Spring 2013

Survey Information:
Random Selection, Landline and Cell Telephone Survey
Number of Adult Wisconsin Residents: 400
Interview Period: 3/9 3/18, 2013
Margin of Error: +/- 5% at the 95% confidence level.

Contact:
Wendy Scattergood
Assistant Professor, Political Science
Associate, Strategic Research Institute,
St. Norbert College
(920) 403-3491 , wendy.scattergood@snc.edu

(percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding)

Direction of the Country/State and Approval Ratings

Generally speaking, would you say that things in the country are going in the right direction, or are they going in the
wrong direction?
Right Direction ................................................................. 35%
Wrong Direction ............................................................... 58%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 7%

Fall '02
Sp '03
Fall '03
Sp '04
Sp '05
Fall '05
Sp '06
Fall '06
Sp '07
Fall '07
Sp '08
Fall '08
Sp '09
Fall '09
Sp '10
Fall '10
Sp '11
Fall '11
Sp '12
Fall '12
Sp '13
Median

Right
Direction
47%
36%
41%
32%
40%
29%
24%
30%
21%
22%
18%
8%
41%
38%
38%
37%
25%
23%
41%
46%
35%
35%

Generally speaking, would you say that things in the state of Wisconsin are going in the right direction, or are
they going in the wrong direction?
Right Direction ................................................................. 48%
Wrong Direction ............................................................... 46%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 7%

Sp '03
Fall '03
Sp '04
Sp '09
Sp '11
Fall '11
Spring '12
Spring '13

Right
52%
51%
55%
39%
38%
43%
49%
48%

Wrong
38%
43%
35%
55%
54%
52%
45%
46%

Not
Sure
9%
6%
10%
6%
9%
5%
6%
7%

Please tell me what you feel is the most important problem facing the COUNTRY? (Please probe for specifics
eg., if they say the economy, what about it?)
_________________________________________________________ (Open-ended)

Sp '03

Fall
'04*

Fall
'05

Fall
'06

Sp
'07

Fall
'07

Sp '08*

Fall
'08*

Fall
'10

Sp '13

War - Iraq/Afghanistan***

53%

21%

28%

29%

42%

25%

23%

Terrorism

8%

15%

7%

10%

3%

7%

7%

6%

3%

5%

4%

<1%

0%

Economy

17%

23%

11%

9%

8%

16%

Health Care

2%

16%

9%

9%

12%

11%

32%

61%

56%

34%

12%

7%

5%

7%

Morality
Government Budget &
Taxes

1%

3%

8%

5%

4%

5%

2%

6%

1%

1%

4%

4%

7%

6%

Gas Prices

0%

1%

5%

2%

3%

3%

4%

4%

17%

23%

4%

5%

2%

2%

0%

<1%

Gridlock/Polarization

7%

7%

5%

Poverty & Soc Security

1%

2%

6%

6%

2%

6%

8%

3%

6%

16%

1%

2%

2%

1%

0%**

4%

3%****

Education

1%

<1%

Crime

0%

0%

2%

2%

3%

2%

0%

1%

3%

1%

2%

5%

1%

2%

0%

0%

0%

3%^

Environment

<1%

1%

1%

1%

3%

2%

0%

1%

<1%

1%

* Question was Issue Important to Vote Choice

** Worry about retirement accounts and hard times for all are included in the Economy category
*** Afghanistan was not part of this category until Fall '10
**** The comments in this category were all about income inequality and the shrinking middle
class
^ most of the comments were about gun control

Please tell me what you feel is the most important problem facing the State of Wisconsin? (Please probe for
specificseg., if they say the economy, what about it?)
_________________________________________________________ (Open-ended)
Taxes &
Budget

