Governor Scott Walker’s approval rating is down from last month, in a new public opinion survey out today. Charles Franklin is the Director of the Marquette University Law School Poll. “We didn’t ask specifically why,” says Franklin. “Obviously there have been some developments over the last month, in the John Doe investigation … where we find 72 percent are aware of the John Doe proceedings. We also of course have a debate about jobs in the state.”
Walker’s approval rating fell from 50 percent in January to 46 percent. Unfavorable ratings also increased, from 45 to 48 percent. “That’s movement that’s just outside the margin of error of the poll, so I think it’s real movement,” says Franklin, adding that while the movement not good for Walker, it’s not “gigantic.”
The poll also found Democratic recall candidates Kathleen Falk and Kathleen Vinehout aren’t widely known. Falk saw her favorable rating increase from 19 to 22 percent, but Falk’s unfavorable rating is also up, from 25 to 28 percent. The survey found a lot of unknowns about Vinehout.
The poll also shows President Barack Obama leading all potential Republican candidates in Wisconsin. Obama leads former Senator Rick Santorum 51 percent to 40 percent and leads former governor Mitt Romney by 53 percent to 38 percent. In January, Obama’s lead over Romney was 48 percent to 40 percent. The president holds a 52 percent to 36 percent lead over Rep. Ron Paul and a 56 percent to 33 percent margin over former Speaker Newt Gingrich.
John Colbert, WIBA
