Posted on Wed, Oct. 28, 2009
Pennsylvanians are pessimistic about their future, impatient with President Obama, and out of love with U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, according the latest Daily News Franklin & Marshall poll.
The poll found voters in a sour mood about the state of Pennsylvania's government and economy, and indicates many have suffered personally in the recession.
Nearly one out of five (18%) said they were unable to get medical treatment in the last year because they couldn't afford it.
"There's a lot of pain among the residents of the state," said poll director Terry Madonna, "and they don't necessarily expect things to get better soon."
Nearly three out of five Pennsylvanians expect the recession to last several more years, the poll found.
Most of the state's elected officials are viewed less favorably by the public than in an August survey, and Obama's job approval in Pennsylvania is the lowest of his presidency. Only 40 percent said he was doing a good or excellent job, down from 47 percent in August, and 55 percent in February.
Specter's approval ratings continued their sharp decline of the past several months.
When asked whether Specter deserved re-election or whether it was time for a change, only 23 percent said they favored re-election; 66 percent said it was time for change.
In March, before Specter switched from the Republican to Democratic party, 40 percent favored his re-election, and 46 said it was time to change.
"Specter, I think, is in a world of trouble," Madonna said. "He has historically low approval numbers."
The good news for Specter is that he still has a big name-recognition edge over his likely rivals.
Specter leads his challenger in the 2010 Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, 30 to 18 percent, with more than half the voters undecided or preferring someone else.
A general-election contest between Specter and former Republican U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey is a virtual toss-up, the poll found, with Specter leading 33 to 31 percent and 30 percent undecided.
The 2010 governor's race seems wide open. Gov. Rendell can't run for a third term, and at this point it appears both parties will have contested primaries.
On the Republican side, State Attorney General Tom Corbett leads U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, 30 to 8 percent. Corbett enjoys better statewide name recognition, but more than half the GOP electorate is still up for grabs.
Five Democratic contenders are bunched at between three and 10 percent, the poll shows, with Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato taking the top spot, and two-thirds of Democrats undecided.
You can see the entire poll at:
http://go.philly.com/octpoll.
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