Democrats think Republicans are wrong. Republicans feel the same about Democrats. New Jersey is not immune to the partisanship dominating the nation’s political discourse. But the latest Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll found there is also some nuance to Garden State residents’ views of the two parties. In the end, concern for the middle class is the one perception that appears to explain the Democrats’ continued success among New Jersey’s electorate.
In general, the poll finds that neither side of the political spectrum is particularly beloved. New Jerseyans are divided on the Democratic Party – 44% have a favorable opinion and 44% have an unfavorable one. While this result is certainly no ringing endorsement, it is still better than state residents’ rating of the Republican Party – 35% favorable to 54% unfavorable.
Overall, 11% of the public holds favorable views of both major parties, 33% have a positive view of only the Democrats and 24% have a positive view of only the Republicans. On the other hand, 24% have a decidedly negative view of both parties and the remaining 8% have no strong opinion of either party.
One reason why the Democratic Party fares better than the GOP in overall favorability is simple partisan inclination. New Jerseyans who identify themselves as Democrats in their political leanings (35%) outnumber self-identifying Republicans (21%).
Independents, though, tend to control the political equation in New Jersey because they make up an unusually large portion of the population, currently 44%. And they are unhappy with both parties – 51% are unfavorable toward the Democrats and a nearly identical 52% have an unfavorable view of the Republicans. Only 1-in-3 independents have a favorable view of either party (34% Democrats and 33% Republicans).
“Both parties have been tarnished by attacks on their core values. However, underlying perceptions of what the two parties stand for tend to give Democrats an advantage in most New Jersey elections,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
The survey presented respondents with five statements about each major party, including allegations that have been made by political opponents. The most potent attack against Republicans is that they “would rather cut taxes for the rich even at the expense of important programs like education,” which nearly half (49%) of the public says describes the GOP a lot. On the other side of the political spectrum, a similar number (45%) of New Jerseyans say the characterization that Democrats “would rather raise taxes than make hard choices about cutting spending” describes that party a lot.
Four-in-ten New Jerseyans agree a lot that Democrats “are too concerned with social welfare programs” (41%) and also that Republicans “want to get rid of Medicare and Medicaid” (39%). Fewer residents strongly agree with some of the more base charges that have been floated in the public debate, specifically, that Democrats “dislike the wealthy” (28%) and Republicans “dislike the poor” (29%).
The poll also asked two identical items for each party. Neither the Democrats (33%) nor the Republicans (27%) have a sizable advantage when it comes to which party “better represents American values.” However, one party does have a decided edge when it comes to perceptions of “looking out for the middle class.” Fully 4-in-10 (40%) New Jerseyans say that this describes the Democratic Party a lot while only 17% feel it equally applies to the Republican Party.
“While New Jerseyans tend to be moderate in their own views, very liberal candidates may still have the upper hand in statewide races because middle class voters are more likely to overlook ideological extremes in Democrats than in Republicans,” said Murray.
More than 6-in-10 state residents feel that New Jersey’s versions of the two political parties are within the national mainstream. However, more people are likely to call Garden State Democrats liberal compared to the national party than feel that the state GOP is more conservative than its national counterpart. Specifically, 22% of New Jerseyans say that Democrats in the state are more liberal than Democrats nationally, 11% say the state party is more moderate and 63% say it is about the same ideologically. By comparison, 11% of New Jerseyans say the state’s Republicans are more conservative than the national GOP, 24% say the state party is more moderate and 60% say it is about the same.
The poll also asked about the practical implications of partisanship closer to home. The current composition of New Jersey’s state government pits a Republican governor against a Democratic led legislature. Only 22% of the state feel that they have been working together well, while two-thirds (66%) say they have not. Among this latter group, most (54%) blame Christie and the Democrats equally while 25% put more of the blame on the governor and 20% point the finger at the legislative leadership.
Much of what the public thinks of the political parties is learned from – or reinforced by – the national news media. Focusing just on televised outlets, the poll asked New Jerseyans which network or cable channel they rely on most for national politics. CNN tops the list at 34%. Fox News Channel (17%) and ABC national news (13%) trail behind. Other outlets are chosen by fewer than 1-in-10 residents, including the CBS network (8%), NBC broadcast news (6%), the MSNBC cable outlet (5%), and PBS (2%).
