November 15, 2012 - Women, Young Voters Like Virginia's Republican Gov, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Year-Round School Is A Bad Idea, Voters Say Word format Watch Video: Assistant Director Tim Malloy discusses poll results Clip Information and Download: FLV File - For Website (1920x1080 / 36.1MB) Original .MP4 File - For Broadcast (1920x1080 / 254.2MB) Virginia voters, including women and young voters, give Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, a 53 - 26 percent job approval rating, one of the highest scores in any of the seven states surveyed by Quinnipiac University, according to a poll released today. Women approve of Gov. McDonnell 48 - 26 percent, while men approve 59 - 27 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University survey finds. White voters approve 58 - 25 percent while black voters approve 41 - 32 percent. Voters 18 to 34 years old approve 48 - 24 percent. The only group that disapproves is Democrats, by a fairly narrow 43 - 34 percent. "As Gov. Bob McDonnell enters his final year in office, he remains one of the nation's more popular chief state executives," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "He is the only Republican office-holder in the seven states surveyed by Quinnipiac University who get positive ratings from women, almost 2-1 in this case, and a plus score from black voters. A 2-1 approval rating among young voters doesn't hurt." "Are national GOP leaders paying attention here?" Every group except Democrats also has a favorable opinion of McDonnell. Virginia voters are divided on lifting the ban on uranium mining in the state, as 42 percent support mining because of economic benefits, while 40 percent oppose mining because of environmental concerns. Republicans support mining, 69 - 19 percent. Among independent voters, 41 percent support mining, with 38 percent opposed. Democrats are opposed, 60 - 22 percent. There is a large gender gap as men support mining 52 - 34 percent, while women oppose it 46 - 33 percent. Virginia voters say 51 - 43 percent that requiring year-round public schools is a bad idea. There is little partisan or gender difference on this issue, but independent voters support the idea by a narrow 48 - 44 percent. Voters with children in public schools are divided, with 50 percent in favor of more school and 47 percent opposed. Voters with college degrees support year-round school 50 - 44 percent; By a 49 - 42 percent margin, voters say it should be easier to fire public school teachers. Support is 63 - 31 percent among Republicans and 54 - 37 percent among independent voters. Democrats are opposed 60 - 31 percent. Men want firing made easier, 55 - 38 percent, while women are divided, with 43 percent in favor of easier firing and 46 percent opposed. A total of 92 percent of Virginia voters say it is "very important" or "somewhat important" to improve roads and highways. But there are mixed opinions on where to find the money to make the improvements. Voters oppose 57 - 38 percent putting tolls on parts of Interstate 95 in the Commonwealth to pay for road repairs. Given a choice, however, between tolls or a higher gas tax, voters prefer tolls 56 - 32 percent. Support for tolls over a gas tax hike is strong among all groups, except voters in the southeast part of the Commonwealth, where 46 percent prefer tolls and 42 percent prefer higher gas taxes. "There is broad public support for the idea of state action to improve the state's roads and highways, but not on how such projects should be funded," said Brown. Privatizing operations at Virginia's ports is a bad idea, voters say 40 - 34 percent. From November 8 - 12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,469 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia 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. 9. Is your opinion of Bob McDonnell favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 42% 66% 19% 45% 48% 36% 48% 29% Unfavorable 22 7 37 21 24 20 22 23 Hvn't hrd enough 34 25 42 31 26 40 29 42 REFUSED 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 6 TREND: Is your opinion of Bob McDonnell favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Nov 15 Jun 07 2012 2012 Favorable 42 39 Unfavorable 22 25 Hvn't hrd enough 34 35 REFUSED 2 2 10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob McDonnell is handling his job as Governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 53% 74% 34% 58% 59% 48% 58% 41% Disapprove 26 10 43 23 27 26 25 32 DK/NA 20 16 23 19 14 26 17 27 COLLEGE DEG POL PHIL......... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No Lib Mod Con 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 50% 55% 32% 48% 72% 48% 55% 56% Disapprove 38 20 48 30 11 24 27 28 DK/NA 13 25 20 21 17 27 18 16 AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Approve 49% 49% 56% 57% Disapprove 31 25 25 25 DK/NA 20 26 19 17 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob McDonnell is handling his job as Governor? (*Low also 53% Mar 2012, Jun 2012) APPROVE....... High Low Nov 15 Jul 18 Jun 06 Mar 21 Feb 09 Oct 12 Nov 15 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2012* Approve 53 55 53 53 58 62 53 Disapprove 26 29 30 32 24 22 26 DK/NA 20 17 17 14 18 16 20 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 44% 59% 35% 43% 46% 42% 46% 38% Disapprove 35 23 45 35 36 34 35 39 DK/NA 21 18 20 22 18 23 19 23 AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Approve 42% 46% 46% 42% Disapprove 34 37 33 38 DK/NA 24 17 21 19 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? (*High also 48% Jun 2011) APPROVE....... High Low Nov 15 Jul 18 Jun 06 Mar 21 Feb 09 Sep 14 Mar 21 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011* 2012 Approve 44 41 41 38 47 48 38 Disapprove 35 41 44 47 37 34 47 DK/NA 21 18 16 15 17 18 15 17. