New Jersey (NJ) Poll * February 5, 2009 * Economic Stimulus Package Won' - Quinnipiac University

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February 5, 2009 - Economic Stimulus Package Won't Help Me, New Jersey Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; But Most Support Plan And Approve Of Obama 4- 1

Word format While New Jersey voters support President Barack Obama's Economic Stimulus Package 53 - 36 percent, they are divided over whether it will help the nation's economy and two-thirds say it will not help their personal finances, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters say 67 - 28 percent that the stimulus plan won't help them personally.
Independent voters say 74 - 20 percent the package won't help them, a negative feeling shared by Republicans 89 - 7 percent. By a narrow 49 - 46 percent margin, Democrats say the plan will help them, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
New Jersey voters approve 65 - 16 percent of the overall job President Barack Obama is doing and approve 59 - 21 percent of the way he is handling the economy.
The nation's economy is "not so good," 27 percent say, while 70 percent say it is "poor." Only 2 percent say the U.S. economy is "good" and 1 percent says it is "excellent."
A total of 51 percent are "very confident" or "somewhat confident" the plan will help solve the nation's economic problems, while 47 percent are "not too confident" or "not confident at all."
Only 43 percent of New Jersey voters are "very confident" or "somewhat confident" the stimulus plan will help the Garden State, while 56 percent are "not too confident' or "not confident at all."
"The bottom line is that a majority of New Jersey voters say their personal financial situation is poor or not so good and two thirds do not expect their personal finances to get any better because of President Obama's Economic Stimulus Package being debated in Washington," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
New Jersey voters say 68 - 10 percent that the U.S. economy will improve by the end of Obama's first term. But 72 percent say it will take more than a year for the Economic Stimulus Package to work, while 22 percent say it will never work.
"Voters give the new President a strong 65 percent job approval rating, but nearly three quarters say it will take more than a year for the stimulus program to work. One voter in five says it will not work at all," Richards added. Personal Finances
Only 4 percent of voters describe their personal finances as "excellent," while 42 percent say "good." Another 38 percent say "not so good," while 15 percent say "poor."
They're worse off financially than they were a year ago, 57 percent say, as 21 percent say they're better off and 21 percent say things are the same. Their personal finances will get better in the next year, 30 percent say, while 15 percent expect things to get worse and 52 percent expect things to stay the same.
A total of 66 percent of New Jersey voters are "very worried" or "somewhat worried" that they will not have enough money to live on in retirement.
"New Jersey voters are gloomy about their own financial prospects, with more than half saying their personal finances are not so good or poor. Among those with a retirement plan or 401k, 88 percent have lost money. And 66 percent of all voters are worried about not having enough money to live on in retirement," Richards said.
From January 29 - February 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,173 New Jersey registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 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.
12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 65% 33% 90% 61% 59% 71% 62% 91% Disapprove 16 36 3 16 19 14 18 3 DK/NA 19 31 7 23 23 15 20 6 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 70% 66% 62% 72% 56% Disapprove 14 16 16 16 18 DK/NA 15 18 22 13 25
13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush handled his job as President?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 25% 58% 5% 23% 30% 22% 31% 3% Disapprove 69 33 93 72 66 73 65 91 DK/NA 5 9 2 5 5 5 5 6 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 12% 24% 29% 27% 33% Disapprove 84 73 63 64 64 DK/NA 4 3 7 10 3
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President? (*handled)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Feb 5 Nov 19 Jun 12 Feb 21 Dec 13 Oct 18 Nov 19 2009* 2008 2008 2008 2007 2001 2008 Approve 25 18 22 26 26 90 18 Disapprove 69 78 74 70 67 7 78 DK/NA 5 4 3 5 7 3 4
17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling the economy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 33% 10% 59% 23% 32% 34% 31% 43% Disapprove 56 82 29 65 60 52 59 41 DK/NA 11 8 12 12 8 14 10 16 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 48% 35% 28% 36% 21% Disapprove 41 52 62 53 72 DK/NA 11 13 10 11 7 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Approve 30% 34% 36% 35% 32% 36% 29% 39% Disapprove 57 57 52 51 62 52 59 51 DK/NA 13 9 12 14 6 12 12 10
18. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 59% 27% 86% 52% 54% 63% 55% 81% Disapprove 21 43 3 25 26 16 24 5 DK/NA 20 30 11 23 20 20 21 14 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 68% 61% 55% 62% 50% Disapprove 15 20 23 20 26 DK/NA 17 19 22 18 24 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Approve 68% 59% 57% 64% 62% 56% 56% 64% Disapprove 21 20 21 18 22 21 22 20 DK/NA 11 21 22 18 16 22 22 17
19. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent 1% - 1% - - 1% - 3% Good 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 5 Not so good 27 30 23 27 29 25 26 24 Poor 70 68 74 71 69 72 71 69 DK/NA - - - - - - - - Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Excellent 2% 1% - - - Good 3 2 1 3 3 Not so good 19 31 30 26 23 Poor 76 67 69 71 74 DK/NA - - - - - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Excellent - 1% 1% 1% - 1% 1% - Good 3 3 2 5 2 1 3 1 Not so good 28 27 25 28 25 24 29 24 Poor 69 70 72 66 73 74 67 75 DK/NA - - - - - - - -
TREND: Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Feb 5 Feb 21 Sep 21 Aug 5 Jun 23 Oct 18 2009 2008 2004 2004 2004 2001 Excellent 1 1 2 2 3 1 Good 2 15 38 40 38 39 Not so good 27 45 39 40 44 50 Poor 70 38 20 17 14 10 DK/NA - 1 1 1 1 1
20. Would you describe the state of New Jersey's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent - - 1% - - 1% - 3% Good 7 3 8 6 8 5 7 14 Not so good 43 38 52 35 40 45 41 40 Poor 50 58 39 58 52 49 51 43 DK/NA - 1 - - - - - 1 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Excellent 2% - - - - Good 9 8 5 4 5 Not so good 45 45 45 43 33 Poor 41 46 50 53 62 DK/NA 1 - - - - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Excellent - 1% - - - 1% - - Good 12 6 5 10 6 4 9 3 Not so good 47 42 39 40 44 45 39 49 Poor 40 51 56 50 50 49 52 48 DK/NA - 1 - - - 1 - -
TREND: Would you describe the state of New Jersey's economy these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
EXCLNT+GOOD... High Low Feb 5 Jun 16 Apr 26 Mar 16 Jan 26 Oct 18 Feb 5 2009 2006 2006 2006 2006 2001 2009 Excellent - 3 2 3 3 3 - Good 7 42 34 47 46 54 7 Not so good 43 38 39 35 36 37 43 Poor 50 16 22 13 14 5 50 DK/NA - 2 3 3 1 2 -
21. Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Excellent 4% 5% 5% 3% 4% 5% 4% 5% Good 42 47 39 41 50 34 47 19 Not so good 38 39 33 44 35 41 35 45 Poor 15 8 22 11 11 18 12 30 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Excellent 6% 4% 2% 7% 3% Good 32 42 50 38 46 Not so good 41 41 35 36 34 Poor 19 12 12 16 17 DK/NA 2 2 1 3 1 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Excellent 4% 4% 4% 2% 4% 8% 2% 7% Good 44 43 39 28 43 58 38 48 Not so good 35 38 39 40 44 29 40 35 Poor 15 15 15 29 9 4 18 8 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 1 - 2 2
TREND: Would you describe the state of your own personal finances these days as - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Feb 5 Nov 20 Oct 8 Apr 12 2009 2008 2001 2001 Excellent 4 6 10 8 Good 42 49 66 64 Not so good 38 30 19 21 Poor 15 13 4 6 DK/NA 2 1 1 1
22. 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 21% 17% 20% 24% 27% 15% 21% 24% Worse off 57 59 59 54 53 60 58 53 SAME(VOL) 21 23 19 21 19 23 21 18 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 5 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Better off 18% 19% 21% 25% 22% Worse off 52 57 63 51 59 SAME(VOL) 29 22 15 21 19 DK/NA 1 2 1 2 - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Better off 41% 19% 13% 16% 20% 31% 18% 25% Worse off 47 57 61 60 58 52 57 57 SAME(VOL) 11 22 24 22 22 17 24 17 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 - 1 1 2
TREND: Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
Feb 5 Nov 20 Jun 22 Mar 9 Apr 2 2009 2008 2004 2004 2003 Better off 21 20 36 38 32 Worse off 57 59 37 37 43 SAME(VOL) 21 20 25 23 24 DK/NA 1 1 2 2 2
23. During the next 12 months, do you think your own personal finances will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Get better 30% 27% 38% 20% 30% 30% 23% 59% Get worse 15 17 14 15 13 17 16 14 Stay the same 52 50 46 62 55 48 57 23 DK/NA 4 6 2 3 2 5 4 3 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Get better 32% 32% 19% 35% 30% Get worse 15 12 20 15 15 Stay the same 50 51 59 48 51 DK/NA 4 5 2 3 4 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Get better 42% 34% 19% 31% 31% 29% 29% 30% Get worse 5 16 18 17 14 12 15 15 Stay the same 52 47 58 49 54 55 51 52 DK/NA 1 3 5 4 2 4 4 3
TREND: During the next 12 months, do you think your own personal finances will get better, get worse, or stay about the same? (*financial situation)
Feb 5 Nov 20 Feb 21 Oct 18 2009 2008 2008* 2001* Get better 30 28 23 35 Get worse 15 22 20 8 Stay the same 52 45 55 54 DK/NA 4 5 2 3
24. By the end of Barack Obama's term in office, do you expect the economy to be better than it is today, worse than it is today, or about the same?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Better 68% 43% 88% 66% 67% 70% 66% 86% Worse 10 26 1 9 12 9 11 3 Same 16 24 10 18 17 16 18 9 DK/NA 5 7 1 7 5 5 5 3 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Better 71% 69% 69% 71% 63% Worse 11 11 12 10 7 Same 16 17 13 12 21 DK/NA 3 3 6 6 8 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Better 78% 70% 63% 70% 71% 67% 66% 73% Worse 7 10 12 10 10 11 11 10 Same 14 16 18 15 16 18 18 14 DK/NA 1 4 7 5 3 5 6 3
TREND: By the end of Barack Obama's term in office, do you expect the economy to be better than it is today, worse than it is today, or about the same?
