11/22: Optimism Grows About Future of the Economy, But Many Still View U.S. as in Recession

Although a majority of adults nationally say, when thinking about the future of the U.S. economy, the worst is still ahead, there has been a decrease in the proportion of residents who have this view.  53% of Americans believe there is more bad economic news ahead while 41% report the worst is behind us.  Five percent are unsure.

Click Here for Complete November 22, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

In McClatchy-Marist’s September survey, more than six in ten U.S. residents — 61% — thought the worst of the nation’s economic conditions were ahead while 35% said the worst was over.  Three percent, at the time, were unsure.

Similar proportions of registered voters share these views.  A majority of voters — 53% — report the worst is ahead, 41% say it is over, and 6% are unsure.  Regardless of party, there has been a slight increase in optimism about the future of the U.S. economy.

However, 73% of residents believe the country is in a recession while 25% say it is not.  Three percent are unsure.

Little has changed on this question since September.  At that time, 75% thought the economy was in a recession, 22% said it was not, and 3% were unsure.

When it comes to family finances, overall, 59% think their financial picture will remain about the same in the coming year.  More than one in five — 22% — believe their finances will get better, and 19% report they will get worse.

In Marist’s October survey, 55% thought their personal money matters would stay about the same, 28% said they would improve, and 17% reported they would get worse.

Table: U.S. Economy — Will It Get Worse?

Table: U.S. Economy — Will It Get Worse? (Over Time)

Table: U.S. in a Recession

Table: U.S. in a Recession Over Time

Table: Your Personal Family Finances – Better, Worse, or the Same?

Table: Your Personal Family Finances – Better, Worse, or the Same? (Over Time)

Obama Avoids Blame for Economy…Half See Good in Obama Jobs Plan

Politically speaking, many registered voters nationally do not blame President Barack Obama for the nation’s current economic conditions.  In fact, six in ten voters — 60% — believe the president inherited the country’s financial situation.  32%, however, think the nation’s economy is a result of the president’s own policies, and 8% are unsure.

Little has changed on this question.  In September, 60% reported Mr. Obama was handed the country’s economic conditions while 34% believed the president’s policies caused them.  Six percent, at the time, were unsure.

When it comes to the president’s jobs plan, half of adults nationally — 50% — think his proposal will do more good than harm.  40%, however, think the plan will have the opposite impact, and 2% say it will make no difference.  Nine percent are unsure.

A couple of months ago, 51% thought there was more good than harm in the president’s plan while 38% said it was more harmful than helpful.  Only 1% reported it would have no impact on the jobs picture, and 11%, at the time, were unsure.

Who do Americans trust more to create jobs?  Residents divide.  46% have more faith in President Obama while 42% trust the Republicans in Congress to create more jobs.  12% are unsure.

Similar proportions had these views in September.  At that time, 45% put more trust in President Obama to create jobs while 41% had more confidence in Congressional Republicans.  14%, then, were unsure.

Table: Current Economic Conditions Inherited

Table: Current Economic Conditions Inherited Over Time

Table: Impact of President Obama’s Proposal to Create Jobs

Table: Who Do You Trust More to Create Jobs, President Obama or the Republicans in Congress?

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

11/22: More than Four in Ten Plan to Spend Less This Holiday Season

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, do Americans plan to spend more money this holiday season?  Half of adults who spend money on holiday shopping — 50% — say they will shell out the same amount they did last year, but more than four in ten — 42% — think they will spend less money, and only 7% expect to spend more.

Click Here for Complete November 22, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

Last year, similar proportions of adults who spend money on holiday shopping had these views.  At that time, 51% thought they would spend the same amount as they had the previous holiday season.  Four in ten — 40% — said they would spend less, and 9% reported they would pay more.

Table: Holiday Spending Habits

Table: Holiday Spending Habits (Over Time)

Marist Poll Methodology

Buzz:60′s video about the Marist Poll on holiday spending:

11/21: McClatchy-Marist Poll

What are Americans’ views about the future of the economy?  Are they optimistic about their personal finances? And, what do they think about President Barack Obama’s jobs plan?  Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

11/18: Voters Pessimistic About Super Committee Deal

With the deadline nearing for Congressional Republicans and Democrats on the Super Committee to reach an agreement on how to reduce the federal budget deficit, most voters nationally are not confident that a deal will be reached.

