New York City (NYC) Poll * October 3, 2008 * Most New Yorkers Back Third Te - Quinnipiac University

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October 3, 2008 - Most New Yorkers Back Third Term For Bloomberg, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; He Leads Anyone In '09 Pack 5 - 1

Word format By a margin of 54 - 42 percent, New York City voters favor extending the eight-year term limit to 12 years so they can elect Mayor Michael Bloomberg to a third term, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a July 16 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll in which New Yorkers opposed 56 - 38 percent extending term limits for four more years of Mayor Bloomberg.
In this latest survey, conducted Tuesday and Wednesday amidst speculation about Mayor Bloomberg's plans but before his official announcement, Democrats favor 53 - 43 percent extending term limits, while Republicans and independents support it 61 - 37 percent and 55 - 41 percent respectively. Whites back the idea 64 - 31 percent while black voters are opposed 54 - 42 percent and Hispanic voters favor the idea 51- 47 percent.
"Does this mean that New York voters like term limits less? No. It means they like Mayor Mike more," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Asked who they most want to see elected Mayor in 2009:
51 percent name Bloomberg; 9 percent choose Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; 8 percent want City Comptroller William Thompson; 7 percent pick Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly; 7 percent name U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner; 5 percent pick City Council Speaker Christine Quinn; 4 percent name Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.
"Will it be a coronation? Bloomberg's support is more than 50 percent. The others? Way down in single digits. His job approval is still up in the stratosphere, where it's been for three years," Carroll added.
Looking at another term limit question, 52 percent of New Yorkers say Bloomberg deserves four more years to finish his work as Mayor, while 44 percent say changing the rules in the middle of the game is unfair.
By a 65 - 29 percent margin, New Yorkers support the basic concept of term limits. Support is consistent among all groups.
In a question where no individual is named, New York City voters oppose 56 - 39 percent extending the current two-term or eight-year limit so city officials could serve a third term.
And while voters would extend term limits to vote for Bloomberg, they oppose 58 - 35 percent extending term limits to give their local City Council member four more years.
"Council members' feelings might be hurt that voters don't want to change term limits for them. But presumably they'll swallow their pride and take a free ride to a third-term campaign along with the mayor," Carroll said.
New York City voters approve 75 - 19 percent of the job Bloomberg is doing. Approval is consistent among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters. Whites approve 83 - 13 percent while blacks approve 69 - 23 percent and Hispanic voters approve 68 - 25 percent. Bloomberg's approval has topped 70 percent in every poll except one - a 69 percent rating - since November 2005.
Approval for three other city-wide elected officials is at or close to the highest levels ever:
53 - 13 percent for Comptroller Thompson; 49 - 16 percent for Public Advocate Gotbaum; 48 - 22 percent for Council Speaker Quinn.
"If these leaders decide to get on the Bloomberg bandwagon and seek a third term, they're starting out from a good position," Carroll said.
From September 30 - October 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,316 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 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. For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 75% 78% 75% 75% 83% 69% 68% Disapprove 19 17 18 20 13 23 25 DK/NA 6 5 7 5 5 8 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 67% 72% 82% 76% 79% 79% 72% Disapprove 25 21 14 17 16 15 21 DK/NA 8 7 4 7 5 6 7
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor? * also 75% on 3/12/08, 1/16/07 & 11/17/05
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 12 Jan 9 Oct 3 Jul 2 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008* 2003 Approve 75 71 70 75 73 75 31 Disapprove 19 22 22 17 20 19 60 DK/NA 6 6 8 8 7 6 8
2. Now I'm going to name seven people who might run for mayor next year. After I read all seven names, please tell me which one you would most like to see elected mayor in 2009. Here are the choices: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Congressman Anthony Weiner, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Comptroller William Thompson or Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Bloomberg 51% 65% 50% 47% 60% 40% 49% Markowitz 9 7 10 7 5 14 9 Kelly 7 13 6 7 8 6 8 Weiner 7 4 7 10 8 3 7 Quinn 5 3 6 6 6 4 7 Thompson 8 1 8 10 3 17 6 Gotbaum 4 1 5 3 3 5 3 DK/NA 9 7 8 10 7 11 11 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Bloomberg 46% 42% 66% 49% 58% 53% 49% Markowitz 3 21 2 4 10 9 9 Kelly 9 6 3 10 6 7 7 Weiner 4 8 4 11 6 9 6 Quinn 4 5 6 6 4 5 6 Thompson 14 6 6 9 3 10 6 Gotbaum 6 3 5 4 1 1 6 DK/NA 14 9 7 7 13 7 10
