WisBusiness: WISC-TV poll shows concern over economy

By Brian E. Clark
WisBusiness.com

MADISON – Some 43 percent of those surveyed in a new WISC-TV poll believe the economy will worsen this year, while about the same (42 percent) think it will remain the same and 14 percent say it will improve.

The Channel 3 survey, which polled 600 likely voters on Wednesday and Thursday, was conducted by Research 2000. It has a margin of error of 4 percent.

According to the survey, men are less pessimistic about the economy. Only 38 percent said it would worsen, while 40 percent said it would stay the same and 21 percent said it would improve.

By contrast, 48 percent of women said they believe the economy will worsen, while 44 percent said it would remain the same and 7 percent said it would get better.

Among Democrats, 62 percent believe it will get worse; 33 percent, better; and 4 percent, improve.

More Republicans are optimistic, with 28 percent saying they think the economy will improve, stay the same, 51 percent; and worsen, 20 percent.

Among Independents, 45 percent predicted it will worsen; stay the same, 42 percent; and improve, 12 percent.

In a separate question, 44 percent of those survey said they are worse off than they were four years ago, while 38 percent said their economic status is the same and 17 percent said it had improved.

Among women, 48 percent said they were in worse financial shape, 37 percent were the same and 14 percent better. For men, the figures were 40 percent, worse; 39 percent, same; and 20 percent, better.

For Democrats, the numbers were 64 percent, worse; 31 percent, same; and 4 percent, better. Among Republicans: 21 percent, worse; 44 percent, same; and 34 percent, better.
And for Independents, 44 percent, worse, 40 percent, same; and 15 percent, better.

Finally, the poll said 71 percent of those polled said they believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, while 24 percent said it was going in the right direction and 5 percent were not sure.

Among men, the figures were 68 percent, wrong; 28 percent, right; and 4 percent, not sure. For women, the numbers were 74 percent, wrong; 20 percent, right; and 6 percent, not sure.

A whopping 94 percent of Democrats said the country is headed down the wrong path, while only 2 percent said right; and 4 percent said not sure.

Among Republicans, 57 percent said the nation is on the right road, while 38 percent disagreed; and 5 percent said they weren’t sure.

Some 78 percent of Independents said wrong direction,; 16 percent, right; and 6 percent, not sure.