November 19, 1997 - Economy, Taxes Are Big Concerns In Connecticut, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; Rowland-Kennelly In Dead Heat For Governor The state's economy and unemployment is the biggest worry for 31 percent of Connecticut voters, followed by 23 percent who list taxes as the biggest problem facing the state, according to a Quinnipiac College Poll released today. Twelve percent list education. Asked to decide who would do the best job handling the most important problem they listed, 40 percent choose U.S. Rep. Barbara Kennelly, the Democratic challenger in the race for governor, while 36 percent choose Republican incumbent John Rowland. Rowland's job approval stands at 61 - 30 percent, and an identical 61 percent are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with life in Connecticut -- up from 39 percent in an April, 1995, poll by the independent Quinnipiac College. But the Governor remains locked in a 43 - 44 percent tie with Rep. Kennelly, with 11 percent undecided. Rowland would beat Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim 50 - 31 percent. By a 56 - 15 percent margin, Connecticut voters say Kennelly cares about their needs and problems, while by a 52 - 40 percent margin, voters say Rowland cares about them. "While voters list economic issues as their biggest concern, there has been a major change in perceptions about the state economy. In April, 1995, only 34 percent of voters thought the economy was in good shape. Today, that number is up to 70 percent," said Quinnipiac College Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "Compared to 1995/96, fewer voters are citing the economy/jobs as their top concern, while taxes and education have risen in importance. And concern about crime has dropped to 4 percent among voters." By a 43 - 21 percent margin, Connecticut voters have a favorable opinion of Rowland, with 30 percent mixed and 6 percent saying they don't know enough to form an opinion. Favorability for potential challengers is: Favorable Unfavorable Mixed No Opinion Ganim 34 4 7 54 Kennelly 39 8 12 39 Sen. Christopher Dodd holds a 60 - 27 percent lead over former U.S. Rep. Gary Franks in the '98 Senate matchup. Things in Connecticut have gotten better since Rowland became governor, according to 42 percent of voters, while 21 percent say they've gotten worse and 35 percent say they're the same. A total of 72 percent give Rowland "a lot" or "some" of the credit -- or blame. By a 45 - 36 percent margin, voters say Rowland would do a better job handling the economy/jobs issue. Rowland wins 45 - 28 percent on crime. Kennelly wins 47 - 31 percent on handling education. The candidates split 40 - 39 percent on handling taxes. Public schools are "very good" or "fairly good," according to 69 percent of voters. Only 19 percent say schools are better in the last four years, while 29 percent say they're worse and 45 percent say they're the same. Twelve percent say Rowland's tax cuts have been good for them personally, while 8 percent say they've been bad and 78 percent say they've made little difference. "While the race for Governor starts off at a dead heat, there is still a big gender gap: Most men prefer Rowland and most women side with Kennelly," Schwartz said. "Gov. Rowland clearly benefits from a rebounding economy, but Rep. Kennelly is seen as better able to handle the issues of education, environment and the poor. Voters are divided on taxes, with most saying tax cuts have not had much impact on the state or their own lives." From November 11 - 17, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,120 Connecticut residents who say they are registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent. The Quinnipiac College Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research. 