Washington Post Poll

Oct. 26: Marylanders Lean Left on Gay Marriage, Death Penalty Oct. 24: Majority for Slots in Md. Increases This Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone October 18-22, 2007, among a random sample of 1,103 adults in the state of Maryland, including additional interviews with adults living in the City of Baltimore (total=163) and Prince George's County (total=198). The results from the full survey have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, Pa. *= less than 0.5 percent 1. What is the single biggest issue facing Maryland today? MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Taxes/budget NET 21 9 Taxes 14 7 State budget/deficit 7 2 Crime 14 5 Education 11 8 Economy/jobs 9 13 Health care 7 6 Environment 5 3 Transportation/ traffic/roads and transit 4 21 Drugs 3 * Immigration/illegal immigration 3 7 Slot machines 3 NA Housing/mortgages/ affordable housing 2 3 Energy issues/gas prices 2 2 Growth/Over Development 2 * Ethics/honesty/ corruption in government 1 2 Guns/Gun control 1 1 Iraq/War in Iraq 1 4 Abortion * * Terrorism/national Security * * Other 5 7 None 1 * DK/No opinion 7 9 2. (IF GAVE ISSUE, Q1) Is there another issue that's almost as important? MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Education 11 9 Crime 8 5 Economy/jobs 8 7 Health care 8 7 Taxes 7 7 Environment 6 4 Transportation/ traffic/roads and transit 5 12 Energy issues/gas prices 3 2 Housing/mortgages/ affordable housing 3 3 Immigration/illegal immigration 3 6 Drugs 2 1 Growth/Over Development 2 * Iraq/War in Iraq 2 4 Slot machines/ gambling 2 NA State budget/deficit 2 1 Abortion 1 1 Ethics/honesty/ corruption in government 1 1 Guns/Gun control 1 * Terrorism/national Security * 1 Other 5 6 None 9 2 DK/No opinion 12 19 Q1/Q2 NET Top 1 or 2 issues MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Taxes/budget NET 29 15 Taxes 21 13 State budget/deficit 9 2 Crime 21 10 Education 21 15 Economy/jobs 16 20 Health care 14 13 Environment 10 7 Transportation/ traffic/roads and transit 8 31 Drugs 5 1 Energy issues/gas prices 5 4 Housing/mortgages/ affordable housing 5 5 Immigration/illegal immigration 5 13 Growth/Over Development 4 1 Slot machines/ gambling 4 NA Ethics/honesty/ corruption in government 3 3 Iraq/War in Iraq 3 8 Abortion 1 1 Guns/Gun control 1 1 Terrorism/national Security * 1 Other 9 12 None 9 2 DK/No opinion 7 9 3. Do you think things in the state of Maryland are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track? Right direction Wrong track No opinion 10/22/07 All 46 47 7 10/22/07 RV 45 48 7 10/26/06 LV 57 39 5 6/25/06 RV 44 50 6 1/7/04 RV 56 36 8 1/7/04 All 57 35 9 10/24/02 LV 42 51 7 10/22/98 LV 54 36 10 6/17/98 All 53 34 13 6/17/98 LV 56 32 11 12/19/93 All 33 56 11 4. Generally speaking, how would you rate the overall economy of Maryland: excellent, good, not-so-good or poor? ----Excellent/Good---- ----Not so good/Poor---- No NET Excellent Good NET Not so good Poor opin. 10/22/07 64 6 58 35 24 10 1 1/7/04 63 4 59 36 28 8 1 10/24/02 LV 57 3 54 42 33 9 1 10/22/98 LV 76 8 67 23 18 4 2 6/17/98 75 8 67 23 17 6 3 6/17/98 LV 78 10 68 20 16 4 2 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Martin O'Malley is handling his job as governor? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? ---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------- No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin. 10/22/07 All 53 12 40 36 18 19 11 10/22/07 RV 51 13 38 39 17 22 11 Compare to: Bob Ehrlich: ---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------- No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin. 10/26/06 LV 55 30 25 42 19 23 3 6/25/06 RV 56 21 36 41 21 20 3 1/7/04 RV 64 23 41 29 17 12 8 1/7/04 All 62 21 42 28 17 11 10 Parris Glendening: ---------Approve--------- -------Disapprove------- No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin. 10/24/02 LV 37 9 29 58 22 37 4 10/22/98 LV 54 16 38 40 21 19 6 6/17/98 ALL 55 13 42 32 17 15 14 6/17/98 LV 55 14 41 36 19 18 9 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way O'Malley is handling the issue of the state budget and taxes? Approve Disapprove No opinion 10/22/07 40 49 10 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Maryland state legislature is doing its job? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? ---------Approve--------- --------Disapprove------- No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin. 10/22/07 All 49 8 41 43 20 22 9 10/22/07 RV 46 6 40 46 21 24 9 Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 All 44 NA NA 44 NA NA 12 10/8/07 RV 43 NA NA 46 NA NA 10 8. How much would you say O'Malley has accomplished in his first year as governor: a lot, a fair amount, some, or not much? --- A lot/Fair amt --- --- Some/Not much --- No NET A lot Fair amt NET Some Not much opinion 10/22/07 All 31 4 26 65 31 33 4 10/22/07 RV 28 3 25 67 32 35 4 Compare to: How much would you say Ehrlich has accomplished in his first term as governor: a lot, a fair amount, some, or not much? ---A Lot/Fair Amount--- ----Some/Not Much---- No NET A lot Fair amt. NET Some Not much opin. 10/26/06 LV 51 14 37 47 28 19 1 6/25/06 RV 48 8 40 51 30 21 2 1/7/04 RV* 49 6 43 47 29 18 4 1/7/04 All* 50 7 43 45 28 17 4 *In Jan. 04, asked "in his first year" 9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ben Cardin is handling his job as U.S. Senator? Approve Disapprove No opinion 10/22/07 52 24 24 Compare to Virginia: Do you approve or disapprove of the way James Webb is handling his job as U.S. Senator? Approve Disapprove No opinion 10/8/07 50 27 22 10. How fair do you think the Maryland state tax system is? Overall, would you say that the tax system is - very fair, moderately fair, not too fair, or not fair at all? --------- Fair -------- -------- Not fair -------- No NET Very Moderately NET Not too Not at all opin. 10/22/07 55 5 50 44 28 16 1 11. As you may know, the state projects a $1.7 billion budget deficit next year. Overall do you think the budget situation is a big problem, somewhat of a problem, not much of a problem or not a problem for the people of Maryland today? ----- Problem ----- ----- No Problem ----- No NET Big Somewhat NET Not much Not opinion 10/22/07 93 59 34 6 3 3 1 12. To close the deficit, O'Malley has proposed allowing some slot-machines in the state, increasing the state sales tax and cigarette tax and reducing property taxes. The plan would also raise income taxes on people with high incomes while lowering income taxes on others. In general, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the governor's plan? Satisfied Dissatisfied No opinion 10/22/07 51 46 3 13. From what you know, if this plan passes, do you think you and your immediate family would generally pay (more), (less), or about the same amount in taxes as you pay now? Pay more Pay less Pay same amount No opinion 10/22/07 45 14 37 4 14. The new plan uses revenue increases to help reduce the deficit. For each of the following, please say if you favor or oppose the proposal. a. Raising the top rates of the state income tax paid by people with high incomes Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 62 36 2 b. Increasing the state sales tax from five percent to six percent Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 29 71 * c. Extending the state sales tax to services that are not currently taxed, such as health clubs, and tanning salons Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 57 41 2 d. Raising the tax on cigarettes from one dollar to two dollars a pack Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 69 30 1 e. Raising the state income taxes paid by corporations from seven to eight percent Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 66 31 3 f. Allowing slot-machine gambling at a limited number of race-tracks and other locations in Maryland. Do you favor/oppose strongly or somewhat? ------- Favor ------- ------- Oppose ------ No NET Strongly Smwht NET Smwht Strongly opin. 10/22/07 68 44 24 30 10 21 2 15. Do you think the governor's plan would make the state tax system generally (more fair), (less fair), or wouldn't it make much difference? More fair Less fair Wouldn't make much diff. No opin. 10/22/07 31 27 40 2 16. The governor has called a