Siena Poll: Gov Continues Slide, Marriage Equality Gaining Steam

The most important part of that poll: (4.00 / 3)

It appears that Paterson's decision to sacrifice transparency in favor of a timely budget backfired. When presented with 10 potential factors for the Governor's declining popularity and more than half of voters say that his handling of the state's finances, giving raises to his staff and negotiating the budget in secret were factors that greatly contributed to his falling approval ratings.

Sixty-three percent of voters said that the secrecy of the budget proceeding "contributed greatly" to his declining popularity, while another 24 percent said it "somewhat contributed."

http://blogs.timesunion.com/ca...

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by: Roatti @ Mon Apr 20, 2009 at 14:58:49 PM UTC

Woo-hoo. Great poll. (4.00 / 3)

Hopefully NY will have marriage equality by the time I move up there!  Then maybe my boyfriend and I can actually get married.

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by: wmlawman @ Mon Apr 20, 2009 at 15:17:52 PM UTC

This poll also contains bad news for Gillibrand. (0.00 / 0)

According to Siena's new poll, only 20% would vote for Gillibrand today, as opposed to 47% who say they'd prefer someone else, with 33% undecided.

Here's the relevant question, with previous results. Note that her level of (non-) support is slightly lower, but essentially the same as in previous polls, whereas the percentage who affirm that they would "prefer someone else" has jumped from 29% in January to 37% in March to 47% in April.

In short, the number of undecideds is dropping fast, but Gillibrand is not gaining adherents.

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If Kirsten Gillibrand runs for Senator in 2010, would you vote to elect her or would you prefer someone else?

DATE * ELECT * PREFER SOMEONE ELSE * DON'T KNOW/NO OPINION

April 2009 20 47 33
March 2009 23 37 39
January 2009 21 29 50

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by: Hudson @ Mon Apr 20, 2009 at 17:33:28 PM UTC

I'm curious to know whether that (4.00 / 1)

prefer someone else includes those who'd like to see a primary challenge or just the general.  Because I'd expect a lot of Dems who want a primary challenger will vote for her anyway in the general.

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by: wmlawman @ Mon Apr 20, 2009 at 18:19:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Probably true (0.00 / 0)

I re-read the poll, and it is not clear from the data page whether the "only Dems" label at the top applies to this item.

I would agree that unless the Republicans can find a figure with a profile similar to that of former Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee, almost any generic Democrat will win easily in November.

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by: Hudson @ Mon Apr 20, 2009 at 23:57:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Other Odd Thing About This Poll (0.00 / 0)

is that Gillibrand has decent personal approval ratings at 33% approval, 23% disapprove and 44% no opinion.  Usually approval ratings and re-elects go hand in hand but not in this poll.

I am not a huge fan of the Siena Poll - they showed both 2006 Gov race and the 2008 Pres race much closer than they really were.

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by: JMNYC @ Tue Apr 21, 2009 at 00:58:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]