Democrats rely more on CNN (43%) than any other national TV news, while Republicans choose Fox News (33%) more than any other single outlet. CNN (33%) is also the top pick among New Jersey independents.
Regardless of which news channel they watch, CNN comes out on top as the most trusted television news source. Nearly half (49%) of New Jerseyans say they have a lot of trust in CNN. About 1-in-3 residents say they have a similar level of trust for any of the other major TV news outlets, including ABC (37%), Fox News (34%), CBS (33%), NBC (33%), and MSNBC (31%).
There are some significant partisan differences in these findings. While most Garden State Democrats (63%) and half of independents (49%) say they trust CNN a lot, only 28% of Republicans feel the same. On the other hand, a majority of New Jersey Republicans (58%) have a lot of trust in Fox News, but only 30% of independents and 24% of Democrats agree.
The Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll was conducted by telephone with 807 New Jersey adults from May 12 to 16, 2011. This sample has a margin of error of ± 3.5 percent. The poll was conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute and originally published by the New Jersey Press Media newspaper group (Asbury Park Press, Courier-Post, Courier News, Daily Journal, Daily Record, and Home News Tribune).
DATA TABLES
The questions referred to in this release are as follows:
(* Some columns may not add to 100% due to rounding.)
1. In general, have Governor Christie and Democratic leaders in the legislature been working together well or not so well?
| TOTAL | PARTY ID | |||
| Dem | Ind | Rep | ||
| Well | 22% | 18% | 24% | 26% |
| Not so well | 66% | 76% | 63% | 53% |
| (VOL) Mixed/Depends | 3% | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 9% | 5% | 9% | 18% |
| Unwtd N | 807 | 227 | 389 | 172 |
| TREND: | May 2011 | Sept. 2010 |
| Well | 22% | 21% |
| Not so well | 66% | 61% |
| (VOL) Mixed/Depends | 3% | 4% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 9% | 14% |
| Unwtd N | 807 | 801 |
[The following question was asked only of those who said “Not so well” or “Mixed/Depends” to Q1, moe= ± 4.1%]
2. Who is more to blame for this – Christie, the Democrats, or both equally?
TOTAL | PARTY ID | |||
Dem | Ind | Rep | ||
| Christie | 25% | 36% | 18% | 16% |
| Democrats | 20% | 2% | 26% | 47% |
| Both equally | 54% | 60% | 55% | 35% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| Unwtd N | 563 | 178 | 275 | 98 |
| TREND: | May 2011 | Sept. 2010 |
| Christie | 25% | 26% |
| Democrats | 20% | 17% |
| Both equally | 54% | 54% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 1% | 3% |
| Unwtd N | 563 | 510 |
[QUESTIONS 3 AND 4 WERE ROTATED]
3. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of the Democratic Party?
TOTAL | PARTY ID | |||
Dem | Ind | Rep | ||
| Favorable | 44% | 79% | 34% | 12% |
| Unfavorable | 44% | 14% | 51% | 82% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 11% | 7% | 16% | 6% |
| Unwtd N | 807 | 227 | 389 | 172 |
4. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of the Republican Party?
