FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INTERVIEWS: Tom Jensen 919-744-6312

March 7, 2012

IF YOU HAVE BASIC METHODOLOGICAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE E-MAIL information@publicpolicypolling.com, OR CONSULT THE FINAL PARAGRAPH OF THE PRESS RELEASE

Maine Has Voters Remorse on Governor LePage

Raleigh, N.C. Maine voters regret electing Republican Paul LePage Governor and would choose Independent Eliot Cutler if they could do the 2010 election over again, a new poll from Public Policy Polling finds. When asked who they would vote for if they could do the election over, 43% of Maine voters chose Eliot Cutler, 35% chose Paul LePage, and 19% chose Democrat Libby Mitchell. LePage suffers from a negative job approval rating, with just 41% of voters approving of his job performance and 52% disapproving. Democrats are in strong position to make gains in the State Legislature, with 51% of voters saying theyd generally vote for Democratic candidates if the election were held today and just 37% of voters saying theyd vote for a Republican candidate. Among independent voters, 42% say they would vote for Democrats and 28% say theyd vote for a Republican. A majority of Maine voters say same-sex marriage should be legal, by a 54-41 margin. A plurality of voters (47-32) favor a law that would allow marriage licenses for same-sex couples that protects religious freedom by ensuring that no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs. It looks like Maine will reverse its 2009 vote on gay marriage this fall, said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. Thats symbolic of the shift in public opinion thats occurred on this issue over the last few years. Senator Susan Collins sees a high job approval rating, with 60% of voters approving and just 31% disapproving, including a 64-28 rating among independents and a 57-35 rating among Democrats. Perhaps reflecting her own independent reputation, Collins only commands the approval of 61% of Republicans while 29% disapprove. Mike Michaud also gets strong favorable views from Maine voters 53% of voters hold a favorable opinion of him and just 27% hold an unfavorable view. Legendary horror author Stephen King enjoys the favorable opinion of his fellow Maine citizens, with 60% saying they view him favorably and 16% unfavorably. PPP surveyed 1,256 Maine voters from March 2nd to 4th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-2.8%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews.
Public Policy Polling 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 Phone: 888 621-6988 Web: www.publicpolicypolling.com Email: information@publicpolicypolling.com

Maine Survey Results

Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Paul LePages job performance?
Approve................. 41% Not sure ................ 7% Disapprove ............ 52%

Q7

Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples that protects religious freedom by ensuring no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs?
Yes.................................................................. 47% No ................................................................... 32% Not sure .......................................................... 21%

Q2

If you could do last falls election for Governor over again, would you vote for independent Eliot Cutler, Republican Paul LePage, or Democrat Libby Mitchell?
Eliot Cutler ............ 43% Libby Mitchell ........ 19% Paul LePage.......... 35% Not sure ................ 3%

Q8

In general, do you think same-sex marriage should be legal or illegal?

Legal ............................................................... 54% Illegal .............................................................. 41% Not sure .......................................................... 5%

Q3

If there was an election for the State Legislature today, would you generally vote for Democratic candidates or Republicans?
Democrats............. 51% Not sure ................ 13% Republicans .......... 37%

Q9

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Stephen King?

Favorable........................................................ 60% Unfavorable .................................................... 16% Not sure .......................................................... 24%

Q4

Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Susan Collins' job performance?

Approve ..................60% Not sure .................. 9% Disapprove..............31%

Q5

Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Olympia Snowe's job performance?

Approve ..................69% Not sure .................. 5% Disapprove..............26%

Q10 Who did you vote for President in 2008?

John McCain................................................... 37% Barack Obama................................................ 57% Someone else/Don't remember ...................... 7%

Q6

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Mike Michaud?

Favorable........................................................ 53% Unfavorable .................................................... 27% Not sure .......................................................... 20%

Q11 Would you describe yourself as very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?
Very liberal ...................................................... 14% Somewhat liberal ............................................ 21% Moderate......................................................... 31% Somewhat conservative.................................. 21% Very conservative ........................................... 14%

Q12 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.

Woman ........................................................... 50% Man................................................................. 50%

March 2-4, 2012

Survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Q13 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican, press 2. If you are an independent or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ........................................................ 43% Republican...................................................... 34% Independent/Other .......................................... 23%

Q15 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to 45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29........................................................... 12% 30 to 45........................................................... 24% 46 to 65........................................................... 44% Older than 65 .................................................. 20%

Q14 If you are white, press 1. If other, press 2.

