In a recent poll released January 30th by Quinnipiac University regarding support for same-sex marriage among Pennsylvania voters, the results were closely divided but in favor 47% to 43%.
The poll surveyed a total of 1,221 registered Pennsylvania voters over a 5 day period by making calls to landlines and cellphones. The surveyed produced results for Pennsylvania voters overall as well as demographic groups such as particular age groups or religions.
Women in Pennsylvania support same-sex marriage by a margin of ten (50% to 40%) while men are slightly opposed (46% to 44%).
The survey outcomes were generally split along party lines; Democrats showed strong support (65% to 27%), Independents demonstrated moderate support (51% to 38%), and Republicans opposed same-sex marriage (67% to 23%).
Quinnipiac also surveyed white Catholics and white Protestants who support and oppose same-sex marriage respectively (50% to 40%, 60% to 31%).
In keeping with national trends, the poll found that support for same-sex marriage was strongest among the age group 18 to 34 (68% to 25%), close among those 35 to 54 (48% to 41%), and weak among those aged 55 and over, who oppose it (52% to 39%).
Voters surveyed were also asked an open-ended question about what they feel is the most important question facing the state. The economy was listed as the primary concern by 37% of those surveyed. Education and taxes followed claiming 10% and 8% respectively, and the state budget and politicians claimed 7% each.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in various states as well as nationwide and is directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.
In the latest poll conducted by Quinnipiac, Pa. voters are uneasy over Gov. Tom Corbett’s new transportation tax plan.
The plan, which would remove the cap on the oil franchise tax and could generate up to $2 billion in needed revenue for transit, is largely divided amongst Pa. voters, with 45 percent supporting the measure and 47 percent opposing it.
However, voters are concerned that eliminating the cap could place a tax burden on them, with 82 percent showing concern as opposed to only 18 percent who are not concerned.
Corbett’s plan is aimed at obtaining the necessary $2.5 billion for fixing damaged roads, bridges, as well as public transportation. While removing a tax cap doesn’t necessarily mean a raise in taxes, it’s clear that voters are concerned that additional taxes are on the way.
The poll was conducted from January 22-27, and surveyed 1,221 registered voters. There was a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent.
Pa. voters give positive marks to President Barack Obama on the second week of his second term, according to the latest survey from Quinnipiac.
51% said they approve the job he’s doing while 46% disapprove – about the same as it was 2 weeks after his re-election in Q-pac’s November survey.
Democrats and Republicans fall mostly on partisan lines, with about 90 percent approving Obama and vice versa for the GOP. But he’s got problems in the center: independent voters disapprove 52% to 42%.
The President also has a wide gender gap among men. While women approve his job performance 57% to 40%, men disapprove 53% to 44% – a total gap of 26 points.
The Democratic label itself is in positive territory in Pa., albeit barely. 43% said they had a favorable impression of the Democratic party and 42% said unfavorable. Independents were unfavorable 47% to 33%.
Respondents said they had a negative impression of the Republican party by a starker margin: 55% to 29%. They did worse with independents, who went negative 57% to 24%. And interestingly, the Republican party did much worse with Republican voters than the Democrats did.
21% of Republicans have an unfavorable impression of their own party, compared to just 7% of Democrats who felt unfavorably about theirs.
These numbers are from the second release by Quinnipiac from the same poll, conducted from Jan. 22 to 27 using live interviewers calling landlines. The margin of error for the survey of 1,221 registered voters is plus or minus 2.8%. Pa. polls that use registration numbers rather than algorithms based on likely voters tend to favor Democrats by a few points and disadvantage Republicans compared to election results.
