11/17: New Yorkers Divide Over Terror Trial Location

Eight years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Obama Administration has announced that five alleged attackers will be tried in federal court in the shadows of where the World Trade Towers once stood, New York City. ©istockphoto.com/spxChrome New Yorkers are speaking out about the venue for the trial, but there is a split decision on the matter.  45% of residents think it’s a good idea to have the trial in New York City while 41% believe it’s a bad one.  14% just aren’t sure. Table: Terror Trial in NYC – Good or Bad Idea? Click Here for Complete November 17th, 2009 NYC Poll Release... 

10/30: Bloomberg Leads Thompson by 15 Points Among Likely Voters

The race for New York City mayor is in the homestretch, and if today were Election Day, Mayor Michael Bloomberg would handily win a third term.  Bloomberg currently leads Democratic challenger Bill Thompson — 53% to 38% — among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate.  Bloomberg’s lead among likely voters is consistent with the results of a Marist survey last week when Bloomberg received 52% to Thompson’s 36%. Michael Bloomberg and Bill Thompson Looking at political party, 45% of likely Democratic voters report they will back Bloomberg on... 

10/30: Bloomberg’s Approval Rating at 54%

A majority of New York City registered voters — 54% — think Mayor Michael Bloomberg is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  45%, on the other hand, say he is doing either a fair or poor job.  The mayor’s job approval rating has inched down for the first time since February.  When Marist asked about Bloomberg’s job performance last week, 58% gave him high marks. Michael Bloomberg Democrats are the difference in the mayor’s lower approval rating.  51% of Democrats now say he is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  In Marist’s previous survey,... 

10/22: Bloomberg Leads Thompson By 16 Among Likely Voters

As Election Day nears, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has widened the gap between himself and his Democratic challenger Comptroller Bill Thompson to 16 percentage points in the race for New York City mayor.  Among likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, Bloomberg has 52% to Thompson’s 36%.  Last month, Bloomberg led Thompson among this group of voters by 9 percentage points — 52% to 43%, respectively.  Although Bloomberg’s support is unchanged, Thompson has lost ground. Michael Bloomberg and Bill Thompson Support among likely Democratic voters has shifted... 

10/22: Bloomberg Approval Rating at 58%

A majority of registered voters in New York City — 58% — think Mayor Michael Bloomberg is doing either an excellent or good job in office.  41% rate him as below average.  Bloomberg received a similar rating — 59% — when Marist last asked about the mayor’s job performance in September. Michael Bloomberg Both Republicans and Democrats give the mayor high marks.  69% of New York City’s GOP say the mayor is doing an above average job as mayor.  60% of Democrats agree.  Similar proportions within the two parties thought this way last month. However, the mayor has continued... 

9/21: Bloomberg Leads Thompson 50% to 39%

The candidates are now in place for November’s race for mayor in New York City, and early numbers show the incumbent, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, with 50% of registered voters compared with 39% for his Democratic challenger, New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson.  10% say they are unsure.  In Marist’s July survey, 48% reported they backed Bloomberg, 35% supported Thompson, and 17% were unsure. ©istockphoto.com/mmac72 When looking at those all-important likely voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, Bloomberg has 52% to Thompson’s 43%. How does the race shape... 

9/21: Bloomberg Approval Rating Steady

As Mayor Michael Bloomberg digs in to square off against New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson in the race for New York City mayor, how do voters think Michael Bloomberg is doing in office?  59% of registered voters citywide report Bloomberg is doing either an excellent or good job as mayor.  Just 11% report he is doing poorly.  This is similar to the job approval rating — 58% — Mr. Bloomberg received in July. Michael Bloomberg Bloomberg’s positive rating crosses party lines.  However, there has been some movement since Marist last asked this question.  69% of Republicans currently... 

7/8: Bloomberg Approval Rating at 58%

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s approval rating may have waned a bit back in February, but by the looks of The Marist Poll’s new citywide survey, the mayor is on solid ground.  58% of registered New York City voters report Bloomberg is doing either an excellent or good job in office while 40% say he is performing fairly well or poorly.  The mayor received similar ratings when Marist last asked this question in May.  At that time, the mayor rebounded from Marist’s February survey when he received a lower, albeit still strong, approval rating — 52%. Although Bloomberg’s approval... 

7/8: Majority Says Elect New Mayor…But, Even More Think Bloomberg Will Win Third Term

51% of registered voters in New York City say, “Out with the old and in with the new.” That’s the proportion of the electorate who believes it’s time to oust Mayor Michael Bloomberg from office and elect someone else. 44% of voters think Mayor Bloomberg deserves to be re-elected. In The Marist Poll’s May survey, voters were more divided with 48% reporting it’s time to elect a new mayor and 47% saying Bloomberg should get a third term. ©istockphoto.com/imagestock However, regardless of whether voters support a third term for Bloomberg, more than seven in ten voters — 73% —... 