Click Here for Complete Friday, November 18, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

According to this national McClatchy-Marist Poll, 85% of registered voters are not very confident or not confident at all that an agreement will be reached.  13% express some degree of confidence, and 2% are unsure.

“Congress may ultimately act in the eleventh hour, but the clock is ticking,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Voters have even less confidence in the Super Committee than they have in Congress as a whole.”

By party:

• Regardless of party, confidence is lacking.  88% of independent voters, 84% of Republicans, and 82% of Democratic voters are not confident an agreement will be reached.

On the specifics of the Super Committee’s proposal:

• More than eight in ten registered voters — 81% — say major cuts to Social Security and Medicare should not be included in the deficit reduction proposal while 17% report they should be, and 2% are unsure.
• 59% of registered voters do not think tax increases on businesses should be included in the plan while 35% disagree, and 6% are unsure.  Here, there are partisan differences.  Although 71% of Republican voters and 63% of independent voters don’t want these inclusions, Democrats divide.  45% of Democrats want tax increases to be part of the proposal while the same proportion — 45% — does not.
• Looking at major cuts in defense spending, a slim majority — 51% — doesn’t think these should be part of the deficit reduction proposal.  45% think they should be, and 4% are unsure.  By party, 68% of Republicans and 54% of independent voters do not want to see these cuts rolled into the plan.  More than six in ten Democrats — 62% — would like them to be included.
• However, about two-thirds of voters — 67% — want tax increases on higher-income Americans to be in the proposal while three in ten — 30% — do not.  Three percent are unsure.  By party, 83% of Democrats, 64% of independents, and 53% of Republicans believe increased taxes on higher-income Americans should be part of the proposal to reduce the deficit.

Who will voters blame if an agreement is not reached?  There is enough blame to go around.  39% will point a finger at Congressional Republicans, 27% will blame Congressional Democrats, and 23% will hold both groups accountable.  Two percent won’t blame either, and 8% are unsure.

Table: Confidence in Super Committee to Reach Deficit Reduction Agreement

Table: Deficit Reduction Agreement: Cuts to Social Security and Medicare?

Table: Deficit Reduction Agreement: Increases in Taxes on Businesses?

Table: Deficit Reduction Agreement: Major Cuts in Defense Spending?

Table: Deficit Reduction Agreement: Increases in Taxes on Higher-Income Americans?

Table: Group Responsible if Deficit Reduction Agreement is Not Reached

Tax the Wealthiest Americans, Say More than Six in Ten

Nearly half of voters — 49% — support a so-called “millionaire’s tax” for individuals earning $200,000 or more and $250,000 or more for married couples.  43% oppose it, and 8% are unsure.

However, more voters — 61% — support a similar surcharge on Americans earning more than $1 million while 33% oppose such a federal surcharge, and 6% are unsure.

By party:

• 66% of Democrats and 51% of independent voters back such a tax on those earning at least $200,000.  Republicans disagree with 64% against the proposed surcharge.

• 77% of Democrats and 62% of independent voters back a federal surcharge on income of $1 million or more while a slim majority of Republicans — 51% — oppose such a tax.

Table:  Support or Oppose “Millionaire’s Tax” on Those Earning At Least $200,000

Table:  Support or Oppose “Millionaire’s Tax” on Those Earning $1 Million

Voters’ Take on a Flat Tax

The concept of a flat tax, a system which applies one tax rate to all income levels, has been much talked about lately.  What are voters’ views about such a tax?  When it comes to the effect on the wealthy, 38% say it will lower the taxes of those in this income group.  36% believe it will raise the amount of taxes the wealthy pay while 21% think this group will pay the same amount of taxes.  Five percent are unsure.

When it comes to the middle class, a plurality of voters — 43% — say a flat tax would result in the middle class paying about the same amount of taxes as they currently do.  37% report the middle class will shell out more tax dollars while 14% think the result will be lower taxes on the middle class, and 6% are unsure.

