Ohio (OH) Poll * August 14, 2008 * Dem Leads As Unknowns Race For - Quinnipiac University

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August 14, 2008 - Dem Leads As Unknowns Race For Ohio Attorney General, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Gov. Strickland's Approval Strong At Mid-Term

Word format Democrat Richard Cordray holds 44 - 26 percent lead over Republican Mike Crites in the race for Ohio Attorney General, but three-quarters of the voters don't know enough about them to have an opinion about either candidate, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Gov. Ted Strickland has a 60 - 25 percent approval rating, compared to 55 - 23 percent in a June 4 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. Ohio voters support 69 - 27 percent a ballot proposal to require companies with 25 or more employees to offer them seven paid sick days a year, compared to 71 - 24 percent in June.
"Neither State Treasurer Richard Cordray nor former U.S. Attorney Mike Crites are well-known to Ohio voters at this point, although both are seen very positively by the minority who know them," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Cordray is ahead because he is slightly better known from being elected statewide previously and because being a Democrat is a plus this year."
Cordray is viewed favorably by 19 percent of Ohioans and unfavorably by 4 percent. His 16 - 2 percent ratio among independent voters is a good omen for his candidacy.
"Obviously, Cordray begins the race as the favorite," said Brown, "although three out of four voters don't have a firm fix on him."
Crites, who prosecuted Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose, is viewed favorably by 11 percent of Ohioans and unfavorably by 3 percent. But four out of five voters don't know enough about Crites to have an opinion.
Gov. Strickland continues to attract bi-partisan approval, with Republicans giving him a thumbs-up job approval by a 47 - 35 percent margin, while independents agree 57 - 27 percent.
"With a little more than two years to go in his first term, Gov. Strickland would have to be considered a strong candidate for re-election," said Brown. "By a 47 - 31 percent margin, voters think Gov. Strickland has kept his 2006 campaign promises, 40 - 33 percent among independents."
The State Legislature gets a split 42 - 41 percent approval rating. But when asked about their own state senator or representative, voters give more positive ratings.
"As a rule, voters generally like their own legislator much better than the whole body. The same is almost always true about Congress and its members," said Brown.
Even though Republican leaders oppose the labor-backed sick leave plan, and Strickland unsuccessfully sought a compromise to keep the measure off the ballot, it is in a very strong position to pass, with independents in favor 67 - 28 percent and Republican voters split 49 - 47 percent.
Although voters say 59 - 32 percent that Ohio's economy has been hurt by too much government regulation, by a 58 - 32 percent margin they don't think passage of the proposal will encourage companies to leave Ohio.
"If the business community is going to stop this proposal from becoming law, it had better get moving because it is going to have to change public opinion," said Brown.
Although voters have turned down attempts to increase legalized gambling in Ohio previously, they support 60 - 35 percent a ballot proposal to authorize construction of a gambling casino halfway between Columbus and Cincinnati. Republicans split 48 - 47 percent on the idea, while Democrats back it 70 - 26 percent and independent voters favor it 57 - 38 percent.
From August 5 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,342 Ohio voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 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.
