Ohio (OH) Poll * September 5, 2007 * Ohio Voters Say Hike Import Co - Quinnipiac University

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September 5, 2007 - Ohio Voters Say Hike Import Costs To Save Jobs, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Chinese Goods Get Worst Rating

Word format By a 58 - 32 percent margin, Ohio voters favor policies that would make them pay higher consumer prices on imported goods in order to save American jobs, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. A total of 77 percent of voters say the quality of goods from China is "not so good" or "poor" giving China the lowest rating of any major U.S. trading partner.
Gov. Ted Strickland's rating has slipped from 61 - 15 percent July 11, but he remains overwhelmingly popular with a 58 - 18 percent job approval score today, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
By a 60 - 32 percent margin, voters agree that increased U.S. restrictions on imports would drive up prices to American consumers, making American goods more competitive and helping the national economy. Voters split 45 - 46 percent on whether increased restrictions would prompt other countries to block U.S. products, hurting the American economy.
Rating the quality of goods from major trading partners, 77 percent of Ohio voters say Japanese goods are "excellent" or "good," European imports get a 71 percent "excellent" or "good," followed by a 35 percent score for goods from India, 32 percent for South American, 25 percent for Mexico and 21 percent for China.
"At one time, 'Made in Japan' was viewed as a label for poor quality by many American consumers. Now, China is seen that way," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
In related trade matter, Ohio voters say 81 - 15 percent their public pension funds should not invest in companies that do business with Iran and Sudan due to their terrorist connections.
"While Gov. Strickland's job approval numbers have dipped slightly, just about every governor in America would love to be in his shoes," said Brown. "He still is viewed positively by more than twice as many Republicans and independents as unfavorably. Any Democrat with those numbers has little to worry about."
Republican voters back increased import restrictions, even if it means higher prices for them, 51 - 37 percent, while Democrats back the idea 63 - 28 percent and independent voters back it 58 - 33 percent.
Ohio voters say 53 - 30 percent that the growth of the global economy has mostly hurt rather than helped their family financial situation. Looking at the statewide economy, voters say 69 - 21 percent that the global economy hurts rather than helps.
"Given Ohio's clout in picking presidents, these numbers are a clear message to candidates that free-trade could be a politically dangerous position to take," said Brown. "Given that the Democrats have generally been more in favor of such restrictions, it gives their eventual nominee an advantage for the state's crucial Electoral votes."
There is little dispute what Ohio voters think of foreign-made goods' quality. While 51 percent think U.S.-made goods are better, only 6 percent view imports that way.
Asked about their behavior over the past year, 10 percent of voters say they are more likely to purchase foreign-made goods, while 46 percent say they are less likely.
On another matter, by a narrow 49 - 45 percent margin, Ohio voters agree with Strickland that electronic gaming machines should be illegal in the state.
From August 28 - September 3, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,430 Ohio voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling his job as Governor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 58% 54% 65% 55% 60% 56% 54% Disapprove 18 19 15 21 18 19 21 DK/NA 24 28 20 24 22 25 25 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 67% 54% 66% 73% 50% 53% Disapprove 13 19 19 14 22 22 DK/NA 20 27 15 13 28 25
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling his job as Governor?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 5 Jul 11 May 15 Mar 21 Feb 1 Jul 11 Feb 1 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 Approve 58 61 54 53 45 61 45 Disapprove 18 15 16 12 12 15 12 DK/NA 24 25 30 34 43 25 43
24. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 38% 38% 40% 40% 41% 36% 39% Disapprove 37 35 35 39 40 34 37 DK/NA 25 27 25 22 19 30 24 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 43% 34% 44% 49% 38% 38% Disapprove 36 39 35 34 33 37 DK/NA 20 27 21 17 29 25
