Raleigh, N.C. – Nathan Deal beat former Governor Roy Barnes last November by ten points, but he has yet to make a strong impression on Georgia voters. 35% approve, 31% disapprove, and 34% are not sure of the work he has done so far. If voters could re-do the election now, Barnes would just edge out Deal, 46-45. But Deal is at least more popular so far than his predecessor, fellow Republican Sonny Perdue, whose work over eight years is disapproved of by a 38-46 margin.
Saxby Chambliss, who had to go to a runoff to win re-election in 2008, is in a similar position as Deal, with 38% approving, 33% disapproving, and 29% not sure about his job performance. That is an improvement from last February, when 43% disapproved and the same 38% approved.
Voters are just slightly less down on the man Chambliss beat in his first election in 2002, Max Cleland. 38% have a favorable opinion of him but only 30% an unfavorable one.
Chambliss’ junior colleague, Johnny Isakson, is better liked, with 44% approving and only 29% disapproving of the work he is doing in the Senate. That is a drastic improvement from the 36-38 spread 13 months ago. 62% of Republicans approve, and only 45% of Democrats disapprove, while independents split 46-29 in his favor.
The man Isakson succeeded, Zell Miller, has almost a 2:1 (47-24) favorability ratio. His endorsement of George W. Bush in 2004 and John McCain in 2008 has left him with only a 37-35 split with Democrats, but an enormous 58-15 with the GOP.
The most popular figure PPP has measured in the state, though, is former Senator Sam Nunn, who rates a 47-18. Voters love him across the board—in fact, independents love him most (53-8), followed by Republicans (49-17), and last his own Democrats (40-24).
Voters of all partisan stripes also agree that alcohol sales should be legal on Sundays. It is another measure more popular with independents (60%) and Republicans (57%) than Democrats (53%).
PPP surveyed 790 Georgia voters from March 31st to April 3rd. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.5%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor
Nathan Deal’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 35%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 31%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 34%
Q2 If you could do last fall’s election for Governor
over again, would you vote for Democrat Roy
Barnes or Republican Nathan Deal?
Roy Barnes …………………………………………….. 46%
Nathan Deal……………………………………………. 45%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 9%
Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator
Saxby Chambliss’ job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 38%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 33%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 29%
Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator
Johnny Isakson’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 44%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 29%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 27%
Q5 Do you approve or disapprove of the work
Sonny Perdue did during his time as
Governor?
Approve …………………………………………………. 38%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 46%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 16%
Q6 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Zell Miller?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 47%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 24%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 29%
Q7 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Max Cleland?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 38%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 30%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 33%
Q8 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Sam Nunn?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 47%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 18%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 36%
Q9 Do you think it should be legal or illegal to sell
alcohol on Sundays in Georgia?
Legal……………………………………………………… 56%
Illegal …………………………………………………….. 38%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 6%
Q10 Who did you vote for President in 2008?
John McCain…………………………………………… 47%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 42%
Someone Else/Don’t Remember………………… 11%
Q11 Would you describe yourself as very liberal,
somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?
Very liberal ……………………………………………… 11%
Somewhat liberal …………………………………….. 15%
Moderate………………………………………………… 26%
Somewhat conservative……………………………. 28%
Very conservative ……………………………………. 20%
Q12 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 52%
Man……………………………………………………….. 48%
Q13 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 39%
Republican……………………………………………… 40%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 21%
Q14 If you are white, press 1. If African American,
press 2. If other, press 3.
White …………………………………………………….. 65%
African American……………………………………… 29%
Other……………………………………………………… 6%
Q15 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to
45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are
older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 18%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 24%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 38%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%