Smoke Free Indy Poll Supports Status Quo
I just took a look at the details of the Smoke Free Indy/Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids poll. The poll is actually pretty telling, but not for the reasons that you might think.
The poll of 500 likely voters says nerly 70% of the public supports a total ban on smoking in most places, including bars and resteraunts. I’d like to say I was shocked, but that’s the same percentage as a poll done last year by IUPUI. By the way, that poll showed more than 80% of the Marion County residents liked the current compromise. So in essence nothing has changed.
What’s really interesting are some other things the poll says. For example, 61% of the respondents said they think the city was on the right track. And only 26% thought the city was on the wrong track. If I were a Democrat looking at next year’s Mayor race, I would be very concerned about those numbers because it’s a reflection on the current leadership. The breakdown of the poll was 34% Republican, 35% Democrat and 28% independant. That demographic also includes 21% minority population and more than 80% above the age of 35. Nearly 76% have some college education. Forty percent called themselves conservative, 20% liberal and 35% moderate.
In addition, the poll also showed that even if there was a tougher smoking ban, not that much would change. About 68% said their bar and resteraunt habits wouldn’t change if there was a new smoking ban in place and 73% had the same response for bowling allies.
This tells me the current compromise is working just fine so there’s no real need to change anything. Thanks guys!
The poll was taken on July 8 and 10 and has a margin of error of 4.38%.
July 21st, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Abdul- You're the mothership for the voice of the citizen, and it's your bus- but zero comments and reactions, Guy.
I know you love those cigars, but with turmoil on personal responsibilities, real and latent racial accusations, sports team funding, utility management, and a list longer that a nine year-old at Christmas- can't that smoking stuff wait?
Heck, solicit another reader essay on some topic- besides smoking. Please.
July 21st, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Abdul, Soon it wil not matter. the ITPC agency will be going away in the next session.There will lo longer be a voice for the anti-smoking socialists.
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:33 am
Socialists, huh? Hilarious. You lose credibility almost every time you type.
I'll excuse the boarding-house reach, Abdul, regarding the mayor's chances for re-election. He's toast. Here's the only concept you need to know, poll or no poll, regarding 2011:
Will the Democrats be united? Will they turn out at a moderate clip or better?
The answer to both appears to be yes. You'll know by mid-January, which is only six months off (after slating). If that's the case, it frankly doesn't matter whom the Republicans nominate. This is a 55-57% Democratic city in a municipal election, barring unforeseen nonsense. Unless Ballard can siphon off some Democratic support, he hasn't a bat's chance in hell. By “some support,” I mean 7-10% of the Dem baseline vote. And hold all his GOP base, which he won't do. Put your ear to the ground. Longtime GOP ward chairs and committee folks are not enthused. At all.
Ask Stevie G. what it's like when the hard-core PCs start abandoning ship.
Lots could happen between now and next year, but the die is almost cast. And you're not going to turn heads on the mayoral campaign, with a poll from the Smoke-Free folks.
The real fight will be for council control. And if I have to listen to Susie Day or Ben Hunter chair a committee meeting one more time my head may explode. The Peter Principle at work.
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:49 am
You aim for Ben Hunter and Susie Day, TA, I'll go for Robert Lutz. I'm a cash strapped 20 something, but I'm going to donate to any Democrat and Libertarian that runs in Lutz' district, and maybe volunteer as well. In the half a dozen committee meetings I've attended that he's been there or chaired, I don't think he listens to a single word anyone says.
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:00 am
Someone should offer “How To” or “Start Smoking” classes, just for fun, and fundraising, for a legal counter.
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
Hunter chairs a committee which oversees the department where he works. Day is, well…not a thinker.
I haven't been paying much attention to Lutz until the utility sale. He had his marching orders.
My caucus needs to clean house, too.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:38 am
Ben doesn't work for IMPD, he works for Butler University.
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Thanks for that update. hen he was elected he worked for IMPD. And he runs a lousy committee meeting.