Why are Republican Governors so much more popular than Democratic Senators?

[GeneralMacArthur]

According to Morning Consult, popularity (within their own state):

Baker:  73/16
Hogan:  70/14
Scott:  64/23
Gordon:  63/13
Sununu:  62/24
Abbot:  59/24
Hutchinson:  59/24
Little:  59/22
Stitt:  59/19
Burgum:  59/19
DeSantis:  58/22
Ivey:  57/30
Lee:  56/19
Bryant:  55/26
Carney:  55/25
Herbert:  55/28
McMaster:  54/26
Ricketts:  54/34
Bullock:  53/31
Kemp:  53/28
Wolf:  53/33
Bel Edwards:  52/31
Ducey:  52/30
Kelly:  52/23
Sisolak:  52/25
Holcomb:  51/23
Walz:  51/29
Evers:  49/34
Cooper:  48/30
Cuomo:  48/41
DeWine:  48/32
Noem:  48/41
Parson:  48/25
Inslee:  47/35
Grisham:  47/37
Mills:  46/44
Polis:  46/35
Whitmer:  46/34
Murphy:  45/38
Reynolds:  45/41
Dunleavy:  43/41
Newsom:  43/36
Pritzker:  43/42
Justice:  42/47
Northam:  42/38
Brown:  38/50
Ige:  36/50
Raimondo:  36/56
Lamont:  35/48
Bevin:  34/53

The top 14 most popular governors are Republicans, constituting 76% of the top half.
In contrast, Democrats are 72% of the bottom half, including 13 of the 17 most unpopular governors.

Why do Republicans stomp Democrats on this metric?

[Hydera]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

[LiberalDem19]

Tbf, Baker, Hogan, and Scott are not your typical Republicans. Doesn't explain everything, but if they were average GOPers they'd likely be underwater

[Roll Roons]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

Except for the fact that a lot of Democratic governors in deep blue states (Lamont, Raimondo, Ige, Brown, Pritzker, Newsom, Murphy) have much lower approvals than the ones in Louisiana, Montana and Kansas.

[brucejoel99]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

I honestly wouldn't doubt if it were mostly this.

[free my dawg]

A lot of factors. There are the red state governors, the blue state ones, and then there are the inoffensive Republicans. Governors like Abbott and Gordon are from red states with nascent (if existent at al) opposition, and in effect only answer to conservative voters. In order to have a chance of losing an election in that kind of environment, you have to **** up on the level of Brownback or Bevin.

Baker, Hogan, and Scott are easy enough. They're closer to Weld than Trump, and the Democratic legislature means that they don't have to make any rough decisions wrt conservative policies. Conservatives largely see them as a check on the legislature, and are just glad to be in power in the first place.

Sununu is a different story. I can personally attest that he has governed the state like a generic conservative. He takes relatively little stances against the establishment, and only offers vague condemnations of Trump when absolutely needed. New Hampshire likes inoffensive conservatives like Kelly Ayotte who can pretend to be bipartisan. DeSantis has also triangulated to "inoffensive conservative" territory. While I may be vehemently against Sununu and Kemp's voter suppression measures, the average voter has it low on their priorities.

For the other end of the spectrum, there's a greater tendency to criticize Democratic governors for their lack of reforms. Raimondo has been largely pro-business (especially in a state where the RIGOP is largely moribund and the RIDP is corrupt to the point where they supported a Nazi against an anti-machine representative). Cuomo, in contrast, has made maneuvers to salvage his political career (and also spoke out against Trump).

It's also much more difficult to implement sweeping Democratic reforms you see from Bernie/AOC, considering every state but VT (which has fewer resources) has a balanced budget amendment. There's no way to implement a statewide public option without raising taxes.

But as for the main answer, there hasn't been enough time for Republicans to **** up yet. Most Republicans are in their first term, and there hasn't been enough time to implement the sweeping, unpopular cuts that Fallin or Bevin or Brownback did. It also helps that none of them are virulent assholes like LePage (who largely coasted in on a strong Republican environment and was built to run up margins in ME-2, Michaud's home region).

