FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Margaret Justus June 27, 2008 281-250-8253 TEXAS LYCEUM POLL: DAY THREE Hutchison Favored Among Texans for Governor Gas prices and immigration identified as most important issues for state
(AUSTIN) The Texas Lyceum, the statewide, non-profit leadership group, released more results from its second annual public opinion poll.
Respondents were asked to think about an election that is still two years away – the 2010 Texas Gubernatorial contest. While she has not announced if she will run for Texas Governor in 2010, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison leads a field of possible Republican opponents and potential Democrats.
Hutchison has more support right now than any other Republicans, but nobody earned a majority. 35% said they are likely to support Hutchison in a Republican contest, and 22% said they're likely to support Governor Rick Perry in 2010. Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst was next, at 4%, and state Senator Florence Shapiro and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams each got 2%. One in five said they don't have a favorite, and 16% said they were not likely to support anyone on that list. A subgroup of Republican voters was just as emphatic: Hutchison, 50%; Perry, 23%; Dewhurst, 7%; Williams, 2%; and Shapiro, 2%.
Among Democrats, former U.S. Representative Chris Bell was the most popular with 13%, followed by Houston Mayor Bill White (10%), former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk (8%), former Comptroller John Sharp (7%), and former comptroller candidate Paul Hobby (2%). More than four in ten (42%) said they don't know who they'll support, and 17% said nobody on this list would be their favorite. Among Democratic voters, the numbers were: Bell, 17%; Kirk, 12%; White, 10%; Sharp, 7%; and Hobby, 2%.
In head-to-head match-ups between Republicans and Democrats, both Perry and Hutchison would defeat White in an election held today. In the first matchup, Perry holds a 32% to 29% edge over White, with 39% undecided. In a Hutchison-White match-up, the Republican Senator leads 34% to 25%, with 41% undecided.
Poll respondents were also asked to identify the most important issue facing Texas today. Gas and oil prices topped the list, mentioned by 21%, followed by immigration, 20%; the economy, 17%; education, 12%; and leadership, politics and gridlock, 7%. The issue list a year ago started with immigration, 22%; education, 21%; prices, inflation, gas prices, and cost of living, 7%; health care, 4%; and crime, drugs, and violence, 4%. The economy registered as most important only among 2% of those polled in 2007.
The survey of 1,000 Texans, selected randomly and interviewed via telephone, was taken June 12-20, 2008. The objective of the Texas Lyceum Poll is to annually produce a non-partisan, high quality, scientific survey that is designed to provide specific data points on issues of interest, as well as a time series of key demographics, attitudes, and opinions.
Results of the 2008 Texas Lyceum Poll are available at www.texaslyceum.org. The complete data set will be posted in the fall to coincide with the group’s annual public conference, to be held this year on October 3rd in Houston.
Showing posts with label Texas Lyceum Poll. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas Lyceum Poll. Show all posts
June 28, 2008
Texas Lyceum Poll: Day Two
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Margaret Justus June 26, 2008 281-250-8253 Texas Lyceum Poll: Day Two The Economy Replaces War in Iraq as most important issue Results detect growing sour mood about the political environment McCain leads Obama; Cornyn, Noriega in tighter race, large undecided (
AUSTIN) The Texas Lyceum, the statewide, non-profit leadership group, released a second set of results from its second annual public opinion poll taken June 12-20, 2008. When asked to name the most important issue facing the nation today, 33% of respondents said the economy while 20% said the rising price of gas and energy.
“The economy has clearly become the most important issue to Texans, whether it is $4-plus dollars a gallon at the pump, the home mortgage crisis or perhaps the general uncertainty about the future,” said Daron Shaw, Lyceum pollster and Professor at the University of Texas.
“When we asked this same question of Texans last year, the top issue was the war in Iraq followed by immigration,” Shaw continued. “The economy was a top concern to only 4% of respondents, yet this year, the Iraq war was a top priority for only 14% of those polled. That is a fairly dramatic change in a year.”
