Poll: Virginians divided on governor’s honesty

Virginia voters are divided 42-41 percent on whether Gov. Bob McDonnell is honest and trustworthy, compared to a July 17 survey when voters said 44-36 percent he was honest, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

There is a large partisan split as Republicans vouch for the governor 69-18 percent while Democrats say he is not honest 55-25 percent.  Independent voters are divided 44-40 percent.

Voters still approve 47-39 percent of the job Gov. Bob McDonnell is doing, little changed from his all-time low 46-37 percent score July 17.  The governor gets a split 34-35 percent favorability rating.

“Virginia voters are not giving Gov. Bob McDonnell a ringing vote of confidence for his honesty and integrity,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “His approval rating and favorable/unfavorable ratio are a far cry from when the governor was admired for his job performance and liked by voters.   McDonnell’s favorability numbers were slightly positive 36 – 33 percent in July, and back in May it was almost two-to-one favorable, 40 – 23 percent.

“The fact that he gets a thumbs up for his job performance but a split on favorability indicates that to some degree voters seem able to separate their views of him personally and their evaluation of his ability to run the state. But as the questions about his and his family’s relationship with a prominent campaign donor continue to swirl he will have a difficult time pushing his numbers up.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg should keep his nose out of Virginia issues, 52 percent of Old Dominion voters say, while 43 percent say the State Legislature should try to address Mayor Bloomberg’s claim that many guns used in New York City crimes come from Virginia.

There is wide partisan, gender and racial divisions on the gun question. Democrats say 67-29 percent that the State Legislature should address the issue, while Republicans say 74-22 percent that Bloomberg should not be involved in Virginia issues, with independent voters agreeing 57-38 percent.  Against Bloomberg are men, 57-37 percent, and white voters, 56-40 percent.  Women are divided 48-48 percent and black voters back the New York City mayor 55-38 percent.

“The sizable splits on this question across political, racial and gender lines largely reflect the division of opinion in Virginia and the country on gun control matters,” Brown said.

Looking ahead to the 2016 presidential campaign, former Secretary of State Hillary  Clinton continues to be the apple of Virginia voters’ eyes, leading New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie 46-37 percent, compared to 45-40 percent when Quinnipiac University asked that question in July.

Christie continues to lead Vice President Joseph Biden, 44-37 percent today compared to 46-38 percent last month.

Clinton crushes Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas 53-34 percent.  Biden tops Cruz 47-37 percent.

Virginia voters give President Barack Obama a split 48-48 percent job approval rating, compared to a negative 46-51 percent score last month.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner gets a 61-25 percent job approval rating, with a 55-32 percent score for Sen. Tim Kaine.