Post by Admin on Dec 31, 2015 18:23:22 GMT -4
A recent island wide poll conducted by a nationally recognized opinion research firm amongst
805 likely voters in the U.S territory shows a dramatic increase of support for Statehood, when
compared with previous polls conducted over the years. The environment for a statehood
campaign and for New Progressive Party (PNP for its Spanish acronym) candidates is extremely
favorable as we move towards the 2016 election year. This is against a backdrop of continuing
widespread, dire feelings about the economy in Puerto Rico.
The economy
The issue of the economy dominates voters’ concerns. Fully 54% of voters say it is the most
important problem facing Puerto Rico, up from 37% last year.
Voters give very negative ratings to the strength of the economy and are pessimistic it will
improve. Consider these numbers…
• 69% of voters think the economy is weaker than last year, and;
• 63% think business condition will be worse 6 months from now.
The Puerto Rican government is increasingly blamed for economic conditions. Currently, 47%
of voters blame the Puerto Rican government and 20% blame the world economy. Three years
ago, in 2012, it was the opposite—41% blamed the world economy and 27% blamed the Puerto
Rican government.
Political leaders and parties
Negative feelings about Governor Garcia Padilla and, to a degree, about the Popular Democratic
Party (PPD for its Spanish acronym) dominate the political landscape. In fact, all PPD
politicians tested in our poll have net negative favorable ratings, and all PNP politicians have net
positive ratings.
• Alejandro Garcia Padilla (21% favorable / 70% unfavorable)
• Eduardo Bahatia (36% / 48%)
• Jamie Perelló (27% / 48%)
• Pedro Pierluisi (61% / 26%)
• Ricky Rosselló (42% / 38%)
• Thomas Rivera Schatz (44% / 42%)
• Jenniffer Gonzalez (56% / 29%)
Puerto Rican voters are more likely to identify with the PNP (33%) than the PPD (17%) by
nearly a 2-to-1 margin. In addition, those who identify with the PNP are much more likely to
describe their commitment to the party to be strong than those who identify with the PDP (75%,
compared to 54%).