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 5 Jul 11 May 15 Mar 21 Feb 1 Jul 11 Dec 12 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 Approve 38 39 37 38 35 39 25 Disapprove 37 35 37 36 36 35 55 DK/NA 25 25 25 26 29 25 20
25. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sherrod Brown is handling his job as United States Senator?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 46% 34% 62% 42% 49% 43% 44% Disapprove 21 31 13 22 23 20 24 DK/NA 33 34 26 36 28 37 32 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 46% 46% 48% 48% 46% 41% Disapprove 21 23 18 14 21 22 DK/NA 33 31 34 39 33 37
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sherrod Brown is handling his job as United States Senator? * - also 42% on 2/1/07
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 5 Jul 11 May 15 Mar 21 Feb 1 Mar 21 May 15 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 * Approve 46 44 42 47 42 47 42 Disapprove 21 19 21 18 18 18 21 DK/NA 33 36 36 35 40 35 36
26. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Voinovich is handling his job as United States Senator?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 47% 50% 48% 45% 46% 47% 49% Disapprove 33 31 32 35 39 27 30 DK/NA 21 20 20 20 16 25 21 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 51% 47% 49% 54% 42% 39% Disapprove 29 31 28 27 39 41 DK/NA 19 22 22 19 19 20
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Voinovich is handling his job as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Sep 5 Jul 11 May 15 Mar 21 Feb 1 Mar 21 Dec 13 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 Approve 47 45 47 51 47 51 41 Disapprove 33 34 34 28 31 28 33 DK/NA 21 22 19 21 22 21 26
28. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very satisfied 3% 5% 3% 3% 4% 3% 4% Smwht satisfied 46 53 42 47 50 43 47 Smwht dissatisfied 31 29 32 33 30 33 32 Very dissatisfied 18 13 21 16 16 20 16 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very satisfied 4% 2% 2% 9% 6% 3% Smwht satisfied 54 39 48 38 53 50 Smwht dissatisfied 26 33 35 33 30 31 Very dissatisfied 13 25 11 21 10 15 DK/NA 2 1 4 - - 1
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Sep 5 Jul 11 Mar 21 Dec 12 2007 2007 2007 2006 Very satisfied 3 4 5 4 Smwht satisfied 46 46 49 33 Smwht dissatisfied 31 30 28 33 Very dissatisfied 18 19 16 29 DK/NA 1 1 1 1
29. What do you think is the most important problem facing Ohio today?
Tot Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Economy Total 42% 37% 50% 45% 57% 25% 41% Economy general 6 5 7 9 3 3 4 Unemployment/jobs 33 28 39 32 51 19 31 Cost of living 1 1 1 2 - 2 1 Business leaving/ Outsourcing 2 3 3 2 1 - 5 Economy other - - - - 2 1 - Education Total 20% Education general 8 Teachers 1 Funding education 9 School choice/ Vouchers 1 Education other 1 Taxes Total 5% Taxes general 4 Property tax 1 Healthcare/Costs/ Ins/HMO's 5% Crime Total 4% Crime/Violence general 3 Drugs 1 Energy Total 2% Energy costs general 1 Gas prices 1 Politicians Total 2% Politicians/ Campaigns general 1 Governor/State leadership 1 Immigration 2% Budget general 1 Environment/Pollution 1 Housing general 1 Poverty/Homeless 1 Senior issues 1 War (Iraq) 1 Other 2 DK/NA 7
TREND: What do you think is the most important problem facing Ohio today?
Sep 5 Jul 11 Mar 21 Dec 12 2007 2007 2007 2006 Crime Total 4 4% 3% 3% Crime/Violence general 3 2 3 2 Gangs/Youth crime - 1 - - Drugs 1 1 - 1 Economy Total 42% 44% 43% 44% Economy general 6 4 4 5 Unemployment/jobs 33 34 34 35 Minimum wage too low - 1 1 - Cost of living 1 1 - 1 Businesses leaving/Outsourcing 2 4 4 3 Education Total 20% 17% 21% 16% Education general 8 7 10 8 Teachers 1 - - - Funding education 9 9 11 8 School choice/Vouchers 1 - - - Education other 1 1 - - Healthcare Total 5% 5% 6% 5% Healthcare/Costs/Insurance/HMO's 5 5 4 3 Medicare - - 1 1 Prescription costs - - 1 1 Taxes Total 5% 6% 6% 6% Taxes general 4 5 5 4 Property tax 1 1 1 1 Income Tax - - - 1 Other 2 2 4 7 DK/NA 7 6 7 7
30. Overall, do you think the growth of the global economy has mostly helped or mostly hurt your own and your families financial situation?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Mostly helped 30% 44% 22% 30% 36% 24% 31% Mostly hurt 53 39 60 53 49 56 54 NO DIFF (VOL) 11 10 10 12 11 11 9 DK/NA 7 6 9 5 4 9 6 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Mostly helped 38% 26% 26% 23% 38% 25% Mostly hurt 50 54 60 62 46 51 NO DIFF (VOL) 8 13 9 8 9 14 DK/NA 4 7 4 7 7 10
