{"id":40802207835,"date":"2008-11-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2008-11-02T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/reports\/monmouthpoll_nj_110208\/"},"modified":"2019-07-22T14:58:23","modified_gmt":"2019-07-22T18:58:23","slug":"monmouthpoll_nj_110208","status":"publish","type":"poll","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/reports\/monmouthpoll_nj_110208\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Solid for Barack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Barack Obama has increased his sizable lead over John McCain to\n21 points in New Jersey\naccording to the latest Monmouth University\/Gannett New Jersey Poll<\/em><\/strong>.  The Democrat leads by 55% to 34% among all\nlikely voters, up from the 17 point advantage he held two weeks ago.  The last time a presidential candidate took\nthe Garden State by more than 20 points was in\n1984, when Ronald Reagan bested Walter Mondale 60% to 39%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         The poll also\nfound that U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg is ahead of his Republican challenger\nDick Zimmer by 50% to 31%, although support for the incumbent Democratic\nsenator is slightly softer than it is at the top of the ticket for Obama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         Most New Jersey voters (58%)\nsay they are very confident that their vote will be counted accurately on\nelection day.  Another 31% are somewhat\nconfident and 10% are not too or not at all confident about their vote being\nrecorded accurately.  These findings are\npractically identical to a national poll conducted by Pew in mid-October.  In New\n Jersey, black voters (43%) are more likely than white\nvoters (30%) to say they are only somewhat<\/em>\nconfident their vote will be counted accurately, but are not any more likely to\nsay that they have no confidence in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the presidential contest\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

         Barack Obama\ncontinues to hold a strong advantage among voters under the age of 35 (now 68%-20%)\nand has widened his lead among white voters (now 47%-42%).  The Democratic nominee has also solidified\nhis support among independent voters, now leading John McCain by 51% to 30% with\nthis group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, 65% of likely voters\nsay they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting this year compared to\nonly 18% who say they are less enthusiastic. \nGoing into the final days of this campaign, there continues to be a\nlarge partisan gap in voter enthusiasm \u2013 78% of Democratic voters say they are\nmore enthusiastic than usual, compared to just 53% of Republicans and 57% of\nindependents who feel the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe enthusiasm gap between Democratic and Republican voters\nhas been one of the more interesting aspects of this campaign season,\u201d said\nPatrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling\nInstitute.  \u201cGenerally, when candidates\nare far ahead in the polls, there is concern that some of their voters will\ndecide to stay home because their support is not needed.  There is no sense of that this year.  Obama supporters want to be part of this\nmoment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning to the issue of the\nfront-runner\u2019s racial background, just 13% of New Jersey voters say the fact that Barack Obama\nis black would have an impact on the decisions he would make as president.  This is basically unchanged from the 15% who\nfelt this way in July.  Among the small\nnumber of voters who see Obama\u2019s race as an issue for his presidency, about\nhalf say the effect would be negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Republican side, 72 year old\nJohn McCain would be the oldest first-term president were he to win on Tuesday.  Currently, 25% of Garden State\nvoters think he is too old to be effective as president, up slightly from 18%\nwho said the same in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         Of course, the\nelection is also about issues, and Obama is seen as better able to deal with\nthe top concern for most voters \u2013 the economy. \nMore than half (56%) prefer Obama to handle the economy compared to 31%\nwho choose McCain.  The Democrat has\nsteadily increased his advantage on this issue over the past two months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         McCain also\nsuffers from being seen as more negative than Obama.  Nearly half (47%) of Garden State\nvoters characterize the presidential race as negative (up from 42% two weeks\nago), and many more blame McCain (49%) rather than Obama (14%) for the negative\ntone.
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the senate contest\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

