Pennsylvania (PA) Poll * November 7, 2007 * Pennsylvania Voters Reject Lic - Quinnipiac University

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November 7, 2007 - Pennsylvania Voters Reject Licenses For Illegal Aliens 5-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Smoking Ban 2-1, Oppose Turnpike Tolls

Word format By an 81 - 16 percent margin, Pennsylvania voters oppose issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens, and oppose 75 - 19 percent issuing limited licenses which can't be used at security checks at airports or border crossings, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Illegal immigration is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem, 90 percent of Pennsylvania voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University poll. But 59 percent of voters say illegal immigrants who have worked in the U.S. two years should be allowed to apply for legal status while 36 percent say they should be deported. On other immigration questions, voters say:
58 - 37 that children of illegal immigrants should not get a free public education; By margins of 8 - 1 or more, that government should not provide health insurance, food stamps, welfare or housing; 61 - 26 percent that illegal immigrants do more to hurt the country than help the country; 77 - 15 percent that legal immigrants do more to help the country; 57 - 31 percent that illegal immigrants take jobs nobody wants, rather than take jobs away from Americans who need them; Split 47 - 45 percent on whether government should discourage illegal immigrants from gathering in parking lots and on street corners to find work.
"Pennsylvania voters want no part of issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and are generally conservative in their thinking about how government should handle the immigration problem. Significantly though, they think illegal workers who have been here more than two years should be given a chance to become legal rather than just being deported," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Pennsylvania voters oppose 50 - 37 percent a proposal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a private company, even with the state keeping control of toll increases and maintenance. Democrats are divided 44 - 42 percent, while Republicans oppose it 60 - 27 percent with independent voters opposed 50 - 39 percent.
By an even higher 62 - 28 percent, voters oppose putting tolls on Interstate 80. Even Democrats oppose this proposal 54 - 32 percent.
If they had to choose, 41 percent of voters would prefer leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a private company, while 36 percent would prefer tolls on Interstate 80, with 13 percent choosing neither.
"Voters just say 'no' to either leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike or putting tolls on Interstate 80," Richards said.
Pennsylvania voters support 62 - 32 percent a ban on smoking in all bars, restaurants and public buildings in the state. While levels of support vary, the measure carries among all parties and in every part of the state. Women back the smoking ban 67 - 28 percent, while men support it 57 - 38 percent.
Pennsylvania voters approve 53 - 36 percent of the job Gov. Ed Rendell is doing. But voters say 52 - 38 percent that Gov. Rendell is not qualified to be Vice President of the U.S. Only 16 percent of voters say they would be more likely to vote for the Democratic ticket in 2008 if Rendell were the running mate, while 23 percent are less likely to vote Democratic and 55 percent say it won't affect their vote.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum is qualified to be Governor, 41 percent of voters say, while 43 percent say he is not qualified. If he runs for Governor, 41 percent of voters say they "definitely" or "probably" will vote for him, while 50 percent probably or definitely won't vote for him.
"While not enthusiastic about either prospect, Pennsylvania voters are more open to former Sen. Rick Santorum running for Governor than they are to the idea of Gov. Ed Rendell running for Vice President," Richards said.
From October 30 - November 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,019 Pennsylvania voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, 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.
15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 53% 41% 64% 53% 52% 53% Disapprove 36 50 24 34 39 34 DK/NA 11 9 12 12 9 13 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 44% 77% 49% 62% 56% 48% 41% Disapprove 49 13 37 28 39 38 44 DK/NA 7 10 14 10 5 13 14
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as Governor? (* Also 46% on 10/5/2005, 4/22/2004, 3/18/2004 and 12/16/2003)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Nov 7 Aug 22 May 30 Mar 28 Feb 7 Feb 7 Apr 5 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006* Approve 53 53 55 57 61 61 46 Disapprove 36 37 36 33 30 30 37 DK/NA 11 10 9 10 9 9 17
