A total of 70 percent of Connecticut voters say public funding of campaigns would be "very effective" or "somewhat effective" in reducing the influence of special interests in politics, while 27 percent say the measure would not be very effective or not effective at all.
Campaign contributions influence the policies supported by elected officials a great deal, 68 percent of voters tell the independent Quinnipiac College Poll, while 27 percent say contributions have a moderate influence on public policy.
"There is clearly the perception, held by more than two-thirds of voters, that money buys a great deal of influence with elected officials," said Quinnipiac College Poll Director Douglas Schwartz.
"Recent corruption scandals may have led to increased support for public financing of campaigns, a proposal which has failed in the past."
Connecticut voters continue to look kindly at their elected officials, giving Gov. John Rowland a 63 - 25 percent approval rating. Democrats approve of Rowland 56 - 34 percent, while Republicans approve 81 - 12 percent and independent voters approve 61 - 26 percent.
U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd enjoys a 70 -22 approval rating, with 58 - 34 percent approval from Republicans, 85 - 9 percent approval from Democrats and 67 - 24 percent approval from independent voters.
And the leader is U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who goes into a reelection year with a 73 - 16 percent approval rating, with similar support from Republicans, Democrats and independent voters.
While no opponent is mentioned, 32 percent of Connecticut voters say they definitely will vote for Lieberman in November, 2000, while 39 percent say they probably will vote for him; 12 percent say they probably will vote for someone else and 7 percent say they definitely will vote for someone else.
"A lot can happen in 13 months, but Sen. Lieberman looks unbeatable in his bid for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2000. A total of 71 percent of Connecticut voters say they will definitely or probably vote for Lieberman next year," Schwartz said.
"No wonder there are no Republicans lining up to take him on."
From October 5 - 11, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,170 Connecticut voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent.
The Quinnipiac College Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research.
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Rowland is handling his job
as Governor of Connecticut?
June 24
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Approve 63% 81% 56% 61% 61% 65% 67%
Disapprove 25 12 34 26 28 23 26
DK/NA 12 7 10 13 11 12 7
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Lieberman is handling his
job as United States Senator?
June 24
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Approve 73% 73% 77% 72% 71% 74% 71%
Disapprove 16 14 12 19 19 13 19
DK/NA 11 12 11 9 9 13 10
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Dodd is handling his
job as United States Senator?
June 24
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Approve 70% 58% 85% 67% 66% 73% 65%
Disapprove 22 34 9 24 28 17 25
DK/NA 8 8 5 10 6 10 10
21. How likely is it that you will vote to reelect Joseph Lieberman for
United States Senator next year? Do you think you will definitely vote for
Lieberman, probably vote for Lieberman, probably vote for someone else, or
definitely vote for someone else?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Definitely vote for
Lieberman 32% 26% 41% 30% 31% 33%
Probably vote for
Lieberman 39 41 38 40 39 39
Probably vote for
someone else 12 16 9 12 13 12
Definitely vote for
someone else 7 8 4 9 10 5
DK/NA 10 9 9 9 8 11
I would like to ask you a few questions about the way candidates raise money
to run for the state legislature and statewide offices.
41. In order to eliminate the funding of campaigns by large private
donations and organized interest groups, do you favor or oppose the state
government creating a special fund to pay for the campaigns for all
candidates? Mar 3
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997
Favor 52% 44% 58% 54% 54% 51% 47%
Oppose 39 44 32 39 39 39 47
DK/NA 9 12 10 7 7 10 6
42. Suppose private contributions to political campaigns were eliminated
and the government funded political campaigns. How effective do you think
such a system would be in reducing the influence of special interests in
politics - Very effective, somewhat effective, not very effective, or not
effective at all?
Mar 3
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997
Very effective 28% 28% 30% 27% 29% 27% 19%
Smwht effective 42 38 45 43 42 42 43
Not very effective 16 19 14 14 14 17 19
Not effective at all 11 12 6 13 12 10 16
DK/NA 3 3 4 3 2 4 4
43. How much do you think large campaign contributions influence the
policies supported by elected officials? Would you say they influence
elected officials a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or not at all?
Mar 3
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1997
Great deal 68% 60% 67% 73% 70% 66% 65%
Moderate amount 27 35 26 24 26 28 29
Not much 3 3 3 2 2 3 3
Not at all 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1 2 2
September 27 Quinnipiac College Poll of New Jersey voters showed native son Bradley beating Gore 63 - 24 percent in a Democratic Primary, while Quinnipiac College's October 3 poll of New York State voters showed Bradley gets 44 percent to Gore's 41 percent, a tie, in a Democratic Primary.
