Franklin & Marshall Poll: Pennsylvanians weigh in on Biden, election review, abortion, masks

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

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Airdate: Thursday, October 28, 2021

Thursday’s Smart Talk analyzes results of the October 2021 Franklin and Marshall College Poll.

President Joe Biden’s approval ratings have been going down nationally in the last few months after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, price inflation and infrastructure and budget plans that are stalled in Congress. The F&M poll provides data on how Pennsylvania voters view the president.

One of the most contentious issues this fall as students returned to school was whether they should be wearing masks to stop the spread of COVID-19 and whether they should be required to wear masks. It’s a question Pennsylvania weighed in on in the poll.

Texas recently enacted a law restricting abortions after a heartbeat is detected which usually is at about four weeks of pregnancy. Critics point out that’s before many women know they’re pregnant. What do voters think about a similar law in Pennsylvania?

The poll also explores voters’ thoughts on the legislature’s plans to conduct an investigation and review into the 2020 election.

Berwood Yost, Director of the Center for Opinion Research, Franklin and Marshall College appears on Smart Talk to share and analyze results of the F&M Poll.