3/15: Intelligent Life Online?

Does the Internet “dumb” Americans down?  That’s the question the Marist Poll asked in its latest national survey.  And, the answer is, “No,” for more than two-thirds.  68% of residents think the Internet makes us smarter while just 23% believe it has made us less intelligent.  9% are unsure.

Perhaps, one of the most interesting findings is there is no generation gap on this question.  69% of Americans younger than 45 report the Internet makes us more intelligent, and the same proportion of those 45 and older agree.

But, women have a slightly better perception of the so-called Information Superhighway than do men.  71% of women think the Internet makes us smarter while 66% of men agree.

Table: Internet Make Us Smarter?

Marist Poll Methdology

3/11: You’ve Got Mail … The U.S. Census

2010 U.S. Census forms are on their way.  Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the count of Americans occurs once every ten years.  And, according to the latest national Marist Poll, 88% of residents say they are, at least, likely to fill out the 2010 Census form.  This includes 64% who are very likely to do so and 24% who are likely to participate.  5% are not very likely to take part in the count, and 7% report they are not likely to do so at all.

Older Americans are more likely to oblige than their younger counterparts.  91% of those 45 or older say they plan to return their filled out forms compared with 84% of those under age 45.

Income also matters.  93% of those who earn $50,000 or more a year say they are very likely or likely to fill out their census form.  83% of those who earn less than $50,000 annually say the same.

Table: Participation in the U.S. Census

“Obligated,” “Interested,” and “Patriotic” Top Feelings Toward Census

How will Americans feel when the census form arrives in their mailboxes?  36% say they will feel obligated.  28% report they will be interested, and 20% say it gives them a sense of patriotism.  8% of residents are suspicious while excitement and confusion are each cited by 4% of the population.

While obligation, interest, and patriotism are the leading emotions for both men and women, women are more likely to feel interested than men.  Men, however, are three times more likely than women to feel suspicious when the census arrives.

Table: Feelings About Census

Marist Poll Methodology

3/9: Paterson Retains Support Among NYS Voters… Four in Ten Need to Know More

The torrent of scandal facing New York Governor David Paterson has not chipped away at his support among registered voters in the state.  68% of the electorate wants Paterson to finish out his term while 28% are calling for him to resign.  4% are unsure.

In a Marist Poll conducted just one week ago, the governor had similar support among the electorate.  At that time, 66% reported they wanted Paterson to stay in office while 28% thought Paterson should step down.  6% were unsure.

“This is not really a ringing endorsement of Governor Paterson.  Instead, the jury is still out on Paterson in the court of public opinion until further information is known,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “In the short run, voters are giving him the benefit of the doubt.”

Why do voters think the way they do about Paterson’s future?  Of those voters who think the governor should stay in office, 40% say the public doesn’t have all the facts to prove he’s guilty.  20% think his resignation would do more harm than good for the state, 14% report he’s doing a good job under the circumstances, and 13% think Paterson has a responsibility to fulfill his commitment.   An additional 13% believe he should stay in office because there isn’t that much time left to his term.

Click Here for Complete March 9, 2010 NYS Poll Release and Tables

As for those voters who think Paterson should resign, 30% say it is because he can no longer do his job with these controversies.  25% report the scandals are a distraction from the important issues facing New York, 24% think Paterson is guilty of wrongdoing, and 13% think he hasn’t been honest about what has happened.  Just 8% believe he has hurt the image of the state.

Governor Paterson has been adamant that he will not resign from office.  If he does not step down, how effective will he be during the remainder of his term?  According to 60% of voters, Paterson will not be able to govern properly.  This includes 38% who believe he will not be very effective and 22% who think he will not be effective at all.  On the other hand, 37% report the governor will be a good leader, including 2% who say he will be very effective, and 35% who believe he will be effective in the role.

Voters’ lack of confidence in the governor has been consistent since Marist’s survey last week.  62%, at that time, thought Paterson would be ineffectual as New York’s governor.  This included 39% who believed he would not be able to lead the state well, and 23% who thought his hands would be tied.  34%, however, thought he would be able to fulfill his responsibilities.  Included here were 7% who said Paterson would be very effective and 27% who reported he would be effective.

