A new poll by the Benenson Strategy Group shows that voters would reward Senators who vote for clean energy jobs legislation and punish those who vote against it. The poll also reinforces the broad support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, showing 63 percent overall support.

For Immediate Release by the Center for American Progress Action Fund
September 2, 2009

Swing State Poll Finds Voters More Likely To Re-Elect Senators Who Vote For Clean Energy Jobs Bill

Overwhelming 2 to 1 Support for Proposed Clean Energy Policy

A new poll by the Benenson Strategy Group shows that voters would reward Senators who vote for clean energy jobs legislation and punish those who vote against it. The poll also reinforces the broad support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, showing 63 percent overall support. This follows an ABC News/ Washington Post poll last week that showed 57 percent support and just 29 percent oppose. Both polls display support is running at a 2-1 ratio for proposed reforms.

Support for clean energy legislation has remained steady despite an $80 million campaign by Big Oil to smear such legislative proposals.

The poll found that a vote on clean energy jobs legislation can be a meaningful re-election factor. Overall, 60 percent of voters said they would be much more likely to re-elect a Senator who votes for the clean energy bill already passed by the House. Strong majorities of both Independents (55 percent) and Democrats (83 percent) would be more likely to re-elect Senators who vote for this bill.

On the other hand, a 52 percent majority say they would be much less likely to vote for Senators who vote against the clean energy jobs bill.

See HERE for the full polling memo.

The Benenson Strategy Group surveyed registered, likely voters in 16 battleground states (AK, AR, IN, ME, MI, MO, MT, NC, NV, ND, NH, OH, PA, SD, VA, WV). Conducted August 20-24, 2009, the poll has a margin of error of ± 3.4% at the 95% confidence level.

See HERE for full results of last week’s ABC News/ Washington Post poll.

See HERE for CAP Senior Fellow Ruy Teixeira’s analysis of the ABC News/ Washington Post poll.

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The Center for American Progress Action Fund is the sister advocacy organization of the Center for American Progress . The Action Fund transforms progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing and advocacy, and partnerships with other progressive leaders throughout the country and the world. The Action Fund is also the home of the Progress Report.