October 1, 2018 - More U.S. Voters Say Don't Confirm Kavanaugh, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; More Voters Believe Ford Than Kavanaugh

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With wide gender, racial and partisan gaps, and a shift in support among independent voters, 48 percent of American voters say the U.S. Senate should not confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, as 42 percent say Kavanaugh should be confirmed, according to a Quinnipiac University National Poll released today.





This compares to the results of a September survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University National Poll, showing 41 percent of American voters supporting a Kavanaugh confirmation, with 42 percent opposed. Independent voters, who supported Kavanaugh 45 - 39 percent September 10, oppose his confirmation 49 - 39 percent today.





Women oppose confirmation 55 - 37 percent, while men support it 49 - 40 percent.





White voters say 51 - 40 percent confirm Kavanaugh. Opposed are black voters 81 - 11 percent and Hispanic voters 65 - 30 percent.





Choosing between Kavanaugh and his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, 48 percent of American voters most believe Ford as 41 percent most believe Kavanaugh.





But 49 percent of voters say Kavanaugh "is the target of a politically motivated smear campaign," as 45 percent of voters say he is not a target of a smear campaign.





And voters say 48 - 41 percent that Dr. Blasey Ford has been treated fairly. At the same time, 47 percent of voters say Kavanaugh has been treated unfairly while 43 percent say he has been treated fairly.





American voters support 68 - 28 percent reopening the FBI background check into Kavanaugh to investigate accusations of sexual misconduct.





"Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is winning the trust of American voters, who overwhelmingly believe she is honest. But about half of voters say Judge Brett Kavanaugh is the target of a smear campaign," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.





"There is a very sharp divide between men and women on credibility," Malloy added.





"What voters agree on is letting the FBI try to sort out the events in the pursuit of the truth."





American voters are divided on whether Kavanaugh is honest, as 46 percent say yes and 43 percent say no.





Voters say 59 - 25 percent that Blasey Ford is honest.





Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans and President Donald Trump all get bad grades for handling the accusations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh:

Voters disapprove 52 - 38 percent of how Democrats are handling the accusations;

Voters disapprove 56 - 33 percent of how Republicans are doing with the accusations;

Voters disapprove by a narrow 49 - 42 percent of how Trump is handling the matter.

"President Donald Trump, who stands by his man, suffers less than Senate Democrats or Republicans in the Kavanaugh matter," Malloy said.





From September 27 - 30, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,111 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points, including the design effect.





The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts gold standard surveys using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts nationwide surveys and polls in more than a dozen states on national and statewide elections, as well as public policy issues.





Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll





Call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.





4. As you may know, President Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Do you think the U.S. Senate should confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, or not?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Confirm 42% 84% 8% 39% 49% 37% 43% 59% No 48 9 88 49 40 55 49 31 DK/NA 9 8 5 12 11 8 8 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Confirm 34% 39% 50% 45% 59% 45% 51% 11% 30% No 55 56 41 45 32 46 40 81 65 DK/NA 11 5 8 10 10 9 9 9 5

TREND: As you may know, President Trump has nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Do you think the U.S. Senate should confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, or not?

Yes/ Confirm No DK/NA Oct 01, 2018 42 48 9 Sep 10, 2018 41 42 17 Aug 15, 2018 44 39 17 Jul 25, 2018 40 41 18

5. As you may know, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has accused Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in high school. Judge Kavanaugh has denied this accusation. If you had to choose, which do you tend to believe most: the accusation of sexual assault made by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford or the denial made by Judge Brett Kavanaugh?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Believe Blasey Ford 48% 10% 86% 46% 40% 55% 51% 29% Believe Kavanaugh 41 84 5 38 47 35 40 59 DK/NA 11 5 9 15 13 10 9 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Believe Blasey Ford 57% 52% 41% 46% 32% 46% 40% 83% 66% Believe Kavanaugh 34 36 49 45 57 43 50 8 27 DK/NA 10 12 10 9 10 11 11 9 7

