Atlanta, GA -- Strategic Vision, LLC, an Atlanta-headquartered public relations and public affairs agency, announced the results of a three-day poll of 1200 likely voters in Pennsylvania on various political issues. The poll has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points. For the poll, 576 (48%) identified themselves as Democrats; 504 (42%) identified themselves as Republicans; and 120 (10%) identified themselves as Independent or other party affiliation.
The results of the poll showed that 25% of those polled approved of President Bush’s overall job performance; with 68% disapproving; and 7% undecided. When asked if they approved of the President’s handling of the economy, 17% approved; 78% disapproved; and 5% were undecided. On the issue of Iraq, the poll found 29% approved of the President’s handling of the war; with 63% disapproving; and 8% undecided. When asked about the President’s handling of the war on terrorism, 53% approved; 38% disapproved; and 9% were undecided.
“The economy is the number one issue for Pennsylvanians,” said David E. Johnson, CEO of Strategic Vision, LLC. “The problem for the President is that voters squarely blame him for the economic woes. The larger question is will they also blame other Republicans?”
When Republican respondents were asked if they saw President Bush as a conservative in the mode of Ronald Reagan, 7% said yes; 75% said no; and 18% were undecided.
“The President continues to poll low among Republicans when asked if he is a strong conservative and this is yet another reason for his low job approval,” said Johnson.
When asked if they favored an immediate withdrawal of United States military forces from Iraq within 6 months, 42% said yes; 47% said no; and 11% were undecided.
“Support for immediate withdrawal from Iraq has eroded dramatically in the but this is still a very volatile issue.” said Johnson.
When asked if voters approved or disapproved of the way Congress is handling its job, 16% approved; 72% disapproved; and 12% were undecided.
“This number should be of concern to Democrats and Republicans both as this could be setting up the November Election as a vote against incumbents of all Parties,” said Johnson.
When voters were asked if they approved or disapproved of Governor Ed Rendell’s job performance, 54% approved; 36% disapproved; and 10% were undecided. When asked if they approved or disapproved of Senator Arlen Specter’s job performance, 53% approved; 36%; disapproved; and 11% were undecided. When asked if they approved or disapproved of Senator Bob Casey’s job approval, 48% approved; 35% disapproved; and 17% were undecided.
When Democrats were asked their choices for President in 2008, the results were New York Senator Hillary Clinton 47%; Illinois Senator Barack Obama 42%; and 11% undecided.
“Clinton has lost two percent since our poll last week while Obama has only gained one percent,” said Johnson. “This demonstrates that Obama has not yet closed the sale but his advertising and the negative stories in the media are taking a toll on Clinton. Her negatives are rising. The biggest shift away from Clinton in our polling is among blue collar male workers but they still have many questions about Obama.”
When Democratic voters asked what was most important to them, a candidate who represented change or one with experience, 43% said change; 40% said experience; and 17% were undecided.
“This is the first time that change has led experience in Pennsylvania and bodes well for Obama,” said Johnson.
In a head to head matchup between John McCain and Hillary Clinton, Clinton led McCain 45% to 42% with 13% undecided. In a head to head matchup between John McCain and Barack Obama, McCain led 48% to 41% with 11% undecided.
“Clinton’s lead against McCain decreased over the last week,” said Johnson. “Even more interesting is the growing number of Democrats who say they will either not vote or vote for McCain if their candidate loses.”