From October 5 - 11, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,170 Connecticut voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent. The survey includes 419 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.8 percent, and 319 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 5.5 percent.
In a head-to-head Presidential matchup, Texas Gov. George W. Bush beats Gore 52 - 36 percent. If Pat Buchanan runs on the Reform Party ticket, Bush beats Gore 49 - 35 percent, with 4 percent for Buchanan.
Bradley gets 44 percent to Bush's 42 percent, a tie in their Presidential race. If Buchanan runs, Bush gets 43 percent to Bradley's 42 percent, with 3 percent for Buchanan.
"Gore's problems in Connecticut are getting worse - his negatives are up and voters don't see him as a strong leader," said Quinnipiac College Poll Director Douglas Schwartz.
"The more voters get to know Bradley the more they like him. At this stage in the campaign Bradley is clearly the stronger Democratic candidate in Connecticut: He ties Bush, while Gore loses big to Bush," Schwartz added.
"Being the Vice President hurts Gore in two ways. First, people see a Vice President as a number 2, not a number 1. Second, being the Vice President to this particular President is hurting Gore among voters looking for a change.
Bush wins a Republican Primary with 54 percent, followed by Arizona Sen. John McCain with 14 percent and Elizabeth Dole with 13 percent. Buchanan gets 3 percent.
By a 39 - 24 percent margin, Connecticut voters have a favorable opinion of Bush, with 24 percent mixed and 13 percent saying they haven't heard enough to form an opinion. Favorability ratings among other presidential contenders are:
Favorable Unfavorable Mixed No Opinion Al Gore 22% 38% 30% 9% Bill Bradley 36 8 14 41 Pat Buchanan 7 61 15 16 Elizabeth Dole 36 20 23 21 John McCain 27 10 13 50By a 54 - 32 percent margin, Connecticut voters say Bush "cares about the needs and problems of people like you." By a 61 - 23 percent margin, voters say Bush is honest and trustworthy and by a 70 - 18 percent margin, they say he has strong leadership qualities.
Bradley "cares" about them, voters say 62 - 12 percent. He is honest and
trustworthy, voters say
64 - 9 percent, while 55 - 17 percent, voters say
Bradley has leadership qualities.
Gore "cares," Connecticut voters say 65 - 30 percent. He is honest and
trustworthy, voters say
61 - 30 percent. But he fails 32 - 57 percent with
voters on leadership.
The "Clinton Fatigue" factor is strong in Connecticut, where voters say 45 - 49 percent they want the next President to continue Clinton policies. Only 11 percent of voters want the next President to have Clinton's personal qualities, while 84 percent want different qualities.
The Quinnipiac College Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research.
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job
as President?
June 24
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Approve 52% 23% 78% 51% 52% 53% 53%
Disapprove 44 74 20 45 45 43 45
DK/NA 4 4 2 5 3 4 2
6. How much attention have you been paying to the election campaign for
President in the year 2000 -- a lot, some, only a little, or none at all?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
A lot 28% 34% 28% 26% 30% 26% 24%
Some 44 41 45 44 43 44 38
Only a little 23 21 22 23 21 25 28
None at all 6 4 4 7 5 6 10
DK/NA - - - - - - -
7. Is your opinion of Vice President Al Gore favorable, unfavorable, mixed,
or haven't you heard enough about him?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 22% 9% 36% 20% 20% 24% 22%
Unfavorable 38 58 20 41 43 34 31
Mixed 30 26 33 30 28 31 29
Hvn't hrd enough 9 6 10 9 8 11 17
Refused - 1 - 1 1 - 1
8. Is your opinion of former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley favorable,
unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 36% 35% 45% 33% 44% 30% 27%
Unfavorable 8 9 7 8 9 7 6
Mixed 14 15 9 18 14 14 14
Hvn't hrd enough 41 39 39 40 32 48 53
Refused 1 1 - 1 1 1 -
9. Is your opinion of Family Research Council Chairman Gary Bauer favorable,
unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 4% 4% 3% 3% 4% 3% 3%
Unfavorable 14 12 20 11 18 10 10
Mixed 6 8 5 6 5 6 5
Hvn't hrd enough 76 75 72 79 72 80 82
Refused 1 1 1 1 1 1 -
10. Is your opinion of Political Commentator Patrick Buchanan favorable,
unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 7% 11% 4% 7% 9% 6% 11%
Unfavorable 61 52 71 62 64 58 51
Mixed 15 22 8 16 14 15 19
Hvn't hrd enough 16 14 17 14 11 20 19
Refused 1 1 - 1 1 1 1
11. Is your opinion of Texas Governor George W. Bush favorable, unfavorable,
mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 39% 67% 20% 36% 41% 37% 43%
Unfavorable 24 6 43 22 24 24 16
Mixed 24 18 24 27 22 25 21
Hvn't hrd enough 13 8 13 14 12 13 20
Refused 1 1 - 1 1 1 -
12. Is your opinion of former Red Cross Director Elizabeth Dole favorable,
unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 36% 47% 30% 33% 30% 41% 40%
Unfavorable 20 12 28 19 24 17 19
Mixed 23 23 20 26 24 22 25
Hvn't hrd enough 21 16 22 21 22 19 16
Refused 1 1 1 1 1 1 -
13. Is your opinion of Businessman Steve Forbes favorable, unfavorable, mixed,
or haven't you heard enough about him?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 14% 20% 10% 13% 16% 12% 17%
Unfavorable 35 26 43 36 38 33 30
Mixed 22 23 18 24 23 21 24
Hvn't hrd enough 28 29 29 25 22 34 28
Refused 1 1 - 2 1 1 -
14. Is your opinion of Utah Senator Orrin Hatch favorable, unfavorable, mixed,
or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 9% 15% 5% 8% 11% 7%
Unfavorable 28 18 37 28 29 27
Mixed 13 15 12 13 14 12
Hvn't hrd enough 50 50 46 50 45 53
Refused 1 1 - 1 1 1
15. Is your opinion of Arizona Senator John McCain favorable, unfavorable,
mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Favorable 27% 31% 23% 28% 36% 19% 23%
Unfavorable 10 8 13 9 11 9 5
Mixed 13 12 13 14 16 10 14
Hvn't hrd enough 50 49 50 49 36 61 57
Refused - - - - - - -
16. Is your opinion of Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura favorable, unfavorable,
mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 16% 17% 14% 16% 22% 10%
Unfavorable 50 53 54 48 48 53
Mixed 20 18 16 22 19 21
Hvn't hrd enough 14 12 16 14 11 17
Refused - 1 - 1 1 -
17. If the election for President in the year 2000 were being held today and
the candidates were Vice President Al Gore the Democrat, and Texas Governor
George W. Bush the Republican, for whom you would vote?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Gore 36% 5% 66% 34% 34% 37% 37%
Bush 52 91 24 50 55 49 52
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3 2 2 4 3 3 2
WON'T VOTE(VOL) 3 - 3 4 2 4 2
DK/NA 6 3 5 8 5 7 7
18. If the election for President in the year 2000 were being held today and
the candidates were former United States Senator Bill Bradley the Democrat,
and Texas Governor George W. Bush the Republican, for whom you would vote?
June 23
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1999
Bradley 44% 15% 73% 42% 47% 41% 36%
Bush 42 78 16 39 42 42 49
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - 2 3 3 2 2
WON'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 2 2 1 3 2
DK/NA 10 5 7 13 7 13 12
19. If the election for President in the year 2000 were being held today and
the candidates were Vice President Al Gore the Democrat, Texas Governor
George W. Bush the Republican, and Political Commentator Patrick Buchanan the
Reform party candidate for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Gore 35% 6% 66% 32% 34% 37%
Bush 49 87 22 47 52 47
Buchanan 4 4 3 5 6 3
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 1 2 2 2
WON'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - 2 2 2 2
DK/NA 7 2 4 10 5 9
20. If the election for President in the year 2000 were being held today and
the candidates were former United States Senator Bill Bradley the Democrat,
Texas Governor George W. Bush the Republican, and Political Commentator Patrick
Buchanan the Reform party candidate for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Bradley 42% 15% 71% 39% 44% 40%
Bush 43 78 18 40 43 43
Buchanan 3 3 3 4 4 2
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - 1 2 2 2
WON'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - 2 2 1 3
DK/NA 9 4 6 12 6 11
23. (If registered Democrat) If the Democratic Primary for President in
the year 2000 were being held today and the candidates were Vice President
Al Gore and former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, for whom would you vote?
Registered
Democrats
June23
Tot Men Wom 1999
Gore 34% 31% 37% 47%
Bradley 51 58 45 37
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 1 1
WON'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 3 2
DK/NA 12 9 14 13
24. (If registered Republican) If the Republican Primary for President in
the year 2000 were being held today and the candidates were Family Research
Council Chairman Gary Bauer, Political Commentator Patrick Buchanan, Texas
Governor George W. Bush, Former Red Cross Director Elizabeth Dole, Businessman
Steve Forbes, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch and Arizona Senator John McCain, for
whom would you vote?
