Rocky/CBS4 News poll: Ritter popularity at 50 percent
Drop from 70% a year ago attributed to voter skepticism
By Ed Sealover, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 17, 2008 at 10:01 p.m.
Photo by Chris Schneider © The Rocky
Gov. Bill Ritter shrugs off being introduced as "Gov. Bill Owens" at a news conference July 29 in Denver. Name recognition doesn't seem to be a general problem for the governor, who scored a 2-to-1 approval rating in a recent poll.
Gov. Bill Ritter remains popular among a large hunk of Coloradans more than a year and a half into his first term, according to a Rocky Mountain News/ CBS4 News poll.
Ritter received a favorable rating of 50 percent vs. 26 percent unfavorable in a statewide survey of 500 registered voters from Aug. 11 to 13.
Ritter rode a wave of popularity after his election, successfully pushing a number of bipartisan renewable-energy bills during the 2007 legislative session and scoring approval ratings of 70 percent in other polls last year. The latest count, by Republican pollster Public Opinion Strategies in consultation with RBI Strategies, a firm that generally works with Democratic candidates, shows he still has a 2-to-1 ratio of opinion in his favor.
But the thumbs-up from just half of respondents represents a trend of voter skepticism toward elected officials that can be seen at all levels, RBI director of research Craig Hughes said.
Ritter is pushing a November ballot measure to revoke an oil industry tax break. The proposed measure would end a nearly $300 million annual subsidy the state gives to oil and gas companies and redirect the money largely toward college scholarships.
If it passes, Ritter could be seen as the guy who stood up to a powerful industry and helped education, Hughes said. But he adds that if the measure fails, the governor could become the guy who tried to raise industry taxes while gas prices already are high.
'Taking a big risk'
"He's taking a big risk on this one," Hughes said. "How it plays out will have a big impact on his re-election bid."
Eighteen percent of respondents in last week's survey had no opinion of the second-year Democratic governor, while 6 percent said they'd never heard of him.
The poll has a margin of error of 4.33 percentage points.
Democrats give him a 65 percent favorable rating; his unfavorable numbers are 16 percent among those in his own party.
Among independents, Ritter gets a thumbs-up from 49 percent, compared with 20 percent who see him unfavorably.
The only groups who look unfavorably upon the former Denver district attorney are conservatives and Republicans, according to the poll. His lowest favorability marks (26 percent) come among those who consider social issues the most important state problem and those who are supporting Republican Bob Schaffer in the U.S. Senate race.
Retired nurse Colleen Johnson, 62, of Lakewood, said she just likes the demeanor of the cowboy boot-wearing governor and believes he is good for Colorado.
"I think he's down to earth. I think he's just more in touch with the people," Johnson said. "He's more like one of us, I would say, than some of the other governors we've had."
Tom Bennett, a 61-year-old former liquor industry worker from Morrison, said he had an open mind about Ritter after his election but since has grown increasingly unhappy with him. The governor has done nothing to improve the state's educational system and could drive oil companies out of Colorado with some of his policies, Bennett said.
"I'm open to anybody, but since he first took office . . . nothing seems to have gone right," he said.
Drop in approvals noted
Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said that while the governor does not get overly excited about polls, the 2-to-1 approval rating and backing of independents can be interpreted to mean that he is doing what the voters want.
"He is an independent, moderate, pragmatic centrist leader," Dreyer said. "The unaffiliated voters in this state tell the true story of the Colorado electorate."
But House Minority Whip Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, said he was more intrigued by the sharp drop in approval ratings between other pollsters' 2007 surveys and this most recent one. Gardner believes several Ritter policies, including an executive order allowing unionization of state workers and his signing of a property tax freeze that has been declared unconstitutional, make him vulnerable in 2010.
"Coloradans want to like their governor, so this drop-off - this 20 percent drop-off - is alarming," Gardner said.
sealovere@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5438
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August 17, 2008
11:25 p.m.
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natasha writes:
If his popularity is fifty percent it's hard to say he's popular with a large portion, without saying he's just as unpopular with a large portion. Since when does it matter the political affiliation of those unhappy? So 26% are conservatives. Does that mean their opinion is unimportant? Apparentlly only in the writers opinion or in their effort to put a good spin on this newsworthy topic.
August 17, 2008
11:29 p.m.
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superbad writes:
Natasha- twice as many people like him (50%) as dislike him (26%). The rest don't care. So it is incorrect to say he's "just as unpopular with a large portion."
August 18, 2008
2:55 a.m.
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gwats writes:
I'm a reasonable guy. Show me anyone who can do better job who has a proven track record and I'll consider him next election cycle. Names please...... Got none? I thought so!
August 18, 2008
6:11 a.m.
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Sensible writes:
I've got a name...
My name.
If I were King, there wouldn't be any lib tripe smeared all over the internet. All you stinkys would be working, eating, or sleeping, and you simply wouldn't have time to do anything else.
How's that sound? Write me in next election....
August 18, 2008
6:20 a.m.
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SanctuaryCity writes:
I question the rmn poll. 50% of who, his family?
August 18, 2008
6:27 a.m.
