Democrats’ Numbers Erode in Granite State

Is the political pendulum in New Hampshire swinging back toward the GOP? Or are the once-high flying Democratic politicians simply coming back down to earth in the eyes of Granite Staters?

NowHampshire.com’s new survey of likely General Election voters, conducted by Populus Research of Alexandria, Va., shows a sharp decline in public opinion toward top elected Democrats who only a few short months ago enjoyed sky high public approval in other public surveys.

The slide in the public’s approval of President Barack Obama’s job performance nationally is occurring here in New Hampshire, as well. The Gallup Organization’s daily tracking poll shows Obama’s job approval rating to be at an all time low at 51% on Thursday.

NowHampshire.com’s survey has the president with a 52% approval rating in New Hampshire. Forty-six percent of Granite Staters disapprove of the job Obama is doing.

Gov. John Lynch, who has spent most of his tenure as New Hampshire’s governor with seventy-plus percent approval ratings, continues his rapid decline in NowHampshire.com’s survey, as well. A UNH survey last month showed Lynch’s approval sliding into the low-sixties. Our survey shows 51% approve of the job he is doing as governor. Forty-six percent disapprove of the job Lynch is doing.

We also asked voters if lynch deserved another term as governor.

“If John Lynch ran for and won re-election in 2010 he would be the longest serving governor in state history. Do you think that John Lynch deserves another term as Governor, or is it time to give someone else a chance,” we asked.

Fifty-two percent feel Lynch deserves another term. Forty-one percent believe someone new deserves a chance.

The poll was conducted by Populus Research among 600 likely General Election voters between August 17 and August 18. It has a margin of error of 4 percent.

Related: “Poll: Hodes Competitive with Ayotte, Generic Republican despite Poor Approval Rating”

NH August General Election Results