Table: Paterson Resignation
Table: Reason for Wanting Paterson to Stay
Table: Reason for Wanting Paterson to Resign
Table: Paterson’s Effectiveness

More Voters Cast Judgment on Paterson

Governor Paterson says he has been a victim of rumor and innuendo.  However, with the media circulating more and more stories about Paterson’s alleged phone conversation with the victim in a possible domestic violence case involving one of his top aides and his alleged improper acquisition of Yankees’ tickets, the governor is on a slippery slope when it comes to public opinion.

Since Marist’s survey of New York State last week, more voters have formed an opinion about the governor’s involvement in the possible domestic violence case.  While 30% were unsure about how they would classify Paterson’s behavior last week, just 17% currently do not have an opinion.  And, the change is not good for Paterson.

Both the proportion of those who think the governor did something unethical and the proportion of voters who believe Paterson’s actions were illegal have grown while fewer members of the electorate believe the governor did nothing wrong.

A slim majority of voters — 51% — now think Governor Paterson acted unethically but not illegally while 40% said the same last week.  When it comes to legality, 25% currently believe the governor broke the law.  This compares with 18% who thought that way last week.  And, only 7% now report Paterson did nothing wrong while 12% said the same in Marist’s March 2nd poll.

Since Marist’s previous survey, allegations have surfaced questioning whether Governor Paterson misinformed the Commission on Public Integrity about how he obtained World Series Yankees’ tickets.  What do voters think about Paterson’s alleged actions on this question?  53% say his behavior was unethical but not illegal, 15% think the governor broke the law, and 18% believe he did nothing wrong.  14% are unsure.

Table: Voters’ Views On Paterson’s Alleged Role
Table: Voters’ Views On World Series Tickets Investigation

No-Go for Cuomo…Voters Want Special Prosecutor to Investigate

Although Governor Paterson asked New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate the conversation he had with the possible victim in the domestic violence case involving one of his top aides, only 38% think Cuomo will be fair and impartial in conducting the investigation due to his potential gubernatorial bid.  58% say a special prosecutor should be appointed.  4% are unsure.

Table: Cuomo or Special Prosecutor to Investigate Paterson

The Fairness Factor

54% of registered voters think Governor David Paterson is being treated fairly while 39% believe he is being unfairly targeted.  7% are unsure.

This is similar to Marist’s poll last week when 55% said he was being treated fairly, and 36% said he was not.  9% were unsure.

Table: Fairness of Paterson’s Treatment

Budgetary Skills Lacking, Say Majority of Voters

Governor Paterson is trying to convince voters that, despite the scandal surrounding him, it’s business as usual.  On Monday, Paterson held a town hall meeting in Brooklyn focusing on the budget.  How do voters think Mr. Paterson is doing on the issue?  58% disapprove of how he is handling the budget while 35% approve of his management.  7% are unsure.

When Marist last asked about the governor’s budgetary skills in early February, 57% disapproved, and 37% approved.  6% were unsure.

Table: Paterson Handling of Budget

Paterson’s Approval Rating at 19%

And, what about the governor’s overall job approval rating?  It has notched down even further.  19% of the electorate believes Paterson is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  This includes 3% who say he is excelling and 16% who think he is doing well.  43% report he is doing a fair job while 36% say he is performing poorly.  2% are unsure.

When Marist asked about Governor Paterson’s job approval rating last week after he announced he would not seek election, 23% thought highly of his performance.  Included here were 4% who said he was doing an excellent job and 19% who reported he was doing a good job.  One-third thought Paterson was doing an average job, and 38% said he was falling short.  6% were unsure.

Table: Paterson Approval Rating
Table: Paterson Approval Rating Over Time

Ravitch Who?

If Governor Paterson steps down, Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch will be sworn in as the state’s next governor.  Unfortunately for Ravitch, not a lot of voters know much about him.  41% have either never heard of him or are unsure how to rate him while 21% say he is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  30% report he is doing a mediocre job, and 8% say he is performing poorly.

In Marist’s survey last week, 44% did not have a sense about Ravitch, 15% thought he was doing either an excellent or good job in office, and 29% gave him average marks.  12% thought he was performing at a subpar level.

Table: Ravitch Approval Rating

Cuomo Approval Rating Drops to 54%

Has New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s job approval rating suffered from his role in the Paterson investigation?  The short answer is, “Yes.”  Cuomo’s approval rating has dropped 13 percentage points since Marist last asked this question prior to Governor Paterson ending his candidacy for election.  54% of voters currently say Cuomo is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  31% now believe he is performing fairly well, and 8% think he is missing the mark.  7% are unsure.