1. If the election for Attorney General were being held today, and the candidates were Richard Cordray the Democrat and Mike Crites the Republican, for whom would you vote?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Cordray 44% 8% 77% 35% 41% 47% 33% Crites 26 64 3 22 30 22 37 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 2 - 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 DK/NA 28 25 19 40 26 30 27 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Cordray 47% 45% 47% 48% 40% 39% Crites 22 23 28 18 29 34 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 - 1 2 1 DK/NA 29 29 24 32 27 24
2. Is your opinion of -- Mike Crites favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Favorable 11% 23% 6% 9% 13% 9% 15% Unfavorable 3 - 5 3 4 3 3 Hvn't hrd enough 82 72 87 85 79 85 78 REFUSED 3 4 2 3 3 3 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Favorable 12% 13% 6% 4% 9% 14% Unfavorable 4 2 4 1 6 4 Hvn't hrd enough 80 82 87 92 83 77 REFUSED 3 3 3 3 2 5
3. Is your opinion of -- Richard Cordray favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Favorable 19% 9% 28% 16% 20% 18% 12% Unfavorable 4 12 1 2 6 3 7 Hvn't hrd enough 74 75 69 79 71 76 76 REFUSED 3 4 2 3 4 3 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Favorable 32% 16% 20% 16% 14% 16% Unfavorable 5 5 2 4 4 5 Hvn't hrd enough 61 75 76 76 80 76 REFUSED 3 4 2 4 2 3
4. 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 60% 47% 71% 57% 63% 57% 54% Disapprove 25 35 17 27 25 26 30 DK/NA 15 19 11 16 12 17 16 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 60% 60% 64% 60% 55% 62% Disapprove 22 25 22 29 29 25 DK/NA 17 15 14 11 16 12
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 Aug 14 Jun 4 Feb 25 Nov 13 Sep 5 Nov 13 Feb 1 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007* 2007 Approve 60 55 56 61 58 61 45 Disapprove 25 23 19 15 18 15 12 DK/NA 15 23 25 24 24 24 43
5. 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 51% 34% 63% 50% 51% 50% 45% Disapprove 23 35 14 24 28 19 28 DK/NA 26 31 22 27 20 32 28 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 46% 58% 52% 45% 38% 49% Disapprove 20 22 26 18 30 24 DK/NA 34 20 22 36 32 27
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 Aug 14 Jun 4 Feb 25 Nov 14 Sep 5 Aug 14 May 15 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 2008 2007* Approve 51 44 44 47 46 51 42 Disapprove 23 23 15 21 21 23 21 DK/NA 26 33 41 33 33 26 36
6. 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 51% 56% 52% 46% 53% 49% 52% Disapprove 32 30 30 38 37 29 33 DK/NA 17 14 19 16 11 22 15 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 49% 54% 50% 54% 40% 54% Disapprove 29 32 36 26 41 30 DK/NA 22 14 14 20 19 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Voinovich is handling his job as United States Senator? (* also 51 on 03/21/07)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Aug 14 Jun 4 Feb 25 Nov 14 Sep 5 Aug 14 Dec 13 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 2008* 2006 Approve 51 45 46 50 47 51 41 Disapprove 32 31 27 29 33 32 33 DK/NA 17 23 27 21 21 17 26
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jennifer Brunner is handling her job as Secretary of State?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 38% 31% 47% 35% 41% 36% 38% Disapprove 12 16 9 10 14 10 12 DK/NA 50 53 44 54 46 54 50 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 40% 38% 36% 46% 36% 37% Disapprove 17 12 10 1 10 10 DK/NA 43 50 54 53 54 54
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jennifer Brunner is handling her job as Ohio's Secretary of State?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Approve 38 38 Disapprove 12 13 DK/NA 50 48
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mary Taylor is handling her job as state auditor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 39% 39% 44% 34% 40% 38% 43% Disapprove 10 10 7 13 13 7 9 DK/NA 52 51 49 53 47 55 47 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 45% 39% 27% 42% 34% 43% Disapprove 9 8 7 10 15 11 DK/NA 46 53 66 48 51 47
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mary Taylor is handling her job as Ohio's state auditor?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Approve 39 39 Disapprove 10 12 DK/NA 52 49
9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 42% 42% 47% 36% 45% 39% 44% Disapprove 41 38 40 44 42 39 39 DK/NA 17 20 12 20 13 22 18 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 41% 42% 47% 47% 39% 41% Disapprove 42 38 41 32 44 46 DK/NA 17 20 12 21 17 14
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Aug 14 Nov 13 Sep 5 Jul 11 May 15 Aug 14 Dec 12 2008 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2006 Approve 42 41 38 39 37 42 25 Disapprove 41 32 37 35 37 41 55 DK/NA 17 26 25 25 25 17 20
10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state senator is handling his or her job?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 53% 54% 58% 48% 54% 53% 56% Disapprove 27 26 24 33 32 23 26 DK/NA 19 20 18 19 15 24 18 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 49% 56% 60% 52% 46% 56% Disapprove 24 24 28 28 37 31 DK/NA 27 20 12 20 18 14
11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way your state representative is handling his or her job?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 56% 54% 64% 49% 57% 56% 58% Disapprove 25 25 21 29 29 22 24 DK/NA 19 21 15 22 15 22 18 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 53% 58% 62% 59% 51% 56% Disapprove 24 24 24 21 30 26 DK/NA 23 18 14 20 19 18
12. 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% 3% 3% 4% 4% 2% 2% Smwht satisfied 36 38 38 32 33 39 42 Smwht dissatisfied 37 38 37 35 39 35 31 Very dissatisfied 23 20 22 27 24 22 24 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very satisfied 3% 4% 2% 5% 1% 3% Smwht satisfied 36 31 43 52 43 33 Smwht dissatisfied 37 35 40 31 38 41 Very dissatisfied 22 29 16 12 17 23 DK/NA 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?
