FOR RELEASE: FEBRUARY 10, 2009
CONNECTICUT’S RELL IS QUEEN OF THE HILL AT MIDTERM,
QUINNIPIACUNIVERSITY POLL FINDS;
DODD HAS WORST APPROVAL EVER
Halfway through her first elected term as Connecticut Governor and one week after a grim budget message, Jodi Rell has a 75 – 19 percent approval rating and tops any likely Democratic challenger by 21 to 40 points, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Connecticut voters split 41 – 42 percent on whether they think Sen. Christopher Dodd is honest and trustworthy and disapprove 48 – 41 percent of the job he is doing, his first negative approval rating in a poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
Even Democrats approve of their Republican Governor 67 – 26 percent, while Republicans approve 85 – 11 percent and independent voters approve 75 – 18 percent.
In an early look at possible 2010 election matchups:
- Gov. Rell leads Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy 58 – 26 percent;
- Rell tops Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz 53 – 32 percent;
- Rell beats former State Rep. Jim Amann 61 – 21 percent.
Bysiewicz is the early favorite in a Democratic primary with 44 percent, followed by Malloy with 12 percent and Amann with 4 percent. Another 36 percent are undecided.
Connecticut voters give Rell a 70 – 17 percent favorability rating, with 10 percent who don’t know enough to form an opinion. Bysiewicz gets a 40 – 12 percent favorability, with 48 percent who don’t know enough to form an opinion. For Malloy, 69 percent don’t know enough and 79 percent don’t know enough about Amann.
“Gov. Rell remains in a strong position for reelection. She easily defeats her three potential Democratic opponents by more than 20 points,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D. “Rell even gets a 67 – 23 percent approval for handling the economy.”
-more-
Quinnipiac University Poll/February 10, 2009 – page 2
“Secretary of State Bysiewicz runs best in a potential Democratic primary, partly due to name recognition,” Dr. Schwartz said. “Even though Amann was the former State House Speaker and Mayor Malloy ran a strong race for the Democratic nomination for Governor last time around, both are largely unknown to voters.”
Sen. Dodd
A total of 42 percent of voters say they “definitely” or “probably” will vote to reelect Sen. Dodd in 2010, while 51 percent say the “probably won’t” or “definitely won’t” vote for him.
By a 54 – 24 percent margin, Connecticut voters say they are not satisfied with Sen. Dodd’s explanation of allegations that he received preferential mortgage treatment and 56 percent of voters say they are less likely to vote for him because of this controversy.
“Sen. Dodd is vulnerable. Hisapproval has sunk to a new low.More voters disapprove than approve of the job he is doing for the first time in 15 years of polling,” Schwartz said. “The mortgage controversy has taken a toll on his approval rating.Most voters are not satisfied with Dodd’s explanation and say they are less likely to vote for him next year because of it.”
Sen. Lieberman
By a narrow 48 – 45 percent margin, voters disapprove of the job Sen. Joseph Lieberman is doing and give him a negative 43 – 49 percent favorability. Republicans approve 75 – 20 percent. Democrats disapprove 70 – 21 percent and independent voters split 48 – 46 percent.
By contrast, State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal gets a 79 – 12 percent approval rating and 71 – 13 percent favorability rating. Republicans approve of the Democrat 66 – 25 percent. Democrats approve 85 – 6 percent and independent voters approve 81 – 10 percent.
If Sen. Lieberman faces Blumenthal in 2012, the Democratic challenger has an early 58 – 30 percent lead. Republicans go with Lieberman 67 – 23 percent while Blumenthal leads 83 – 9 percent among Democrats and 55 – 29 percent among independent voters.
“Sen. Lieberman’s approval is negative, but up slightly.It’s a long time until 2012, butthis poll shows that if Connecticut’s popular Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal takes on Lieberman, as the buzz suggests, Lieberman would get crushed,” Schwartz said.
From February 5 – 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,603 Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. The survey includes 634 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data and RSS feed – , or call (203) 582-5201.
1. (If registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for governor were being held
today and the candidates were Dan Malloy, Susan Bysiewicz and Jim Amann, for whom
would you vote?
