Sounding Out Idaho Poll Finds Most Idahoans Delighted With Governor 53 Percent Of Those Surveyed Rate Batt’s Performance As Good Or Excellent

Copyright, 1996, The Idaho Spokesman-Review

Most Idahoans think Gov. Phil Batt is doing a good job, according to a new statewide poll.

The poll, conducted by Mason-Dixon Political Media Research for The Idaho Spokesman-Review and two television stations, found that 8 percent rate Batt’s performance as excellent and 45 percent say it’s good. When the excellent and good ratings are combined, Batt’s 53 percent matches former Gov. Cecil Andrus’ performance ratings in similar polls in 1992 and 1994.

Batt, whose first year and a half in office was marked by controversy over his nuclear waste agreement with the federal government, welcomed the results.

“I’m gratified that most of the people feel I’m doing a good job,” he said. “I think people give me credit for being forthright and honest.”

Jim Weatherby, director of Boise State University’s public affairs program, said the poll shows that Idahoans admire the leadership Batt has displayed on a number of issues, particularly the extension of workers’ compensation insurance to farm workers, and the poll also shows that the nuclear waste issue hasn’t hurt him too much.

“This onion farmer takes on the cause of migrant farm workers, and I think the public is responding to that and knowing that he did it because he thought it was the right thing to do, even over the strong opposition of … a number of his good friends,” Weatherby said.

Batt also has taken high-profile roles in the past year in securing state and federal aid for North Idahoans suffering from flood damage; warning about the impact of the proposed One Percent Initiative on state finances; and threatening to veto legislation that he warned was fiscally irresponsible.

The poll, which questioned 802 registered Idaho voters last Thursday through Saturday, also found that the top issue for voters in choosing state legislators was a tie between education, and taxes/government spending.

Women placed education at the top, while men put taxes and government spending first. But for both groups, education (19 percent), taxes/ spending (19 percent), economy/jobs (18 percent) and the character of the candidate (12 percent) were most frequently cited as the top issue.

The environment was the fifth most-cited issue at 7 percent, while crime/drugs was chosen by 4 percent. Receiving 3 percent or less were abortion/moral issues, growth/development, health care, and tied for last with 1 percent, guns and gay rights.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: The state of state government