TOTAL | PARTY ID | |||
Dem | Ind | Rep | ||
| Favorable | 35% | 15% | 33% | 74% |
| Unfavorable | 54% | 77% | 52% | 22% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 11% | 8% | 15% | 4% |
| Unwtd N | 807 | 227 | 389 | 172 |
[QUESTIONS 5 AND 6 WERE ROTATED]
5. I’m going to read you some things people have said about the Democratic Party. For each one, please tell me whether you think it describes the Democratic Party a lot, a little, or not at all? [ITEMS WERE ROTATED]
They look out for the middle class
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 40% | 62% | 32% | 20% | 50% | 63% | 18% | 24% |
| A little | 36% | 30% | 38% | 42% | 37% | 29% | 38% | 46% |
| Not at all | 22% | 8% | 27% | 36% | 11% | 6% | 44% | 25% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 5% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They would rather raise taxes than make hard choices about cutting spending
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 45% | 24% | 47% | 74% | 33% | 24% | 78% | 48% |
| A little | 30% | 39% | 30% | 14% | 44% | 36% | 15% | 27% |
| Not at all | 22% | 35% | 18% | 8% | 20% | 38% | 6% | 19% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 6% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They dislike the wealthy
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 28% | 17% | 27% | 49% | 20% | 13% | 50% | 30% |
| A little | 33% | 39% | 34% | 23% | 42% | 40% | 28% | 30% |
| Not at all | 34% | 41% | 35% | 22% | 36% | 43% | 19% | 35% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 5% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They are too concerned with social welfare programs
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 41% | 32% | 38% | 64% | 38% | 27% | 61% | 44% |
| A little | 36% | 39% | 40% | 23% | 43% | 41% | 27% | 35% |
| Not at all | 19% | 27% | 17% | 11% | 17% | 30% | 11% | 15% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 2% | 5% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 0% | 7% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They are the party that better represents American values
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 33% | 62% | 23% | 6% | 38% | 67% | 4% | 12% |
| A little | 31% | 28% | 35% | 28% | 31% | 26% | 29% | 39% |
| Not at all | 33% | 9% | 37% | 65% | 28% | 6% | 67% | 43% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 1% | 5% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 6% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
6. I’m going to read you some things people have said about the Republican Party. For each one, please tell me whether you think it describes the Republican Party a lot, a little, or not at all? [ITEMS WERE ROTATED]
They look out for the middle class
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 17% | 8% | 14% | 39% | 11% | 6% | 39% | 14% |
| A little | 41% | 37% | 46% | 42% | 62% | 36% | 48% | 38% |
| Not at all | 39% | 53% | 37% | 17% | 27% | 57% | 12% | 44% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 4% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They would rather cut taxes for the rich even at the expense of important programs like education
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 49% | 71% | 47% | 18% | 37% | 77% | 14% | 51% |
| A little | 22% | 14% | 25% | 32% | 33% | 10% | 35% | 24% |
| Not at all | 24% | 12% | 24% | 43% | 29% | 10% | 45% | 21% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 3% | 5% | 7% | 1% | 3% | 6% | 4% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They dislike the poor
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 29% | 45% | 26% | 10% | 13% | 49% | 10% | 28% |
| A little | 24% | 28% | 22% | 19% | 37% | 27% | 18% | 21% |
| Not at all | 43% | 24% | 47% | 69% | 49% | 22% | 70% | 47% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 3% | 5% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 4% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They want to get rid of Medicare and Medicaid
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 39% | 56% | 37% | 14% | 34% | 63% | 13% | 35% |
| A little | 23% | 21% | 25% | 24% | 32% | 22% | 26% | 24% |
| Not at all | 32% | 19% | 32% | 54% | 29% | 12% | 56% | 36% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 6% | 3% | 6% | 7% | 4% | 3% | 5% | 5% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
They are the party that better represents American values
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| A lot | 27% | 11% | 24% | 61% | 18% | 8% | 66% | 24% |
| A little | 33% | 28% | 39% | 25% | 54% | 30% | 27% | 33% |
| Not at all | 37% | 60% | 32% | 11% | 26% | 62% | 7% | 38% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 2% | 5% | 3% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 6% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
[QUESTIONS 7 AND 8 WERE ROTATED]
7. Are New Jersey Democrats more liberal or more moderate than Democrats nationally, or are they about the same?
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| NJ Dems more liberal | 22% | 16% | 22% | 29% | 11% | 15% | 30% | 26% |
| NJ Dems more moderate | 11% | 13% | 11% | 8% | 12% | 14% | 5% | 9% |
| NJ Dems about the same | 63% | 68% | 63% | 57% | 75% | 67% | 60% | 60% |
| (VOL) More conservative | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
8. Are New Jersey Republicans more conservative or more moderate than Republicans nationally, or are they about the same?