Reg
Dems
Malloy 12%
Bysiewicz 44
Jim Amann 4
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2
DK/NA 36
2. If the 2010 election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were
Dan Malloy the Democrat and Jodi Rell the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Malloy 26% 6% 46% 20% 28% 24%
Rell 58 87 36 61 57 58
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 2 2 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 2 1 1 1
DK/NA 14 5 16 16 11 17
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Malloy 20% 28% 21% 28% 29%
Rell 66 54 60 56 51
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2 3 1 3
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - 1 1 1 2
DK/NA 13 14 14 14 15
3. If the 2010 election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were
Susan Bysiewicz the Democrat and Jodi Rell the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Bysiewicz 32% 6% 56% 26% 31% 32%
Rell 53 84 30 55 54 51
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 1 -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 1 1 1
DK/NA 14 7 13 17 12 16
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Bysiewicz 15% 41% 32% 35% 40%
Rell 67 45 47 50 49
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 1 1 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - 1 1 1 1
DK/NA 18 12 19 13 9
4. If the 2010 election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were
Jim Amann the Democrat and Jodi Rell the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Amann 21% 6% 38% 14% 21% 20%
Rell 61 87 41 65 61 61
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 1 2 3 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 2 1 1 1
DK/NA 16 4 17 19 14 17
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Amann 12% 24% 12% 26% 23%
Rell 71 57 65 56 58
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 6 1 2
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 2 1
DK/NA 16 16 17 14 16
5. Is your opinion of -- Jodi Rell favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about her?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 70% 84% 60% 73% 67% 73%
Unfavorable 17 9 24 15 20 14
Hvn't hrd enough 10 7 12 8 10 10
REFUSED 3 - 3 4 2 3
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Favorable 79% 67% 69% 70% 63%
Unfavorable 7 21 26 18 22
Hvn't hrd enough 14 8 1 8 12
REFUSED 1 3 4 4 3
6. Is your opinion of -- Susan Bysiewicz favorable, unfavorable or haven't you
heard enough about her?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 40% 29% 51% 37% 40% 39%
Unfavorable 12 22 4 14 14 10
Hvn't hrd enough 48 48 45 48 46 49
REFUSED 1 1 - 1 1 1
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Favorable 23% 55% 40% 38% 44%
Unfavorable 8 14 16 12 13
Hvn't hrd enough 68 31 42 49 42
REFUSED 1 - 2 1 2
7. Is your opinion of -- Jim Amann favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 7% 6% 10% 7% 10% 5%
Unfavorable 13 21 9 12 17 9
Hvn't hrd enough 79 73 81 79 72 84
REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Favorable 7% 7% 2% 10% 6%
Unfavorable 10 19 7 11 14
Hvn't hrd enough 83 73 89 78 80
REFUSED - 1 3 1 1
8. Is your opinion of -- Dan Malloy favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 19% 12% 27% 16% 20% 18%
Unfavorable 11 19 6 10 12 10
Hvn't hrd enough 69 68 66 73 67 71
REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Favorable 21% 18% 24% 19% 15%
Unfavorable 19 6 7 10 8
Hvn't hrd enough 60 75 66 70 76
REFUSED - 1 3 1 1
9. If the 2012 election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Richard Blumenthal the Democrat and Joe Lieberman the Independent,
for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Blumenthal 58% 23% 83% 55% 56% 59%
Lieberman 30 67 9 29 35 27
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 2 2 2 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 3 1 2 2 2
DK/NA 8 5 5 12 6 10
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Blumenthal 51% 63% 46% 61% 61%
Lieberman 36 29 33 28 26
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 2 1 2
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 4 1 3
DK/NA 9 5 15 8 9
10. Is your opinion of -- Joe Lieberman favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 43% 78% 18% 46% 46% 41%
Unfavorable 49 17 73 47 49 49
Hvn't hrd enough 5 1 6 6 3 7
REFUSED 3 4 3 2 2 4
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Favorable 46% 40% 51% 45% 39%
Unfavorable 46 55 40 45 54
Hvn't hrd enough 6 2 4 7 5
REFUSED 3 3 4 3 2
11. Is your opinion of -- Richard Blumenthal favorable, unfavorable or haven't you
heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 71% 57% 81% 71% 72% 70%
Unfavorable 13 28 6 10 16 10
Hvn't hrd enough 15 14 13 16 11 18
REFUSED 2 1 - 2 1 2
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Favorable 69% 74% 72% 71% 67%
Unfavorable 10 15 16 11 14
Hvn't hrd enough 19 9 9 17 18
REFUSED 3 1 3 1 1
12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve 75% 85% 67% 75% 70% 79%
Disapprove 19 11 26 18 25 14
DK/NA 6 4 6 7 4 7
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Approve 86% 69% 73% 73% 69%
Disapprove 8 27 24 19 22
DK/NA 6 4 2 7 9
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling her job as
Governor?
