Gov. Rendell’s job-approval rating is still dismally low, but he has seen a slight uptick in his popularity since a tentative budget deal was announced two weeks ago, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning.
Only 42 percent of those surveyed said they approve of how Rendell is handling his job as governor – three percentage points higher than when the university last polled Keystone Staters in mid July.
“Gov. Ed Rendell remains at the low ebb of his governorship when it comes to public opinion, perhaps not surprising given the lengthy budget stalemate,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
About one in four, or 26 percent, approved of his handling of the state budget. And Pennsylvanians also dislike the $28 billion budget deal put together three months late by the governor and legislative leaders.
Only 31 percent of voters approve of the agreement, while 37 percent disapprove and 31 percent aren’t sure, the poll found.
When asked who is to blame for the impasse, more people believe it was Rendell, 27 percent, than Republicans in the legislature, 21 percent.
But one component of the budget – allowing table games at casinos – got a resounding thumbs up. By an overwhelming 67 – 27 percent margin, Pennsylvanians said they backed the idea as a way to increase revenue for the state.
Rendell has said repeatedly that his popularity doesn’t matter to him since he is term limited, cannot run for governor again and plans to call his political career over when he leaves office in January 2011.
Meantime, the poll found that Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican, is best known among potential candidates to replace Rendell.
The poll was conducted from Sept. 21 to Sept. 28. It surveyed 1,100 Pennsylvanians and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
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Rendell has said repeatedly that his popularity doesn’t matter to him since he is term limited, cannot run for governor again and plans to call his political career over when he leaves office in January 2011. Good leadership there - can not run again so no accountablity for doing whatever he wants and mailing it in for the last two years like he did his first two years of his second term. So screw the people, He does not need votes so what does he care what happens - the casinos have given him more money then he needs, plus he will be lined up for some sort of high paying consultant role plus his boy David Cohen in Comcast (shocking he worked for him in Philly and is now high up in the monopoly Ed helped create in the city) he will be good for some consultant jobs, plus Ed will get paid (plus back pay) for post game live. Recession - what recession - Ed is living the high hog life now and then in 2011 - JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— reddog44- Rendell has run Pa. into the ground.— CD75
- People are really misinformed about who caused the crisis if tuhey are blaming Rendel. Seemed to me as though Dominic Pelligi caused the budget crisis.— Bobby257
- Nay to the casinos. Rendell will be a VP at Comcast and make $10 million a year. David Cohen will see to that, believe me.— feudi
- Corbett has knowingly and repeatedly betrayed sacred public trust by repeatedly refusing to investigate "The Rendell Murders" (Rendell's releasing stone thugs back into our neighborHOODs for years, to save state budget funds for "No Bid" Contracts and $60 MILLION in other contracts Rendell's own Auditor General repeatedly and publicly denounces him on). Corbett was told in writing, with evidence for well over 18 months now...murder victim after murder victim...destroyed family after destroyed family and he's repeatedly betrayed us. Please remember his betrayal each time the next "Newsworthy Parolee Murder Victim(s)" is announced...like the PIAZZA MURDERS or Joe Frazier's Kin or that mother of 4 children or that poor 11 year old rape victim or Burgess, the Serial Killer and Rapist, and this is just within the last year! For every State Parolee crime that makes the papers, 100 don't. Parole Board Chairman McVey has even repeatedly refused to provide documentation to State Auditors on the overwhelming Caseload Numbers to hide her and Rendell's crimes. Killadelphia has 1/6th the population, but 6 times the crime of New York. We have 49,000 Probationers and over 9,000 convicted Murders, Armed Robbers, Drug Dealers, Rapists = State Parolees! and over 500 Escapees! Rendell is releasing 2,000 Prison Inmates per MONTH! Corbett was told, in writting, with evidence and he's done nothing. He won’t even investigate crimes within the Parole Board! He's riding the flow of blood into the Governor's Mansion! He's repeatedly betrayed his position as Attorney General and has helped Rendell turn Philadelphia into Kiladelphia...the largest Open Air Prison in America and 1st in the Nation in COP KILLINGS... Corbett is not worthy to run for Governor. The next Newsworthy State Parolee Murder is certain and soon. Give these numbers a call...U.S. Attorney's Office = 215-861-8200, the President's Comment Line = 202-456-1111. The life and family you save, may well be your own.— John Law
- Nick and Feudi: you are both right - he'll work for Comcast and for SugarHouse.— Ken K
- this state is a joke. with no budget, the LCB, no fireworks, taxes, the state corrupt government, etc— pieman
- Bobby, no, it is Rendell's fault. He is the governor. It is his job to get things done. He is more powerful than Pelligi. Rendell is not doing his job. He is too busy being a celebrity. And I agree, there is no reason that Rendell will not be working for both Comcast and Sugarhouse. He already works for Comcast. He appears every Sunday on Comcast Sports Net. He will probably be given some special title by Obama too. The man is great at collecting money for doing nothing.— AreaMan
- Rendell was a better Mayor than Governor. I do applaud him for his work to bring casinos to Pennsylvania. We do need table games this year.— equalityman
- rendell is bad but wait til the next round. even the lt governor is a nightmare with that elitist Killion throwing his toupee into the ring. maybe he can bring his mentor charley tuna weldon back into politics.— natedog
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- Dear John Law .. And Corbet can't figure out a PA birth certificate, either. Don't worry Corbet will get his day... As for Fast Eddie his time is coming too.— Peter of Manassas
- And a womanizer too.— FJG JR