Corbett will roll out his plan to privatize the state’s wine & spirits stores today. And more numbers from Quinnipiac will entice political junkies. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Statewide AP: PA denies three new midstate cyber charter schools AP: Court to weigh secrecy of PA turnpike lawyers AP: PA labor chief says police are probing hotline problems AP: Leading PA Senator skeptical of Governor Corbett’s pension strategy AP: Two state agencies in dispute over health of the Susquehanna State House Sound Bites: Poll: Corbett’s grim numbers get no bump from NCAA lawsuit StateImpactPA: Post-Gazette: DEP Pulls Wastewater Permit Capitolwire: Scarnati has questions about governor’s proposed pension reforms Capitolwire: At mid-term, 51-31 against Corbett re-election, new Quinnipiac poll shows Capitolwire: Pension reform, public education funding to be linked in Corbett budget
Philadelphia AP: Pa. senator skeptical of Corbett pension strategy Inquirer: Pa. voters disapprove of Gov. Corbett Inquirer: High-powered testimony in ex-PHA chief’s lawsuit Inquirer: Blondell’s ex-campaign chief loses city job Daily News: Corbett: Good Bet/Bad Bet PhillyClout: South Philly state Rep’s business partner indicted on tax charges PhillyClout: Tuesday’s DN: Councilwoman Reynolds Brown admits to Ethics violations PhillyClout: Councilwoman refuses to answer questions about campaign finance violations PhillyClout: Political watchdog urges law enforcement to examine Councilwoman’s campaign finance violations WHYY Newsworks: Gov. Corbett’s poll numbers are in a slump Phillynow.com: Pa. Lawmakers Fight to Reform Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse
SEPA Phillyburbs.com: Corbett administration blames drop in federal funding and old tech for unemployment busy signals Phillyburbs.com: Corbett plan said to include wine, liquor and beer Phillyburbs.com: State education secretary says Corbett’s budget has good news for schools Phillyburbs.com: Pennde faces financial squeeze; seeks loan Delco Daily Times: PA budget chief says pension reforms essential Montgomery Media: Local legislators speak at League of Women Voters group
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Corbett budgeting to train hundreds of new state troopers Tribune-Review: Poll finds Corbett’s approval rate plummeting Tribune-Review: Philadelphia group gets more time for Lawrence County casino plan Tribune-Review: Top Senate Republican objects to linking funding in state budget Tribune-Review: Pa. labor chief: Police probing jobless benefits hotline problems Tribune-Review: Former revenue secretary Wolf ‘likely’ to challenge Corbett Post-Gazette: Poll: Likely Pennsylvania voters disapprove of Corbett’s performance Post-Gazette: Corbett’s budget to affect state employee pensions Post-Gazette: Orie aide tells jury of work done for judicial sister Post-Gazette: DEP pulls permit, to allow comment Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania withholds OKs for 8 cyber charter schools Post-Gazette: Attorney for suspended Justice Orie Melvin highlights witness’ inconsistencies Post-Gazette: Scarnati urges quick approval of transportation plan Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council unanimously approves Ravenstahl’s property tax plan Early Returns: Q poll: No strong Corbett support anywhere Early Returns: Toomey no on Sandy relief; Casey yes Early Returns: Corbett to unveil LCB plan KDKA: DEP investigating Fly Ash Hauling KDKA: Allegheny Co. homeowners have sticker shock over new property taxes KDKA: Locals react to proposed immigration reform
Southwest AP: Pa. Senate OKs task force on mass shootings AP: PSU on pace in implementing Freeh recommendations AP: Corbett plan said to include wine, liquor, and beer AP: Pa. state agencies arguing over Susquehanna river AP: Melvin defense targets authenticity of documents AP: Rendell supports ex-Philly housing czar at trial AP: Pennsylvania budget chief says pension reforms essential AP: State labor chief: Police probing hotline problems Beaver County Times: Rothfus unveils committee assignments
NEPA Times-Leader: PA reactivating solar program Times-Tribune: Changes due for future public pensioners Citizens Voice: Scarnati “skeptical” of Corbett’s pension strategy Pocono Record: Foreclosure counseling available in Monroe Co. Pocono Record: All three Pocono Twp. supervisors approved as full-time employees Pocono Record: Penn State on pace in implementing Freeh recommendations
Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania Ave: Toomey votes no on Sandy relief Pennsylvania Ave: Lehigh Valley native, Capitol Hill staffer wins $100K on Who Wants to be a Millionaire Pennsylvania Ave: Pa. judges to challenge mandatory retirement in state and federal courts Pennsylvania Ave: Jammed up unemployment compensation hotline to improve, state official says Morning Call: Brennan gets work release, trying to save government job Morning Call: Joe Conti leaving the LCB, but not for long Reading Eagle: Pa. budget chief says pension reforms essential Reading Eagle: PennDOT efficiency drive could free up funds for roadwork WFMZ: Local immigration lawyers praise President’s plan WFMZ: Proposed immigration reform stirs local debate Express Times: Upper Nazareth Township officials’ approval of retirement community reversed by judge Express Times: Tony Bassil running for late Gay Elwell’s judge seat Express Times: Freemansburg Avenue in Wilson Borough reopened following water line break, utility says – UPDATE
South Central Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland D.A. wants charged Carlisle tax collector removed Carlisle Sentinel: First Lady Corbett visits Carlisle school Patriot News: Scarnati to employ legislative move to stop online gaming in PA Patriot News: Harrisburg Recover Officer: schools saddled with debt, student exodus to charters Patriot News: State agencies sparring over Susquehanna River designation—again! Patriot News: Steel State: map shows most of PA Steelers fans. Conestoga Valley News: Guns now allowed in E. Lampeter parks Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: State Ed. Sec. hints at more money for public schools in Governor’s budget Roxbury News: Forensic audit for Harrisburg schools Roxbury News: 46% of Harrisburg’s funding comes from state Roxbury News: Mayor vs. City Controller feud gets its day in court
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Bizzarro to present award to Miss Pa.
