TENNESSEANS’ OPINIONS

JANUARY 2011

John Geer & Josh Clinton

Dept. of Political Science, Vanderbilt University

& Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions

VANDERBILT POLL

How it was Administered 710 Tennesseans interviewed by Survey Shared

Resource Group in the Vanderbilt Medical Center.

January 17th to 23rd

Just following Gov. Haslam’s inaugurationJust after the attempted assassination of Rep. Giffords

Bipartisan Advisory Board screened questions.

Tennessean agreed to cover results.

Overview of Topics Asked Asked about:

Evaluation of political leadersPriorities of state governmentOpinions on educationOpinions on various issues

○ Immigration, Gun Control, GLBT, Demographic information

Many identify with conservative labels

Conservative

Liberal

Think of yourself as part of the Tea Party

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

I’d like your views on some government officials. As I read each name, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of how each is handling their job.

U.S. Congress

Pres. Obama

Gov. Haslam

Sen. Alexander

Sen. Corker

TN State Legislature

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

What do you think should be the top priority of the Tennessee state government?

Guns

Immigration

Healthcare

Education

The economy including jobs

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

The Tennessee state government currently faces budget problems, and cuts in spending for state programs are

made often. For each of these programs, please tell me if there should be: no cuts, some cuts, or large cuts.

K-12 Education

Pre-K Education

Healthcare

Unemployment assistance and job training programs

Colleges and Universities

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

% No Cuts

What grade would you give your local public schools?

F

D

C

B

A

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

When it comes to kindergarten through 12th grade education in Tennessee, please tell me whether

you think our schools work:

A complete overhaul

Major changes are needed

Some changes are needed

Pretty well as they are now

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Immigration

Stengthen our Coun-try

Are a Burden on our country

0 20 40 60 80

Today, immigrants...

Arrest & Force to Leave

Create a pathway to citizenship

0 20 40 60 80

How to deal?

Military Service

Adoption

Marriage

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Gay Rights

Muslims should have the same rights as other groups to build houses of worship in local communities

Local communities should be able to prohibit construction of mosques if they do not want them

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Which statement comes closer to your view on this topic?

Source: New York Times

The Shift in Presidential Vote, 2004-2008