Highest Lowest
Approve Approve
Feb 10 Dec 17 Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 7 Jan 13 Jul 1
2009 2008 2008 2008 2007 2005 2008
Approve 75 68 65 76 77 83 65
Disapprove 19 20 23 13 14 3 23
DK/NA 6 12 12 10 9 14 12
13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Lieberman is handling his job
as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve 45% 75% 21% 48% 47% 43%
Disapprove 48 20 70 46 49 48
DK/NA 7 5 9 6 4 9
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Approve 50% 42% 52% 45% 38%
Disapprove 44 53 45 46 54
DK/NA 6 6 3 9 8
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his
job as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest
Approve Approve
Feb 10 Dec 17 Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 8 Sep 21 Dec 17
2009 2008 2008 2008 2007 2000 2008
Approve 45 38 45 52 52 80 38
Disapprove 48 54 43 35 38 14 54
DK/NA 7 8 13 13 9 6 8
14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Chris Dodd is handling his job as
United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve 41% 15% 62% 36% 37% 44%
Disapprove 48 80 25 51 55 42
DK/NA 11 5 13 13 8 14
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Approve 37% 49% 36% 39% 40%
Disapprove 50 44 58 46 48
DK/NA 13 7 6 15 12
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Chris Dodd is handling his job
as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest
Approve Approve
Feb 10 Dec 17 Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 8 Apr 19 Feb 10
2009 2008 2008 2008 2007 2001 2009
Approve 41 47 51 51 55 71 41
Disapprove 48 41 34 28 31 16 48
DK/NA 11 12 16 21 15 13 11
15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Richard Blumenthal is handling his job
as State Attorney General?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve 79% 66% 85% 81% 79% 79%
Disapprove 12 25 6 10 16 8
DK/NA 9 9 9 9 5 13
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Approve 74% 83% 81% 78% 79%
Disapprove 12 12 15 13 9
DK/NA 14 5 3 9 12
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Richard Blumenthal is handling
his job as State Attorney General?
Highest Lowest
Approve Approve
Feb 10 Jul 27 Apr 6 Nov 23 Apr 19 Feb 10 Nov 23
2009 2005 2005 2004 2001 2009 2004
Approve 79 73 76 71 72 79 71
Disapprove 12 14 15 15 11 12 15
DK/NA 9 13 9 13 17 9 13
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Susan Bysiewicz is handling her job as Secretary of the State?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve 59% 51% 69% 56% 59% 60%
Disapprove 10 19 3 12 13 8
DK/NA 31 29 28 32 29 32
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Approve 45% 67% 61% 62% 66%
Disapprove 8 11 12 11 9
DK/NA 48 21 27 28 24
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Susan Bysiewicz is handling her job
as Secretary of the State?
Feb 10 Apr 6 Nov 23
2009 2005 2004
Approve 59 51 53
Disapprove 10 9 7
DK/NA 31 40 40
18. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Connecticut
today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Very satisfied 4% 7% 3% 2% 4% 3%
Smwht satisfied 37 40 39 34 34 39
Smwht dissatisfied 38 32 37 42 35 39
Very dissatisfied 21 20 21 20 25 17
DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Very satisfied 5% 3% 2% 3% 3%
Smwht satisfied 44 36 41 32 33
Smwht dissatisfied 39 35 29 39 41
Very dissatisfied 10 25 28 24 22
DK/NA 1 - - 2 2
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in
Connecticut today? Very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied,
or very dissatisfied?
VERY+SMWHT SAT..
