Saturday, April 26, 2008; Posted: 04:38 PM
A new poll released yesterday shows that Patrick's approval rating is at an all-time low, with just 41 percent of adults over 18 saying they approve of the job Patrick is doing as governor.
Another 56 percent of responders said they disapprove, just a month after those numbers were reversed with 53 percent approving of Patrick's work from the corner office.
The poll, sponsored by WBZ-TV and conducted by Survey USA, surveyed 600 adults earlier this month and has a margin of error of 4.1 percent.
While Democrats still have faith in the governor, the poll shows that 60 percent of Independent voters are unhappy with the results they are seeing from the Patrick administration, and even self-identified liberals are evenly split on the governor's job performance.
"Gov. Patrick is sinking under the weight of failed campaign promises that he clearly had no intention of fulfilling," said Rob Willington, executive director of the Massachusetts Republican Party. "Candidate Deval promised us the moon, but Gov. Deval has shown us that the Democrat party is the party of higher taxes, less transparency, and bigger government."
Doug Rubin, the governor's chief of staff, said he reviewed the results of the poll, but was hesitant to put too much stock in the numbers.
"I
am also aware of other recent surveys that show different (and better) approval ratings for Governor Patrick. Unfortunately, these polls are not public," Rubin wrote on the liberal-leaning blog Blue Mass. Group.
Rubin acknowledged that his comments might be viewed with skepticism since he could not release any contradicting internal numbers, but urged supporters not to jump to any quick conclusions.
"I think the best way to view the SurveyUSA result is to see it as one data point. I would recommend reserving final judgment until other public polls either confirm or contradict the SurveyUSA poll," Rubin wrote.
The poll, conducted the weekend of April 11-13, came just two days after Patrick delivered a closely watched address on the state of the economy at M.I.T. Since then, the governor has made a concerted effort to reconnect with his most ardent supporters, touring cities and towns in many regions of the state and announcing plans to spur economic growth.
"He's got to firm up his base and remind people why they liked him in the first place, but he's also got to achieve some victories," said Michael Shea, a Democratic political consultant. "He's got a good agenda on the table and what seems to be more cooperation, and I think he can turn it around."
Patrick suffered early in his term from gaffs surrounding his office decorations and choice in cars. His recent decision to head to New York to shop his autobiography to publishers while House lawmakers back in Massachusetts were crushing his resort-casino plan brought back many unpopular memories for voters.
Shea said the perceived feud going on at the Statehouse between Patrick and House Speaker Sal DiMasi has also probably hurt the governor's image who promised an end to politics as usual.
"I think there was probably unreasonably high expectations, not just because of the campaign of hope, but also having a Democrat for the first time in 16 years," Shea said.
The governor has racked up some recent wins, including a vote in the House to close several corporate tax loopholes and a well-received plan to expedite the state's deficient bridge-repair program in order to improve infrastructure and create jobs.
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