Ohio (OH) Poll * June 4, 2008 * Many Ohio Voters Have Grim Out - Quinnipiac University

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June 4, 2008 - Many Ohio Voters Have Grim Outlook, Expect To Leave, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; But Gov. Strickland's Approval Remains Strong

Word format Ohio voters continue to give Gov. Ted Strickland good grades, with a 55 - 23 percent job approval, but they say 65 - 3 percent that the state economy has deteriorated under his stewardship and are very pessimistic about the future, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Among those who say the economy is worse:
58 percent blame President George W. Bush and Congress; 8 percent blame the State Legislature; 4 percent blame Gov. Strickland; 22 percent blame economic forces beyond control.
A total of 28 percent of Ohio voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" they or a family member will leave the state in the next year for better opportunities. And 33 percent say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" they or a family member will leave the state "eventually," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Among voters 18 to 29 years old, 54 percent expect to leave in the next year and 69 percent expect to leave eventually.
Voters say 58 - 32 percent that Ohio's economy has suffered because state requirements have made it too costly for business. But voters favor 71 - 24 percent a requirement that companies with more than 25 employees must provide employees seven paid sick days per year.
And despite the Marc Dann case, more voters link the Republican Party to corruption.
"Gov. Ted Strickland must be wearing Teflon underwear. Voters think the state and their lives have deteriorated since he took office; expect things to get worse, not better, and a quarter of them think they might have to move out of state in the next year for economic reasons. But, they don't blame him. They blame President Bush, Congress and 'economic forces beyond their control,'" said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"If likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is seriously considering Gov. Strickland as his running mate, this would certainly help make the case that he might be an asset to have on the ticket in Ohio, perhaps the most crucial state in the Electoral College," said Brown.
Voters say 28 - 12 percent that Ohio is less friendly to business than other states, while 53 percent say it is about the same as other states.
Only 10 percent of Ohio voters say the state is a better place to live than in 2006, when Strickland was elected; 33 percent say worse and 56 percent believe things have stayed the same. Looking at just the economy, 17 percent expect it to improve in the next year, while 42 percent think it will worsen.
"Ohio voters are very pessimistic about the future, perhaps as much or more so than voters in any state in the country," said Brown.
Marc Dann's resignation as Attorney General is less serious than the scandals surrounding former Gov. Robert Taft, voters say 20 - 12 percent, as 57 percent who say they're the same. By a 38 - 30 percent margin, including 33 - 24 percent among independent voters, they see the Republicans rather than the Democrats as the party more associated with corruption.
"This may surprise some, but in the Dann case, sex is not seen as more serious than money," said Brown.
On other matters, Ohio voters support 85 - 12 percent a proposal to make English the state's official language and support 84 - 10 percent a law that would allow people to use any means necessary to defend themselves against an intruder in their home.
From May 29 - June 2, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,738 Ohio voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 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/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
1. 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 55% 47% 66% 49% 54% 55% 56% Disapprove 23 30 17 26 26 20 22 DK/NA 23 23 17 25 20 25 22 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 59% 58% 58% 57% 42% 49% Disapprove 20 22 21 22 25 26 DK/NA 21 20 21 21 33 25
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling his job as Governor? * also 61% on 7/11/07
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 4 Feb 25 Nov 13 Sep 5 Jul 11 Nov 13 Feb 1 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007* 2007 Approve 55 56 61 58 61 61 45 Disapprove 23 19 15 18 15 15 12 DK/NA 23 25 24 24 25 24 43
2. 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 44% 30% 55% 45% 43% 46% 43% Disapprove 23 32 15 23 28 18 24 DK/NA 33 38 30 31 29 37 34 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 41% 53% 37% 36% 34% 42% Disapprove 26 20 22 20 26 23 DK/NA 34 27 41 44 40 35
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sherrod Brown is handling his job as United States Senator? * also 47% on 3/21/07 ** also 42% on 2/1/07