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Two more Erie lawyers announce candidacies in judge’s race Centre Daily Times: 2 Pa. congressmen ask NCAA to end Penn State scholarship reductions Centre Daily Times: State College school board OKs new teacher contract Centre Daily Times: Penn State conducting controlled burns in Arboretum Williamsport Sun Gazette: Legislator sour on labor law plan’s chances, defends effort to lure refinery Williamsport Sun Gazette: Contractor sues River Valley Transit
Opinions Post-Gazette: No reform: The Senate botches a chance to fix the filibuster Post-Gazette: The U.S. in Mali: Creeping involvement must be debated in Congress Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Readers’ Forum 1-29 | It’s essential to retake our culture
Blogs Watchdog Wire: Penn State scandal, and broken promises could lead to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2013 defeat Jon Geeting: Two Questions for the Bethlehem Mayor Candidates Jon Geeting: Northampton County Democrats Primary Open Thread Jon Geeting: Dean Browning Will Challenge Scott Ott in the Republican Primary John Hanger: Key Fact: Gas Royalty Checks Total $1.2 Billion in PA John Hanger: An Economic Tale Of Two Shale Booms: Pennsylvania is Not North Dakota
If Pa. voters had their say today, three of President Obama’s top gun control priorities would become law.
According to the latest poll from Quinnipiac, Pa. has near-unanimous public support for universal background checks (95% to 5%) and healthy support for a ban on assault weapons (60% to 37%) and high capacity magazine clips (59% to 39%).
Respondents who identified as gun owners also supported universal background checks (95% to 4%) but opposed an assault weapons ban (51% to 45%) and magazine restrictions (57% to 41%).
All three are measures supported by Obama, who intensified his focus on gun violence in the wake of the December school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
As the number show however, universal background checks stand the strongest chance of success. Alengthy report this month by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Moriah Balingit detailed one example why: John Shick, the man who shot several people at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Oakland in March 2012, had navigated haphazard background check laws to obtain his guns.
57% of respondents said Pa. gun control laws should be stricter, 35% said they should remain as-is, and 4% said they should be less strict. 60% favored stricted federal gun control laws (and 32% the same, 5% less strict).
Asked, “Who do you trust more to make the right decisions about gun laws, the Republicans in Congress or President Obama?” respondents chose Obama 47% to 38%.
“Pennsylvanians join voters in Virginia and New Jersey, states where Quinnipiac University has found overwhelming support for background checks for every gun purchase,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Keystone State voters, especially voters in urban areas, seem to have had enough of gun violence. By large margins, voters don’t think assault weapons belong in the hands of any gun owner. Restrict the firepower of assault weapons or ban them entirely, Pennsylvanians say.”
The survey found 49 % of respondents believe gun ownership protects people from becoming victims of crime compared to 40% who said ownership puts people at risk. But that stops with semi-automatic assault rifles like that used in Newtown. 61% of respondents said those make the country more dangerous. Just 28% said they make the country safer.
The idea of having armed guards at schools would do more to reduce gun violence in schools than stricter 46% to 42%.
By a margin of 35% to 31%, respondents said they had an unfavorable impression of the National Rifle Association.
