Change Is In the Air…Is It Time for a New Mayor?

55% of registered voters think it’s time for someone new to lead New York City while 40% say Mayor Michael  Bloomberg deserves to be re-elected. Voters reported similar sentiments four years ago when Bloomberg ran for and won re-election. When the Marist Poll asked the identical question in March 2005, a majority of voters — 56% — reported it was time for Bloomberg to go. Just 39% said Bloomberg deserved to be re-elected at that time.

• Bloomberg Re-election Table

But … Bloomberg Retains Commanding Lead Over Democratic Rivals

Just what are the odds Mayor Bloomberg will win a third term? The answer: Pretty good if New York City’s mayoral election were held today. When pitted against Congressman Anthony Weiner, City Comptroller Bill Thompson, or City Council Member Tony Avella, Bloomberg leads Weiner 53% to 37%, outpaces Thompson 53% to 36% and defeats Avella 57% to 30%. Bloomberg’s lead has changed little since Marist’s November survey. At that time, Bloomberg was in front of Weiner 51% to 37%, he led Thompson 52% to 32%, and the mayor fended off Avella 54% to 28%.

• Bloomberg/Weiner 2009 Matchup Table
• Bloomberg/Thompson 2009 Matchup Table
• Bloomberg/Avella 2009 Matchup Table

Is There a Better Man? Democratic Opponents Vie for Party’s Support

Although a notable proportion of registered Democrats in New York City — 23% — do not know who the party’s most formidable opponent is to square off against Mayor Bloomberg, Congressman Anthony Weiner emerges as the frontrunner. Weiner garners the backing of 38% of New York City Democrats. Comptroller Bill Thompson is behind Weiner with 30% of voters’ support while just 9% of Democrats report they would back City Council Member Tony Avella.

2009 Democratic Primary Matchups Table

Voters Like Limits…On Terms, Anyway

A plurality of New York City voters — 46% — believe the term limit extension approved by Mayor Bloomberg is bad for the city. This compares with 25% of the electorate that thinks it’s a good thing. Attitudes toward the action have remained fairly consistent. Back in November, 30% of voters believed that allowing elected officials to seek a third term would benefit the five boroughs. 43%, on the other hand, reported the decision would prove a detriment to New York City.

Term Limits Approval Table

Deal Breaker?

Mayor Bloomberg fought hard last fall to extend term limits, but did it create a political liability? Although 44% of registered voters in New York City say Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to extend term limits will not influence their vote, the same proportion — 44% — reports they are less likely to support Bloomberg because of his decision. Just 12% believe Bloomberg’s push for a third term will make them more likely to cast their ballot for him.

Term Limits and Bloomberg Table

Voters Indifferent to Bloomberg’s Billions

When it comes to the amount of money Mayor Bloomberg plans to spend on his re-election campaign, voters just don’t care. 65% say the private funds Bloomberg intends to spend makes no difference to them. 35% report it matters to them, including 12% who say it will make them more likely to vote for Bloomberg and 23% who believe it will make them less likely to vote for him.

Bloomberg Campaign Finance Table

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Marist Poll Methodology

Bloomberg Approval Rating Drops 7 Points

Although a majority of registered voters in New York City — 52% — say Mayor Michael Bloomberg is doing either an excellent or good job in office, the mayor’s job approval rating has dipped 7 percentage points to its lowest point since June 2005. Bloomberg has been losing ground in voters’ eyes since early last fall. In Marist’s November survey, 59% of the city’s electorate thought the mayor was doing an above average job, a 9 percentage point drop from the previous month. In October, Mayor Bloomberg enjoyed a cushy 68% approval rating.

Bloomberg Approval Rating Table

What a Difference a Term Makes

Compared with this time four years ago, voters have a better outlook toward Mayor Michael Bloomberg. 80% of New York City’s electorate believes Bloomberg is working hard as mayor, 68% say the mayor understands the problems facing New York City, and 67% perceive Bloomberg as being a good leader. Bloomberg doesn’t fare as well when thought of as a man of the people. 47% of voters say the mayor cares about the average Joe or Jane while half of the electorate thinks Bloomberg doesn’t connect well with people. All in all, though, Bloomberg is viewed better than he was in 2005. When Marist surveyed New York City voters on these characteristics four years ago, 70% saw the mayor as a hard worker, 56% thought he understood the problems of the city, and 50% viewed Bloomberg as a good leader. Just 36% thought of him as someone who cares about people like them.