Shaw said the survey of 1,000 Texans, selected randomly and interviewed via telephone, demonstrates that Texans continue to be uneasy about the direction of the country with 78% saying the country is worse off than it was a year ago. This is also a change from last year's survey when 35% of respondents said the country was worse off and 43% said things were about the same.
“Conducting an annual poll provides a unique perspective of public opinion from year to year to year,” Shaw said. “Another great example is the 2 question of whether the country is on the right track or the wrong track. In 2007, 62% of those polled felt the country was on the wrong track, and this year, 70% expressed that sentiment.”
When asked about their own personal economic situation, 42% said they're in about the same shape as they were a year ago, 35% said their situation is worse now, and 22% said their economic condition has improved over the last 12 months. They were more optimistic when asked whether they think their children will do better or worse economically: 39% said better off, 30% said worse off, and 21% think their children will do about the same as they have done.
The poll also tested how Texans feel about the upcoming November political contests. Among likely voters, 43% said they would support Arizona Senator John McCain for President if the election were held today and 38% would support Illinois Senator Barack Obama. One in six (17%) remain undecided.
Incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn leads Democratic challenger Rick Noriega by a slim margin of 38% to 36%, but 24% have not decided yet which candidate they will support.
“About an equal percentage of Republicans and Democrats qualified as ‘likely voters’. This outcome that suggests unusually high enthusiasm among Democrats, as, “Republicans typically have a party identification edge over the Democrats on Election Day,” according to Shaw. “The Democrats need to maintain this greater intensity to be competitive in 2008.”
“As we’ve seen throughout the 2008 campaign cycle, political polls are taking snapshots of a rapidly shifting electorate in an unstable economic and political environment,” said Professor Jim Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, who assisted in the survey.
“The variation in these snapshots has been and will continue to be manifest in this unique election year,” Henson continued. “I’m confident the Texas Lyceum Poll gives us a statistically reliable snapshot of Texas public opinion at one moment in time, and that what we see here is an unpredictable, worried electorate. But one of the many recurring lessons of this political cycle should be to watch the trends, and to note that the only single poll that counts is the one administered in voting booths on Election Day.”
"We commissioned the annual Texas Lyceum Poll to get a better understanding of the issues that are most important to Texans,” said 2008 Lyceum President John Boettiger. “By measuring these opinions over time, we are providing a valuable tool that can help us all make more informed decisions on policy as we confront the important issues facing Texas.”
Lyceum leaders will rollout one last set of results tomorrow, which address how Texans feel about important issues facing the state and their view of the potential 2010 statewide political match-ups.
The objective of the Texas Lyceum Poll is straightforward the poll is a non-partisan, high quality, scientific survey designed to provide specific data points on issues of interest, as well as a time series of key demographics, attitudes, and opinions.
AUSTIN) The Texas Lyceum, the statewide, non-profit leadership group, released a second set of results from its second annual public opinion poll taken June 12-20, 2008. When asked to name the most important issue facing the nation today, 33% of respondents said the economy while 20% said the rising price of gas and energy.
“The economy has clearly become the most important issue to Texans, whether it is $4-plus dollars a gallon at the pump, the home mortgage crisis or perhaps the general uncertainty about the future,” said Daron Shaw, Lyceum pollster and Professor at the University of Texas.
“When we asked this same question of Texans last year, the top issue was the war in Iraq followed by immigration,” Shaw continued. “The economy was a top concern to only 4% of respondents, yet this year, the Iraq war was a top priority for only 14% of those polled. That is a fairly dramatic change in a year.”
Shaw said the survey of 1,000 Texans, selected randomly and interviewed via telephone, demonstrates that Texans continue to be uneasy about the direction of the country with 78% saying the country is worse off than it was a year ago. This is also a change from last year's survey when 35% of respondents said the country was worse off and 43% said things were about the same.