This is a major change from Marist’s previous poll when 67% gave Cuomo high marks, 22% thought he was doing a fair job, and 6% said he was doing a poor job.  5% were unsure.

Notable changes in Cuomo’s approval rating are in New York City and among non-white voters.  In New York City, Cuomo declined by 17 percentage points, and among non-whites, he dropped 22 percentage points.

Table: Cuomo Approval Rating
Table: Cuomo Approval Rating Over Time

Marist Poll Methodology

3/8: Three in Ten Employed Voters in NYS Concerned About Job Loss

30% of employed registered voters in New York State are worried about losing their job in the next year.  10% are very concerned about that possibility, and 20% are somewhat anxious.  28%, however, are not very concerned, and 42% are not worried at all.

Employed voters in New York City are more apprehensive about receiving a pink slip than in other parts of the state.  37% in the Big Apple are worried compared with 28% upstate and 27% in New York’s suburbs.

Table: New York Voters’ Concern About Job Loss

Workplace Satisfaction Sky-high

Most employed voters in New York State — 92% — are satisfied with their current job.  Included in this proportion are 47% who report they are very satisfied, and 45% who are satisfied.  On the other hand, 6% are not very content with their current employment situation, and 2% are not satisfied at all.

Employed voters who are older tend to be more satisfied with their current employment picture than are those who are younger.  56% of those 45 or older say they are very satisfied with their job.  This compares with 38% of those under the age of 45.

Table: New York Voters’ Job Satisfaction

Most Employed Registered Voters in New York Staying Put

When the economy picks up, don’t expect most working voters in the Empire State to jump ship and look for another job.  52% say it’s not likely at all that they will seek other employment, and 25% report it’s not very likely.  12%, though, say they are thinking about other options, and 11% say it is very likely they will alter their career paths.

Age also matters here.  Older employed voters are more likely to stay put than are their younger counterparts.  84% of those 45 or older think it’s improbable they will alter their career path.  69% of those younger than 45 years old agree.

Table: Likelihood of Looking for a New Job In NYS

Marist Poll Methodology

3/3: GOP Voters More Eager for 2010 Elections…Incumbents Without Majority Support

Nearly seven in ten registered voters in New York State — 68% — are enthusiastic about voting in this fall’s statewide elections.  This includes 27% of voters who report they are very enthusiastic and 41% who are somewhat enthusiastic about casting their ballot.  20%, however, are not too enthusiastic, and 11% report they are not enthusiastic at all.

Click Here for Complete March 3, 2010 NYS Poll Release and Tables

This eager sentiment is more prevalent among Republican voters than Democrats.  75% of the state’s GOP express some degree of enthusiasm.  Included here are 34% who are very enthusiastic and 41% who are somewhat enthusiastic.  Looking at Democrats, 68% are eager.  This includes 25% who are very enthusiastic and 43% who are somewhat enthusiastic.  57% of non-enrolled voters are energized about the elections with 20% reporting they are very enthusiastic and 37% saying they are somewhat enthusiastic.

What does this enthusiasm mean for November’s elections?  Currently, state senators and members of the Assembly fail to achieve majority support from voters.  48% report they plan to vote for their current state senator while 37% are looking to another candidate.  15% are unsure.  Little has changed from when Marist last asked this question in early February when 46% said they would support their current state senator, and 41% wanted a change.  13% were unsure.

“This is shaping up as a ’send the message’ electorate, and Republicans are screaming louder than Democrats at the moment,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “Incumbents beware.”

But, what a difference a decade or two makes!  In 1994, Marist asked New York State voters this question, and at that time, 51% wanted to re-elect their state senator while 27% did not.  22% were unsure.  Four years earlier, 56% of the electorate told The Marist Poll they planned to support their current senator.  18% wanted a change, and 26% were unsure.

Members of the Assembly facing re-election don’t fare any better.   47% of voters plan to vote for their incumbent.  37% say they are going to vote for someone else.  16% are unsure.  In Marist’s February survey, 44% reported they were going to cast their ballot for their current member of the Assembly.  41% said they would vote for someone else.  And, 15%, at that time, were not sure.

And, when looking at those who are the most eager to vote, the picture for incumbents becomes even more troublesome.  This mobilized electorate divides about whether current state senators should remain in office, and nearly half of these voters — 48% — prefer a new representative in the Assembly.

