Raleigh, N.C. – Mark Sanford wants to keep the door open for another run at public office, but his former constituents have pretty firmly shut it on him. The rare politician who is honestly unapologetic about leaving his wife for another woman, he was recently photographed with that woman by a foreign newspaper. Now, 49% of South Carolinians disapprove of his performance over eight years as governor, and 55% say they would definitely not vote for him if he ran in their state again. Only a fifth of that would be firmly behind him, and only about a third would consider him.
Republicans do approve of the work Sanford did, but only 57-28, while 71% of Democrats and 53% of independents disapprove. Despite 57% of his party approving, only 17% of them would back him no matter what, and while a 43% plurality would consider him, 37% would not. That same 71% of the opposite party, and an even larger 65% of independents, would be unequivocally decided against him.
“Mark Sanford probably doesn’t stand a much better chance than Alvin Greene of winning anything more important than dog catcher,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
Further numbers on Lindsey Graham will be released later in the week, but while his approval rating is only mediocre (40-37), most voters think he is neither too conservative nor too liberal. His own partymates have the strongest opinions on him, which suggest he may face a tough primary challenge in 2014. 40% of the GOP thinks him too liberal, while half of independents and even 37% of Democrats think he is ideologically “about right.”
Recently inaugurated Governor Nikki Haley starts out with a solid 36-24 approval margin, though 40% still do not know enough about her to judge. This +12 margin ties her for the 11th most popular of 39 governors on which PPP has polled in the last year. Her party is united behind her, 53-7, and 15% of Democrats so far approve.
PPP surveyed 1,167 South Carolina voters from January 28th to 30th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-2.9%. 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
Nikki Haley’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 36%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 24%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 40%
Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator
Lindsey Graham’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 40%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 37%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 23%
Q3 Do you think Lindsey Graham is too liberal, too
conservative, or about right?
Too liberal ………………………………………………. 27%
Too conservative……………………………………… 19%
About right ……………………………………………… 40%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 13%
Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the work
Mark Sanford did during his eight years as
Governor?
Approve …………………………………………………. 39%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 49%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 12%
Q5 If Mark Sanford ran for political office again in
the future, would you definitely vote for him,
consider voting for him, or definitely not vote for
him?
Would definitely vote for him……………………… 11%
Would consider voting for him……………………. 32%
Would definitely not vote for him………………… 55%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 2%
Q6 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 15%
Moderate………………………………………………… 44%
Conservative…………………………………………… 40%
Q7 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 54%
Man……………………………………………………….. 46%
Q8 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 ……………………………………………….. 37%
Republican……………………………………………… 42%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 22%
Q9 If you are white, press 1. If African-American,
press 2. If other, press 3.
White …………………………………………………….. 69%
African-American …………………………………….. 26%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%
Q10 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………………………………………………….. 8%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 28%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 44%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%