         U.S. Senator\nFrank Lautenberg\u2019s 19 point lead over Dick Zimmer (50% to 31%) marks a slight\nincrease from the 16 point advantage the incumbent held two weeks ago.  Among voters who say their mind is made up,\nthe Democrat has firm support from 41% of voters compared to 25% firm support for\nthe Republican challenger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         With just days\nto go before the election, few Garden\n State voters \u2013 just 9% \u2013\nare paying very close attention to the senate race, a number which has been basically\nconstant for the entire campaign season. \nBy comparison, an overwhelming 72% have followed the presidential race\nvery closely.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voter favorability\nratings have dropped for both candidates in the past two weeks \u2013 not because opinion\nhas turned negative, but because some voters have simply withdrawn their\nopinion.  Lautenberg\u2019s favorable to\nunfavorable ratings now stands at 36%-20% (from 48%-26% two weeks ago) and\nZimmer\u2019s is 18%-8% (from 31%-16% two weeks ago).  However, the percentage who have no opinion\nof both candidates has increased. \nCurrently 44% offer no opinion of Frank Lautenberg (up from 26%) and 74%\noffer no opinion of Dick Zimmer (up from 53%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         Offering a\npossible explanation for the increase in no opinion about the two candidates, Murray said, \u201cIt may be\nthat some voters simply realized that the election is next week and they still\nhaven\u2019t heard much, if anything, from their senate candidates.  Even with that, Lautenberg has a commanding lead.  To borrow from an old saying about Frank\nSinatra, it\u2019s Obama\u2019s world this year and Frank Lautenberg is lucky to live in\nit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         The low-profile\nsenate race is seen as being generally positive \u2013 42% say the tone has been\npositive to 16% who say it is negative. \nAnother 36% say it has been neither positive nor negative or offer no\nopinion on the tone of the campaign.  \u201cIn\na state that is generally besieged with negative political advertising, perhaps\nno campaign is a good campaign,\u201d said Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         The poll also\nfound that the 84 year old Lautenberg\u2019s age is a non-issue for voters.  Just 20% of likely voters feel he is too old\nto be an effective senator.  In prior\npolls, this number has hovered around one-third of likely voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The\nMonmouth University\/Gannett New Jersey\nPoll<\/em> was conducted by telephone with 801 New Jersey likely voters on October 29-31,\n2008.  This sample has a margin of error\nof <\/p>\n\n\n\n

+ 3.5 percent.  The\npoll was conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute and\noriginally published by the Gannett New Jersey newspaper group (Asbury Park\nPress, Courier-Post, Courier News, Daily Journal, Daily Record, and Home News\nTribune).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DATA TABLES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nquestions referred to in this release are as follows:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(* Some columns may not\nadd to 100% due to rounding.)<\/em> <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/span> If the election for President was held today, would you vote for John McCain the Republican, Barack Obama the Democrat, or some other candidate? [IF UNDECIDED: At this moment do you lean more towards McCain or more towards Obama?] [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/span><\/p>\n
\n (with leaners)<\/em>\n <\/td> Likely<\/strong>
Voters<\/strong> <\/td>		\n PARTY ID\n <\/td>\n GENDER\n <\/td>\n AGE\n <\/td><\/tr>
Dem <\/td>\n Ind\n <\/td>\n Rep\n <\/td>\n Male\n <\/td>\n Female\n <\/td>\n 18-34\n <\/td>\n 35-54\n <\/td> 55+ <\/td><\/tr>
\n McCain\n <\/td>\n 34%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 87%\n <\/td>\n 40%\n <\/td>\n 28%\n <\/td>\n 20%\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td>\n 40%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Obama\n <\/td>\n 55%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 89%\n <\/td>\n 51%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 60%\n <\/td>\n 68%\n <\/td>\n 52%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Other \n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Won\u2019t vote\n <\/td>\n 0%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Undecided\n <\/td>\n 10%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 15%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 297<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 280<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 204<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 379<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 422<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 136<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 340<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 303<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n TREND<\/strong>\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n McCain\n <\/td>\n 34%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td>\n 36%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Obama\n <\/td>\n 55%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 55%\n <\/td>\n 49%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Other\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Won\u2019t vote\n <\/td>\n 0%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Undecided\n <\/td>\n 10%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 698<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Composite Table:\nStrength of Vote Choice<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1          If\nthe election for President\nwas held today, would you vote for [ROTATE] John McCain the Republican, Barack Obama the Democrat, or some\nother candidate?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.         At this\nmoment do you lean more towards McCain or more towards Obama?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.         Are you very sure about voting for\n[Name]; or might you change your mind before Election Day?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n TREND<\/strong>\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Sure\n McCain\n <\/td>\n 29%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 32%\n <\/td>\n 33%\n <\/td>\n 28%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Weak\n McCain\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Lean\n McCain\n <\/td>\n 3%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Undecided-\n Other\n <\/td>\n 11%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Lean Obama\n <\/td>\n 3%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Weak Obama\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Sure Obama\n <\/td>\n 51%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 49%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 698<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

