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FOR RELEASE: MARCH 22, 2012

McMAHON LEADS IN CONNECTICUT GOP SENATE PRIMARY,

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS;

BUT SHAYS RUNS BETTER AGAINST DEMOCRATS

Former wrestling executive Linda McMahon leads former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays 51 42

percent in the Republican primary for Connecticuts U.S. Senate seat, but Shays runs better

against possible Democratic candidates, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released

today. This compares to a 50 35 percent McMahon lead September 16.

U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy leads the Democratic primary for Senate with 37 percent,

followed by former Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz with 25 percent and State Rep. William

Tong with 4 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

In possible November matchups:

Murphy tops McMahon 52 37 percent; Murphy gets 41 percent to Shays 40 percent; Bysiewicz beats McMahon 49 39 percent; Shays gets 43 percent to Bysiewicz 42 percent; McMahon leads Tong 43 39 percent; Shays tops Tong 50 25 percent.

In the Murphy-McMahon face-off, the Democrat leads 50 41 percent among men and

54 33 percent among women.

Congressman Christopher Shays has narrowed the gap with Linda McMahon from 15

points to 9 points. The question is whether he can catch up by primary day, August 14, saidQuinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD.

In general election matchups, Shays runs neck and neck with either Congressman

Christopher Murphy or Susan Bysiewicz, while McMahon trails both of them by double digits.

-more-

Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D. Director,Quinnipiac University Poll (203) 582-5201

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Quinnipiac University Poll/March 22, 2012 page 2

The numbers have barely moved in the Democratic primary with Murphy holding a

double digit lead over Bysiewicz, but 29 percent are undecided, Dr. Schwartz added.

Presidential Race

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney dominates Connecticuts Republican presidential

primary with 42 percent, followed by former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum with 19 percent, former

House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 13 percent and Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul with 9 percent.

President Barack Obama thumps Romney 53 37 percent in the general election matchup, leading

51 40 percent among men and 55 34 percent among women. The president leads 91 6 percent

among Democrats and 48 37 percent among independent voters, while Romney leads 85 12 percent

among Republicans.

Obama beats Santorum 55 35 percent.

Connecticut voters approve 53 43 percent of the job the president is doing and by 55 41

percent they have a favorable opinion of him.

Romney gets a negative 35 43 percent favorability and Santorum gets a negative 27 43

percent.

Gov. Mitt Romney is crushing Santorum in Connecticut, leading by 23 points. Romneys

strength continues to be among upscale voters and seniors, Schwartz said.

But President Barack Obama has a big double-digit lead over either Romney or Sen.

Rick Santorum in the general election. The question here is whether the presidents coattails will

affect the Senate race in November.

Connecticut voters approve 51 38 percent of the job U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman is

doing and approve 64 23 percent of freshman Sen. Richard Blumenthal, his best score so far.

From March 14 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,622 registered voters with a

margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.

The survey includes 429 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 4.7 percentage points and 640

Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey,

Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and the nation as a public service and for

research.

For more data or RSS feed http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201,

or follow us on Twitter.

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1. (If Registered Republican) If the Republican primary for President were being held

today, and the candidates were Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul,

for whom would you vote?

REGISTERED REPUBLICANS........................

COLLEGE DEG

Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No

Gingrich 13% 16% 10% 19% 4% 10% 15%

Romney 42 43 40 39 49 51 35

Santorum 19 20 19 23 15 16 22Paul 9 9 10 4 18 8 10

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - - -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 3 3 1 4 4 2

DK/NA 14 9 18 14 9 10 16

AGE IN YRS....... ANNUAL HsHOLD INCOME

18-44 45-64 65+ 100K

Gingrich 10% 16% 11% 16% 12% 12%

Romney 40 36 51 38 41 44

Santorum 15 22 19 22 23 17

Paul 21 6 4 5 12 10

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - -WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 5 2 2 2 3

DK/NA 12 15 13 17 10 13

TREND: (If Registered Republican) If the Republican primary for President were being held

today, and the candidates were: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul,

for whom would you vote? (* 2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

REGISTERED REPUBLICANS

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Gingrich 13 3

Romney 42 37

Santorum 19 1Paul 9 3

Bachmann na 8

Cain na 3

Huntsman na 2

McCotter na -

Palin na 4

Perry na 19

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 4

DK/NA 14 16

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2. (If Registered Republican) If the Republican primary for United States Senator were

being held today, and the candidates were Chris Shays and Linda McMahon, for whom would

you vote?

