| Quinnipiac University released a new poll today showing strong support from New Yorkers for term limits, ethics reform, campaign finance reform and, well, Senator Hillary Clinton.
By a 67 - 27 percent margin, New York State voters support term limits of two terms for statewide elected officials, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters support two-term limits for state legislators 69 - 27 percent.
Support for term limits is consistent among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters, the independent Quinnipiac University poll finds.
It is "very important" that the newly elected State Legislature pass new ethics laws, 56 percent of voters say, with 28 percent who say it is "somewhat important."
Strong laws for campaign finance reform also are 'very important" to 52 percent of voter, with 30 percent who say "somewhat important." |
| I've never been a particularly huge fan of term limits, but New York state government is a rather special case. I could be persuaded by the right legislation. What's clear from the poll is that I am very much in the minority and most New Yorkers have already made up their minds about term limits. They really want them.
They also want real reforms from the coming legislature.
"Voters have some blunt marching orders for the new Legislature - pass new ethics and campaign finance laws, and, for good measure, emulate New York City's two- term limit for elected officials - including legislators," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
You listening, Messrs Spitzer, Silver and Bruno? That sounds an awful lot like a "mandate" to me. The people of New York want reform and they'll toss you out on your ass after two terms to get it. They are paying enough attention to the shenanigans in Albany to know that something smells and that something needs to be done.
To Mr. Spitzer I would just say that you'll likely never be as popular as you are right now and you are coming into the governor's office with significant political capital. Use it.
To Shelley and "the glitch", (29% and 28% approval respectively) I would say that your constituents want serious reform and they're in a mood to start implementing things like term limits. They are watching you. WE are watching you. The reform is leaving the station. Are you on board?
Some other interesting tidbits from the poll:
New Yorkers like Hillary more than Chuck (72% and 65% approval respectively)
New York State voters approve 72 - 23 percent of the job Sen. Hillary Clinton is doing, topping her previous high of 65 - 30 percent October 5.
Even Republicans are split, with 47 percent approving and 49 percent disapproving.
"Sen. Clinton's presidential campaign starts out with great job-approval numbers in New York," Carroll said. "Almost half of Republican voters approve."
New Yorkers really don't like the President. (26%/71% approval/disapproval)
New York State voters disapprove 71 - 26 percent of the job President George W. Bush is doing, among his lowest marks in any Quinnipiac University poll.
The consensus opinion of our soon-to-be ex Governor seems to be "eh". (5% "great, 38% "good", 49% "so-so", 9% "bad")
A going-away poll present for Gov. Pataki: Almost half of New Yorkers think he's been a so-so governor. Only a handful say he did a bad job," Carroll said.
Governor middling gets an appropriate send off. Best of luck in Iowa, gov. Don't forget your mittens. |