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Sensible writes:
good point tiero, I didn't get called either.
August 18, 2008
7:24 a.m.
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windbourne writes:
He is a better govrnr than Owens was, but that does not say much. 50%? Sounds like the 25% that still support W; Unwilling to look at the light of day and will simply back a politicians because they are of the right party or they voted for them. Ritter is almost as bad as owens. The man said that he would increase severence tax to invest into Colorado infrastructure (yeah; 100% behind that). Instead, he wants to raise it of which 60% will go into new tuition support (a social program). 40% will go into infrastructure This money will run out in 20-30 years. Far better to invest 100% in infrastructure. For 2-3 million dollars, we can do a study on Chatfield and they would allow us to store more water in there for the use by the eastern plains farmers. The farmers would slowly payback the money on the study. That resevoir would allow a farmer to deal with a 1-2 year drought. That is important. Water is important. And yet, he is not doing it.
2 govnrs in a row who are worthless. Do we not have decent politicans anymore?
August 18, 2008
7:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mayor_Quimby writes:
windbourne, no decent politician wants to go through the crap to become elected any longer. Thats why we a man running for president who has ZERO experience at anything, let alone political office and another man who has been in DC for 30 years (hence, has been properly vetted) but is most likely out of touch with just about everyone.
August 18, 2008
8:19 a.m.
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davies writes:
I'm a conservative, but I don't think Ritter has done too poorly thus far. His worst move has been to unduly accomodate the public employee unions for the State employees; but then Democrats have to play to their power base, same as the Republicans.
August 18, 2008
8:36 a.m.
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solar_satellite writes:
No one can govern Colorado effectively since Bruce administered the poison pill of TABOR to the state's (very gullible) electorate. TABOR swept away the constitutional duties of our representatives, making fund-raisers of them instead. I'm none too happy with Colorado's Democratic leaders, but the rabid right-wing Republicans in the Legislative Assembly have got to go!
August 18, 2008
8:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
KING writes:
SENSIBLE,
thanks for the compliment....now can anyone say what Ritter has actually accomplished in his 18 months?
August 18, 2008
8:41 a.m.
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pmavna writes:
I can't believe not one person has mentioned that his approval rating has dropped 20% in one year! People are really going to be skeptical when he ruins our economy because there will be no energy production in this state.
August 18, 2008
8:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
Solar: "TABOR swept away the constitutional duties of our representatives, making fund-raisers of them instead."
Huh? Explain please.
August 18, 2008
9:15 a.m.
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glowrock writes:
pmavna, what the heck are you talking about? If it's another blind attack on the severance tax issue, then you need to look into the facts behind it before issuing such a dire opinion/warning. When Colorado's severance tax rate is far, far lower than adjoining states, it essentially means that adjoining states can reap the windfalls of energy production while Colorado continues to lag behind in infrastructure and higher education. I don't support a severance tax increase ABOVE the levels of adjoining states, but I certainly support an increase that would make Colorado essentially on-par with adjoining states.
Colorado has huge amounts of natural resources. How about we actually manage to share in the wealth a little, instead of allowing energy and minerals companies to essentially extract everything while giving a relative pittance back in return?
August 18, 2008
9:26 a.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
Sorry windbourne, but Ritter isn't better than Owens. What has Ritter done for us? Tried to raise taxes through a self-labeled "property tax freeze" that the courts have said is unconstitutional? Given more power to the unions, especially when it comes to bargaining power for state employees, which already had one of the best compensation packages in the country? Really............ I can't think of much that he's done that is good for the citizens of the state. Maybe certain groups, the special interest groups, but certainly not for the average person. Ritter is a failure and the worst Governor the state's had in 25 to 30 years, at the least.
solar, you bring up TABOR as the problem for our state. The politicians need to figure out how to work with a budget and pay as they play instead of trying to figure out how to tax us even more. It's why TABOR was enacted in the first place, because citizens of the state were tired of the tax and spend policies.
August 18, 2008
9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Sensible writes:
King -
Summary of Ritter's top 10 accomplishments:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)
7.)
8.)
9.)
10.)
Garsh, he's busy..............................................
August 18, 2008
9:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
HSTOWEL writes:
I'm trying to figure out why he's popular with anybody except for the illegal aliens he attempted to allow driver's licenses to. I'm sure he was very popular with illegals in Denver when he was the DA and allowed them to plead guilty to trespass on agricultural lands in lieu of pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance. He's also against developing oil energy sources in the state. What exactly makes this guy popular with anybody?
August 18, 2008
9:53 a.m.
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timeandagain writes:
Ritter is a putz. He is the great "do nothing" governor.
And by the way Rocky, what is a "large hunk of Coloradans"? Is Ed Sealover John Temple's nephew or something? Is this really the first line from a mainstream/regional newspaper's story? Give me a break... I would expect to see that kind of phrasing in the free Denver news daily they give away at sandwich shops... Who edits this crap? Fire 'em!
August 18, 2008
10:01 a.m.
