Connecticut (CT) Poll * February 16, 2006 * Connecticut Voters Give Gov. R - Quinnipiac University

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February 16, 2006 - Connecticut Voters Give Gov. Rell Big Valentine Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Lieberman Also Feels The Love

Gov. Jodi Rell's love affair with Connecticut voters is growing as her approval rating and her lead over two possible Democratic challengers rises to new levels in a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Connecticut voters give Gov. Rell an 81 - 9 percent approval rating, up slightly from a 78 - 10 percent approval in a January 12 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University and near her all-time 83 percent high.
Rell totally dominates two possible Democratic challengers:
70 - 16 percent over New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, compared to 64 - 21 percent last month; 70 - 15 percent over Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, up from 68 - 17 percent.
By a 70 - 5 percent margin, voters have a favorable opinion of Rell, with 16 percent mixed and 9 percent who don't know enough to form an opinion.
Her challengers are relatively unknown: 59 percent don't have an opinion about DeStefano and 83 percent don't know enough about Malloy.
"Despite a proposed budget that includes some controversial items, Gov. Jodi Rell's popularity remains at near record levels," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.
DeStefano tops Malloy 38 - 19 percent among Democrats, with 35 percent undecided.
Connecticut voters support 52 - 31 percent Rell's proposal to eliminate the local property tax on automobiles and help pay for it by repealing the property tax credit on the state income tax.
"Even though support for Gov. Rell's plan to eliminate the car tax is not overwhelming, there is majority backing across the board," Dr. Schwartz said.
Senate Race
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman gets a 63 - 25 percent approval, unchanged from January 11. By a 63 - 26 percent margin, including 69 percent of Republicans, Connecticut voters say Sen. Lieberman deserves to be reelected.
Lieberman would defeat former Gov. Lowell Weicker 62 - 21 percent.
In a possible Democratic primary, the incumbent beats businessman Ned Lamont 68 - 13 percent.
"Liberal Democrats unhappy with Sen. Lieberman's position on the war can't find much good news in this poll. While Lieberman continues to be more popular with Republicans, he still enjoys a job approval rating of nearly 2-1 among Democrats, and 61 percent of Democrats think he deserves to be re-elected," Dr. Schwartz said.
Connecticut voters disapprove 65 - 31 percent of the job President George W. Bush is doing, among the lowest approval ratings for Bush in any state surveyed by Quinnipiac University. Voters disapprove 66 - 29 percent of the way President Bush is handling the war in Iraq and say 61 - 34 percent that going to war in Iraq was the wrong thing to do.
From February 10 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 957 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points. The survey includes 345 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 5.3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.
For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 81% 86% 75% 83% 80% 82% Disapprove 9 8 11 9 11 7 DK/NA 10 5 14 8 9 11 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Approve 81% 78% 89% 80% 85% Disapprove 6 14 8 7 10 DK/NA 13 8 3 13 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as Governor?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 16 Jan 12 Jul 27 Apr 6 Feb 18 Jan 13 Aug 19 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 Approve 81 78 79 80 74 83 73 Disapprove 9 10 9 10 14 3 4 DK/NA 10 12 11 10 11 14 24
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 31% 74% 8% 23% 36% 26% Disapprove 65 21 90 73 60 70 DK/NA 4 5 2 4 4 4
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 16 Jan 11 Jul 27 Apr 6 Feb 18 Dec 19 Feb 16 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2001 2006 Approve 31 35 36 39 40 87 31 Disapprove 65 61 59 57 55 10 65 DK/NA 4 4 5 4 6 2 4
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 63% 71% 57% 62% 60% 66% Disapprove 25 21 30 27 30 22 DK/NA 11 8 13 12 10 12
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his job as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 16 Jan 11 Jul 27 Apr 6 Feb 18 Sep 21 Jul 31 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2000 2003 Approve 63 62 67 67 69 80 51 Disapprove 25 24 23 22 20 14 33 DK/NA 11 13 11 11 12 6 17
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 57% 42% 70% 57% 53% 61% Disapprove 26 41 14 26 33 19 DK/NA 17 17 17 17 14 20
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Dodd is handling his job as United States Senator? (* = Also hit 52% on 2/14/2002)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 16 Jan 11 Jul 27 Apr 6 Feb 18 Apr 19 May 1 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2001 2003 * Approve 57 59 64 65 67 71 52 Disapprove 26 21 22 20 20 16 16 DK/NA 17 20 14 14 13 13 31
5. Is your opinion of Governor Jodi Rell favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 70% 81% 62% 70% 68% 71% Unfavorable 5 2 5 7 8 2 Mixed 16 13 19 14 14 18 Hvn't hrd enough 9 5 14 8 10 8 REFUSED - - - 1 1 -
TREND: Is your opinion of Jodi Rell favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her? (* Lieutenant Governor Jodi Rell will be taking over as Governor. Is your opinion...?)