Education

Economy &
Jobs

Health Care

Environment

Welfare
Issues

Crime/
Drugs

Gas
Prices

Gov't
Dissatisfaction

Fall '94

21%

7%

3%

1%

21%

27%

NA

NA

Fall '95

21%

5%

5%

5%

2%

14%

15%

NA

NA

Fall '96

14%

7%

11%

2%

1%

15%

16%

NA

NA

Fall '97

18%

12%

5%

2%

5%

10%

15%

NA

NA

Fall '98

30%

11%

5%

2%

2%

6%

7%

NA

NA

Fall '99

29%

20%

6%

4%

3%

5%

9%

NA

NA

Fall '00

26%

13%

13%

8%

7%

5%

4%

NA

NA

Sp '02

51%

14%

7%

1%

2%

3%

1%

5%

Fall '02

49%

11%

13%

4%

<1%

<1%

3%

8%

Sp '03

54%

10%

20%

4%

<1%

1%

1%

<1%

2%

Sp '04

30%

9%

32%

4%

1%

1%

3%

<1%

4%

Sp '05

40%

15%

15%

8%

3%

<1%

4%

3%

2%

Fall '05

29%

9%

14%

6%

3%

1%

5%

6%

6%

Sp '06
Sp '07

26%

12%

15%

10%

2%

2%

3%

7%

7%

22%

12%

14%

14%

1%

3%

5%

3%

6%

Fall '07
Sp '08

35%

8%

9%

9%

2%

1%

3%

5%

11%

33%

7%

21%

7%

2%

3%

6%

6%

6%

Sp '10
Fall '11

21%
11%

7%
6%

54%
42%

2%
4%

1%
<1%

0%
<1%

0%
1%

0%
1%

5%
23%

Sp '13

7%

10%

41%

3%

<1%

<1%

2%

0%

13%

Now Id like to ask you about some major political figures and your opinion on how well they are doing their job.
For each of the following, please tell me whether you strongly approve, approve, disapprove, or strongly
disapprove with the way the person is doing their job or whether you have not heard of them. [ROTATE]
Have
Strongly
Strongly
Not
Not
Approve Disapprove
Refused
Approve
Disapprove
Heard Sure
Of
a) Barack
Obama
b) Scott Walker
c) Wisconsin
State
Legislature

9%

44%

22%

22%

0%

3%

21%

31%

21%

25%

<1%

2%

0%
0%
0%

4%

38%

29%

10%

3%

15%

1%

19%

45%

27%

<1%

8%

4%

50%

24%

5%

2%

15%

3%

41%

25%

5%

5%

21%

Sp '10

Fall
'11

<1%
d) US Congress
e) US Supreme
Court
f) Wisconsin
Supreme Court

1%
0%

President Approval Rating

Sp '09
Fall '09
Sp '10
Fall '10
Sp '11
Fall '11
Sp '12
Fall '12
Sp '13

60%
50%
44%
42%
52%
53%
54%
54%
53%

Governor Approval Rating

Sp '11
Fall '11
Sp '12
Fall '12
Sp '13

46%
38%
52%
51%
52%

State Legislature Approval Rating

Sp 03

Fall 03

Sp '06

Sp '07

Sp '09

49%

53%

50%

57%

46%

32%

37%

Sp '12
42%

Sp '13
42%

Congress Approval Rating

Spring '07

37%

Fall '07

26%

Spring '08

27%

Fall '08

16%

Spring '09

39%

Spring '10

14%

Fall '10
Sp '11
Sp '12
Fall '12
Sp '13

18%
23%
22%
20%
20%

For the following statement, please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree. The
Wisconsin Supreme Court is too mixed up in politics.
Strongly Agree ................................................................ 16%
Agree
................................................................ 48%
Disagree
................................................................ 21%
Strongly Disagree ............................................................. 2%
Not Sure
................................................................ 12%
Refused
................................................................ 0%
When you hear the phrase too mixed up in politics about the Wisconsin Supreme Court, what specifically does that
mean to you? (open-ended)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Partisanship
Not neutral, not above the fray
Influenced by/beholden to special interests
Should not be involved in politics
Overly intrusive (legislating from the bench)
Interpersonal fighting
Not focused on what they are supposed to be
They are just in it for themselves
Dont consider the will of the people
Concerned about getting re-elected

Each w/ about 1% of responses

Dishonest/corrupt
Cant make decisions
Act 10
Dont agree that they are
Doesnt mean anything
They are supposed to be mixed up in politics
Too influenced by politicians
Not Sure
Refused

9%
8%

17%
10%
10%
9%
8%
6%
4%
4%
4%
3%

Economy
Compared to a year ago, do you think the national economy has gotten better, stayed the same, or gotten worse?
Better
................................................................ 41%
Same
................................................................ 29%
Worse
................................................................ 28%
Not Sure
................................................................ 3%

Fall '04
Fall '06
Fall '08

Better
32%
27%
1%

Same
28%
32%
5%

Worse
40%
38%
93%

Sp '10

42%

23%

34%

Fall '10

35%
30%

25%
31%

39%
38%

24%
42%
41%
41%
34%

36%
35%
25%
29%
29%

40%
22%
33%
28%
38%

Sp '11
Fall '11
Sp '12
Fall '12
Spring '13
Median

Compared to a year ago, do you think the state economy has gotten better, stayed the same, or gotten worse?
Better
................................................................ 37%
Same
................................................................ 36%
Worse
................................................................ 24%
Not Sure
................................................................ 3%