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Rowland is handling his job as Governor of Connecticut? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 61% 80% 47% 61% 67% 56% 61% Disapprove 30 13 45 31 26 35 32 DK/NA 8 7 9 8 7 9 8 1a. Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? Oct 8 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve strongly 20% 38% 7% 19% 25% 16% 22% Approve smwht 41 42 40 42 42 41 38 Disapprove smwht 15 6 23 16 13 18 17 Disapprove strongly 15 8 22 15 13 17 15 DK/NA 8 7 9 8 7 9 8 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 69% 67% 77% 67% 69% 70% 71% Disapprove 17 22 13 17 19 16 18 DK/NA 13 11 10 16 13 14 11 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Approve 57% 38% 77% 54% 52% 61% 56% Disapprove 31 51 13 31 37 25 34 DK/NA 12 11 10 16 10 14 10 4. Is your opinion of Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 34% 31% 33% 35% 34% 34% 34% Unfavorable 4 7 3 4 6 3 5 Mixed 7 7 7 7 7 7 9 Haven't heard enough 54 55 55 53 52 56 51 REFUSED 1 - 2 1 2 1 2 5. Is your opinion of United States Representative Barbara Kennelly favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 39% 24% 52% 40% 34% 44% 42% Unfavorable 8 15 3 9 11 6 10 Mixed 12 16 10 12 13 12 15 Haven't heard enough 39 44 35 38 40 38 32 REFUSED 1 1 - 2 2 - 1 6. Is your opinion of Governor John Rowland favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 43% 63% 25% 45% 52% 36% 50% Unfavorable 21 11 31 19 19 22 24 Mixed 30 21 36 30 24 35 21 Haven't heard enough 6 5 7 5 5 7 4 REFUSED - - - - - - 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? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Rowland/Republican 50% 81% 24% 50% 58% 41% 52% Ganim/Democrat 31 13 54 25 25 37 27 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 4 2 3 6 3 4 4 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - 2 4 3 2 3 DK/NA 14 4 17 16 11 16 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? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Rowland/Republican 43% 74% 16% 43% 53% 33% 43% Kennelly/Democrat 44 19 72 41 35 53 42 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 2 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 2 DK/NA 11 7 10 14 10 12 11 9A.(If Rowland voter) Would you say you are more for John Rowland or against Barbara Kennelly? Rowland voter For Rowland 83% Against Kennelly 11 DK/NA 6 9B. Would you say you are more for Barbara Kennelly or against John Rowland? Kennelly voter For Kennelly 62% Against Rowland 32 DK/NA 6 10. Now I would like to ask you about the good and bad points of Barbara Kennelly and John Rowland. Regardless of how you intend to vote, what are the things you like most about John Rowland? (Column percentages add up to more than 100% because multiple responseswere allowed) Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Women Record/Performance 14% 20% 10% 13% 15% 14% Political experience 1 - 1 2 1 1 Ideas/Policies 6 8 5 7 7 6 Hard worker/Follows through 2 2 2 2 1 3 Leadership qualities 10 13 9 8 13 7 Community support 2 2 1 3 1 3 Public appearance/Image 3 2 2 5 3 3 Cares about average person 3 3 1 4 3 3 Intelligent/Capable 1 1 1 - 1 1 Trust/Honesty/Promises 8 10 6 8 9 7 Compassion/Sensitivity - 1 - - - 1 Personality 6 6 4 6 6 5 Ethics/Morals/Scandals 2 3 1 2 2 2 Family values 1 1 1 - - 1 Political Philosophy 3 6 2 2 5 1 Political Party 3 8 1 1 4 1 Time for change - 1 1 - - 1 Crime/Drugs/Gangs 