These numbers are the second release by Quinnipiac from the same survey, conducted from Jan. 22 to 27 using live interviewers calling landlines. The margin of error for the poll of 1,221 registered voters is plus or minus 2.8%. Pa. polls that use registration numbers rather than algorithms based on likely voters tend to favor Democrats by a few points and disadvantage Republicans compared to election results.
Yesterday’s releaseshowed Gov. Tom Corbett’s re-election numbers in trouble driven by a wide gender gap.
“We could do so much better, and I think I bring a unique inside-outside perspective of having run a business, created jobs and also worked in government,” he said. But he won‘t run if “something convinces me that that is a fool‘s errand.”
Wolf, 63, presently owns and operates Wolf Industries, a building supplies wholesaler in York, Pa. He served as Revenue Secretary from 2006 to 2008 under Gov. Ed Rendell.
If he gets in, he’ll face one of his cabinet colleagues: former Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger, who announced in December. Cumberland County pastor Max Meyers is in the race, too.
State Treasurer Rob McCord and former Congressman Joe Sestak headline the long list of other possible candidates.
On the GOP side, Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor has also floated a possible bid.
A series of bad poll numbers for Gov. Corbett – most recently today fromQuinnipiac – has enticed several prospective challengers to consider a run.
Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne) rose to national prominence based in large part on his reputation as a loud voice against illegal immigration while he was Mayor.
The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Hazleton’s strictest-in-the-nation ordinances, which would have punished landlords renting to illegal immigrants.
And so it’s little surprise that he categorically rejected Monday’s overtures by Republicans in favor of an immigration bill that includes amnesty for the more than 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.
“A path to citizenship is giving a green light to anyone who wants to come here illegally,” he said.
“This is an amnesty bill America won’t be able to afford,” he said of the proposal by 8 Senators – 4 Democrats and 4 Republicans. “Making illegal aliens legal will cost American taxpayers $2.6 trillion over 10 years.”
“So many illegal aliens are unskilled. 60 percent have no high school degree, so many would ultimately be dependent on social programs, welfare.”
Yet, today’s proposal has been called a bipartisan breakthrough. It involves border enforcement, employer enforcement, a reformed legal immigration system, and a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants already living within the United States.
It appears the legislative proposal may have been devised to guide President Obama on immigration reform. The policy blueprint is meant to represent the interests of both Democrats and Republicans and will serve as the basis for legislation that the Senators hope to formally introduce in March.
And for an issue as complex as immigration, compromise may be the key. Democratic Senator Bob Casey supports immigration reform.
“While he has just begun to review this latest proposal, he believes that any time you have Republicans and Democrats working across the aisle to come to a bipartisan consensus on a tough problem that is a positive development,” said Casey spokesman John Rizzi.
Senator Pat Toomey (R) is reserving judgment pending further details of the plan.
Republicans faced a stark reality in the aftermath of the 2012 election: they were losing latino voters big time. It’s the fast-growing segment of the population. As soon as the day after Barack Obama was re-elected, several prominent conservatives gave up the fight on the issue.
(Obama will unveil his own immigration proposal today, reportedly very similar to the Senators’.)
Barletta said his party was making a mistake.
“They’re wrong. I believe there’s a lot of support because this is an issue they want to go away. But it’s not that simple,” he said. “I don’t know how fiscal conservatives could support something that would add $2.6 trillion to the deficit.”
He argued that the solution to immigration begins with a way to track current undocumented residents, followed by border security and then mandatory e-verify.
Having a rough morning? Odds are you’re better off than Gov. Corbett. He starts the day with tough new poll numbers. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Who Are PA’s Best Party Chairs? It takes a special breed of person to be a successful county party chair. We want to hear from you: who are the best of the best?
Murphy Not Running for Gov: Patrick Murphy is a veteran and former Congressman, but he won’t be a candidate for Governor in 2014.
Pa. Delegation’s Abortion Opponents Speak at March for Life: With 13 congressmen and two Senators, the number of members of Pennsylvania’s delegation who oppose abortion is the largest it’s been in years. Several of them spoke to rally-goers at the annual March for Life in DC on Friday.
Local Election Updates
Pittsburgh Mayoral: Mayor Ravenstahl has a new addition to his campaign team: Com Director Matt Harringer. He most recently worked as communications director on a congressional race in Florida. “Under Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s leadership, Pittsburgh has developed into one of America’s most livable cities,” Harringer said in a release. “I’m excited to join the mayor’s re-election campaign and communicate his vision for the city.”