So, when entering the voting booth, how much does a candidate’s party affiliation matter?  If the elections for New York State Senate were held today, 53% of registered voters say they would vote for the Democratic candidate while 37% would support the Republican.  4% would back neither, and 6% are unsure.  When it comes to the Assembly, the proportions are similar with 53% reporting they would cast their ballot for the Democrat and 37% backing the Republican.  3% say neither party’s candidate, and 7% are unsure.

Table: Level of Voters’ Enthusiasm
Table: 2010 Election for New York State Senator
Table: 2010 Election for New York State Assembly
Table: Party Preference for New York State Senator
Table: Party Preference for New York State Assembly

Nearly Half of Voters Think Poorly of Job Done By State Senate and Assembly

49% of voters think the New York State Senate is performing poorly while just 16% think it is doing either an excellent or good job.  One-third say it is doing fairly well.  The State Senate has failed to improve people’s perception of its job performance.  In Marist’s early February poll, similar proportions of the electorate held these views.

As for the Assembly, the news isn’t better.  45% of the electorate thinks the Assembly is failing in its duties while 17% believe it is doing a stand-up job.   More than one-third — 35% — say it is performing fairly well, and 3% are unsure.  Here, too, little has changed since Marist’s February survey.

Table: New York State Senate Job Approval Rating
Table: New York State Assembly Job Approval Rating

Marist Poll Methodology

3/3: DiNapoli Who?

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli can’t seem to connect with the state’s electorate.

When asked about DiNapoli’s job approval rating, 27% of the electorate does not know how to rate him or has never heard of him.  When Marist last asked this question in early February, the same proportion was unclear how to rate DiNapoli.  Currently, 34% of voters report the comptroller is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  30% think he is doing a fair job, and 9% say he is performing poorly.

Click Here for Complete March 3, 2010 NYS Poll Release and Tables

In Marist’s previous survey, 31% gave DiNapoli a thumbs-up.  36% thought his performance was mediocre, and 6% believed he was doing a below average job.

Table: DiNapoli Approval Rating
Table: DiNapoli Approval Rating Over Time

Marist Poll Methodology

3/3: Obama Regains Majority in NYS

52% of registered voters in New York State think President Barack Obama is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  24% believe he is performing fairly well while 23% say he is doing a poor job.

Click Here for Complete March 3, 2010 NYS Poll Release and Tables

The president’s job approval rating has rebounded.  When The Marist Poll last asked about President Obama’s job performance in early February, Mr. Obama’s rating stood at 46% — his lowest approval rating in the state since taking office.  At that time, 27% thought the president was doing a fair job, and the same proportion reported he was performing poorly.

Whereas Mr. Obama’s rating slipped across the electorate in Marist’s previous poll, the improvement now occurs among non-enrolled voters.  56% currently approve of the president’s job performance.  This compares with 45% who thought that way early last month.  President Obama has also gotten a bump from his base.  72% of Democrats give the president above average grades while 65% did so in Marist’s February survey.  There has been little change, though, among Republicans.  22% report Mr. Obama is excelling while 21% said the same in February.

Table: Obama Approval Rating
Table: Obama Approval Rating Over Time in NYS

Marist Poll Methodology

3/2: Most Voters Don’t Want Paterson to Resign But Question His Ability to Govern

In the wake of a political scandal that ended Governor David Paterson’s hopes of a full elected term in office, most registered voters in New York State – 66% — say they want the governor to finish out his term in office.  Only 28% are calling for Paterson’s resignation.  6% are unsure.

But, do they think Governor Paterson will be able to govern effectively?  62% of voters in New York State think, if the governor does not resign, he will not be an effective leader during the remainder of his term.  This includes 39% who believe he will not be very effective and 23% who say he will not be effective at all.  On the flip side, 34% think he’ll be able to fulfill his responsibilities as governor during the next ten months.  Included here are 7% who report the governor will be very effective and 27% who say he will be effective.

Click Here for Complete March 2, 2010 Gubernatorial NYS Poll Release and Tables

“When it comes to Governor Paterson resigning from office, New Yorkers are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “But, regarding his ability to govern effectively, voters have plenty of doubts.”