[Hydera]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

I honestly wouldn't doubt if it were mostly this.

Lots of republicans than democrats think the otherside is immoral and lazy.




Meanwhile 16% more of republicans think democrats views are a threat to the country. if republicans were less partisan than democrats then the overall approval of a lot of dem governors would instantly approve.

[Gracile]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

Except for the fact that a lot of Democratic governors in deep blue states (Lamont, Raimondo, Ige, Brown, Pritzker, Newsom, Murphy) have much lower approvals than the ones in Louisiana, Montana and Kansas.

Much of those Democratic governors’ disapproval comes from the left.

[Hydera]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

Except for the fact that a lot of Democratic governors in deep blue states (Lamont, Raimondo, Ige, Brown, Pritzker, Newsom, Murphy) have much lower approvals than the ones in Louisiana, Montana and Kansas.

Much of those Democratic governors’ disapproval comes from the left.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=22b1e473-85ad-4c30-9471-0532c5ad5c8b

Nice generic statement. Most of Gavins newsome unfavorability rating is 7-8% from liberals and very liberals but 48% and 63% amongst conservatives and very conservatives.  For a myriad of reasons, republican voters are more tribalistic than democrats.

[they don't love you like i love you]

Because Republican states are often to govern (not only are they often smaller and have much lower crime and poverty rates, many also get tons of oil money in tax revenues) while Democratic states are often a nightmare to govern, (not just notorious and large ones like California and Illinois, ones like Rhode Island and Hawaii also come to mind.) And Republican governors of very Democratic states remain popular because the position is effectively equivalent to a ceremonial president in a country with a Parliamentary system due to the overwhelmingly Democratic legislatures.

[Gracile]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

Except for the fact that a lot of Democratic governors in deep blue states (Lamont, Raimondo, Ige, Brown, Pritzker, Newsom, Murphy) have much lower approvals than the ones in Louisiana, Montana and Kansas.

Much of those Democratic governors’ disapproval comes from the left.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=22b1e473-85ad-4c30-9471-0532c5ad5c8b

Nice generic statement. Most of Gavins newsome unfavorability rating is 7-8% from liberals and very liberals but 48% and 63% amongst conservatives and very conservatives.  For a myriad of reasons, republican voters are more tribalistic than democrats.

That’s what I was trying to get at in my post. Even small hemorrhaging from the left added on top of the near uniform disapproval among Republicans creates a lackluster approval rating. On the other hand, governors like Baker and Hogan benefit from keeping their bases largely intact while adding on much more flexible liberals who approve of the “right kind” of Republican.

[Mycool]

Republicans monolithically disapprove of democratic governors while democrats are more willing to admit approval for republican governors.

I honestly wouldn't doubt if it were mostly this.

Lots of republicans than democrats think the otherside is immoral and lazy.




Meanwhile 16% more of republicans think democrats views are a threat to the country. if republicans were less partisan than democrats then the overall approval of a lot of dem governors would instantly approve.

To pile on; its asymmetric polarization at its finest.

[538Electoral]

Most of the top ranked governors are not typical conservatives anyway.

[Libertas Vel Mors]

Most of the top ranked governors are not typical conservatives anyway.

Gordon, Hutchinson, Abbott, Little, Stitt?

[Agonized-Statism]

In general, maybe people like executives better because they're busy, y'know, executing the law. Legislation, good or bad, doesn't excite people as much if it isn't something so historic it'll be on your great grandson's middle school history test. It also takes a more boisterous personality to be an executive, which has the potential to be really loved or really hated, but it'll draw more attention either way.

[voice_of_resistance]

Because only one party's voters have a uniform diet of Fox News drivel that tells them all Democrats are evil socialists. Dems generally don't like the GOP but will tolerate inoffensive ones (Baker/Scott/Hogan obv but also Abbott/Herbert/McMaster come to mind). The opposite is completely true, just take a look at the power grabs the GOP tried to pull in NC and WI when they elected Democrats as governor.

