New Jersey (NJ) Poll * September 25, 2007 * More New Jersey Voters Blame D - Quinnipiac University

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September 25, 2007 - More New Jersey Voters Blame Democrats For Corruption, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Oppose Raising Turnpike Tolls To Balance Budget

Word format Government corruption in New Jersey is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem, 88 percent of Garden State voters say. By a 38 - 24 percent margin, voters associate the Democratic Party more than the Republican Party with corruption, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
But voters say 54 - 35 percent that they are not more likely to vote for Republican candidates for the State Legislature after 10 Democratic officials were indicted on corruption charges recently, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
By a 36 - 21 percent margin, with 43 percent undecided, New Jersey voters say they are more likely to vote for a challenger than an incumbent in this November's state legislative elections. But voters say 48 - 38 percent that that they would rather see the Democratic party control the State Legislature after the elections.
"Nine out of 10 New Jersey voters say government corruption is a serious problem in the state. While this poll shows that the issue probably will not be decisive in this year's legislative elections, it could cause problems for incumbents in close races," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Even though nearly all the politicians involved in the latest series of indictments were Democrats, voters say that does not make them more likely to vote for Republicans this fall. By 10 points they say they would rather see Democrats control the legislature - a figure that partly reflects the party's voter registration edge in the Garden State.
New Jersey voters approve 49 - 40 percent of the job Gov. Jon Corzine is doing, compared to 48 - 39 percent in a July 9 Quinnipiac University poll. In this latest survey, Republicans disapprove of the Governor 59 - 33 percent, while Democrats approve 63 - 23 percent and independent voters approve 48 - 42 percent.
Voters oppose 58 - 29 percent selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway and using the money to reduce the state's debt and possibly provide tax relief.
By a similar 57 - 32 percent margin, voters oppose raising Turnpike or Parkway tolls and using the toll money to help balance the state budget.
U.S. Senate Race
New Jersey voters approve 42 - 34 percent of the job U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg is doing, but say 46 - 36 percent that he does not deserve to be reelected next year. Sen. Lautenberg is too old to effectively serve another six years, voters say 54 - 40 percent. Republicans say 62 - 30 percent that Lautenberg is too old, a feeling shared by independent voters 55 - 42 percent. Democrats split 47 - 48 percent on the subject.
By a narrow 39 - 36 percent margin, voters prefer Lautenberg over an unnamed Republican challenger.
Voters approve 40 - 14 percent of the job U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie is doing, but voters say 30 - 24 percent, with 46 percent undecided, that they would not like Christie, a Republican, to run for the U.S. Senate next year. Voters say 31 - 22 percent, with 47 percent undecided, that they would not like him to run for Governor in 2009.
"U.S. Attorney Chris Christie gets good marks from voters for his corruption fighter role in New Jersey, but that does not seem to translate into political power as voters say they are not particularly enthusiastic about him running for either the U.S. Senate next year or for Governor the year after," Richards said.
"The poll shows that Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who many voters say is too old to run for another term, would be vulnerable to a strong Republican candidate next year."
From September 18 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,230 New Jersey voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and nationally as a public service and for research. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
32. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 49% 33% 63% 48% 47% 51% Disapprove 40 59 23 42 44 37 DK/NA 11 8 13 10 9 13 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 58% 53% 46% 49% 37% Disapprove 26 36 48 42 50 DK/NA 16 11 6 9 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his job as Governor?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 25 Jul 9 Apr 18 Feb 28 Jan 24 Apr 18 Apr 26 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 Approve 49 48 51 50 42 51 35 Disapprove 40 39 36 34 42 36 42 DK/NA 11 13 13 16 16 13 23
33. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 30% 22% 45% 25% 27% 34% Disapprove 54 66 37 60 60 48 DK/NA 16 12 18 15 13 18 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 36% 29% 29% 36% 25% Disapprove 44 54 61 49 60 DK/NA 19 18 10 15 15
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 25 Jul 9 Apr 18 Feb 28 Jan 24 Jan 26 Jul 14 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2005 2006 Approve 30 30 32 31 27 44 20 Disapprove 54 52 49 52 54 31 71 DK/NA 16 18 19 17 19 25 10
34. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 42% 27% 58% 43% 43% 42% Disapprove 34 52 16 34 40 28 DK/NA 24 21 26 23 17 30 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 41% 47% 36% 43% 40% Disapprove 30 29 49 30 36 DK/NA 29 24 16 27 23
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job as United States Senator? * - also 55% on 9/23/1999 & 7/22/1999
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 25 Jul 9 Apr 18 Feb 28 Jan 25 Jul 27 Feb 28 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2000 * 2007 Approve 42 41 47 40 44 55 40 Disapprove 34 32 29 32 32 22 32 DK/NA 24 28 24 28 24 23 28
35. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 32% 19% 50% 27% 33% 32% Disapprove 38 52 17 45 43 33 DK/NA 30 29 32 28 24 36 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 47% 35% 26% 27% 26% Disapprove 33 34 48 36 40 DK/NA 20 32 26 36 33
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Robert Menendez is handling his job as United States Senator? * also 39% on 3/20/06 ** also 31% on 7/17/06
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 25 Jul 9 Apr 18 Feb 28 Jan 25 Dec 7 Jul 9 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 * 2007 ** Approve 32 31 34 34 36 39 31 Disapprove 38 39 36 35 33 37 39 DK/NA 30 31 30 31 31 24 31
36. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Christie is handling his job as United States Attorney for New Jersey?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 40% 44% 40% 39% 45% 35% Disapprove 14 12 15 12 14 13 DK/NA 47 44 45 49 41 52 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 40% 39% 45% 38% 38% Disapprove 11 12 17 12 18 DK/NA 48 49 38 51 44
38. Would you like to see Christopher Christie run for Governor in 2009 or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 22% 32% 15% 23% 28% 17% No 31 27 34 31 33 30 DK/NA 47 41 51 46 40 53 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Yes 18% 23% 27% 19% 25% No 36 32 35 26 26 DK/NA 47 45 38 54 49
39. Would you like to see Christopher Christie run for United States Senator in 2008 or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 24% 30% 17% 24% 28% 19% No 30 28 33 30 32 28 DK/NA 46 42 50 46 39 53 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Yes 23% 21% 30% 20% 25% No 33 31 36 25 26 DK/NA 44 47 34 55 49
40. Looking ahead to the 2008 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Frank Lautenberg deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Deserves Reelection 36% 20% 49% 40% 38% 34% Does not 46 66 30 43 51 41 DK/NA 18 14 21 17 11 24 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Deserves Reelection 41% 39% 26% 35% 35% Does not 34 45 62 41 50 DK/NA 25 16 12 24 15
TREND: Looking ahead to the 2008 election for United States Senator, do you feel that Frank Lautenberg deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected?
Sep 25 Jul 9 2007 2007 Deserves Reelection 36 31 Does Not 46 42 DK/NA 18 27
41. If the 2008 election for United States Senator were being held today, do you think you would vote for Frank Lautenberg the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Lautenberg 39% 6% 70% 38% 37% 41% Republican 36 77 9 31 40 32 DEPENDS ON CAND (VOL) 13 10 10 18 14 12 DK/NA 12 7 10 13 9 14 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Lautenberg 50% 41% 36% 39% 30% Republican 30 36 45 27 40 DEPENDS ON CAND (VOL) 8 11 8 18 19 DK/NA 12 12 10 15 11
TREND: If the 2008 election for United States Senator were being held today, do you think you would vote for Frank Lautenberg the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate?
Sep 25 Jul 9 2007 2007 Lautenberg 39 40 Republican 36 33 DEPENDS ON CAND(VOL) 13 14 DK/NA 12 13
42. At age 83, do you think Frank Lautenberg is too old to effectively serve another 6 year term as United States Senator, or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 54% 62% 47% 55% 52% 55% No 40 30 48 42 43 37 DK/NA 6 8 5 3 4 8 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Yes 53% 49% 54% 57% 57% No 39 45 41 36 37 DK/NA 7 6 5 7 6
TREND: At age 83, do you think Frank Lautenberg is too old to effectively serve another 6 year term as United States Senator, or not?
Sep 25 Jul 9 2007 2007 Yes 54 54 No 40 40 DK/NA 6 6
43. As you may know, this November, elections for all 120 seats of the New Jersey Legislature will be held. This includes both the Senate and the Assembly. Which party would you like to see control the state legislature after the November elections - the Republican party or the Democratic party?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Republican party 38% 89% 2% 35% 40% 36% Democratic party 48 5 94 41 45 51 DK/NA 14 6 4 24 15 13 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Republican party 28% 38% 45% 31% 45% Democratic party 60 48 47 54 35 DK/NA 12 15 8 16 19
44. In cases in this November's election where an incumbent is running for office, are you more likely to vote for the incumbent or the challenger?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Incumbent 21% 16% 32% 17% 21% 21% Challenger 36 47 26 39 39 34 DK/NA 43 37 41 44 41 45 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Incumbent 19% 21% 20% 23% 22% Challenger 35 35 43 30 38 DK/NA 46 44 36 46 40
45. How much of a problem, if at all, is government corruption in New Jersey today? Is it a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very serious 54% 64% 39% 61% 57% 51% Smwht serious 34 24 46 32 33 36 Not too serious 6 5 10 3 4 7 Not a problem 2 3 2 - 2 1 DK/NA 4 3 3 3 4 4 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very serious 51% 50% 59% 53% 61% Smwht serious 35 39 31 34 29 Not too serious 6 6 6 7 3 Not a problem 3 - - 4 3 DK/NA 5 4 3 2 5
TREND: How much of a problem, if at all, is government corruption in New Jersey today? Is it a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Sep 25 Aug 10 May 14 2007 2005 2001 Very serious 54 56 23 Smwht serious 34 31 45 Not too serious 6 8 21 Not a problem 2 1 4 DK/NA 4 3 6
46. In general, which party do you associate more with political corruption in New Jersey - the Republican party or the Democratic party?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Republican party 24% 9% 43% 17% 20% 27% Democratic party 38 71 19 34 46 31 DK/NA 38 21 37 49 34 42 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Republican party 20% 25% 21% 29% 22% Democratic party 33 40 46 38 33 DK/NA 47 35 33 33 46
TREND: In general, which party do you associate more with political corruption in New Jersey - the Republican party or the Democratic party?