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Virginia today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very satisfied 10% 12% 6% 10% 11% 8% 10% 7% Smwht satisfied 57 54 64 55 57 58 56 60 Smwht dissatisfied 22 17 22 22 20 23 23 20 Very dissatisfied 11 15 7 11 11 10 10 12 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Very satisfied 9% 10% 11% 6% Smwht satisfied 61 55 57 54 Smwht dissatisfied 21 26 19 23 Very dissatisfied 8 9 12 15 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Virginia today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Nov 15 Feb 09 Dec 22 Oct 12 Sep 14 Jun 29 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Very satisfied 10 11 11 10 13 11 Smwht satisfied 57 55 53 56 55 57 Smwht dissatisfied 22 25 23 24 24 23 Very dissatisfied 11 9 11 9 7 8 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 1 22. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob McDonnell is handling the state budget? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 51% 71% 32% 54% 58% 45% 56% 38% Disapprove 27 13 39 27 26 27 25 38 DK/NA 22 17 28 19 16 28 19 25 AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Approve 48% 48% 55% 52% Disapprove 24 32 23 32 DK/NA 27 20 22 17 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob McDonnell is handling the state budget? Nov 15 Feb 09 Dec 22 Oct 12 Sep 14 Jun 29 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 Approve 51 53 53 54 53 50 Disapprove 27 31 29 27 29 34 DK/NA 22 16 18 18 18 16 24. As you may know, there is a ban on mining uranium in Virginia. Some people say there should be mining for uranium because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be mining for uranium because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Should be mining 42% 69% 22% 41% 52% 33% 48% 29% Should not be mining 40 19 60 38 34 46 36 49 DK/NA 18 12 18 21 14 21 17 21 AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Should be mining 36% 43% 45% 46% Should not be mining 45 37 40 36 DK/NA 19 20 15 18 TREND: As you may know, there is a ban on mining uranium in Virginia. Some people say there should be mining for uranium because of the economic benefits. Others say there should not be mining for uranium because of the environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Nov 15 Dec 22 Jun 29 2012 2011 2011 Should be mining 42 43 41 Should not be mining 40 41 41 DK/NA 18 16 18 25. The state is considering putting tolls on parts of Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs. Do you think putting tolls on Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 38% 33% 41% 39% 38% 38% 39% 37% Bad idea 57 62 55 55 59 56 55 60 DK/NA 5 6 4 6 3 6 6 3 AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Good idea 35% 30% 37% 53% Bad idea 61 66 58 40 DK/NA 4 4 5 7 TREND: The state is considering putting tolls on parts of Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs. Do you think putting tolls on Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs is a good idea or a bad idea? Nov 15 Oct 12 2012 2011 Good idea 38 42 Bad idea 57 52 DK/NA 5 6 26. If you had to choose, would you rather have highway tolls or a higher gas tax to raise money for road improvement? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Highway tolls 56% 59% 54% 57% 51% 61% 56% 58% A higher gas tax 32 26 37 33 38 27 34 28 DK/NA 12 15 8 10 11 12 10 14 AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Highway tolls 52% 46% 59% 69% A higher gas tax 38 42 28 21 DK/NA 10 12 13 9 TREND: If you had to choose, would you rather have highway tolls or a higher gas tax to raise money for road improvement? Nov 15 Oct 12 2012 2011 Highway tolls 56 60 A higher gas tax 32 28 DK/NA 12 13 27. How important do you think it is to improve the roads and highways in Virginia; very important, somewhat important, not so important, or not important at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very important 52% 42% 60% 51% 49% 54% 47% 70% Somewhat important 40 47 33 41 43 37 44 25 Not so important 6 9 5 4 5 7 7 3 Not important at all 2 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 - AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Very important 49% 64% 49% 49% Somewhat important 40 32 43 43 Not so important 9 3 6 6 Not important at all 2 - 2 2 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 28. Do you think privatizing operations of Virginia's ports is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 34% 50% 25% 29% 41% 29% 37% 22% Bad idea 40 25 53 42 42 38 37 53 DK/NA 26 25 22 29 17 34 27 25 AREA........................ East/ West/ North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Good idea 35% 39% 35% 29% Bad idea 44 39 38 38 DK/NA 21 22 27 33 29. Some have suggested having public school kids go to school year round in Virginia. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 43% 37% 45% 48% 44% 43% 41% 46% Bad idea 51 59 51 44 50 51 53 48 DK/NA 6 4 5 7 6 5 6 7 COLLEGE DEG POL PHIL......... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No Lib Mod Con 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 50% 40% 45% 47% 39% 41% 47% 42% Bad idea 44 55 49 46 56 55 48 51 DK/NA 7 5 6 6 5 4 5 7 AREA........................ Union HAVE KIDS.... East/ West/ HsHlds <18 PubSch North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Good idea 48% 47% 50% 52% 47% 40% 34% Bad idea 47 49 47 44 46 53 63 DK/NA 6 4 3 4 7 8 3 30. Some people have suggested that firing public school teachers should be made easier. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 49% 63% 31% 54% 55% 43% 55% 29% Bad idea 42 31 60 37 38 46 36 63 DK/NA 9 6 9 9 6 11 9 8 COLLEGE DEG POL PHIL......... AGE IN YRS....... Yes No Lib Mod Con 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 51% 48% 30% 47% 63% 47% 54% 48% Bad idea 39 44 59 46 29 48 41 41 DK/NA 10 8 10 7 8 4 5 11 AREA........................ Union HAVE KIDS.... East/ West/ HsHlds <18 PubSch North SthEst Rchmnd Shndoah Good idea 35% 56% 56% 54% 42% 47% 52% Bad idea 55 37 37 34 52 44 41 DK/NA 10 7 7 11 6 9 7 TREND: Some people have suggested that firing public school teachers should be made easier. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Nov 15 Feb 09 2012 2012 Good idea 49 49 Bad idea 42 41 DK/NA 9 10 Demographic Summary