WITHOUT Bloomberg (Based on second choice of Bloomberg supporters)
Tot Markowitz 15% Kelly 19 Weiner 15 Quinn 12 Thompson 13 Gotbaum 7 DK/NA 19
TREND: Now I'm going to name seven people who might run for mayor next year. After I read all seven names, please tell me which one you would most like to see elected mayor in 2009. Here are the choices: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Congressman Anthony Weiner, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Comptroller William Thompson, and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum? na = not asked
Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 13 2008 2008 2008 2008 Bloomberg 51 38 na na Markowitz 9 11 13 14 Kelly 7 12 23 22 Weiner 7 10 16 14 Quinn 5 7 10 13 Thompson 8 7 10 8 Gotbaum 4 4 6 8 DK/NA 9 10 22 21
3. 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 61% 79% 56% 70% 73% 47% 58% Disapprove 25 12 30 16 15 41 30 DK/NA 14 9 14 14 12 12 12 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 56% 56% 61% 67% 73% 68% 56% Disapprove 28 31 22 22 18 21 28 DK/NA 17 13 16 11 9 11 16
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 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7&8 Mar 13 Jan 9 Mar 9 Jan 16 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2006* 2007 Approve 61 60 59 62 60 70 52 Disapprove 25 27 30 28 23 17 34 DK/NA 14 13 11 10 16 13 14
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joel Klein is handling his job as New York City Schools Chancellor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 42% 48% 41% 40% 45% 41% 39% Disapprove 38 31 38 42 32 45 41 DK/NA 20 21 21 18 23 14 20 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 41% 39% 46% 39% 51% 48% 37% Disapprove 40 43 32 41 31 32 43 DK/NA 19 18 22 21 18 20 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 Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 13 Jan 9 Feb 26 Mar 15 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2003 2007 Approve 42 44 37 40 40 46 33 Disapprove 38 37 41 39 37 27 43 DK/NA 20 19 22 21 24 28 24
5. 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 49% 38% 52% 47% 44% 56% 50% Disapprove 16 30 12 18 18 11 14 DK/NA 35 32 36 35 38 33 36 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 52% 48% 49% 52% 29% 44% 52% Disapprove 12 18 12 16 31 21 13 DK/NA 36 34 38 32 40 35 35
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Betsy Gotbaum is handling her job as Public Advocate?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 13 Jan 9 Oct 3 Feb 26 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2003 Approve 49 45 48 45 44 49 34 Disapprove 16 17 18 18 18 16 17 DK/NA 35 38 33 37 38 35 49
6. 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 48% 38% 53% 44% 49% 54% 44% Disapprove 22 34 17 31 23 19 22 DK/NA 29 28 29 25 28 27 34 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 44% 49% 50% 50% 44% 47% 49% Disapprove 25 24 17 23 23 29 18 DK/NA 31 27 32 27 33 24 33
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christine Quinn is handling her job as City Council Speaker?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 13 Jan 9 Mar 14 May 7 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2007 2008 Approve 48 44 43 48 48 51 43 Disapprove 22 25 30 15 14 12 30 DK/NA 29 31 27 37 38 37 27
7. 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 53% 43% 55% 56% 46% 67% 47% Disapprove 13 21 11 14 11 12 19 DK/NA 34 36 34 30 43 21 34 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 57% 54% 43% 57% 59% 57% 50% Disapprove 12 17 9 14 7 15 11 DK/NA 31 29 48 29 34 28 38
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way William Thompson is handling his job as City Comptroller?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 13 Jan 9 Oct 3 Feb 26 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2003 Approve 53 51 51 44 48 53 35 Disapprove 13 13 16 11 14 13 13 DK/NA 34 36 33 46 38 34 52
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the city council is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 50% 44% 53% 52% 50% 57% 44% Disapprove 31 42 28 33 30 29 39 DK/NA 18 14 19 15 20 14 18 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 41% 52% 53% 51% 49% 50% 51% Disapprove 38 33 24 31 38 35 29 DK/NA 20 15 24 17 13 16 20
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the city council is handling its job? * also 50% on 3/13/08
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 3 Jul 16 May 7 Mar 13 Jan 9 Oct 3 Jul 16 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008* 2008 Approve 50 43 47 50 46 50 43 Disapprove 31 38 38 29 31 31 38 DK/NA 18 18 16 21 23 18 18
9. 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?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very satisfied 12% 18% 11% 12% 16% 8% 12% Smwht satisfied 48 43 47 55 56 44 38 Smwht dissatisfied 23 21 24 20 21 27 25 Very dissatisfied 16 18 17 11 7 21 23 DK/NA 1 - 1 2 1 - 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very satisfied 10% 11% 19% 9% 9% 15% 11% Smwht satisfied 44 48 53 47 45 54 44 Smwht dissatisfied 23 24 16 26 29 18 26 Very dissatisfied 21 16 11 16 15 12 18 DK/NA 2 1 1 1 2 1 1
TREND: 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?