Sep 25 Jun 15 2007 2005 Republican party 24 27 Democratic party 38 46 DK/NA 38 27
47. Compared to elected officials in other states, do you think that New Jersey's elected officials have more honesty and integrity, less honesty and integrity, or about as much honesty and integrity?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More 4% 5% 3% 5% 4% 4% Less 31 46 15 38 35 27 About as much 57 45 73 54 53 61 DK/NA 7 4 9 3 7 7 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore More 1% 4% 4% 4% 7% Less 25 30 38 28 36 About as much 65 58 54 59 51 DK/NA 9 8 3 9 6
TREND: Compared to elected officials in other states, do you think that New Jersey's elected officials have more honesty and integrity, less honesty and integrity, or about as much honesty and integrity?
Sep 25 May 14 2007 2001 More 4 6 Less 31 12 About as much 57 77 DK/NA 7 6
48. As you may know, 11 New Jersey public officials including two Democratic Assemblymen, were recently indicted in a bribery scandal. Does the fact that 10 of the 11 public officials indicted in the latest corruption scandal were Democrats make it more likely you will vote for Republican candidates for the state legislature in this fall's election or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely to vote Republican 35% 74% 7% 32% 35% 34% NOT more likely to vote Republican 54 19 81 57 54 54 DK/NA 11 7 12 11 10 12 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore More likely to vote Republican 27% 34% 43% 25% 41% NOT more likely to vote Republican 58 58 49 57 47 DK/NA 15 7 8 18 12
49. Do you support or oppose selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway as a way of reducing New Jersey's debt and possibly providing money for tax relief?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 29% 27% 35% 26% 27% 31% Oppose 58 63 49 65 62 54 DK/NA 13 10 16 9 11 15 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 33% 32% 24% 35% 20% Oppose 54 54 67 51 67 DK/NA 12 14 10 14 13
TREND: Do you support or oppose selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway as a way of reducing New Jersey's debt and possibly providing money for tax relief?
Sep 25 Jul 9 Feb 28 Jan 24 2007 2007 2007 2007 Support 29 31 34 34 Oppose 58 54 56 53 DK/NA 13 15 10 12
50. Do you support or oppose Governor Corzine's proposal to sell bonds that could bring in up to $30 billion for the state budget and then pay off the bonds with higher tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 32% 21% 41% 33% 35% 29% Oppose 57 73 44 57 56 58 DK/NA 11 6 14 10 9 13 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 38% 31% 35% 38% 19% Oppose 48 56 58 52 70 DK/NA 13 13 6 11 12
51. It was recently reported that Governor Corzine gave gifts totaling $15,000 to Rocco Riccio, the brother-in law of former girlfriend Carla Katz. How much have you heard or read about this issue - A lot, some, only a little, or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 19% 27% 13% 20% 22% 16% Some 26 26 24 31 25 28 Only a little 26 21 28 29 26 26 Nothing at all 28 25 34 20 26 29 DK/NA 1 - 2 - 2 1 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore A lot 17% 20% 16% 15% 24% Some 21 27 35 26 23 Only a little 25 29 23 23 26 Nothing at all 32 23 25 37 26 DK/NA 5 1 2 - 1
52. The Governor says that he used private resources to help someone in financial trouble, it is a private relationship and should be a private matter. Others say these monetary gifts should be a matter of public record and suggest an independent investigation to be sure there is no conflict of interest. Which comes closer to your view on this issue - It is a private matter between Jon Corzine and Rocco Riccio or it should be a matter of public record and independent investigation?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Private matter 39% 34% 48% 36% 38% 39% Matter of pub record 55 62 45 61 56 55 DK/NA 6 4 7 3 6 6 Philly Urban SubUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Private matter 39% 40% 38% 44% 33% Matter of pub record 52 54 59 51 61 DK/NA 9 6 3 5 6