31. Overall, do you think the growth of the global economy mostly helps or mostly hurts the Ohio economy?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Mostly helps 21% 33% 14% 20% 25% 17% 24% Mostly hurts 69 57 75 71 68 69 67 NO DIFF (VOL) 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 DK/NA 9 8 10 7 5 12 8 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Mostly helps 25% 17% 12% 19% 35% 18% Mostly hurts 63 74 79 70 59 65 NO DIFF (VOL) 2 1 2 2 1 3 DK/NA 9 8 7 9 5 14
32. Overall, do you think the growth of the global economy mostly helps or mostly hurts the national economy?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Mostly helps 30% 44% 22% 30% 37% 25% 30% Mostly hurts 61 45 68 63 58 63 61 NO DIFF (VOL) 1 1 2 - 1 1 1 DK/NA 8 10 8 6 4 11 8 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Mostly helps 39% 27% 28% 19% 37% 26% Mostly hurts 55 64 66 71 52 61 NO DIFF (VOL) 1 1 1 - 1 2 DK/NA 6 8 5 9 10 10
33. Some say that if the United States imposed more restrictions on imported goods it would drive up their price to American consumers. US goods would be priced more competitively and this would be good for the US economy. Do you agree or disagree?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Agree 60% 58% 60% 63% 59% 61% 62% Disagree 32 36 31 29 35 30 30 DK/NA 8 5 9 8 6 10 8 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Agree 59% 59% 66% 60% 57% 64% Disagree 36 31 28 33 34 29 DK/NA 6 9 7 7 8 8
34. Some say that if the United States imposed more restrictions on imported goods it would trigger a trade war that would make it more difficult for the US to sell overseas and this would be bad for the US economy. Do you agree or disagree?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Agree 45% 51% 42% 44% 48% 42% 42% Disagree 46 38 51 48 46 46 49 DK/NA 9 11 8 9 6 12 9 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Agree 45% 41% 55% 44% 48% 43% Disagree 45 48 37 49 45 49 DK/NA 10 10 9 8 7 8
35. Overall, which do you think is better for the US economy - increased restrictions on foreign imports or continuing current trade laws?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Increased restrictions 60% 55% 66% 58% 55% 65% 64% Current trade laws 30 35 26 32 37 24 26 DK/NA 10 10 8 10 8 11 10 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Increased restrictions 53% 64% 62% 68% 52% 64% Current trade laws 35 27 29 27 37 24 DK/NA 11 9 9 6 11 12
36. Overall, which do you think is better for the Ohio economy - increased restrictions on foreign imports or continuing current trade laws?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Increased restrictions 58% 51% 63% 58% 53% 62% 61% Current trade laws 32 37 28 33 39 26 29 DK/NA 11 12 9 9 8 12 10 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Increased restrictions 52% 59% 60% 64% 52% 63% Current trade laws 38 30 30 30 37 25 DK/NA 10 11 9 6 11 12
37. In general, do you think that the quality of US made goods is better than foreign made goods, worse than foreign made goods, or about the same as foreign made goods.
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Better 51% 54% 54% 48% 50% 52% 60% Worse 6 6 6 7 7 5 4 Same 37 36 36 40 39 36 32 DK/NA 5 4 4 6 4 6 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Better 49% 52% 51% 62% 48% 54% Worse 4 8 2 1 7 7 Same 42 34 42 33 42 32 DK/NA 6 6 4 4 3 7
38. Over the past year or so, would you say that you are more likely to buy foreign made goods, less likely, or about as likely to buy foreign made goods?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl More likely 10% 10% 9% 11% 11% 9% 9% Less likely 46 47 51 41 42 50 50 About as likely 35 34 32 39 36 34 32 DEPENDS ON PRODUCT(VOL) 6 7 4 7 7 5 6 DK/NA 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More likely 7% 12% 8% 14% 8% 9% Less likely 42 46 45 62 41 53 About as likely 40 34 41 20 37 31 DEPENDS ON PRODUCT(VOL) 8 5 3 3 9 4 DK/NA 3 3 3 1 5 4
39a. (If "more likely" to buy imports q38) Is that more because of the quality of the product or the price of the product?
"MORE LIKELY" Q38 Tot Quality 30% Price 39 DEPENDS ON PRODUCT(VOL) 11 DK/NA 20
39b. (If "less likely" to buy imports q38) Is that more because of the quality of the product or the price of the product?