“Conducting an annual poll provides a unique perspective of public opinion from year to year to year,” Shaw said. “Another great example is the 2 question of whether the country is on the right track or the wrong track. In 2007, 62% of those polled felt the country was on the wrong track, and this year, 70% expressed that sentiment.”
When asked about their own personal economic situation, 42% said they're in about the same shape as they were a year ago, 35% said their situation is worse now, and 22% said their economic condition has improved over the last 12 months. They were more optimistic when asked whether they think their children will do better or worse economically: 39% said better off, 30% said worse off, and 21% think their children will do about the same as they have done.
The poll also tested how Texans feel about the upcoming November political contests. Among likely voters, 43% said they would support Arizona Senator John McCain for President if the election were held today and 38% would support Illinois Senator Barack Obama. One in six (17%) remain undecided.
Incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn leads Democratic challenger Rick Noriega by a slim margin of 38% to 36%, but 24% have not decided yet which candidate they will support.
“About an equal percentage of Republicans and Democrats qualified as ‘likely voters’. This outcome that suggests unusually high enthusiasm among Democrats, as, “Republicans typically have a party identification edge over the Democrats on Election Day,” according to Shaw. “The Democrats need to maintain this greater intensity to be competitive in 2008.”
“As we’ve seen throughout the 2008 campaign cycle, political polls are taking snapshots of a rapidly shifting electorate in an unstable economic and political environment,” said Professor Jim Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, who assisted in the survey.
“The variation in these snapshots has been and will continue to be manifest in this unique election year,” Henson continued. “I’m confident the Texas Lyceum Poll gives us a statistically reliable snapshot of Texas public opinion at one moment in time, and that what we see here is an unpredictable, worried electorate. But one of the many recurring lessons of this political cycle should be to watch the trends, and to note that the only single poll that counts is the one administered in voting booths on Election Day.”
"We commissioned the annual Texas Lyceum Poll to get a better understanding of the issues that are most important to Texans,” said 2008 Lyceum President John Boettiger. “By measuring these opinions over time, we are providing a valuable tool that can help us all make more informed decisions on policy as we confront the important issues facing Texas.”
Lyceum leaders will rollout one last set of results tomorrow, which address how Texans feel about important issues facing the state and their view of the potential 2010 statewide political match-ups.
The objective of the Texas Lyceum Poll is straightforward the poll is a non-partisan, high quality, scientific survey designed to provide specific data points on issues of interest, as well as a time series of key demographics, attitudes, and opinions.
2008 Texas Lyceum Statewide Poll Results - June 25th Press Release on Transportation
June 25, 2008 281-250-8253
Texans Respond to Rising Fuel Costs in
Second Annual Texas Lyceum Poll
Results show more than half may not take a summer vacation and 66%
would consider buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle
(AUSTIN) The Texas Lyceum, the statewide, non-profit leadership group, released results of its second annual public opinion poll taken June 12-20, 2008. The results reveal rising fuel costs are seriously causing Texans to re-think how to get around, and many are considering staying close to home this summer.
“As we know, most Texans highly value the freedom of driving and owning their own car, but our survey shows the pinch of rising gas prices, increased congestion, and the costs of transportation projects are changing how people feel about transportation in Texas,” said Daron Shaw, Lyceum pollster and Professor at the University of Texas.
“Perhaps the number that sums it up best is the response to rising gasoline prices; more than half of those polled (51%) are strongly considering not taking a summer vacation.” Shaw continued. “They want less congestion on the roads, and hope their governments will put more money into public transportation. But they don't like gas taxes and toll roads.”
Shaw said the survey of 1,000 Texans, selected randomly and interviewed via telephone, contains evidence that Texas drivers are looking for alternatives to the status quo. For example: 66% would strongly consider buying a hybrid car or a more fuel-efficient vehicle; almost two-thirds, (63%) said they would strongly consider carpooling; and over half, (53%) said they would strongly consider taking public transportation to work or to school.
The poll also tested how Texans feel about increasing taxes on gasoline to pay for new transportation projects and road maintenance, showing that most (60%) strongly oppose such a move.
