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The Campaign Spot

Election-driven news and views . . . by Jim Geraghty.


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Quinnipiac: Pennsylvanians Still Sour on Obama, But Not Warm to Romney, Perry

Quinnipiac unveils some new numbers in Pennsylvania this morning, showing good news for Gov. Tom Corbett and Sen. Pat Toomey, two Republicans:

With an 8-point jump among women voters, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett gets a 50 – 32 percent approval rating from voters, his best score so far, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Gov. Corbett wins 72 – 15 percent approval from Republicans and 52 – 32 percent approval from independent voters, while Democrats disapprove 47 – 29 percent.

Pennsylvania voters say 62 – 30 percent that the economic benefits of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale outweigh environmental concerns. Even Democrats back drilling 50 – 41 percent.

Voters support 64 – 27 percent a new tax on gas drilling companies, with 51 – 37 percent support among Republicans.

. . . Pennsylvania voters approve 43 – 32 percent of the job U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is doing. Approval is 61 – 16 percent among Republicans and 41 – 34 percent among independent voters, while Democrats disapprove 43 – 31 percent.

Yesterday, the pollster found that respondents oppose switching the way Pennsylvania’s electoral votes are counted (though it’s closer than you might think):

By a slight 52 – 40 percent majority, Pennsylvania voters want to continue the state’s current winner-take-all Electoral College system, rather than switch to a system where Electoral College votes are awarded based on the winner in each congressional district, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters say 57 – 32 percent that Republicans in the State Legislature want to switch to a district-by-district count to help Republican presidential candidates, rather than to better reflect the will of the voters, the independent Quinnipiac University poll finds. And voters say 51 – 38 percent that the switch will diminish Pennsylvania’s importance as a key presidential swing state.

Finally, Pennsylvanians remain sour on Obama’s performance as president, but not yet terribly warmed up to the Republican options:

President Barack Obama gets 45 percent to 43 percent for Romney, a tie and virtually unchanged from the August 2 Quinnipiac University poll; President Obama tops Perry 46 – 40 percent, also virtually unchanged; Obama beats Santorum 45 – 42 percent, compared to 45 – 43 percent. Pennsylvania voters disapprove 54 – 43 percent of the job Obama is doing, unchanged from the results August 2. Voters say 51 – 44 percent that Obama does not deserve a second term, compared to 52 – 42 percent August 2.

Of course, if President Obama loses a state he carried by 10 points in 2008 like Pennsylvania, he’s probably losing a whole lot of closer swing states as well . . .

Tags: Barack Obama, Pennsylvania

New on The Campaign Spot. . .


COMMENTS   9

EXPAND  

   09/29/11 15:25

Given the choice, most Pennsylvania and U.S. voters want a national popular vote.

A survey of 800 Pennsylvan­ia voters conducted on December 16-17, 2008 showed 78% overall support for a national popular vote for President.

Support was 87% among Democrats, 68% among Republican­s, and 76% among independen­ts.
By age, support was 77% among 18-29 year olds, 73% among 30-45 year olds, 81% among 46-65 year olds, and 78% for those older than 65.
By gender, support was 85% among women and 71% among men.

The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).

NationalPopularVote

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 RTP
   09/30/11 08:55

Who wouldn't want to be governed by the same voters electing Nutter, Goode, the cast of characters on the city council?

We just need to give Philly to New Jersey. The loss of headaches and criminals (40% of prison population) easily makes up for the loss of taxes.

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Bill Wilde
   09/30/11 09:54

Trade you, Camden for Philadelphia, even up. We keep the Phillies and Eagles, you get the Nets. Cordially, Bill

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   09/30/11 12:53

If Pennsylvania is so Democratic, because of Philadelphia voters, why do they have a Republican governor and Republican controlled legislature?

The whole reason for the Republican proposal now, is that Republicans are in charge in the Pennsylvania House and Senate, and there's a Republican Governor. Philadelphia voters decided those Pennsylvania votes?

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 RTP
   09/30/11 15:40

Penna. isn't "Democratic," but outside of Philly you're hard-pressed to run as a liberal and gain any traction.

I know this may seem off to some, but the rest of the state (and, to a degree, including Pittsburgh Reagan Democrat types) is conservative.

Heck, when Todd Platts is painted as a "RINO," you have some rock-ribbed types to deal with on election day.

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 RTP
   09/30/11 15:43

Tell you what.

We get a real voter-id act through, clean out the voter roles throughout the state, and see how worried Pennsylvanians are about popular votes.

But we all know that Philly, like all big cities, have vote-machines that crank out fake votes for Democrats. That's why Dems fight even the slightest measure to clean up voter rolls, let alone presenting an ID to vote.

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   09/30/11 06:20

Obama's numbers in PA and elsewhere would take a hit if Republicans would start to crticize him and his media enablers in the manner they deserve, and do this relentlessly. How can a credible opposition be so tepid in its criticism of him? Why aren't they bringing up Fast and Furious constantly, whether or not reporters are? If National Review really wants to defeat Obama next year, why aren't all of you trying to put any pressure on Republican leaders to grow a spine and start criticizing Obama?

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 RTP
   09/30/11 09:01

Corbett is not a Christie. I really don't expect him to be. Without a vocal governor, it's tough to generate energy.

AS far as others trying to bring up criticism, three of the major newspapers in the state lean left or are "in the tank" for the Left. Tough to break through with a message that runs counter to the Left's goal of socialism forever.

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History Buff
   09/30/11 08:24

"Voters support 64 – 27 percent a new tax on gas drilling companies, with 51 – 37 percent support among Republicans."

Yeah, sure sounds like Pennsylvania is "going Red".

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