Considering the confusion over new job numbers just announced by the Walker Administration and disputed by Democrats, it’s no wonder Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin says their poll showed some pretty dramatic changes in perceptions about jobs over the past several months. “Back in March more people, 34 percent, thought the state had gained jobs than thought it had lost jobs, only 24 percent. But in April those numbers had essentially reversed; 21 percent thinking we had gained, 38 saying we had lost.”
And in this new poll 20 percent of those surveyed think the state has gained jobs, while 37 percent believe Wisconsin lost jobs. “So,” Franklin says, “There’s an issue where the perception of the jobs picture is fairly negative, and we’ve seen both campaigns engage on this issue of jobs as an issue that they think is important to voters and where perceptions can shift … despite the degree to which people have made up their minds about Governor Walker.”
Franklin says it’s a classic political campaign issue — one where both sides try to frame the issue in a way that is advantageous to them, and trying to convince voters that their way is the best way.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:22