New Poll Shows Most Texans Disagree with Walkout by Fugitive Democrat Legislators

THE AUSTIN REVIEW ^ | May 24, 2003

[anymouse]

BASELICE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Opinion Research for Decision Making in Politics and Public Affairs

131 Spicewood Springs Road Suite O-2 Austin, TX 78759 Office: 512-345-9720 Fax: 512-345-9740 email: mail@baselice.com

TEXAS VOTER SURVEY SUMMARY

Over five out of six voters (86%) are aware Democrat representatives left Texas to avoid voting on certain pieces of legislation. By a two and a half to one ratio, Texas voters share the viewpoint that the Democrat state representatives did the wrong thing by leaving the state. Moreover, a majority of voters (53%) strongly think the Democrat representatives did the wrong thing, with 83% of Republicans and 51% of ticket-splitters sharing these intense opinions.

Have you seen, read, or heard anything recently about Democrat state representatives leaving the State of Texas and going to Oklahoma to avoid voting on certain pieces of legislation pending in the state house?

- 86% Yes

- 13% No

Regardless of what you may have seen or heard, 53 Democrat state representatives submitted a letter on Monday morning to the speaker of the state house indicating they would not be present and would remain out of state indefinitely. Do you think these state representatives did the (Version A: right thing or wrong thing) / (Version B: wrong thing or right thing) by leaving the state?

If choice made, ask: Do you feel strongly about that?

- 19% Right thing / Strongly

- 4% Right thing / Somewhat

- 23% TOTAL RIGHT THING

- 6% Wrong thing / Somewhat

- 53% Wrong thing / Strongly

- 59% TOTAL WRONG THING

- 18% Unsure/ refused (vol)

After hearing arguments about this issue from opposing sides, approximately six out of ten voters (59%) continue to share the viewpoint that the Democrat state representatives did the wrong thing. The table shows responses to this question among partisan subgroups.

Please listen to the following two viewpoints regarding the 53 state representatives who left Texas and then tell me which one comes closest to your own. Rotate statements

Some/Other people say the 53 Democrat state representatives did the right thing because they are legitimately using the rules of the legislature designed to protect against the tyranny of the majority; because they are fighting against a partisan power grab on congressional redistricting; and because they have been ignored by the state house leadership one too many times this legislative session.

Other/Some people say the 53 Democrat state representatives did the wrong thing because they were elected to be in Austin during the legislative session representing their constituents, not running away to Oklahoma; and because they have caused all business in the state house to come to a halt, including important legislation to fund schools and health care programs.

Now, which of these viewpoints comes closest to your own?

If choice made, ask: Do you feel strongly about that?

- 25% Right thing / Strongly

- 7% Right thing / Somewhat

- 33% TOTAL RIGHT THING

- 8% Wrong thing / Somewhat

- 50% Wrong thing / Strongly

- 59% TOTAL WRONG THING

- 9% Unsure/ refused (vol)

Baselice & Associates, Inc. conducted a statewide survey on May 15, 2003 among N=504 registered voters in Texas. This survey has a margin of error of + 4.5% at the .95 test level.

[anymouse]

Apparently Texas voters are not happy with the Runaway Rats.

[Dog Gone]

This is unlikely to be reported in any of the state's major newspapers, all of which praised what the Rats did.

[MEG33]

That's putting it mildly for this Texan!

[Dane]

This is unlikely to be reported in any of the state's major newspapers, all of which praised what the Rats did.

Especially the Houston Chronicle. They are probably the one paper next to the LA Times that can give the NY Times a run for the money in the demorat sycophant dept., IMHO.

[McGavin999]

Yes, but people are quickly coming to the point where they totally ignore what's printed in the papers anyway. We are watching the newspapers of this country committing suicide.

[Allegra]

Texans don't much cotton to people who run from a fight.

[justlurking]

because they are legitimately using the rules of the legislature designed to protect against the tyranny of the majority

No, quorum rules are designed to prevent a minority from taking advantage of a low ebb in attendence to circumvent the collective will of the majority. They aren't intended to be used to thwart action.

Democrats never had any problem with "tyranny of the majority", as long as they were the majority.

The House should change their rules to exempt unexcused absences from quorum requirements.

[BreitbartSentMe]

Looks like a well-constructed survey, unlike most. I only 'believe' surveys that are reported when they give the exact questions that were asked, so I can check their 'slant'. Also, the indications that the questions were rotated helps keep the results from being skewed. As long as the group that was surveyed was statistically valid, then this survey says................... the Texas Chicken-D's are TOAST!!

[buffyt]

D.I.R.T. = Democrats Is Runnin' from Texas!!!!

When my kids were two years old, they acted like that!!!!! LOL

[Joe Bfstplk]

Newspapers are, at best, coupon delivery systems.

[buffyt]

I think YOU said it BEST!!!!

[buffyt]

I read the local paper and the Houston Chronicle in a few min. this morn. THEN I read the news on the internet and it took a LOT longer! You are CORRECT!

[Drango]

N=504 registered voters in Texas. This survey has a margin of error of + 4.5% at the .95 test level.

Big whopptedo. They should run a real survey and get back to us...

[F-117A]

So this is what people think of the anti-Democracy democrats!

[Osage Orange]

"Baselice & Associates, Inc."

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All your base have lice?

[deport]

Do you have a link to the article? The link you have goes to an April 2003 issue.... nothing current....

Do you know who funded the poll? The article doesn't say?

[Allegra]

Especially the Houston Chronicle. They are probably the one paper next to the LA Times that can give the NY Times a run for the money in the demorat sycophant dept., IMHO.

And they seem to have gotten even worse in recent days...beginning just before the war with Iraq.

I miss the Post!

[mtbopfuyn]

Yep, count me in with those Texans who is against those stinking dirty RATS abandoning their appointed postitions and cost our state untold $$$ for their vanity. The state is growing so rapidly of course districts have to be re-drawn constantly. What, they're too lazy and scared to go out and prove themselves in their new areas and work hard for bettering our state? It's not only the metropolitan areas that are growing by leaps and bounds, but small towns as well. Our area is growing so rapidly that what was 3 campuses for the entire school district five years ago has now grown to 6 and still it's not enough. We honestly can NOT afford to pay the ever encreasing property taxes but can't afford to move either. And now thanks to the RATS we taxpayers get to pay for their unauthorized vacation to OK on top of finding out the state budget is in the red. The only thing possitive that came out of their little trip was that maybe the RATS won't have time before then end of this session to close down Mr. M's work. The !$#%%$@&^%*@%&* RATS! Hope the voters don't soon forget their bratty tantrum and vote them out.

[GraniteStateConservative]

How impartial is this polling firm?

[CyberAnt]

Can you spell B A C K L A S H !!!