George W. Bush Better in a crisis than Barack Obama 54% to 33%

Oil Drilling Support Nearly Unanimous in Louisiana

Q8 Who do you think has done a better job in helping Louisiana to deal with crisis: George W. Bush or Barack Obama? George W. Bush ........................................ 54% Barack Obama........................................... 33% Not sure ..................................................... 13%

Raleigh, N.C. – While support for oil exploration off the coasts of various states sharply decreased in the aftermath of the BP oil spill, support in Louisiana remained very high, measuring at 77% support,

to only 12% opposition, in PPP’s last poll of the state in June. While support has nearly returned to previous levels elsewhere, support in Louisiana has, if it were possible, also increased, to 81%, with only 9% not in favor. By a 32-21 margin,

voters say the spill has actually made them more supportive of drilling off the state’s coastline than less supportive, with 48% saying it has made no difference on their opinion. In June, the “less supportive” group edged “more supportive,” 31-28. The latest figures come among likely voters in this fall’s elections, a much more conservative and Republican set than the respondents to the previous poll—registered voters who have voted in at least one of the last three general elections. Naturally, the news for President Obama is also more depressing this time around.

Louisianans’ severe disapproval of Obama overall, 35-61, mirrors their disdain for his efforts in the cleanup, 32-61. George W. Bush’s handling of Hurricane Katrina, by contrast, is viewed barely negatively, 44-47; the response in June, 34-58, was more in line with Obama’s, 32-62. A full 54% now think Bush did a better job dealing with crisis than Obama, who gets the vote of only 33%. Considering the shift in the electorate, that is little if any change from the 50-35 divide in June. 24% of Democrats still prefer Bush’s response; the small set of independents go for him, 47-30, after favoring Obama, 41-37, two months ago.

“Louisiana used to be a marginal swing state with a Southern Democratic pedigree, but it was one of the few states where Obama did worse than John Kerry, and this cycle it is looking among the reddest states PPP has polled,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.

PPP surveyed 403 likely Louisiana voters on August 21st and 22nd. The margin of error
for the survey is +/-4.9%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at
(888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888. George W. Bush Better in a crisis than Barack Obama 54% to 33% FULL POLL in PDF FORMAT.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2010. INTERVIEWS: DEAN DEBNAM 888-621-6988 / 919-880-4888 (serious media inquiries only please, other questions can be directed to Tom Jensen) QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLL: TOM JENSEN 919-744-6312

Public Policy Polling, 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604. Phone: 888 621-6988
Web: www.publicpolicypolling.com Email: information@publicpolicypolling.com