4.<\/span> If the election for Senator was held today, would you vote for Dick Zimmer the Republican, Frank Lautenberg the Democrat, or some other candidate?\u00a0 [IF UNDECIDED: At this moment do you lean more towards Zimmer or more towards Lautenberg?]\u00a0 [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/span><\/p>\n
\n (with leaners)<\/em>\n <\/td> Likely<\/strong>
Voters<\/strong> <\/td>		\n PARTY ID\n <\/td>\n GENDER\n <\/td>\n AGE\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Dem\n <\/td>\n Ind\n <\/td>\n Rep\n <\/td>\n Male\n <\/td>\n Female\n <\/td>\n 18-34\n <\/td>\n 35-54\n <\/td>\n 55+\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Zimmer\n <\/td>\n 31%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 31%\n <\/td>\n 76%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Lautenberg\n <\/td>\n 50%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 85%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 46%\n <\/td>\n 54%\n <\/td>\n 56%\n <\/td>\n 47%\n <\/td>\n 53%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Other candidate\n <\/td>\n 4%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Will note vote\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Undecided\n <\/td>\n 14%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 16%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 297<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 280<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 204<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 379<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 422<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 136<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 340<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 303<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n TREND<\/strong>\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008 <\/td>		September
2008 <\/td>		 July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Zimmer\n <\/td>\n 31%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 36%\n <\/td>\n 36%\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Lautenberg\n <\/td>\n 50%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 52%\n <\/td>\n 46%\n <\/td>\n 45%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Other candidate\n <\/td>\n 4%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Will note vote\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Undecided\n <\/td>\n 14%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 698<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Composite Table:\nStrength of Vote Choice<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.         If\nthe election for Senator was held today, would you vote for [ROTATE] Dick Zimmer the Republican, Frank\nLautenberg the Democrat, or some other candidate?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5\/6.<\/span> At this moment do you lean more towards Zimmer or more towards Lautenberg?<\/em>
Are you very sure about voting for [Name]; or might you change your mind before Election Day?<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n TREND<\/strong>\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		July 2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Sure\n Zimmer\n <\/td>\n 25%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 26%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 24%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Weak Zimmer\n <\/td>\n 4%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Lean\n Zimmer\n <\/td>\n 3%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Undecided-Other\n <\/td>\n 18%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Lean\n Lautenberg\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Weak\n Lautenberg\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Sure\n Lautenberg\n <\/td>\n 41%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td>\n 33%\n <\/td>\n 31%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td> 801<\/em><\/strong><\/td> 709<\/em><\/td> 585<\/em><\/td> 692<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7.<\/span> Regardless of which presidential candidate you support, please tell me if you think Barack Obama or John McCain would better handle the issue of the economy?<\/span><\/p>\n
November 2008<\/strong> <\/td> Likely<\/strong>
Voters<\/strong> <\/td>		\n PARTY ID\n <\/td>\n GENDER\n <\/td>\n AGE\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Dem\n <\/td>\n Ind\n <\/td>\n Rep\n <\/td>\n Male\n <\/td>\n Female\n <\/td>\n 18-34\n <\/td>\n 35-54\n <\/td>\n 55+\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Obama better \n <\/td>\n 56%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 88%\n <\/td>\n 53%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 52%\n <\/td>\n 59%\n <\/td>\n 67%\n <\/td>\n 55%\n <\/td>\n 49%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n McCain better \n <\/td>\n 31%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 27%\n <\/td>\n 82%\n <\/td>\n 36%\n <\/td>\n 27%\n <\/td>\n 22%\n <\/td>\n 34%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Both equally \n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Neither\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t Know\n <\/td>\n 6%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 297<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 280<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 204<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 379<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 422<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 136<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 340<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 303<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Obama better \n <\/td>\n 56%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 55%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n McCain better \n <\/td>\n 31%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td>\n 39%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Both equally \n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Neither\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t Know\n <\/td>\n 6%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

