BANGOR (AP) – A survey asking about Gov. John Baldacci’s re-election prospects shows support by 38 percent of those polled.

Critical Insights’ survey, which was conducted by phone earlier this month, says 46 percent approve of the Democratic governor’s performance, while 45 percent disapprove.

Statewide, 38 percent said the governor should be re-elected, while 45 percent said he should not be given a second term in the Blaine House when voters go to the polls in November 2006.

MaryEllen FitzGerald, chief executive of Critical Insights, said Baldacci’s popularity “received no bounce” from the better-than-expected decision by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to preserve operations at two defense sites in the state that had been targeted for closing.

Seventy-seven percent of those polled said Baldacci’s efforts to save defense jobs did not influence their opinion of the governor. Twelve percent said their opinion of Baldacci improved because of his handling of the BRAC issue, while 9 percent said their opinions worsened.

The Portland polling firm contacted 601 Mainers between Oct. 21 and 29. FitzGerald said the survey has an error margin of 3.4 percentage points.

A Baldacci aide, Lee Umphrey, said the governor has assumed difficult tasks in his first three years on the job and said the survey’s methodology could be called into question. He also emphasized the 46 percent job approval figure for the administration, and suggested that the numbers may reflect people’s concerns over larger national issues such as energy prices.

Earlier this week, polls by Critical Insights and Strategic Marketing Services showed a majority in opposition to a referendum proposal on next Tuesday’s ballot to repeal a gay rights law passed by the Legislature last spring.

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