Most Govs Would Survive Recall

Most Americans are not ready to throw in the towel on their own governors, even though recent polls suggest that Californians would do just that.

59% of Americans say they would NOT vote to recall their state's governor if given the chance, but 34% say they would. Those who say their state's economy is in bad shape are a bit more likely to say they would recall their governor than those who say their state's economy is in good shape.

WOULD YOU RECALL YOUR STATE'S GOVERNOR?

Yes
34%
No
59%

Young Americans, those under 30, are more likely than their older counterparts to say they would recall their state's governor: 40% of them say they would recall, 48% say they would not. By region, those living in the Northeast (41%) and the West (37%) are more likely than residents in other parts of the country to say they would recall their governor.

And while the California recall effort is focused on a Democratic governor, Americans who live in states with a Republican governor are slightly more inclined than those with a Democratic governor to say they would vote to recall. 37% of Americans who have a Republican in their State House say they would recall their governor if given the chance, while 32% of those with a Democratic governor say they would.

With many states unable to balance their budgets and having to make cuts in state programs, Americans now rate their own state's economy poorly. 56% of the public says their own state's economy is bad, while 42% say their state's economy is good.

RATING OF YOUR STATE'S ECONOMY

Good
42%
Bad
56%

Residents of the West rate their economy more negatively than those in other regions of the country. Nearly seven in 10 of those who live in the West say their state's economy is in bad shape.

CELEBRITIES IN POLITICS

With the entrance of movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger into the race for California governor, more than half of the American public appears to embrace the idea of celebrities getting involved in politics. 54% say Hollywood celebrities can offer a new perspective on political issues and should get involved in politics if they choose. On the other hand, 38% say celebrities are inexperienced about political issues and should stay out of politics.

HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES SHOULD ...

Stay out of politics
38%
Get involved in politics
54%

More women than men (57% to 51%) think that Hollywood celebrities should get involved in politics if they choose. And across the political spectrum, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents support the idea of celebrities getting into politics. Those age 65 and over are the least supportive age group, as they are divided; 45% say celebrities should not get involved in politics and 43% think they should if they choose.

Leading up to the war in Iraq, many Hollywood celebrities spoke out against the war. Among Americans who say the war in Iraq was worth the costs, 49% say Hollywood celebrities should enter politics if they choose. 55% of Americans who say the result of the war with Iraq was NOT worth the costs support the idea of celebrities becoming politically involved.