Virginia Poll: Think Democratic, Vote Republican

Virginia congressional districts.

A new poll from Roanoke College, conducted with a little more than a year before the 2012 general election shows former Republican Senator George Allen ahead of former Democratic Governor Tim Kaine 42 percent to 32 percent with a significant 19 percent undecided.

The poll also shows Virginia voters tend toward thinking the way Democrats think, but still voting Republican. They believe, for example, that a combination of cuts and tax increases is preferable and that hard-core refusal to compromise is counterproductive.

Kaine leads among voters who describe themselves as “moderates” and Allen leads among “independents.” Allen has not yet said, “Maccacca.” He has, however, been the subject of a significant piece of journalism that ties him to the Big Coal industry, raking in so much money that the term “employee” comes to mind.

In another race of interest, President Barack Obama leads a generic Republican presidential candidate 41 percent to 33 percent, but trails Mitt Romney 45-37 and Rick Perry (RICK PERRY!?!)  42-40. That latter would come under the heading of, “What was I thinking?” Obama’s ahead of Michele Bachman, Ron Paul and Sarah Palin, all by more than 10 percent and Palin by nearly 20.

The Poll was conducted by interviewing 601 Virginia residents between Sept. 6 and 17. The poll has a margin of error of 4 percent up and down.

Obama’s approval rating is 39 percent, with a disapproval rate of 54 percent. Congress has an 11 percent approval rating (and how could it not with bozos like Morgan Griffith serving?). Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has an approval rating of 67 percent, same as Sen. Mark Warner is doing.

Sixty-eight percent believe elected officials should compromise to get things done and 56 percent said they would vote for a candidate who believes compromise is desirable. Seventy-one percent believe gridlock in Washington is more the result of political gamesmanship, than a reflection of genuinely different views.

Virginians think unemployment is more serious than the budget deficit 65-21 percent. Just 35 percent think the budget must be balanced (6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte, a Republican, wants the balanced budget written into the Constitution). Sixty-six percent of Virginians prefer that the deficit be reduced through a combination of budget cuts and tax increases.

Tellingly, however, between 51 percent and 62 percent of our dreamers think a reduction can be achieved without cutting Social Security and Medicare, without raising taxes on most Americans (clobber the rich) and without cutting other important programs. Just 44 percent think it can be cut without trimming the military budget.