9/16: Paterson’s Approval Rating at 20%

Governor David Paterson can’t catch a break from registered voters in New York State.  Only one-fifth thinks he is performing well in office while 34% say he is doing a poor job.  Paterson has had no luck climbing out of the political basement.  In Marist’s June survey, the governor garnered a 21% approval rating.  One month prior, he chalked up 19%.

The news for Governor Paterson gets even worse.  When looking at party, he is even scraping bottom with his fellow Democrats.  Just 24% of Democrats say he is doing well as governor.  12% of Republicans and 22% of non-enrolled voters agree.

Table: Paterson Approval Rating

Money Matters to NYS Voters…Two-Thirds Disapprove of Handling of Economic Crisis

If Governor Paterson has a redeeming quality with New York State voters, his fiscal prowess is not it. 66% say they disapprove of how Paterson is handling the economic crisis while just three in ten approve of his management.  In June, 61% disapproved of his tactics while 31% approved.

The governor doesn’t fare much better on the budget.  Currently, 68% disapprove of how he is handling the state’s budget, and 27% approve.  Paterson has lost support on this issue.  When Marist asked this question in March, 59% disapproved of his budgetary skills while 30% reported they approved.

Table: Paterson Handling Economic Crisis
Table: Paterson Handling Budget

“New Direction Needed,” Say New York Voters

The New York State electorate is not optimistic about the direction of the Empire State.  74% think the state is moving in the wrong direction while just 22% believe it is headed along the right path.  Little has changed since Marist’s June survey when nearly identical proportions shared these views.

Table: NYS Direction

Marist Poll Methodology

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9/16: Voters Say, “No Go,” for Paterson in 2010

9/16: Cuomo’s Approval Rating on Solid Ground

9/16: DiNapoli Approval Rating at 35%…Still Needs to Make Inroads

Complete Sept. 16, 2009 NYS Poll Release and Tables

The Marist Poll’s Lee Miringoff discusses how the next gubernatorial race could be shaping up:

9/16: Voters Say, “No Go,” for Paterson in 2010

In the eyes of 70% of registered voters in New York State, Governor David Paterson is not a viable candidate for governor in 2010.  That’s the proportion of the electorate who says Paterson should not run next year.  The news gets even worse for the governor.  The sentiment resonates across party lines with 65% of Democrats, his own party, saying he should not throw his hat into the ring.  80% of Republicans and 64% of non-enrolled voters agree.

So, who, then, do New York voters think should run for governor? 67% report that New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo should run.  This includes 53% of Republican voters and 66% of non-enrolled voters who would like to see Cuomo seek the office.  Even 77% of Democrats agree.

Looking at possible Republican candidates, 58% of voters statewide want former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to make a bid for governor.  However, here, there is a large partisan divide with 81% of Republicans supporting a Giuliani run and 43% of Democrats doing the same.  59% of non-enrolled voters align with the Republicans on this question.   Interestingly, voters in New York City divide about whether Giuliani should announce his candidacy.  49% say, “Yes,” while 48% say, “No.”  About six in ten voters in both the suburbs and Upstate would like to see him run.

And, while former U.S. Representative Rick Lazio is expected to make a formal statement announcing his candidacy soon, voters are sending out a different message.  55% think Lazio should not run for governor.  In fact, members of his own Republican party are divided with 43% saying he should go for it and 43% reporting he should not.  More than six in ten Democrats and a majority of non-enrolled voters believe Lazio should stay out of the race.

Table: Should Paterson Run for Governor in 2010?
Table: Should Cuomo Run for Governor in 2010?
Table: Should Giuliani Run for Governor in 2010?
Table: Should Lazio Run for Governor in 2010?

Giuliani Opens the Gap on Paterson…Lazio and Paterson Close

How does Governor Paterson stack up against the potential competition for next year’s general election for governor?  In a hypothetical pairing against Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani has widened his lead over Paterson.  The Republican nets 60% of the electorate to Paterson’s 34%.  6% are unsure.  When Marist last asked this question in June, Paterson received 37% of the vote to Giuliani’s 54%.

