Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind was conducted by telephone from March 30, 2009 through April 5, 2009 using a randomly selected sample of 809 registered voters statewide. The margin of error for 809 randomly selected respondents is +/- 3.5 percentage points. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling error. This kind of error, which cannot be measured, arises from a number of factors including, but not limited to, non-response (eligible individuals refusing to be interviewed), question wording, the order in which questions are asked, and variations among interviewers. PublicMind interviews are conducted by professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection >is achieved by computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a land-line phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected. Results are mathematically weighted to match known demographics.

Question: Have you heard of a company called Goldman Sachs? If you haven’t just tell me. [If yes, ask:] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Goldman Sachs? Would that be very or somewhat?

Question: Now, turning to New Jersey ... In your opinion, do you think things in New Jersey are moving in the right direction or do you think the state has gotten off on the wrong track?

Instruction: ask at random any five names: Jon Corzine, Chris Christie, Rick Merkt, Steve Lonegan, Brian Levine, Richard Codey, Cory Booker.

Question:  Have you heard of [rotate list]? If you haven't just tell me. [If yes, ask:] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of ... ? Would that be very or somewhat?

• Jon Corzine
• Chris Christie
• Rick Merkt
• Steve Lonegan
• Brian Levine
• Richard Codey
• Cory Booker

How would you rate the job Jon Corzine is doing as governor…  [READ]?

• Excellent
• Good
• Only fair
• Poor

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Jon Corzine is doing as governor?

Question: Now I’d like to ask you a few questions about the New Jersey State budget. How much have you heard or read about the Governor’s proposed state budget for the coming year…?

Question: Now in order to balance the budget, some people say…. Others say to balance the budget…. Which position comes closest to your view?

• … the state should hold the line on spending even if programs are reduced
• …the state should raise taxes if necessary and continue to support state programs

Question: In order either raise money or cut spending in next year’s budget a number of proposals have been put on the table. For each of these proposals, tell me whether you think it’s a good idea or a bad idea?

• Reduce state aid to cities and towns.
• Require state employees to take 12 unpaid days off
• Eliminate 7000 state jobs.
• Only give property tax rebates to seniors and people making less than 75 thousand dollars a year.
• Require cities and towns to hold off few a few years on their payments to pension funds for public employees.
• Eliminate the property tax deduction on state income tax forms

Question: Taking everything into account, do you think the budget Gov. Corzine has proposed is good for New Jersey or bad for New Jersey?

Instruction: Ask Republicans only

In June, there will be a primary election in which New Jersey Republican voters will select a Republican candidate to run for governor.  Are you likely or not likely to vote in that primary election?

Question: I know it's early, but if the Republican primary election for governor were held today, would you vote for…or…or…?

• Chris Christie
• Steve Lonegan
• Rick Merkt
• Brian Levine

Instruction: Ask Democrats only

In June, there will be a primary election in which New Jersey Democrats will select a Democratic candidate to run for governor.  Are you likely or not likely to vote in that primary election?

Question: I know it's early, but if the Democratic primary election for governor were held today, would you vote for ... READ?

• Jon Corzine
• Ken Balut
• Carl Bergmanson
• Jeff Boss

Q: And if the Democratic primary election for governor were held today, would you vote for ... or ... ?

• Jon Corzine
• Richard Codey
  
• Jon Corzine
• Cory Booker

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results