special session of the legislature to consider the new plan. If the governor and the legislature do not agree on a deficit reduction package during this special session, how concerned are you that (ITEM) - very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned? a. the state will cancel plans to provide additional new money to the public schools --- Concerned --- --- Not Concerned --- No NET Very Smwht NET Not too At all opinion 10/22/07 83 65 18 16 10 6 1 b. the state will make cuts in other state programs, such as higher education and health care for lower-income residents --- Concerned --- --- Not Concerned --- No NET Very Smwht NET Not too At all opinion 10/22/07 85 64 21 15 10 5 * c. The state will have to raise taxes significantly --- Concerned --- --- Not Concerned --- No NET Very Smwht NET Not too At all opinion 10/22/07 89 62 27 10 8 2 1 d. the state government won't be able to get other important things done --- Concerned --- --- Not Concerned --- No NET Very Smwht NET Not too At all opinion 10/22/07 77 41 35 22 15 7 2 e. the state will cut funding to county governments --- Concerned --- --- Not Concerned --- No NET Very Smwht NET Not too At all opinion 10/22/07 76 40 36 22 16 6 1 17. (IF FAVORS SLOT MACHINES, Q14F) Would you favor or oppose allowing slot-machine gambling in the county where you live? Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 85 14 1 Q14/Q17 NET: ----------Favor Overall------------ Favor in Oppose in No NET home county home county op. Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 68 58 10 1 30 2 18. (IF OPPOSES SLOT MACHINES, Q14F) What is the main reason you oppose allowing slot machines in Maryland? 10/22/07 Gambling becomes an addiction/ brings out worst in people 19 Gambling is wrong/immoral 18 Crime/bad element/degrades area 17 Hurts the poor/bad for people with low incomes 17 Bad way to solve budget deficit 8 Corruption 3 Not a good source of revenue 3 Traffic/traffic congestion * Other 13 No opinion 1 19. In the past two years, have you ever gone to Delaware, Pennsylvania or West Virginia to play the slot machines, or not? Yes No No opinion 10/22/07 24 76 0 Compare to: In the past two years, have you ever gone to Delaware or West Virginia to play the slot machines, or not? Yes No No opinion 1/07/04 23 77 0 20. If there were slot machines here in Maryland, do you think you would play: often, sometimes, hardly ever or never? -------- Play -------- ------- Won't play ------ No NET Often Sometimes NET Hardly ever Never opinion 10/22/07 34 7 27 66 23 43 * 1/07/04 32 7 25 68 27 41 0 21. Would you favor or oppose raising Maryland's gasoline tax by 10 cents a gallon, if the money is used for transportation projects such as building roads, traffic management or public transportation? Favor Oppose Depends on project (vol.) No opinion 10/22/07 37 60 3 * Compare to: Would you support or oppose raising Virginia's 17.5 cent gasoline tax, if the money is used for transportation projects such as building roads, traffic management or public transportation? Support Oppose No opinion 9/9/05 RV 36 63 1 22. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you favor or oppose a state law that would allow gay and lesbian couples to legally form civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples? Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 All 57 39 4 10/22/07 RV 56 40 4 6/25/06 RV 50 47 3 1/7/04 RV 44 51 5 1/7/04 ALL 44 51 5 Compare to national: Do you think homosexual couples should or should not be allowed to form legally recognized civil unions, giving them the legal rights of married couples in areas such as health insurance, inheritance and pension coverage? -------- Should ------- ------ Should not ----- NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly No Opinion 6/4/06 45 28 17 48 7 41 7 3/7/04 51 32 19 46 9 37 3 2/22/04 45 30 16 48 7 41 7 1/18/04 46 NA NA 51 NA NA 4 9/7/03 40 NA NA 51 NA NA 9 23. (HALF SAMPLE) Would you favor or oppose a state law that would allow gay and lesbian couples to get married? Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 All 44 51 5 10/22/07 RV 45 50 5 6/25/06 RV 42 56 3 1/7/04 RV 35 58 7 1/7/04 ALL 35 58 7 Compare to national: Do you think it should be legal or illegal for homosexual couples to get married? -------- Legal ------- ------- Illegal ------- No NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly No Opinion 6/4/06 36 24 13 58 7 51 5 8/28/05* 39 NA NA 58 NA NA 3 8/29/04 RV 32 18 14 62 10 52 5 3/7/04 38 24 14 59 11 48 3 2/22/04 39 25 13 55 6 49 6 1/18/04 41 NA NA 55 NA NA 4 9/7/03 37 NA NA 55 NA NA 7 *"gay and lesbian couples" 24. On another subject, do you favor or oppose the death penalty for people convicted of murder? Favor Oppose No opinion 10/22/07 60 35 5 Compare to national: Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted of murder? Favor Oppose No opinion 6/3/07* 62 32 6 6/25/06 65 32 3 6/26/05 66 32 2 4/24/05 65 29 6 1/20/03 64 31 5 5/5/02 65 26 9 4/24/01 63 28 9 6/18/00 63 27 10 1/16/00 64 27 9 2/9/99* 71 22 7 8/16/98 69 27 4 8/5/96 77 19 4 1/4/95 74 19 7 9/7/94** 80 16 4 4/26/92*** 75 19 6 9/11/88+ 79 16 5 1/13/86+ 70 22 8 11/18/85+ 75 17 8 12/18/82 76 19 6 1/30/82 69 19 12 5/20/81 73 20 8 2/2/81* 66 25 9 *Post/Kaiser/Harvard national poll +Kaiser/Harvard/NPR national poll **Gallup: "Are you in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?" ***Oppose added 25. Which punishment do you prefer for people convicted of murder: (the death penalty) or (life in prison with no chance of parole)? Death Penalty Life No opinion 10/22/07 43 52 5 Compare to National: 6/25/06 50 46 5 6/26/05 51 46 3 1/20/03 49 45 6 5/5/02 46 43 11 4/24/01 46 45 9 1/16/00 48 43 10 2/9/99* 56 38 6 *Gallup 26. Now thinking about recent immigrants who have come to the U.S. to live and work in the past ten years or so. How many recent immigrants would you say live in your part of Maryland - many, some, only a few or none? --- Many/Some --- --- Few/None --- NET Many Some NET Few None No opinion 10/22/07 81 56 25 16 13 2 3 Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 86 62 24 12 11 1 2 27. (IF RECENT IMMIGRANTS, Q26) Generally speaking, have the recent immigrants in your area made it a (better) place to live, or a (worse) place to live? Better Worse No difference (vol.) No opinion 10/22/07 34 27 34 4 Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 31 31 32 5 28. Which comes closer to your own views - (immigrants today strengthen our country because of their hard work and talents), or (immigrants today are a burden on our country because they take our jobs, housing, and health care)? Strengthen Burden No opinion 10/22/07 51 42 7 Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 48 46 7 8/2/04* 47 47 6 *Kaiser/Harvard/NPR national poll 29. How about ILLEGAL immigrants? Is illegal immigration a problem in your part of the state, or not? IF PROBLEM: is it a very serious problem or only somewhat serious? ------ Problem ------ NET Very Somewhat Not a problem No opinion 10/22/07 49 25 24 40 11 Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 51 20 32 38 11 30. In dealing with the issue of illegal immigration, do you think the FEDERAL government has (gone too far), has done about the right amount, or (has not gone far enough)? Gone Has not gone Has done No too far far enough right amount opinion 10/22/07 15 68 15 3 Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 11 69 16 4 31. Overall how much do you want the STATE and LOCAL governments to do to deal with the issue of illegal immigration - a lot, some, not much or not at all? --- A Lot/Some --- --- Not much/At all --- No NET A lot Some NET Not much At all opinion 10/22/07 85 53 32 13 7 7 2 Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 87 53 34 12 6 6 1 32. How closely are you following the 2008 presidential race: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not closely at all? ----- Closely ------ ----- Not closely ------ No NET Very Smwt. NET Not too At all opinion 10/22/07 70 24 46 30 20 10 * Compare to Virginia: 10/8/07 74 30 44 26 16 10 * Compare to national: 9/30/07 69 21 48 30 21 10 * 08DEM1/1a. (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) If the 2008 Democratic presidential primary or caucus in your state were being held today, and the candidates were: (Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, or Mike Gravel), for whom would you vote? NET LEANED VOTE MD VA Nat'l 10/22/07 10/8/07 9/30/07* Hillary Clinton 48 49 53 Barack Obama 29 25 20 John Edwards 8 11 13 Joe Biden 3 3 2 Bill Richardson 2 3 3 Dennis Kucinich 1 1 1 Mike Gravel * * 0 Chris Dodd 0 * * Other (vol.) * 0 * None of these (vol.) 3 1 4 Would not vote (vol.) 1 * 1 No opinion 5 5 2 *Washington Post-ABC News national poll 08REP1/1a. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) If the 2008 Republican presidential primary or caucus in your state were being held today, and the candidates were: (Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Sam Brownback, Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul, or Fred Thompson), for whom would you vote? NET LEANED VOTE: MD VA Nat'l 10/22/07 10/8/07 9/30/07* Rudy Giuliani 39 34 34 John McCain 18 20 12 Fred Thompson 14 19 17 Mitt Romney 10 9 11 Ron Paul 4 2 3 Mike Huckabee 2 2 8 Tom Tancredo 2 1 1 Duncan Hunter * 2 2 Sam Brownback NA 1 1 Other (vol.) * * * None of these (vol.) 4 4 4 Would not vote (vol.) 2 2 1 No opinion 5 5 8 33. (ASKED OF LEANED DEMOCRATS) Regardless of who you may support, which of the Democratic candidates do you think (ITEM)? a. has the best chance of getting elected president in November 2008 MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Hillary Clinton 67 65 Barack Obama 12 15 John Edwards 8 8 Bill Richardson 1 1 Joe Biden 1 1 Mike Gravel 1 0 Chris Dodd * * Dennis Kucinich 0 0 Other (vol.) 1 * None of these (vol.) 2 * No opinion 8 9 b. is closest to you on the issues MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Hillary Clinton 42 45 Barack Obama 29 27 John Edwards 9 11 Joe Biden 3 3 Bill Richardson 2 2 Dennis Kucinich 2 2 Chris Dodd * * Mike Gravel * * Other (vol.) 1 * None of these (vol.) 2 1 No opinion 10 7 c. is the strongest leader MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Hillary Clinton 58 59 Barack Obama 21 19 John Edwards 5 7 Joe Biden 3 2 Bill Richardson 1 1 Chris Dodd 1 1 Dennis Kucinich * 1 Mike Gravel * * Other (vol.) * 1 None of these (vol.) 2 1 No opinion 9 9 d. best understands the problems of people like you MD 10/22/07 Hillary Clinton 40 Barack Obama 32 John Edwards 8 Joe Biden 3 Dennis Kucinich 2 Bill Richardson 2 Mike Gravel 0 Chris Dodd * Other (vol.) * None of these (vol.) 4 No opinion 9 34. (ASKED OF LEANED REPUBLICANS) Regardless of who you may support, which of the Republican candidates do you think (ITEM)? a. has the best chance of getting elected president in November 2008 MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Rudy Giuliani 55 47 John McCain 12 16 Fred Thompson 9 15 Mitt Romney 5 5 Mike Huckabee 2 * Duncan Hunter * * Ron Paul 0 1 Tom Tancredo 0 0 Sam Brownback NA * Other (vol.) 1 2 None of these (vol.) 3 3 No opinion 13 11 b. is closest to you on the issues MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Rudy Giuliani 29 27 Fred Thompson 15 16 John McCain 16 22 Mitt Romney 10 8 Mike Huckabee 3 3 Sam Brownback NA 1 Duncan Hunter 1 1 Ron Paul 4 3 Tom Tancredo 2 0 Other (vol.) 1 1 None of these (vol.) 2 3 No opinion 16 15 c. is the strongest leader MD VA 10/22/07 10/8/07 Rudy Giuliani 48 41 John McCain 19 25 Fred Thompson 8 12 Mitt Romney 5 5 Mike Huckabee 2 1 Ron Paul 2 1 Tom Tancredo 1 0 Duncan Hunter * * Sam Brownback NA * Other (vol.) 1 1 None of these (vol.) 2 1 No opinion 11 12 d. best understands the problems of people like you MD 10/22/07 Rudy Giuliani 33 John McCain 17 Fred Thompson 12 Mitt Romney 7 Mike Huckabee 3 Ron Paul 3 Duncan Hunter 1 Tom Tancredo 1 Other (vol.) 2 None of these (vol.) 6 No opinion 14 35. Which best describes your family's financial situation? Do you feel as if you (are getting ahead financially), have just enough money to maintain your standard of living, or (are falling behind financially)? Getting Just enough Falling No ahead to maintain behind opin. 10/22/07 25 56 18 1 Compare to National: 9/7/07 26 53 20 1 11/4/06 RV 28 48 23 1 10/22/06 RV 25 53 21 1 All 24 52 23 1 *Washington Post-ABC News national poll