For Immediate Release Media Contact: Laura Ward, Strategic Vision, LLC
Ph: (404) 880-0098
Email: lward@strategicvision.biz
Atlanta, GA/September 24, 2009 – Strategic Vision, LLC, an Atlanta-headquartered public relations and public affairs agency, announced the results of a three-day poll of 800 likely voters in New Jersey. The poll has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points. In the poll, 320 respondents identified themselves as Democrats (40%); 224 respondents identified themselves as Republicans (28%); and 256 identified themselves as independents or other party affiliation (32%).
The results of the poll showed that 48% of those polled approved of President Barack Obama’s overall job performance; with 43% disapproving; and 9% undecided. When asked if they approved of the President’s handling of the economy, 47% approved; 48% disapproved; and 5% were undecided. When asked if they approved or disapproved of how President Obama is handling health care, 43% approved; 49% disapproved; and 8% were undecided. On the issue of Iraq, the poll found 48% approved of the President’s handling of the war; with 40% disapproving; and 12% undecided. On the issue of Afghanistan, the poll found 42% approved of the President’s handling of the war; with 43% disapproving; and 15% undecided. When asked if they approved of the President’s overall foreign policy, 45% approved; 41% disapproved; and 14% were undecided.
“This is the first time since we began polling on President Obama that his support has been below the 50% mark,” said David E. Johnson, CEO of Strategic Vision, LLC. “What is driving these numbers is the economy and health care. The biggest movement among voters is among Independents who now disapprove of the President.”
When asked if they thought New Jersey was headed in the right direction or the wrong direction, 23% said right; 65% said wrong; and 12% were undecided.
“The number of New Jersey residents who believe the state is headed in the wrong direction cuts across Party lines and has increased since our July poll,” said Johnson. “This number does not bode well for Governor Corzine as he seeks re-election. This number also explains the continued drop in President Obama’s job approval number.”
When asked if voters approved or disapproved of the way Congress is handling its job, 20% approved; 69% disapproved; and 11% were undecided.
“Congress continues to poll at some of the lowest numbers in recent memory,” said Johnson. “This disapproval is highest among Independents and Republicans.”
When asked if they agreed with recent remarks of former President Jimmy Carter that opposition to President Obama is based upon racism, 21% agreed; 67% disagreed; and 12% were undecided.
When asked if they support or oppose, Congress passing health care reform before the end of the year, 47% supported; 49% opposed; and 4% were undecided.
When asked if they believe that all Americans should be required to have health insurance, 48% said yes; 45% said no; and 7% were undecided.
“Despite the intense media blitz over the past few weeks, opposition to the proposed health care has increased, particularly among Independent voters,” said Johnson.
When asked if they approved or disapproved of Governor Jon Corzine’s job performance, 37% approved; 54% disapproved; and 9% were undecided. Fifty percent of respondents approved of Senator Robert Menendez’s job performance; 39% disapproved; and 11% were undecided. Senator Frank Lautenberg had 47% approving of his job performance; 44% disapproving; and 9% undecided.
“Governor Corzine’s approval numbers are at a level that is usually ominous for an incumbent,” said Johnson. “Particularly alarming for the Governor should be the large number of Democrats and Independents who disapprove of his job performance. This strong disapproval has remained constant in our polling.”
In a general election match-up between Republican Christopher Christie, Governor Corzine, and Independent Christopher Daggett, Christie led Corzine with 46% to 38% with 8% for Daggett; and 8% undecided.
“Christie’s support declined slightly since our July poll,” said Johnson. “But what is significant is that Corzine’s support did not increase, rather support for Daggett and undecideds increased. This indicates that despite the onslaught of negative press and Democratic attacks that Corzine is unable to move the needle. His only hope is that Daggett polls between 15% to 20% on Election day.”
1. Do you approve or disapprove of President Barack Obama’s overall job performance?
|
Approve |
48% |
|
Disapprove |
43% |
|
Undecided |
9% |
2. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama’s handling of the economy?
|
Approve |
47% |
|
Disapprove |
48% |
|
Undecided |
5% |
3. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama’s handling of health care?
|
Approve |
43% |
|
Disapprove |
49% |
|
Undecided |
8% |
4. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama’s handling of the war in Iraq?
|
Approve |
48% |
|
Disapprove |
40% |
|
Undecided |
12% |
5. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama’s handling of the war in Afghanistan?
|
Approve |
42% |
|
Disapprove |
43% |
|
Undecided |
15% |
6. Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama’s handling of foreign policy?
|
Approve |
45% |
|
Disapprove |
41% |
|
Undecided |
14% |
7. Do you think New Jersey is headed in the right direction or wrong direction?
|
Right |
23% |
|
Wrong |
65% |
|
Undecided |
12% |
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is performing its job?
|
Approve |
20% |
|
Disapprove |
69% |
|
Undecided |
11% |
7. Former President Jimmy Carter said recently that much of the opposition to President Obama and his health care policy is based upon racism, do you agree or disagree with this statement?
|
Agree |
21% |
|
Disagree |
67% |
|
Undecided |
12% |
7 . Do you support or oppose Congress passing major health care reform before the end of the year?
|
Support |
47% |
|
Oppose |
49% |
|
Undecided |
4% |
8 . Do you believe that all Americans should be required to have health insurance?
|
Yes |
48% |
|
No |
45% |
|
Undecided |
7% |
10. Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Jon Corzine’s overall job performance?
|
Approve |
37% |
|
Disapprove |
54% |
|
Undecided |
9% |
11. Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Robert Menendez’s overall job performance?
|
Approve |
50% |
|
Disapprove |
39% |
|
Undecided |
11% |
12. Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Frank Lautenberg’s overall job performance?
|
Approve |
47% |
|
Disapprove |
44% |
|
Undecided |
9% |
13. If the election for Governor were being held today and the choices were Christopher Christie, the Republican, Jon Corzine, the Democrat, or Christopher Daggett, the Independent, for whom would you vote?
|
Christopher Christie |
46% |
|
Jon Corzine |
38% |
|
Christopher Daggett |
8% |
|
Undecided |
8% |
Strategic Vision, LLC is an Atlanta-headquartered public relations and public affairs agency. Results are based on telephone interviews with 800 likely voters in New Jersey, aged 18+, and conducted September 18-20, 2009 by telephone. The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points. Additional information on Strategic Vision, LLC may be obtained at www.strategicvision.biz.
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