Wisconsin Representatives Aren't

Republican polling outfit Strategic Vision is doing polls of bunches of different states. Recently, they did Wisconsin, and the results show something striking, especially given recent news about the agenda the Republican leadership in Wisconsin seems bent on pursuing.

First, the numbers. Yes, Xoff ran down the numbers this morning, but I've got something he doesn't--October results (in parentheses below) for comparison. Some questions renumbered because the html is easier:

1. Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance?
   Approve 29% (33%)
   Disapprove 62% (58%)
   Undecided 9% (9%)
   
2. Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy?
   Approve 27% (31%)
   Disapprove 63% (61%)
   Undecided 10% (8%)
   
3. Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq?
   Approve 32% (37%)
   Disapprove 60% (56%)
   Undecided 8% (7%)
   
4. Would you like to see the United States Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade?
   Yes 36% (35%)
   No 56% (58%)
   Undecided 8% (7%)
   
5. Would you like to see the United States withdraw all troops immediately from Iraq?
   Yes 49% (43%)
   No 40% (49%)
   Undecided 11% (8%)

Okay the ones about Iraq don't have much to do with Republicans' mismanagement of Wisconsin, but I've included them just so I can hear how half of Wisconsinites are traitors.

But the others, reflecting on the Republican leadership's agenda, tell a story.

Let me be clear: I do not advocate, nor have I ever advocated, making policy based on public opinion polls. However, if our elected leaders are trending in a decidedly opposite direction than the people who elected them, we have a problem.

Take the economy question, for example. While most people in Wisconsin probably don't know the finer points of Bush's economic policy, I bet they can name one thing: tax cuts. And us cheeseheads are growing decidedly more displeased with the tax cut method of economic governance. Which, of course, is about the only thing Wisconsin Republicans know how to say about the economy--remember that TABOR is back on the table this week.

The Roe v. Wade question is also interesting, as the only lobbying group that seems to have any sway with the Republican leaders in Madison is Wisconsin Right to Life. For example, WRL was the only one out of more than 20 groups registered on favor of that pharmacists' "conscience cause" bill (sorry about the Google cache--the CapTimes database is apparently broken). Xoff has more on WRL's disproportionate influence here and here.

Strategic Vision did not ask about gay marriage or school vouchers or stuffing guns in your pants, but I am betting that Wisconsinites don't consider those to be top legilsative priorities, either. Sadly, SV also chose not to poll health care, public school funding, alternative (and cheaper and renewable) energy, or any of the many other issues that actually affect the lives of Wisconsin residents on a daily basis.

In short--because I am wont to ramble if I don't try to keep it short--the legislative leadership in Wisconsin is out of touch. And, again, I don't think actually trying to make law based on poll numbers is ever wise. But when your representatives aren't, it's time to start thinking about cleaning house.