7/8: Green Light Among Democrats in Race for Public Advocate

Former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green would win handily if this year’s Democratic primary for Public Advocate were held today but falls just short of the 40% needed to avoid a runoff. 39% of Democrats say they would support him while 16% report they would back Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel.  City Council Members Bill de Blasio and Eric Gioia receive 9% and 8%, respectively.  28% of Democrats are unsure.  Each potential candidate received similar proportions of the vote back in May. Table: Public Advocate Tossup Marist Poll Methodology Related Stories: 7/8: Bloomberg Approval... 

5/13: Bloomberg’s Approval Up 7 Percentage Points

Are things looking up for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg? His job approval rating has had a bit of a bump. 59% of registered New York City voters say Mayor Bloomberg is doing either an excellent or good job in office while 39% describe his performance as fair or poor. In The Marist Poll’s February survey, Bloomberg’s job performance was at 52% — his lowest approval rating since June 2005. Just four months prior to that survey, the mayor enjoyed kudos from 68% of the city’s electorate. There is little difference in opinion among Democrats and Republicans. 58% of Democrats... 

5/13: Campaign ‘09: Change in the Air?

The winds of change may have weakened in New York City.  The electorate now divides over whether Mayor Michael Bloomberg deserves to be re-elected.  47% say that he should receive a third term while 48% say, “No.” ©istockphoto.com/imagestock This is potentially good news for the mayor.  In The Marist Poll’s February survey, a majority — 55% — said it was time to give someone else a turn as mayor while 40% wanted to see Bloomberg remain in City Hall. Table: Bloomberg Re-election Bloomberg Hovers at 50% Mark in Hypothetical Matchups If this year’s mayoral race were held today,... 

5/13: 6 In 10 Want Schools Out of Bloomberg’s Hands

Although 51% of registered voters in New York City approve of the way Mayor Michael Bloomberg is handling the city’s public schools, six in ten believe the mayor should no longer run the city’s school system.  Instead, they think the responsibility should be given to a citywide panel.  32% of voters, on the other hand, want the power to remain with Bloomberg. ©istockphoto.com/ChristSteer So, does this mean voters think the quality of New York City’s public schools has gotten worse?  Not necessarily.  Compared with the proportion who thinks the schools have taken a turn for the worse,... 

5/13: Majority Opposes Sales Tax Hike

A majority — 53% — of registered New York City voters disapprove of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to increase the city’s sales tax to 8.875% while 42% approve of the idea to increase city revenues this way. ©istockphoto.com/OlgaLIS However, when explained to voters that Mayor Bloomberg says his proposal to hike the city’s sales tax half a percent is not ideal but is a solution to avoid additional spending cuts in the city’s budget and reduce the number of layoffs, slightly more — 46% — support the idea.  This compares with 49% of the electorate that agrees... 

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 ©istockphoto.com/BRANDONJ74 But … Bloomberg Retains Commanding Lead Over Democratic Rivals Just what are the odds... 

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... 

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 For full press release Marist Poll Methodology  Read More →

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... 

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... 

“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 For full press release Marist Poll Methodology  Read More →

Bloomberg’s Approval Rating Slides

Although a majority of registered voters in New York City — 59% — think Mayor Michael Bloomberg is doing either an excellent or good job in office, his approval rating has dropped significantly. This is the first time since 2005 that his job performance rating has dipped into the 50 percent range. In a Marist Poll conducted in August 2005, 53% of the city’s voters thought Mayor Bloomberg was doing well in his position. Bloomberg’s approval rating has fallen since last month when 68% of the electorate thought Bloomberg was doing an above average job. Currently, Bloomberg is far from... 

Third Term’s a Charm? Bloomberg’s Bid for Re-election

New Yorkers Favor Term Limits…But, Candidate Bloomberg Might Be a Game Changer: Registered voters in New York City support term limits for their elected officials. 50% of New York City’s electorate favors the current law while 35% oppose the restrictions on officials seeking re-election after a second term. However, when asked specifically if Mayor Michael Bloomberg should be allowed to seek a third term, more voters want to change the law. Yet, the issue remains controversial. In this case, 46% of New Yorkers report they would want the mayor to be permitted to run for another term. 44% of... 