Table: Paterson Resignation
Table: Paterson’s Effectiveness

Most Voters Aware of Scandal…View Paterson’s Role As Wrong

The current controversy facing Paterson focuses on a possible domestic violence case against one of the governor’s top aides.  And, unfortunately for Paterson, the electorate has not been insulated from the headlines.  82% of registered voters report they have heard about the case while 18% have not.

What do voters think about Paterson’s actions when he spoke with the alleged victim leading up to her court appearance?  40% think he acted unethically but not illegally while 18% feel he acted illegally.  Just 12% believe he did nothing wrong, and 30% are unsure.

But, is the governor being treated fairly?  55% of registered voters statewide say he is while 36% think he is getting a raw deal.

Table: Awareness of Aide’s Domestic Violence Case
Table: Voters’ Views on Paterson’s Alleged Role
Table: Fairness of Paterson’s Treatment

Paterson’s Job Approval Rating Low But Steady

Governor Paterson’s already low job approval rating has been little affected by the news of the scandal.  In a Marist Poll conducted just last night, 23% say Paterson is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  33% think he is doing an average job, and 38% believe he is completely missing the mark.  6% are unsure.

When Marist asked about Mr. Paterson’s job approval rating in the days leading up to his announcement last Friday, 24% of registered voters statewide thought he was doing either an excellent or good job in office.  40% said he was doing an average job, and 32% reported he was performing poorly.  4% were unsure.

Table: Paterson Approval Rating (Before)
Table: Paterson Approval Rating (After)
Table: Paterson Approval Rating Over Time

New York’s Next Governor?  Richard Ravitch’s Job Approval Rating

If Governor Paterson steps down, Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch will take over the reins of the state.  What do voters think of his job performance?  44% have either never heard of him or are unsure how to rate him.  15% think he is doing either an excellent or good job in office, and 29% report he is performing fairly well.  12% say he is doing a poor job.

Table: Ravitch Approval Rating

Marist Poll Methodology

Related Stories:

3/2: Two-Thirds Approve of Cuomo’s Job Performance

3/2: What Might Have Been…Gillibrand and Ford Matchup

3/2: Two-Thirds Approve of Cuomo’s Job Performance

Now that Governor David Paterson has withdrawn his bid for governor, New York’s Attorney General Andrew Cuomo appears to have a clear path to his party’s nomination if he chooses to run for the state’s highest office.

Cuomo’s job approval rating stands at 67% among registered voters in New York State, an increase of five percentage points since Marist’s last statewide survey in early February.  22% of voters currently say he is doing a fair job while 6% think Cuomo is performing poorly in office.  5% are unsure.

“Attorney General Cuomo has the highest approval rating of any statewide office holder.  These are the kind of numbers that would encourage his gubernatorial bid.  It’s his to lose,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

In Marist’s February survey, 62% of the electorate gave Cuomo high marks.  26% reported he was doing an average job, and 6% thought Cuomo was performing poorly.  6% were unsure.

Click Here for Complete March 2, 2010 Gubernatorial NYS Poll Release and Tables

Table: Cuomo Approval Rating

Table: Cuomo Approval Rating Over Time

Cuomo Trounces Lazio in Hypothetical Contest

How does Cuomo fare when pitted against potential Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio? 64% of registered voters statewide say they would support Cuomo while 28% report they would back Lazio.  8% are unsure.  Little has changed since Marist last asked this question in early February.

Along party lines, not surprisingly, Democratic voters overwhelmingly back Cuomo with 88% reporting they would cast their ballot for him.  And, he receives majority support — 55% — of non-enrolled voters.  Cuomo even nets more than a third — 35% — of Republican voters.

Table: Cuomo/Lazio 2010 Matchup

Jobs Top Issue Facing the Next Governor

New York State voters have spoken.  Once the dust from this year’s gubernatorial race in New York settles, nearly three in ten members of the electorate — 29% — want the next governor’s top priority to be jobs.  An additional 18% think economic development should be the highest item on the governor’s “to do” list.  17% say taxes should be issue number one.  Education receives 12%, and health care rounds out the top five with 10%.

Table: Top Priority for Next Governor

New York State in Need of New Compass

More than three-quarters of the state’s electorate — 76% — think New York is headed in the wrong direction.  18%, however, believe it’s on the right course.

Voters’ pessimism is not new.  When Marist asked this question early last month, 74% reported the state is on the wrong path while 21% disagreed with that assessment.