1 2 - 1 2 1 Budget/Fiscal policy 7 12 3 8 12 3 Economy/Jobs 7 8 4 7 8 5 Cities 1 2 1 1 1 1 Children's issues 3 2 4 2 2 3 Education 3 3 4 2 3 3 Taxes - general 7 10 3 8 9 5 Income tax 2 2 2 1 3 1 Gas tax 1 - 1 2 1 1 UCONN issues 1 1 1 1 2 - Welfare/Poor/Homeless 2 4 1 2 3 1 Trans/Traffic/Roads 1 1 1 - - 1 Environment - - - - - 1 State employees 1 1 1 1 1 1 Casinos - - 1 1 1 - Other 6 7 5 7 7 6 DK/NA 40 28 49 40 32 46 11. And regardless of how you intend to vote, what are the things you dislike most about John Rowland? (Column percentages add up to more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed) Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Women Record/Performance 4% 3% 5% 4% 4% 5% Political experience - 1 - - 1 - Ideas/Policies 4 3 4 4 4 3 Hard worker/Follows through 1 1 1 1 1 1 Leadership qualities 3 4 3 3 4 3 Community support 1 1 - 1 1 1 Public appearance/Image 1 1 1 1 1 1 Campaign 1 - 1 1 - 1 Doesn't care about average person 3 1 5 3 3 3 Trust/Honesty/Promises 10 7 9 12 9 10 Compassion/Sensitivity - - 1 - - 1 Personality 4 3 5 3 4 3 Ethics/Morals/Scandals 5 2 6 6 4 5 Political Philosophy 2 - 5 1 2 2 Political Party 3 - 7 2 3 3 Women'e issues - - 1 - - 1 Time for change - - - 1 - 1 Crime/Drugs/Gangs 2 2 2 2 3 1 Budget/Fiscal policy 3 3 4 3 3 3 Economy/Jobs 2 1 2 3 2 2 Cities 1 2 2 - 2 1 Education 4 2 6 4 3 4 Minorities/Race relations 1 1 1 1 1 2 Children's issues 1 - 1 1 1 1 Healthcare - - - 1 1 - Taxes - general 6 4 9 5 5 7 Income tax 8 8 10 7 10 7 Property tax 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gas tax 3 3 4 3 3 4 UCONN issues 2 2 2 2 2 1 Welfare/Poor/Homeless 3 1 5 2 2 3 Trans/Traffic/Roads 2 2 2 1 2 1 Environment 1 1 - 1 1 - State employees 3 2 3 5 3 4 Casinos 1 - 2 2 1 1 Other 9 10 10 7 10 8 DK/NA 42 51 33 41 39 45 12. Regardless of how you intend to vote, what are the things you like most about Barbara Kennelly? (Column percentages add up to more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed) Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Women Record/Performance 7% 5% 9% 8% 8% 7% Political experience 11 8 13 14 14 9 Ideas/Policies 5 2 8 4 3 7 Hard worker/Follows through 4 5 5 3 4 5 Leadership qualities 9 8 13 9 8 11 Community support 2 - 4 1 1 2 Public Appearance/Image 1 - 2 2 1 2 Cares about average person 6 3 10 4 5 7 Intelligent/Capable 3 3 4 3 3 4 Trust/Honesty/Promises 7 5 9 8 6 9 Compassion/Sensitivity 2 1 3 2 1 2 Personality 5 3 6 5 4 5 Ethics/Morals/Scandals 1 - 1 1 1 1 Family values - 1 - - - - Political Philosophy 1 - 3 1 1 1 Political Party 4 1 11 2 3 5 Gender ref. 8 6 8 8 2 13 Women'e issues 1 1 1 1 1 1 Time for change 2 1 2 2 1 2 Economy/Jobs 1 1 1 1 2 1 Cities 1 1 1 - 1 - Education 1 1 2 1 1 2 Minorities/Race relations - - - - 1 - Children's issues - - 1 - - 1 UCONN issues - - 1 - - - Welfare/Poor/Homeless - - 1 - - - Other 4 3 4 4 4 4 DK/NA 52 64 38 53 58 47 13. And regardless of how you intend to vote, what are the things you dislike most about Barbara Kennelly? (Column percentages add up to more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed) Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Women Record/Performance 1% 1% 1% - 1% - Political experience 2 1 2 1 2 2 Ideas/Policies 3 3 2 2 3 2 Hard worker/Follows through - 1 - - 1 - Leadership qualities 2 3 2 1 2 1 Community support 1 2 - 1 1 1 Public appearance/Image 1 - - 1 1 1 Campaign 1 - - 1 1 - Doesn't care about average person 1 1 1 1 1 1 Intelligent/Capable - - 1 - 1 - Trust/Honesty/Promises 1 2 - - 1 1 Compassion/Sensitivity - - - - 1 - Personality 2 1 2 2 1 2 Family values - - - 1 - - Political Philosophy 3 7 1 4 5 2 Political Party 4 8 1 3 5 3 Women'e issues - - - 1 - - Time for change - - - 1 1 - Abortion 1 1 - 1 1 1 Crime/Drugs/Gangs - 1 - - 1 - Budget/Fiscal policy 1 2 1 1 2 1 Taxes - general 1 2 - 1 1 1 UCONN issues 1 - 1 1 1 - Other 4 6 3 4 5 2 DK/NA 78 68 85 78 71 84 14. 