Feb 16 Jan 12 Apr 6 Nov 23 Sep 30 Aug 19 Jun 30 2006 2006 2005 2004 2004 2004 2004 * Favorable 70 67 74 70 62 60 34 Unfavorable 5 5 7 3 2 2 1 Mixed 16 17 12 9 13 12 6 Haven't heard enough 9 10 6 18 22 25 59 DK/NA - 1 1 - 1 1 1
6. Is your opinion of New Haven Mayor John DeStefano favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 15% 7% 23% 13% 17% 13% Unfavorable 10 13 6 10 13 7 Mixed 15 14 13 17 17 14 Hvn't hrd enough 59 63 56 57 51 66 REFUSED 2 2 2 2 2 1 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Favorable 5% 14% 8% 27% 10% Unfavorable 5 9 10 15 10 Mixed 9 17 7 22 11 Hvn't hrd enough 77 58 75 34 68 REFUSED 3 1 - 2 1
TREND: Is your opinion of New Haven Mayor John DeStefano favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Feb 16 Jan 12 Apr 6 Nov 23 2006 2006 2005 2004 Favorable 15 16 25 22 Unfavorable 10 9 11 9 Mixed 15 15 14 14 Hvn't heard enough 59 59 49 53 REFUSED 2 2 2 2
7. Is your opinion of Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 6% 5% 10% 3% 7% 5% Unfavorable 6 9 4 5 7 5 Mixed 4 4 7 2 5 4 Hvn't hrd enough 83 81 79 88 80 86 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Favorable 16% 4% 4% 1% 2% Unfavorable 7 6 6 5 3 Mixed 6 5 1 5 2 Hvn't hrd enough 71 84 90 87 91 REFUSED - 1 - 1 2
TREND: Is your opinion of Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Feb 16 Jan 12 Apr 6 Nov 23 2006 2006 2005 2004 Favorable 6 8 9 8 Unfavorable 6 4 6 7 Mixed 4 4 5 8 Hvn't heard enough 83 83 78 75 REFUSED 1 1 1 2
8. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were John DeStefano the Democrat and Jodi Rell the Republican for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom DeStefano 16% 4% 28% 13% 17% 15% Rell 70 90 55 71 69 70 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - - 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 1 2 1 1 DK/NA 13 5 15 14 12 13 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon DeStefano 13% 17% 4% 19% 16% Rell 68 70 81 68 70 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 3 1 - DK/NA 16 11 12 12 14
TREND: If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were John DeStefano the Democrat and Jodi Rell the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Feb 16 Jan 12 Jul 27 Apr 6 Nov 23 2006 2006 2005 2005 2004 DeStefano 16 21 22 19 22 Rell 70 64 61 66 59 SMONE ELSE - 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE 1 1 1 2 1 DK/NA 13 13 15 13 17
9. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Dan Malloy the Democrat and Jodi Rell the Republican for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Malloy 15% 6% 29% 10% 18% 12% Rell 70 89 54 73 69 71 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 13 5 16 14 11 15 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Fairfld Hrtford Ltchfld NewHvn NewLon Malloy 20% 17% 9% 12% 12% Rell 64 69 77 75 71 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 - DK/NA 15 13 13 11 15
TREND: If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Dan Malloy the Democrat and Jodi Rell the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Feb 16 Jan 12 Jul 27 Apr 6 Nov 23 2006 2006 2005 2005 2004 Malloy 15 17 18 17 18 Rell 70 68 63 66 61 SMONE ELSE 1 1 1 - 1 WLDN'T VOTE 1 1 2 2 - DK/NA 13 13 17 14 20
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?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 7% 9% 9% 5% 8% 6% Smwht satisfied 61 68 59 60 60 62 Smwht dissatisfied 22 16 21 24 21 23 Very dissatisfied 9 7 11 10 10 8 DK/NA - - - 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?
Feb 16 Jan 12 Jul 27 Apr 7 Feb 18 Jan 13 Nov 24 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 Very Satisfied 7 7 6 6 5 10 8 Smwht Satisfied 61 59 60 54 53 57 58 Smwht Dissatisfied 22 23 25 29 29 24 23 Very Dissatisfied 9 10 8 11 12 8 10 DK/NA - 1 1 1 1 2 1
11. What do you think is the most important problem facing Connecticut today?
Tot Economy Total 27% Economy general 4 Unemployment/jobs 17 Cost of living 4 Businesses leaving/ Outsourcing 2 Taxes Total 22% Taxes general 16 Property tax 5 Income Tax 1 Education Total 10% Education general 5 Funding education 4 School choice/Vouchers 1 Transportation Total 7% Lack of quality mass trans/Public trans 1 Highway traffic/ congestion 1 Poor condition of roads/highways 2 Transportation other 3 Crime Total 4% Crime/Violence general 2 Gangs/Youth crime 1 Drugs 1 Politics Total 3% Political corruption 2 Governor/State leadership 1 Healthcare/Costs/ Insurance/HMO's 3% Budget Total 2% Budget general 1 Government too big/Gov spending 1 Children's issues 1 Energy costs general 1 Housing Costs/ Availability 1 Medicare 1 Poverty/Homeless 1 Senior issues 1 Other 4 DK/NA 7
12. How much have you heard or read about Governor Rell's proposal to eliminate the local property tax on cars -- A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 30% 34% 29% 29% 34% 27% Some 44 44 43 42 42 45 Not much 14 12 16 16 13 15 Nothing at all 11 11 11 12 11 12 DK/NA - - 1 1 - -
13. To help pay for eliminating the car tax, Governor Rell's plan would involve repealing the existing property tax credit on the state income tax. Do you support or oppose Governor Rell's car tax plan?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 52% 61% 49% 49% 57% 47% Oppose 31 25 37 29 27 33 DK/NA 18 14 14 21 15 20
14. Looking ahead to the 2006 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Joseph Lieberman deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Deserves reelection 63% 69% 61% 61% 60% 65% Does not 26 22 30 25 29 23 DK/NA 11 9 9 14 11 12
TREND: Looking ahead to the 2006 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Joseph Lieberman deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?