Bloomberg Is Working Hard As Mayor Table
Bloomberg Understands the Problems Facing New York City Table
Bloomberg Is a Good Leader for New York Table
Bloomberg Cares About People Like You Table
Voters Divide Over Bloomberg’s Handling of the Economic Crisis

With the economy in the fore of many voters’ minds, the electorate splits in terms of how they view Mayor Bloomberg’s handling of the economic crisis. 46% disapprove of Bloomberg’s approach while 43% approve. Looking at other top issues facing the city, there has been little change in how voters view Bloomberg. The mayor receives high marks when it comes to security against terror attacks and crime. 73% and 71% of voters, respectively, approve of how Bloomberg performs on these issues. Voters aren’t as happy, however, with Bloomberg’s actions in other areas of city government. Half of voters approve of the way he is handling economic development, and 46% say his actions toward the city budget are on the mark. Looking at taxes, just 41% of registered voters approve of Bloomberg’s actions. He receives an identical score on public transportation. The mayor also receives subpar marks on public schools and unemployment. His approval ratings in these areas are 40% and 36%, respectively. Compared to Marist’s March 2005 poll, voters have similar views on how the mayor is handling these areas. However, Bloomberg receives points for his budgetary acumen. More voters today approve of the way he is handling the city’s budget today than they did in 2005.

Bloomberg on Security Against Terror Attack Table
Bloomberg on Crime Table
Bloomberg on Economic Development Table
Bloomberg on the City’s Budget Table
Bloomberg on the Economic Crisis Table
Bloomberg on Taxes Table
Bloomberg on Public Transportation Table
Bloomberg on the Public Schools Table
Bloomberg on Unemployment Table

Middle Man…49% of Voters View Bloomberg as a Moderate

When it comes to the mayor’s political ideology, 49% of New York City voters see Mayor Bloomberg as a moderate. Another 25% view him as a conservative while 26% consider him a liberal. Marist asked New York City voters this same question four years ago. At that time, half of the electorate called Bloomberg a moderate, 32% said he was a conservative, and 18% reported they viewed him as a liberal.

Bloomberg Ideology Table

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Marist Poll Methodology

What’s in a Name?

Is it time to pull out the T.A.R.P. on Citi Field? The government has issued Citigroup $45 billion in federal bailout funds from the Troubled Assets Relief Program. So, should Citigroup still be allowed to spend $400 million for the naming rights of the Mets new baseball stadium? Voters overwhelmingly say, “No way!” 82% of registered voters in the Big Apple oppose the corporate sponsorship while just 13% say Citigroup should proceed as planned. 5% are unsure.

Citi Field Table

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Marist Poll Methodology

Budget Battle

The global economic crisis has hit New York City hard, especially on the city’s bottom line. But what should be done about it? When asked to choose, more registered voters — 48% — say they would prefer Mayor Bloomberg raise taxes in order to balance the city’s budget rather than cut government programs and services. 41% support the latter option. However, when it comes to increasing the city’s sales tax, a majority of New York City voters — 53% — opposes Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal while just 44% approve of the measure. What about the mayor’s idea to once again require a sales tax on clothing? Nearly six in ten voters — 57% — disapprove compared with 40% who support the mayor’s plan.

Balance Budget Table
Raise Sales Tax Table
Clothing Sales Tax Table

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Marist Poll Methodology

Going Retro…Mark Green Frontrunner for NYC’s Public Advocate

A blast from New York City’s political past has emerged as the frontrunner on the Democratic side of the race for Public Advocate. 35% of New York City Democrats say, if the Democratic primary for New York City’s Public Advocate were held today, they would vote for the former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green. Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, IV receives 15% of Democrats’ support with Civil Rights Lawyer Norman Siegel attracting 14% of the party’s electorate. City Councilmen John Liu and Bill de Blasio each receive 6% while Councilman Eric Gioia takes just 2%. 22%, however, are unsure about who they would back.

Public Advocate Tossup Table

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Marist Poll Methodology

“Turn It Around” Say NYC Voters

49% of New York City’s electorate believes the Big Apple is headed in the wrong direction. Only 37% think the city is on the right track. In November, voters divided over the city’s trajectory. At that time, 45% of voters said the city was headed in the right direction, and 47% thought it was moving down the wrong track.

NYC Direction Table

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Marist Poll Methodology