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? April 24 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1995 Very satisfied 7% 11% 4% 6% 7% 6% 4% Smwht satisfied 54 60 54 51 57 52 35 Smwht dissatisfied 28 23 32 28 25 30 40 Very dissatisfied 10 6 9 14 9 11 20 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 15. 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 42% 53% 36% 40% 49% 36% Worse 21 13 24 23 18 23 Same 35 32 38 36 32 38 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 1 3 16. 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 20% 26% Some 52 45 Little 19 18 None at all 6 8 DK/NA 2 3 17. Do you think Barbara Kennelly cares about the needs and problems of people like you? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 56% 41% 71% 57% 50% 62% No 15 23 8 16 20 11 DK/NA 28 36 20 27 30 27 18. Do you think John Rowland cares about the needs and problems of people like you? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 52% 67% 38% 52% 58% 46% No 40 24 54 41 36 44 DK/NA 8 9 8 6 6 10 19. Do you think of Barbara Kennelly more as a liberal, moderate, or conservative? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Liberal 31% 45% 24% 28% 38% 24% Moderate 32 20 41 33 27 37 Conservative 9 7 9 11 8 9 DK/NA 28 28 27 28 27 29 20. Do you think of John Rowland more as a liberal, moderate, or conservative? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Liberal 12% 10% 13% 13% 8% 16% Moderate 31 36 22 36 33 30 Conservative 49 50 57 42 52 46 DK/NA 8 5 7 10 7 8 21. What do you think are the most important problems facing Connecticut today? (Column percentages add up to more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed) Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Women CRIME/VIOLENCE 12% 11% 14% 12% 9% 15% DRUGS 5 4 5 5 3 6 YOUTH CRIME/GANGS 1 1 2 - 1 1 MORE POLICE - 1 - - - 1 CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 1 - - 1 1 - ECONOMY 13 11 14 12 13 12 UNEMPLOYMENT/JOBS 32 28 33 34 30 34 URBAN DECAY/CITIES 3 3 2 4 3 3 COST OF LIVING 6 6 5 7 4 8 BUSINESS/INDUSTRY 14 17 11 14 17 10 CASINOS 1 1 1 2 2 1 TAXES 18 20 14 18 18 17 FEDERAL INCOME TAX 1 1 - 1 1 1 STATE INCOME TAX 16 19 14 15 16 15 SALES TAX 3 5 3 2 4 2 GAS TAX 19 24 18 18 19 19 LOCAL PROPERTY TAX 10 13 7 10 12 9 BUDGET 1 - 1 1 - 1 GOVERNMENT SPENDING (TOO MUCH) 1 1 1 2 2 - POVERTY/HOMELESSNESS 4 1 8 2 3 5 HOUSING COSTS/ AVAILABILITY 2 3 2 2 1 2 WELFARE 6 6 6 7 5 8 CLASS INEQUALITY 1 1 2 1 1 1 BUDGET CUTS/CUTS IN SERVICES 1 1 1 - 1 1 FAMILY BREAKDOWN/ FAMILY VALUES - 1 - - - - CHILDREN'S ISSUES 2 - 3 2 1 3 HEALTHCARE/COSTS/INS. 4 3 6 4 3 5 SOCIAL SECURITY - - - - - 1 ELDERLY 2 1 2 2 1 2 EDUCATION 22 17 28 19 18 25 DESEGREGATION OF SCHOOLS/BUSSING - 1 1 - - 1 QUALITY OF LIFE - - 1 - - - ENVIRONMENT/POLLUTION 3 2 4 3 3 3 RACISM/RACE RELATIONS 1 - 3 - 1 1 LACK OF MASS TRANSIT/PUBLIC TRANS 1 1 1 2 2 1 TRAFFIC/ROADS/ HIGHWAYS 7 8 8 7 6 8 AUTO INSURANCE - - 1 - - 1 POLITICIANS/GOVERNMENT 2 3 1 2 3 1 GOVERNOR ROWLAND - - 1 - - - OTHER 13 12 14 12 13 12 DK/NA 3 3 1 3 3 2 22. Of those that you've mentioned, what do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Women CRIME/VIOLENCE 4% 3% 6% 4% 3% 5% DRUGS 2 2 3 2 1 3 YOUTH CRIME/GANGS 1 - 1 - 1 1 ECONOMY 8 7 10 7 8 8 UNEMPLOYMENT/JOBS 17 14 18 18 17 17 URBAN DECAY/CITIES 1 1 - 2 1 1 COST OF LIVING 3 4 2 4 3 4 