Little has changed, however, when the governor is pitted against Rick Lazio, and there is no consensus among voters.  43% report they would support Paterson, and the same proportion — 43% — say they would back Lazio.  Earlier this summer, Mr. Paterson garnered 41% while Mr. Lazio received 40%.

Table:  Paterson/Giuliani 2010 Matchup
Table: Paterson/Lazio 2010 Matchup

Cuomo Continues to Trounce Potential Republican Opponents

Saying Andrew Cuomo has a healthy shot at becoming the next governor of New York State is an understatement.  If he receives the Democratic nomination, 71% of the electorate would vote for him when up against Republican Rick Lazio.  Just 21% report they would back Lazio.  Cuomo has been on solid ground when pitted against Lazio who doesn’t even receive a majority within his own party.  Republicans divide with 46% backing Cuomo and 45% supporting Lazio.  In Marist’s June survey, Cuomo received 68% of the overall electorate to Lazio’s 22%.

The race is tighter for Democrat Cuomo when up against Rudy Giuliani.  However, Cuomo still maintains a lead.  In fact, he garners a majority of the electorate – 53% — to Giuliani’s 43%.  Both candidates received similar proportions of the vote in June.

Table: Cuomo/Lazio
Table: Cuomo/Giuliani

Cuomo Maintains Support in 2010 Democratic Primary

If next year’s New York State Democratic Primary for governor were held today, Governor David Paterson would not be the Democrats’ candidate.  Andrew Cuomo remains his party’s pick with 70% of New York Democrats saying they would back him.  Paterson only receives 23% of the vote.  Cuomo has retained a commanding lead against the governor.  In June, both men received similar proportions.

Table: 2010 Democratic Primary –- Paterson/Cuomo

Republicans Rally for Rudy

83% of Republicans in New York State say if the 2010 Republican Primary for governor were held today, they would cast their ballot for Rudy Giuliani.  Rick Lazio receives a slim proportion of Republicans’ support –- 13%.  Giuliani has widened his lead against his potential challenger.  When Marist last asked this question in June, he received 77% of New York’s GOP vote to Lazio’s 16%.

Table: 2010 Republican Primary

Marist Poll Methodology

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9/16: Paterson Approval Rating at 20%

9/16: Cuomo’s Approval Rating on Solid Ground

9/16: DiNapoli Approval Rating at 35%…Still Needs to Make Inroads

Complete Sept. 16,2009 NYS Poll Release and Tables

9/16: Cuomo’s Approval Rating on Solid Ground

The New York State electorate is enamored with State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

69% of registered voters think he is doing either an excellent or good job in office, and just 5% believe he is performing poorly. Cuomo’s approval rating has been rock solid.  In Marist’s June and May surveys, Cuomo netted 67% and 70%, respectively.

Table: Cuomo Approval Rating

Marist Poll Methodology

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9/16: Paterson Approval Rating at 20%

9/16: Voters Say, “No Go,” for Paterson in 2010

9/16: DiNapoli Approval Rating at 35%…Still Needs to Make Inroads

Complete Sept. 16,2009 NYS Poll Release and Tables

9/16: DiNapoli Approval Rating at 35%…Still Needs to Make Inroads

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s approval rating is consistent.

35% of New York State registered voters currently say DiNapoli is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  In Marist’s June survey, the comptroller received similar marks with 32% approving of his performance.

DiNapoli needs to do more to sway those who are unfamiliar with him.  26% of voters say they do not know how to rate him.  Earlier this summer, that proportion was 28%.

Table: DiNapoli Approval Rating

Marist Poll Methodology

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9/16: Paterson Approval Rating at 20%

9/16: Voters Say, “No Go,” for Paterson in 2010

9/16: Cuomo’s Approval Rating on Solid Ground

Complete Sept. 16,2009 NYS Poll Release and Tables

9/15: Outrage Over NYS Senate Battle Lingers…Assembly Not Immune

After a summer of political bickering that crippled the New York State Senate, has public outrage over the debacle died down?  According to the state’s electorate, “No, it has not.”

