Marquette Univ. Law School poll shows Gov. Walker leads Barrett, 50%-44%

MILWAUKEE -- A new Marquette University Law School poll shows Gov. Scott Walker leading Democratic challenger Tom Barrett, 50 percent  to 44 percent among voters who say they will definitely vote on June 5th. With only three weeks to go until the recall election, only three percent of likely voters say they are undecided.

In the category of job performance, the Marquette University Law School poll says 50 percent approve of Gov. Walker to date, while 46 percent disapprove. In April, it was 47 percent approved and 51 percent disapproved.

37 percent of those polled by the Marquette University Law School say they like what Gov. Walker has done. 38 percent don't like what he's done. 22 percent say they like what he's done, now that he's done it.

"Any poll out there still has it relatively close, so we're going to keep pushing. I'm going to keep standing up for the taxpayers, making that case as to why I was elected in the first place," Walker said Wednesday.

When independents were asked about personal traits among the gubernatorial candidates, Gov. Walker was rated highest for "decisive" and lower for "fair." Barrett was rated highest for "honest" and lower for "inspiring."

"By all objective criteria he should be crushing me because he's outspending me $30 million at this point, if you look at all his allies. He's probably spending 25 to 30 to one. By any objective analysis, he should be leading by 15 points," Barrett said Wednesday.

This most recent poll was taken May 9th through the 12th, and surveyed 704 registered voters across the state. the results have a 4.1 percent margin of error.

The previous poll, taken at the end of April (before the primary) showed Walker with only a one percentage point lead over Barrett. At that time, 10 percent of voters said they were undecided.

When it comes to the governor's race, poll director Charles Franklin says the results don't show it's time for anyone to say it's over, and when it comes to poll opinions of what Governor Walker has done..."22 percent said they like what he did, but they don't like how he did it. That's a much bigger number than the undecided percent. Are those people able to be moved by the campaign in these last three or four weeks?" Franklin said.

The Marquette University Law School poll also shows Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch leads Mahlon Mitchell 47 percent to 41 percent. Kleefisch has a 25 percent favorable to 31 percent unfavorable rating. 43 percent have no opinion on the matter. Mitchell has a 19 percent favorite, 10 percent unfavorable rating and 71 percent with no opinion.

An interesting note, when those polled were asked whether they were absolutely certain they'll vote on June 5th, 91 percent of Republicans said yes, 83 percent of Democrats said yes.

Those polled were also asked whether Wisconsin should keep the current law on collective bargaining. 50 percent said yes, 43 percent said no -- and there were sharp differences by party.

On the presidential front, Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has moved into a tie with President Barack Obama in Wisconsin among likely voters. President Obama led in the MU polls January through April.

The Marquette University Law School has been surveying voter attitudes in Wisconsin every month throughout the year.  The poll results will give a clearer picture about voters feelings regarding the gubernatorial recall candidates.

The next Marquette University Law School poll is set to be released May 30th.

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