[Young Conservative]

Because Republican policies just work better.

[Libertas Vel Mors]

Because Republican policies just work better.

I don't want to get partisan, but yes, this is a better answer than "muh fox news is making people conservative". Tell me folks, when was the last time they talked Ned Lamont on Fox News? What about Brad Little? If you're an Idahoan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing well and staying prosperous thanks to Republican policies, and if you're a Conneticutan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing sh**t because the taxes are too damn high. People appreciate success.

[Nyvin]

Because Republican policies just work better.

I don't want to get partisan, but yes, this is a better answer than "muh fox news is making people conservative". Tell me folks, when was the last time they talked Ned Lamont on Fox News? What about Brad Little? If you're an Idahoan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing well and staying prosperous thanks to Republican policies, and if you're a Conneticutan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing sh**t because the taxes are too damn high. People appreciate success.

The economy of Mississippi is not success. 

The real reason is that Republican voters are tribalistic and give their Republican governor unconditional support.   They also have been trained to think of all Democrats as Satanic and give them unconditional hatred.    If this isn't the case - Name one single Republican governor in the country who is unpopular with Republican voters...?

Meanwhile - Progressives tend to be critical of most Dem governors due to most of them being very corporate friendly.   

So you have a system where Democratic governors get honest criticism while Republican governors could shoot someone on main street and remain popular with their base.

[Roll Roons]

Because Republican policies just work better.

I don't want to get partisan, but yes, this is a better answer than "muh fox news is making people conservative". Tell me folks, when was the last time they talked Ned Lamont on Fox News? What about Brad Little? If you're an Idahoan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing well and staying prosperous thanks to Republican policies, and if you're a Conneticutan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing sh**t because the taxes are too damn high. People appreciate success.

The economy of Mississippi is not success. 

The real reason is that Republican voters are tribalistic and give their Republican governor unconditional support.   They also have been trained to think of all Democrats as Satanic and give them unconditional hatred.    If this isn't the case - Name one single Republican governor in the country who is unpopular with Republican voters...?

Meanwhile - Progressives tend to be critical of most Dem governors due to most of them being very corporate friendly.   

So you have a system where Democratic governors get honest criticism while Republican governors could shoot someone on main street and remain popular with their base.

Bevin, Brownback, Fallin, and Jindal were all extremely unpopular by the end of their terms. Republican voters, even in red states, are not all brainwashed zombies who will blindly worship a governor just because of party affiliation. They will disapprove of someone who is overly ideological and/or confrontational.

[Nyvin]

Because Republican policies just work better.

I don't want to get partisan, but yes, this is a better answer than "muh fox news is making people conservative". Tell me folks, when was the last time they talked Ned Lamont on Fox News? What about Brad Little? If you're an Idahoan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing well and staying prosperous thanks to Republican policies, and if you're a Conneticutan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing sh**t because the taxes are too damn high. People appreciate success.

The economy of Mississippi is not success. 

The real reason is that Republican voters are tribalistic and give their Republican governor unconditional support.   They also have been trained to think of all Democrats as Satanic and give them unconditional hatred.    If this isn't the case - Name one single Republican governor in the country who is unpopular with Republican voters...?

Meanwhile - Progressives tend to be critical of most Dem governors due to most of them being very corporate friendly.   

So you have a system where Democratic governors get honest criticism while Republican governors could shoot someone on main street and remain popular with their base.

Bevin, Brownback, Fallin, and Jindal were all extremely unpopular by the end of their terms. Republican voters, even in red states, are not all brainwashed zombies who will blindly worship a governor just because of party affiliation. They will disapprove of someone who is overly ideological and/or confrontational.

Those are all past governors,  name one current one.   It took a LOT to get those govs to be unpopular with Republicans.  Also they were all in Safe R states anyway.   

[MT Treasurer]

^There’s no current one because the last one (Bevin)... you know... lost reelection two months ago.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Because Republican policies just work better.

