By Colin Campbell 9/12/12 9:33am

also: sun rises in east

corruption

Poll: New Yorkers Have Figured out Their Government Is Corrupt

Quinnipiac University Polling Institute recently surveyed New Yorkers on a host of issues, from their feelings about Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the controversial topic of hydro-fracking, but, according to a poll released this morning, New Yorkers are especially passionate about corruption in their own dear state.

Indeed, 77 percent of New Yorkers described the problem of corruption as “very serious” or “somewhat serious,” while only 2 percent said corruption is “not a problem at all.” However, given the level of corruption in New York in recent years, it might be possible that 2 percent of the state’s total population currently consists of public officials being investigated for criminal misconduct. Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/21/12 7:24am

oh well

(Photo: Getty)

Paul Ryan Useless in New York: Poll

It’s unlikely that Mitt Romney ever thought about winning New York State in this year’s presidential election — he’s not even trying to win his home state of Massachusetts. But if there were some fantasy scenario where Congressman Paul Ryan’s presence on the national ticket would put the Empire State into play, that  dream can consider itself officially crushed.

“Romney did not help his case with New York likely voters by selecting Ryan,” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said in a statement attached to his latest numbers this morning. ”Only 16 percent of voters said the Ryan selection made them more likely to support Romney, while 21 percent said it made them less likely and a majority of 62 percent said it had no effect. That may explain why Obama slightly widened his lead over Romney in the last month and now leads 62-33 percent, very comparable to the 63-36 percent margin by which Obama beat John McCain in New York in 2008.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/16/12 8:37am

2013

(Photo: Getty)

Scott Stringer Dismisses ‘Poll Dance,’ Predicts ‘Upset Victory’

Yesterday morning, Quinnipiac Polling Institute released its latest polling numbers for the leading contenders of the 2013 mayoral race. While it’s still early and multi-candidate primary elections are notoriously hard to poll, the numbers did show Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a rather strong starting position and her opponents struggling with relative support and name recognition. Subsequently, various consultants weighed in on why that might be, but one of Ms. Quinn’s theoretical rivals also did so personally in an interview on Inside City Hall.

“Listen, these polls are what they are,” Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer countered when his 4% citywide standing was raised. “At the end of the day, the poll that counts is going to be the one late next year when we vote for who the next mayor is and the other citywide offices are.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/30/12 3:44pm

the governator

(Photo: Getty)

Cuomo Muses on His Own Popularity

Governor Andrew Cuomo might be more popular than pizza in New York, but he’s keeping things grounded.

Asked about his astronomical 71% approval rating earlier today, Mr. Cuomo gave a quick joke about a skit he did for the Legislative Correspondents Association before pivoting to more serious tones.

“I attribute it to the video that I did for the LCA show,” he said in a video posted by Politics on the Hudson. “I think that the response to that video was tremendous and directly proportionate to the increase in the poll, yeah.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/29/12 1:53pm

shock poll

Hot State House Press Conference

Breaking: Michigan Doesn’t Agree With Romney on Proper Tree Height

When Mitt Romney was extensively courting Michigan’s Republican voters during the primary election there, he told crowds that the trees were the “right height” in the state. He did this again and again.

However, in a major development in the campaign, Public Policy Polling asked the state’s likely voters whether the altitude of their treetops seemed right and only 38% agreed with Mr. Romney. Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/05/12 11:43am

Spin

Bob Turner (Photo: Facebook)

Turner Campaign Not Sweating Bad General Election Poll Numbers

Congressman Bob Turner’s senate campaign saw today’s poll numbers putting Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand’s way above all the Republican candidates, but they aren’t overly concerned, at least according to a press release they just sent out arguing Ms. Gillibrand’s standing in the polls will tank when confronted by an “aggressive” campaign.

“As pollster Mickey Carroll points out, Ms. Gillibrand’s ‘numbers are reflective of press coverage’ which has not yet included the sustained questioning that comes when an aggressive rival campaign is in full gear,” Mr. Turner’s spokeswoman Jessica Proud said in the statement. Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/07/12 6:55am

siena's survey

Mitt Romney celebrating his victories last night. (Photo: Getty)

Poll: Romney Up 15 Over Santorum in New York

A Siena College Research Institute poll of registered voters released today showed Rick Santorum will have his work cut out for him when he and Mitt Romney go head to head in New York State’s Republican presidential primary on April 24th.

“Given their favorability ratings among Republicans, it’s not surprising that Romney has opened a wide lead in New York’s Republican presidential primary,” Siena pollster Steve Greenberg said in a statement. “He is supported by 38 percent of Republicans, with Santorum being supported by 23 percent, Gingrich 13 percent and Paul 11 percent.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/21/12 1:42pm

empire state of mind

(Photo: Wikimedia)

Poll: Americans Kinda Like New York; Hate New Jersey

Forget the streams of tourists, we finally have some data to confirm what we already knew about our state’s popularity.

Over the course of four months, Public Policy Polling asked respondents nationally what their impressions of each state were. And the results were good: 40% of Americans gave New York a favorable rating, placing it in the top 15 or so states.

However, New York also shows some level of unpopularity. The Empire State’s 29% disapproval rating is tied for the second highest in the country, behind only its hated rival, New Jersey, which is disfavored by 32% of Americans. And, unlike New York, only 25% of Americans approve of the Garden state, giving it the third worst spread in the country, ahead of only Illinois and California.

The top scoring state was Hawaii, which had 54% approval and mere 10% disapproval. But it would take a real grouch to disapprove of Hawaii, right? That’s not even a fair competition. Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/16/12 8:54am

education

Governor Cuomo (Photo: Facebook)

Poll Headline: ‘New York Voters Trust Cuomo More Than Teachers Union’

A Quinnipiac University poll released today is sure to turn some heads in the education debate as it found New York State voters trust Governor Andrew Cuomo more than the teachers’ union by a 50% to 38% margin “to protect the interests of New York State public school students.” This all comes as the state is in last-minute negotiations over teacher evaluations.

“The teachers’ union is a political punching bag these days, and New York voters share that negative view,” Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in the press release. ”Support for the union isn’t high even in union households.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/06/12 11:26am

mr. popular

Governor Cuomo (Photo: Getty)

Cuomo: My Sky-High Poll Numbers Have Nowhere to Go But Down

In an interview this morning, Fred Dicker asked Governor Andrew Cuomo about his latest poll numbers showing his favorability ratings continuing to be some of the highest among major elected officials anywhere in the country.

“It’s very flattering, obviously,” Mr. Cuomo began. “I say all the time that you take these numbers with a grain of salt because they do go up and down, as we all know. But also these numbers are so high that they can’t possibly stay where they are.” Read More