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Iowa: Election 2002 (Governor)

Election Matchup
Republican Primary
Candidate Favorability Ratings
Candidate Traits
Reasons for Vote Choice

Election Matchup

Tom Vilsack (D) vs. Doug Gross (R)

Poll	Date	Vilsack	Gross	Other	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll³	October 29 – November 1, 2002	52%	40%	4%	4%	807 LV	± 3.5
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	October 27-30, 2002	53%	41%	3%	3%	600 LV	± 4.0
SurveyUSA²	October 27-29, 2002	56%	42%	3%		614 LV	± 4.1
SurveyUSA²	October 20-22, 2002	55%	41%	4%		760 LV	± 3.5
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	October 13-16, 2002	50%	42%	3%	5%	600 LV	± 4.0
SurveyUSA²	October 6-8, 2002	50%	46%	3%		594 LV	± 4.1
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	October 1-3, 2002	50%	40%	3%	7%	600 LV	± 4.0
Iowa Poll³	September 21-25, 2002	51%	33%	3%	13%	805 LV	± 3.5
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	September 8-10, 2002	48%	43%	3%	6%	600 LV	± 4.0
SurveyUSA²	August 25-26, 2002	46%	49%	5%		592 LV	± 4.1
Iowa Poll³	June 21-26, 2002	43%	41%	4%	12%	511 LV	± 4.4
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	May 28-29, 2002	53%	36%	0%	11%	601 LV	± 4.0

1 "If the 2002 election for Governor were held today, would you vote for Tom Vilsack, the Democrat, or Doug Gross, the Republican?"

2 "Voters in Iowa will elect a Governor on November 5th. If the election for Iowa Governor were today, and you were standing in the voting booth right now, who would you vote for? Republican Doug Gross or Democrat Tom Vilsack?"

3 "If the election for governor were held today and the candidates were Tom Vilsack for the Democrats, Doug Gross for the Republicans, Jay Robinson for the Green Party, and Clyde Cleveland for the Libertarian Party, for whom would you vote?" The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Tom Vilsack (D) vs. Steve Sukap (R)

Poll	Date	Vilsack	Sukap	No opinion	Sample	MoE
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	May 28-29, 2002	55%	31%	14%	601 LV	± 4.0
Iowa Poll²	December 10-17, 2001	53%	27%	20%	559 LV	± 4.0

1 "If the 2002 election for Governor were held today, who would you vote for if the choice were between Tom Vilsack, the Democrat, and Steve Sukap, the Republican?"

2 The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Tom Vilsack (D) vs. Bob Vander Plaats (R)

Poll	Date	Vilsack	Vander Plaats	No opinion	Sample	MoE
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	May 28-29, 2002	57%	28%	15%	601 LV	± 4.0
Iowa Poll²	December 10-17, 2001	54%	28%	18%	559 LV	± 4.0

1 "If the 2002 election for Governor were held today, who would you vote for if the choice were between Tom Vilsack, the Democrat, and Steve Sukap, the Republican?"

2 The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Republican Primary

Republican Primary Matchup

Poll	Date	Gross	Sukap	Vander Plaats	No opinion	Sample	MoE
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	May 28-29, 2002	41%	31%	17%	11%	400 LV	± 5.0

1 "If the Republican primary election for Governor were held today, which of the following would you vote for?"

Candidate Favorability Ratings

Tom Vilsack Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll¹	October 29 – November 1, 2002	53%	41%	6%	807 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	September 21-25, 2002	55%	37%	8%	805 LV	± 3.5

1 "(For each name I read, please rate your feelings toward this person as very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know enough about the person to offer a rating, just say so.) ... Governor Tom Vilsack." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Doug Gross Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion	Sample	MoE
Iowa Poll¹	October 29 – November 1, 2002	42%	43%	15%	807 LV	± 3.5
Iowa Poll¹	September 21-25, 2002	35%	41%	24%	805 LV	± 3.5

1 "(For each name I read, please rate your feelings toward this person as very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable. If you don't know enough about the person to offer a rating, just say so.) ... Republican candidate for governor Doug Gross." The Iowa Poll is sponsored by the Des Moines Register.

Doug Gross Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	Neutral	No opinion	Sample	MoE
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	May 28-29, 2002	33%	16%	43%	8%	400 LV	± 5.0

1 "Do you have a favorable, unfavorable, or neutral opinion of Doug Gross?" Poll of likely Republican primary voters.

Steve Sukap Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	Neutral	No opinion	Sample	MoE
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	May 28-29, 2002	28%	18%	45%	9%	400 LV	± 5.0

1 "Do you have a favorable, unfavorable, or neutral opinion of Steve Sukap?" Poll of likely Republican primary voters.

Bob Vander Plaats Favorability Rating

Poll	Date	Favorable	Unfavorable	Neutral	No opinion	Sample	MoE
KCCI-TV / Research 2000¹	May 28-29, 2002	21%	16%	47%	16%	400 LV	± 5.0

1 "Do you have a favorable, unfavorable, or neutral opinion of Bob Vander Plaats?" Poll of likely Republican primary voters.

Candidate Traits

Trait¹	Tom Vilsack	Doug Gross
Is tough enough for the job	55%	54%
Is honest and trustworthy	60%	44%
Is a strong and decisive leader	48%	46%
Shares your values	48%	38%
Inspires confidence	42%	40%
Cares about the needs of people like you	53%	42%
Understands complex issues	58%	53%
Stands up to special interests	46%	35%
None of these (vol.)	10%	11%
No opinion	2%	7%
Poll	Iowa Poll
Date	September 21-25, 2002
Sample	675 LV
MoE	± 3.8

1 "For the following characteristics and qualities, please tell me whether you think it describes Tom Vilsack very well, or not. Just answer yes or no."

Reasons for Vote Choice

Best Reason to Vote for Candidate

Reason¹	Tom Vilsack	Doug Gross
He has successfully led the state during tough times	38%	10%
He will maintain or enhance state services	13%	16%
He will strengthen Iowa's economy	19%	9%
His opponent would favor large corporations if he is elected governor	21%	11%
No opinion	9%	54%
Poll	Iowa Poll
Date	October 29 – November 1, 2002
Sample	746 LV
MoV	± 3.6

1 "Whether you intend to vote for him or not, which of the following do you consider the best reason to vote for Tom Vilsack / Doug Gross?"

Best Reason to Vote for Candidate

Reason¹	Tom Vilsack	Doug Gross
He will provide new leadership	17%	26%
He will keep state spending under control	14%	23%
He will strengthen Iowa's economy	15%	16%
His opponent has not done a good job as governor	5%	30%
No opinion	49%	5%
Poll	Iowa Poll
Date	October 29 – November 1, 2002
Sample	746 LV
MoV	± 3.6

1 "Whether you intend to vote for him or not, which of the following do you consider the best reason to vote for Tom Vilsack?"