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Public Policy Poll: what it says, what it means

Public Policy Polling released numbers this week on a variety of political and social issues in the state.  Here are some of the findings, and my take on what they mean.

What the poll says: In the race for the U.S. Senate, Republican Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito leads Democrat Natalie Tennant 50 percent to 36 percent with 14 percent not sure.

What it means: Tennant has to go hard negative to take votes away from Capito.

 

What the poll says: 67 percent of West Virginians disapprove of President Obama’s job performance, 28 percent approve and 5 percent are not sure.

What it means: The president has worked hard to earn those numbers; he’s not about to change now.

 

What the poll says: 45 percent of West Virginians describe themselves as very conservative or somewhat conservative, while 26 percent are very liberal or somewhat liberal, and 28 percent say they are moderate.

What it means: How would Jesus vote?

 

What the poll says: Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s disapproval rating is now higher (by just one point at 46 percent to 45 percent) than his approval rating.

What it means: The retiring senior Senator is wisely going out on his own terms.

 

What the poll says: Voters support impeaching President Obama by a 49-37 margin.

What it means: Tennant memo to White House: “Please don’t campaign for me.”

 

What the poll says: U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s approval rating has fallen from 61 percent in 2011 to 46 percent, while his disapproval number has risen from 23 percent to 44 percent.

What it means: Just living near Obama hurts him.

 

What the poll says: Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s approval rating is 47 percent, virtually the same as two years ago.

What it means: The “keep-your-head-down strategy” works for him.

 

What the poll says: Only 23 percent of West Virginia voters support gay marriage, while 70 percent oppose it.

What it means: West Virginian by birth, San Franciscan by choice.

 

What the poll says: WVU football coach Dana Holgorsen’s favorability rating is just 18 percent, while 25 percent view him unfavorably.

What it means: Somewhere Bill Stewart is smiling.

 

What the poll says: The favorability rating for former WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez is 11 percent, while 47 percent view him unfavorably.

What it means: Somewhere Dana Holgorsen is smiling.

 

What the poll says: WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins has a 45 percent favorability rating, while only 12 percent have an unfavorable view.

What it means:  Hey, he’s Huggs!

 

 

 

 

 





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