6. In general, would you say that - Brett Kavanaugh is honest, or not?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 46% 87% 11% 43% 54% 39% 49% 61% No 43 8 77 44 34 50 41 28 DK/NA 11 5 12 13 12 11 10 11 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 35% 42% 58% 49% 65% 47% 55% 7% 34% No 52 49 32 42 25 42 34 77 58 DK/NA 13 9 10 9 10 11 10 16 7

7. In general, would you say that - Christine Blasey Ford is honest, or not?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 59% 31% 87% 60% 52% 65% 65% 45% No 25 48 5 24 27 23 21 34 DK/NA 16 21 8 16 21 12 14 20 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 60% 62% 55% 63% 48% 60% 54% 80% 69% No 23 25 30 22 29 27 28 11 20 DK/NA 18 13 15 15 23 13 17 9 11

8. In general, do you approve or disapprove of the way - the Senate Democrats are handling the accusations of sexual misconduct against Judge Kavanaugh?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 38% 11% 70% 36% 36% 40% 39% 27% Disapprove 52 83 18 54 56 48 55 64 DK/NA 10 6 12 10 8 12 6 10 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 35% 41% 38% 41% 27% 37% 32% 73% 43% Disapprove 42 55 55 53 66 54 60 12 37 DK/NA 22 5 7 6 7 9 8 15 19

9. In general, do you approve or disapprove of the way - the Senate Republicans are handling the accusations of sexual misconduct against Judge Kavanaugh?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 33% 62% 9% 31% 38% 29% 36% 45% Disapprove 56 25 82 60 54 58 58 42 DK/NA 10 13 8 9 8 13 6 13 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 30% 31% 37% 36% 46% 36% 40% 9% 28% Disapprove 56 61 55 55 47 52 50 78 62 DK/NA 14 8 9 9 7 12 10 13 11

10. In general, do you approve or disapprove of the way - President Trump is handling the accusations of sexual misconduct against Judge Kavanaugh?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 42% 77% 13% 39% 48% 36% 43% 57% Disapprove 49 13 83 50 44 54 50 31 DK/NA 9 11 4 11 8 10 7 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 35% 39% 48% 43% 57% 45% 51% 15% 24% Disapprove 59 54 41 47 35 45 40 76 68 DK/NA 6 7 11 10 8 10 9 9 8

11. Do you think that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has been treated fairly or unfairly since she came forward?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Fairly 48% 63% 31% 53% 54% 42% 50% 53% Unfairly 41 25 59 40 36 46 41 35 DK/NA 11 12 10 8 9 13 9 12 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Fairly 33% 47% 56% 54% 59% 45% 52% 34% 38% Unfairly 56 47 33 35 32 43 38 56 49 DK/NA 12 6 11 11 9 12 10 10 13

12. Do you think that Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been treated fairly or unfairly since Dr. Christine Blasey Ford came forward?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Fairly 43% 14% 72% 45% 41% 46% 46% 31% Unfairly 47 82 16 47 52 43 47 62 DK/NA 9 4 12 8 8 11 7 7 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Fairly 49% 45% 39% 45% 34% 42% 38% 57% 59% Unfairly 40 46 54 48 61 50 55 19 33 DK/NA 11 9 8 8 5 8 7 24 8

13. Do you support or oppose re-opening the FBI background check into Judge Kavanaugh in order to investigate the accusations of sexual misconduct?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 68% 41% 90% 71% 65% 71% 69% 60% Oppose 28 54 7 26 29 27 28 37 DK/NA 4 5 3 3 6 2 2 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 82% 69% 60% 65% 61% 67% 65% 83% 77% Oppose 14 30 34 31 35 31 33 13 16 DK/NA 4 1 6 4 4 2 3 4 7

14. Do you think that Judge Kavanaugh is the target of a politically motivated smear campaign, or don't you think so?