“This may give policy makers pause as they look to using the gas tax to either generate revenue or encourage conservation," said Professor Jim Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, who assisted in the survey.
“When it comes to paying four bucks for a gallon of gas, Texans appear more likely to consider buying a hybrid, carpooling, or taking public transportation than they are likely to approve of increasing gas taxes at the pump,” Henson continued. “This seems to make the resurrection of any legislative proposals to increase the gas tax, already pretty unlikely, dead on arrival in the next legislature.”
Other interesting poll findings include: Nearly every Texan surveyed owns a car and they drive a lot: 88% said they own a vehicle and most use their own vehicles to drive to work. Not surprisingly, Texans think something ought to be done about traffic congestion, with 49% saying it's "very important" compared to other issues facing the state and 35% saying it's somewhat important. Three-fourths (75%) said they would support regional rail systems connecting adjacent cities like Dallas and Fort Worth or Austin and San Antonio. Texans are willing to spend more on roads, but 51% of respondents said they oppose the state using its power of eminent domain to secure right of way for new transportation projects. Texans oppose tolls on new roads, and they like it even less on existing ones. On new roads, 66% oppose tolls (including 46% who strongly oppose them), and on existing roads, opposition to tolls climbs to 69% (including 53% who strongly oppose tolls on existing highways). Slightly more than half support "the state of Texas allowing private business contractors to handle transportation projects and improvements." 53% favor the private work, another 41% really don’t like the idea, and only 6% are undecided. A majority strongly favors a ban on drivers using cell phones. 60% would "strongly" or "somewhat" support a ban on cell phone use
while driving, even though more than a third of respondents said they used cell phones while driving.
“We are extremely proud to share the results of the second annual Texas Lyceum Poll with the media and the general public,” said 2008 Lyceum President John Boettiger. “The subject matter and timing couldn’t be better as our local, state and national leaders look for new ways to tackle the difficult policy challenges of transporting Texans and the goods we buy and sell more efficiently and safely in the midst of record high fuel prices.”
Lyceum leaders will rollout survey results over three days, which, in addition to transportation issues, will include how Texans view the upcoming presidential election as well as the 2010 statewide political match-ups.
The objective of the Texas Lyceum Poll is straightforward – the poll is a non-partisan, high quality, scientific survey designed to provide specific data points on issues of interest, as well as a time series of key demographics, attitudes, and opinions. Last year the group polled Texans on the prickly subject of separation of church and state prior to a public conference on the issue. This year, the polling data will also be used as a discussion springboard for the group’s conference on transportation and infrastructure to be held October 3rd at the Reliant Center in Houston. For more details, visit www.texaslyceum.org. The conference is open to the media.
Texans Respond to Rising Fuel Costs in
Second Annual Texas Lyceum Poll
Results show more than half may not take a summer vacation and 66%
would consider buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle
(AUSTIN) The Texas Lyceum, the statewide, non-profit leadership group, released results of its second annual public opinion poll taken June 12-20, 2008. The results reveal rising fuel costs are seriously causing Texans to re-think how to get around, and many are considering staying close to home this summer.
“As we know, most Texans highly value the freedom of driving and owning their own car, but our survey shows the pinch of rising gas prices, increased congestion, and the costs of transportation projects are changing how people feel about transportation in Texas,” said Daron Shaw, Lyceum pollster and Professor at the University of Texas.
“Perhaps the number that sums it up best is the response to rising gasoline prices; more than half of those polled (51%) are strongly considering not taking a summer vacation.” Shaw continued. “They want less congestion on the roads, and hope their governments will put more money into public transportation. But they don't like gas taxes and toll roads.”
Shaw said the survey of 1,000 Texans, selected randomly and interviewed via telephone, contains evidence that Texas drivers are looking for alternatives to the status quo. For example: 66% would strongly consider buying a hybrid car or a more fuel-efficient vehicle; almost two-thirds, (63%) said they would strongly consider carpooling; and over half, (53%) said they would strongly consider taking public transportation to work or to school.