70% of New York State registered voters say they are angry about the situation in the Senate while 26% report they are not.  These proportions are virtually unchanged from when Marist last asked this question in June.  As in that survey, outrage transcends party lines.  72% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans, and 67% of non-enrolled voters admit to feeling this way.  These attitudes remain little changed since Marist’s previous poll.

And, this translates into a poor job approval rating for the Senate.  A majority — 54% — of registered voters across the state report that the Senate is performing poorly.  Just 14% think the legislative body is doing either an excellent or good job, and three in ten think they are performing only fairly well.

How do the senators stand along party lines?  They’re viewed as mediocre at best.  14% of Democrats and 10% of Republicans rate the State Senate as doing either an excellent or good job in office.  As for non-enrolled voters, 19% think well of the State Senate today.

Although members of the New York State Assembly stayed out of June’s political fray, they have felt the backlash from the public.  49% of the electorate report that the Assembly is performing poorly compared with 51% who said the same earlier this summer.  15% think the body is doing an above average job, and one-third say they are performing fairly well.  This chamber received similar marks in June.

Table: Angry About NY State Senate Situation
Table: NY State Senate Job Approval Rating
Table: NY State Assembly Job Approval Rating

More Than Two-Thirds Want Reform in Albany, BUT…

68% of registered voters statewide think the way things are done in state government in Albany needs major changes.  21% report daily political operations require minor changes, 10% think they are broken and beyond repair, and only 1% of voters say they do not need to be changed.  More than seven in ten Democrats and Republicans — 71% and 70%, respectively — think Albany needs a major, political overhaul.  60% of non-enrolled voters agree.

However, when it comes to whether a constitutional convention should be held to propose changes to New York State’s government, a plurality does not want one.  48% oppose such a gathering while 42% support it.  More Republicans than Democrats disagree with this suggestion.  56% of members of the New York GOP and 44% of Democrats think this is a bad idea.  In fact, Democrats divide with 45% supporting the proposal.  Non-enrolled voters also divide on this issue with 46% against it and 44% for it.

Table: Status of State Government in Albany
Table: Constitutional Convention in NYS?

Marist Poll Methodology

9/14: Obama’s Approval Rating Dips in NYS

Although a majority of registered voters in New York State — 57% — report that President Barack Obama is doing either an excellent or good job in office, the president’s support has slipped.  In Marist’s July survey, 63% gave President Obama above average marks.  A similar proportion – 64% – shared this view in May.  As for those who don’t approve of Mr. Obama’s job performance, 43% of New York State voters currently say he is falling short.

The president’s current approval rating divides along party lines with 79% of Democrats, 29% of Republicans, and 53% of non-enrolled voters nodding their heads in agreement with Mr. Obama.  Those proportions are down from July when Mr. Obama enjoyed kudos from 83% of Democrats, 37% of Republicans, and 60% of non-enrolled voters.

Table: Obama Approval Rating

High Marks for Handling of Economy…Less Favorable on Health Care

The White House is making a huge push to gain support for its health care plan, but is it effective?  52% of New York registered voters approve of how President Obama is handling the issue while 43% disapprove.  There is a clear partisan divide here.  72% of Democrats back President Obama’s health care initiatives while 74% of Republicans do not.  Opinion also fractures across the state with more voters within the five boroughs — 67% — approving of Mr. Obama’s management of health care.  Suburban voters and those Upstate fall below a majority with 47% and 45%, respectively.  In fact, 51% of the electorate Upstate disapproves of his approach.

On the economy, six in ten voters statewide say they approve of how President Obama is dealing with the economy while 38% do not.  Again, there is disagreement between the parties.  81% of Democrats and 30% of Republicans say the president’s approach toward the economy is on the mark.  A majority of non-enrolled voters fall in line with Democrats.  58% report Mr. Obama’s tactics are satisfactory.

