MTSUPoll

Satisfaction with Tennessee conditions drops to four-year low

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With the credit crisis and yet another fall in manufacturing, satisfaction with conditions in Tennessee has dropped for the second time in a row and by the largest margin in four years, the latest MTSU Poll State Barometer shows.

Worries about the economy - especially among the state's poorer and poorly educated residents - appear to be driving the decline. Economic concerns for such people also may have boosted feelings that the economy is the most important issue in the presidential election and the most important problem facing the state.

• Education makes big difference in outlook.
• Economic concerns factor into presidential race.
• Economic disaffection aids Clinton over Obama.
• Economic well-being influences state-level agenda.
• Support widespread for higher state minimum wage.

It's McCain over Obama if little changes before fall

• Tennesseans pick McCain over Obama in presidential match-up, but Clinton runs closer to a tie.
• Immigration attitudes soften dramatically; most perceive illegal immigrants take jobs nobody wants.
• Majority favor "B" or better for lottery-funded college scholarships.
• Most want state-supported kindergarten for all.
• Majority favor some restrictions on abortion, not total ban.
• Perceptions of Iraq war slightly less negative, but most still feel it was a mistake.
• Evangelicalism key to opposing gay marriage.

To view the current poll press release, click here. Of click here for the first round of findings.. To learn about the accuracy of the MTSU Poll in elections, click here.

The MTSU Poll's mission is to provide independent, non-partisan, and unbiased public opinion data regarding major social, political, and ethical issues affecting Tennessee.

Surveys are conducted twice yearly under the direction of faculty specialists in public opinion research in accordance with scientifically validated polling standards. Students serve as poll interviewers as an integral part of their training in mass communication.

The poll's directors welcome suggestions about issues and topics from any individual or group. The poll's directors are, however, charged to select, formulate, and interpret results independent of outside interests.

The poll fulfills the major goals of Middle Tennessee State University in that it provides an opportunity for student- and faculty- centered research in partnership with the citizens of Tennessee and the news media that serve them.

The following people supervise the MTSU Poll:

• Ken Blake
  • Director, The MTSU Poll
  • Associate Director, Office of Communication Research
• Robert Wyatt
  • Associate Director, the MTSU Poll
  • Director, Office of Communication Research

Sponsored by the Office of Communication Research at Middle Tennessee State University's College of Mass Communication, the poll tracks attitudes regarding free expression, faith in major institutions, and a wide range of public issues.

The poll is supported by MTSU's Office of Communication Research, College of Mass Communication, and School of Journalism.

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NOTE: Data files may be downloaded and analyzed with these restrictions: Researchers wishing to make academic or scientific use of these data must request and obtain permission in writing from the Director of the Office of Communication Research prior to presentation or publication. For general descriptive use, we ask only that the Middle Tennessee Poll at Middle Tennessee State University be cited as the source of the data.