Poll show voters aren't happy with Michigan Republicans

By Charles Crumm/Daily Tribune




Michigan's Republican-controlled Legislature may have passed a state budget in record time, but what they passed isn't popular with voters.

A poll shows 61 percent of voters say they're less likely to vote for Republicans in 2012 because of the budget that cuts funding to public schools but gives tax breaks to corporations.

Commissioned by the Perricone Group and Lambert, Edwards & Associates, the poll from June 16 and 17 surveyed 600 registered voters who said they would vote in the November 2012 general election.

“We’re seeing significant buyer’s remorse on the part of voters who elected Republicans into office,” said Chuck Perricone, CEO of the Perricone Group, in a statement. “While certainly there is time to right the ship before the 2012 elections, GOP leaders should take these results seriously – cutting public schools across the state is accompanied with consequences at the local level.”

The poll also asked about Michigan's economic recovery and a number of candidates who will likely appear on the 2012 ballot.

On the economy, 51 percent disagreed with the statement that Michigan's economy is starting to turn around while 41.2 percent agreed. Younger voters aged 18-34 were more likely at 51 percent to believe the economy was turning the corner while 54 percent aged 50-64 disagreed.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's approval ratings are kind of in the middle. While 28 percent gave the governor high marks, 31 percent gave him a medium rating and 30 percent gave him a low rating.

By comparison, 38 percent of Michigan voters gave President Barack Obama high ratings, 27 percent medium ratings and 33 percent low ratings.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, up for re-election in 2012, received high ratings from 34 percent, medium ratings from 28 percent and low ratings from 22 percent. But 37 percent were unsure of her overall performance.

Voters were also asked if they would vote for a Republican or Democrat in a state House race, and respondents gave a slight nod to Democrats over Republicans 32 percent to 29 percent.

Michigan native and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2012. If Republicans hold a primary, 29 percent say they would support Romney compared to 5 percent for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and 2 percent for U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia, whose district includes west Oakland County.

“All of McCotter’s votes came from metro Detroit while Romney’s votes were evenly spread throughout the state,” said Dennis Denno, CEO of Denno Research.

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.