Gov Rell’s Popularity Soars In Quinnipiac Poll

HARTFORD (AP) — Governor M. Jodi Rell’s popularity is at a new high with Connecticut voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday.

The poll gives Ms Rell an 80 percent approval rating, nearly the highest of any governor ever surveyed by the university. Only New York Governor George Pataki was rated higher, in a poll a few weeks after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The Republican’s governor’s support is strong among Democrats, which gave Ms Rell a 75 percent approval rating.

“Gov Rell is on an extended honeymoon with Connecticut voters,” said poll director Douglas Schwartz. “Overwhelmingly, they approve of the job she is doing. The real question is can that honeymoon last until 2006.”

In a hypothetical race for governor, the poll puts Ms Rell in a tight race with US Senator Christopher Dodd, who trails Ms Rell 45 percent to 43 percent.

Ms Rell outpolls other leading Democrats weighing a 2006 gubernatorial campaign. The poll gives her a 46-40 advantage over Attorney General Richard Blumenthal; 59-22 over Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz; 60-23 Lieutenant Governor Kevin Sullivan, 59-22 over New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and 61-18 over Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy.

The telephone poll was conducted from November 15 to 21 and has a survey error margin of about two percentage points.

Ms Rell became governor after Governor John G. Rowland resigned July 1 amid an impeachment probe and federal corruption investigation. He is subject of a federal investigation but has not been notified of any indictments and has said he did nothing wrong.