Sp '11
Fall '11
Sp '12
Spring '13

Better
18%
30%
42%
37%

Same
36%
28%
28%
36%

Worse
45%
38%
30%
24%

Compared to a year ago, do you feel that you are financially better off now, or worse off now than a year ago?
Better off now ................................................................... 32%
Worse off now .................................................................. 41%
Same (volunteered) ........................................................... 24%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 2%
Refused ............................................................................. <1%

Fall '94
Fall '95
Fall '96
Fall '97
Fall '98
Fall '99
Fall '00
Sp '02
Fall '02
Sp '03
Fall '03
Sp '04
Sp '05
Fall '05
Sp '06
Fall '06
Sp '07
Fall '07
Sp '08
Fall '08
Sp '09
Fall '09
Sp '10
Fall '10
Sp '11
Fall '11
Sp '12
Fall '12
Sp '13
Median

Better
38%
36%
47%
47%
45%
55%
57%
35%
31%
36%
37%
41%

Same
34%
31%
26%
28%
30%
23%
23%
28%
18%
20%
24%
26%

Worse
28%
32%
25%
25%
25%
21%
19%
36%
50%
43%
38%
32%

20%
20%
21%
28%
29%
25%
28%
28%
34%
32%
35%

20%
16%
25%
23%
32%
31%
19%
28%
28%
24%
26%

60%
63%
53%
47%
39%
44%
53%
44%
38%
41%
39%

Do you expect that at this time NEXT year you will be financially better off than now, or worse off than now?
Better off than now ........................................................... 50%
Worse off than now........................................................... 24%
Same (volunteered) ........................................................... 19%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 6%
Refused ............................................................................. <1%

Fall '94
Fall '95
Fall '96
Fall '97
Fall '98
Fall '99
Fall '00
Sp '02
Fall '02
Sp '03
Fall '03
Sp '04
Sp '05
Fall '05
Sp '06
Fall '06
Sp '07
Fall '07
Sp '08
Fall '08
Sp '09
Fall '09
Sp '10
Fall '10
Sp '11
Fall '11
Sp '12
Fall '12
Sp '13
Median
* Fall 12 DK is
18%

Better
50%
46%
56%
54%
56%
63%
64%
54%
56%
53%
57%
57%
42%
40%
45%
56%
44%
44%
47%
51%
47%
53%
49%
55%
41%
52%
54%
60%
50%
53%

Same
31%
21%
19%
25%
21%
15%
20%
22%
13%
17%
14%
19%
25%
18%
24%
25%
27%
21%
17%
17%
14%
12%
15%
17%
17%
17%
18%
17%
19%
18%

Worse
15%
26%
15%
14%
17%
20%
9%
15%
22%
26%
22%
16%
29%
38%
25%
16%
25%
28%
30%
20%
33%
25%
27%
18%
35%
23%
16%
5%
24%
22%

Gun Control
Please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following issues in the debate over gun control.
Favor
Oppose Not
Sure
a) The Universal Background Check Regardless of who is
buying a gun or from whom they are buying or receiving it, all
89%
9%
2%
those acquiring a gun should have a background check
b) Banning Military-style assault weapons
63%
35%
2%
c) Banning ammunition magazines that hold more than 10
58%
40%
3%
rounds
d) Having an armed guard in every school
40%
54%
5%
e) Government should further regulate violence on tv, movies
41%
55%
4%
and video games
f) Increased government spending on mental health screening
75%
19%
5%
and treatment

Refused

<1%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
<1%

For each of the following, how much do you think each proposed policy would reduce gun violence in the United
States A lot, Some, Not Very Much, or Not at All
A
Some Not
Not At Not
Refused
lot
Very
All
Sure
Much
a) The Universal Background Check
29% 48%
14%
9%
1%
0%
b) Banning Military-style assault weapons
28% 35%
12%
24%
1%
0%
c) Banning ammunition magazines that hold
more than 10 rounds
d) Having an armed guard in every school
e) Decreasing violence on tv, movies and video
games
f) Increased Government Spending on mental
health screening and treatment

24%

32%

16%

27%

1%

0%

16%

30%

23%

28%

3%

<1%

20%

29%

16%

34%

2%

<1%

37%

39%

11%

12%

1%

<1%

How worried are you about a shooting at a school like the one in Newtown, Connecticut happening in your
community? Would you say you are very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not at all worried?
Very Worried .................................................................... 8%
Somewhat Worried ........................................................... 31%
Not Too Worried ............................................................... 41%
Not at All Worried ............................................................ 19%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 1%
Refused ............................................................................. 0%

Do you or anyone in your household own a gun?