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Mayor_Quimby writes:
Solar, TABOR is what makes this state so much better than others. It forces us to do more with less making our government more efficient (oxymoron). Otherwise, the assembly would just spend and spend and our state would look like NY, NJ or California with HUGE state deficits.
This is what happens. Blue states destroy their states running up massive deficits. They then raise taxes on both businesses and personal income and people flee the state to red states. See Californians moving here or Mass. moving to NH. It then turns the state purple and then eventually blue and the cycle repeats.
August 18, 2008
10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
Willy writes:
Gov - State constitution prohibited deficit spending prior to the passage of Tabor.
August 18, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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tjpatriot writes:
So Ritter is at 50% and Pelosi is at 9%? Hard to believe. since they are cut from the same cloth.
Ritter seems bent on driving industry from the state and burdening business owners until they are crushed. I'm sure all the unemployed will really appreciate those great worker benefits.
Hey Ritter, here's news flash, all that natural gas belongs to THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO, not to you or the rest of the lackeys of the fringe-enviros. It's cheap, clean, and abundant. WTF are you saving it for, so the Morlocks can use it 10,000 years from now? Is that part of the fringe-enviro religion, that you will all be reincarnated as Morlocks?
And don't give me the BS about "Saving the Planet". Open your eyes, look outside, and use your brain. The planet is not on "Life Support", and even if it were, you and your feeble efforts do nothing but take jobs away and lower everybody's standard of living. Any effect it has on the environment is in the noise level.
They found out the Spotted Owl numbers are still decreasing. Turns out it has little to do with logging. It is being displaced by a larger, more aggressive OWL! OH MY GOD, NOOOOOO!!!!!!
August 18, 2008
10:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
HankRearden writes:
Ritter is “follow the leader”. He is trying to follow California in the fight against global warming. He followed the leader with corn-based ethanol. And he has appointed the most out of touch radical environmentalists for the PUC (the one's charged with holding do our energy prices). And it is not his party affiliation. Look at Governor Freudenthal of Wyoming or Gov Switzer of Montana. Both are Democrats that put the well being of the citizens of their states ahead of towing the party line. They are both very popular and actually have a clue.
August 18, 2008
10:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Navy writes:
Willy- Which means that the Legislature raises income taxes, sales taxes and every other fee and tax to pay for the increased spending. Then businesses and people move out of the state, etc...
August 18, 2008
11:14 a.m.
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bwest writes:
Sensible,
I could not agree more! What has the Ritter administration done? Absolutely nothing!!! I am going to be shocked if he is actually re-elected in 2-years. No one likes the man or his lazy team.
August 18, 2008
11:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
coarizona writes:
50% and dropping daily. He is another out of touch with reality politician. I don't want to watch him grow into his job. Recall? Sounds good to me.
August 18, 2008
11:33 a.m.
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dilligaf writes:
WOW!!!!!! 50% in a dominate red state. Not bad Bill keep up the good work.
August 18, 2008
11:48 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
Shaggy
Have you seen your boy Bush Jr. approval rating as of late? You voted for him "Twice".
August 18, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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MrPeabody writes:
"....while 6 percent said they'd never heard of him."
Where did they do this polling? I generally don't trust polls anyway but this is rich.
August 18, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
fatheromalley writes:
CBS and Rocky poll a lie.. clear and simple.. it is an agenda driven poll and should be seen as such.. much more reliable polling data can become available soon..
Ritter with his Cory Vorhees fiasco, his lying and duplicity is apparent to many of his old supporters.. they are getting "antsy" too...
Love to all,
Father O'Malley
August 18, 2008
1:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mayor_Quimby writes:
Thanks Navy. You beat responding to Willy's dumb comment that deficit spending was limited already before TABOR. Deficit spending is not the problem. The problem is the tax and spend dumbocrats that move here because of the favorable business climate (hence good paying jobs) and the fact that they destroyed their state with liberal policies.
August 18, 2008
2:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
pmavna writes:
Leave it to a dumbocrat (great word) like dimrock or whoever, to say it's ok for YET ANOTHER tax. Sure let's just have a severance tax becuase other states do it too. Dems love taxes, you just proved it. If you say you arent' a dem, well you fooled me.
August 18, 2008
2:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
RockyMtnMac writes:
I love the Ritter administration's going after charity functions (like cake walks and poker runs). They should get a huge pat on the back for taking care of things like this when our roads are going to h***. Ours schools are OUTSTANDING - I mean we are ranked like #1 aren't we? And now I just got a phone bill outlining the unaffordable phone service tax (yes - it is a tax on phone service to pay for unaffordable phone service). At this rate we should become California at breakneck speed. Love you Ritter, Love your people!
August 18, 2008
3:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Citizen21 writes:
I'd like to see this poll after Ritter drives away business and thousands of jobs. His anti-business initiatives are going to severely hurt Denver. Industry and headquarters will leave – Colorado was favorable for businesses compared to California. Companies are exiting that state in droves, now Colorado will be faced with the same issue. No jobs. Wake up people!
September 9, 2008
4:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
youme writes:
recall ritter!
recall ritter!
recall ritter!
recall ritter!
recall ritter!
recall ritter!
recall ritter!