Feb 16 Jan 11 Apr 6 2006 2006 2005 Yes/Deserves reelection 63 64 66 No/Does not 26 24 25 DK/NA 11 13 9
15. Is your opinion of United States Senator Joseph Lieberman favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 53% 58% 50% 51% 54% 52% Unfavorable 16 14 20 16 21 12 Mixed 23 23 24 23 20 26 Hvn't hrd enough 8 4 6 10 5 10 REFUSED - - - - - -
TREND: Is your opinion of United States Senator Joseph Lieberman favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Feb 16 Jan 11 Dec 19 Apr 19 Feb 21 Sep 21 Jul 20 2006 2006 2001 2001 2001 2000 2000 Favorable 53 53 58 58 59 68 56 Unfavorable 16 14 13 14 14 9 8 Mixed 23 25 21 21 19 16 18 Haven't heard enough 8 8 9 6 7 7 17 DK/NA - - - 1 1 1 1
16. Is your opinion of former Governor Lowell Weicker favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 19% 13% 24% 20% 20% 18% Unfavorable 33 42 25 33 41 26 Mixed 18 16 16 22 17 19 Hvn't hrd enough 28 27 34 24 21 35 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1
TREND: Is your opinion of former Governor Lowell Weicker favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Feb 16 Jan 11 2006 2006 Favorable 19 19 Unfavorable 33 32 Mixed 18 24 Hvn't hrd enough 28 24 REFUSED 1 1
17. Is your opinion of businessman Ned Lamont favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 2% 1% 3% 1% 2% 1% Unfavorable 2 3 2 1 4 1 Mixed 3 4 1 4 4 1 Hvn't hrd enough 93 92 94 95 90 96 REFUSED - - - - - -
18. If the 2006 election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Joseph Lieberman the Democrat and Lowell Weicker running as an independent candidate for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Lieberman 62% 70% 63% 56% 63% 61% Weicker 21 17 26 22 25 18 REPUBLICAN CAND(VOL) - 1 - - - 1 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 3 2 2 3 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 4 2 4 3 4 DK/NA 10 4 6 15 7 14
TREND: If the 2006 election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Joseph Lieberman the Democrat and Lowell Weicker running as an independent candidate, for whom would you vote?
Feb 16 Jan 11 2006 2006 Lieberman 62 65 Weicker 21 21 SMONE ELSE 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE 4 2 DK/NA 10 10
19. (If registered democrat)If the 2006 Democratic primary for governor were being held today and the candidates were John DeStefano and Dan Malloy for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS Tot Men Wom DeStefano 38% 34% 40% Malloy 19 26 14 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3 3 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 7 5 DK/NA 35 30 38
TREND: (If registered Democrat)If the 2006 Democratic primary for governor were being held today and the candidates were John DeStefano and Dan Malloy, for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS..... Feb 16 Jan 12 2006 2006 DeStefano 38 36 Malloy 19 18 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 3 DK/NA 35 42
20. (If registered democrat)If the 2006 Democratic primary for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates were Joseph Lieberman and Ned Lamont for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS Tot Men Wom Lieberman 68% 63% 70% Lamont 13 20 9 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 2 DK/NA 17 16 17
21. (If registered democrat) How much will your vote in the Democratic primary for United States Senator be influenced by a candidate's position on the war in Iraq? Would you say that it is the most important single issue, that it is important, but so are other issues, or that it won't influence your vote?
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS Tot Men Wom Most important 25% 21% 27% Important as others 60 62 59 Won't influence vote 13 16 10 DK/NA 3 2 4
22. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 29% 69% 9% 23% 37% 22% Disapprove 66 27 90 70 60 72 DK/NA 5 5 2 6 3 6
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq?
Feb 16 Jan 11 Jun 4 Oct 10 2006 2006 2004 2003 Approve 29 32 37 41 Disapprove 66 64 57 55 DK/NA 5 4 6 4
23. Do you think going to war with Iraq was the right thing for the United States to do or the wrong thing?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Right thing 34% 67% 15% 29% 39% 29% Wrong thing 61 29 80 64 57 65 DK/NA 5 5 5 6 4 6
TREND: Do you think going to war with Iraq was the right thing for the United States to do or the wrong thing?
Feb 16 Jan 11 Sep 30 Aug 19 Jun 4 2006 2006 2004 2004 2004 Right thing 34 35 39 43 42 Wrong thing 61 60 56 49 52 DK/NA 5 5 5 8 6