Feb 5 Nov 20 2009 2008 Better 68 66 Worse 10 11 Same 16 17 DK/NA 5 6
25. Congress is debating President Obama's economic stimulus package which includes tax cuts and new federal spending of about 800 billion dollars. Do you support or oppose this economic stimulus package?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 53% 25% 79% 48% 51% 55% 50% 70% Oppose 36 68 9 42 42 31 41 12 DK/NA 10 7 12 10 6 14 9 18 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 66% 54% 53% 51% 45% Oppose 26 33 40 38 45 DK/NA 8 12 7 10 10 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Support 63% 53% 51% 56% 57% 54% 49% 60% Oppose 29 36 38 31 35 38 39 33 DK/NA 9 11 11 13 8 8 12 8
26. How confident are you that this economic stimulus package will help solve the nation's economic problems - very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very confident 6% 1% 10% 4% 4% 7% 2% 28% Smwht confident 45 20 65 42 43 46 44 48 Not too confident 25 33 15 29 27 23 28 14 Not confident at all 22 45 7 22 24 20 25 4 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 7 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very confident 12% 4% 6% 6% 4% Smwht confident 53 47 40 46 39 Not too confident 20 24 24 23 35 Not confident at all 15 22 29 24 20 DK/NA 1 3 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Very confident 8% 6% 5% 9% 3% 4% 6% 5% Smwht confident 51 44 44 47 50 45 44 47 Not too confident 29 23 25 23 24 26 24 26 Not confident at all 12 23 25 18 22 24 23 20 DK/NA 1 4 1 2 1 1 2 2
27. How long do you think it will take for the program to work - less than a year, more than a year, or will it never work?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Less than a year 3% 3% 4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 15% More than a year 72 51 89 69 69 74 69 76 Never 22 42 5 24 25 18 25 6 DK/NA 3 4 1 4 3 3 3 3 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Less than a year 8% 3% 2% 4% 3% More than a year 74 75 68 69 69 Never 15 19 27 26 23 DK/NA 3 3 3 1 5 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Less than a year 5% 4% 2% 3% 4% 4% 4% 3% More than a year 75 70 72 77 72 71 70 75 Never 20 22 22 17 23 23 23 20 DK/NA 1 4 4 3 2 2 4 2
28. The economic stimulus package will provide about 4 billion dollars for New Jersey. How confident are you that this will help solve New Jersey's economic problems - very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very confident 3% - 7% 1% 2% 4% 2% 16% Smwht confident 40 19 59 34 35 44 38 52 Not too confident 32 38 24 36 33 31 33 19 Not confident at all 24 42 10 26 30 20 27 10 DK/NA 1 1 - 3 - 2 1 4 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very confident 6% 3% - 3% 3% Smwht confident 39 43 34 42 37 Not too confident 32 30 36 30 33 Not confident at all 22 22 29 24 26 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Very confident 1% 3% 4% 6% 1% 3% 4% 2% Smwht confident 48 37 39 44 42 37 39 41 Not too confident 30 32 31 31 31 33 31 33 Not confident at all 22 25 24 18 25 27 25 23 DK/NA - 1 2 1 1 1 2 1
29. Do you think the economic stimulus package will help your personal financial situation?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 28% 7% 49% 20% 23% 33% 22% 50% No 67 89 46 74 73 61 74 38 DK/NA 5 4 5 6 4 6 5 11 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Yes 37% 29% 24% 27% 25% No 58 65 73 66 71 DK/NA 5 6 4 6 4 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Yes 35% 28% 25% 32% 29% 26% 29% 27% No 62 67 68 62 65 72 65 69 DK/NA 2 5 7 6 7 1 6 4
30. Are you currently employed, employed part time, retired, not working but looking for a job or not working and not looking for a job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Employed 55% 60% 53% 53% 67% 44% 54% 50% Part time 8 8 6 8 4 11 8 9 Retired 23 21 23 26 19 27 25 14 Looking 8 4 8 9 7 8 6 20 Not looking 6 7 7 4 2 9 6 5 DK/NA 1 - 2 - 2 1 1 2 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Employed 62% 52% 65% 49% 50% Part time 3 7 8 10 10 Retired 17 26 16 27 28 Looking 12 9 3 4 9 Not looking 4 6 7 9 1 DK/NA 2 - - 2 2 AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Employed 63% 75% 29% 28% 71% 77% 46% 69% Part time 12 7 6 10 3 7 8 6 Retired 2 2 57 42 16 7 30 12 Looking 13 9 3 11 5 4 8 7 Not looking 8 6 4 6 5 5 6 5 DK/NA 2 - 1 2 1 - 1 1
TREND: Are you currently employed, employed part time, retired, not working but looking for a job or not working and not looking for a job?