Aug 14 Jun 4 Sep 5 Jul 11 Mar 21 Dec 12 2008 2008 2007 2007 2007 2006 Very satisfied 3 4 3 4 5 4 Smwht satisfied 36 36 46 46 49 33 Smwht dissatisfied 37 33 31 30 28 33 Very dissatisfied 23 26 18 19 16 29 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1
13. Do you think that Ted Strickland has kept his campaign promises so far or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 47% 39% 58% 40% 48% 47% 46% No 31 35 26 33 30 32 29 DK/NA 22 25 16 28 23 22 25 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 52% 48% 48% 46% 41% 42% No 26 31 31 30 35 33 DK/NA 22 21 21 24 24 25
TREND: Do you think that Ted Strickland has kept his campaign promises so far or not?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Yes 47 46 No 31 30 DK/NA 22 24
14. 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 9% 7% 12% 7% 10% 9% 9% Worse 32 31 31 35 32 33 30 About the same 57 61 55 57 57 57 60 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Better 11% 9% 10% 21% 3% 9% Worse 26 35 40 15 31 39 About the same 61 54 50 64 66 50 DK/NA 2 2 - - - 3
TREND: Overall, do you think Ohio is a better place to live today than in 2006, a worse place to live, or about the same?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Better 9 10 Worse 32 33 About the same 57 56 DK/NA 1 1
15. 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 - 1% - - - - - Good 14 21 11 14 15 14 16 Not so good 49 51 50 47 49 49 50 Poor 36 27 38 39 35 37 33 DK/NA - - - - - - 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Excellent - - 1% 1% - - Good 19 10 8 27 19 15 Not so good 55 46 50 50 53 47 Poor 26 43 42 22 29 38 DK/NA - 1 - 1 - -
TREND: Would you describe the state of Ohio's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Aug 14 Jun 4 Jul 11 Mar 21 2008 2008 2007 2007 Excellent - - 2 1 Good 14 18 30 31 Not so good 49 42 44 46 Poor 36 39 22 21 DK/NA - 1 2 2
16. 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 11% 8% 11% 15% 9% 14% 9% Somewhat likely 16 14 17 19 20 14 18 Somewhat unlikely 15 14 14 15 15 15 13 Very unlikely 57 65 57 49 55 58 60 DK/NA 1 - - 2 2 - - Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very likely 11% 13% 17% 3% 7% 12% Somewhat likely 11 18 12 23 20 16 Somewhat unlikely 15 15 12 11 17 12 Very unlikely 62 53 59 62 53 59 DK/NA 1 1 - - 3 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?
