The Hiller Instinct: Suffolk Poll: Mass. race potpourri

You've heard of a potpourri, which is a mixture. Well, think of this as a poll-pourri, with the first ingredients Mitt Romney and the race for president.

Nothing is easy for Mitt Romney right now, and Massachusetts is no exception.

In our exclusive 7News Suffolk University poll, more state voters see him unfavorably--47%-- than favorably--41%.

Concerning Romney's role in health care reform in Massachusetts, 62% of voters think it will hurt his presidential campaign; just 19% think it will help.

And, no matter whom they're supporting, 59% believe Barack Obama will be re-elected, while only 25% expect Romney will win in November.

"The last time a Republican won in Massachusetts was over 30 years ago, with Ronald Reagan, it's not going to happen this time," Suffolk University pollster David Paleologos said.

From the White House to the State House: with Governor Patrick saying he won't run for re-election, whom will the Democrats pick to replace him?

The number one choice in our poll is Attorney General Martha Coakley, with 43%...far ahead of Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, at 11%. No one else is in double digits.

Murray's chances have been influenced by his recent car wreck, which he's still not explained to everyone's satisfaction.

32% say it will make them less likely to vote for him, but 62% say it makes no difference:

"The bad news is, one event, and you lose a third of the voters just like that," Paleologos said.

Finally, an indication of just how split state voters are: asked which is more important--maintaining state services or cutting spending...48% say cut spending, 47% maintain services.

Generally, Democrats support services and Republicans want spending cuts. The nearly equal split in this poll suggests there's more than a drop of red in blue Massachusetts.

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