White .............................................................. 95% Other............................................................... 5%

March 2-4, 2012

Survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't Base McCain Obam a rem em ber LePage Approval Approve 41% Disapprove 52% Not sure 7% 81% 13% 6% 14% 79% 7% 56% 32% 12%

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't rem em ber Base McCain Obam a Cutler/LePage/Mitchell Re-do Eliot Cutler 43% Paul LePage 35% Libby Mitchell 19% Not sure 3% 16% 75% 5% 4% 61% 8% 28% 3% 31% 48% 18% 3%

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't rem em ber Base McCain Obam a Generic Leg. Ballot Dem ocrats 51% Republicans 37% Not sure 13% 8% 83% 8% 81% 6% 13% 27% 37% 35% Collins Approval Approve 60% Disapprove 31% Not sure 9%

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't rem em ber Base McCain Obam a

59% 30% 11%

59% 33% 8%

66% 28% 7%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't rem em ber Base McCain Obam a Snow e Approval Approve 69% Disapprove 26% Not sure 5% 55% 38% 8% 77% 19% 3% 76% 20% 4% Michaud Favorability Favorable 53% Unfavorable 27% Not sure 20%

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't rem em ber Base McCain Obam a

25% 54% 21%

72% 10% 19%

44% 31% 24%

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't Base McCain Obam a rem em ber Favor Gay Marriage Law ? Yes 47% No 32% Not sure 21% 32% 48% 20% 58% 20% 22% 44% 44% 12% Sam e-sex Marriage Legal/Illegal Legal 54% Illegal 41% Not sure 5%

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't Base McCain Obam a rem em ber

17% 77% 6%

79% 17% 4%

47% 50% 3%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

2008 Vote John Barack Som eone else/Don't Base McCain Obam a rem em ber S. King Favorability Favorable 60% Unfavorable 16% Not sure 24% 41% 31% 28% 72% 5% 23% 58% 24% 18%

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very liberal Moderate conservative conservative Base liberal LePage Approval Approve 41% Disapprove 52% Not sure 7% 11% 86% 3% 11% 85% 4% 33% 57% 9% 74% 16% 10% 86% 8% 6%

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative Cutler/LePage/Mitchell Re-do Eliot Cutler 43% Paul LePage 35% Libby Mitchell 19% Not sure 3% 49% 8% 39% 5% 62% 6% 29% 3% 55% 22% 19% 4% 26% 66% 5% 3% 4% 91% 3% 2% Generic Leg. Ballot Dem ocrats 51% Republicans 37% Not sure 13%

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative

91% 8% 1%

84% 6% 10%

55% 23% 23%

14% 73% 13%

4% 91% 5%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative Collins Approval Approve 60% Disapprove 31% Not sure 9% 46% 47% 7% 60% 32% 8% 68% 24% 8% 66% 24% 10% 47% 43% 10% Snow e Approval Approve 69% Disapprove 26% Not sure 5%

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative

66% 30% 4%

78% 17% 5%

80% 16% 4%

64% 31% 6%

41% 52% 7%

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative Michaud Favorability Favorable 53% Unfavorable 27% Not sure 20% 72% 12% 16% 74% 8% 18% 61% 20% 19% 31% 43% 26% 16% 64% 20%

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative Favor Gay Marriage Law ? Yes 47% No 32% Not sure 21% 62% 20% 17% 54% 20% 26% 53% 23% 24% 33% 49% 18% 30% 56% 14%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative Sam e-sex Marriage Legal/Illegal Legal 54% Illegal 41% Not sure 5% 86% 12% 2% 81% 16% 4% 62% 31% 7% 24% 69% 7% 7% 90% 3% S. King Favorability Favorable 60% Unfavorable 16% Not sure 24%

Ideology Very Som ew hat Som ew hat Very Base liberal liberal Moderate conservative conservative

67% 14% 19%

74% 3% 23%

71% 8% 22%

44% 27% 29%

32% 39% 29%

Gender Base Wom an LePage Approval Approve 41% Disapprove 52% Not sure 7% 35% 57% 8% 47% 47% 6% Man
Cutler/LePage/Mitchell Re-do Eliot Cutler 43% Paul LePage 35% Libby Mitchell 19% Not sure 3%

Gender Base Wom an Man

47% 27% 20% 5%

38% 43% 17% 1%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Gender Base Wom an Generic Leg. Ballot Dem ocrats 51% Republicans 37% Not sure 13% 56% 30% 13% 45% 43% 12% Man Collins Approval Approve 60% Disapprove 31% Not sure 9%

Gender Base Wom an Man

66% 25% 9%

53% 38% 8%

Gender Base Wom an Snow e Approval Approve 69% Disapprove 26% Not sure 5% 77% 18% 5% 61% 34% 5% Man Michaud Favorability Favorable 53% Unfavorable 27% Not sure 20%

Gender Base Wom an Man

57% 20% 23%

49% 34% 17%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Gender Base Wom an Favor Gay Marriage Law ? Yes 47% No 32% Not sure 21% 49% 26% 25% 46% 37% 17% Man Sam e-sex Marriage Legal/Illegal Legal 54% Illegal 41% Not sure 5%

Gender Base Wom an Man

61% 34% 6%

47% 49% 4%

Gender Base Wom an S. King Favorability Favorable 60% Unfavorable 16% Not sure 24% 62% 12% 26% 58% 20% 22% Man
LePage Approval Approve 41% Disapprove 52% Not sure 7%

