February 18, 1998 - Rowland's Approval Rating Is 3 - 1, His Highest Ever, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; He Moves Into Solid Lead Over Kennelly As he begins his reelection campaign, Gov. John Rowland has a 71 - 21 approval rating among Connecticut voters, his highest score ever, and a solid lead over Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Barbara Kennelly, according to a Quinnipiac College Poll released today. If the election for Connecticut Governor were held today, Rowland would beat Kennelly 52 - 35 percent, with 11 percent undecided. In a November 19, 1997, poll by the independent Quinnipiac College, the Republican incumbent was locked in a 43 - 44 percent tie with the Democratic challenger. With former State Sen. Tom Scott running as the Independence Party candidate, Rowland beats Kennelly 50 - 31 percent, with 7 percent for Scott and 10 percent undecided. If Rowland were to face Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim in the general election, the Republican would win 58 - 25 percent, with 12 percent undecided. A total of 74 percent of Connecticut voters are very satisfied or satisfied with the way things are going in the state, and 57 percent say things have gotten better in the last four years, while 10 percent say they've gotten worse and 32 percent say they've stayed the same. Of those who say things got better, 78 percent give Rowland "a lot" or "some" of the credit. "Gov. Rowland is riding a wave of good feeling about the way things are going in the state. Voters feel things are better in Connecticut and they give the Governor at least some of the credit," said Quinnipiac College Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "His new lead is due in part to increased support from women, who are now split between Rowland and Kennelly." "While Rep. Kennelly wins a Democratic Primary 59 - 25 percent over Mayor Ganim, she faces a tough fight against Rowland. Voters think things are going well and they like the people in charge, the President or the Governor. It's a good time to be an incumbent." By a 55 - 15 percent margin, Connecticut voters have a favorable opinion of Rowland, with 24 percent mixed and 5 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion. Favorability for potential challengers is: Favorable Unfavorable Mixed No Opinion Ganim 36 6 9 48 Kennelly 33 14 17 34 Scott 9 12 8 69 Voters Reject Tax Rebate By a 54 - 41 percent margin, voters say Rowland's proposal to provide individual tax rebates of up to $200 is a bad idea. In fact, 71 percent call the proposal a "political gimmick," while 23 percent say it's "good public policy." By a 60 - 34 percent margin, Connecticut voters support Kennelly's proposal to have the state provide college assistance to top students. Asked what to do with the state's budget surplus, 45 percent of voters say reduce taxes, while 27 percent say reduce state debt; 17 percent say set the money aside for fiscal emergencies and 9 percent say increase state services. "On the question of what to do with the state surplus, voters are split between cutting taxes and the more fiscally conservative measures of reducing debt and setting the money aside for fiscal emergencies," Schwartz said. "While our polls have shown that Connecticut voters want a tax cut, Rowland's proposal for a tax rebate apparently is not what they have in mind." From February 10 - 16, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,303 Connecticut residents who say they are registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percent. The Quinnipiac College Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research. Additional data available. 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Rowland is handling his job as Governor of Connecticut? Nov 19 Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1997 Approve 71% 87% 57% 71% 75% 68% 61% 61% Disapprove 21 8 34 22 18 24 30 32 DK/NA 7 5 9 7 6 8 8 8 1a. Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? Nov 19 Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1997 Approve strongly 29% 48% 14% 29% 32% 27% 20% 22% Approve smwht 42 39 43 43 43 41 41 38 Disapprove smwht 11 5 13 14 9 13 15 17 Disapprove strngly 10 3 21 8 9 11 15 15 DK/NA 7 5 9 7 6 8 8 8 4. Is your opinion of Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Nov 19 Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1997 Favorable 36% 33% 39% 36% 36% 36% 34% 34% Unfavorable 6 6 7 6 8 5 4 5 Mixed 9 12 8 8 9 9 7 9 Hvn't heard 48 48 44 49 46 49 54 51 REFUSED 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 5. Is your opinion of United States Representative Barbara Kennelly favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her? Nov 19 Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1997 Favorable 33% 18% 48% 34% 29% 37% 39% 42% Unfavorable 14 24 4 16 18 11 8 10 Mixed 17 19 13 18 13 21 12 15 Hvn't heard enough 34 38 33 31 38 30 39 32 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6. Is your opinion of Governor John Rowland favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Nov 19 Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1997 Favorable 55% 76% 35% 56% 61% 50% 43% 50% Unfavorable 15 4 25 16 14 16 21 24 Mixed 24 17 33 23 22 27 30 21 Hvn't heard 5 4 6 4 4 5 6 4 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 * 1 - 1 6. Is your opinion of former State Senator Tom Scott favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 9% 10% 5% 11% 14% 5% Unfavorable 12 10 17 12 15 10 Mixed 8 7 7 10 8 8 Haven't heard enough 69 71 70 66 62 75 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 7. If the 1998 election for Governor were being held today and the candidates were John Rowland the Republican, and Joe Ganim the Democrat, for whom would you vote? Nov 19 Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1997 Rowland/Republican 58% 85% 32% 59% 67% 50% 50% 52% Ganim/Democrat 25 7 50 20 19 31 31 27 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 3 3 2 3 4 4 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 1 4 3 3 3 2 3 DK/NA 12 6 12 15 10 13 14 15 8. If the 1998 election for Governor were being held today and the candidates were John Rowland the Republican, and Barbara Kennelly the Democrat, for whom would you vote? Nov 19 Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1997 Rowland/Republican 52% 83% 24% 52% 60% 45% 43% 43% Kennelly/Democrat 35 10 63 31 28 41 44 42 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 2 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 DK/NA 11 5 11 14 10 12 11 11 9. If the 1998 election for Governor were being held today and the candidates were John Rowland the Republican, Barbara Kennelly the Democrat, and Tom Scott the Independence Party candidate for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland/Republican 50% 79% 24% 50% 56% 44% Kennelly/Democrat 31 8 60 27 25 37 Scott/Independence 7 6 3 10 8 6 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 - 1 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 2 1 1 1 DK/NA 10 5 11 12 9 11 10. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Nov 19 Apr 24 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 1995 Very satisfied 14% 18% 9% 14% 15% 12% 7% 4% Smwht satisfied 60 63 62 59 61 60 54 35 Smwht dissatisfied 20 15 23 19 17 22 28 40 Very dissatisfied 6 4 5 7 6 5 10 20 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 11. Over the last few years, do you feel that things in Connecticut have gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 57% 65% 48% 58% 62% 52% Worse 10 7 10 11 8 11 Same 32 27 40 30 28 36 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 2 12. How much of the change do you think is due to the policies of Governor Rowland? A lot, some, only a little, or none at all? Better Worse A lot 22% 34% Some 56 40 Little 15 18 None at all 5 6 DK/NA 1 2 13. Do you think Barbara Kennelly cares about the needs and problems of people like you? Nov 19 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Yes 51% 37% 68% 49% 45% 55% 56% No 23 32 10 25 29 17 15 DK/NA 27 31 22 26 26 28 28 14. Do you think John wland cares about the needs and