BUSINESS/INDUSTRY 6 9 5 6 9 4 CASINOS - - 1 - 1 - TAXES 9 11 6 10 11 8 STATE INCOME TAX 6 8 5 4 6 5 SALES TAX - - 1 - - - GAS TAX 5 5 4 5 4 5 LOCAL PROPERTY TAX 3 4 3 3 4 3 GOVERNMENT SPENDING (TOO MUCH) 1 - - 1 1 1 POVERTY/HOMELESSNESS 1 1 3 1 1 1 HOUSING COSTS/ AVAILABILITY 1 1 1 - - 1 WELFARE 2 2 2 2 2 2 CLASS INEQUALITY 1 - - 1 1 - BUDGET CUTS/CUTS IN SERVICES - 1 - - - - FAMILY BREAKDOWN/ FAMILY VALUES - 1 - - - - CHILDREN'S ISSUES 1 - 2 1 - 2 HEALTHCARE/COSTS/INS. 1 2 1 - - 2 ELDERLY 1 - 1 - - 1 EDUCATION 12 8 14 12 10 14 ENVIRONMENT/ POLLUTION 1 1 1 1 1 1 RACISM/RACE RELATIONS - 1 1 - 1 - LACK OF MASS TRANSIT/PUBLIC TRANS 1 - 1 1 1 - TRAFFIC/ROADS/HIGHWAYS 2 2 2 1 2 2 POLITICIANS/ GOVERNMENT 1 1 1 1 1 1 OTHER 3 4 3 4 3 3 DK/NA 4 4 3 4 4 4 23. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job handling that problem, John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland 36 63 16 35 46 26 Kennelly 40 18 63 37 34 45 NO PROB MENTIONED 3 2 1 4 3 2 DK/NA 22 16 20 24 17 26 24. Who do you think would do a better job handling education, John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland 31% 46% 16% 32% 35% 26% Kennelly 47 33 65 44 43 51 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 6 7 5 6 6 5 DK/NA 16 14 14 18 15 17 25. Who do you think would do a better job handling the environment, John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland 27% 41% 16% 25% 28% 25% Kennelly 47 36 61 45 47 47 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 6 5 4 7 6 5 DK/NA 21 18 19 22 19 23 26. Who do you think would do a better job handling taxes, John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland 40% 66% 20% 39% 51% 30% Kennelly 39 21 59 37 32 46 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 5 2 6 6 5 4 DK/NA 16 11 15 18 12 20 27. Who do you think would do a better job handling crime, John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland 45% 70% 29% 43% 55% 36% Kennelly 28 12 46 27 23 34 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 7 5 8 8 8 7 DK/NA 19 13 17 22 14 24 28. Who do you think would do a better job handling the economy and jobs, John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland 45% 70% 24% 45% 53% 37% Kennelly 36 18 56 33 29 42 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 5 2 5 6 6 4 DK/NA 15 9 16 16 12 17 29. Who do you think would do a better job handling welfare and the poor John Rowland or Barbara Kennelly? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Rowland 32% 53% 17% 30% 37% 28% Kennelly 51 34 70 49 48 53 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 3 3 2 4 4 3 DK/NA 14 10 11 17 12 16 30. How would you rate the condition of Connecticut's economy these days? Very good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad? Apr 24 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1995 Very good 7% 10% 6% 6% 10% 5% 1% Fairly good 63 69 63 59 65 60 33 Fairly bad 25 17 27 29 21 29 48 Very bad 5 3 4 6 4 5 17 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 31. Over the last few years do you think Connectiut's economy has been getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 43% 47% 44% 40% 48% 38% Worse 18 12 17 21 15 20 Same 38 38 39 38 36 40 DK/NA 2 3 1 1 2 2 32. 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 15% 21% Some 51 43 Little 24 23 None at all 8 11 DK/NA 1 3 33. How would you rate the quality of Connecticut's public schools? Very good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad? May 4 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1995 Very good 11% 14% 8% 13% 13% 10% 11% Fairly good 58 56 61 56 54 61 55 Fairly bad 18 19 17 18 20 16 18 Vary bad 6 7 6 6 6 6 8 DK/NA 7 4 8 7 7 7 8 34. Over the last few years do you think the quality of Connecticut's public schools has gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 19% 18% 21% 19% 20% 18% Worse 29 30 27 28 28 30 Same 45 44 46 47 46 45 DK/NA 7 7 6 6 6 7 35. 