October 1, 1997 - 68 Percent Are Satisfied With Life In New York City, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; Mayor Tops Messinger 54 - 33 Percent By an unusually large 68 - 31 percent margin, New York City voters are satisfied with life in the city, a feel-good spirit that helps push Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to 54 - 33 percent lead over Democrat Ruth Messinger, according to a Quinnipiac College Poll released today. When the independent Quinnipiac College Poll first asked this question in March, 1995, only 38 percent of New Yorkers were satisfied, with 60 percent dissatisfied. Compared to four years ago, things in New York City are better, according to 62 percent of voters, while 10 percent say they are worse and 26 percent say they are the same. Giuliani's approval stands at 63 - 33 percent. New Yorkers say 82 - 14 percent the Mayor gets things done, while a negative 43 - 52 percent say he has a likable personality. New Yorkers, 40 - 32 percent, say Ms. Messinger gets things done, while 55 - 28 percent say she has a likable personality. White voters go for Giuliani 72 - 21 percent, while black voters support Messinger 58 - 21 percent and Hispanics go to Messinger 42 - 37 percent, a virtual tie. "New Yorkers are happy with the way things are going in the City, and they equate improvements with the years that Mayor Giuliani has been in City Hall," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac College Polling Institute. "People like Ruth Messinger. They just don't intend to vote for her. On traits such as 'leadership' and 'gets things done,' and on the most important matchup -- the vote -- Giuliani has a firm grip on a big lead." By a 77 - 15 percent margin, voters say Giuliani would do a better job than Messinger handling crime. The Mayor also wins on taxes, 54 - 27 percent; unemployment 47 - 37 percent, and the economy, 62 - 23 percent. Messinger wins on education, 48 - 39 percent; race relations, 49 - 36 percent; homelessness and poverty, 57 - 30 percent; welfare, 46 - 40 percent, and housing and rental costs, 45 - 40 percent. The candidates split at 44 percent on handling police brutality. "Messinger's concentration on education gives her a slight edge in that area, but it's just not enough: 41 percent of voters say education is one of the most important issues in deciding how they'll vote and most of them go with the Democrat," Carroll said. "Another 39 percent list crime as a top issue and Giuliani gets almost every one of them." By a 38 - 29 percent margin, voters say the Mayor has been more negative than the challenger in campaign adds: 37 percent say he spends more time explaining what he will do if reelected, while 47 percent say he spends more time attacking his opponent. Looking at the Messinger campaign, 47 percent say she spends more time explaining her agenda, while 40 percent say she spends more time attacking the Mayor. Giuliani's favorability rating is 48 - 22, with 25 percent mixed and 4 percent who don't know enough to form an opinion. Ms. Messinger's favorability rating is 23 - 20, with 26 percent mixed and 31 percent who don't know enough to form an opinion. Public Advocate, City Comptroller Races In two other citywide races, Democratic incumbent Mark Green holds a 63 - 10 percent lead over Republican/Liberal Jules Polenetsky in the race for Public Advocate, while Democratic incumbent Alan Hevesi leads Republican challenger Anne Marie McAvoy 62 -14 percent in the race for City Comptroller. From September 25 - 29, Quinnipiac College surveyed 775 New York City residents who say they are registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent. The Quinnipiac College Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public service and for research. 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rudolph Giuliani is handling his job as Mayor? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Approve 63% 78% 32% 53% 66% 61% 64% Disapprove 33 20 62 41 31 35 29 DK/NA 4 2 6 6 3 4 7 1a. Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Approve strongly 33% 47% 8% 18% 39% 29% 33% Approve smwht 30 31 25 35 27 32 31 Disapprove smwht 12 8 18 20 12 12 12 Disapprove strongly 21 12 44 22 19 23 17 DK/NA 4 2 6 6 3 4 7 2. How much attention have you been paying to the campaign for Mayor -- a lot, some, only a little or none at all? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 A lot 34% 31% 47% 24% 34% 34% 20% Some 39 45 28 33 39 40 38 Only a little 20 19 18 28 19 21 28 None at all 6 4 7 14 8 5 14 DK/NA - - 1 - - - - 3. Is your opinion of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Favorable 48% 63% 14% 42% 54% 44% 49% Unfavorable 22 14 45 20 20 25 21 Mixed 25 21 31 31 21 28 28 Haven't heard enough 4 1 10 7 5 4 2 4. Is your opinion of Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Favorable 23% 17% 35% 30% 19% 26% 24% Unfavorable 20 25 11 14 23 17 19 Mixed 26 31 21 19 24 27 22 Haven't heard enough 31 26 34 35 32 30 36 REFUSED 1 1 - 1 2 - 1 5. If the 1997 election for Mayor were being held today and the candidates were Rudolph Giuliani the Republican and Liberal party candidate, and Ruth Messinger the Democratic party candidate, for whom would you vote? (* Question read "If the 1997 election for Mayor were being held today and the candidates were Rudolph Giuliani the Republican, and Ruth Messinger the Democrat, for whom would you vote?) Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997* Giuliani/Rep. 54% 72% 21% 37% 59% 50% 53% Messinger/Dem. 33 21 58 42 28 37 35 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 6 1 1 3 1 WOULDN'T VOTE (VOL) 3 1 4 8 5 1 3 DK/NA 8 5 12 12 7 9 9 8. There are three other candidates on the ballot for Mayor this year. Sal Albanese for the Independence Party, Peter Gaffney for the Right to Life Party, and Olga Rodriguez for the Socialist Workers Party. If the election for Mayor were being held today would you vote for Rudolph Giuliani the Republican and Liberal party candidate, Ruth Messinger the Democratic party candidate or one of the other candidates on the ballot this year? IF "OTHER ASK: which one? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani/Rep. 53% 71% 19% 35% 58% 49% Messinger/Dem. 30 20 55 37 24 35 Albanese/Ind. 3 3 3 1 4 2 Gaffney/Right to Life 1 1 2 1 1 1 Rodriguez/Socialist 2 1 2 6 2 2 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - 3 5 3 1 WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 4 2 2 1 DK/NA 8 4 11 11 7 8 9. Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election? Giuliani Messinger Voter Voter Yes made up 78% 70% No might change 22 29 DK/NA - 1 9A. Would you describe your support for Rudolph Giuliani/Ruth Messinger as strongly favoring him, or do you like him/her but with reservations, or do you support him/her because you dislike Ruth Messinger/Rudolph Giuliani? Giuliani Messinger Voter Voter Strongly favor 52% 30% Like with reservations 43 39 Dislike Messinger/ 3 27 Giuliani DK/NA 1 4 10. What issues matter most in deciding how you will vote for Mayor? (Column percentages add up to more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed) Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom CRIME/VIOLENCE 39% 49% 16% 31% 43% 35% DRUGS 1 1 1 1 - 2 MORE POLICE 8 9 8 11 9 8 POLICE BRUTALITY 7 3 19 1 7 8 POLICE CORUPTION 1 1 1 - 1 1 CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 1 1 - 1 1 - ECONOMY 8 10 4 4 13 5 UNEMPLOYMENT/JOBS 8 5 15 11 8 9 TAXES 7 8 4 6 7 6 INCOME TAX - - 1 - - 1 SALES TAX - - 1 - 1 - LOCAL PROPERTY TAX - - 1 - 1 - BUDGET DEFICIT/ BALANCED BUDGET/ BUDGET 2 1 3 - 1 2 POVERTY/HOMELESSNESS 2 2 4 1 2 3 HOUSING COSTS/ AVAILABILITY/RENT CONTROL 5 5 6 2 4 5 OVERCROWDING - - - 1 - - WELFARE 4 3 3 10 4 4 CLASS INEQUALITY/ INCOME DISPARITY - - 1 - - - MIDDLE/WORKING CLASS REF. - - 1 1 1 - BUDGET CUTS/CUTS IN SERVICES 1 1 - - - 1 IMMIGRATION 1 - 1 1 1 1 HONESTY/INTEGRITY 1 2 1 - 2 1 VALUES/MORALS/ETHICS - 1 - - - - FAMILY BREAKDOWN/ FAMILY VALUES - - 1 1 - - CHILDREN'S ISSUES 1 1 2 1 - 2 HEALTHCARE/COSTS/ INSURANCE 2 2 2 1 1 3 ABORTION - - 1 1 - - ELDERLY 1 1 1 - - 1 EDUCATION 41 33 53 55 35 46 COLLEGE TUITION 1 - 2 2 1 1 FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2 3 2 - 3 2 QUALITY OF LIFE 7 11 3 3 10 5 ENVIRONMENT/ POLLUTION 3 4 1 2 3 3 RACISM/RACE RELATIONS 3 2 6 4 4 3 LACK OF MASS TRANSIT/PUBLIC TRANS 2 2 1 2 2 2 TRAFFIC - - 1 - - - ROADS 1 1 1 - 1 1 POLITICIANS/ GOVERNMENT 1 1 2 - 2 1 POLITICAL CORRUPTION - - - - - - PARTY 1 - 1 2 1 1 POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY - - - - - - RECORD IN OFFICE 5 6 2 3 4 5 LEADERSHIP QUALITIES 2 3 1 - 2 2 LIKE CANDIDATE REF. 1 2 2 - 2 1 DISLIKE CANDIDATE REF. 2 2 1 - 2 1 OTHER 14 18 11 6 15 13 DK/NA 10 6 13 23 8 11 11. Of those you've mentioned, what single issue matters most in deciding how you will vote for Mayor? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom CRIME/VIOLENCE 23% 32% 5% 15% 26% 20% DRUGS - - 1 - - 1 MORE POLICE 3 2 3 3 2 3 POLICE BRUTALITY 2 1 9 - 3 2 CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - - - - 1 - ECONOMY 2 3 2 1 3 2 UNEMPLOYMENT/JOBS 2 1 6 1 3 2 TAXES 1 1 2 - 2 1 BUDGET DEFICIT/ BALANCED BUDGET/ BUDGET 1 1 1 - 1 1 POVERTY/HOMELESSNESS 1 1 1 - 1 1 HOUSING COSTS/ AVAILABILITY/RENT CONTROL 1 2 1 - 1 2 WELFARE 1 1 1 5 1 2 CLASS INEQUALITY/ INCOME DISPARITY - - 1 - 1 - BUDGET CUTS/CUTS IN SERVICES - - 1 - 1 - IMMIGRATION - - - - - - HONESTY/INTEGRITY - 1 - - 1 - VALUES/MORALS/ ETHICS - 1 - - - 1 CHILDREN'S ISSUES - - - 1 - 1 HEALTHCARE/COSTS/ INSURANCE 1 - 1 2 1 1 EDUCATION 23 14 36 35 16 29 COLLEGE TUITION - - 1 1 1 - FUNDING PUBLIC SHOOLS 1 1 3 - 1 1 QUALITY OF LIFE 3 5 - - 4 2 ENVIRONMENT/ POLLUTION 1 - - 1 1 - RACISM/RACE RELATIONS 1 1 3 1 2 1 LACK OF MASS TRANSIT/PUBLIC TRANS - - - - - - PARTY 1 - 1 2 1 - RECORD IN OFFICE 3 3 2 2 2 3 LEADERSHIP QUALITIES 2 3 1 2 3 2 LIKE CANDIDATE REF. 1 2 1 - 1 1 DISLIKE CANDIDATE REF. 1 2 1 - 1 2 OTHER 7 9 4 6 8 6 DK/NA 14 12 16 22 14 15 12. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York City today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? (** Results based on random sample of all adults in New York City) Dec 20 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1994** Very satisfied 15% 20% 5% 14% 19% 12% 3% Smwht satisfied 53 58 42 51 56 50 34 Smwht dissatisfied 22 17 34 27 16 27 37 Very dissatisfied 9 4 19 8 8 10 24 DK/NA 1 1 - - - 1 2 13. Since Rudolph Giuliani became Mayor in January 1994, do you feel that things in New York City have gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed about the same? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Gotten better 62% 75% 34% 60% 68% 57% Gotten worse 10 5 20 9 8 11 Stayed same 26 16 43 30 22 29 DK/NA 3 4 3 1 2 3 14. I'm going to read off some personal characteristics and qualities. As I read each one, tell me if you think it applies to Rudolph Giuliani or not? Would you say that Rudolph Giuliani can get things done or not? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Yes 82% 91% 64% 77% 85% 80% 86% No 14 7 31 16 11 16 11 DK/NA 4 3 4 7 4 4 4 15. Would you say that Rudolph Giuliani has a likable personality or not? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Yes 43% 49% 26% 48% 41% 44% 47% No 52 45 68 50 55 49 47 DK/NA 5 6 5 2 3 7 6 16. Would you say that Rudolph Giuliani has strong leadership qualities or not? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Yes 80% 87% 64% 76% 84% 76% 81% No 18 11 33 22 15 21 15 DK/NA 2 2 3 3 1 3 3 17. Would you say that Rudolph Giuliani is honest and trustworthy or not? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Yes 56% 73% 27% 51% 62% 51% 60% No 34 19 62 41 29 38 29 DK/NA 10 8 11 8 9 10 11 18. Would you say that Rudolph Giuliani is sympathetic to the problems of the poor or not? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Yes 38% 50% 13% 32% 41% 35% 38% No 54 41 83 60 54 55 54 DK/NA 8 9 3 8 5 10 8 19. Would you say that Rudolph Giuliani works well with other political leaders or not? Aug 5 Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom 1997 Yes 41% 45% 30% 38% 42% 40% 43% No 48 43 60 53 49 47 47 DK/NA 11 12 10 10 9 13 10 20. I'm going to read off some personal characteristics and qualities. As I read each one, tell me if you think it applies to Ruth Messinger or not? Would you say that Ruth Messinger can get things done or not? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Yes 40% 32% 57% 47% 34% 45% No 32 39 21 25 37 27 DK/NA 28 29 22 28 29 28 21. Would you say that Ruth Messinger has a likable personality or not? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Yes 55% 42% 76% 68% 51% 58% No 28 39 11 20 30 26 DK/NA 17 19 13 11 18 16 22. Would you say that Ruth Messinger has strong leadership qualities or not? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Yes 40% 30% 56% 54% 36% 44% No 38 47 25 24 42 35 DK/NA 22 23 19 22 22 21 23. Would you say that Ruth Messinger is honest and trustworthy or not? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Yes 60% 61% 70% 52% 61% 59% No 14 13 11 19 14 14 DK/NA 26 27 20 29 25 27 24. Would you say that Ruth Messinger is sympathetic to the problems of the poor or not? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Yes 72% 75% 73% 66% 75% 69% No 9 6 10 18 8 10 DK/NA 19 19 16 16 17 21 25. Would you say that Ruth Messinger works well with other political leaders or not? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Yes 53% 45% 71% 50% 53% 52% No 19 22 10 21 20 18 DK/NA 29 33 19 29 27 30 26. Who do you think would do a better job handling education, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 39% 47% 22% 35% 43% 37% Messinger 48 38 73 53 45 51 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 3 4 2 2 3 4 DK/NA 9 11 3 10 9 9 27. Who do you think would do a better job handling taxes, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 54% 64% 34% 53% 61% 48% Messinger 27 15 52 27 24 30 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 6 6 4 9 6 6 DK/NA 14 15 10 12 10 17 28. Who do you think would do a better job handling crime, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 77% 85% 62% 73% 80% 74% Messinger 15 7 31 19 14 16 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 3 3 2 3 2 3 DK/NA 5 4 5 5 3 6 29. Who do you think would do a better job handling unemployment, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 47% 58% 22% 44% 51% 45% Messinger 37 25 66 41 36 38 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 3 4 2 3 3 3 DK/NA 13 13 10 12 11 14 30. Who do you think would do a better job handling the economy, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 62% 72% 45% 48% 68% 56% Messinger 23 12 46 27 19 27 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 4 5 3 7 5 4 DK/NA 11 11 5 18 8 12 31. Who do you think would do a better job handling race relations, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 36% 47% 12% 27% 37% 35% Messinger 49 38 73 56 50 48 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 6 6 4 5 5 6 DK/NA 10 9 10 12 8 11 32. Who do you think would do a better job handling homelessness and poverty, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 30% 39% 12% 26% 32% 29% Messinger 57 47 80 58 59 54 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 4 4 4 5 4 5 DK/NA 9 9 5 11 5 12 33. Who do you think would do a better job handling police brutality Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 44% 56% 22% 41% 46% 43% Messinger 44 33 70 41 44 44 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 3 3 2 7 3 4 DK/NA 9 8 7 11 7 10 34. Who do you think would do a better job handling welfare, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 40% 50% 16% 39% 43% 38% Messinger 46 36 71 46 48 45 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 3 3 3 2 3 3 DK/NA 11 11 10 13 7 14 35. Who do you think would do a better job handling housing and rental costs, Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 40% 49% 16% 39% 41% 39% Messinger 45 34 73 42 47 43 SAME/NO DIFFERENCE (VOL) 4 4 3 6 3 4 DK/NA 12 14 8 13 9 15 36. What do you think Rudolph Giuliani is spending more time doing in his campaign - explaining what he would do in a second term as mayor or attacking Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Explaining what he would do 37% 42% 25% 42% 35% 39% Attacking Messinger 47 39 64 48 49 46 DK/NA 16 19 10 10 16 16 37. What do think Ruth Messinger is spending more time doing in her campaign - explaining what she would do as mayor or attacking Rudolph Giuliani? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Explaining what she would do 47% 35% 74% 53% 43% 50% Attacking Giuliani 40 50 19 36 44 36 DK/NA 13 15 6 11 14 13 38. Who's more responsible for the negative campaigning there has been this year - Rudolph Giuliani or Ruth Messinger? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Giuliani 38% 28% 62% 35% 38% 39% Messinger 29 34 17 35 30 28 NO DIFFERENCE/SAME (VOL) 16 20 8 14 18 14 DK/NA 17 18 13 15 14 19 39. If the 1997 election for New York City Public Advocate were being held today and the candidates were Mark Green the Democratic and Independence party candidate, and Jules Polonetsky the Republican and Liberal Party candidate, for whom would you vote? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Green/Dem. 63% 62% 75% 50% 63% 63% Polonetsky/Rep. 10 12 7 6 12 8 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 1 4 2 1 WOULN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 2 3 8 3 3 DK/NA 23 23 14 31 21 24 40. If the 1997 election for New York City Controller were being held today, and the candidates were Alan Hevesi the Democratic and Liberal party candidate, and Anne Marie McAvoy the Republican party candidate, for whom would you vote? Tot Wht Blk His Men Wom Hevesi/Dem. 62% 62% 70% 56% 64% 60% McAvoy/Rep. 14 16 9 12 16 13 SOMEONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 2 2 1 - WOULDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 3 5 1 2 DK/NA 21 20 17 25 17 24