Looking at the impact on the poor, a majority of registered voters — 52% — say a flat tax rate would mean higher taxes for this group.  One in four — 25% — report the poor will pay the same amount of taxes while 18% think a flat tax will lower the taxes of the poor.  Five percent are unsure.

Many voters do not think the poor should be exempt from paying taxes.  Six in ten — 60% — believe this group should be taxed on what they earn while 37% say the poor should be exempt from paying taxes.  Three percent are unsure.

Key points:

• Nearly half of Democratic voters — 49% — think a flat tax rate will lower taxes for the wealthy while 45% of Republicans and 40% of independent voters say it will raise taxes for this group.
• Looking at the middle class, 46% of Democrats believe a flat tax will increase taxes for this group while 46% of Republicans and 43% of independents think the middle class will pay the same amount of taxes.
• Majorities of Democrats — 57% — and independent voters — 51% — and nearly half of Republicans — 48% — think a flat tax will raise taxes on the poor.
• On the overall issue of taxing the poor, 71% of Republicans and 62% of independent voters report the poor should pay taxes on what they earn.  However, Democrats divide.  A slim majority — 51% — say the poor should be exempt from taxes while 47% think the poor should pay taxes on what they earn.

Table: Impact of Flat Tax on the Wealthy

Table: Impact of Flat Tax on the Middle Class

Table: Impact of Flat Tax on the Poor

Table: Taxing the Poor

Lowest Approval Ratings for Congressional Republicans and Democrats

There’s bad news for the Republicans and Democrats in Congress.  Only 23% of voters approve of the job the Republicans in Congress are doing in office while 70% disapprove, and 7% are unsure.  This is the lowest approval rating achieved by Congressional Republicans.

In September, 26% gave them good marks compared with 67% who disapproved and 8% who were unsure.

Key points:

• Half of Republican voters — 50% — and 54% of Tea Party supporters disapprove of the job Congressional Republicans are doing.

It’s a similar story for Congressional Democrats who have also reached an all-time low.  28% of voters approve of the job they are doing in office while 65% disapprove, and 7% are unsure.  In McClatchy-Marist’s September survey, 30% thought Congressional Democrats were doing well while 63% disapproved, and 7% were unsure.

Key points:

• 58% of Democrats approve of the job Congressional Democrats are doing in office.

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Approval Rating

Table: Congressional Republicans’ Approval Rating (Over Time)

Table: Congressional Democrats’ Approval Rating

Table: Congressional Democrats’ Approval Rating (Over Time)

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

11/17: McClatchy-Marist Poll

Do voters nationally think the Republicans and Democrats on the Congressional Super Committee will reach a deal to reduce the budget deficit?  What do voters want included in the proposal? And, who will the electorate blame if an agreement is not reached?  Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

 

WATCH: IN THE LEAD: POLLS, POLITICS, AND 2012

Join Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, as he moderates an insightful discussion about the events shaping the 2012 Presidential Election.

Bitter political divisions polarize the nation.  With an ever evolving contest for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, who will be the likely nominee?  What are President Barack Obama’s re-election chances?  What are the likely roles of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements, and what is the overall sentiment of voters toward the future of the country?

Hosted by Marist College, leading academics and journalists provide an insider’s look at the worlds of polling, political reporting, and life on the campaign trail.

Featuring the latest results from the NBC News/Marist Poll and the McClatchy-Marist Poll, panelists include:

Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho
Director, Marist Poll

Beth Fouhy
Political Reporter, Associated Press

Steve Thomma
Chief Political Correspondent, McClatchy News Service

Glenn Thrush
Senior White House Writer, Politico

Watch the Discussion:

11/16: Obama Runs Neck and Neck with Gingrich, Romney

Looking at the president’s re-election chances, nearly half of registered voters nationally — 48% — report they definitely plan to vote against Mr. Obama while 38% say they plan to support him.  14% are unsure.  Little has changed on this question since McClatchy-Marist last reported it in September.  At that time, 49% said they would not vote for the president while 36% thought they would.  15%, at the time, were unsure.

