Pawlenty’s Job Satisfaction Decreases

07/17/2005

Paul Munnis

Following in the wake of the MN State Government shutdown, pollsters have determined that the approval rating for Governor Tim Pawlenty has shrunk to just 43%, with 50% saying they disapprove of the governor’s performance, according to polling released by Survey USA.

Since May, Pawlenty’s approval rating has dropped by 11 points, from 54% in May to 48% in June and now to just 43%.

The full survey can be read at:

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=fe31dd88-f32f-4ce9-9f46-68a1eff18789

The governor seems to be losing points from two directions at the same time. People across the state are unhappy with the loss of government services as evidenced by the state shutdown over the unresolved budget issues. Many have indicated they are unhappy with a proposal to base the future of Minnesota on revenue from gambling. The DFL has also positioned themselves as the champion of quality education opportunity in the State with the GOP positioned as education killers. Finally, the hardhearted approach to cutting health insurance for the state’s most vulnerable also disgusted many.

At the same time, others who are advocates of no new taxes are unhappy that Pawlenty broke his pledge to their cause and admitted new tobacco and other taxes masquerading as fees.

Even as these two issues ate away at Pawlenty’s base, the large increases in local property taxes, directly attributable to the governor, have surfaced and left the voter base unhappy over that issue.

The result appears to be a steady collapse of support for Pawlenty, a problem for him that can really worsen as the 2006 election nears.