January 27, 2009 - Voters Opppose 3 - Term Limit, But Want Bloomberg, Quinnipiac University New York City Poll Finds; Weiner Tops Thompson, But Many Dems Undecided Word format New York City voters oppose the extension of term limits to three four-year terms and they want to roll term limits back to two terms, but they approve 69 - 25 percent of the job Mayor Michael Bloomberg is doing and give him double-digit leads over likely Democratic challengers, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Mayor Bloomberg's approval is up from a 66 - 27 percent grade in a November 25, 2008, poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University and puts him back on a track of 69 percent or higher approval ratings in every other poll since he began his second term. If the 2009 mayoral election were held today: Bloomberg tops New York City Comptroller William Thompson 50 - 34 percent; Bloomberg beats U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner 50 - 35 percent. Weiner tops Thompson in a Democratic primary 30 - 23 percent, with 47 percent undecided. "Mayor Mike is riding high as the election year starts. He's got the job. He's got the money. And he's got comfortable early leads over the two Brooklyn Democrats who want his job," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "There seems to be a generic one-third vote for Democrats: It's identical for Weiner and Thompson. Bloomberg crosses the 50 percent mark to lead either of them." By a 66 - 28 percent margin, New York City voters have a favorable opinion of Bloomberg. Weiner gets a 34 - 10 percent favorability, but 54 percent don't know enough about him to form an opinion. Thompson gets a 25 - 5 percent favorability, but 69 percent don't know enough about him. "It's not that New Yorkers don't like Weiner or Thompson. They just don't know much about them," Carroll said. "That's probably why the big winner in a Democratic primary - almost a majority - is 'don't know.' Among those who do know, Weiner is ahead by a bit." New York City voters support term limits for elected officials 69 - 25 percent, and disapprove 56 - 42 percent of the City Council action to extend term limits, an act that allows Bloomberg and the Council members to run for a third term. Voters say 61 - 33 percent that the limit of two four-year terms should be restored after the 2009 election. "Term limits? We love them and we want them back - after we reelect Bloomberg," Carroll added. In the Weiner-Bloomberg matchup, Bloomberg takes Republicans 67 - 22 percent and gets 44 percent of Democrats to Weiner's 42 percent. Independent voters go 59 - 24 percent for Bloomberg. White voters back Bloomberg 58 - 28 percent, as do Hispanics, 50 - 37 percent, while blacks back Weiner 45 - 38 percent. Facing Thompson, Bloomberg leads 67 - 19 percent among Republicans and ties 42 - 42 percent with Democrats, while independent voters go to Bloomberg 62 - 20 percent. The Mayor leads 60 - 23 percent among white voters and 45 - 39 percent among Hispanics, while black voters back Thompson 50 - 34 percent. Bloomberg's use of his own money to finance his campaign leaves him free of influence by lobbyists and special interests, 54 percent of New York City voters say, while 40 percent say it gives him an unfair advantage and looks like he is trying to buy reelection. The Mayor should run for reelection as an independent candidate, 30 percent of voters say, while 23 percent want him to run as a Democrat; 10 percent want him to run as a Republican and 36 percent are undecided. Only 33 percent of Democrats want Bloomberg to campaign under their banner and only 36 percent of Republicans want him back in the GOP. "There's a political saying that's trotted out for all wealthy candidates: He's too rich to be corrupt. It's a clich‚, but that's how New Yorkers feel about Mayor Mike. From January 20 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,216 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. The survey includes 796 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. 1. (If registered Democrat) As you may know, there will be a New York City mayoral election this year. Thinking about the Democratic primary for Mayor, if the 2009 Democratic primary for Mayor were being held today and the candidates were Anthony Weiner and William Thompson, for whom would you vote? Dems Weiner 30% Thompson 23 DK/NA 47 2. If the 2009 election for Mayor were being held today, and the candidates were Anthony Weiner the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Weiner 35% 22% 42% 24% 28% 45% 37% Bloomberg 50 67 44 59 58 38 50 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 3 1 3 1 3 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 2 1 2 - DK/NA 12 6 12 13 12 13 11 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Weiner 39% 39% 28% 37% 26% 32% 38% Bloomberg 43 49 57 47 59 55 46 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 4 2 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 4 2 1 DK/NA 14 10 14 11 9 10 13 TREND: If the 2009 election for Mayor were being held today, and the candidates were Anthony Weiner the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2008 Weiner 35 34 Bloomberg 50 50 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 DK/NA 12 13 3. If the 2009 election for Mayor were being held today, and the candidates were William Thompson the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Thompson 34% 19% 42% 20% 23% 50% 39% Bloomberg 50 67 42 62 60 34 45 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 5 1 4 1 3 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 3 - 1 1 - - DK/NA 13 6 14 14 14 13 13 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Thompson 51% 31% 24% 36% 29% 28% 38% Bloomberg 34 50 60 47 57 55 45 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 4 2 3 1 3 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - - 1 3 1 1 DK/NA 13 15 14 13 10 13 14 TREND: If the 2009 election for Mayor were being held today, and the candidates were William Thompson the Democrat and Michael Bloomberg the Independent, for whom would you vote? Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2008 Thompson 34 34 Bloomberg 50 49 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 DK/NA 13 14 4. Is your opinion of -- Michael Bloomberg favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favorable 66% 72% 63% 73% 72% 58% 62% Unfavorable 28 26 31 19 25 34 27 Hvn't hrd enough 3 1 4 4 1 5 6 REFUSED 3 1 3 3 2 3 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favorable 61% 68% 72% 62% 62% 69% 63% Unfavorable 30 28 22 30 33 26 29 Hvn't hrd enough 5 3 1 5 2 3 3 REFUSED 4 2 5 3 2 2 4 TREND: Is your opinion of -- Michael Bloomberg favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2008 Favorable 66 61 Unfavorable 28 31 Hvn't hrd enough 3 4 REFUSED 3 3 5. Is your opinion of -- Anthony Weiner favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favorable 34% 29% 36% 34% 39% 35% 24% Unfavorable 10 21 7 10 15 4 10 Hvn't hrd enough 54 48 55 54 44 59 64 REFUSED 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favorable 26% 37% 33% 37% 32% 37% 32% Unfavorable 9 10 9 10 19 13 8 Hvn't hrd enough 63 51 56 50 47 48 58 REFUSED 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 TREND: Is your opinion of -- Anthony Weiner favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2008 Favorable 34 31 Unfavorable 10 10 Hvn't hrd enough 54 57 REFUSED 2 2 6. Is your opinion of -- William Thompson favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favorable 25% 11% 30% 20% 20% 38% 23% Unfavorable 5 11 3 6 7 2 4 Hvn't hrd enough 69 73 66 72 72 60 68 REFUSED 2 5 1 2 1 - 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favorable 34% 24% 21% 24% 25% 25% 24% Unfavorable 3 4 4 5 14 6 4 Hvn't hrd enough 59 71 75 68 60 67 70 REFUSED 4 1 1 3 1 2 2 TREND: Is your opinion of -- William Thompson favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Jan 27 Nov 25 2009 2008 Favorable 25 25 Unfavorable 5 4 Hvn't hrd enough 69 70 REFUSED 2 1 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 69% 73% 67% 73% 74% 69% 62% Disapprove 25 24 27 18 22 26 29 DK/NA 6 3 6 9 5 5 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 62% 71% 73% 66% 69% 72% 66% Disapprove 32 23 19 26 27 21 28 DK/NA 6 5 8 8 4 6 6 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor? (*also 75% on 10/03/08, 3/12/08, 1/16/07 & 11/17/05) Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 21 Oct 3 Jul 16 Oct 21 Jul 2 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008* 2003 Approve 69 66 75 75 71 75 31 Disapprove 25 27 20 19 22 19 60 DK/NA 6 7 6 6 6 6 8 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as Police Commissioner? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 67% 87% 63% 68% 80% 55% 57% Disapprove 19 5 23 16 8 34 24 DK/NA 14 7 14 16 11 11 20 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 63% 69% 64% 68% 82% 72% 63% Disapprove 23 17 20 18 12 18 19 DK/NA 15 14 16 14 6 10 17 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as Police Commissioner? (*also 70% on 2/3/06) Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7&8 Mar 9 Jan 16 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2006* 2007 Approve 67 62 61 60 59 70 52 Disapprove 19 23 25 27 30 17 34 DK/NA 14 16 14 13 11 13 14 9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joel Klein is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor? HvKids Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp PubSch Approve 43% 50% 42% 43% 45% 43% 39% 57% Disapprove 36 25 39 31 30 42 41 34 DK/NA 21 25 19 25 24 15 20 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 40% 40% 40% 51% 44% 48% 39% Disapprove 44 36 33 31 44 30 41 DK/NA 16 23 27 18 12 22 20 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joel Klein is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Feb 26 Mar 15 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2003 2007 Approve 43 43 42 44 37 46 33 Disapprove 36 35 38 37 41 27 43 DK/NA 21 22 20 19 22 28 24 10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Betsy Gotbaum is handling her job as Public Advocate? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 43% 26% 49% 40% 40% 47% 44% Disapprove 17 25 16 13 17 16 15 DK/NA 41 50 35 47 43 37 41 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 48% 42% 44% 37% 51% 39% 46% Disapprove 16 15 14 19 25 18 15 DK/NA 36 44 41 44 23 43 39 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Betsy Gotbaum is handling her job as Public Advocate? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Oct 3 Feb 26 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2003 Approve 43 43 49 45 48 49 34 Disapprove 17 17 16 17 18 16 17 DK/NA 41 40 35 38 33 35 49 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christine Quinn is handling her job as City Council Speaker? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 43% 36% 47% 40% 41% 47% 45% Disapprove 23 34 20 22 27 21 19 DK/NA 34 30 32 38 33 32 36 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 44% 39% 47% 43% 49% 41% 45% Disapprove 24 25 20 23 25 29 18 DK/NA 33 36 34 34 26 30 37 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christine Quinn is handling her job as City Council Speaker? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 14 Nov 25 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 Approve 43 40 48 44 43 51 40 Disapprove 23 29 22 25 30 12 29 DK/NA 34 31 29 31 27 37 31 12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way William Thompson is handling his job as City Comptroller? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 48% 39% 52% 45% 44% 62% 46% Disapprove 12 13 12 11 9 10 19 DK/NA 40 48 36 45 48 28 35 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 60% 46% 42% 47% 49% 47% 48% Disapprove 12 12 11 11 21 14 11 DK/NA 28 42 47 42 30 39 41 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way William Thompson is handling his job as City Comptroller? Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Oct 3 Feb 26 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2003 Approve 48 48 53 51 51 53 35 Disapprove 12 12 13 13 16 13 13 DK/NA 40 40 34 36 33 34 52 13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the City Council is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 41% 38% 43% 41% 41% 38% 47% Disapprove 37 44 36 35 37 42 35 DK/NA 21 18 21 23 22 20 18 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 48% 41% 42% 36% 44% 39% 43% Disapprove 33 37 35 41 46 43 33 DK/NA 19 22 23 23 9 18 24 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the City Council is handling its job? (*high also 50% on 3/13/08, **low also 41% 11/25/08) Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jan 27 Nov 25 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Oct 3 Jan 27 2009 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008* 2009** Approve 41 41 50 43 47 50 41 Disapprove 37 41 31 38 38 31 37 DK/NA 21 19 18 18 16 18 21 15. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose setting limits on the number of years elected officials can hold office? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favor 69% 76% 67% 69% 68% 66% 71% Oppose 25 18 28 24 26 29 21 DK/NA 6 5 6 7 5 5 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favor 70% 69% 67% 66% 78% 69% 68% Oppose 25 27 26 26 21 25 26 DK/NA 5 4 7 8 1 6 6 TREND: Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose setting limits on the number of years elected officials can hold office? Jan 27 Oct 21 Oct 3 Jul 16 Mar 1 2009 2008 2008 2008 2001 Favor 69 62 65 71 67 Oppose 25 29 29 23 28 DK/NA 6 9 6 6 5 16. As you may know, the City Council extended term limits from two to three terms for New York City elected officials. Do you approve or disapprove of this extension of term limits? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 42% 44% 39% 51% 44% 32% 45% Disapprove 56 53 58 45 53 65 51 DK/NA 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 41% 40% 48% 38% 42% 38% 44% Disapprove 55 58 50 57 58 60 52 DK/NA 4 2 2 5 1 2 4 17. Do you think the two term limit should be restored after the 2009 New York City elections or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 61% 56% 64% 54% 59% 69% 59% No 33 39 30 39 36 23 35 DK/NA 6 4 6 7 5 8 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 64% 65% 52% 63% 60% 59% 63% No 30 30 41 28 37 37 29 DK/NA 6 5 7 8 3 4 8 18. Mayor Bloomberg has said that he is going to run for reelection and might run as an Independent, Republican, or Democrat. Would you like to see him run as an Independent, a Republican, or a Democrat? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Independent 30% 22% 26% 51% 36% 26% 25% Republican 10 36 5 9 14 8 8 Democrat 23 10 33 8 16 28 34 DK/NA 36 33 36 33 34 39 33 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Independent 24% 29% 36% 29% 36% 35% 26% Republican 10 13 7 9 14 11 9 Democrat 35 22 19 23 18 19 27 DK/NA 31 36 38 39 32 35 37 19. As you may know, Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent millions of dollars of his own money to be elected Mayor and says he will do the same in this year's race for Mayor. Which comes closer to your point of view A) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg is free from being beholden to lobbyists and other special interests who would otherwise finance his campaign. OR B) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg has an unfair advantage and looks like he is trying to buy the election? Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp A) Free of special interests 54% 65% 49% 63% 60% 42% 51% B) Unfair/Buying 40 28 45 32 33 50 44 election DK/NA 6 7 6 5 7 7 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom A) Free of special interests 45% 51% 62% 52% 62% 57% 51% B) Unfair/Buying election 51 40 33 43 33 39 42 DK/NA 4 9 4 5 6 5 7 TREND: As you may know, Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent millions of dollars of his own money to be elected Mayor and says he will do the same in this year's race for Mayor. Which comes closer to your point of view -- A) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg is free from being beholden to B) By financing his own campaigns Bloomberg has an unfair advantage and looks Jan 27 Mar 30 2009 2005 A) Free of special interests 54 47 B) Unfair/Buying election 40 45 DK/NA 6 8
