Connecticut (CT) Poll * July 1, 2008 * Connecticut Voters Are Down, B - Quinnipiac University

Home> Institutes and Centers> Quinnipiac University Polling Institute> Connecticut (CT)> Release Detail

July 1, 2008 - Connecticut Voters Are Down, But Still Like Gov. Rell, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Mortgage Scandal Takes Small Toll On Sen. Dodd

Word format Connecticut voter satisfaction with life in the state is at its lowest level in five years, and voter optimism is down, two facts which are putting a slight dent in Gov. Jodi Rell's historically high approval rating, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Voters approve 65 - 23 percent of the job Gov. Rell is doing, a great score for most governors, but the lowest she ever has had. This compares to a 76 - 13 percent approval March 27.
A total of 59 percent of Connecticut voters are “somewhat dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with the way things are going in the state, while 41 percent are “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied.” This is the worst satisfaction rate since a July 31, 2003 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University when 61 percent were dissatisfied and 38 percent were satisfied.
Sixty percent of Connecticut voters say they are worse off than they were a year ago, while 25 percent say they are better off. Economic conditions in the state are "excellent" or "good" 30 percent say, while 70 percent say they are "not so good" or "poor."
And 44 percent expect economic conditions in the state to get worse in the next 12 months, while 12 percent expect conditions to get better and 39 percent say conditions will stay the same.
"Gov. Jodi Rell still enjoys an extended honeymoon with two-thirds of Connecticut voters, although the romance is fading for some Democrats and those voters who say the economy is in trouble," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.
"For example, Gov. Rell's approval rating falls below a majority among the 22 percent who say the state's economy is in poor shape."
Connecticut voters approve 81 - 16 percent of the increase in the state's minimum wage, with the State Legislature overriding Rell's veto. Even Republicans approve 63 - 33 percent.
By a 60 - 39 percent margin, Connecticut voters say gas prices have caused hardship for someone in their household. Impact of rising gas prices include:
67 percent are considering a fuel efficient vehicle for their next car; 62 percent have cut back significantly on driving; 53 percent have cut back significantly on household spending; 82 percent are willing to pay cash to get a discount at the pump.
At 32 percent, oil companies top the list of who's to blame for gas prices. Others are:
28 percent blame the federal government; 19 percent blame oil-producing nations; 9 percent blame American consumers.
Sen. Christopher Dodd
Connecticut voters approve 51 - 34 percent of the job Sen. Christopher Dodd is doing, his lowest net approval rating ever, with a higher disapproval than his 51 - 28 percent score March 27. And 51 percent say they "definitely" or "probably" will vote to reelect him, while 39 percent say they "probably" or "definitely" won't vote for him.
A total of 62 percent of voters have read or heard "a lot" or "some" about allegations that Sen. Dodd received special treatment from Countrywide Financial on mortgages on his two homes. Voters say 59 - 32 percent the matter deserves more investigation.
"Sen. Christopher Dodd's job approval is lukewarm at best, especially given his 28 years of service in the U.S. Senate, the longest in Connecticut history," Dr. Schwartz said. "This probably is a combination of his unsuccessful presidential bid and the mortgage scandal."
Sen. Joseph Lieberman gets a 45 - 43 percent approval, down from 52 - 35 percent March 27 and his lowest score ever.
"Sen. Lieberman's approval rating has dropped below 50 percent for the first time in 14 years of polling, with nearly two-thirds of Democrats giving him low marks, probably because he is campaigning for Sen. John McCain," Dr. Schwartz said.