I don't want to get partisan, but yes, this is a better answer than "muh fox news is making people conservative". Tell me folks, when was the last time they talked Ned Lamont on Fox News? What about Brad Little? If you're an Idahoan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing well and staying prosperous thanks to Republican policies, and if you're a Conneticutan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing sh**t because the taxes are too damn high. People appreciate success.

The economy of Mississippi is not success. 

The real reason is that Republican voters are tribalistic and give their Republican governor unconditional support.   They also have been trained to think of all Democrats as Satanic and give them unconditional hatred.    If this isn't the case - Name one single Republican governor in the country who is unpopular with Republican voters...?

Meanwhile - Progressives tend to be critical of most Dem governors due to most of them being very corporate friendly.   

So you have a system where Democratic governors get honest criticism while Republican governors could shoot someone on main street and remain popular with their base.

Bevin, Brownback, Fallin, and Jindal were all extremely unpopular by the end of their terms. Republican voters, even in red states, are not all brainwashed zombies who will blindly worship a governor just because of party affiliation. They will disapprove of someone who is overly ideological and/or confrontational.

Those are all past governors,  name one current one.   It took a LOT to get those govs to be unpopular with Republicans.  Also they were all in Safe R states anyway.   

Most current Republican governors who have been in office for many years  are pretty good and overall much better than Dem ones and many have just been in office for a year which isn’t much time yet .

[Libertas Vel Mors]

Because Republican policies just work better.

I don't want to get partisan, but yes, this is a better answer than "muh fox news is making people conservative". Tell me folks, when was the last time they talked Ned Lamont on Fox News? What about Brad Little? If you're an Idahoan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing well and staying prosperous thanks to Republican policies, and if you're a Conneticutan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing sh**t because the taxes are too damn high. People appreciate success.

The economy of Mississippi is not success.  

The real reason is that Republican voters are tribalistic and give their Republican governor unconditional support.   They also have been trained to think of all Democrats as Satanic and give them unconditional hatred.    If this isn't the case - Name one single Republican governor in the country who is unpopular with Republican voters...?

Meanwhile - Progressives tend to be critical of most Dem governors due to most of them being very corporate friendly.  

So you have a system where Democratic governors get honest criticism while Republican governors could shoot someone on main street and remain popular with their base.

Missisippi has only had a Republican Governor since 2004, and the State House only flipped R in 2012. Other than that, you'll be glad to know that Missisippi's economic growth in 2018 was greater than that of New York, Vermont, Hawaii, Maryland, DC, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts (since you have such a great concern for the welfare of the people of the state ).

[ηєω ƒяσηтιєя]

Because Republican policies just work better.

I don't want to get partisan, but yes, this is a better answer than "muh fox news is making people conservative". Tell me folks, when was the last time they talked Ned Lamont on Fox News? What about Brad Little? If you're an Idahoan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing well and staying prosperous thanks to Republican policies, and if you're a Conneticutan, it doesn't take a genius to realize your state is doing sh**t because the taxes are too damn high. People appreciate success.

The economy of Mississippi is not success.  

The real reason is that Republican voters are tribalistic and give their Republican governor unconditional support.   They also have been trained to think of all Democrats as Satanic and give them unconditional hatred.    If this isn't the case - Name one single Republican governor in the country who is unpopular with Republican voters...?

Meanwhile - Progressives tend to be critical of most Dem governors due to most of them being very corporate friendly.  

So you have a system where Democratic governors get honest criticism while Republican governors could shoot someone on main street and remain popular with their base.

Missisippi has only had a Republican Governor since 2004, and the State House only flipped R in 2012. Other than that, you'll be glad to know that Missisippi's economic growth in 2018 was greater than that of New York, Vermont, Hawaii, Maryland, DC, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts (since you have such a great concern for the welfare of the people of the state ).

Most of those "Democrats" were CONSERVATIVES. Southern Dixiecrats don't count as real Democrats.

Also, Mississippi's economy is still poor and they rank low in every major statistical category. It's not just Mississippi either. Most of the poorest states and states with the worst economies are run by Republicans/conservatives.