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 35% 30% 42% 34% 35% 35% Disapprove 48 51 42 52 51 46 DK/NA 17 20 16 14 14 19 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Approve 30% 38% 38% 37% 41% 35% 31% Disapprove 59 43 42 41 49 50 53 DK/NA 11 20 20 23 10 16 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Nov 7 Aug 22 May 30 Mar 28 Feb 7 Apr 10 Oct 5 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2003 2005 Approve 35 30 34 39 39 49 26 Disapprove 48 55 47 41 44 24 60 DK/NA 17 15 18 20 17 27 14
21. Do you think Governor Ed Rendell is qualified to be Vice President of the United States or don't you think so?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 38% 26% 45% 42% 43% 33% No 52 64 43 50 50 53 DK/NA 11 10 12 8 7 14 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 29% 68% 31% 53% 37% 26% 26% No 63 25 58 38 50 58 63 DK/NA 8 7 11 9 14 15 11
22. Would you like Ed Rendell to run as the Democratic candidate for Vice President in 2008 or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 29% 17% 42% 28% 32% 26% No 59 68 48 61 59 60 DK/NA 12 15 10 11 9 14 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 18% 55% 11% 46% 32% 24% 20% No 72 40 71 43 63 63 65 DK/NA 10 5 18 11 5 13 15
23. If Ed Rendell is the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate in 2008, would that make you more likely to vote for the Democratic ticket, less likely, or wouldn't it make a difference?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely 16% 7% 25% 16% 19% 14% Less likely 23 33 14 24 25 22 Would't make diff 55 54 57 54 53 57 DK/NA 6 6 4 6 4 7 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl More likely 8% 36% 12% 25% 16% 16% 6% Less likely 29 12 21 13 30 28 30 Would't make diff 59 48 62 54 50 50 58 DK/NA 4 5 5 9 3 6 6
24. Do you think former senator Rick Santorum is qualified to be Governor of Pennsylvania or don't you think so?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 41% 70% 22% 33% 45% 38% No 43 17 60 54 46 41 DK/NA 16 12 19 13 9 21 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 45% 19% 44% 33% 47% 45% 49% No 51 59 39 49 39 42 33 DK/NA 4 22 17 18 14 13 17
25. Would you like Rick Santorum to run as the Republican candidate for governor of Pennsylvania or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 40% 70% 19% 33% 43% 37% No 47 20 65 56 48 46 DK/NA 13 10 16 11 9 17 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 44% 14% 37% 35% 46% 43% 51% No 50 67 46 51 47 46 34 DK/NA 6 19 17 14 7 11 15
26. If Rick Santorum ran for governor of Pennsylvania how likely is it that you would vote for him? Would you definitely vote for him, probably vote for him, probably not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Definitely 15% 36% 2% 9% 17% 13% Probably 26 40 16 22 26 26 Probably not 18 9 23 22 14 21 Definitely not 32 9 48 36 37 27 DK/NA 10 6 10 11 6 13 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Definitely 15% 4% 17% 13% 14% 9% 21% Probably 27 11 27 20 21 36 34 Probably not 11 27 22 16 22 15 16 Definitely not 44 36 24 39 29 36 23 DK/NA 2 22 10 13 13 4 7
27. Do you currently smoke cigarettes?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 21% 18% 20% 20% 21% 21% No 79 82 80 80 79 79 DK/NA - - - - - - Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Yes 24% 16% 21% 20% 23% 20% 22% No 76 84 78 80 77 80 77 DK/NA - - 1 - - - -
28. There is a proposal to ban smoking in all bars, restaurants and public buildings in Pennsylvania. Do you support or oppose a ban on smoking in these places?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Smoker Support 62% 59% 68% 57% 57% 67% 43 Oppose 32 36 28 36 38 28 49 DK/NA 5 5 5 6 6 5 8 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 57% 75% 57% 66% 55% 59% 63% Oppose 37 19 39 30 35 38 31 DK/NA 6 6 4 4 10 3 6
TREND: There is a proposal to ban smoking in all bars, restaurants and public buildings in Pennsylvania. Do you support or oppose a ban on smoking in these places?
Nov 7 Feb 7 2007 2007 Support 62 60 Oppose 32 37 DK/NA 5 3
29. Governor Rendell has proposed leasing the Pennsylvania turnpike to a private company, but keeping state control over toll increases and maintenance schedules. The money would be used to pay for highway and bridge construction. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 37% 27% 44% 39% 33% 40% Oppose 50 60 42 50 57 44 DK/NA 13 14 14 11 9 16 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 36% 54% 35% 33% 32% 34% 37% Oppose 54 37 52 52 60 49 49 DK/NA 10 10 13 16 8 16 14
TREND: Governor Rendell has proposed leasing the Pennsylvania turnpike to a private company, but keeping state control over toll increases and maintenance schedules.The money would be used to pay for highway and bridge construction. Do you support or oppose this proposal?