Pittsburgh City Council: He’s back! Franco Dok Harris, 33, will challenge District 6 Councilman R. Daniel Lavalle. He ran as an indy for Mayor in 2009.
Statewide PA Independent: Pension reform will likely target future benefits, Pa. budget chief says StateImpactPA: Pa. DEP Secretary Rejects Calls for Greater Federal Protections for Susquehanna River StateImpactPA: Ain’t Gonna Frack on Maggie’s Farm No More Capitolwire: Pension reform, public education funding to be linked in Corbett budget Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: One mis-addressed envelope transforming Ethics Commission, brings Open Records court fight
Philadelphia Philly.com: Public hearings to be held on unusual provisional ballot use Inquirer: Property taxes to rise across Philadelphia suburbs Inquirer: Activists gear up against planned Philadelphia school closings PhillyClout: D.C. 47 suing Nutter administration over furlough changes PhillyClout: Nutter seeks feedback from voters on Election Day experiences PhillyClout: State Rep. O’Brien grills Nutter administration on AVI data KYW Newsradio: City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Fined For Ethics Violations Phillynow.com: Vote Rigging Bill Mirrored in Pennsylvania Denied in Virginia Heard in the Hall: Weekend Edition WHYY Newsworks: States submit mental health records for national gun background check database – will it matter WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia Councilwoman admits tapping campaign funds for personal use
SEPA Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown mulls request to extend business tax break Delco Daily Times: $418 PA pension shortfall looms over school, state budgets Montgomery Media: Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro tags fixing infrastructure as main goal for 2013 Bucks Local News: ‘No Budget, No Pay’ legislation passes U.S. House, Bucks County Congressman extolls bipartisan passage Bucks Local News: Political or a cost savings move? In a party line vote, Northampton Township Supervisors hire new labor counsel Daily Local News: Trial starts in disputed campaign letter case
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Former President George W. Bush to appear at Pittsburgh gas conference Tribune Review: Wolf ‘likely’ to challenge Corbett Tribune Review: Melvin jury dismissed, Pavlot’s testimony will continue tomorrow Tribune Review: Railroad files second lawsuit over planned Strip District development Tribune Review: Dok Harris to run for City Council Tribune Review: Budget battle lines drawn in Harrisburg t Tribune Review: Pennsylvania pension reforms badly needed, panel says Tribune Review: State denies eight cyber charter school applications Tribune Review: Embattled Pittsburgh police chief returns to work Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh police chief Harper returns to work as grand jury continues Post-Gazette: Senate panel wants Penn State NCAA fine funds to stay in Pennsylvania Post-Gazette: Corbett’s budget proposal to require public-employee pension savings Post-Gazette: Ex-chief of staff for Jane Orie takes stand in corruption trial of Justice Joan Orie Melvin Post-Gazette: Pa. education secretary denies all eight applications for new cyber charter schools Early Returns: Toomey in town; mayoral forum Early Returns: Dok Harris challenges Lavelle Early Returns: Toomey gets industry accolade Early Returns: Corbett among DGA ad targets
Southwest AP: Pa. denies proposals for 8 cyber charter schools AP: Pa. budget chief says pension reforms essential AP: Court to weigh secrecy of Pa. Turnpike lawyers AP: 2 Pa. reps want to restores PSU scholarships
NEPA Times Leader: NEPA unemployment inches up slightly AP: Ex-Sen. Orie’s (R-Allegheny) former chief of staff to testify against Justice Orie Melvin (R-Allegheny) AP: Energy renaissance: landowners to make billions from shale Times-Tribune: Courtright announces bid for Scraton mayor Times-Tribune: Two new leaders at Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Times-Tribune: Not my authority!: Scranton authority member pans sale of assets Citizens Voice: Part-time police officers step up to serve local municipalities
Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania Ave: Bucks man accused of pursuing sex with girl, 14, he met at McDonald’s Pennsylvania Ave: Congressman Lou Barletta opposes emerging immigration plan Pennsylvania Ave: Bethlehem Councilman DiGiacinto declares run for controller Reading Eagle: Parking-ticket lawsuit moved to federal court Reading Eagle: Keeping lid on lawsuits carries big price tag for Reading Reading Eagle: Fleetwood student takes post in state organization WFMZ: Geoff Brace plans to run for Lehigh Co. commissioner Express Times: Congress passes $50.5 billion Superstorm Sandy relief bill Express Times: New Northampton Community College dorms get initial OK in Bethlehem Township, Pa. Express Times: J. William Reynolds names mayoral campaign manager Express Times: Stephen Melnick to run for Bethlehem City Council Express Times: Former Lehigh County Commissioner Chairman Dean Browning running for county executive Express Times: Bethlehem City Councilman David DiGiacinto announces city controller bid
