October 9, 1997 - Connecticut Voters Rely More On Newspapers, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; Dodd Leads Franks 2 - 1 In Senate Race Connecticut voters rely more on newspapers for news about state politics and 64 percent say they read about local news in a newspaper almost every day, according to a Quinnipiac College Poll released today. Asked where they turn most for "news about state politics and political campaigns," 46 percent say newspapers, while 39 percent say television and 10 percent say radio. Asked how often they "read about the local news in the newspapers," 64 percent say "almost every day," while 21 percent say "a few days a week," and 7 percent say "a few days a month." Asked how often they "watch the local news on TV," 59 percent say "almost every day, while 25 percent say "a few days a week," and 9 percent say " a few days a month." Asked how often they "listen to the local news on radio," 50 percent say "almost every day," while 17 percent say "a few days a week," and 10 percent say "a few days a month." "This finding is another arrow to the heart of the myth that newspapers are dying," said Paul Steinle, director of the Masters in Journalism Program at Quinnipiac College. "Although the total number of daily newspapers in print has been declining since 1910-1920, the current number is steady at about 1,540, and their abiding influence is demonstrated by these results." "There's also a message here for local TV news organizations, if they want to listen to it," said Steinle. "News consumers go to newspapers for their state and local political news -- something they apparently want, but are not getting, from TV." Connecticut's U.S. Senators continue to enjoy solid approval ratings: 71 - 18 percent for Sen. Joseph Lieberman and 56 - 34 percent for Sen. Christopher Dodd, a drop from his 62 - 27 percent approval in a July 15 poll by the independent Quinnipiac College. Dodd-Franks Matchup In a '98 Senate matchup, Sen. Dodd beats former U.S. Rep. Gary Franks, a possible Republican challenger, 59 - 26 percent. When voters are asked if they want Dodd reelected or would prefer an unspecified "someone else," the results are split 46 - 45 percent. "Both Sen. Lieberman and Sen. Dodd continue to be popular incumbents, although Lieberman's approval and favorability rating are higher than Dodd's. In fact, Lieberman's 71 percent approval is the highest of any major elected official measured by Quinnipiac College in Connecticut, New York or New Jersey," said Quinnipiac College Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "While Dodd beats Franks more than 2 - 1 in a hypothetical matchup, there are signs in the poll that the incumbent could be vulnerable: Voters are split evenly between Dodd and the unknown `someone else,'" Schwartz added. By a 43 - 25 percent margin, Connecticut voters have a favorable opinion of Dodd, with 21 percent mixed and 10 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion. Lieberman enjoys a 57 - 10 favorability, with 19 percent mixed and 14 percent saying they haven't formed an opinion. Franks negative 16 - 21 percent favorability, with 17 percent mixed and 46 percent saying they haven't formed an opinion. From September 30 to October 6, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,104 Connecticut residents who say they are registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3 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. 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator? Jul 15 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 71% 59% 80% 73% 70% 71% 72% Disapprove 18 24 12 18 21 15 14 DK/NA 11 17 8 9 9 14 15 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator? Jul 15 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 56% 33% 80% 56% 52% 60% 62% Disapprove 34 56 13 35 42 27 27 DK/NA 10 11 7 9 6 13 12 32. Is your opinion of United States Senator Joseph Lieberman favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Jul 15 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 57% 50% 68% 55% 57% 57% 58% Unfavorable 10 14 5 9 13 6 7 Mixed 19 20 14 20 18 20 22 Haven't heard enough 14 15 13 14 11 17 13 REFUSED - - - - - 1 1 33. Is your opinion of United States Senator Christopher Dodd favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Jul 15 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 43% 25% 65% 42% 43% 43% 48% Unfavorable 25 47 8 22 32 18 21 Mixed 21 18 17 25 19 24 22 Haven't heard enough 10 10 9 10 7 13 9 REFUSED - - 1 - - 1 1 34. Is your opinion of former United States Representative Gary Franks favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Jul 15 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 16% 29% 8% 14% 22% 10% 18% Unfavorable 21 14 29 19 22 20 26 Mixed 17 15 15 19 16 17 18 Haven't heard enough 46 42 47 48 40 52 37 REFUSED 1 - 1 - - 1 1 35. If the 1998 election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Christopher Dodd the Democrat, and Gary Franks the Republican, for whom would you vote? Jul 15 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Dodd/Democrat 59% 28% 85% 60% 55% 63% 62% Franks/Republican 26 57 6 22 32 20 25 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 3 4 1 3 2 3 3 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 3 2 3 3 3 1 DK/NA 10 7 6 13 7 12 8 36. Would you like to see Christopher Dodd reelected as United States Senator, or would you like to see someone else elected United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Dodd 46% 22% 71% 45% 43% 49% No/Someone else 45 69 25 44 53 38 DK/NA 9 9 5 12 5 13 55. In general, which do you rely on most for news about state politics and political campaigns? Television, newspapers, or radio? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Television 39% 36% 43% 38% 35% 42% Newspapers 46 47 44 49 51 42 Radio 10 12 11 9 10 10 DK/NA 5 5 3 5 4 5 56. How often do you watch the local news on TV? Would you say almost every day, a few days a week, a few days a month, or less often? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Almost every day 59% 60% 55% 61% 56% 63% Few days a week 25 24 29 25 28 22 Few days a month 9 8 8 9 9 8 Less often 7 8 9 5 7 6 DK/NA - - - - - - 57. How often do you listen to the local news on radio? Would you say almost every day, a few days a week, a few days a month, or less often? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Almost every day 50% 53% 48% 49% 48% 51% Few days a week 17 17 16 18 20 15 Few days a month 10 9 11 10 11 9 Less often 23 22 25 23 21 25 DK/NA - - - - - - 58. How often do you read about the local news in the newspaper? Would you say almost every day, a few days a week, a few days a month, or less often? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Almost every day 64% 64% 64% 63% 66% 61% Few days a week 21 21 20 22 20 23 Few days a month 7 7 8 6 6 7 Less often 8 7 7 8 8 8 DK/NA - - 1 - - -
