Fun with Numbers -- Corbett's Poll

Just got an e-mail copy of the results of a poll commissioned by Mayor Ron Corbett to test the waters for a local option sales tax extension and some other issues.

Here's the memo from Davenport-based Victory Enterprises:

Corbett Survey Memo January 2011

I have to say I'm a little surprised at how un-cranky CR citizens appear to be, based on this poll. Most think the city is headed in the right direction and that it's best days are ahead. Corbett's approval ratings, especially on flood issues, are solid. Even the federal government's flood response gets a 59 percent "good" rating. This is not the crowd, evidently, that sends me e-mail or calls radio shows.

I'm also surprised by the apparent willingness of the folks surveyed to consider the 20-year sales tax proposal. I would have guessed, based on the initial reactions I've heard, that it would be a very tough sell. And it likely will be, but this poll suggests it's not an impossible climb. Maybe it's because nearly 75 percent say the current tax is "no burden."

As with all polls, this is snapshot. Once a tax campaign actually gets rolling, and the opposition hits back, the numbers will certainly change.