Public Policy Polling (PDF). 9/15-18. Texas voters. MoE ±4.1% (
6/25-27 results):
Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Rick Perry’s job performance?
Approve: 45 (43)
Disapprove: 48 (52)
Notably, those numbers aren't that much better than President Obama's:
Do you approve or disapprove of President Barack Obama’s job performance?
Approve: 40 (42)
Disapprove: 55 (55)
PPP's Tom Jensen explains that Perry's modest improvement comes from Republicans who have rallied around his campaign, but he continues to struggle with all other voters. Still, thanks to those Republicans, he now ekes out a win over Obama in the state:
Rick Perry: 51 (45)
Barack Obama: 44 (47)
Mitt Romney also leads Texas, albeit with a slightly less support than Perry:
Mitt Romney: 47 (50)
Barack Obama: 41 (42)
This poll doesn't upend the conventional wisdom that Texas will be a red state in 2012, but despite its reputation as a deep red state, both Perry and Romney currently enjoy narrower leads over Barack Obama than John McCain did when he won the state by nearly 12 points in November 2008. That might not have any particular relevance for next November's election, but as the underlying demographics of Texas evolve, so too will its partisan composition.