Raleigh, N.C. – While support for oil exploration off the coasts of various states sharply decreased in the aftermath of the BP oil spill, support in Louisiana remained very high, measuring at 77% support, to only 12% opposition, in PPP’s last poll of the state in June. While support has nearly returned to previous levels elsewhere, support in Louisiana has, if it were possible, also increased, to 81%, with only 9% not in favor. By a 32-21 margin, voters say the spill has actually made them more supportive of drilling off the state’s coastline than less supportive, with 48% saying it has made no difference on their opinion. In June, the “less supportive” group edged “more supportive,” 31-28.
The latest figures come among likely voters in this fall’s elections, a much more conservative and Republican set than the respondents to the previous poll—registered voters who have voted in at least one of the last three general elections. Naturally, the news for President Obama is also more depressing this time around.
Louisianans’ severe disapproval of Obama overall, 35-61, mirrors their disdain for his efforts in the cleanup, 32-61. George W. Bush’s handling of Hurricane Katrina, by contrast, is viewed barely negatively, 44-47; the response in June, 34-58, was more in line with Obama’s, 32-62. A full 54% now think Bush did a better job dealing with crisis than Obama, who gets the vote of only 33%. Considering the shift in the electorate, that is little if any change from the 50-35 divide in June. 24% of Democrats still prefer Bush’s response; the small set of independents go for him, 47-30, after favoring Obama, 41-37, two months ago.
“Louisiana used to be a marginal swing state with a Southern Democratic pedigree, but it was one of the few states where Obama did worse than John Kerry, and this cycle it is looking among the reddest states PPP has polled,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
PPP surveyed 403 likely Louisiana voters on August 21st and 22nd. The margin of error for the survey is +/-4.9%. 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 …………………………………………………. 35%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 61%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 5%
Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor
Bobby Jindal’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 58%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 34%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 8%
Q3 Do you support or oppose drilling for oil off the
shore of Louisiana?
Support ………………………………………………….. 82%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 9%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 9%
Q4 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 ………………………………………. 32%
Less supportive……………………………………….. 21%
Hasn’t made a difference either way…………… 48%
Q5 Do you approve or disapprove of how
Governor Jindal has handled the aftermath of
the oil spill?
Approve …………………………………………………. 70%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 20%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%
Q6 Do you approve or disapprove of how George
W. Bush handled the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina?
Approve …………………………………………………. 44%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 47%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 9%
Q7 Do you approve or disapprove of how Barack
Obama has handled the aftermath of the oil
spill?
Approve …………………………………………………. 32%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 61%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 6%
Q8 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 ……………………………………… 54%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 33%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 13%
Q9 Who did you vote for president in 2008?
John McCain…………………………………………… 57%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 37%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 6%
Q10 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 14%
Moderate………………………………………………… 36%
Conservative…………………………………………… 50%
Q11 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 56%
Man……………………………………………………….. 44%
Q12 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 ……………………………………………….. 44%
Republican……………………………………………… 45%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 11%
Q13 If you are white, press 1. If African-American,
press 2. If other, press 3.
White …………………………………………………….. 71%
African-American …………………………………….. 25%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%
Q14 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 10%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 22%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 44%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 25%
