Posted on 10/28/2009 9:01:28 AM PDT by freespirited
In the final days of the gubernatorial campaign, a new poll shows Bob McDonnell with an 18 point margin over his Democratic opponent Creigh Deeds, according to a statewide survey conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University.
The poll finds 54 perfect of likely voters support or lean to McDonnell, 36 percent support or lean to Deeds.
A 56 percent majority of independents are siding with or leaning to McDonnell, 29 percent of independents are siding with or leaning to Deeds. The poll also indicates both candidates do well with rank-and-file members of their respective political parties.
Even though some observers have said they are worried about voter apathy this year, those who are likely to cast a ballot see important differences between the candidates. About two-thirds of likely voters (65 percent) said it really matters who wins, 28 percent indicated things will be pretty much the same regardless of who is elected.
Both McDonnell and Deeds supporters are about equally likely to say the outcome of the election will matter when it comes to making progress on important issues facing the state.
In terms of ideology, nearly seven in 10 (68 percent) of likely voters see McDonnell as conservative or very conservative, while 16 percent call him moderate and 7 percent say he is liberal.
Views of Deeds are more divided. A plurality of 44 percent said Deeds is either liberal or very liberal while 32 percent say Deeds is moderate and 8 percent say he is conservative.
Each candidate’s supporters take a very different view of the ideological bent of the two candidates. Those supporting McDonnell in the upcoming election are more likely to see his opponent, Deeds, as liberal; 64 percent of McDonnell’s supporters say Deeds is either liberal or very liberal.
In contrast, among Deeds supporters just 21 percent call him liberal, while 55 percent say Deeds is moderate.
When asked which candidate would do the best job handling a set of five issues, McDonnell holds an advantage over Deeds on all but one area—the environment.
When it comes to economic development, more say McDonnell would do a better job than Deeds (53 percent versus 29 percent). McDonnell is also seen as better able to handle the state budget shortfall; half of all likely voters say McDonnell would do a better job in this area, while 29 percent say Deeds would do better.
On transportation, an issue where the two candidates have sparred over how to fund improvements, 47 percent say McDonnell, while 31 percent say Deeds would do the best job of handling transportation.
The difference between the two candidates is less marked when it comes to education; the poll finds that 47 percent say McDonnell and 37 percent say Deeds would do the better job on education. When it comes to handling the environment, Deeds nudges out McDonnell with four in 10 likely voters saying Deeds would do a better job in this area, while 37 percent say McDonnell would do better.
According to the poll most Virginians, including most likely voters, see the state economy in negative terms. Seven in 10 Virginians call the economy only fair or poor, while 27 percent said it is excellent or good. The public is more optimistic about the economic outlook, however. Fully 47 percent of adults in Virginia say the state economy will be better a year from now, 38 percent say it will be about the same and 9 percent think it will be worse.
The Commonwealth Poll was conducted by landline and cell telephone from October 21st through October 25, 2009, with a random sample of 1,007 adults in Virginia.
The survey includes 871 registered voters and 625 likely voters. The margin of error for the poll is plus or minutes 4-percentage points for all adults and registered voters, respectively, and plus or minus 5-percentage points for likely voters.
Give Warner and Webb the boot and I’ll be a happy camper!
I would like to see what % of the black vote McDonnell receives. Anything above 10% would be great, 20% would be better.
Does Virginia have early voting? Is the election already “underway”?
VA does not have early voting. It does allow people to vote absentee, but only if they meet the criteria (i.e. inability to appear in person on voting day due to job, illness, and the like).
Am looking forward to casting my vote on Tuesday.
thanks for info
http://www.bobmcdonnell.com/ for Governor
http://www.billbolling.com/ for Lieutenant Governor
http://www.cuccinelli.com/ for Attorney General
It’s get out the vote time.
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