The poll also tested how Texans feel about increasing taxes on gasoline to pay for new transportation projects and road maintenance, showing that most (60%) strongly oppose such a move.
“This may give policy makers pause as they look to using the gas tax to either generate revenue or encourage conservation," said Professor Jim Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, who assisted in the survey.
“When it comes to paying four bucks for a gallon of gas, Texans appear more likely to consider buying a hybrid, carpooling, or taking public transportation than they are likely to approve of increasing gas taxes at the pump,” Henson continued. “This seems to make the resurrection of any legislative proposals to increase the gas tax, already pretty unlikely, dead on arrival in the next legislature.”
Other interesting poll findings include: Nearly every Texan surveyed owns a car and they drive a lot: 88% said they own a vehicle and most use their own vehicles to drive to work. Not surprisingly, Texans think something ought to be done about traffic congestion, with 49% saying it's "very important" compared to other issues facing the state and 35% saying it's somewhat important. Three-fourths (75%) said they would support regional rail systems connecting adjacent cities like Dallas and Fort Worth or Austin and San Antonio. Texans are willing to spend more on roads, but 51% of respondents said they oppose the state using its power of eminent domain to secure right of way for new transportation projects. Texans oppose tolls on new roads, and they like it even less on existing ones. On new roads, 66% oppose tolls (including 46% who strongly oppose them), and on existing roads, opposition to tolls climbs to 69% (including 53% who strongly oppose tolls on existing highways). Slightly more than half support "the state of Texas allowing private business contractors to handle transportation projects and improvements." 53% favor the private work, another 41% really don’t like the idea, and only 6% are undecided. A majority strongly favors a ban on drivers using cell phones. 60% would "strongly" or "somewhat" support a ban on cell phone use
while driving, even though more than a third of respondents said they used cell phones while driving.
“We are extremely proud to share the results of the second annual Texas Lyceum Poll with the media and the general public,” said 2008 Lyceum President John Boettiger. “The subject matter and timing couldn’t be better as our local, state and national leaders look for new ways to tackle the difficult policy challenges of transporting Texans and the goods we buy and sell more efficiently and safely in the midst of record high fuel prices.”
Lyceum leaders will rollout survey results over three days, which, in addition to transportation issues, will include how Texans view the upcoming presidential election as well as the 2010 statewide political match-ups.
The objective of the Texas Lyceum Poll is straightforward – the poll is a non-partisan, high quality, scientific survey designed to provide specific data points on issues of interest, as well as a time series of key demographics, attitudes, and opinions. Last year the group polled Texans on the prickly subject of separation of church and state prior to a public conference on the issue. This year, the polling data will also be used as a discussion springboard for the group’s conference on transportation and infrastructure to be held October 3rd at the Reliant Center in Houston. For more details, visit www.texaslyceum.org. The conference is open to the media.
Voters favor Hutchison, poll finds
Voters favor Hutchison, poll finds
By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
Article Launched: 06/28/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
AUSTIN -- Republican voters in Texas seem to like the idea of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison coming home to take the state's top job, according to poll results released Friday.
More than two years before the 2010 gubernatorial race, The Texas Lyceum, a nonpartisan Texas think tank, asked respondents earlier this month to participate in a "fantasy" election.
The poll asked 1,000 people across the state to choose among five Republican politicians -- Hutchison, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.
None garnered a majority, but 35 percent said they were likely to support Hutchison, compared with 22 percent who chose Perry.
"That's a powerful statement about people's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with how he's carried out the last two years of his office," said Kathleen Staudt, a political science professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Perry won re-election in 2006 with 39 percent of the vote in a crowded field of candidates. He is set to become the longest-serving Texas governor in history later this year and has said he plans to run again in 2010.
Perry spokesman Robert Black said a poll wasn't worth much.
"Two years is two or three eternities in politics," Black said. "Gov. Perry doesn't pay much attention to polls anyway."
