Peter Brown, Assistant

Director,
Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute
(203) 582-5201

Rubenstein Associates, Inc.

Public Relations
FOR RELEASE: OCTOBER 22, 2010

DEMOCRAT NARROWS GAP IN PENNSYLVANIA GOV RACE,

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS;
DIM VIEW OF ECONOMY FAVORS REPUBLICAN
In the Pennsylvania governor’s race, Democrat Dan Onorato, the Allegheny County Executive,
has erased most of State Attorney General Tom Corbett’s 15-point likely voter lead and now trails
the Republican 49 – 44 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a 54 – 39 percent Corbett lead in a September 21 likely voter survey by
the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
In today’s results, Corbett leads 86 – 7 percent among Republicans and 58 – 32 percent
among independent voters, while Onorato is ahead 87 – 9 percent among Democrats. Only 6
percent of likely voters remain undecided. Sixteen percent of Onorato voters and 14 percent of
Corbett backers say they might change their mind before Election Day.
“As we get closer to Election Day, Democrats are showing more interest in voting. This is
often the case in off-year elections and that makes this a more competitive race,” said Peter A.
Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Allegheny County
Executive Dan Onorato has the momentum, but Attorney General Tom Corbett still has the five-
point lead with 11 days to go.
“Corbett’s 55 – 38 percent lead among men puts him on top overall, but there is a big
gender gap as Onorato leads 51 – 42 percent among women.”
Corbett also leads 72 – 22 percent among the 21 percent of Pennsylvania voters who say
they are “angry” with state government.
-more-
Quinnipiac University Poll/October 22, 2010 – page 2
Pennsylvania likely voters’ choice for governor is tied strongly to their view of the
economy. Among those who think the economy is improving, Onorato holds an overwhelming
85 – 12 percent lead. But only 14 percent think the economy is getting better, while 35 percent
see it getting worse. Corbett cleans up 71 – 20 percent among that group. Onorato holds a
narrow 48 – 45 percent lead among the 49 percent who think the economy is staying the same.
“Because Democrats are in charge in Washington and pretty much in Harrisburg, it is their
loyalists who see the economic glass as half-full, while Republicans see it the other way,” said
Brown.
“Gov. Ed Rendell gets a negative 39 – 54 percent approval rating which helps Republican
Corbett in his effort to portray himself as the one who can change the status quo in Harrisburg
even though he, as attorney general, has been on the scene at the Capitol while Democrat Onorato
has been running Allegany County hundreds of miles away,” said Brown.
In an election year in which all candidates seem to be seeing their reputations muddied,
both men are viewed favorably by more voters than unfavorably. Corbett gets a 49 – 28 percent
favorability rating, compared to Onorato’s 43 – 33 percent favorability score.
By a 49 – 42 percent margin, Pennsylvania likely voters say Corbett more shares their
values. On the economy, 49 percent say Corbett is best able to rebuild the Keystone State’s ailing
economy, while 40 percent say Onorato.
“The governor’s race has tightened. But with 11 days to go, the question is whether this is
the beginning of a last-minute comeback, or just Democrats coming home to make the race
close,” said Brown.
From October 13 – 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,046 Pennsylvania likely voters,
with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed– http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

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1. If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were
Dan Onorato the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote?
(If undecided) If you had to choose today, would you vote for Onorato or Corbett?
(This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Onorato 44% 7% 87% 32% 38% 51%

Corbett 49 86 9 58 55 42
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 2 1 -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - -
DK/NA 6 7 4 8 5 7

RATING ECONOMY Q17 ANGRY WITH GOVERNMENT

Better Worse Same StateQ20

Onorato 85% 20% 48% 22%

Corbett 12 71 45 72
SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2 - -
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - -
DK/NA 4 7 7 6

TREND: If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were
Dan Onorato the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote?
(If undecided q1) If you had to choose today, would you vote for Onorato or Corbett?
(This table includes Leaners)

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 22 Sep 21
2010 2010

Onorato 44 39
Corbett 49 54
SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1
WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - -
DK/NA 6 7

1a. Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election?

LIKELY VOTERS.........
CAND CHOICE Q1
Tot DO TC

Made up 84% 83% 85%

Might change 15 16 14
DK/NA 1 1 1

2. Is your opinion of - Dan Onorato favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 43% 9% 79% 37% 38% 50%

Unfavorable 33 59 6 38 38 28
Hvn't hrd enough 21 28 14 22 21 21
REFUSED 2 3 1 2 2 2

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TREND: Is your opinion of - Dan Onorato favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 22 Sep 21
2010 2010

Favorable 43 40
Unfavorable 33 24
Hvn't hrd enough 21 33
REFUSED 2 3

3. Is your opinion of - Tom Corbett favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough
about him?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Favorable 49% 77% 15% 58% 55% 42%

Unfavorable 28 4 54 23 25 31
Hvn't hrd enough 21 16 29 18 19 24
REFUSED 2 3 2 1 2 3

TREND: Is your opinion of - Tom Corbett favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard
enough about him?

LIKELY VOTERS..
Oct 22 Sep 21
2010 2010

Favorable 49 51
Unfavorable 28 21
Hvn't hrd enough 21 27
REFUSED 2 2

10. Turning back to the race for Governor between Dan Onorato and Tom Corbett Regardless
of how you intend to vote, Who do you believe most shares your values, Dan Onorato or Tom
Corbett?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Onorato 42% 9% 82% 28% 36% 49%

Corbett 49 86 7 58 56 40
NO DIFFERENCE(VOL) 2 1 2 3 2 3
DK/NA 8 4 9 10 7 9

11. Regardless of how you intend to vote, who do you think would do a better job
rebuilding Pennsylvania's economy, Dan Onorato or Tom Corbett?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Onorato 40% 10% 79% 26% 34% 48%

Corbett 49 84 10 58 55 41
NO DIFFERENCE(VOL) 3 1 2 5 3 2
DK/NA 8 5 9 11 8 9

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12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as Governor?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 39% 16% 69% 27% 36% 43%

Disapprove 54 79 24 66 58 49
DK/NA 6 4 7 7 6 8

14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Tom Corbett is handling his job as State
Attorney General?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Approve 55% 71% 32% 65% 58% 51%

Disapprove 20 9 38 13 18 23
DK/NA 25 20 30 22 23 26

20. I am going to mention four phrases and ask you which one best describes how you feel
about the way the state government works. Do you feel enthusiastic, satisfied but not
enthusiastic, dissatisfied but not angry, or angry?

LIKELY VOTERS.........................
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Enthusiastic, 1% - 2% 1% 1% 2%
Satisfied 24 14 39 16 21 27
Dissatisfied 53 55 47 57 55 51
Angry 21 30 10 24 22 19
DK/NA 1 1 2 1 2 1