Poll: Virginians divided over State Senate split

A new Public Policy Polling survey reveals that Virginia voters think that Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling would be acting in accord with the state Constitution if he were to break a tie in favor of giving Republicans control olf the State Senate, but that at the same time the GOP should share power with Democrats in accord with the results of the November General Assembly elections.

Fifty-five percent of Virginia voters think there should be some sort of power-sharing arrangement, according to a PPP poll released Friday, while only 31 percent of voters think Republicans should have full control of the senior chamber. The key voting bloc there is independents, who side with Democrats in backing power-sharing by a 53 percent-to-28 percent margin.

The split in favor of Bolling’s power to vote to break ties is much closer – with 37 percent saying they feel he has the power to side with Republicans in the Senate organization and 34 percent saying they don’t think he has that power.

Other quick hits from the PPP polling:

– Gov. Bob McDonnell has a +12 approval rating – with 45 percent of voters approving of his job performance and 33 percent disapproving.

– PPP found Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli leading Bolling among GOP voters for the 2013 Republican gubernatorial nomination, but Bolling tests better in general-election matchups with top Democratic contenders. Bolling leads Congressman Gerry Connolly and former Democratic National Committee chair Terry McAuliffe by 39 percent-to-36 percent margins and leads former Congressman Tom Perriello by a 39 percent-to-35 percent margin. Cuccinelli leads McAuliffe 41 percent to 40 percent, ties Perriello at 41 percent and trails Connolly 41 percent to 40 percent.

– Democratic Sen. Mark Warner continues to be among the more popular politicians in the country with a +30 net favorability rating in Virginia – with 54 percent of voters approving of his job performance and 24 percent disapproving.

More online at publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/12/virginia-political-notes.html.