Click Here for Complete November 16, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

“All signs point to a hotly contested election next fall,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “What’s especially interesting in these numbers is that President Obama scores higher against his potential opponents than his approval rating or those who say they will definitely vote for him.”

When up against potential opponents vying for the Republican nomination, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney pose the greatest challenge to President Obama.

• Obama and Gingrich are in a virtual dead heat.  47% of registered voters nationally back the president while 45% support Gingrich.  Eight percent are undecided.

o   By party, Gingrich — 47% — has a slight advantage over President Obama — 41% — among independent voters.  Not surprisingly, most Democratic voters — 88% — favor the president while most Republicans – 84% — back Gingrich.

• When up against Mitt Romney, 48% support President Obama compared with 44% for Romney.  Eight percent are undecided.  In McClatchy-Marist’s September survey, 46% backed Obama while 44% were for Romney.  10%, then, were undecided.

o   A majority of independent voters – 55% — back Romney while 39% support Obama.  Eight in ten Republican voters — 80% — are for Romney while 85% of Democratic voters are behind Obama.

• The president has an eight percentage point lead against Ron Paul.  In this matchup, nearly half — 49% — say they plan to vote for the president while 41% believe they will cast their ballot for Paul.  One in ten — 10% — is undecided.

o   Independent voters divide.  44% support the president while 42% back Paul.  Not surprisingly, most Democrats — 89% — rally for Obama while nearly eight in ten Republicans — 78% — are for Paul.

• Against Herman Cain, President Obama has a 10 percentage point lead.  In this contest, nearly half of registered voters nationally — 49% — say Obama is their choice while 39% are for Cain.  11% are undecided.

o   While support divides along party lines, Obama has the advantage among independent voters — 48% are for Obama compared with 38% for Cain.  Among Democrats, 87% plan to vote for the president while 80% of Republican voters say they will cast their ballot for Cain.

• When head-to-head with Rick Perry, a slim majority of voters — 51% — are for Obama while 40% support Perry, an 11 percentage point lead for the president.  Nine percent are undecided.
• Obama’s advantage widens over Michele Bachmann.  In this contest, he outpaces Bachmann by 19 percentage points.  Obama receives the support of a majority — 54% — to 35% for Bachmann.  11% are undecided.

Table: Definitely Plan to Vote For or Against President Obama in 2012

Table: Definitely Plan to Vote For or Against President Obama in 2012 (Over Time)

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Gingrich

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Romney

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Romney (Over Time)

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Paul

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Cain

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Perry

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Perry (Over Time)

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Bachmann

Table: 2012 Hypothetical Presidential Tossup: Obama/Bachmann (Over Time)

Three’s a Crowd for Romney … Obama Widens Lead with Third Party Candidate

If Mitt Romney secures the GOP nomination, a third party candidate would spell trouble.  Whereas Obama and Romney run competitively when head-to-head, Obama widens his lead with an independent candidate in the race.  When Donald Trump enters the mix as an independent candidate, a plurality — 45% — support Obama, 36% back Romney, and 13% are for Trump.  Seven percent are undecided.

If Ron Paul does not receive his party’s nomination and chooses to run on an independent line, 42% are for Obama while 33% are behind Romney.  A notable 19% support Paul, and 6% are undecided.

Table: Hypothetical Three-Way 2012 General Election: Obama/Romney/Trump

Table: Hypothetical Three-Way 2012 General Election: Obama/Romney/Paul

Slight Bounce in Obama’s Approval Rating … Voters Remain Down on Handling of Economy

President Obama’s approval rating has edged up slightly.  43% of registered voters nationally currently approve of the job the president is doing in office while half — 50% — disapprove, and 7% are unsure.

When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in September, the president’s approval rating was at its all-time low of 39%.  At that time, 52% disapproved of Mr. Obama’s performance in office while 9% were unsure.

However, there has been little change on how voters view the president’s handling of the economy and foreign policy.

Nearly six in ten voters — 59% — disapprove of the way Mr. Obama is dealing with the economy while 36% approve, and 4% are unsure.  In September, 61% gave the president low marks on the economy while 33% gave him a thumbs-up.  Six percent, at the time, were unsure.

