PRESTON-OSBORNE/LANE REPORT POLL - June 2006
by Phil Osborne

Politicians Plummet in Ratings
Constituents throughout the state express disappointment with political representation

Call it post-election hangover. Call it a growing sense of apathy. Call it a disenfranchised populace. Call it whatever you want, but people think less of elected public officials now than they did only nine short months ago.

In the recent Preston-Osborne/Lane Report tracking poll, the job performance of a number of elected officials was compared to a baseline study that took place last August. For each official, respondents were asked to rate their job performance as excellent, good, only fair or poor. In almost every instance, ratings were down and in some cases, significantly.

For example, among statewide office holders, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s performance rating fell from 55 percent (combined excellent and good) to 48 percent.

The pattern was repeated for members of the House of Representatives:

It’s difficult to speculate on why the numbers dropped so dramatically in some cases. The survey fieldwork started the day before the primary election and only four days after indictments were handed up against Gov. Ernie Fletcher stemming from the year-long probe of hiring practices in state government. Both situations could have generated a little more pessimism on the part of respondents when it came to rating their public servants.

As for the investigation itself, Kentucky is still a state that is clearly divided on whether it’s warranted or whether it is politically motivated. In August, 45 percent thought it was warranted; 46 contended it stemmed from politics. By May, the numbers had shifted ever so slightly to 47 and 46, respectively.

In either case, the investigation has not been kind to either of the two primary combatants – Gov. Fletcher and Attorney General Greg Stumbo. Fletcher’s performance rating has slipped from 38 to 33 percent; Stumbo’s held at 30 percent in both polls.

Click here to see the full poll results.

Phil Osborne is CEO of Preston-Osborne.
editorial@lanereport.com


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