 46 44 47 14 54 DK/NA 8 7 8 10 7 6 8 31. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Chris Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 40% 13% 65% 34% 38% 43% Disapprove 54 86 28 60 56 52 DK/NA 6 1 6 6 6 5 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Chris Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator? APPROVE....... High Low Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Apr 19 Apr 2 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2001 2009 Approve 40 43 42 38 33 71 33 Disapprove 54 49 52 53 58 16 58 DK/NA 6 8 6 10 9 13 9 33. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 58% 24% 84% 54% 54% 62% Disapprove 35 72 10 38 39 31 DK/NA 7 4 6 8 6 7 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Mar 10 Feb 11 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 58 57 63 71 71 67 69 Disapprove 35 36 32 22 22 23 18 DK/NA 7 6 5 7 7 10 13 34. Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 47% 16% 84% 33% 42% 52% Unfavorable 39 76 8 46 46 32 Hvn't hrd enough 10 6 5 14 10 10 REFUSED 5 1 3 6 3 6 35. Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 35% 79% 12% 32% 33% 36% Unfavorable 48 16 72 45 49 47 Hvn't hrd enough 11 4 8 16 12 10 REFUSED 6 1 7 7 5 7 42. Looking ahead to the 2010 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Chris Dodd deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Deserves 39% 14% 65% 30% 34% 43% No/Does not 53 83 25 62 58 49 DK/NA 8 3 10 8 8 8 43. Would you say that Chris Dodd has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 61% 38% 81% 57% 58% 63% No 35 60 13 41 37 33 DK/NA 4 2 6 2 4 4 TREND: Would you say that Chris Dodd has strong leadership qualities or not? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Yes 61 59 62 56 50 No 35 35 32 35 43 DK/NA 4 6 5 9 7 44. Would you say that Chris Dodd is honest and trustworthy or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 39% 22% 59% 32% 37% 41% No 52 74 30 61 56 48 DK/NA 9 5 11 8 7 11 TREND: Would you say that Chris Dodd is honest and trustworthy or not? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 Apr 2 Feb 10 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Yes 39 40 35 35 32 41 No 52 51 55 49 54 42 DK/NA 9 9 10 15 13 17 45. Would you say that Chris Dodd shares your views on issues that you care about or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 43% 14% 71% 36% 41% 46% No 48 82 17 57 51 45 DK/NA 9 4 12 7 8 9 TREND: Would you say that Chris Dodd shares your views on issues that you care about or not? Nov 12 Sep 17 Jul 23 May 27 2009 2009 2009 2009 Yes 43 42 45 37 No 48 48 49 48 DK/NA 9 10 7 15 46. Looking ahead to the 2012 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Joe Lieberman deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Deserves 46% 72% 29% 49% 48% 43% No/Does not 45 16 63 45 44 46 DK/NA 9 12 9 7 8 11 TREND: Thinking about the 2012 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Joseph Lieberman deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Nov 12 Aug 17 Jul 20 Jun 8 Feb 16 Jan 11 Apr 6 2009 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 Yes/Deserves 46 51 56 61 63 64 66 No/Does not 45 40 31 28 26 24 25 DK/NA 9 9 12 11 11 13 9 47. Would you say that Joe Lieberman has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 60% 81% 48% 61% 60% 60% No 36 16 46 37 37 35 DK/NA 4 3 5 2 3 5 TREND: Would you say that Joseph Lieberman has strong leadership qualities or not? Nov 12 Jul 23 Aug 17 Apr 6 2009 2009 2006 2005 Yes 60 58 76 70 No 36 38 20 26 DK/NA 4 4 5 4 48. Would you say that Joe Lieberman is honest and trustworthy or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 60% 84% 43% 63% 64% 56% No 34 12 50 33 32 37 DK/NA 5 5 6 4 3 7 TREND: Would you say that Joseph Lieberman is honest and trustworthy or not? Nov 12 Jul 23 Aug 17 Apr 6 2009 2009 2006 2005 Yes 60 58 74 78 No 34 35 20 13 DK/NA 5 6 6 9 49. Would you say that Joe Lieberman shares your views on issues that you care about or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 46% 70% 31% 48% 48% 45% No 46 23 62 44 45 47 DK/NA 8 7 7 8 7 9 TREND: Would you say that Joseph Lieberman shares your views on issues that you care about or not? Nov 12 Jul 23 Aug 17 Apr 6 2009 2009 2006 2005 Yes 46 45 51 57 No 46 47 39 30 DK/NA 8 9 9 13 50. In general, do you think Joe Lieberman's views on issues are closer to - the Republican Pary or the Democratic Party? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Republican Party 51% 49% 57% 48% 52% 51% Democratic Party 25 28 26 23 25 24 DK/NA 24 24 17 29 23 25 51. If Joe Lieberman runs for reelection in 2012, do you think he should run as a Republican or as a Democrat or as an Independent? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Republican 20% 19% 32% 12% 18% 22% Democrat 12 7 22 6 12 12 Independent 55 61 35 70 60 49 DK/NA 13 12 11 12 10 17 53. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 52% 18% 79% 47% 50% 54% Disapprove 43 79 15 49 47 40 DK/NA 4 3 6 4 3 5 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? Nov 12 Jul 23 Mar 10 Feb 11 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 52 57 62 63 Disapprove 43 38 27 21 DK/NA 4 5 11 16 57. As you may know, President Obama recently came to Connecticut to help raise money for Senator Dodd's reelection - does this make you more likely to vote for Dodd, less likely, or doesn't it make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely 7% 1% 16% 3% 7% 7% Less likely 17 32 4 20 21 13 Doesn't make diff 75 65 79 77 71 79 DK/NA 1 1 - - - 1 58. Do you think Linda McMahon has the right kind of experience to be a United States Senator from Connecticut or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 25% 37% 11% 30% 30% 20% No 34 26 44 32 38 31 DK/NA 41 37 45 38 32 49 59. How important do you think it is that a United States Senator has had considerable experience in business - very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very important 44% 57% 38% 42% 43% 44% Smwht important 44 38 45 47 43 45 Not too important 7 2 12 6 9 6 Not important at all 4 3 4 4 4 4 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 60. How important do you think it is that a United States Senator has had considerable experience in politics and government - very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very important 39% 32% 54% 32% 35% 43% Smwht important 43 48 36 46 42 43 Not too important 10 12 5 14 12 9 Not important at all 7 8 4 7 9 4 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 61. As you may know Linda McMahon may spend millions of dollars of her own money to be elected United States Senator. Which comes closer to your point of view - A) By financing her own campaign she is free from being beholden to lobbyists and other special interests who would otherwise finance her campaign or B) By financing her own campaign she has an unfair advantage and looks like she is trying to buy the election? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A) Free from int 61% 75% 46% 67% 65% 58% B) Unfair advantage 29 15 42 25 27 30 DK/NA 10 9 12 8 8 12 62. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling - health care? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 45% 13% 76% 36% 44% 45% Disapprove 48 84 15 55 50 46 DK/NA 8 3 9 8 6 10 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling health care? Nov 12 Sep 17 2009 2009 Approve 45 47 Disapprove 48 45 DK/NA 8 8 63. Who do you trust to do a better job handling health care - President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Pres Obama 49% 12% 84% 40% 47% 51% Reps in Congress 33 71 7 35 36 29 DK/NA 18 16 9 25 16 20 TREND: Who do you trust to do a better job handling health care - President Obama or the Republicans in Congress? Nov 12 Sep 17 2009 2009 President Obama 49 54 Reps in Cong 33 30 DK/NA 18 16 64. Do you support or oppose giving people the option of being covered by a government health insurance plan that would compete with private plans? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 56% 28% 76% 54% 54% 57% Oppose 37 68 14 41 39 35 DK/NA 8 5 10 6 7 8 TREND: Do you support or oppose giving people the option of being covered by a government health insurance plan that would compete with private plans? Nov 12 Sep 17 2009 2009 Support 56 64 Oppose 37 30 DK/NA 8 6 65. As you may know, Senator Lieberman opposes giving people the option of being covered by a government health insurance plan that would compete with private plans. Does this make you more likely to vote for Senator Lieberman, less likely, or doesn't it make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely 23% 50% 9% 22% 25% 21% Less likely 33 8 54 29 32 34 Doesn't make diff 41 37 36 47 40 42 DK/NA 3 5 1 3 3 3 66. If Senator Lieberman joins Republicans in a filibuster to prevent a vote on the Democrat's health care reform plan, do you think Senate Democrats should punish Lieberman by taking away his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 29% 7% 49% 23% 32% 26% No 64 91 42 69 62 65 DK/NA 7 2 9 7 6 8