NYC Voters Applaud Bloomberg … But Not National Tour

Michael Bloomberg continues to receive good reviews as mayor: 66% of New York City voters rate the job Mayor Bloomberg is doing as excellent or good. 22% of city voters rate the mayor’s job performance as excellent, 44% as good, 25% as fair, and 6% as poor. His approval rating is unchanged from a similar poll conducted last July when Mayor Bloomberg received his highest combined excellent and good score. Read the full post  Read More →

NYC Voters Like Mike More Than Rudy

Michael Bloomberg receives his highest approval rating as mayor: 66% of New York City voters rate the job Mayor Bloomberg is doing as excellent or good. 21% of city voters rate the mayor’s job performance as excellent, 45% as good, 22% as fair, and 8% as poor. Although Mayor Bloomberg has been rated highly since his re-election in 2005, this is his highest combined excellent and good score. Read the full post  Read More →

Voters Want Giuliani to Run

Will America’s mayor become America’s president? Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is one of the top Republican presidential contenders for 2008 and the only leading potential candidate, Democrat or Republican, that a majority of registered voters nationwide would like to see run for president. Many voters also see him as ideologically acceptable although this is fueled by 70% of Republicans who see him as politically about right. But voters divide over whether they think he will, in fact, run for president and many are not optimistic about his chances should he decide to do so. Read... 

NYC Voters Like Bloomberg, but Only as Mayor

Most New York City voters approve of the job Michael Bloomberg is doing as mayor: 65% of New York City voters rate the job Mayor Bloomberg is doing as excellent or good. This is statistically comparable to the top scores he received just before his re-election last fall. But most city voters aren’t ready for a President Bloomberg: 72% of voters do not want Michael Bloomberg to run for president in 2008. Read the full post  Read More →

New York City Transit Strike

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New York City Race for Mayor

As the campaign enters its final weekend, Michael Bloomberg has a 34 point lead over Fernando Ferrer. Among New York City voters likely to vote next week, the mayor receives 64% compared with 30% for Ferrer. Three percent of likely voters plan to support Conservative Party candidate Thomas Ognibene, and 3% are undecided. Read the full post  Read More →

New York City Race for Mayor

Bloomberg outdistances Democratic challenger Ferrer: With just one week to go before Election Day, Michael Bloomberg has a formidable lead over his Democratic opponent Fernando Ferrer. Among New York City voters likely to vote next Tuesday, the mayor receives 62% compared with 31% for Ferrer. Three percent of likely voters plan to support Conservative Party candidate Thomas Ognibene, and 4% are undecided. Read the full post  Read More →

New York City Race for Mayor

Michael Bloomberg outdistances his Democratic opponent former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer by 27 points. This is an increase of 12 points in the mayor’s lead since a similar poll conducted two weeks ago. The mayor receives the support of 59% of city voters likely to vote in November compared with 32% for Ferrer. One percent of likely voters plan to support Conservative Party candidate Thomas Ognibene, and 8% are undecided. Read the full post  Read More →

New York City Race for Mayor

Bloomberg has comfortable lead over Ferrer in race for mayor: Michael Bloomberg holds a strong lead in his bid for a second term as New York City’s mayor against his Democratic opponent, former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer. The mayor receives the support of 53% of city voters likely to vote in November compared with 38% for Ferrer. One percent of likely voters plan to support Conservative Party candidate Thomas Ognibene, and 8% are undecided. Read the full post  Read More →

NYC 2005 Democratic Primary Race for Mayor

Fernando Ferrer is narrowly ahead in the Democratic primary for mayor: Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer narrowly leads his closest opponent Congressman Anthony Weiner by six points among Democrats likely to vote in tomorrow’s primary for mayor. Ferrer receives the support of 35% of likely Democratic voters compared with 29% for Weiner. Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields and Council Speaker Gifford Miller trail with 14% each. 8% of likely Democratic voters are undecided. When undecided likely Democratic voters who lean toward a candidate are included in the results, Fernando... 

NYC 2005 Democratic Primary Race for Mayor

Congressman Weiner takes command of second place: Congressman Anthony Weiner has surged ahead of Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields to take sole possession of second place in next Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Although former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer still leads the field, he has not gained much ground towards the 40% needed to avoid a runoff. Among registered voters, Fernando Ferrer receives 34% compared with 27% for Anthony Weiner. Gifford Miller follows with 14%, and C. Virginia Fields has 13%. 12% of registered Democrats remain... 

NYC Democrats and the Race for Mayor

Woulda, coulda, shoulda? Had Republican Michael Bloomberg sought the Democratic nomination for mayor he would handily defeat all four of the candidates running in next week’s Democratic primary. When registered Democrats are asked to choose a candidate for mayor, 42% would give their party’s nod to Mayor Bloomberg. Read the full post  Read More →

New York City Race for Mayor

Potential Democratic rivals face uphill contest against Mayor Bloomberg: In match-ups for mayor, Michael Bloomberg leads each of his potential Democratic contenders by wide margins among New York City’s registered voters. Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer trails Michael Bloomberg by 16 points. The mayor also has a formidable lead of 18 points against Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields. He outpaces Congressman Anthony Weiner and Council Speaker Gifford Miller by 18 and 20 points, respectively. In fact, among only Democratic voters, Republican Bloomberg runs competitively... 

