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Baldacci approval drops; few can name potential replacementsThe Pan Atlantic/SMS poll released today covers a lot of ground from gay marriage, to excise taxes, to who's running for governor in 2010. And, although he can’t run for governor again this time around, the survey asked people to rate Gov. John Baldacci’s performance. Just over 50 percent rated the Democrat as “excellent” or “good,” which is down to its lowest point since August of 2005. Here’s how the “excellent/good” numbers shake out: •Aug. 2005: 49.6 percent Baldacci, who’s held some form of public office since 1978, has said he will not run for anything again. Those trying to replace him apparently have a lot of work to do between now and June to get their names out there. When asked: “Are you aware of any candidates who are running for governor of Maine in 2010?” 75.6 percent said No. 16.5 percent said Yes. And apparently 8 percent didn’t know if they knew or not. For those who were aware that someone was running: 4.5 percent named Republican Peter Mills 4.5 percent named Democrat Steve Rowe 2.7 percent named Republican Les Otten 2.2 percent named Republican Paul LePage 2 percent said Democrat Libby Mitchell 1 percent said Democrat Dawn Hill 1 percent said Republican Matt Jacobson Beyond that, others were mentioned, but they all got less than 1 percent. Bookmark/Search this post with:
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Statehouse reporter Susan Cover plumbs the depths of Maine politics to bring you the scoop on candidates, elected officials, parties and rainmakers. Tags2010 governor's race Arden Manning Barack Obama Blaine House Bruce Poliquin Chellie Pingree civic center Congress Congressional conventions elections Elizabeth Mitchell gay marriage Gay Rights General Hannah Pingree John Baldacci Josh Tardy Kevin Raye Les Otten Lobbyists Lynne Williams Maine Democratic Party Maine Marriage Initiative Mike Michaud Obama Olympia Snowe Parties Pat Flood Peter Mills Politicians Presidential Referenda Republican Rosa Scarcelli State budget Statehouse Steve Rowe Susan Collins U.S. Senate |
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In the Pan Atlantic/SMS poll in regard to Governor Baldacci's job performance rating, there - incredibly - is not alternative for fair (or average, etc.). So if one does not want to endorse excellent or good, then one is left with only poor or very poor.
Interestingly, and THIS IS CLEARLY the more proper way to interpret the poll, almost 50% choose poor or very poor.
Mainers are kind, and when (approaching) 50% say that you are doing poor or worse, you're doing terrible in the view of Mainers.
No doubt about it.
Or judge the poll results for yourself
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM41_omnibus_fall_2009.html
Also, interestingly from the same poll, 34.2% of Mainers indicated they felt Maine was headed in the right direction, while 51.1% felt Maine is headed in the wrong direction.
This is what I emailed to a few media yesterday in regard to the Governor's economic performance (Title: Governor Baldacci):
1. Not to sound dramatic, but I think that it has been demonstrated, by reasonable standards, that Governor Baldacci has proved essentially (or at a minimum somewhat) incompetent in regard to the handling of the Maine economy
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/125118.html 2. In my opinion, any self-respecting Maine journalist, who allows major Maine candidates to go forward with "business as usual" sound bites without them being effectively and responsibly challenged, is becoming more aligned with the problem than with the solution. 3. It may seem quite presumptuous for any Maine candidate to lecture the press. That is not my intention. Fundamentally, we are all professionals with discrete roles to play that do have, thankfully, clear boundaries. But we are also all Mainers, each with a sphere of influence that can be, and I would argue should be, appropriately and responsibly utilized to probe what is in the economic and overall betterment of our state. Thank you. Alex Hammer