New Poll Reveals Depths Of Pat Quinn's Popularity
By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 30, 2012 3:00PM
We already knew Pat Quinn's approval ratings as Illinois Governor are so low that no amount of A Prairie Home Companion appearances or cinnamon challenges are likely to result in a rebound any time soon. A new poll conducted by Public Policy Polling gives an indication of how deep in the weeds Quinn has sunk, particularly if he wants to stay in the Governor's mansion past 2014. (It's never too early to place your bets, readers.)
With a 64 percent disapproval rating, Quinn is the most unpopular governor PPP has polled in the country this year. Only 25 percent of those polled were satisfied with Quinn's performance. Quinn's disapproval ratings among Democrats are more telling: 43 percent of Democrats who took the survey disapproved of him.
With the gubernatorial primaries less than two years away, Quinn trails in head-to-head match ups against Bill Daley (37-34), and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan—if she decides to run for governor—64-20. Madigan is the wild card in early gubernatorial odds, according to PPP. If she embarks on a run for governor, she would be the early favorite in the primary and general election.
Quinn fares only slightly better against GOP gubernatorial prospects. He would trail in head-to-head match ups against State Sen. Kirk Dillard (44/37) and Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford (43/39), while holding a one-point advantage over Congressman Aaron Schock (40/39). But the Illinois GOP is in such disarray the field for the nomination is wide open.
The veto-proof super-majorities in both houses of the Illinois General Assembly will only make Quinn's poll numbers harder to overcome. Not that they needed super-majorities: the state Senate voted 49-4 Wednesday to override Quinn's amended ban on assault weapons. Quinn used his amendatory veto powers to place a ban on assault weapons and high capacity ammunition magazines to a mail-order ammunition bill in July. Senators said Quinn overstepped his bounds.
Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said he would continue to pursue an assault weapons ban, but didn’t provide details. Hopefully it doesn’t involve a cartoon animal with a cute name.