Yes ..................................................... 42% ................. CONTINUE
No
..................................................... 57% ................. SKIP next 2 Qs
Not Sure .................................................. <1%
Refused ................................................... 1%

Which of the following is a reason why you and/or members of your household own a gun or guns?

Hunting or
recreation
Personal Safety

Yes

No

Not Sure

Refused

94%

6%

0%

0%

42%

58%

0%

0%

Do you or any member of your household have a permit to carry a concealed weapon?
Yes ..................................................... 25%
No
..................................................... 74%
Not Sure .................................................. 1%

National Budget
Who do you blame more for failing to come up with the new budget resulting in the Sequestration policy that requires
automatic budget cuts, the president, congressional Republicans, congressional Democrats, or Congress as a whole?
The President .................................................................... 17%
Congressional Republicans ............................................... 12%
Congressional Democrats ................................................. 4%
Congress as a Whole ......................................................... 49%
All of the above (VOL.) .................................................... 15%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 3%
Refused ............................................................................. 0%
What do you think is the best way to handle the budget deficit: cutting spending, increasing taxes, or a combination of
both?
Cutting Spending .............................................................. 31%
Increasing Taxes ............................................................... 4%
Combination of Both......................................................... 64%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 1%
Refused ............................................................................. <1%

State Budget Issues

Now Im going to ask you about some Wisconsin state government proposals:
Do you favor or oppose increasing state government funding by $30 million for mental health programs?
Favor ................................................................................. 59%
Oppose .............................................................................. 31%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 9%
Refused ............................................................................. <1%
Do you favor or oppose streamlining the environmental permitting process for mines like the proposed iron mine in
northern Wisconsin?
Favor ................................................................................. 44%
Oppose .............................................................................. 46%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 11%
Refused ............................................................................. <1%
Do you favor or oppose cutting state income taxes saving the average taxpayer $83/year and the average married
couple filing jointly $122/year.
Favor ................................................................................. 54%
Oppose .............................................................................. 39%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 7%
Refused ............................................................................. <1%

Do you favor or oppose expanding the school voucher program to allow more districts with at least 2 schools
receiving a D or F on state report cards to choose to go to a local public school or a private one?
Favor ................................................................................. 53%
Oppose .............................................................................. 35%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 11%
Refused ............................................................................. 1%
Do you Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree with the following statement: Private schools that
use public funding through a voucher program should be held to the same measure of accountability as their
public school counterparts.
Strongly Agree ............................................................................... 43%
Agree .......................................................................................... 46%
Disagree ......................................................................................... 6%
Strongly Disagree........................................................................... 1%
Not Sure ......................................................................................... 3%
Refused .......................................................................................... 1%

Party Identification of the Sample

Generally speaking do you consider yourself to be a Democrat or Republican?
Democrat ........................................................................... 37%
Republican ........................................................................ 33%
Independent (volunteered) ................................................ 22%
Other ................................................................................. 9%
Not Sure ............................................................................ 1%
Refused ............................................................................. <1%

** Fall Even Years are Likely Voter Samples

Democrat Republican Independent Other
Fall '01
35%
33%
24%
4%
Sp '02
34%
32%
27%
4%
Fall '02
36%
38%
16%
5%
Sp '03
44%
32%
16%
6%
Fall '03
40%
37%
16%
6%
Sp '04
40%
30%
19%
6%
Fall '04
37%
34%
22%
4%
Sp '05
40%
35%
18%
5%
Fall '05
37%
32%
21%
7%
Sp '06
39%
34%
17%
8%
Fall '06
44%
33%
16%
5%
Sp '07
42%
30%
13%
7%
Fall '07
39%
33%
16%
6%
Sp '08
39%
34%
20%
4%
Fall '08
43%
30%
15%
9%
Sp '09
36%
36%
14%
12%
Fall '09
38%
31%
14%
14%
Sp '10
32%
39%
22%
4%
Fall '10
35%
40%
18%
6%
Sp '11
33%
28%
28%
9%
Fall '11
38%
33%
20%
5%
Sp '12
36%
36%
24%
4%
Fall '12
42%
32%
22%
3%
Sp '13
37%
33%
22%
9%
Mean
38%
34%
19%
6%
rest are unsure/refused. Unsure is usually about 2%
* sp12 is likely voters as well