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 4 Feb 25 Nov 14 Sep 5 Jul 11 Nov 14 May 15 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007* 2007** Approve 44 44 47 46 44 47 42 Disapprove 23 15 21 21 19 21 21 DK/NA 33 41 33 33 36 33 36
3. 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 45% 53% 46% 42% 46% 45% 46% Disapprove 31 26 31 35 35 28 30 DK/NA 23 21 24 22 19 27 24 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 46% 47% 51% 31% 39% 49% Disapprove 28 32 27 37 31 33 DK/NA 26 21 22 31 29 18
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Voinovich is handling his job as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 4 Feb 25 Nov 14 Sep 5 Jul 11 Mar 21 Dec 13 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 Approve 45 46 50 47 45 51 41 Disapprove 31 27 29 33 34 28 33 DK/NA 23 27 21 21 22 21 26
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jennifer Brunner is handling her job as Ohio's Secretary of State?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 38% 31% 47% 34% 37% 39% 38% Disapprove 13 16 9 16 19 9 14 DK/NA 48 53 44 50 45 52 48 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 41% 38% 35% 40% 40% 34% Disapprove 17 12 14 27 7 13 DK/NA 42 49 51 33 53 53
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mary Taylor is handling her job as Ohio's state auditor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 39% 38% 44% 37% 40% 39% 42% Disapprove 12 11 8 15 13 10 13 DK/NA 49 51 48 48 47 51 44 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 42% 38% 32% 35% 45% 38% Disapprove 10 12 18 20 8 10 DK/NA 48 50 50 45 47 52
6. 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 4% 3% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4% Smwht satisfied 36 39 39 32 35 37 36 Smwht dissatisfied 33 35 31 35 32 35 34 Very dissatisfied 26 22 25 27 28 24 25 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 1 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very satisfied 3% 3% 2% 11% 4% 4% Smwht satisfied 45 31 32 25 39 39 Smwht dissatisfied 31 33 41 39 33 31 Very dissatisfied 20 31 23 23 23 26 DK/NA 1 1 2 1 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?
Jun 4 Sep 5 Jul 11 Mar 21 Dec 12 2008 2007 2007 2007 2006 Very satisfied 4 3 4 5 4 Smwht satisfied 36 46 46 49 33 Smwht dissatisfied 33 31 30 28 33 Very dissatisfied 26 18 19 16 29 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1
7. Do you think that Ted Strickland has kept his campaign promises so far or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 46% 38% 55% 44% 48% 45% 48% No 30 33 26 32 30 29 29 DK/NA 24 28 19 24 21 26 23 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 47% 47% 52% 48% 44% 42% No 31 32 22 28 31 27 DK/NA 22 21 25 25 25 31
8. Overall, do you think Ohio is a better place to live today than in 2006, a worse place to live, or about the same?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Better 10% 3% 15% 10% 12% 9% 8% Worse 33 27 31 37 30 35 35 About the same 56 69 53 53 57 55 55 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Better 12% 10% 7% 10% 11% 11% Worse 26 35 41 31 28 35 About the same 62 54 50 59 60 53 DK/NA - 1 2 - 1 1
9. Would you describe the state of Ohio's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Excellent - - - - - - - Good 18 26 14 17 20 16 18 Not so good 42 50 40 43 42 43 45 Poor 39 24 45 39 37 40 35 DK/NA 1 - 2 - 1 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent - - - - - - Good 28 11 11 7 27 25 Not so good 41 41 43 38 45 48 Poor 30 47 47 52 27 25 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1
TREND: Would you describe the state of Ohio's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Jun 4 Jul 11 Mar 21 2008 2007 2007 Excellent - 2 1 Good 18 30 31 Not so good 42 44 46 Poor 39 22 21 DK/NA 1 2 2
10. During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in Ohio will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Get better 17% 20% 18% 12% 18% 15% 18% Get worse 42 37 41 47 40 44 44 Stay the same 37 39 37 40 39 36 34 DK/NA 3 4 4 2 2 4 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Get better 18% 14% 20% 22% 15% 20% Get worse 40 41 36 50 51 43 Stay the same 39 41 42 26 32 31 DK/NA 3 4 2 1 2 5
TREND: During the next 12 months, do you think the economic conditions in Ohio will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
Jun 4 Jul 11 Mar 21 2008 2007 2007 Get better 17 21 29 Get worse 42 19 15 Stay the same 37 57 53 DK/NA 3 4 3
11. Do you think that the Ohio economy today is better than it was in 2006, worse than it was in 2006 or about the same?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Better 3% 2% 4% 4% 4% 2% 3% Worse 65 64 65 65 59 70 65 About the same 31 33 31 30 37 26 30 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Better 2% 3% 2% 6% 5% 4% Worse 60 66 73 54 65 65 About the same 38 31 23 36 28 30 DK/NA - 1 2 4 2 1
12/13. (If "Better/Worse" in q11) Who do you credit/blame for the improvement - Governor Strickland, the Ohio legislature, President Bush and Congress or economic forces beyond the control of American politicians? (*Sub group saying "better" too small to report.)
