Anti-government sentiments have been rare since Sept. 11. Bush’s approval rating is down and still a lofty 84 percent.
It seems apparent that fellow Republicans could gain popularity because of Bush’s high approval. This may be the case for many Republicans, but it seems the surge of popularity left Gov. Scott McCallum behind.
Despite the widespread approval of the federal government, Wisconsin citizens are continually becoming more disenchanted with governmental affairs, and recent polls show increased anti-government feelings in Wisconsin.
After Sept. 11, a poll reported 62 percent of Wisconsin residents rated McCallum as excellent or good. This has dropped sharply to its current 40 percent.
The state’s current fiscal conundrum may have been the beginning of the disapproval and dissatisfaction with Wisconsin bureaucrats.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported Jan. 11 that Madison mayor Sue Bauman and Gov. Scott McCallum had the lowest approval ratings of any local officials; both were rated significantly lower than President Bush.
Bauman and McCallum received excellent or good ratings from just 40 percent of respondents. McCallum had the highest number of respondents rating his performance as poor with 22 percent.
Legislators have directed sharp criticism towards McCallum’s proposed budget-deficit repair plan, and it seems citizens have listened to the criticism and have approved less and less of his work.
A recent Metro Pulse Poll reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said government waste, corruption and bureaucracy was the general subject listed most often when people in the Milwaukee area were asked to name the most important issue facing the area.
Typically, the issues described as most important involve education and crime. Government affairs, while previously unimportant to Milwaukee residents, have come to the forefront of their collective psyche.
Previous high approval ratings for the state were coupled with decreased ratings this year. The same poll reported 65 percent of respondents think Wisconsin is on the right track — this number is usually in the 70s.
The $1.1 billion budget deficit and McCallum’s proposal to fix the problem has caused discontent across Wisconsin. However, with the recent introduction of the federal budget and a possible deficit, it seems inconsistent that Bush’s popularity remains high.
Significant increases in defense spending prompted Bush to announce a deficit of $80 billion if his budget proposal is passed.
McCallum didn’t increase the budget when he announced it last January; he decreased spending, but the state still faces a deficit. Granted, a $1.1 billion deficit is per capita less than other states, but poll ratings clearly show that Wisconsin residents are upset.
New approval ratings for Bush are not available since his budget address Monday, but it is likely they will not falter. The economy is in a recession and Bush’s ratings remain aloft, but McCallum’s have fallen sharply, seemingly due to the state budget deficit.
