FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6, 2011

INTERVIEWS: DEAN DEBNAM 888-621-6988 / 919-880-4888 (serious media inquiries only please, other questions can be directed to Tom Jensen)

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLL: TOM JENSEN 919-744-6312

Barnes would edge out Deal in rematch for gov.

Raleigh, N.C. – beat former Governor last November by ten points, but he has yet to make a strong impression on Georgia voters. 35% approve, 31% disapprove, and 34% are not sure of the work he has done so far. If voters could re-do the election now, Barnes would just edge out Deal, 46-45. But Deal is at least more popular so far than his predecessor, fellow Republican , whose work over eight years is disapproved of by a 38-46 margin.

Saxby Chambliss, who had to go to a runoff to win re-election in 2008, is in a similar position as Deal, with 38% approving, 33% disapproving, and 29% not sure about his job performance. That is an improvement from last February, when 43% disapproved and the same 38% approved.

Voters are just slightly less down on the man Chambliss beat in his first election in 2002, . 38% have a favorable opinion of him but only 30% an unfavorable one.

Chambliss’ junior colleague, , is better liked, with 44% approving and only 29% disapproving of the work he is doing in the Senate. That is a drastic improvement from the 36-38 spread 13 months ago. 62% of Republicans approve, and only 45% of Democrats disapprove, while independents split 46-29 in his favor.

The man Isakson succeeded, , has almost a 2:1 (47-24) favorability ratio. His endorsement of George W. Bush in 2004 and John McCain in 2008 has left him with only a 37-35 split with Democrats, but an enormous 58-15 with the GOP.

The most popular figure PPP has measured in the state, though, is former Senator , who rates a 47-18. Voters love him across the board—in fact, independents love him most (53-8), followed by Republicans (49-17), and last his own Democrats (40-24).

Voters of all partisan stripes also agree that alcohol sales should be legal on Sundays. It is another measure more popular with independents (60%) and Republicans (57%) than Democrats (53%).

PPP surveyed 790 Georgia voters from March 31st to April 3rd. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.5%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Public Policy Polling Phone: 888 621-6988 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Web: www.publicpolicypolling.com Raleigh, NC 27604 Email: [email protected] Georgia Survey Results

Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Q7 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion Nathan Deal’s job performance? of Max Cleland? Approve ...... 35% Favorable...... 38% Disapprove...... 31% Unfavorable ...... 30% Not sure ...... 34% Not sure ...... 33% Q2 If you could do last fall’s election for Governor Q8 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion over again, would you vote for Democrat Roy of Sam Nunn? Barnes or Republican Nathan Deal? Favorable...... 47% Roy Barnes...... 46% Unfavorable ...... 18% Nathan Deal...... 45% Not sure ...... 36% Not sure ...... 9% Q9 Do you think it should be legal or illegal to sell Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator alcohol on Sundays in Georgia? ' job performance? Legal...... 56% Approve ...... 38% Illegal ...... 38% Disapprove...... 33% Not sure ...... 6% Not sure ...... 29% Q10 Who did you vote for President in 2008? Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator 47% Johnny Isak