Political opinion polls have a reputation for being inaccurate and not predicting the ultimate actions of voters. When asked, most voters complain that neither they nor anyone they know has ever been polled. They further complain that the polls do not reflect their views or those of anyone they know.
It is not our intention to engage in a debate as to whether that reputation is justified. However, we thought that it may be fun for our readers to conduct an opinion poll of their own. Actually, this is more a survey than a poll.
This of course would be politically meaningless because it would be totally unscientific, and it would do nothing to predict the outcome of future elections. But it would help our readers who take the survey to gain some perspective regarding what the state of our state has been over the last 50 years.
Here is how it works. Answer a few questions regarding the political landscape over the last 50 years. If you get a few of your friends, relatives, and other acquaintances to take the survey, it would give you a good perspective as to their sate of mind. With that in mind, here is the first question.
Over the last 50 years, has Arizona been a solid red state, or has it been leaning purple?
Solid red state _________
Leaning purple _________
Before answering this question keep in mind the following. Opinions are just that, opinions. They are the result of people’s education, training, and experience, and do not necessarily have to be backed by facts. But for those who wish to take facts into account, here are some.
Over the last 50 years, the two major statewide elected officers, governors and U.S. senators have had the following political affiliation.
We have had 11 governors, of which 6 were Democrat and 5 were Republican, for a 55% Democrat advantage.
We have had 8 U.S. senators, of which 5 were Republican and 3 were democrat, for a 62% Republican advantage. Here are the lists.
GOVERNORS:
Castro Democrat
Bolin Democrat
Babbitt Democrat
Mecham Republican
Mofford Democrat
Symington Republican
Hull Republican
Napolitano Democrat
Brewer Republican
Ducey Republican
Hobbs Democrat
SENATORS
Goldwater Republican
Deconcini Democrat
McCain Republican
Kyl Republican
Flake Republican
Sinema Democrat
McSally Republican
Kelly Democrat
Now you should be better prepared to answer the first question, and then move on to the rest.
POLITICAL LEANING OF REPUBLICAN WINNERS OF MAJOR STATEWIDE OFFICE (SENATORS AND GOVERNORS)
Goldwater
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
McCain
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
Kyl
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
Mecham
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
Symington
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
Hull
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
Brewer
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
Ducey
Staunch conservative ________
Moderate ________
MAIN REASON WHY DEMOCRATS WON ELECTIONS FOR MAJOR STATE WIDE OFFICES (SENATORS AND GOVERNORS)
Deconcini vs. Steiger
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Sinema vs. McSally
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Kelly vs. McSally
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Kelly vs. Masters
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Castro vs. Williams
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Babbitt vs. Mecham
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Babbitt vs. Corbet
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Napolitano vs. Salmon
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Napolitano vs. Munsil
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
Hobbs vs. Lake
Democrat won by cheating ________
Republican was a poor candidate ________
We hope that you and your friends had as much fun taking this survey as we did.
