A recent Marquette University Law School Poll indicates that Wisconsin remains as politically divided and conflicted as ever, as the job approval ratings for Gov. Scott Walker and President Barack Obama both have slipped below 50 percent in the state.
The poll shows sharp differences among blocks of swing voters and across various regions in the state.
Walker’s job approval in July stood at 48 percent, with 46 percent disapproval. In May, his approval rate was 51 percent, with disapproval at 45 percent.
Obama’s job approval in July was 47 percent, with 46 percent disapproval. In May, his approval rate was 50 and his disapproval rate was 45 percent.
Despite their similar overall approval ratings, the public is sharply divided between the two: 34 percent approve of Obama and disapprove of Walker; 36 percent disapprove of Obama and approve of Walker. Eleven percent approve of both while 9 percent disapprove of both. The remaining 10 percent lack an opinion about one or both.
Regional differences in views of the president and governor are substantial. Respondents in the city of Milwaukee give Obama a 71 percent approval rating, with the Madison television market following with a 54 percentage-point approval. Approval falls to 45 percent in the western and northern parts of the state, and to 42 percent in the Green Bay-Appleton media market. Approval of Obama is lowest in suburban Milwaukee, where 41 percent approve.
Approval of the job Walker is doing as governor reverses that pattern. Walker’s lowest approval rating, 30 percent, comes in the city of Milwaukee, followed by 36 percent in the Madison area. Approval stands at 52 percent in the Milwaukee suburbs and rises to 55 percent in Green Bay-Appleton and 56 percent in the west and north of the state.
A clear gender gap is apparent in the poll. Women give Obama a 51-42 percent approval-disapproval rating, while they give Walker a 43-52 split.
Views of the economy remain mixed, with a decline in positive views since May.
Voters continue to see Wisconsin as lagging behind other states in job creation, with 48 percent saying so.
