Early exit polls: Most Louisiana GOP voters say Etch A Sketch controversy not a factor

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The Etch A Sketch took an unexpected turn at center stage on the campaign trail this week, but most Republican primary voters in Louisiana say it was not an important factor in their vote in today's primary, according to early CBS News exit polls.

On Wednesday, Mitt Romney's communications director, Eric Fehrnstrom, sparked controversy when he compared a potential general election campaign to the popular toy when he was asked in a television interview if the extended primary campaign would hurt Romney with moderates in the fall.

"Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign," Fehrnstrom said. "Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again."

Since then, Romney's Republican challengers have attacked the former Massachusetts governor for his aide's comments, saying it was a sign that Romney was not consistently conservative. And the Etch A Sketch has repeatedly been seen as a prop on the campaign trail.

According to CBS News early exit polls, only 18 percent of Louisiana Republican primary voters said the controversy was an important factor in their vote today, while 73 percent said it was not an important factor.

The early exit polls also showed that electability was the top candidate quality among Louisiana primary voters, similar to the previous GOP primaries and caucuses. Thirty-nine percent of primary voters picked the ability to defeat President Obama as the quality that mattered most for their choice, compared to 23 percent who said they wanted a candidate who was a true conservative. Twenty percent said strong character and 15 percent said right experience.

Majorities of Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich supporters each say they strongly favor their candidate in the exit polls. But while 58 percent of Romney supporters strongly favor him, 37 percent say they have reservations about him. Meanwhile, 64 percent of Santorum voters strongly support him compared to 26 percent who have reservations. Among Gingrich voters, 76 percent strongly support him and 19 percent have reservations.

No matter who they support, the early exit polls show that 71 percent of Louisiana GOP voters would prefer that their candidate win the nomination even if the race goes on a long time, while 27 percent would rather have the race end soon even if their candidate loses.

Also, like in previous primaries and caucuses, the economy is the top issue for voters in the Louisiana today, according to the early exit polls. Fifty-three percent of voters named the economy as the most important issue, compared to 27 percent who said the federal budget deficit, 12 percent who said abortion and 4 percent said illegal immigration.

In addition, 57 percent of Louisiana Republican voters say the nation's economy is getting worse. Meanwhile, 29 percent said it was saying the same and 13 percent said the economy was starting to recover.

About a quarter of Louisiana voters decided on their candidate in the last few days, while three in four decided before that.

More from the exit polls in Louisiana will be released after 9 p.m. ET when the polls close.

[esq777]

It mattered to 18%, which is in fact a huge number in an election.
And it should matter, as it perfectly describes Willard Romney. A pandering empty suit phony who has been on every side of every issue. Don't like a Willard Romney position, don't worry it will be different tomorrow.

[retiredgustav]

The Etch-a-Sketch issue will matter in November as Romney flips over to another position. He has more positions than a $10 hoker on Saturday night.

[smittyc]

You spelled hooker incorrectly.

[Maerzie]

Well, we ALL know the song: "You've GOT to stand for SOMETHING or you'll fall for ANYTHING!" Obviously, he DOESN'T stand for anything, except whatever the group in front of him wants to hear, which changes from group to group and day to day, just like the chameleons thet change color according to what color you set them on! And each time, his lies sound SO VERY sincere! Then,in his denials the following week, he can lie with a straight face. Obviously, he's one of those people who can shake your hand and smile with one arm, and stab you in the back with the other one. It's a good thing, some of the network can play his two-faced responses and claims. It's shocking to see them played one after the other.

[cubscout09]

Re: Fehrnstrom's Etch A Sketch comment. It's all good, Romney enjoys firing people who give him bad service.

[afmcalax]

Santorum has proven he can capture majorities in the least educated, most religiously hypocritical states in America. These are really backward states that have not moved past longing for the rebirth of the Confederacy. Is that really what America needs?

[grnfrg--]

I agree

[DoJo724]

Is this your deep analysis? I am not a Republican or a Santorum supporter, but it is disgusting for you to try to talk down the intelligence of his supporters, when your post is itself a prime example of irrationality.

Prove that these states are the least educated, or step down.

Prove that they are the most religiously hypocritical states, or shut up (note that you will need actual definitions and standards, not just your airy-fairy little feelings about it).

Prove that these states have not moved past longing for the rebirth of the Confederacy, or quit breathing, because you are wasting oxygen that an actual human being could be using.

[fraccle]

Sanitorium should have called Romney a choupique.. That would have gotten more traction with La. voters.