A survey of 600 Michigan voters show 36 percent of voters are "definitely committed" to voting to re-elect Gov. Rick SNYDER this November while 25 percent will "definitely vote to replace him" and 20 percent are "looking for someone else." 

Another 19 percent said in the automated survey conducted Feb. 18-20 by Target Insyght that they are uncertain about what they want to do. 

The MIRS-commissioned poll of 35.6 percent Republicans, 39.3 percent Democrats and 25.1 percent independents also found that 43.1 percent feel Snyder is the problem solver he claimed to be when he ran for election four years ago "completely" or "most of the time." 

Another 30.9 percent felt Snyder's problem-solver moniker was "sometimes accurate," 21.1 percent responded that the description was "almost never accurate." 

MIRS also found that 41.7 percent of voters feel like Snyder fits his "non-politician" claims "always" or "most of the time." Another 26.3 percent say Snyder "sometimes" fits the description and 21.9 percent said he never does. 

The numbers tell pollster Ed SARPOLUS of Target Insyght that the incumbent's support is "soft" in that 73 percent of Republicans are "definitely committed" to him and that without unified Republican support he can't depend on the independents to carry him through. 

In the head-to-head question, Snyder leads Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark SCHAUER 46.8 to 38 percent, which Sarpolus found striking since the incumbent still isn't cresting over 50 percent in any poll. Last week's EPIC-MRA poll had Snyder up 47 to 39 percent (See "Snyder, Land Still Up; $10 Minimum Wage At 60%," 2/13/14). 

"With the right candidate, Snyder is beatable," Sarpolus said. "You take out partisanship, he can't depend on the independents to carry him through." 

Schauer spokesperson Zack POHL said considering how the middle class and seniors have "taken it on the chin" from Snyder it's no surprise that only 36 percent are definitely supporting him on Election Day. 

"After spending more than $1.25 million on TV, he still can't get above 50 percent in any poll," Pohl said. "If the Governor thinks that makes him the 'comeback kid,' he's in for a rude awakening on Election Day." 

The good news for Snyder is that 51 percent of independents give him a positive job rating along with 82 percent of Republicans, Sarpolus said. His overall job rating of 49 percent is essentially identical to the number of voters voting for him over Mark Schauer. 

Snyder can also see good news that his favorable number is at 53.4 percent (43.1 percent unfavorable) while Schauer's unfavorable number is at 28.4 percent (36.6 percent) despite having no negative TV thrown at him. 

The poll comes after the Democratic Governors Association has run $1.5 million in TV advertising against Snyder. 

"Since Gov. Snyder took office, more than 220,000 private sector jobs have been created, education funding has gone up every year and the state's $1.5 billion deficit is gone," said Snyder campaign manager Kyle ROBERTSON. "Michigan is coming back and we look forward to sharing this message in the coming months." 

Snyder still leads among independents (47%-15%), white voters (52%-36%), males (49%-37%), women (45%-39%) and all age groups, but one. 

Schauer leads Snyder among 50-to 60-year-olds 54 to 40 percent. Among this age group, 37 percent said they want to replace Snyder and 54 percent gave him a negative job rating. This is the age group most directly impacted by his push to make pension income subject to the state's income tax. 

Sarpolus said Schauer must build more name recognition and improve his favorable ratings. Even after the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) ads, "35 percent still don't have a clue about Mark Schauer" and only 37 percent give him a favorable rating when asked how they feel about him," he said. 

On the questions of whether Snyder is a non-politician or a problem solver, the Governor was unable to crack 50 percent with those who think he meets those descriptions most or all of time. The lone exception is Republicans, 25 percent of whom said Snyder was a problem solver all of the time and 48 percent said "most of the time" for a combined 73 percent. 

Snyder Up Big In 1st, 7th Districts

Snyder may not be cresting over 50 percent statewide, but in the competitive 1st and 7th Congressional district, the Governor is leading Schauer 53 to 28 percent with his re-elect number being at 44 percent, eight points higher than his statewide average of 36 percent. 

In the combined Democratic congressional districts (5th, 9th, 12th, 13th and 14th), Schauer leads Snyder 45 to 39 percent. In the strong Republican Congressional Districts (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 11th), Snyder is up 50 to 37 percent. 

Legislature Getting 26% Support 
Twenty-six percent of voters indicated they feel the legislature is doing a good job with 51 percent of Republicans feeling positive about the job the body was doing. 

The Governor has nearly double the positive job rating compared to the Legislature with his 49 percent positive rating.