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other

14% 78% 7%

75% 18% 6%

43% 50% 7%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other Cutler/LePage/Mitchell Re-do Eliot Cutler 43% Paul LePage 35% Libby Mitchell 19% Not sure 3% 56% 8% 33% 2% 18% 74% 5% 3% 53% 29% 12% 6%

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other Generic Leg. Ballot Dem ocrats 51% Republicans 37% Not sure 13% 89% 4% 7% 7% 85% 8% 42% 28% 30%

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other Collins Approval Approve 60% Disapprove 31% Not sure 9% 57% 35% 9% 61% 29% 10% 64% 28% 7% Snow e Approval Approve 69% Disapprove 26% Not sure 5%

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other

76% 20% 3%

57% 36% 7%

72% 23% 5%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other Michaud Favorability Favorable 53% Unfavorable 27% Not sure 20% 74% 11% 15% 26% 51% 24% 53% 25% 23%
Favor Gay Marriage Law ? Yes 47% No 32% Not sure 21%

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other

55% 21% 24%

33% 48% 19%

54% 28% 18%

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other Sam e-sex Marriage Legal/Illegal Legal 54% Illegal 41% Not sure 5% 78% 18% 4% 20% 75% 5% 57% 36% 7%

Party Base Dem ocrat Republican Independent/Other S. King Favorability Favorable 60% Unfavorable 16% Not sure 24% 71% 8% 21% 42% 29% 28% 65% 10% 25%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Race Base White Other LePage Approval Approve 41% Disapprove 52% Not sure 7% 41% 52% 7% 38% 55% 7%
Cutler/LePage/Mitchell Re-do Eliot Cutler 43% Paul LePage 35% Libby Mitchell 19% Not sure 3%

Race Base White Other

43% 35% 18% 3%

32% 39% 27% 2%

Race Base White Other Generic Leg. Ballot Dem ocrats 51% Republicans 37% Not sure 13% 50% 37% 13% 61% 32% 7% Collins Approval Approve 60% Disapprove 31% Not sure 9%

Race Base White Other

61% 31% 8%

38% 47% 15%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Race Base White Other Snow e Approval Approve 69% Disapprove 26% Not sure 5% 69% 26% 5% 61% 33% 7% Michaud Favorability Favorable 53% Unfavorable 27% Not sure 20%

Race Base White Other

53% 27% 20%

50% 33% 17%

Race Base White Other Favor Gay Marriage Law ? Yes 47% No 32% Not sure 21% 47% 32% 21% 52% 30% 18% Sam e-sex Marriage Legal/Illegal Legal 54% Illegal 41% Not sure 5%

Race Base White Other

54% 42% 5%

59% 32% 9%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Race Base White Other S. King Favorability Favorable 60% Unfavorable 16% Not sure 24% 60% 16% 24% 51% 21% 28%

Age Base LePage Approval Approve 41% Disapprove 52% Not sure 7% 41% 50% 9% 49% 44% 7% 38% 57% 5% 40% 51% 9% 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65

Age Base Cutler/LePage/Mitchell Re-do Eliot Cutler 43% Paul LePage 35% Libby Mitchell 19% Not sure 3% 50% 28% 22% 31% 47% 17% 5% 48% 31% 18% 3% 41% 36% 20% 4% 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65 Generic Leg. Ballot Dem ocrats 51% Republicans 37% Not sure 13% Base

Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65

61% 30% 9%

42% 47% 11%

52% 33% 15%

51% 37% 12%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Age Base Collins Approval Approve 60% Disapprove 31% Not sure 9% 61% 30% 9% 58% 35% 6% 60% 31% 9% 60% 28% 12% 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65 Snow e Approval Approve 69% Disapprove 26% Not sure 5% Base

Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65

65% 33% 2%

65% 31% 4%

72% 23% 5%

70% 23% 7%

Age Base Michaud Favorability Favorable 53% Unfavorable 27% Not sure 20% 50% 30% 20% 41% 39% 21% 58% 23% 19% 59% 21% 20% 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65

Age Base Favor Gay Marriage Law ? Yes 47% No 32% Not sure 21% 39% 37% 24% 48% 37% 15% 50% 28% 22% 46% 31% 24% 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988

Crosstabs

Age Base Sam e-sex Marriage Legal/Illegal Legal 54% Illegal 41% Not sure 5% 54% 41% 4% 50% 47% 3% 60% 36% 4% 44% 46% 9% 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65 S. King Favorability Favorable 60% Unfavorable 16% Not sure 24% Base

Age 18 to 30 to 46 to Older 29 45 65 than 65

63% 22% 15%

63% 17% 20%

61% 14% 25%

52% 14% 34%

March 2-4, 2012

survey of 1,256 Maine voters

3020 Highwoods Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 information@publicpolicypolling.com / 888 621-6988