Louisianan liberals and conservatives alike strongly support drilling off the shore of the state: 77 to 12 percent. The oil spill has done little to sway Louisianans’ opinions, 42% of voters say the spill hasn’t changed their mind.
As the backbone of the economy and representing 16% of the state’s GDP, it is no surprise that Louisianans so fervently support the oil and gas industry, while fishing and tourism account for a mere 6% of the GDP combined. According to some estimates a year long drilling ban could cost the state up to 20,000 jobs.
Louisianans blame the oil spill on BP and 79% believe the corporation should bare the responsibility for cleaning up the oil. 53 to 29% of voters are angrier with BP than the federal government.
Louisianans believe that President George W. Bush did a better job handling the crisis in the state than President Obama, 50 to 35. But most Louisianans think the oil spill is far more critical than Hurricane Katrina. Louisianans overwhelmingly believe that the effects of the oil spill will be far more harmful to Louisiana in the long term than Hurricane Katrina, 76 to 17%.
While Governor Jindal receives high marks from voters for job performance and his handling of the oil spill, they do not see him as a national leader. 63% of voters approve of his over all performance and 65% approve of his response to the spill—but only 34 think he should run for President in 2012.
“People are always concerned with their economic livelihood,” said Dean Debnam President of Public Policy Polling. “In Louisiana the economy and jobs are clearly tied to the oil and gas industry. Louisianans seem more concerned about the closure of oil rigs than of beaches.”
PPP will release numbers on the Louisiana Senate race tomorrow.
PPP surveyed 492 Louisiana voters from June 12th– 13th. The survey’s margin of error is +/- 4.4%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of President
Barack Obama’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 37%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 57%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 6%
Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor
Bobby Jindal’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 63%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 31%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 6%
Q3 Do you think that Bobby Jindal should run for
President in 2012?
Yes…………………… 34%
No ……………………. 55%
Not Sure……………. 10%
Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Mary
Landrieu’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 39%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 51%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 10%
Q5 Do you support or oppose drilling for oil off the
shore of Louisiana?
Support ………………………………………………….. 77%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 12%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 11%
Q6 Has the oil spill in the Gulf made you more or
less supportive of offshore drilling, or has it not
made a difference to you?
More supportive ………………………………………. 28%
Less supportive……………………………………….. 31%
Hasn’t made a difference either way…………… 42%
Q7 When it comes to offshore drilling are you more
concerned with its economic impact or its
environmental impact?
Economic impact …………………………………….. 45%
Environmental impact ………………………………. 41%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 14%
Q8 Do you approve or disapprove of how
Governor Jindal has handled the aftermath of
the oil spill?
Approve …………………………………………………. 65%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 25%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 10%
Q9 Do you approve or disapprove of how George
W. Bush handled the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina?
Approve …………………………………………………. 34%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 58%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 8%
Q10 Do you approve or disapprove of how Barack
Obama has handled the aftermath of the oil
spill?
Approve …………………………………………………. 32%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 62%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 6%
Q11 Who do you think has done a better job in
helping Louisiana to deal with crisis: George
W. Bush or Barack Obama?
George W. Bush ……………………………………… 50%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 35%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 15%