Registered
Republicans
June 23
Tot Men Wom 1999
Bauer 5% 3% 6% -
Buchanan 3 5 2 2
Bush 54 58 51 53
Dole 13 4 20 14
Forbes 3 5 2 5
Hatch - - 1
McCain 14 20 10 8
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1
WON'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 1
DK/NA 7 6 7 7
25. Is your opinion of the Democratic party favorable, unfavorable, mixed,
or haven't you heard enough about it?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 31% 6% 62% 24% 30% 32%
Unfavorable 19 47 3 16 23 17
Mixed 44 41 29 55 43 45
Hvn't hrd enough 5 5 6 4 4 6
REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 -
26. Is your opinion of the Republican party favorable, unfavorable, mixed,
or haven't you heard enough about it?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 18% 46% 5% 13% 18% 18%
Unfavorable 24 4 46 20 27 21
Mixed 52 47 40 62 50 53
Hvn't hrd enough 6 3 9 5 5 7
REFUSED 1 - - 1 1 -
27. Is your opinion of the Reform party favorable, unfavorable, mixed,
or haven't you heard enough about it?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Favorable 5% 2% 5% 6% 7% 2%
Unfavorable 33 38 37 29 36 31
Mixed 23 25 19 25 27 20
Hvn't hrd enough 39 34 39 40 29 47
REFUSED - - - 1 - -
28. I'm going to read off some personal characteristics and qualities.
As I read each one, tell me if you think it applies to Texas Governor
George W. Bush or not?
Would you say that Texas Governor George W. Bush -- cares about the needs
and problems of people like you or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 54% 83% 37% 52% 53% 56%
No 32 9 50 33 35 29
DK/NA 14 8 12 15 12 15
29. Would you say that Texas Governor George W. Bush -- is honest and
trustworthy or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 61% 85% 45% 61% 62% 60%
No 23 6 36 24 25 22
DK/NA 16 9 20 15 13 18
30. Would you say that Texas Governor George W. Bush - has strong leadership
qualities or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 70% 91% 54% 70% 68% 71%
No 18 4 28 18 20 15
DK/NA 13 6 18 12 12 14
31. I'm going to read off some personal characteristics and qualities. As I
read each one, tell me if you think it applies to Vice President Al Gore or not?
Would you say that Vice President Al Gore -- cares about the needs and problems
of people like you or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 65% 55% 79% 61% 59% 70%
No 30 39 16 34 36 24
DK/NA 6 6 5 5 5 6
32. Would you say that Vice President Al Gore -- is honest and trustworthy
or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 61% 46% 76% 61% 59% 63%
No 30 44 16 32 34 27
DK/NA 9 10 8 7 7 10
33. Would you say that Vice President Al Gore -- has strong leadership
qualities or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 32% 23% 46% 29% 30% 34%
No 57 70 41 59 61 53
DK/NA 11 7 12 12 9 13
34. I'm going to read off some personal characteristics and qualities. As I
read each one, tell me if you think it applies to former New Jersey Senator
Bill Bradley or not?
Would you say that former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley -- Cares about the
needs and problems of people like you or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 62% 64% 66% 62% 68% 57%
No 12 11 10 13 14 10
DK/NA 26 26 24 25 18 34
35. Would you say that former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley - is honest and
trustworthy or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 64% 65% 69% 65% 71% 59%
No 9 7 10 9 11 8
DK/NA 27 28 21 26 18 34
36. Would you say that former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley - has strong
leadership qualities or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Yes 55% 56% 61% 54% 63% 49%
No 17 18 17 16 16 18
DK/NA 28 26 22 30 21 34
37. Thinking about the 2000 Presidential election, would you like to see a
president who offers policies and programs similar to those of the Clinton
administration, or would you like to see a president who offers different
policies and programs?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Similar policies 45% 20% 75% 39% 41% 48%
Different policies 49 76 21 54 55 44
DK/NA 6 5 4 7 4 8
38. Now thinking about both the strengths and weaknesses of Bill Clinton as
a person, would like to see the next president have personal qualities similar
to Bill Clinton, or would you like to see a president who has different
personal qualities?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
Similar qualities 11% 6% 18% 9% 10% 12%
Different qualities 84 93 74 87 86 83
DK/NA 5 1 7 4 3 6
39. As you may know, prior to serving in the Senate Bill Bradley was a
professional basketball player. Do you happen to know which team he
played for?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
New York Knicks 35% 41% 34% 34% 50% 22%
Don't know 65 59 65 66 50 78
REFUSED - - 1 - - -
40. Would you like to see Patrick Buchanan stay in the Republican party, or
leave the Republican party?
Registered
Republicans
Stay Republican 32%
Leave Rep party 38
DK/NA 30
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