problems of people like you? Nov 19 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Yes 57% 73% 44% 57% 60% 55% 46% No 34 17 48 34 33 35 44 DK/NA 9 9 8 8 8 9 10 15. Do you think of Barbara Kennelly more as a liberal, moderate, or conservative? Nov 19 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Liberal 31% 45% 20% 32% 39% 25% 31% Moderate 33 23 45 31 29 37 32 Conservative 9 5 13 9 7 11 9 DK/NA 27 26 22 28 26 27 28 16. Do you think of John Rowland more as a liberal, moderate, or conservative? Nov 19 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Liberal 9% 9% 9% 10% 9% 10% 12% Moderate 40 46 29 45 41 39 31 Conservative 42 40 55 35 44 41 49 DK/NA 8 5 7 9 6 10 8 17. What do you think are the most important problems facing Connecticut today? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom CRIME/VIOLENCE 14% 12% 17% 15% 14% 14% DRUGS 4 3 4 4 3 5 YOUTH CRIME/ VIOLENCE/GANGS 1 - 1 1 - 1 GUNS/GUN CONTROL 1 1 1 - 1 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 1 1 1 1 1 1 ECONOMY 20 21 19 20 23 17 UNEMPLOYMENT/JOBS 27 27 26 29 26 29 COST OF LIVING 4 4 2 6 3 5 TAXES 19 20 15 20 22 16 STATE INCOME TAX 19 24 18 18 20 19 SALES TAX 1 1 1 1 2 1 GAS TAX 12 14 11 11 12 11 LOCAL PROPERTY TAX 10 10 9 11 11 9 BUDGET DEFICIT/ BALANCED BUDGET/BUDGET 1 1 2 2 2 1 GOVERNMENT SPENDING (TOO MUCH) 1 3 1 1 2 1 POVERTY/HOMELESSNESS 3 2 4 2 1 4 HOUSING COSTS/ AVAILABILITY 2 1 3 1 1 3 OVERCROWDING - 1 - 1 - 1 WELFARE 5 7 4 3 4 5 CLASS INEQUALITY 1 - 1 2 1 1 BUDGET CUTS/CUTS IN SERVICES - 1 - - - - ETHICS/MORALITY/ RESPONSIBILITY - 1 - - - 1 FAMILY BREAKDOWN/ FAMILY VALUES - 1 - - - - CHILDREN'S ISSUES 2 1 4 2 2 3 HEALTHCARE/COSTS/ INSURANCE 4 2 6 5 2 6 MEDICARE - - 1 - - 1 ABORTION 1 2 - - 1 1 ELDERLY 2 1 4 2 1 4 URBAN DECAY/CITIES 2 2 1 2 1 2 EDUCATION 30 24 35 30 24 35 CASINOS 1 2 1 1 1 2 ENVIRONMENT/POLLUTION 5 4 4 6 5 5 RACISM/RACE RELATIONS 1 - 1 2 1 1 LACK OF MASS TRANSIT/PUBLIC TRANS 1 1 1 1 1 1 TRAFFIC 1 3 1 1 2 1 INFRASTRUCTURE/ ROADS/HIGHWAYS 3 3 4 2 4 3 POLITICIANS/GOVERNMENT 1 1 1 1 2 - POLITICAL CORRUPTION - - - 1 1 - GOVERNOR ROWLAND - - 1 - - - OTHER 11 10 12 11 14 9 DK/NA 5 5 6 4 4 5 18. Of those that you've mentioned, what do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom CRIME/VIOLENCE 6% 3% 7% 7% 6% 6% DRUGS 2 1 2 2 1 2 YOUTH CRIME/ VIOLENCE/GANGS 1 - - 1 - 1 GUNS/GUN CONTROL - - - - - - CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - 1 - - 1 - ECONOMY 12 14 8 12 14 9 UNEMPLOYMENT/JOBS 15 13 16 14 12 17 COST OF LIVING 3 2 1 4 2 4 TAXES 10 12 7 10 13 6 STATE INCOME TAX 7 9 6 7 8 6 GAS TAX 3 3 3 3 3 2 LOCAL PROPERTY TAX 3 2 2 4 3 3 BUDGET DEFICIT/ BALANCED BUDGET/ BUDGET - 1 - - 1 - GOVERNMENT SPENDING (TOO MUCH) - 1 - - 1 - POVERTY/HOMELESSNESS 1 1 2 1 - 2 HOUSING COSTS/ AVAILABILITY - - 1 - - 1 WELFARE 2 3 1 1 1 3 CLASS INEQUALITY - - - 1 - - ETHICS/MORALITY/ RESPONSIBILITY - 1 - - - - FAMILY BREAKDOWN/ FAMILY VALUES - 1 - - - - CHILDREN'S ISSUES 1 1 2 1 1 2 HEALTHCARE/COSTS/ INSURANCE 2 1 3 2 1 3 ABORTION 1 1 - - - 1 ELDERLY - - 1 - - 1 URBAN DECAY/CITIES 1 1 1 1 1 1 EDUCATION 15 12 19 16 13 18 CASINOS 1 1 1 - - 1 ENVIRONMENT/POLLUTION 1 1 1 2 2 1 RACISM/RACE RELATIONS - - - 1 1 - TRAFFIC - 1 - - - - INFRASTRUCTURE/ ROADS/HIGHWAYS - 1 - - - 1 OTHER 3 3 3 4 5 2 DK/NA 6 7 7 5 6 7 19. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job handling that problem - John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Nov 19 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Rowland 45% 66% 23% 49% 55% 37% 36% Kennelly 32 13 53 29 27 36 40 NO PROBS MENTIONED 4 5 4 3 4 4 3 DK/NA 20 16 20 20 15 24 22 20. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling the state budget? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 56% 72% 42% 56% 62% 51% 44% Disapprove 29 15 42 29 27 31 43 DK/NA 15 13 16 15 11 18 13 21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling crime? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 60% 72% 50% 60% 65% 55% 57% Disapprove 25 15 35 24 21 29 28 DK/NA 15 13 14 16 14 16 15 22. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling the economy? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 64% 79% 51% 65% 69% 60% 53% Disapprove 28 15 40 27 24 32 40 DK/NA 8 5 9 9 7 9 8 23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling education? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 49% 65% 36% 49% 52% 47% 46% Disapprove 38 22 53 38 35 41 40 DK/NA 12 14 11 12 13 12 14 24. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling taxes? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 41% 52% 28% 44% 45% 38% 35% Disapprove 53 42 64 51 50 55 60 DK/NA 6 6 7 5 5 7 6 25. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling poverty? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 38% 55% 23% 39% 43% 34% 36% Disapprove 39 20 58 37 33 45 39 DK/NA 23 24 18 23 25 21 25 26. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling welfare? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 54% 68% 42% 55% 60% 49% 54% Disapprove 28 15 40 27 23 32 31 DK/NA 18 17 19 18 17 19 15 27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling unemployment? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 58% 76% 44% 58% 63% 55% 52% Disapprove 26 12 40 25 22 29 29 DK/NA 16 11 16 17 16 16 19 28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling the environment? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 50% 61% 40% 50% 54% 46% 48% Disapprove 27 14 41 25 25 29 31 DK/NA 23 25 19 24 21 25 20 29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rowland is handling race relations? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 47% 59% 36% 47% 51% 43% 43% Disapprove 23 11 35 24 20 26 28 DK/NA 30 30 29 29 29 31 29 35. If you had to choose, would you prefer surplus money in the state budget be used to - reduce taxes, increase spending on government services, reduce the state's debt or be set aside for fiscal emergencies? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Reduce taxes 45% 55% 41% 42% 43% 47% Increase spending on services 9 4 15 9 8 11 Reduce state debt 27 28 24 29 32 23 Set aside for fiscal emergencies 17 13 18 18 16 17 DK/NA 2 1 1 3 2 2 36. John Rowland has proposed using 125 million dollars of the state surplus for income tax rebates, with checks of up to 200 dollars to be mailed to households a few weeks before the November election. How much have you heard or read about this proposal? A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 16% 13% 15% 18% 16% 15% Some 31 31 28 32 31 30 A little 25 27 26 23 25 24 Nothing at all 29 30 31 26 27 30 DK/NA - - - - - - 37. In general, do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good idea 41% 51% 36% 38% 37% 44% Bad idea 54 43 59 56 58 50 DK/NA 5 6 5 6 5 6 38. Which comes closer to your point of view: (A)John Rowland's income tax rebate proposal is good public policy or (B)John Rowland's income tax rebate proposal is a political gimmick. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A)John Rowland's income tax rebate proposal is good public policy. 23% 36% 13% 22% 23% 24% B)John Rowland's income tax rebate proposal is a political gimmick. 71 58 84 72 72 71 DK/NA 5 6 3 5 5 5 39. Barbara Kennelly has proposed that Connecticut high school seniors who graduate in the top 20% of their classes receive free tuition and fees at public colleges in the state, and at least partial payments for private colleges in the state. How much have you heard or read about this proposal? A lot, some, only a little, or nothing at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 7% 4% 9% 8% 7% 7% Some 17 14 18 18 15 18 Only a little 22 23 23 20 21 22 Nothing at all 55 58 51 55 58 52 40. In general, do you think this a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good idea 60% 46% 77% 57% 53% 67% Bad idea 34 46 20 36 40 28 DK/NA 6 8 3 7 7 5 51. If the 1998 Democratic primary for Governor were being held today and the candidates were Barbara Kennelly, and Joe Ganim, for whom would you vote? Registered Democrats Kennelly 59% Ganim 25 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 1 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 DK/NA 14
