CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
June 15, 2009 – 12:23 p.m.
Wisconsin’s Doyle Looks Vulnerable in Third Term Bid
By Emily Cadei, CQ Staff
Wisconsin Gov. James E. Doyle is looking vulnerable as he seeks to win a historic third term in 2010, according to a new Public Policy Polling poll. The PPP poll, conducted June 9 and 10, found that just 34 percent of voters approved of Doyle’s job performance, while 60 percent disapproved.
That echoes a recent Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll that also recorded Doyle’s favorability rating at an all-time low.
The PPP poll also found Doyle trailing prospective Republican challengers Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former Rep. Mark Neumann by single digits. That contradicts the Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll, which recorded Doyle leading both men by double-digit percentages in hypothetical match-ups.
Neither Walker nor Neumann is particularly well known. Thirty-seven percent of voters had no opinion about Walker and 43 percent had no opinion of Neumann. “It’s safe to say the early lead for the Republicans has more to do with Doyle than it does with either of them individually,” PPP concluded in a release announcing the poll results.
Doyle’s standing in the state has taken a hit as state government battles to close a $5.4 billion budget shortfall and staunch Wisconsin’s rising unemployment. If he rebounds and succeeds in his reelection bid, Doyle would be the first Democrat in Wisconsin history to serve three terms as governor.
Comments
Jim Doyle will go down as one of the worst Governors in Wisconsin history. He created an anti-business climate that drove numerous companies out of the state and then has the audacity to blame George W. Bush for the results of his policies. Jim Doyle is a finger pointer with no integrity. He is never accountable for his own actions. I just wonder who are the brainwashed 34% that approve of this man.
Our state budget's structural problems began way back when Tommy Thompson was governor. Good old boy Tommy kept talking a good fight, be he increased the number of state employees by at least 10,000 or more; paying off his cronies and supporters. And his successor, Scott McCallum, was probably one of the worst governors in the state's history!!! Since Doyle took office, the Republicans in the legislature have blocked many of his best initiatives. And neither political party has been willing to tackle the structural deficits!!! Everybody wants something from the State, but no one wants to pay anything for all the extra services! A one-cent increase in the state sales tax would probably help somewhat. But we ALL had better admit that we cannot afford to pay for all the state government we have. . . not to mention aid to local governments and local schools. Of course, we also MUST admit that we have far too many small government units as well as too many small school districts!!! Time to put up or shut up, Wisconsin!!!
Dear Mr Schallert, It seems you are as skilled a finger pointer Mr. Doyle. Under Governor Thompson businesses were flocking to the state and we went through one of the most prosperous periods in Wisconsin history. Doyle and his socialist anti-business tactics have companies closing shop and migrating out of the state. Now lets put this in very simplistic terms. You eliminate business and you eliminate your tax base real simple. Jobs create income, income creates spending, spending creates tax revenue. I also disagree with you on "the Republicans in the legislature have blocked many of his best initiatives," rather the Republicans have saved us from some real socialist nightmares. How about Doyle's sneaky attempt to mandate how much auto insurance Wisconsin residents forced to carry at roughly a 30% increase in premiums. No thank you Mr. Doyle, I am quite capable of deciding on my own how much or how little coverage to carry. Time to put up or shut up! That's what the Democrats are all about. Its funny how members of the so called party of tolerance and understanding only seem to express this virtue when people see things their way. More like the party of Marxists. I put up every time that my property taxes are paid in full. And with that, I can express my dissenting view point any time that I damn well please. Doyle supposedly works for the people of Wisconsin, well it appears the majority of the people think he's not getting the job done. Time to clean house.
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