Poll: Majority of Voters Approve of Governor’s Performance
A new Field Poll found that 56% of California voters approve of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) job performance, despite stalled efforts to reach a deal with Democrats on health care reform, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The poll also found that 32% of voters rated the governor's performance as unfavorable (Chorneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 10/30).
Supporters of Schwarzenegger's job performance included 51% of Democrats and 56% of voters who describe themselves as nonpartisan (Smith, Sacramento Bee, 10/30).
Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll, said it is "very unusual" that the governor is "getting majority support not just from Republicans but also Democrats and nonpartisan."
The poll found that in a conflict between Schwarzenegger and the Legislature over major issues, such as health care reform, 38% of voters would back the governor, compared with 32% who said they would side with the Legislature.
The results had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
The poll also surveyed voters on job performance ratings for the Legislature, as well as a possible Senate race between Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Schwarzenegger (San Francisco Chronicle, 10/30).