WORSE Q11............................................... WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Strickland 4% 8% 1% 4% 5% 3% 5% Ohio legislature 8 13 3 7 10 6 7 Bush and Congress 58 25 79 58 54 61 59 Economic forces 22 44 10 22 22 21 22 DK/NA 8 9 6 9 8 8 7
14. How likely do you think it is that you, or someone in your family, will move out of the state for better opportunities in the next year? Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very likely 14% 11% 13% 16% 13% 14% 13% Somewhat likely 14 8 16 17 15 13 15 Somewhat unlikely 13 9 13 15 12 13 12 Very unlikely 58 71 57 50 58 58 59 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very likely 11% 14% 26% 16% 11% 11% Somewhat likely 14 16 13 17 11 13 Somewhat unlikely 12 13 13 12 12 15 Very unlikely 60 57 48 54 64 61 DK/NA 3 1 - - 1 1 Age in years............... 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Very likely 32% 8% 13% 7% Somewhat likely 22 13 16 6 Somewhat unlikely 13 16 11 12 Very unlikely 32 61 58 74 DK/NA - 1 2 1
TREND: How likely do you think it is that you, or someone in your family, will move out of the state for better opportunities in the next year? Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?
Jun 4 Jul 11 2008 2007 Very likely 14 13 Smwht likely 14 15 Smwht unlikely 13 16 Very unlikely 58 56 DK/NA 1 1
15. How likely is it that you will leave Ohio eventually in search of better economic opportunity elsewhere? Would you say it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very likely 18% 12% 18% 22% 16% 19% 15% Somewhat likely 15 14 16 16 16 15 13 Somewhat unlikely 14 12 13 20 15 13 14 Very unlikely 52 62 53 41 50 53 58 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 2 - - Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very likely 14% 18% 28% 19% 16% 16% Somewhat likely 18 15 13 15 15 15 Somewhat unlikely 17 15 10 10 14 13 Very unlikely 50 50 50 56 54 55 DK/NA 1 1 - - - 1 Age in years............... 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Very likely 44% 17% 16% 4% Somewhat likely 25 22 15 5 Somewhat unlikely 11 20 16 7 Very unlikely 21 40 52 82 DK/NA - 1 - 2
16. Do you think that those who have already left Ohio for better economic opportunity elsewhere have actually found it or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 50% 46% 51% 50% 51% 49% 43% No 31 34 30 33 29 32 36 DK/NA 19 21 19 17 20 19 21 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 42% 58% 57% 44% 40% 44% No 36 26 29 41 33 33 DK/NA 22 16 14 16 27 24 Age in years............... 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Yes 52% 56% 52% 37% No 30 31 31 31 DK/NA 18 13 17 32
17. In general do you think that Ohio is more friendly to business than most other states, less friendly, or about the same?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl More friendly 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% 14% Less friendly 28 31 24 32 30 27 25 About the same 53 50 59 50 52 55 56 DK/NA 6 7 5 6 6 7 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More friendly 16% 10% 8% 17% 13% 11% Less friendly 18 35 35 18 28 24 About the same 59 51 51 55 55 54 DK/NA 6 5 6 10 4 11
18. Do you think that Ohio's economy has suffered because state requirements on business have made it too costly for some companies to stay in business or don't you think so?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 58% 63% 52% 62% 60% 57% 62% No 32 27 38 30 32 32 30 DK/NA 10 9 10 9 8 11 8 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 54% 58% 68% 68% 59% 55% No 36 33 28 22 28 35 DK/NA 10 10 4 10 13 11
19. In November voters will be asked to approve a proposal requiring all Ohio companies with 25 or more employees to give workers a minimum of seven paid sick days each year. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 71% 56% 83% 68% 63% 78% 70% Oppose 24 39 13 27 32 18 25 DK/NA 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 76% 73% 65% 81% 62% 70% Oppose 18 24 32 16 32 24 DK/NA 6 4 3 4 5 6
20. Do you think that requiring companies with 25 or more employees to give workers at least seven paid sick days a year will encourage employers to leave the state or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 25% 31% 19% 28% 31% 20% 27% No 66 59 73 63 61 69 65 DK/NA 9 9 8 9 7 11 9 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 29% 23% 32% 21% 26% 24% No 65 67 62 71 65 64 DK/NA 7 10 6 7 9 13
21. The state legislature is considering a bill that would make English the state's official language. It would require state and local governments to use English in official records, with some exceptions. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 85% 93% 81% 86% 86% 84% 89% Oppose 12 6 15 11 12 12 8 DK/NA 3 1 4 3 3 4 2 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 87% 85% 87% 85% 81% 84% Oppose 9 12 11 13 14 13 DK/NA 3 3 2 2 5 3