Oct 3 Jul 16 May 8 Nov 19 Jul 25 Jul 12 Apr 12 2008 2008 2008 2007 2007 2006 2006 Very satisfied 12 9 8 12 10 16 12 Smwht satisfied 48 48 47 53 54 51 56 Smwht dissatisfied 23 26 28 22 23 22 22 Very dissatisfied 16 15 16 11 12 10 9 DK/NA 1 1 - 2 1 1 1
10. 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 65% 66% 65% 67% 65% 67% 63% Oppose 29 28 30 26 30 27 31 DK/NA 6 7 5 7 5 6 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favor 64% 66% 61% 65% 77% 63% 66% Oppose 27 28 34 29 18 32 27 DK/NA 9 6 5 6 5 5 7
TREND: Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose setting limits on the number of years elected officials can hold office?
Oct 3 Jul 16 Mar 1 2008 2008 2001 Favor 65 71 67 Oppose 29 23 28 DK/NA 6 6 5
11. Currently, there is an 8 year time limit for all elected New York City officials. Do you favor or oppose extending this limit to 12 years?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favor 39% 37% 40% 40% 50% 29% 32% Oppose 56 57 56 55 46 68 62 DK/NA 5 6 4 5 4 4 7 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favor 30% 35% 51% 38% 38% 41% 37% Oppose 66 59 46 56 54 55 57 DK/NA 4 6 4 6 8 4 6
TREND: Currently, there is an 8 year term limit for all elected New York City officials. Do you favor or oppose extending this limit to 12 years?
Oct 3 Jul 16 Mar 1 2008 2008 2001 Favor 39 32 34 Oppose 56 65 63 DK/NA 5 3 4
12. As you may know, Michael Bloomberg will have served 8 years as Mayor by the end of 2009. If Mayor Bloomberg commits to running for a third term as mayor, would you favor or oppose extending the 8 year time limit so you could vote for him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favor 54% 61% 53% 55% 64% 42% 51% Oppose 42 37 43 41 31 54 47 DK/NA 4 2 4 3 5 4 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favor 50% 49% 62% 56% 56% 55% 54% Oppose 45 48 33 41 36 41 42 DK/NA 5 3 5 3 8 4 4
TREND: As you may know, Michael Bloomberg will have served 8 years as Mayor by the end of 2009. If Mayor Bloomberg commits to running for a third term as mayor, would you favor or oppose extending the 8 year time limit so you could vote for him?
Oct 3 Jul 16 2008 2008 Favor 54 38 Oppose 42 56 DK/NA 4 5
13. Would you favor or oppose extending the 8 year time limit so your local City Council member can serve four more years?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Favor 35% 34% 35% 36% 38% 29% 36% Oppose 58 62 58 59 53 66 58 DK/NA 7 5 7 5 9 5 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Favor 28% 35% 35% 39% 31% 36% 34% Oppose 65 61 56 54 59 60 58 DK/NA 8 4 8 7 10 4 9
TREND: Would you favor or oppose extending the 8 year time limit so your local City Council member can serve four more years?
Oct 3 Jul 16 2008 2008 Favor 35 26 Oppose 58 66 DK/NA 7 8
14. If term limits are altered or abolished and Mayor Bloomberg could run again, which comes closest to your feelings: Bloomberg has a lot of good programs he wants to finish; he should get four more years in office OR Changing the rules in the middle of the game is unfair; someone else should have the chance to be mayor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Four more years in office 52% 57% 50% 56% 64% 38% 42% Changing the rules unfair 44 40 46 40 32 58 53 DK/NA 5 3 4 4 4 3 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Four more years in office 42% 46% 62% 54% 52% 53% 51% Changing the rules unfair 51 49 33 43 44 42 45 DK/NA 7 5 5 3 5 5 4
TREND: If term limits are altered or abolished and Mayor Bloomberg could run again, which comes closest to your feelings: Bloomberg has a lot of good programs he wants to finish; he should get four more years in office OR Changing the rules in the middle of the game is unfair; someone else should have the chance to be mayor?
Oct 3 Jul 16 2008 2008 Four more years in office 52 40 Changing the rules unfair 44 55 DK/NA 5 5
15. Mayor Bloomberg is trying to balance the city budget. Do you think he should raise taxes, cut spending, or borrow money?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Raise taxes 18% 5% 22% 16% 21% 15% 13% Cut spending 56 73 51 61 57 56 57 Borrow money 14 15 14 14 10 16 20 DK/NA 12 7 12 9 12 12 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Raise taxes 11% 26% 24% 11% 9% 23% 15% Cut spending 61 51 50 60 75 55 57 Borrow money 14 13 12 19 5 11 16 DK/NA 14 10 14 9 11 11 12
TREND: Mayor Bloomberg is trying to balance the city budget. Do you think he should raise taxes, cut spending or borrow money?
Oct 3 May 7 Feb 27 Nov 21 Jul 17 2008 2003 2003 2002 2002 Raise taxes 18 20 17 22 18 Cut spending 56 37 44 44 48 Borrow money 14 29 26 20 23 DK/NA 12 14 13 13 12