REGISTERED REPUBLICANS........................

COLLEGE DEG

Tot Men Wom Con Mod Yes No

Shays 42% 44% 40% 35% 53% 46% 39%

McMahon 51 50 52 59 43 47 54

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - - -WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 2 1 - 2 1

DK/NA 6 6 6 6 4 6 6


18-44 45-64 65+ 100K

Shays 34% 48% 42% 41% 39% 47%

McMahon 54 47 52 52 54 47

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 1 - 2 1 1

DK/NA 10 4 6 6 6 5

TREND: (If Registered Republican) If the Republican primary for United States Senator werebeing held today, and the candidates were Chris Shays and Linda McMahon, for whom would

you vote? (* 2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

REGISTERED REPUBLICANS

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Shays 42 35

McMahon 51 50

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1


DK/NA 6 12

3. (If Registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for United States Senator

were being held today, and the candidates were: Chris Murphy, Susan Bysiewicz, and

William Tong, for whom would you vote?

REGISTERED DEMOCRATS..........................

COLLEGE DEG

Tot Men Wom Lib Mod Yes No

Murphy 37% 41% 35% 39% 41% 44% 32%

Bysiewicz 25 25 26 23 26 22 28

Tong 4 3 4 3 3 4 4

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 - 1 -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 4 3 2 4 3 4DK/NA 29 27 31 32 26 26 32


18-44 45-64 65+ 100K

Murphy 34% 39% 38% 38% 33% 42%

Bysiewicz 23 29 24 31 25 22

Tong 1 4 5 5 3 4

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - - - -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 7 3 2 3 6 4

DK/NA 36 24 31 23 33 28

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TREND: (If Registered Democrat) If the Democratic primary for United States Senator

were being held today, and the candidates were: Chris Murphy, Susan Bysiewicz and

William Tong, for whom would you vote? (* 2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

REGISTERED DEMOCRATS

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Murphy 37 36

Bysiewicz 25 26

Tong 4 1SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 -


DK/NA 29 35

4. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were

Barack Obama the Democrat and - Mitt Romney the Republican, for whom would you vote?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Lib Mod Con

Obama 53% 12% 91% 48% 51% 55% 89% 55% 19%

Romney 37 85 6 37 40 34 6 33 72

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 2 2 - - 1 2WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 1 2 5 3 4 1 3 5

DK/NA 6 2 1 9 4 7 4 8 3

TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack

Obama the Democrat and Mitt Romney the Republican, for whom would you vote?

(* 2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Obama 53 49

Romney 37 36

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 2DK/NA 6 10

5. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were

Barack Obama the Democrat and - Rick Santorum the Republican, for whom would you vote?


Obama 55% 13% 91% 50% 53% 56% 89% 58% 20%

Santorum 35 78 5 35 37 33 8 27 70

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 1 - - 1 1

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 3 1 6 4 3 1 5 4

DK/NA 6 5 2 8 5 7 2 9 5

6. Is your opinion of - Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?


Favorable 55% 14% 91% 51% 54% 57% 89% 59% 21%

Unfavorable 41 85 7 44 44 38 8 37 77

Hvn't hrd enough 2 - 1 3 1 2 2 2 1

REFUSED 2 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 1

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TREND: Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough

about him?

Mar 22 Sep 16 Dec 17 Mar 27 May 10 Feb 19

2012 2011 2008 2008 2007 2007

Favorable 55 50 71 59 51 48

Unfavorable 41 45 11 24 15 10

Hvn't hrd enough 2 3 15 15 32 40

REFUSED 2 3 2 2 1 2

7. Is your opinion of - Mitt Romney favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?


Favorable 35% 66% 13% 36% 38% 32% 14% 36% 55%

Unfavorable 43 14 65 43 45 42 69 44 21

Hvn't hrd enough 19 17 18 19 14 23 14 17 23

REFUSED 3 3 3 2 2 4 4 3 1

TREND: Is your opinion of Mitt Romney favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?

Mar 22 Sep 16 May 10 Feb 19

2012 2011 2007 2007

Favorable 35 34 15 13

Unfavorable 43 28 23 19

Hvn't hrd enough 19 36 60 67

REFUSED 3 2 1 1

8. Is your opinion of - Rick Santorum favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?


Favorable 27% 55% 7% 28% 30% 24% 9% 22% 51%

Unfavorable 43 17 63 43 45 41 68 47 17

Hvn't hrd enough 29 26 29 28 24 33 23 29 30

REFUSED 2 2 1 1 1 2 - 2 2

9. If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates

were Linda McMahon the Republican and - Chris Murphy the Democrat, for whom would you

vote?


McMahon 37% 83% 8% 35% 41% 33% 11% 32% 68%

Murphy 52 12 83 50 50 54 77 56 24

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - - - 1 - - -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 - 3 2 1 1 2 2

DK/NA(VOL) 9 4 8 12 7 11 10 10 6

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TREND: If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the candidates

were Linda McMahon the Republican and Chris Murphy the Democrat, for whom would you vote?


Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

McMahon 37 38

Murphy 52 49

SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) - 1

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1DK/NA(VOL) 9 11


were Linda McMahon the Republican and - Susan Bysiewicz the Democrat, for whom would you

vote?


McMahon 39% 84% 10% 36% 44% 34% 8% 37% 70%

Bysiewicz 49 10 81 45 45 52 79 49 22

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - - - - - - -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 1 2 5 4 3 3 4 3DK/NA(VOL) 9 4 7 13 7 11 10 10 5


were Linda McMahon the Republican and Susan Bysiewicz the Democrat, for whom would you

vote? (* 2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

McMahon 39 38

Bysiewicz 49 46

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1


DK/NA(VOL) 9 12


were Linda McMahon the Republican and - William Tong the Democrat, for whom would you

vote?


McMahon 43% 87% 11% 44% 49% 37% 14% 39% 76%

Tong 39 6 71 32 38 39 68 37 15

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 2 2 5 4 4 2 6 2

DK/NA(VOL) 14 4 15 19 9 19 16 17 7


were Chris Shays the Republican and - Chris Murphy the Democrat, for whom would you vote?


Shays 40% 80% 11% 40% 48% 32% 14% 37% 67%

Murphy 41 8 75 34 38 45 66 42 19

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - - - - -

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 - 3 2 2 1 2 2

DK/NA(VOL) 17 10 13 22 12 22 19 18 12 7

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TREND: If the election for United States Senator were being held today, and the

candidates were Chris Shays the Republican and Chris Murphy the Democrat, for whom would

you vote? (* 2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Shays 40 37

Murphy 41 43

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2DK/NA(VOL) 17 17


were Chris Shays the Republican and - Susan Bysiewicz the Democrat, for whom would you

vote?


Shays 43% 81% 15% 44% 50% 36% 15% 45% 66%

Bysiewicz 42 11 71 36 35 47 68 39 23

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 - - - - - - 1

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 1 3 3 1 1 3 2DK/NA(VOL) 13 5 13 16 11 15 16 14 8


were Chris Shays the Republican and Susan Bysiewicz the Democrat, for whom would you vote?


Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Shays 43 42

Bysiewicz 42 40

SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1


DK/NA(VOL) 13 16


were Chris Shays the Republican and - William Tong the Democrat, for whom would you vote?


Shays 50% 87% 23% 53% 57% 44% 22% 52% 76%

Tong 25 4 53 16 23 27 50 21 10

SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 1 1 1 1 - 1

WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 2 2 4 4 3 2 4 3

DK/NA(VOL) 21 8 22 26 15 26 25 23 11

15. Is your opinion of - Linda McMahon favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about her?


Favorable 40% 74% 14% 41% 44% 36% 17% 37% 66%

Unfavorable 44 16 68 42 44 44 69 47 19

Hvn't hrd enough 15 9 17 15 11 18 13 14 14

REFUSED 1 1 1 2 1 2 - 2 2

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TREND: Is your opinion of Linda McMahon favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about her? (* High also 43% Jul 2010)

FAVORABLE....

High Low

Mar 22 Sep 16 Aug 4 Jul 16 Jun 10 Aug 4 Nov 12

2012 2011 2010 2010 2010 2010* 2009

Favorable 40 38 43 43 38 43 20

Unfavorable 44 45 37 37 35 37 13

Hvn't hrd enough 15 15 17 20 25 17 66REFUSED 1 2 2 1 1 2 1

16. Is your opinion of - Chris Shays favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?


Favorable 47% 60% 37% 49% 54% 40% 37% 50% 53%

Unfavorable 13 8 20 11 15 11 18 13 9

Hvn't hrd enough 38 31 41 39 29 47 43 35 37

REFUSED 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1

TREND: Is your opinion of Chris Shays favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Favorable 47 41

Unfavorable 13 14

Hvn't hrd enough 38 44

REFUSED 2 1

17. Is your opinion of - Susan Bysiewicz favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard

enough about her?


Favorable 39% 17% 55% 38% 36% 41% 57% 40% 23%

Unfavorable 27 48 12 27 31 22 9 26 44

Hvn't hrd enough 34 34 32 34 32 36 33 33 33

REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 -

TREND: Is your opinion of Susan Bysiewicz favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard

enough about her?

Mar 22 Sep 16 Jan 21 Nov 10 Feb 10

2012 2011 2010 2009 2009

Favorable 39 39 49 43 40

Unfavorable 27 27 14 11 12

Hvn't hrd enough 34 33 36 44 48

REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1

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18. Is your opinion of - Chris Murphy favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?


Favorable 40% 19% 60% 35% 41% 39% 54% 44% 24%

Unfavorable 15 33 3 15 19 12 2 12 32

Hvn't hrd enough 44 47 37 48 40 48 44 43 43

REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 2

TREND: Is your opinion of Chris Murphy favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enoughabout him?

Mar 22 Sep 16

2012 2011

Favorable 40 38

Unfavorable 15 16

Hvn't hrd enough 44 45

REFUSED 1 1

19. Is your opinion of - William Tong favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough

about him?


Favorable 10% 4% 17% 8% 12% 8% 17% 7% 7%

Unfavorable 5 8 2 6 8 3 1 6 8

Hvn't hrd enough 85 88 81 86 80 89 81 87 84

REFUSED - - - 1 - - - - -

22. Do you approve or disapprove of the way - Joe Lieberman is handling his job as

United States Senator?


Approve 51% 61% 39% 54% 54% 48% 39% 53% 56%

Disapprove 38 31 49 34 39 37 51 35 34

DK/NA 11 8 12 12 7 15 10 12 10

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Lieberman is handling his job as United

States Senator? (*Low also 38% Dec 2008)

APPROVE.......

High Low

Mar 22 Sep 16 Jun 15 Mar 09 Jul 16 Sep 21 Mar 09

2012 2011 2011 2011 2010 2000 2011*

Approve 51 51 41 38 40 80 38Disapprove 38 40 45 45 50 14 45

DK/NA 11 10 14 17 9 6 17

23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way - Richard Blumenthal is handling his job as



Approve 64% 44% 82% 62% 61% 66% 83% 68% 40%

Disapprove 23 42 6 24 28 18 6 19 44

DK/NA 14 14 12 14 11 16 11 13 15 10

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TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Richard Blumenthal is handling his job as


Mar 22 Sep 16 Jun 15 Mar 09

2012 2011 2011 2011

Approve 64 60 54 49

Disapprove 23 23 25 25

DK/NA 14 17 21 26

24. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?


Approve 53% 12% 87% 49% 51% 54% 87% 56% 17%

Disapprove 43 87 10 46 46 40 11 39 79

DK/NA 4 2 3 5 2 5 3 5 3

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as

President? (*High also 71% Apr 2009)

APPROVE.......

High LowMar 22 Sep 16 Jun 15 Mar 09 Jul 16 May 27 Sep 16

2012 2011 2011 2011 2010 2009* 2011

Approve 53 48 53 49 50 71 48

Disapprove 43 48 44 47 44 22 48

DK/NA 4 4 3 4 6 7 4

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