The latest Badger Poll released Thursday found Wisconsinites’ perception of Gov. Jim Doyle at its lowest point in years: 46 percent approval.
The poll, conducted by the University of Wisconsin Survey System, reported Doyle as having a lower rating than both state and national legislators and President Barack Obama.
Doyle’s latest approval rating ranks as his lowest in the poll’s history.
Charles Franklin, UW professor of political science, said the numbers reflect both local and national influences.
He stressed that although much of public opinion toward Doyle is based on his handling of important issues, a distinction must be made between his ability to govern and factors that are outside his control, such as the national economy and its effects.
Associate Professor of political science Katherine Walsh also said the numbers on Doyle give some impression of the upcoming gubernatorial race.
“I think there is going to be a lot of interest in the race itself, and if anything, the poll shows that people are ready for change,” Walsh said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean from Democrat to Republican, but it’s already apparent that people want something new and fresh from the attention on the race this early.”
In regard to the state Legislature, 58 percent of state residents approve of its performance.
Public opinion about leaders outside of Wisconsin is also split. The approval rating of Congress is at 46 percent according to the poll, up 25 percent from this time last year.
As for President Obama, a majority of Wisconsinites still hold favorable opinions of the president, earning him a 60 percent approval rating.
Franklin noted the figure seemed slightly off when compared to national polls that put the president at or just below 50 percent.
“This may reflect errors in the polling data because of the way it is conducted and the historically high democrat approval rating in the Badger Poll,” Franklin said. “Or people in Wisconsin may really think the president is doing a better job. It’s hard to say.”
Franklin noted the discrepancy between the Badger Poll and others at the state or national level is nothing new, pointing to two other state polls that give Doyle an approval rating at least 10 points lower.
He said the small sample sizes and the use of all adults as participants and not just registered voters contribute to the variance.
Walsh, aware of these differences between past and present polls argued the Badger Poll was more accurate than some others.
“The field period for the poll is a lot longer than others at a month, allowing us to make sure the poll is representative of the state,” Walsh said. “We do a lot of callbacks and convincing of people to take the poll in order to obtain results that are not biased.”