From June 26 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,515 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2 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 -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 65% 74% 56% 67% 61% 68% 67% 51% Disapprove 23 19 27 21 25 21 22 32 DK/NA 12 6 16 12 13 12 11 17 ConnecticutEconomy. Exclt/ Not Good SoGood Poor Approve 77% 66% 46% Disapprove 11 22 40 DK/NA 12 12 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as Governor?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 7 May 9 Feb 15 Jan 13 Jul 1 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2005 2008 Approve 65 76 77 69 72 83 65 Disapprove 23 13 14 22 20 3 23 DK/NA 12 10 9 9 8 14 12
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 45% 70% 26% 47% 46% 44% 47% 29% Disapprove 43 18 62 39 44 41 42 46 DK/NA 13 12 12 14 10 15 11 25
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 8 May 10 Feb 19 Sep 21 Jul 1 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2000 2008 Approve 45 52 52 53 52 80 45 Disapprove 43 35 38 39 40 14 43 DK/NA 13 13 9 8 7 6 13
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Chris Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 51% 40% 64% 46% 51% 51% 51% 54% Disapprove 34 47 21 35 36 31 34 32 DK/NA 16 13 15 19 13 18 14 14
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Chris Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator? * also 51% 3/27/08
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 8 May 10 Feb 19 Apr 19 Jul 1 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2001 2008 * Approve 51 51 55 60 60 71 51 Disapprove 34 28 31 26 25 16 34 DK/NA 16 21 15 14 15 13 16
6. 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?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very satisfied 4% 7% 3% 2% 4% 3% 3% 4% Smwht satisfied 37 46 33 36 37 37 38 21 Smwht dissatisfied 35 30 34 37 36 33 36 31 Very dissatisfied 24 17 29 24 23 26 21 44 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 -
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut today? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 7 Jun 8 May 2 Feb 16 Jan 12 2008 2008 2007 2006 2006 2006 2006 Very Satisfied 4 6 6 8 7 7 7 Smwht Satisfied 37 48 57 54 53 61 59 Smwht Dissatisfied 35 30 24 25 29 22 23 Very Dissatisfied 24 14 10 12 11 9 10 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 - - 1
7. How likely are you to vote to re-elect Jodi Rell for Governor in 2010 - Do you think you will definitely vote for her, probably vote for her, probably not vote for her, or definitely not vote for her?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Definitely 13% 21% 7% 14% 14% 13% 13% 8% Probably 40 51 33 41 38 43 41 27 Probably not 20 13 28 17 21 19 20 24 Definitely not 13 7 20 11 15 12 12 33 DK/NA 13 8 12 17 13 14 14 8 ConnecticutEconomy. Exclt/ Not Good SoGood Poor Definitely 20% 10% 9% Probably 48 42 25 Probably not 14 22 23 Definitely not 5 12 28 DK/NA 13 13 14
8. How likely are you to vote to re-elect Chris Dodd for United States Senator in 2010 - Do you think you will definitely vote for him, probably vote for him, probably not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Definitely 14% 6% 24% 9% 14% 13% 13% 27% Probably 37 25 45 38 35 39 37 33 Probably not 20 26 14 21 18 21 19 22 Definitely not 19 32 9 20 23 16 21 11 DK/NA 10 10 8 12 9 12 10 7
9. Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel about Jodi Rell - I like Jodi Rell as a person and I also like most of her policies OR I like Jodi Rell as a person but I don't like most of her policies OR I don't like Jodi Rell as a person but I DO like most of her policies OR I don't like Jodi Rell as a person and I also don't like most of her policies?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Like as person/ like policies 53% 68% 42% 56% 49% 57% 55% 40% Like as person/ don't like policies 28 23 36 24 30 27 27 36 Don't like as person/like policies 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 1 Don't like as person/don't like policies 7 3 10 6 8 6 6 13 DK/NA 10 4 9 13 11 9 9 11
TREND: Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel about Jodi Rell -
Jul 1 May 9 2008 2007 A) Like her, like policies 53 62 B) Like her, dislike policies 28 23 C) Dislike her, like policies 2 2 D) Dislike her, dislike policies 7 5 DK/NA 10 8
21. Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent 1% 2% - - 1% 1% 1% - Good 29 38 24 28 33 25 30 15 Not so good 48 44 49 49 48 49 49 58 Poor 22 15 25 22 18 25 20 26 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Excellent 2% - - - Good 15 20 30 39 Not so good 42 51 47 49 Poor 38 27 21 11 DK/NA 2 1 1 -
TREND: Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as - Excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Jul 1 Apr 7 Nov 24 Jun 4 Nov 21 Oct 9 Jul 31 2008 2005 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 Excellent 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 Good 29 43 51 41 37 29 28 Not so good 48 41 36 42 43 47 47 Poor 22 12 8 14 18 22 23 DK/NA 1 2 3 2 1 1 1
22. During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in Connecticut will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Get better 12% 14% 12% 11% 14% 10% 12% 18% Get worse 44 41 47 42 42 45 44 43 Stay the same 39 42 36 42 40 39 40 35 DK/NA 5 3 4 5 4 5 5 3 ConnecticutEconomy. Exclt/ Not Good SoGood Poor Get better 14% 13% 9% Get worse 36 42 57 Stay the same 46 40 29 DK/NA 4 5 5
TREND: During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in Connecticut will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Jul 1 Apr 7 Nov 24 Nov 21 Oct 9 Jul 31 Mar 13 2008 2005 2004 2003 2003 2003 2003 Get better 12 22 31 38 30 29 20 Get worse 44 23 14 13 17 18 30 Stay the same 39 51 52 47 50 50 45 DK/NA 5 4 3 2 3 3 5
23. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better off 25% 37% 18% 23% 29% 21% 26% 21% Worse off 60 48 66 63 57 63 60 68 SAME(VOL) 14 15 14 13 12 15 14 10 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Better off 17% 20% 22% 39% Worse off 68 68 62 50 SAME(VOL) 13 12 14 11 DK/NA 1 - 2 -
TREND: Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
Jul 1 Apr 7 Nov 24 Nov 21 Oct 9 Jul 31 Mar 13 2008 2005 2004 2003 2003 2003 2003 Better off 25 39 40 37 32 35 27 Worse off 60 35 32 41 46 42 50 Same 14 25 26 21 20 22 22 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
24. As you think about your own financial situation, which of the following economic issues worries you the most right now -- a. Declining retirement fund values b. Declining real estate values c. Rising health care costs d. Rising gasoline prices e. Rising food prices
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk a. Retirement funds 10% 10% 8% 10% 9% 10% 10% 6% b. Real estate vals 8 10 8 7 9 8 8 11 c. Health care cost 14 11 15 17 14 15 15 13 d. Gasoline prices 51 56 52 49 54 49 52 46 e. Food prices 12 10 14 12 10 14 11 21 DK/NA 4 3 3 5 5 3 4 3 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k a. Retirement funds 11% 6% 9% 12% b. Real estate vals 4 8 8 13 c. Health care cost 15 15 13 14 d. Gasoline prices 38 53 57 51 e. Food prices 26 15 9 7 DK/NA 6 3 4 2
25. Have recent price increases in gasoline caused any financial hardship for you or others in your household, or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 60% 52% 64% 61% 57% 62% 57% 74% No 39 47 35 39 41 37 41 23 DK/NA 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 3 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Yes 65% 73% 63% 48% No 34 26 37 52 DK/NA 1 1 - -
26. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you seriously considered getting a more fuel-efficient car the next time you buy a vehicle?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Have 67% 60% 71% 69% 70% 65% 67% 64% Have NOT 29 36 24 28 27 31 30 32 DK/NA 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 3 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Have 47% 61% 72% 79% Have NOT 41 35 27 20 DK/NA 12 4 1 1
27. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on how much you drive?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Have 62% 52% 66% 66% 57% 67% 62% 74% Have NOT 34 45 30 32 41 29 36 17 DK/NA 3 3 4 2 2 4 2 9 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Have 67% 71% 64% 52% Have NOT 20 26 36 47 DK/NA 12 3 - -
28. Have you cut back significantly on your household spending because of higher gas prices?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Have 53% 44% 57% 55% 46% 59% 51% 69% Have NOT 45 54 41 43 52 39 48 29 DK/NA 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Have 59% 63% 56% 43% Have NOT 34 35 44 57 DK/NA 7 2 - -
29. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you gone to another state to buy gas?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Have 21% 21% 20% 22% 23% 19% 21% 11% Have NOT 78 77 78 78 76 79 77 84 DK/NA 2 2 3 - 1 2 1 5 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Have 11% 19% 22% 25% Have NOT 83 80 78 74 DK/NA 6 1 - -
30. Would you be willing to pay cash for gas if you got a discount?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 82% 83% 84% 81% 80% 84% 82% 85% No 14 13 12 15 17 11 14 8 DK/NA 4 4 4 4 3 5 4 7 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Yes 80% 86% 83% 82% No 10 12 14 16 DK/NA 10 2 2 2
31. Who do you think is most responsible for the increase in gas prices - the oil companies, the oil-producing nations, the federal government or American consumers?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Oil companies 32% 26% 36% 33% 32% 32% 33% 32% Oil-producing nations 19 25 18 18 18 20 20 21 Federal government 28 28 27 29 26 30 26 41 American consumers 9 9 11 8 11 8 9 3 DK/NA 11 12 9 12 13 10 12 3
TREND: Who do you think is most responsible for the increase in gas prices - the oil companies, the oil-producing nations, the federal government or American consumers?
Jul 1 Jul 20 2008 2000 Oil companies 32 33 Oil-producing nations 19 35 Federal Government 28 19 American consumers 9 8 DK/NA 11 5
32. As you may know, the state legislature voted Monday to override Governor Rell's veto of a minimum wage increase. The law will now increase the state's minimum wage from $7.65 an hour to $8 an hour beginning in January, and to $8.25 an hour in 2010. Do you approve or disapprove of this increase in the state's minimum wage?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 81% 63% 92% 81% 77% 84% 80% 93% Disapprove 16 33 6 15 19 13 17 4 DK/NA 3 4 2 4 4 3 3 3 Annual Household Income... <30k 30-50 50-100 >100k Approve 85% 82% 81% 79% Disapprove 11 16 15 20 DK/NA 4 2 4 2
33. How much have you heard or read about allegations that Senator Dodd may have received special treatment from Countrywide Financial on mortgages on his two homes - A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk A lot 26% 33% 23% 26% 30% 23% 28% 20% Some 36 37 37 36 39 34 36 30 Not much 15 10 16 15 12 17 15 19 Nothing at all 22 20 23 22 17 26 21 30 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
34. Do you think that these allegations deserve more investigation or are not that serious?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Deserve more investigation 59% 64% 52% 63% 59% 60% 60% 63% Not that serious 32 27 38 29 34 29 32 28 DK/NA 9 9 10 8 7 11 8 9