Because the Massachusetts Special Election for the U.S. Senate was for so long considered a foregone conclusion standard exit polling for the news media was not done. At this point there are only two publicly available exit polls: One by Rasmussen Reports & the one presented below conducted by Fabrizio McLaughlin & Associates.
Tony Fabrizio is President of Fabrizio McLaughlin & Associates an independent polling firm. Separately and independently Fabrizio is Chairman of the Center for Individual Freedom. The exit poll is presented as it was issued to the media.
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MEMORANDUM |
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Tony Fabrizio RE: Massachusetts Election Night Survey DATE: January 19 2010 Fabrizio McLaughlin and Associates completed a survey of 800 voters who voted in todays U.S. Senate election statewide in Massachusetts. What follows are the key findings: • Health Care was the TOP issue in this race and voters were voting AGAINST the Obama health care planUnprompted fully 48 of voters say that health care was THE issue deciding their vote today. When combined with their second choice issue health care mentions reached 62 Browns health care position/opposition to Obama health care plan was the TOP reason for voting for him by wide margin Plurality of voters said their vote was a vote to STOP the Presidents health care plan - more than those saying it was a vote against his policies in general Majority of these voters OPPOSE Presidents health care plan AND disapprove of the job hes doing on health careKey Findings and Data: • Health Care was the TOP issue in this race and voters were voting AGAINST the Obama health care plan
- Plurality of Brown voters said their vote was meant to send a message to Washington - not a vote for Browns candidacy
- Voters desire to send a message was so strong Brown is elected despite Presidents higher than average image and job approval ratings and dismal job ratings for Congressional Republicans
- Brown scored big with Independents and even edged Coakley with Union Households
- Tea Party Movement gets mixed reviews but Brown got overwhelming majority among its supporters
- Despite Browns victory GOP shouldnt start dancing yet as their Congressional job approval is still dismal among Independents
Unprompted fully 48 of voters say that health care was THE issue deciding their vote today. When combined with their second choice issue health care mentions reached 62What SINGLE issue ABOVE ALL OTHERS helped decide your vote in this Senate Race today?• It was far and away the TOP choice across party lines
| Total | Republicans | Democrats | Independents | |
| Health care reform |
48 |
55 |
50 |
45 |
| Economy |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
| Time for a change//Wanted someone new |
5 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
| Democrats//Want a Democrat//Supports Obama |
4 |
- |
8 |
3 |
| Abortion |
3 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
| Republican//Want a Republican//Opposes Obama |
3 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
| Like Coakley//Dislike Brown//Agree with Coakleys policies |
3 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
| Taxes |
3 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
| Agree with their policies//Like their stance (non specific) |
3 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
| Like Brown//Dislike Coakley//Agree with Browns policies |
3 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
| Spending issues//Fiscal responsibility |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
| National security |
2 |
3 |
- |
2 |
| Jobs//Unemployment |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
| War//War in Afghanistan | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| Honesty//Integrity | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Negative campaigning//Attack ads | 1 | - | 1 | 2 |
| Experience//She is experienced | 1 | - | 2 | - |
| Education | 1 | - | 1 | - |
| Other | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| None//Nothing | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Dont Know | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
