MANCHESTER, NH – Registered New Hampshire voters display fundamentally different opinions of Robert Mueller and James Comey, two former directors of the FBI, in the just-released spring poll by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP).
Robert Mueller “fair and impartial” versus “personal agenda” for James Comey
The spring poll asked voters if Mueller, Special Counsel investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, has been “fair and impartial.” Voters were also asked if Comey, fired by President Trump, published his recent book to “shed light on important matters concerning the Trump administration or to further his own personal agenda.”
More than 54 percent of all voters surveyed – Republicans, Democrats and Independents – say Mueller has been fair (including 87 percent of Democrats, 26 percent of Republicans and 55 percent of Independents).
For Comey, nearly 50 percent of all voters say his book was published to further a personal agenda (including almost 84 percent Republicans, 20 percent Democrats and 47 percent Independents).
“Voters have very different impressions of the two former FBI directors who have attracted President Trump’s ire,” said Neil Levesque, Executive Director of the NHIOP. “More broadly, however, the state’s political environment has improved somewhat for Republicans since our previous survey in February.”
Slight rise for Trump approval but more Republicans say U.S. “on the wrong track”
President Trump recorded modest gains in popularity among Republicans, Democrats and Independents, however the poll indicates the Chief Executive still has an 18-point net negative favorability rating (40 percent favorable and 58 percent unfavorable, versus the winter results of nearly 36 percent favorable and 62 percent unfavorable). Since the previous poll, Trump’s favorability has risen slightly despite an increase of nearly five points among Republicans who think the country is “on the wrong track.”
Gov. Sununu approval rating up six points
Governor John Sununu realized an eight-point increase in job approval, rising from 57 percent to 65 percent, and with a decrease in disapproval from over 31 percent to 27 percent. Yet, while 51 percent of all voters surveyed say Sununu “deserves re-election,” 36 percent would like to “give a new person a chance.”
Chris Pappas has name recognition
In Congressional races, former Executive Councilor Chris Pappas is the only declared candidate who has significant name recognition for the First District seat of outgoing Carol Shea-Porter: 67 percent, whereas all other CD-1 candidates average 28 percent. Second District incumbent Ann McLane Kuster raised her net positive favorability rating nearly 12 points to almost 45 percent. Still, while 32 percent said Kuster “deserves reelection,” 45 percent say “give the new person a chance.”
Voter intensity extremely high for mid-term
Voter intensity is extremely high for the fall mid-term election with over 72 percent of all those surveyed maintaining they are “extremely likely” to vote (74 percent Republicans, 77 percent Democrats, and 66 percent Independents).
The spring poll by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics was conducted from April 21 – April 25, 2018 by exclusive direct-dial of validated, registered New Hampshire voters.
The mission of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) is to educate, engage and empower citizens by providing a nonpartisan forum for discussion and debate on all aspects of the American political process. The NHIOP is a must-stop for all major declared candidates for the nation’s highest office and hosted the only New Hampshire-based 2016 Presidential debates for the Republicans and Democratic parties, prior to the state’s first-in-the-nation primary election.