Aug 14 Jun 4 Jul 11 2008 2008 2007 Very likely 11 14 13 Smwht likely 16 14 15 Smwht unlikely 15 13 16 Very unlikely 57 58 56 DK/NA 1 1 1
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 13% 9% 16% 13% 14% 13% 16% Less friendly 27 36 24 25 33 23 25 About the same 53 49 56 54 49 57 55 DK/NA 6 6 4 8 5 8 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More friendly 16% 12% 11% 25% 10% 14% Less friendly 18 30 27 17 33 32 About the same 55 52 57 57 53 49 DK/NA 11 6 5 1 4 6
TREND: In general do you think that Ohio is more friendly to business than most other states, less friendly, or about the same?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 More friendly 13% 12% Less friendly 27 28 About the same 53 53 DK/NA 6 6
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 59% 66% 54% 59% 57% 60% 63% No 32 25 37 34 35 30 30 DK/NA 9 10 9 7 9 9 7 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 60% 59% 62% 53% 61% 52% No 28 32 32 33 33 39 DK/NA 12 9 6 14 6 8
TREND: 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?
Aug 14 Jun 4 May 15 2008 2008 2007 Yes 59% 58% 69% No 32 32 17 DK/NA 9 10 14
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 69% 49% 84% 67% 62% 75% 61% Oppose 27 47 13 28 35 20 32 DK/NA 4 5 3 4 3 6 6 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 70% 72% 70% 72% 61% 64% Oppose 27 23 27 27 33 31 DK/NA 3 5 3 1 6 5
TREND: 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?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Support 69% 71% Oppose 27 24 DK/NA 4 4
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 32% 43% 25% 33% 39% 25% 38% No 58 48 65 56 51 65 50 DK/NA 10 9 10 11 10 11 12 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 36% 31% 34% 20% 30% 33% No 54 58 61 63 59 58 DK/NA 10 11 5 16 10 9
TREND: 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?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Yes 32% 25% No 58 66 DK/NA 10 9
21. 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 23% 21% 22% 26% 23% 23% 23% Smwht serious 46 49 45 47 47 45 47 Not too serious 24 23 28 21 25 24 24 Not at all 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 DK/NA 5 5 3 5 3 6 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very serious 24% 29% 17% 21% 17% 17% Smwht serious 44 47 50 56 46 38 Not too serious 25 19 30 16 30 32 Not at all 2 - 2 2 4 4 DK/NA 4 5 2 5 3 8
TREND: 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?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Very serious 23% 30% Smwht serious 46 45 Not too serious 24 18 Not a prob at all 2 3 DK/NA 5 4
22. 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 37% 15% 55% 35% 37% 37% 31% Democratic 30 52 20 27 35 26 34 DK/NA 33 33 26 38 28 37 34 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Republican 41% 33% 47% 37% 36% 37% Democratic 28 34 20 22 33 28 DK/NA 31 33 33 41 31 35
TREND: In general, which party do you associate more with political corruption in Ohio - the Republican party or the Democratic party?
Aug 14 Jun 4 2008 2008 Republican 37% 38% Democratic 30 30 DK/NA 33 32
23. In general, do you support or oppose legalized casino gambling in Ohio?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 61% 50% 70% 60% 63% 60% 49% Oppose 34 46 25 37 34 35 48 DK/NA 4 3 5 3 4 5 3 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 58% 64% 55% 58% 66% 61% Oppose 36 32 42 39 32 33 DK/NA 6 4 3 3 2 7
24. Voters this November will be asked to approve the construction of a gambling casino about halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus. Do you support or oppose such a casino?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 60% 48% 70% 57% 61% 59% 49% Oppose 35 47 26 38 36 35 48 DK/NA 5 5 4 4 3 6 3 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 54% 63% 55% 57% 64% 59% Oppose 36 33 42 39 35 35 DK/NA 9 4 3 4 2 6
25. Do you support or oppose casinos in other locations in Ohio?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 60% 49% 68% 61% 62% 59% 49% Oppose 35 46 28 36 35 35 48 DK/NA 5 5 5 4 3 6 3 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 56% 63% 52% 62% 65% 59% Oppose 37 33 45 33 34 34 DK/NA 7 4 3 4 2 7