High Low
Feb 10 Dec 17 Jul 1 Mar 27 Nov 7 Oct 21 Mar 13
2009 2008 2008 2008 2007 1998 2003
Very Satisfied 4 2 4 6 6 21 4
Smwht Satisfied 37 41 37 48 57 62 32
Smwht Dissatisfied 38 35 35 30 24 14 34
Very Dissatisfied 21 20 24 14 10 3 29
DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - 1
19. How likely are you to vote to re-elect Chris Dodd for United States Senator
in 2010 - Do you think you will 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 11% 4% 22% 5% 12% 10%
Probably 31 10 43 31 27 34
Probably not 19 16 16 24 18 20
Definitely not 32 65 11 33 39 26
DK/NA 7 4 7 7 4 9
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Definitely 10% 14% 6% 10% 12%
Probably 26 32 27 35 30
Probably not 20 19 29 18 15
Definitely not 36 28 38 29 34
DK/NA 8 6 1 8 8
TREND: How likely are you to vote to re-elect Chris Dodd for United States Senator
in 2010 - Do you think you will definitely vote for him, probably vote for him,
probably not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?
Feb 10 Dec 17 Jul 1
2009 2008 2008
Definitely 11 13 14
Probably 31 31 37
Probably not 19 20 20
Definitely not 32 27 19
DK/NA 7 9 10
20. Would you say that Chris Dodd is honest and trustworthy or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 41% 19% 58% 39% 41% 41%
No 42 69 22 45 45 39
DK/NA 17 12 19 17 14 20
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Yes 41% 45% 37% 40% 39%
No 40 37 53 44 45
DK/NA 19 18 10 16 17
21. How much have you heard or read about allegations that Senator Dodd may have
received special treatment from Countrywide Financial on mortgages on his two
homes - a lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
A lot 42% 57% 38% 40% 47% 39%
Some 31 27 31 33 31 32
Not much 12 7 12 15 12 13
Nothing at all 13 8 18 11 10 16
DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
A lot 39% 49% 47% 38% 42%
Some 37 29 25 32 27
Not much 11 9 18 13 14
Nothing at all 11 13 8 16 14
DK/NA 1 - 1 1 3
TREND: How much have you heard or read about allegations that Senator Dodd may
have received special treatment from Countrywide Financial on mortgages on his
two homes - A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Feb 10 Jul 1
2009 2008
A lot 42 26
Some 31 36
Not much 12 15
Nothing at all 13 22
DK/NA 1 1
22. Are you satisfied or not satisfied with Senator Dodd's explanation of this matter?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Satisfied 24% 11% 37% 19% 23% 24%
Not satisfied 54 78 34 59 59 50
DK/NA 22 11 29 22 18 26
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Satisfied 21% 25% 22% 23% 25%
Not satisfied 54 53 64 54 52
DK/NA 25 21 14 23 23
23. Does the controversy surrounding Chris Dodd's mortgages make you more likely
to vote for him for Senator in 2010, less likely or doesn't it make a difference?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
More likely 2% 2% 2% 1% 3% 1%
Less likely 56 73 43 60 57 55
Doesn't make diff 36 21 47 33 35 37
DK/NA 6 3 7 5 5 7
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
More likely 1% 1% - 3% 3%
Less likely 57 54 55 60 53
Doesn't make diff 35 39 40 33 37
DK/NA 7 6 5 4 6
24. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the economy?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve 67% 81% 57% 69% 68% 67%
Disapprove 23 13 33 20 25 22
DK/NA 10 6 10 11 8 11
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Approve 77% 63% 56% 66% 64%
Disapprove 14 28 33 25 24
DK/NA 9 9 11 9 13
27. Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as -
excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Excellent ------
Good 6 12 5 4 7 6
Not so good 53 58 50 54 50 57
Poor 39 29 44 40 42 37
DK/NA 1 1 - 1 - 1
Cont’d
27. (cont’d) Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as -
excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Excellent - - - - -
Good 10 6 9 3 7
Not so good 61 49 50 54 50
Poor 29 45 40 42 43
DK/NA - 1 1 2 -
TREND: Would you describe the state of Connecticut's economy these days as -
excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
EXCLNT+GOOD...