Table: Obama’s Handling of Health Care
Table: Obama’s Handling of the Economy

Marist Poll Methodology

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9/14: “NYS in a Recession,” Say Most New Yorkers…But, Optimism About Economy Grows

9/14: “NYS in a Recession,” Say Most New Yorkers…But, Optimism About Economy Grows

A whopping 90% of New York State voters say, “Yes, New York is in a recession.”  In fact, just 9% believe this is not the case.  Even with this dismal economic outlook, some voters are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Voters in the Empire State are more optimistic about New York State’s economy.  A majority – 52% — report it is staying the same, 29% believe it is getting worse, and 19% say it’s getting better.  This is an improvement since Marist last asked this question.  In July, voters were divided with 46% reporting the state’s economy was status quo, 46% saying it was declining, and 8% touting it was on the upswing.

Members of the electorate within New York City and Upstate are more upbeat about the state’s economy.  Currently, 23% in the five boroughs and 17% Upstate think the economy is improving.  This is in contrast with the 8% and 6%, respectively, who reported the same in Marist’s July survey.

When it comes to family finances, voters are also not ready to give up all hope.  55% statewide report that their family’s money matters will remain the same during the upcoming year.  That’s the same proportion who thought this earlier this summer.  In contrast, more voters today say they believe they will actually be able to loosen their belts during that time period.  27% currently report their personal family finances will improve.  That’s a jump of seven percentage points from when Marist last asked this question.  There are those, however, who do fear the worst, but that proportion has declined.  18% think they will have to pinch even more pennies over the next 12 months compared with 25% who said the same in July.

And, while nearly seven in ten voters statewide think the economic crisis will last more than a year, that’s a more optimistic figure than Marist measured in July.  At that time, three quarters of the electorate held that view.  Instead, more voters now – 28% — say today’s uncertain economic times will endure between 6 months and a year.  That number was 21% earlier this summer.

However, there is not a consensus across the state.  More voters in the suburbs than in any other part of the state think the economic crisis will last longer than a year.  74% in this region believe this to be true compared with 69% Upstate and 66% in New York City.

Table: NYS in a Recession?
Table: New York State Economy
Table: Family Finances in Coming Year
Table: How Long Will Economic Crisis Last?

Yet, Unemployment Remains Problematic

The unfortunate reality is 80% of New York State’s voters know someone who has lost his or her job over the past 6 months.  Earlier this summer, 77% reported that they personally knew someone who was affected by the unemployment crisis.

Table: Personally Know Someone Who Lost a Job

Marist Poll Methodology

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9/14: Obama’s Approval Rating Dips in NYS

Three Decades of Teaching and Polling

9/9: School Days: A Parental Breakout?

For many schools, including the New York City public schools, today marks the first day of classes.  As I drove into work this morning, I heard a newscaster refer to today as, “Parents Liberation Day.”  This sentiment is echoed on ads pimping school supplies across TV airwaves.  Granted, summer can be a challenge for parents.  Finding activities to keep their little ones (and big ones) busy can be difficult.  Full disclosure — I am not a parent.  However, is this the kind of message that we want to send to our kids?  That parents want, and perhaps, need to be “liberated” from their children?  Since when did parenting become a part-time job?  It also begs that long suffering issue of schools as babysitters.  Perhaps, it’s time for a reality check.

Related Links:

Gallup Economic Weekly: Spending Hits 2009 High

Parents Poll: How Does “Back to School” Impact You

9/3: There’s No Place Like Home…Vacations Dubbed “Disasters”

Summer is winding down, and for those lucky enough to have travelled this season, that means carrying memories of tropical, exotic, and/or relaxing destinations.

But, are those memories always good ones? Not for one-fifth of Americans.  That’s the proportion of residents nationwide who say they have been on a disaster vacation at some point in their lives.  Most — 80% — however, report they have not experienced a “disaster” trip.

What caused those miserable memories?  23% blame the weather, and the same proportion cites the people with whom they went.  With 15%, illness is named as the number three reason. And, rounding out the top five are accommodations with 10% and transportation with 9%.  Destination, crime, and food follow with 7%, 6%, and 1%, respectively.

Table: Had Disaster Vacation/Reason

Marist Poll Methodology

Related Stories:

9/3: Vacation from Hell

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