Feb 5 Nov 20 2009 2008 Employed 55 53 Part time 8 9 Retired 23 22 Looking 8 6 Not looking 6 6 DK/NA 1 2
31. (All except retired q30) Do you have a 401k or some other type of retirement plan?
ALL EXCEPT RETIRED Q30.............................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 74% 82% 70% 75% 78% 70% 78% 52% No 25 18 30 25 21 30 21 48 DK/NA - 1 - - - - 1 - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Yes 66% 78% 76% 48% 80% 89% 66% 85% No 34 22 24 51 20 11 34 15 DK/NA - - - 1 - - 1 -
TREND: (All except retired) Do you have a 401k or some other type of retirement plan?
ALL EXCEPT RETIRED Feb 5 Nov 20 2009 2008 Yes 74 71 No 25 28 DK/NA - 1
32. (If have retirement plan - retired or not) Because of what's going on in the economy today has that plan lost money in the last year?
HAVE RETIREMENT PLAN ................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 88% 89% 86% 89% 90% 86% No 10 9 12 9 8 12 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 2 INCOME............. <50 50-100 >100K Yes 76% 85% 93% No 19 12 6 DK/NA 5 3 -
TREND: (If have retirement plan - retired or not) Because of what's going on in the economy today has that plan lost money in the last year?
HAVE RETIREMENT PLAN Feb 5 Nov 20 2009 2008 Yes 88 80 No 10 17 DK/NA 2 4
33. (If lost money q32) Would you say your plan has lost a lot of money, some money, or only a little money?
LOST MONEY Q32........................ Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 61% 62% 59% 66% 62% 61% Some 30 35 30 24 30 31 Only a little 8 3 10 9 8 8 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 - 1 INCOME............. <50 50-100 >100K A lot 48% 57% 68% Some 39 35 23 Only a little 12 7 8 DK/NA - - 1
TREND: Would you say your plan has lost a lot of money, some money, or only a little money?
LOST MONEY Q32 Feb 5 Nov 20 2009 2008 A lot 61 56% Some 30 33 Only a little 8 10 DK/NA 1 1
34. Because of what's going on in the economy today, how worried are you that you will not have enough money to live on in retirement - Very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very worried 27% 24% 30% 24% 20% 33% 24% 41% Smwht worried 39 39 38 42 37 40 40 31 Not too worried 22 25 19 23 27 17 23 17 Not worried at all 12 11 12 11 16 8 13 11 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1 1 - Philly INCOME............. Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore <50 50-100 >100K Very worried 22% 25% 26% 29% 32% 35% 25% 18% Smwht worried 43 40 35 37 38 38 37 41 Not too worried 20 24 27 19 15 15 26 27 Not worried at all 11 10 11 15 14 11 11 13 DK/NA 3 1 - - 1 1 - - AGE IN YRS....... INCOME............. NoColl College 18-34 35-54 55+ <50 50-100 >100K Degree Degree Very worried 15% 33% 26% 35% 25% 18% 32% 19% Smwht worried 33 40 41 38 37 41 39 39 Not too worried 30 20 19 15 26 27 18 28 Not worried at all 21 7 12 11 11 13 11 14 DK/NA - - 2 1 - - 1 -
TREND: Because of what's going on in the economy today, how worried are you that you will not have enough money to live on in retirement - Very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all?
Feb 5 Nov 20 2009 2008 Very worried 27 28% Smwht worried 39 37 Not too worried 22 20 Not worried at all 12 15 DK/NA 1 1