22. The legislature is also considering a new law that would allow people to defend themselves by whatever method necessary against an intruder in their home. The bill would also bar an intruder or their relatives from suing a homeowner if the intruder is killed or wounded. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 84% 87% 81% 89% 88% 81% 88% Oppose 10 10 13 7 8 13 8 DK/NA 5 3 6 4 4 6 4 Gun Owners Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 92% 86% 83% 86% 84% 84% 85% Oppose 5 10 11 11 14 9 9 DK/NA 3 4 5 4 2 8 6
23. How much of a problem, if at all, is government corruption in Ohio today? Is it a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very serious 30% 27% 27% 32% 31% 29% 31% Smwht serious 45 48 47 47 40 50 43 Not too serious 18 18 20 15 21 15 18 Not a prob at all 3 3 3 3 4 2 3 DK/NA 4 4 3 3 4 4 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very serious 27% 36% 27% 22% 26% 23% Smwht serious 48 41 56 48 47 46 Not too serious 17 17 12 22 19 22 Not a prob at all 3 3 3 8 3 2 DK/NA 4 3 2 - 5 7
24. Compared to other states, do you think there is more government corruption than in other states, less government corruption or about as much government corruption?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl More 9% 7% 8% 10% 12% 6% 9% Less 10 10 12 10 11 10 11 About as much 76 78 74 77 72 79 74 DK/NA 5 5 7 3 5 6 6 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More 10% 9% 13% 8% 6% 7% Less 13 8 10 15 13 9 About as much 70 79 74 70 75 79 DK/NA 8 4 4 7 6 6
25. Compared to elected officials in other states, do you think that Ohio's elected officials have more honesty and integrity, less honesty and integrity, or about as much honesty and integrity?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl More 7% 5% 9% 6% 7% 7% 8% Less 12 9 12 12 12 11 12 About as much 76 83 72 80 76 77 75 DK/NA 5 2 7 2 5 5 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More 8% 5% 7% 9% 11% 6% Less 10 10 17 13 15 12 About as much 77 79 73 70 71 77 DK/NA 5 5 3 8 4 5
26. In general, which party do you associate more with political corruption in Ohio - the Republican party or the Democratic party?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Republican 38% 17% 57% 33% 39% 38% 34% Democratic 30 54 20 24 32 28 35 DK/NA 32 29 22 43 29 34 31 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Republican 38% 39% 44% 43% 37% 33% Democratic 34 29 28 37 29 28 DK/NA 29 33 29 21 34 39
27. As you may know Marc Dann recently resigned as Ohio's Attorney General. How much have you heard or read about this - A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl A lot 40% 44% 41% 34% 43% 37% 38% Some 28 28 27 31 26 30 29 Only a little 17 17 18 15 15 19 17 Nothing at all 14 11 14 19 15 14 15 DK/NA 1 - - - - 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt A lot 53% 44% 32% 21% 24% 37% Some 19 32 34 25 25 30 Only a little 14 11 19 15 33 21 Nothing at all 14 12 15 39 18 12 DK/NA - 1 - 1 - -
28. How much, if at all, does the situation surrounding the resignation of Marc Dann and the charges brought against members of the Attorney General's office effect your view of the Democratic Party in Ohio - Does it make you more supportive of the democratic party, less supportive, or does it have no effect on your view?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl More supportive 6% 2% 11% 2% 6% 7% 7% Less supportive 23 44 9 24 26 19 28 Has no effect 67 52 75 72 64 70 61 DK/NA 4 1 5 2 3 4 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More supportive 7% 7% 7% 8% 3% 7% Less supportive 26 22 19 14 23 26 Has no effect 64 69 71 77 68 62 DK/NA 4 3 3 1 6 6
29. Do you think the scandal involving former Attorney General Marc Dann is more serious than the scandal during former Governor Bob Taft's administration, less serious, or about the same?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl More serious 12% 21% 8% 11% 14% 11% 17% Less serious 20 11 26 21 25 16 18 About the same 57 58 55 60 53 60 53 DK/NA 11 9 12 9 8 13 12 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More serious 14% 12% 13% 4% 14% 12% Less serious 17 22 28 19 13 19 About the same 59 57 47 64 60 56 DK/NA 10 9 13 12 13 14
30. Do you or does anyone in your house own a gun, or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 38% 44% 34% 40% 46% 32% 42% No 60 54 65 59 52 66 56 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 42% 32% 40% 51% 41% 43% No 56 65 59 47 57 56 DK/NA 2 3 1 1 2 2