Looking at President Obama’s handling of foreign policy, voters remain divided.  49% approve while 45% disapprove, and 6% are unsure.

When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in April, 48% disapproved, and 46% approved.  Six percent, then, were unsure.

And, voters remain divided about the president’s favorability.  Nearly half — 49% — have an unfavorable impression of the president while 47% have a favorable one, and 4% are unsure.  Similar proportions of voters shared these views in September.  At that time, 48% had a negative view of the president, 46% had a positive one, and 5% were unsure.

Table: President Obama Approval Rating

Table: President Obama Approval Rating (Over Time)

Table: President Obama’s Handling of the Economy

Table: President Obama’s Handling of the Economy (Over Time)

Table: Handling Foreign Policy

Table: Handling Foreign Policy Over Time

Table: President Obama Favorability

Table: President Obama Favorability (Over Time)

Americans Remain Pessimistic about the Future of the Nation

When thinking about the direction of the country, seven in ten adults nationally — 70% — think the nation is moving on the wrong path while one in four — 25% — say it is traveling on the right one.  Four percent are unsure.

There has been little change on this question since McClatchy-Marist last reported it in September.  At that time, 73% believed the country was on the wrong track while 22% said it was on the right one.  Five percent, at the time, were unsure.

Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country

Table: Right or Wrong Direction of the Country (Over Time)

Making Political Waves in 2012? More Think Tea Party will Have Larger Impact than OWS

Which movement do voters think will have the greater influence over the outcome of the 2012 presidential election?  Half of registered voters — 50% — believe the Tea Party will have a larger impact than the Occupy Wall Street movement.  However, about one-third — 33% — say the Occupy Wall Street movement will have more influence.  Five percent say neither will affect the result, and less than 1% thinks both will have an impact.  11% are unsure.

However, there is a split decision on which movement comes closer to voters’ views.  40% say the Tea Party movement better reflects their beliefs while the same proportion — 40% — report Occupy Wall Street does.  10% think neither mirrors their views while less than 1% say both do.  Nine percent are unsure.

How many voters support these two movements?  Looking at the Tea Party, 66% of voters do not back the movement while 25% do.  Nine percent are unsure.

When it comes to the Occupy Wall Street movement, 60% do not support it while 29% do.  11% of registered voters are unsure.

By party:

• Nearly half of Republican voters — 49% — back the Tea Party movement while 27% of independent voters and just 5% of Democratic voters say the same.
• Looking at the Occupy Wall Street movement, Democratic voters divide with 43% saying they do back the movement and the same proportion — 43% — saying they do not.  30% of independent voters and 11% of Republican voters support the movement.

Table: Influence on the 2012 Presidential Election

Table: Movement that Comes Closer to Views

Table: Tea Party Supporters

Table: Support for the Occupy Wall Street Movement

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

11/15: McClatchy-Marist Poll

In the battle for the White House, Newt Gingrich is surging in the polls, but will his surge last?  Find out in the latest national McClatchy-Marist Poll.

To read the full McClatchy article, click here.

11/11: Romney Edges GOP Contenders…Gingrich and Cain Battle for Second

In this national McClatchy-Marist Poll, Newt Gingrich has joined the top tier of candidates vying for the 2012 Republican nomination for president.

Click Here for Complete November 11, 2011 USA McClatchy-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Among Republican and Republican leaning independents, here is how the contest stands:

• 23% for Mitt Romney
• 19% for Newt Gingrich
• 17% for Herman Cain
• 10% for Ron Paul
• 8% for Rick Perry
• 5% for Michele Bachmann
• 1% for Jon Huntsman
• 1% for Rick Santorum
• 17% are undecided

“The race for the GOP nomination has taken yet another dramatic turn,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Now, the top tier is crowded as Newt Gingrich has taken his place alongside Mitt Romney and Herman Cain.  Could anyone imagine a more unsettled contest?”

The race is still very fluid.  Only 30% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents are firmly committed to their choice of candidate while 42% somewhat support their pick.  A notable 28% say they might cast their ballot for someone else.

