September 21, 2009
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 give the mayor high marks compared with 62% two months ago. While his rating has improved among this group, it has dipped among non-enrolled voters with 56% approving of Bloomberg’s performance now and 65% saying the same in July. As for Democrats, 59% currently look well on the mayor’s job. 56% thought so when last asked.
Overall, does the electorate think the city is headed in the right direction? 54% of registered voters say, “Yes,” while 38% disagree. These proportions are little changed since Marist last asked this question in July.
Table: Bloomberg Approval Rating
Table: NYC Direction
Click Here for Complete September 21, 2009 Poll Release and Tables
At Issue: Bloomberg’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Where do voters think Mayor Bloomberg excels, and where do they believe he needs improvement? The electorate in the Big Apple says he’s done the best on education and economic development. 26% and 23%, respectively, believe this to be true. With 14%, crime comes in a distant third, and security against terrorism follows closely behind with 11%. 17% believe the mayor has done the best on other issues.
As for where Bloomberg needs some work, there is little consensus among the electorate. 15% believe the mayor has done the worst on housing. 14% say transportation is his Achilles’ heel, and similar proportions sound off about taxes — 13%, poverty — 12%, and education — 12%. 26% cite other issues as his weakest.
Table: Bloomberg’s Best Issue
Table: Bloomberg’s Worst Issue
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9/21: Bloomberg Leads Thompson 50% to 39%