New York City Race for Mayor

Mayor Bloomberg achieves his highest approval rating from city voters: Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s job approval rating, his combined excellent and good scores, is 58%, the highest point he’s attained during his tenure in City Hall. Read the full post  Read More →

Stadium Decision Shakes Up NYC Mayor’s Race

Mayor Bloomberg’s lead against potential Democratic rivals dwindles: Mayor Bloomberg’s re-election prospects have been set back by Albany’s decision to not fund the West Side stadium project. The mayor, who had a sizeable lead against each of his Democratic contenders only last week, now runs neck and neck with all but one of them. Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, who trailed Michael Bloomberg by 9 points, currently has the support of 46% of the city’s registered voters compared with 45% for the mayor. Michael Bloomberg is closely matched against Manhattan Borough President... 

New Contest in Democratic Primary for NYC Mayor

Ferrer and Fields closely matched in Democratic primary for mayor: After weeks of controversy over his comments about the Amadou Diallo shooting, Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer now finds himself in a competitive race for the Democratic nomination for mayor with Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields. Ferrer receives support from 34% of city Democrats for September’s primary compared with 30% for Fields. Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Congressman Anthony Weiner trail with 12% and 11%, respectively. 13% of Democrats are undecided. Read the full post  Read More →

Turnabout in NYC Campaign for Mayor 2005

Mayor Bloomberg rebounds against potential Democratic rivals: In a major turnabout in this year’s race for New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg outpaces all of his Democratic contenders. Mayor Bloomberg, who trailed Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer just last month, now leads him by 13 points in the race for mayor among New York City’s registered voters. Bloomberg receives the support of 51% of the city’s registered voters compared with 38% for Ferrer. Mayor Bloomberg also leads potential rivals Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, Congressman Anthony Weiner, and... 

New Yorkers Concerned About Readiness for Future Terror Attacks

Most New Yorkers do not think their community is ready to respond to a future terror attack: With the largest anti-terror drill underway in selected places around the country, 68% of New York City residents do not think their community has an adequate emergency response plan in the event of a future terror attack. 11% are unsure about their community’s preparedness. 21% do think their community has a plan in place to deal with a terror emergency. Read the full post  Read More →

Mayor Bloomberg and Campaign ‘05

Match-ups for mayor: Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer leads Mayor Michael Bloomberg by seven points in the race for mayor among New York City’s registered voters. Ferrer receives the support of 49% of the city’s registered voters compared with 42% for Mayor Bloomberg. Mayor Bloomberg is closely matched with potential rivals Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, Council Speaker Gifford Miller, and Congressman Anthony Weiner. Read the full post  Read More →

NYC Voters Rate Mayor Bloomberg

Campaign 2005 for mayor: Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer leads Michael Bloomberg among New York City’s registered voters in a hypothetical contest for the 2005 race for mayor. Ferrer receives the support of 51% of the city’s registered voters compared with 39% for Mayor Bloomberg. Mayor Bloomberg is closely matched with potential rivals Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields and Council Speaker Gifford Miller. He leads Congressman Anthony Weiner and Councilman Charles Barron. Read the full post  Read More →

New Yorkers React to GOP Convention and Rate Their Mayor

Second thoughts…New Yorkers shift on hosting the GOP convention: 53% of residents do not think it was a good idea for New York City to host the national Republican convention last week. 41% believe it was a positive thing for the city to do. In April, 59% of New York City residents were looking forward to welcoming the Republicans to New York this summer. Read the full post  Read More →

New Yorkers Rate Their Mayor and Their City

Mayor Bloomberg’s job performance rating: Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s approval rating is 40% among New York City’s registered voters. 7% of the electorate rates the job he is doing as excellent, 33% as good, 38% as fair, and 19% as poor. 3% are unsure. Mayor Bloomberg’s support is higher in Staten Island and Manhattan, than it is in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. There is a racial divide in voters’ assessments of the mayor. Read the full post  Read More →

New York City Democrats: Mayor 2005

The morning line on New York City Democrats for mayor: Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer receives the support of 26% of New York City’s registered Democrats followed closely by Former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green with 23%. Manhattan Borough President Virginia C. Fields has 12%. Council Speaker Gifford Miller, Congressman Anthony Weiner, New York City Comptroller William Thompson, State Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, and Councilman Charles Barron follow with single digits. 17% of New York City’s registered Democrats are undecided. Read the full post  Read More →