When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in September, an identical 30% said they strongly supported their candidate while nearly four in ten — 39% — were somewhat in their candidate’s corner, and 31% thought they might change their mind.

Looking at the support of the top tier candidates, 43% of Gingrich’s backers say they are firmly committed to their choice of candidate.  This compares with 31% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents who are behind Cain and 30% of Romney’s supporters who have a similar level of support for their pick.

Table: 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

Table: Intensity of Support

Shared Values, Experience Most Important Candidate Qualities

33% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents think a candidate who shares their values is key when deciding who to support while 27% believe experience is most important.   About one in four Republicans and Republican leaning independents — 23% — say a candidate who is closest to them on the issues passes their litmus test while 13% believe electability is the most important quality a candidate should have.  Four percent are unsure.

There has been little change on this question since September.  At that time, 35% said shared values topped their list while 26% thought experience mattered most.  One in five — 20% — wanted a candidate who was closest to them on the issues, and 17% thought the ability to defeat President Obama was key.  Two percent, then, were unsure.

Key points:

• 22% of those who believe shared values are key back Romney while 21% support Cain.
• Among Republicans and Republican leaning independents who think experience matters most, Gingrich receives the backing of 25% compared with 20% for Romney.
• Looking at Republicans and Republican leaning independents who favor a candidate who is closest to them on the issues, Romney receives the support of 28% while Gingrich takes 21%.
• Romney garners the support of 26% who want a candidate who can defeat President Barack Obama in next year’s general election, and Gingrich is backed by 23% of these voters.

Table: Most Important Quality in a Republican Presidential Candidate

Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations, About Seven in Ten Want Cain to Stay in Race

What impact are the accusations of sexual harassment having on Cain’s candidacy?  69% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents don’t think Cain should drop out of the race while 22% believe he should.  Nine percent are unsure.

However, Cain’s reputation hasn’t been cleared in the court of public opinion.  While 29% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents believe Cain didn’t do anything wrong, 34% think he did something unethical but not illegal.  And, 11% go as far as to say his actions were against the law.  A notable 26% are unsure.

And, although nearly half — 48% — thinks the sexual harassment accusations lobbed at Cain are mostly being made to ruin his reputation, 28% believe they are based in fact.  24% are unsure.

Table: Should Herman Cain Drop Out of the Race?

Table: Views on Herman Cain’s Actions

Table: Motivation for the Sexual Harassment Accusations against Herman Cain

McClatchy-Marist Poll Methodology

McClatchy News Service article: Poll: Romney retakes lead in GOP race, Gingrich moves to second

11/9: Test for Cuomo Could Come Down to the Economy

Just how long is Governor Cuomo’s  honeymoon going to last?  One year after being elected governor, Andrew Cuomo is receiving a strong showing from New Yorkers.  What is particularly noteworthy is that his appeal blurs traditional party and regional divisions.  He is attracting majority support for his job performance from Democrats, independents, and even Republicans.  The story is pretty much the same when it comes to New York City and suburban voters, and the upstate electorate.  This is occurring at a time when there is a strong anti-government, anti-incumbent, and anti-institutional sentiment in our politics.

Cuomo is navigating successfully against a strong current.  Three or of four voters think he is a strong leader for New York.  Nearly two-thirds of the electorate think he is fulfilling campaign promises and changing Albany for the better.  Most telling, perhaps, is at a time when the edges of our political spectrum from the Tea Party to Occupy Wall Street are the focus of the press and the pundits, Cuomo has carved out a favorable position as a political moderate and as supporter of the middle class.

The test for Cuomo, of course, will come down the road, and it is likely to occur over the state of the economy.  Nearly four out of every five voters think the state is in an economic recession.  A majority believes that when it comes to the economy, the worst is yet to come.  73% say the state is not affordable, and there has been a decline in the number who think their family finances are likely to improve in the coming year.  People are worried and expect changes.

So, Governor Cuomo is off to a good start in the realm of public opinion.  The honeymoon extends from Long Island to Niagara Falls.  But, he still faces the test of time.

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