South Central Carlisle Sentinel: Elected officials, business leaders mingle at Chamber-sponsored mixer Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle tax collector’s marijuana trial continued until March Patriot News: PA Budget Secretary dubs 2013 the “Year of Pension Reform” Patriot News: PA Senate wants Penn State fines kept in PA Patriot News: Harrisburg triples late tax penalty Patriot News: Central Dauphin School Board approves hiring armed school resource officer York Daily Record: Rep. Perry (R-York): time right for immigration reform Lebanon Daily News: Rep. Dent (R-Lehigh) goes to Annville
By a 30 point margin, Pennsylvania’s women voters say Tom Corbett does not deserve a second term in the Governor’s mansion. The massive gender gap is mirrored in his job approval numbers, too.
That’s according to the latest poll from the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Overall 51% of respondents said he does not deserve to be re-elected compared to 31% who said he does. Men went against him by 10 points, 48% to 38%, while women oppose a second Corbett term by 30 points 54% to 24% (total gender gap: 20 points).
Other crosstabs don’t offer much comfort. Independents sided against the Gov. 51% to 31% and Democrats 68% to 17%. Not even a majority of Republicans said yes. They’d re-elect him 49% to 29%. He loses that question among every demographic and regional category.
Voters disapprove of the job he’s doing as Governor 42% to 36%, an 8 point slide from Quinnipiac’s November 15 poll. While men approve 41% to 37%, women disapprove 45% to 31% (total gender gap: 18 points).
“It’s halftime in Gov. Tom Corbett’s first term and if he were running a football team instead of a state, he’d fire his offensive coordinator,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
“Gov. Corbett has hit the 50 percent approval rating only once so far, mainly because of his bad grades from women.”
Aside a few bright spots related to his disaster recovery efforts in 2011, Corbett has consistently suffered a big deficit with women voters. Efforts to soften his image have apparently not been successful.
Quinnipiac surveyed 1,221 registered Pa. voters from Jan. 22 to 27 using live interviewers calling landlines. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.8%. Polls that use registration numbers rather than algorithms based on likely voters tend to favor Democrats by a few points and disadvantage Republicans.
Penn State
Perhaps the most interesting single topic of the 2014 gubernatorial race will be the Penn State scandal. It has the potential to be an X-factor that works outside normal political lines.
If it does become a salient issue in the campaign, Corbett has catching up to do. Voters disapprove his handling of the situation – first as Pa. Attorney General then as Governor – by a 50% to 26% margin (with no significant gender gap). It’s worse in households where someone attends or has graduated from Penn State. Those voters disapprove 59% to 23%.
The Governor’s lawsuit is marginally popular, 41% to 37%, driven largely by the fact that 53% of voters said the NCAA’s sanctions on Penn State were too severe. 28% said the penalties were appropriate in light of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.
Miscellaneous
Both Pa. U.S. Senators are in tepidly positive territory, according to the poll. Voters approve Sen. Bob Casey 44% to 36% and Sen. Pat Toomey 43% to 25%.
The state legislature gets negative marks: voters disapprove of its job performance by 13 points, 46% to 33%.
It takes a special breed of person to be a successful county party chair. They must be savvy and hard-working, good at fundraising, and skillful diplomats, too.
Some are activists, some fundraisers, and still others are behind-the-scenes players. Some are working to build a strong party organization where there hasn’t been one before.
We want to hear from you: who are the best of the best? We’re looking for Republicans and Democrats who get the job done.
Submit your suggestions to Sy Snyder here, or in the comments section below. Naturally, submissions are anonymous.
In a recent poll released January 30th by Quinnipiac University regarding support for same-sex marriage among Pennsylvania voters, the results were closely divided but in favor 47% to 43%.
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