A recent Marquette University poll reached out to Wisconsinites about the presidential elections and how the Wisconsin constituents favor the three main candidates along with the current state of the economy. The University surveyed 930 registered voters, by phone and online survey, in January and had a margin of error of 4.2%.
Of these 930 voters surveyed in the poll we had 32% Republicans, 37% Democrats, and 37% Independents with long term averages as 30-28-41 — 727 votes were pulled from the Wisconsin voter registry, and 203 from the SSRS Opinion Panel.
According to FiveThirtyEight, Marquette is rated as the third best pollster in the country, so we decided to take a look into our local communities’ opinions and to see if they aligned with the Marquette poll results.
After being told, “The poll said the general Wisconsin opinion of economy is up, from 27% good or excellent three months ago to 38% now,” they were asked about the economy and subsequently asked, “Do you agree with this 38%?” The interviewees had some distinct responses.
David Gonzales of La Crosse said that he believes it’s not good, let alone excellent remarking, “It’s a struggle paying for meals, let alone family.” Gonzales, a father of young children, was in Madison speaking to legislators about increased funding for students so that they can balance their families and education.
Vice President Kai Brito of Madison College’s Student Senate had endless thoughts about the economy but ultimately had a postive persepecctive. “The economy improving is because of gas falling in price, inflation of bank interests, car loans and home mortgages have gone down,” he said.
Brito did not remark on the claim potential of some in the 38% possibly believing the economy is excellent, a point he shared with Gonzales. However, Brito said we can be confident in a ‘good or excellent’ economy is when at least 50% of the state’s constituents respond positively. Until then he believes it’s more appropriate to acknowledge the state of discontent with Wisconsinites regarding the state’s economy.
The interviewees were then read the statement: “The survey by Marquette states Trump and Biden are tied here at 49% each among registered voters, but Hayley has a 16-point lead.”
Brito was surprised to hear Hayley had a 16-point lead but grimaced when asked if that favored Trump or not. Gonzales said,“I don’t favor any of them, not even Joe Biden.” Gonzales then talked about his perspective with the backdrop of being a Mexican-American.
On Brito’s opinion of favorability: “More favorable as a person? I agree with Biden’s policies. We know they’re (Biden and Trump) both old. If we could have Biden’s policies and Hayley’s … youth.” As a nearby person interupts, remarking about age, a comment that resonated, drawing laughter from a few.