Nov 7 Aug 22 May 30 Mar 28 2007 2007 2007 2007 Support 37 40 44 49 Oppose 50 47 42 41 DK/NA 13 12 14 10
30. Do you support or oppose putting tolls on Interstate 80 across Pennsylvania?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 28% 22% 32% 32% 30% 26% Oppose 62 68 54 62 63 61 DK/NA 10 10 14 6 7 13 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 28% 43% 23% 31% 17% 30% 25% Oppose 67 39 71 51 80 63 67 DK/NA 6 18 7 18 3 6 8
31. To raise the money needed to build new roads and bridges in Pennsylvania, if you had to choose would you prefer putting tolls on Interstate 80 or leasing the Pennsylvania turnpike?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Tolls I-80 36% 34% 36% 41% 38% 34% Leasing turnpike 41 41 40 40 40 41 NEITHER (VOL) 13 16 9 12 17 9 DK/NA 11 9 15 7 5 16 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Tolls I-80 33% 49% 26% 51% 24% 35% 29% Leasing turnpike 45 30 47 27 56 40 45 NEITHER (VOL) 12 10 16 11 14 16 11 DK/NA 9 11 12 10 6 9 14
32. In general, how serious a problem do you think illegal immigration is in the United States? A very serious problem, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not a problem at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very serious 56% 64% 49% 54% 54% 58% Smwht serious 34 32 37 34 34 34 Not very serious 5 1 8 7 6 4 Not a prob at all 3 2 4 3 4 2 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1
33. Overall, do you think illegal immigrants do more to help the country or do more to hurt the country?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Help 26% 14% 36% 27% 28% 23% Hurt 61 72 54 55 59 62 DK/NA 14 14 10 17 13 15
34. Overall, do you think legal immigrants do more to help the country or do more to hurt the country?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Help 77% 83% 72% 74% 84% 70% Hurt 15 9 19 17 12 17 DK/NA 9 8 9 9 4 13
35. Do you think illegal immigrants mostly take jobs that nobody wants or do they mostly take jobs away from Americans who need them?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom That nbdy wants 57% 55% 60% 60% 60% 55% Take jobs away 31 31 32 30 29 34 DK/NA 11 14 8 10 11 12
36. If you had to choose, what do you think should happen to most illegal immigrants who have lived and worked in the United States States for at least two years - they should be given a chance to keep their jobs and eventually apply for legal status or they should be deported back to their native country.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Keep/legal status 59% 52% 68% 59% 52% 65% Deported back 36 41 28 37 42 30 DK/NA 5 7 4 4 5 5
37. Do you think there should or should not be stricter enforcement and stiffer penalties against employers who hire illegal workers?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Should 80% 84% 78% 77% 80% 80% Should Not 14 10 17 15 16 13 DK/NA 6 6 5 8 5 7
38. Do you think state governments should or should not issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Should 16% 9% 24% 13% 14% 17% Should not 81 89 72 85 83 79 DK/NA 3 2 4 2 2 4
39. Do you think state governments should or should not issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants as long as they can't be used for such things as getting on an airplane or crossing the border?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Should 19% 10% 27% 18% 17% 20% should not 75 88 65 75 80 71 DK/NA 6 2 8 7 3 9
40. If a Presidential candidate favors providing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants are you more likely to vote for that candidate, less likely to vote for that candidate, or doesn't it make a difference?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely 3% 1% 4% 4% 2% 3% Less likely 54 67 43 54 59 50 Doesn't make diff 39 26 50 41 36 41 DK/NA 4 6 3 1 3 5
41. Do you come into contact with illegal immigrants in your everyday life or don't you know?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 32% 29% 31% 36% 39% 26% No 41 44 39 38 41 41 Don't know 27 27 30 27 20 33
42. Do you support or oppose government issuing a tamper proof national ID card to all people living in the united states legally?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 62% 59% 65% 65% 63% 62% Oppose 30 32 28 29 34 27 DK/NA 8 10 7 6 4 11
43. Do you support or oppose government building a fence along the US-Mexican border to reduce illegal immigration?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 60% 70% 52% 58% 64% 56% Oppose 36 26 42 38 33 38 DK/NA 5 4 6 4 3 6
44. Do you support or oppose government requiring that employers verify the validity of workers social security numbers used to gain employment?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 88% 93% 84% 89% 88% 88% Oppose 9 5 13 8 9 9 DK/NA 3 2 3 2 3 4
45. Do you support or oppose government discouraging illegal workers from gathering in parking lots and street corners where employers can hire them for day work?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 47% 53% 46% 43% 48% 46% Oppose 45 41 46 44 44 45 DK/NA 8 5 7 13 8 8
46. Do you support or oppose providing illegal immigrants with government financed health insurance?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 10% 3% 19% 8% 10% 11% Oppose 86 96 76 87 87 84 DK/NA 4 2 4 4 3 5
47. Do you support or oppose providing illegal immigrants with social services such as welfare, food stamps and housing assistance?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 10% 5% 16% 9% 9% 12% Oppose 86 95 79 88 88 85 DK/NA 3 1 5 3 3 3
48. Do you support or oppose providing illegal immigrants with a free public education for the children of illegal immigrants?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 37% 31% 46% 35% 35% 39% Oppose 58 67 49 60 62 55 DK/NA 5 3 5 5 3 6