High Low
Feb 10 Dec 17 Jul 1 Apr 7 Nov 24 Dec 20 Feb 10
2009 2008 2008 2005 2004 2001 2009
Excellent - - 1 2 2 3 -
Good 6 11 29 43 51 51 6
Not so good 53 62 48 41 36 38 53
Poor 39 26 22 12 8 7 39
DK/NA 1 1 1 2 3 1 1
36. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jodi Rell is handling the state budget?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Approve 66% 80% 57% 66% 68% 64%
Disapprove 22 10 30 21 24 20
DK/NA 13 10 13 13 8 16
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Approve 73% 64% 57% 63% 65%
Disapprove 11 24 33 25 25
DK/NA 16 11 10 12 11
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Rell is handling the
state budget?
Feb 10 Apr 6 Feb 18
2009 2005 2005
Approve 66 54 51
Disapprove 22 20 29
DK/NA 13 26 20
37. How serious do you think Connecticut's budget problems are - very serious,
somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Very serious 58% 56% 60% 58% 60% 57%
Smwht serious 36 38 34 38 34 38
Not too serious 3 5 4 2 4 2
Not at all serious - 1 1 - 1 -
DK/NA 2 - 2 2 1 2
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Very serious 52% 64% 54% 56% 63%
Smwht serious 40 33 45 36 33
Not too serious 6 3 - 3 2
Not at all serious - - - 1 1
DK/NA 3 1 1 4 1
TREND: How serious do you think Connecticut's budget problems are - very serious,
somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious?
Feb 10 Mar 13
2009 2003
Very serious 58 60
Smwht serious 36 35
Not too serious 3 4
Not at all serious - -
DK/NA 2 1
38. To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer - raising
taxes or cutting government programs and services?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Raising taxes 23% 6% 41% 16% 19% 26%
Cutting services 67 89 47 72 72 62
DK/NA 10 5 12 11 9 12
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Raising taxes 19% 26% 17% 23% 28%
Cutting services 71 66 79 63 61
DK/NA 10 8 4 14 11
TREND: To balance the state budget, if you had to choose, would you prefer -
raising taxes or cutting government programs and services?
Feb 10 Mar 13
2009 2003
Raising taxes 23 38
Cutting services 67 46
DK/NA 10 16
39. How much have you heard or read about Governor Rell's proposals to balance
Connecticut's budget next year - A lot, some or not much?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
A lot 26% 36% 22% 23% 26% 26%
Some 52 47 53 54 52 52
Not much 22 17 24 22 21 22
DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
A lot 22% 31% 25% 23% 29%
Some 53 48 62 54 48
Not much 25 21 14 21 22
DK/NA 1 - - 1 -
40. What do you think about the cuts in state services that Governor Rell has
proposed in order to balance the state's budget? Do you think Rell's proposed
cuts in state services go too far, not far enough or are they about right?
Q39...
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Lot/Sm
Too far 16% 7% 25% 13% 14% 17% 17%
Not far enough 18 27 11 18 25 12 19
About right 51 57 45 53 49 52 56
DK/NA 16 10 19 16 13 18 8
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Too far 10% 16% 14% 21% 17%
Not far enough 13 20 31 18 17
About right 60 48 47 47 48
DK/NA 18 16 8 14 18
41. Governor Rell proposed no increase in state taxes in her budget. Do you
agree with her that taxes should not be raised, or do you think that some tax
increase should be considered?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Taxes should not
be raised 61% 83% 42% 65% 63% 59%
Consider some
tax increase 36 15 55 33 35 38
DK/NA 3 2 4 2 2 4
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Taxes should not
be raised 64% 58% 71% 62% 55%
Consider some
tax increase 32 39 29 36 43
DK/NA 4 4 - 2 3
42. Governor Rell said it is time to shrink the size of state government. Do
you agree or disagree?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Agree 82% 95% 69% 86% 84% 79%
Disagree 13 4 23 10 12 14
DK/NA 5 1 8 4 3 7
MdlSex Toll,Wndm
Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon
Agree 86% 81% 84% 78% 81%
Disagree 7 15 16 16 14
DK/NA 7 4 - 7 5
43. Do you think that the state workforce should be decreased, even if it means
job cuts and reduction in state services?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom