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NH poll reflects Lynch as wishy-washy
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Gov. John Lynch's favorability numbers are down,
according to a recent poll.
It's no surprise, really, given his well publicized wishy-washy approach to some of the polarizing legislative issues this year, that New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch's favorability rating has slipped.
Think gay marriage. Think medical marijuana. Think video slots gambling.
Think playing both ends of the middle too often.
For the first time since October 2005, according to a University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll, the Lynch's favorability has slipped to below 70 percent.
The most recent polling shows 63 percent of New Hampshire adults approve of how he is handling his job as governor, 27 percent disapprove, and 11 percent are neutral or don’t know.
Additionally, the Democrat's support has dropped largely among Republicans -- only 48% approve of the job he has done in the current poll compared to 62% in the Spring Granite State
Poll.
The loss of political value among Republicans are evidence of the political decisiveness of many of the social and budget issues that rose out of the legislative session.
The $11.5 billion biennial budget that he ultimately supported was very much a budget managed by the Democratic-controlled House and Senate. Conservative Republicans were especially upset by what they view as his flip-flop on the gay marriage issue. He had said in the past that marriage was for a man and a woman, but he ultimately agreed with and signed the gay marriage bill that emerged from the Legislature.
Even his personal favorability dropped:
- 62 percent of New Hampshire adults say they have a favorable opinion of Lynch,
- 24 percent have an unfavorable opinion,
- 8 percent are neutral,
- and 6 percent say they don’t know enough about him to say.
While the same-sex marriage bill had an impact, it was not devastating politically: 28 percent of New Hampshire adults saying they are less likely to vote for him because he signed the bill, 19 percent say they are more likely to vote for him, but most Granite Staters, 52 percent said it will have no effect on their vote. The effect was most felt among the GOP: 49 percent say they are less likely to vote for Lynch because he signed the same-sex marriage bill.
Lynch governs from the middle, seeking consensus more often than taking a strong stand on an issue and sticking to it, no matter the consequence.
The consensus was that it was time for same-sex marriage in New Hampshire, so he went along.
And with medical marijuana, which the Legislature has voted to legalize, he hasn't said he's for it or against it, and the bill sits on his desk awaiting a decision.
He has displayed the same sort of playing the middle attitude with reference to expanding legalized gambling in the state by adding video slot machines to dog tracks and some other areas. He has not said he's against it, nor has he said he's for it. All he's said is that he is skeptical.
Ultimately, the Legislature, which turned down the slots as a revenue source, decided for him.
The economy, as it was in April, is the most pressing concern of New Hampshire residents. The economy was followed by the state budget, taxes, health care, quality education, and the price of gas/oil.
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