Hutchison has not announced her candidacy, but is considering a run for the governor's mansion. Matt Mackowiak, Hutchison's spokesman, declined to comment on the poll results.
The poll also asked about five Democratic politicians who might have gubernatorial aspirations: former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, Houston Mayor Bill White, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, former Comptroller John Sharp and former comptroller candidate Paul Hobby.
More than 40 percent said they didn't know whom they would support, and about 17 percent said they wouldn't choose any of the Democrats listed.
"Those results don't speak very well for the Democratic Party and its ability to generate high-profile names that appeal to the entire state," Staudt said.
She agreed with Perry's spokesman that it was too soon to make predictions about the 2010 gubernatorial race.
"It's much too early," she said. "Everybody's all caught up in the presidential election right now."
The poll also asked Texans which issues were the most important facing the state.
Gas and oil prices topped the list, followed closely by immigration and the economy.
The price of gas was the first thing Lower Valley resident Gloria Duran mentioned, too, when asked about important issues facing Texans.
But health care and education were the mother of four's biggest concerns.
"Can they do without the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test?" she said. "It's throwing off a lot of kids."
Tanny Berg, an El Paso investor, listed the state's new business tax as one of his biggest worries.
"It's really, really onerous on small businesses," he said.
And, he said, Texas should make it a priority to improve relations with Mexico.
"The economic well-being of both countries is interdependent," Berg said, "and Texas needs to take a role in making that better."
Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com;512-479-6606.
By Brandi Grissom / Austin Bureau
Article Launched: 06/28/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT
AUSTIN -- Republican voters in Texas seem to like the idea of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison coming home to take the state's top job, according to poll results released Friday.
More than two years before the 2010 gubernatorial race, The Texas Lyceum, a nonpartisan Texas think tank, asked respondents earlier this month to participate in a "fantasy" election.
The poll asked 1,000 people across the state to choose among five Republican politicians -- Hutchison, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.
None garnered a majority, but 35 percent said they were likely to support Hutchison, compared with 22 percent who chose Perry.
"That's a powerful statement about people's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with how he's carried out the last two years of his office," said Kathleen Staudt, a political science professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Perry won re-election in 2006 with 39 percent of the vote in a crowded field of candidates. He is set to become the longest-serving Texas governor in history later this year and has said he plans to run again in 2010.
Perry spokesman Robert Black said a poll wasn't worth much.
"Two years is two or three eternities in politics," Black said. "Gov. Perry doesn't pay much attention to polls anyway."
Hutchison has not announced her candidacy, but is considering a run for the governor's mansion. Matt Mackowiak, Hutchison's spokesman, declined to comment on the poll results.
The poll also asked about five Democratic politicians who might have gubernatorial aspirations: former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, Houston Mayor Bill White, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, former Comptroller John Sharp and former comptroller candidate Paul Hobby.
More than 40 percent said they didn't know whom they would support, and about 17 percent said they wouldn't choose any of the Democrats listed.
"Those results don't speak very well for the Democratic Party and its ability to generate high-profile names that appeal to the entire state," Staudt said.
She agreed with Perry's spokesman that it was too soon to make predictions about the 2010 gubernatorial race.
"It's much too early," she said. "Everybody's all caught up in the presidential election right now."
The poll also asked Texans which issues were the most important facing the state.
Gas and oil prices topped the list, followed closely by immigration and the economy.
The price of gas was the first thing Lower Valley resident Gloria Duran mentioned, too, when asked about important issues facing Texans.
But health care and education were the mother of four's biggest concerns.
"Can they do without the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test?" she said. "It's throwing off a lot of kids."
Tanny Berg, an El Paso investor, listed the state's new business tax as one of his biggest worries.
"It's really, really onerous on small businesses," he said.
And, he said, Texas should make it a priority to improve relations with Mexico.
"The economic well-being of both countries is interdependent," Berg said, "and Texas needs to take a role in making that better."
Brandi Grissom may be reached at bgrissom@elpasotimes.com;512-479-6606.
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