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 8% 15% Some 38 30 Little 26 25 None at all 23 24 DK/NA 5 6 36. Do you think Governor Rowland has cut taxes too much, not enough, or about the right amount? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Too much 6% 2% 13% 4% 6% 7% Not enough 67 70 62 68 67 66 Right amount 21 24 17 22 23 19 DK/NA 6 4 7 6 4 7 37. Do you think the tax cuts enacted by John Rowland have mostly been good for Connecticut, mostly been bad, or haven't they made much difference to Connecticut? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good 29% 47% 16% 30% 37% 23% Bad 7 4 10 6 5 8 Not much diff. 60 45 70 60 56 64 DK/NA 4 4 5 4 3 5 38. How about you personally? Do you think the tax cuts enacted by John Rowland have mostly been good for you personally, mostly been bad, or haven't they made much difference to you personally? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good 12% 19% 7% 11% 15% 9% Bad 8 5 9 10 6 10 Not much diff. 78 75 82 77 77 79 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 2 2 39. What one tax, if any, would you most like to see cut in Connecticut? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Women State Income Tax 38% 44% 32% 38% 41% 34% Local Property Tax 15 13 17 15 15 15 Sales Tax 10 10 10 9 10 10 Gas Tax 27 26 29 26 24 29 Corporate Tax 1 - 1 2 2 1 Cigarette Tax - - 1 - - - Other 6 5 7 4 5 6 DK/NA 4 2 4 6 3 5 40. Is your opinion of United States Senator Joseph Lieberman favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 54% 49% 60% 55% 57% 52% 57% Unfavorable 8 11 6 7 9 6 10 Mixed 17 21 15 16 17 18 19 Haven't heard enough 20 19 18 21 15 25 14 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 - - 41. Is your opinion of United States Senator Christopher Dodd favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 42% 23% 64% 37% 41% 42% 43% Unfavorable 23 40 7 24 30 16 25 Mixed 21 24 15 24 18 23 21 Haven't heard enough 14 12 13 15 10 18 10 REFUSED 1 1 - - 1 - - 42. Is your opinion of former United States Representative Gary Franks favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Favorable 15% 27% 7% 13% 19% 11% 15% Unfavorable 19 11 29 17 20 18 21 Mixed 15 17 14 14 14 16 17 Haven't heard enough 51 44 50 56 46 56 46 REFUSED 1 1 - 1 1 - 1 43. 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? Oct 9 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997 Dodd/Democrat 60% 31% 89% 57% 53% 66% 59% Franks/Republican 27 54 4 26 32 21 26 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 2 2 2 1 3 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 4 1 4 4 2 3 DK/NA 9 10 4 11 9 10 10 44. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job as President? Nov 1 Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1996 Approve 64% 41% 88% 62% 59% 68% 56% Disapprove 32 57 10 32 38 27 39 DK/NA 4 2 2 6 3 5 5 45. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Newt Gingrich is handling his job as Speaker of the House of Representatives? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 30% 48% 20% 27% 35% 25% Disapprove 61 44 73 61 56 64 DK/NA 9 8 7 12 9 10 48. 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 63 Ganim 20 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 1 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 DK/NA 15