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| NJ Reps more conservative | 11% | 9% | 11% | 13% | 9% | 12% | 14% | 5% |
| NJ Reps more moderate | 24% | 20% | 27% | 26% | 26% | 19% | 26% | 34% |
| NJ Reps about the same | 60% | 67% | 56% | 57% | 58% | 66% | 56% | 59% |
| (VOL) More liberal | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 5% | 0% | 1% | 0% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
9. From what TV network or cable channel do you get most of your news about national politics?
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| CNN | 34% | 43% | 33% | 22% | 39% | 41% | 25% | 32% |
| Fox News Channel | 17% | 9% | 17% | 33% | 10% | 9% | 36% | 17% |
| MSNBC | 5% | 7% | 6% | 1% | 0% | 8% | 1% | 9% |
| ABC national news | 13% | 13% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 14% | 14% | 11% |
| CBS national news | 8% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 15% | 5% | 7% | 10% |
| NBC national news | 6% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 6% | 7% | 5% |
| PBS | 2% | 2% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 3% | 3% | 1% |
| Other | 2% | 4% | 2% | 0% | 4% | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| None, don’t watch national/political news | 11% | 9% | 12% | 10% | 7% | 11% | 6% | 12% |
| (VOL) No answer | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0% | 1% | 2% | 0% | 2% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
10. For each of the news sources I read, please tell me if you trust them a lot, a little, or not at all. First, [ITEMS WERE ROTATED]
CNN
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| Trust a lot | 49% | 63% | 49% | 28% | 57% | 63% | 29% | 43% |
| Trust a little | 36% | 32% | 32% | 47% | 39% | 30% | 46% | 40% |
| Trust not at all | 10% | 3% | 12% | 20% | 2% | 3% | 20% | 11% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 2% | 7% | 5% | 2% | 3% | 5% | 6% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
Fox News Channel
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| Trust a lot | 34% | 24% | 30% | 58% | 30% | 24% | 54% | 31% |
| Trust a little | 31% | 29% | 34% | 28% | 43% | 28% | 31% | 30% |
| Trust not at all | 30% | 42% | 32% | 9% | 22% | 44% | 10% | 36% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 3% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
MSNBC
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| Trust a lot | 31% | 36% | 31% | 22% | 44% | 35% | 20% | 25% |
| Trust a little | 42% | 52% | 35% | 39% | 36% | 48% | 41% | 40% |
| Trust not at all | 17% | 5% | 22% | 27% | 5% | 6% | 28% | 25% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 11% | 7% | 12% | 12% | 15% | 11% | 11% | 9% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
ABC national news
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| Trust a lot | 37% | 47% | 33% | 31% | 57% | 42% | 29% | 30% |
| Trust a little | 49% | 45% | 51% | 48% | 39% | 50% | 50% | 53% |
| Trust not at all | 9% | 3% | 11% | 16% | 4% | 2% | 17% | 14% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
CBS national news
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| Trust a lot | 33% | 40% | 32% | 27% | 48% | 41% | 24% | 27% |
| Trust a little | 47% | 47% | 48% | 45% | 45% | 51% | 43% | 50% |
| Trust not at all | 13% | 7% | 16% | 19% | 5% | 3% | 25% | 19% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 6% | 6% | 5% | 9% | 3% | 5% | 8% | 4% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
NBC national news
|
TOTAL | PARTY ID |
PARTY FAVORABILITY | ||||||
|
Dem | Ind | Rep | Both | Dem only | GOP only |
Neither | ||
| Trust a lot | 33% | 42% | 30% | 27% | 53% | 42% | 21% | 23% |
| Trust a little | 47% | 45% | 49% | 46% | 39% | 44% | 49% | 60% |
| Trust not at all | 14% | 8% | 16% | 19% | 8% | 8% | 22% | 15% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 6% | 5% | 5% | 8% | 0% | 6% | 8% | 3% |
| Unwtd N |
807 | 227 | 389 | 172 | 88 | 250 | 215 |
196 |
The Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll was conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute on May 12 to 16, 2011 with a statewide random sample of 807 adult residents. Sampling and live telephone interviewing services were provided by Braun Research, Inc. For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling has a maximum margin of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Sampling error increases as the sample size decreases, so statements based on various population subgroups, such as separate figures reported by gender or party identification, are subject to more error than are statements based on the total sample. In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.
POLL DEMOGRAPHICS (weighted) | |||
| 35% Dem | 48% Male | 27% 18-34 | 66% White |
| 21% Rep | 52% Female | 40% 35-54 | 12% Black |
| 44% Ind | 33% 55+ | 14% Hispanic | |
8% Asian/Other | |||
It is the Monmouth University Polling Institute’s policy to conduct surveys of all adult New Jersey residents, including voters and non-voters, on issues that affect the state. Specific voter surveys are conducted when appropriate during election cycles.
Click on pdf file link below for full methodology and results by key demographic groups.
