| And here we have yet another poll confirming what previous polls have already told us. New Yorkers broadly support both the Occupy Wall Street movement as well as the Millionaire's Tax. A new Quinnipiac poll out this morning again shows that the support for both of these issues transcends both party lines and geography as well.
Not only do New Yorkers identify with and claim to understand what the Occupy Wall Street protesters are protesting, again across the ideological and geographic spectrums, they overwhelmingly -- by a factor of 4 out of 5 -- support the right of the occupiers to continue to protest.
The numbers don't lie, Messrs Cuomo and Skelos.
Voters Back Wall St. Protesters, Millionaire's Tax, Quinnipiac University New York State Poll Finds
New York State voters agree 58 - 28 percent with the views of the Wall Street protesters, as 60 percent of voters understand the protesters' views "fairly well" or "very well," according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters also back the "Millionaire's Tax" more than 2-1, as even Republicans back the measure.
Agreement with the protesters is 74 - 12 percent among Democrats and 57 - 30 percent among independent voters, while Republicans disagree 53 - 32 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
A total of 63 percent of New York City voters understand the protesters "very well" or "fairly well" and agreement is 66 - 22 percent. Understanding is 58 percent among suburban voters, with agreement at 50 - 36 percent. Understanding is 56 percent among upstate voters with agreement at 54 - 30 percent.
By an overwhelming 82 - 13 percent, New York State voters say it's "OK that they are protesting." Republicans support the right to protest 71 - 22 percent, with strong agreement among all groups in all regions.
Extend the "Millionaire's Tax," New York State voters say 66 - 26 percent, with 57 - 34 percent support among Republicans and stronger support among other political, gender, racial, income, education, age and regional groups. Voters making more than $100,000 per year back the tax 66 - 28 percent.
"Most New Yorkers, even upstaters and suburban voters, say they get the Wall Street protesters' message," Carroll said. "And by 2-1, voters agree with the complaints about bankers and Wall Streeters," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Agree or not, four out of five voters endorse the protesters' right to protest."
"There's wide approval for the one specific message that's being heard Downtown - support for a continued state 'Millionaire's Tax,'" Carroll added.
How long can Cuomo and Skelos continue to buck public that seems so unified on an issue like the Millionaire's Tax? Better yet, how long before members of Skelos' own conference, members who represent districts where the municipalities are getting squeezed from all sides and where a majority of their constituents favor the Millionaire's Tax, begin to revolt? Is Skelos willing to go the distance defending a terribly unpopular policy? What happens with Cuomo if Skelos and his conference begin to waiver?
Oh, and if I were Cuomo, I'd have my folks shut up about curfews and such. Shutting down the peaceful protesters at #OccupyAlbany, even if you could convince the local cops to do it, is sure fire loser.
You, too, Bloomberg. |