8.<\/span> So far, would you characterize the presidential race as being generally positive or negative?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Positive\n <\/td>\n 32%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Negative\n <\/td>\n 47%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 42%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Both\n <\/td>\n 15%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Neither\n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 4%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[The following question was asked only of those who said \u201cNegative\u201d or\n\u201cBoth\u201d to Q8;<\/em> moe= + 4.3%]<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9.<\/span> Who has been more negative \u2013 Obama or McCain, or both equally?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Obama\n <\/td>\n 14%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n McCain \n <\/td>\n 49%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Both equally\n <\/td>\n 35%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 525<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 427<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 283<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

10.<\/span> Do you agree or disagree that John McCain is too old to be an effective president?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Agree\n <\/td>\n 25%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disagree\n <\/td>\n 71%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 74%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 4%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 343<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

11.<\/span> Do you think the fact that Barack Obama is black would have an impact on the decisions he would make as president, or not?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Yes\n <\/td>\n 13%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 15%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n No\n <\/td>\n 83%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 79%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 3%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 698<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[The following question was asked only of\nthose who said \u201cYes\u201d to Q11;<\/em> moe= +<\/em>\n9.4%<\/em>]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12.<\/span> On the whole, would this impact tend to be more positive or more negative for the country?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Positive\n <\/td>\n 31%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Negative\n <\/td>\n 51%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Both\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Neither\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 9%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 108<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 97<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

13.<\/span> How closely have you been following the campaign for president so far \u2013 very closely,\u00a0\u00a0 somewhat closely, or not very closely?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Very\n closely\n <\/td>\n 72%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 77%\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Somewhat\n closely\n <\/td>\n 26%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 22%\n <\/td>\n 27%\n <\/td>\n 34%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Not very\n closely\n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n 698<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

14.<\/span> Compared to past elections, are you more enthusiastic than usual about voting, or less enthusiastic?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n More enthusiastic\n <\/td>\n 65%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 70%\n <\/td>\n 53%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Less enthusiastic\n <\/td>\n 18%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 15%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Same\n <\/td>\n 16%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 16%\n <\/td>\n 20%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 0%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 698<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

15.<\/span> How confident are you that your vote will be accurately counted in the upcoming election \u2013 very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n November 2008<\/strong>\n <\/td> Likely<\/strong>
Voters<\/strong> <\/td>		\n VOTE INTENTION\n <\/td>\n RACE\n <\/td>\n AGE\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n McCain\n <\/td>\n Obama\n <\/td>\n Undecided\n <\/td>\n White\n <\/td>\n Black\n <\/td>\n 18-34\n <\/td>\n 35-54\n <\/td>\n 55+\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Very confident \n <\/td>\n 58%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td>\n 56%\n <\/td>\n 64%\n <\/td>\n 60%\n <\/td>\n 44%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 57%\n <\/td>\n 66%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Somewhat confident \n <\/td>\n 31%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 28%\n <\/td>\n 36%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td>\n 34%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Not too confident\n <\/td>\n 7%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Not at all confident\n <\/td>\n 3%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t Know\n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 277<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 392<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 69<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 648<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 68<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 136<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 340<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 303<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

 [QUESTIONS\n16 AND 17 WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16.<\/span> Is your general impression of Frank Lautenberg favorable or unfavorable, or don\u2019t you really have an opinion?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND\n <\/td>November<\/strong>
2008<\/strong><\/td>		October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		July
2008<\/td><\/tr>
\n Favorable\n <\/td>\n 36%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 48%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unfavorable\n <\/td>\n 20%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 26%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 29%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n No opinion\n <\/td>\n 44%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 26%\n <\/td>\n 26%\n <\/td>\n 33%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unwtd N<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 801<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 723<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 589<\/em>\n <\/td>\n 698<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

17.<\/span> Is your general impression of Dick Zimmer favorable or unfavorable, or don\u2019t you really have an opinion?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND<\/td>\n

November
<\/strong>2008<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		\n

July
2008<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

Favorable<\/td>18%<\/strong><\/td>31%<\/td>30%<\/td>20%<\/td><\/tr>
Unfavorable<\/td>8%<\/strong><\/td>16%<\/td>18%<\/td>12%<\/td><\/tr>
No opinion<\/td>74%<\/strong><\/td>53%<\/td>53%<\/td>68%<\/td><\/tr>
Unwtd N<\/em><\/td>\n

