Posted on 09/02/2005 6:50:20 PM PDT by CO Gal
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's approval rating is still in the doldrums, with the majority of Californians not content with how he's doing his job, according to a poll released Friday.
As of late August, 36 percent of registered voters approved of the governor's performance, while 52 percent disapproved, with 12 percent having no opinion, the nonpartisan Field Poll reported.
The newest figures are similar to the approval rating in a Field poll two months ago. But they are down sharply since February, when 55 percent approved of the job he was doing.
Respondents cited Schwarzenegger's call for a November special election as a major factor influencing their opinion. He is promoting ballot initiatives to cap state spending, redraw legislative districts and lengthen the probationary term for teachers.
Fifty-seven percent opposed his call for the election. Disapproval rose to 63 percent when respondents were told how much the special election would cost -- more than $50 million.
The telephone poll surveyed 1,301 California adults, including 891 registered voters, on Aug. 19-29. It had a margin of sampling error of 3.5 percentage points.
Schwarzenegger campaign strategist Todd Harris disagreed with some of the poll's findings, saying he had seen several private surveys in the past week that showed rising support for the governor and his initiatives.
Harris also pointed to Field Poll results showing broad dissatisfaction with state government. Only 27 percent approved of the Legislature's performance, while twice as many -- 54 percent -- disapproved.
"Californians are not happy with the way things are in Sacramento, which bodes well for whichever side is campaigning for change," Harris said. "Given the political environment, I would not want my campaign message to be, 'Let's leave things exactly the way they are,' which is what our opponents' message will to be."
If Arnold can't pull off saving California, its a dead state. Period.
Why are you surprised? We have to deal with a lot of liberals here. Of course they would put up with a liberal governor.
Reagan did
What makes you think he was ever able to save it? Liberals made the mess, how could you expect them to fix it?
When we elect a Republican governor, we will fix the state. It's that simple.
ping
You meant to say liberal Californians, didn't you?
Yes I'm sorry I did. My older brother Marine (retired, living in CA) would give me his dreaded noogies if he knew I wrote that. My apologies to CA Freepers!
When is California going to Mexico?
Will he sign or veto the Sodomite Marriage bill?
Dumb question, but has this bill been voted on by the people??
Someone from the the state that put Hillary Clinton in the Senate is criticizing California, the state that gave us Ronald Reagan and FreeRepublic?
This morning I looked up the status of all those GLBT marriage bills.
There are 4--all of which need a VETO.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1475804/posts?page=34#34
He will veto it -- trust me.
Harris disagrees with the Field poll that says Arnold isn't popular, but reinforces the Field poll that says the legislature is unpopular.
Polled at the same time, presumably by the same people... These guys will try to spin anything, huh?
>>He will veto it -- trust me.
All of them? See post #14
>>When is California going to Mexico?
LOL. You got banned already?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.