"LESS LIKELY" Q38 Tot Quality 68% Price 11 DEPENDS ON PRODUCT(VOL) 7 DK/NA 14
INTRO 40-46: I am going to name some countries and regions of the world. Can you tell me for each of them whether you rate the overall quality of goods from them as excellent, good, not so good, or poor? - ORDER OF COUNTRIES ROTATED - 40. Can you tell me whether you rate the overall quality of goods from the - United States - as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 27% 32% 24% 28% 28% 27% 30% Good 67 61 70 69 67 67 65 Not so good 3 4 4 1 4 3 3 Poor 1 - 1 1 1 1 0 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1 3 2 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 26% 27% 36% 31% 23% 28% Good 68 67 61 68 73 63 Not so good 3 4 3 1 1 6 Poor - 1 - - 1 1 DK/NA 3 2 1 - 2 1
41. Can you tell me whether you rate the overall quality of goods from - Japan - as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 22% 24% 17% 26% 30% 14% 16% Good 55 52 58 55 57 54 56 Not so good 15 17 14 11 8 20 17 Poor 4 3 6 4 2 6 6 DK/NA 4 4 4 3 2 6 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 26% 18% 23% 12% 28% 20% Good 54 58 54 59 52 53 Not so good 13 15 12 23 14 17 Poor 3 5 6 3 3 5 DK/NA 4 4 5 3 3 6
42. Can you tell me whether you rate the overall quality of goods from - Europe - as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 9% 11% 8% 9% 12% 7% 7% Good 62 62 59 66 65 59 60 Not so good 13 12 17 9 11 15 17 Poor 3 2 4 3 3 2 3 DK/NA 13 13 12 14 9 17 13 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 7% 9% 17% 5% 13% 8% Good 65 60 59 52 67 62 Not so good 13 13 14 21 7 15 Poor 1 4 2 1 3 2 DK/NA 14 14 9 22 10 14
43. Can you tell me whether you rate the overall quality of goods from - China - as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 2% 3% 3% 2% 1% 3% 4% Good 19 17 19 20 17 21 16 Not so good 40 41 37 41 43 37 36 Poor 37 38 40 34 37 36 41 DK/NA 2 2 1 3 2 3 3 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 2% 3% - 6% 4% - Good 17 19 21 16 19 21 Not so good 43 38 39 32 43 38 Poor 33 38 38 46 31 39 DK/NA 5 2 1 1 2 2
44. Can you tell me whether you rate the overall quality of goods from - Mexico - as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Good 24 23 25 25 25 23 20 Not so good 42 44 42 40 41 43 42 Poor 23 22 22 26 26 22 27 DK/NA 9 8 11 8 6 12 10 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 1% 0% 3% - 2% 1% Good 26 26 18 29 23 18 Not so good 44 39 48 39 47 42 Poor 22 26 19 25 19 27 DK/NA 8 9 11 7 9 12
45. Can you tell me whether you rate the overall quality of goods from - India - as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 2% 2% 1% 2% 2% 2% 1% Good 33 34 33 33 33 33 32 Not so good 31 32 31 34 33 31 31 Poor 15 15 14 14 16 13 18 DK/NA 20 17 21 18 17 22 17 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 1% 1% 6% - 2% - Good 35 31 30 36 28 39 Not so good 30 31 31 26 37 32 Poor 11 15 12 20 17 15 DK/NA 22 22 20 17 15 14
46. Can you tell me whether you rate the overall quality of goods from - South America - as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% Good 31 31 30 31 32 30 29 Not so good 29 29 29 31 32 26 30 Poor 13 14 13 11 16 10 13 DK/NA 26 25 26 26 19 32 26 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent 1% 1% - - 1% 2% Good 34 32 32 29 31 27 Not so good 30 26 35 24 35 28 Poor 11 14 9 25 9 12 DK/NA 24 27 23 21 24 32
47. Currently, some Ohio public pension funds are invested in companies that do business with Iran and Sudan. Some Ohio lawmakers want these investments sold because of the ties that Iran and Sudan have to terrorism. Do you think that public pension funds should be allowed to invest in these companies or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 15% 11% 13% 20% 16% 14% 10% No 81 85 82 76 81 80 88 DK/NA 5 4 5 4 4 6 3 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 13% 15% 20% 6% 18% 13% No 82 81 73 91 74 84 DK/NA 5 4 7 3 8 3
48. Governor Ted Strickland and Attorney General Marc Dane want to ban what they say are about 50,000 illegal electronic gambling machines in Ohio. Backers of the machines say that the machines pay based on skill, not luck, and are therefore legal under Ohio law. Do you think these machines should be legal in Ohio or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 45% 36% 50% 47% 48% 43% 36% No 49 60 44 46 48 51 59 DK/NA 6 4 6 6 4 7 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 44% 48% 50% 36% 46% 39% No 51 47 45 61 47 53 DK/NA 5 5 5 3 8 8