Table: NYS Direction

Marist Poll Methodology

Related Stories:

3/2: Most Voters Don’t Want Paterson to Resign But Question His Ability to Govern

3/2: What Might Have Been…Gillibrand and Ford Matchup

3/2: What Might Have Been…Gillibrand and Ford Matchup

Harold Ford Jr.’s decision not to challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in New York makes good sense poll-wise.  In a Marist Poll completed last night, Gillibrand put a little more distance between herself and the former Tennessee Congressman in a hypothetical contest for the nomination.  50% of New York Democratic voters would have backed Gillibrand.  19% reported, however, they would have supported Ford, and labor activist Jonathan Tasini would have taken just 3% of the vote.  28% of Democrats were unsure.

Click Here for Complete March 2, 2010 Race for U.S. Senate NYS Poll Release and Tables

When The Marist Poll last asked this question in early February, 44% of Democrats reported they backed Gillibrand, 27% threw their support behind Ford, and 4% said they were going to cast their ballot for Tasini.  25%, at the time, were unsure.

“Ford’s short-lived challenge to Gillibrand not only did her no harm, it may have even solidified her support among Democrats,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Table: Gillibrand/Ford/Tasini 2010 Matchup

Gillibrand in Tight Race with Pataki…Leads Blakeman & Zuckerman

While the leader of the National Republican Senatorial Committee is said to have met with former New York Governor George Pataki about a possible challenge to Senator Gillibrand, Pataki has not announced his intentions.  But, what if he decided to enter the fray?

In a hypothetical matchup against Gillibrand, the two are locked in a tight contest.  48% of registered voters say they would support Pataki while Gillibrand receives 45% of voters’ support.  7% are unsure.  There has been little change on this question since Marist last asked it in early February.

Another possible Republican challenger for Gillibrand is Mort Zuckerman, the publisher of The New York Daily News.  In this hypothetical contest, Gillibrand leads Zuckerman 59% to 26%.  15% are unsure.

While Pataki and Zuckerman have not announced they are running, Bruce Blakeman has.  Here, Gillibrand leads with 58% of the electorate to Blakeman’s 28%.  14% are unsure.  Gillibrand has widened her lead over Blakeman.  When Marist asked this question in its early February survey, Gillibrand had 52% while her Republican challenger Blakeman received 30%.

Table: 2010 Gillibrand/Pataki Matchup
Table: 2010 Gillibrand/Zuckerman Matchup
Table: 2010 Gillibrand/Blakeman Matchup

Gillibrand Making the Grade with NYS Voters?

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand still needs to prove herself to many members of the electorate.  Currently, 25% view the senator as doing either an excellent or good job in office.  38% say she is doing a fair job while 15% report she is doing poorly.  22% are unsure or never heard of her.

When Marist last asked about Senator Gillibrand’s job approval rating, 24% gave her high marks while one-third thought her performance was fair.  18% saw her as doing a below average job.  At that time, 25% were unsure how to rate her.

Table: Gillibrand Approval Rating
Table: Gillibrand Approval Rating Over Time

Schumer Approval Rating Rebounds

Senator Chuck Schumer’s job performance rating has taken a turn for the better.  In The Marist Poll’s latest survey in New York State, 53% of registered voters statewide report Schumer is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  28% say he is doing a fair job while just 15% think he is doing poorly.  4% are unsure.

This is a good sign for Schumer.  When Marist last asked about his approval rating in early February, Schumer received his lowest approval rating in nearly nine years — 47%.  At that time, 31% said he was doing an average job, and 17% thought he wasn’t making the grade.  5% were unsure.

“Senator Schumer has picked up support in New York City.  His base is more solid than it was in the last poll, and he’s maintained his suburban and upstate appeal,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Table: Schumer Approval Rating
Table: Schumer Approval Rating Over Time

Schumer Leads Kudlow By Nearly Three-to-One

Senator Gillibrand isn’t the only one who faces the electorate come November.  New York’s senior senator, Chuck Schumer, is facing re-election.  When matched up against CNBC anchor Larry Kudlow, Schumer outpaces Kudlow, 69% to 24%, respectively.  7% are unsure.  Little has changed on this question since Marist’s previous survey last month.

Table: 2010 Schumer/Kudlow Matchup

Marist Poll Methodology

Related Stories:

3/2: Most Voters Don’t Want Paterson to Resign But Question His Ability to Govern

3/2: Two-Thirds Approve of Cuomo’s Job Performance

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