PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Sixty-two percent of the voters want House Speaker John Harwood to resign, according to a new public opinion survey by researchers at Brown University. The poll also found that Rhode Island voters are divided about military action in Iraq that would try and remove Saddam Hussein from power.

The survey was conducted October 19-21, 2002 at Brown University by Darrell M. West, director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy and the John Hazen White, Sr. Public Opinion Laboratory. It is based on a statewide random sample of 418 likely voters in Rhode Island. Overall, the poll had a margin of error of about plus or minus five percentage points.

Sixty-two percent of voters believe that John Harwood should step down as speaker, 16 percent does not, and 22 percent are unsure. When asked to rate his performance as House speaker, 13 percent said he was doing an excellent or good job, 18 percent felt he was doing only fair, 44 percent believed his job performance was poor, and 25 percent were unsure. In June, 25 percent said House Speaker John Harwood was doing a good or excellent job, 21 percent said his job performance was only fair, 23 percent described it as poor, and 31 percent were unsure.

Fifty-two percent believe the state is headed off on the wrong track, while 33 percent say it is going in the right direction. Last June, 43 percent felt the state was headed in the right direction, while 43 percent believed it was off on the wrong track.

Voters are divided about U.S. military action in Iraq that would try and remove Saddam Hussein from power. Forty-seven percent approved military action, 32 percent disapproved it, and 21 percent were undecided.

President George Bush continues to enjoy high job approval ratings within the state. Fifty-nine percent gave him good or excellent marks, while 25 percent rated him only fair, 14 percent said his performance was poor, and 2 percent were unsure. Last June, 62 percent believed he was doing a good or excellent job. Even though he voted against the congressional resolution authorizing the use of military action, 59 percent rate the job performance of Senator Lincoln Chafee as excellent or good, 21 percent say it has been only fair, 10 percent claim it has been poor, and 10 percent are unsure. In June, 53 percent rated his job performance as excellent or good.

In the race for governor, 41 percent favor Democrat Myrth York, 34 percent support Republican Don Carcieri, and 25 percent are undecided.

Among first district voters, Congressman Patrick Kennedy leads Republican David Rogers by 44 to 27 percent, with independent Frank Carter receiving 2 percent of the vote, and 27 percent saying they are undecided. In June, Kennedy led Rogers by 49 to 29 percent, with 22 percent undecided. In the second district, Congressman James Langevin holds a lead of 49 to 18 percent over Republican John Matson, with Home Protection party candidate Dorman Hayes receiving 1 percent and 32 percent undecided.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed is ahead of Republican Bob Tingle by 61 to 14 percent, with 25 percent undecided. Lieutenant Governor Charles Fogarty earns support from 34 percent, compared to 15 percent for Republican John Pagliarini, 11 percent for Cool Moose party candidate Robert Healey, Jr., 2 percent for Green party candidate Gregg Stevens, and 38 percent who say they are undecided.

In the race for Attorney-General, Democrat Patrick Lynch leads independent William Harsch by 47 to 19 percent, with 34 percent undecided. In the contest for Secretary of State, Democrat Matt Brown is favored by 46 to 16 over Republican Christopher Stanley, with 38 percent undecided. In the race for general Treasurer, incumbent Paul Tavares leads Republican Andrew Lyon by 49 to 17 percent, with 34 percent undecided.

State voters favor the "separation of powers" item that is on the fall ballot. By 71 to 7 percent, voters say they believe Rhode Island should have legislative, executive, and judicial branches that are separate and co-equal.

There is a close contest for the referendum item that would authorize general obligation bonds of up to $14 million to support recreational development, historical preservation, and the Heritage Harbor Museum. While 43 percent say they support this bond measure, 36 percent are opposed, and 21 percent are undecided.

Nearing the end of his term, Governor Lincoln Almond does not earn favorable job ratings. Twenty-eight percent give him excellent or good ratings, compared to 35 percent who say it has been only fair, 31 percent rate it poor, and 6 percent are unsure. In June, 28 percent gave Governor Lincoln Almond excellent or good ratings for how he was handling his job, compared to 37 percent who said it was only fair, 26 percent who believed it was poor, and 9 percent who were uncertain.

For more information, contact Darrell M. West at (401) 863-1163.

In the U.S. Senate race, do you plan to vote for: 14% Republican Robert Tingle, 61% Democrat Jack Reed, 25% don't know or no answer

(194 first district likely voters only) In the race for the first congressional district, do you plan to vote for: 27% Republican David Rogers, 44% Democrat Patrick Kennedy, 2% independent Frank Carter, 27% don't know or no answer

(214 second district likely voters only) In the race for the second congressional district, do you plan to vote for: 18% Republican John Matson, 49% Democrat James Langevin, 1% Home Protection party candidate Dorman Hayes, 32% don't know or no answer

In the race for governor, do you plan to vote for: 34% Republican Don Carcieri, 41% Democrat Myrth York, 25% don't know or no answer

In the race for lieutenant governor, do you plan to vote for: 15% Republican John Pagliarini, 34% Democrat Charles Fogarty, 2% Green party candidate Gregg Stevens, 11% Cool Moose party candidate Robert Healey, Jr., 38% don't know or no answer

In the race for secretary of state, do you plan to vote for: 16% Republican Christopher Stanley, 46% Democrat Matt Brown, 38% don't know or no answer

In the race for Attorney-General, do you plan to vote for: 19% Independent William Harsch, 47% Democrat Patrick Lynch, 34% don't know or no answer

In the race for general treasurer, do you plan to vote for: 17% Republican Andrew Lyon, 49% Democrat Paul Tavares, 34% don't know or no answer

How would you rate the job George W. Bush is doing as president? 19% Excellent, 40% good, 25% only fair, 14% poor, 2% don't know or no answer

How would you rate the job Lincoln Chafee is doing as U.S. Senator? 13% Excellent, 46% good, 21% only fair, 10% poor, 10% don't know or no answer

How would you rate the job Lincoln Almond is doing as governor? 3% Excellent, 25% good, 35% only fair, 31% poor, 6% don't know or no answer

How would you rate the job John Harwood is doing as Speaker of the House? 1% Excellent, 12% good, 18% only fair, 44% poor, 25% don't know or no answer

In light of the current controversy surrounding Speaker John Harwood, do you think he should step down as Speaker of the House? 62% yes, 16% no, 22% don't know or no answer

Generally speaking, would you say things in Rhode Island are going in the right direction, or have they gotten off on the wrong track? 33% right direction, 52% wrong track, 15% don't know or no answer

Do you approve of the United States taking military action against Iraq to try and remove Saddam Hussein from power? 47% approve, 32% disapprove, 21% don't know or no answer

Do you think Rhode Island should have legislative, executive, and judicial branches that are separate and co-equal? 71% yes, 7% no, 22% don't know or no answer

Do you think Rhode Island should issue general obligation bonds of up to $14 million to support recreational development, historical preservation, and the Heritage Harbor Museum? 43% Yes, 36% no, 21% don't know or no answer