801<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

723<\/em><\/td>589<\/em><\/td>\n

698<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

18.<\/span> Do you agree or disagree that Frank Lautenberg is too old to be an effective senator?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND<\/td>\n

November
<\/strong>2008<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		\n

July
2008<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

Agree<\/td>20%<\/strong><\/td>33%<\/td>31%<\/td>33%<\/td><\/tr>
Disagree<\/td>67%<\/strong><\/td>59%<\/td>59%<\/td>54%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>13%<\/strong><\/td>8%<\/td>10%<\/td>13%<\/td><\/tr>
Unwtd N<\/em><\/td>\n

801<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

589<\/em><\/td>589<\/em><\/td>\n

355<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

19.<\/span> So far, would you characterize the senate race as being generally positive or negative?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND<\/td>\n

November
<\/strong>2008<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

September
2008<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

Positive<\/td>42%<\/strong><\/td>49%<\/td><\/tr>
Negative<\/td>16%<\/strong><\/td>17%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Both<\/td>5%<\/strong><\/td>3%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td>7%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>27%<\/strong><\/td>24%<\/td><\/tr>
Unwtd N<\/em><\/td>\n

801<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

589<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[The following question was asked only of those who said \u201cNegative\u201d or \u201cBoth\u201d to Q19;<\/em> moe= \u00b1<\/em> 7.5%<\/em>]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

20.<\/span> Who has been more negative \u2013 Lautenberg or Zimmer, or both equally?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND<\/td>\n

November
<\/strong>2008<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

September
2008<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

Lautenberg<\/td>15%<\/strong><\/td>14%<\/td><\/tr>
Zimmer<\/td>16%<\/strong><\/td>18%<\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>59%<\/strong><\/td>65%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>10%<\/strong><\/td>2%<\/td><\/tr>
Unwtd N<\/em><\/td>\n

172<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

121<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

21.<\/span> How closely have you been following the campaign for U.S. Senate so far \u2013 very closely, somewhat closely, or not very closely?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND<\/td>\n

November
<\/strong>2008<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

October
2008<\/td>		September
2008<\/td>		\n

July
2008<\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

Very closely<\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td>14%<\/td>6%<\/td>13%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat closely<\/td>37%<\/strong><\/td>40%<\/td>36%<\/td>39%<\/td><\/tr>
Not very closely<\/td>54%<\/strong><\/td>47%<\/td>59%<\/td>48%<\/td><\/tr>
Unwtd N<\/em><\/td>\n

801<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>

723<\/em><\/td>589<\/em><\/td>\n

698<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Monmouth University\/Gannett New Jersey Poll<\/em> was conducted and analyzed by the Monmouth University Polling Institute research staff.  The telephone interviews were collected by Braun Research on October 29-31, 2008 with a statewide random sample of 801 likely voters. For results based on this voter sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling has a maximum margin of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.  Sampling error increases as the sample size decreases, so statements based on various population subgroups, such as separate figures reported by gender or party identification, are subject to more error than are statements based on the total sample.  In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

POLL DEMOGRAPHICS<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

\n

Likely Voter Sample (weighted)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

41% Dem<\/em><\/td>47% Male<\/em><\/td>\n

25% 18-34<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>

\n

70% White<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

34% Ind<\/em><\/td>53% Female<\/em><\/td>44% 35-54<\/em><\/td>\n

14% Black<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

25% Rep<\/em><\/td> <\/em><\/td>31% 55+<\/em><\/td>\n

11% Hispanic<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr>

 <\/em><\/td> <\/em><\/td> <\/em><\/td>\n

  5% Asian\/Other<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Click on pdf file link below for full methodology and results by key demographic groups.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Frank Lautenberg riding Obama coattails<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":40802251239,"template":"","geography":[30],"class_list":["post-40802207835","poll","type-poll","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","geography-new-jersey"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802207835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/poll"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802207835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40802242905,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802207835\/revisions\/40802242905"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40802251239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40802207835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"geography","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/geography?post=40802207835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}