New York City (NYC) Poll * July 12, 2006 * New Yorkers Like Mayor's Big T - Quinnipiac University

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July 12, 2006 - New Yorkers Like Mayor's Big Talk, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; But Most Don't Think He'll Run For President

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's policy of speaking out on major national issues is good for the city, New York City voters say 70 - 16 percent, but most voters don't think the Mayor will run for President and fewer than half would vote for him if he did, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
A total of 36 percent of voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" Bloomberg will run for President, while 62 percent say it is "not too likely" or "not likely at all," the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
If Bloomberg does run, 40 percent of New York City voters say they "definitely" or "probably" will vote for him, while 48 percent say they "probably" or "definitely" won't.
Bloomberg still enjoys a 72 - 19 percent approval rating, largely unchanged in recent months. Black voters approve of the Mayor 66 - 23 percent, while white voters approve 77 - 15 percent and Hispanic voters approve 62 - 28 percent.
"Keep talking, Mayor Mike. An opinionated Bloomberg? Great, New Yorkers think. President Bloomberg? That's another question. He wouldn't carry his city," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The yackiest borough, Manhattan, applauds the mayor's talkativeness the most."
"Mayor Bloomberg's new outspokenness hasn't persuaded most New Yorkers that he has his eye on the White House. But there's a hefty minority who think he might."
"Whether or not he's thinking about Washington, New Yorkers continue to think he's doing okay in City Hall," Carroll said. Ground Zero
New York City voters approve 52 - 24 percent of the new design for the memorial at Ground Zero and approve 53 - 26 percent of the new plans for the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site.
But only 40 percent of New York City voters say the redevelopment of Ground Zero is going "very well" or "somewhat well," with 52 percent who say "somewhat badly" or "very badly." This is the lowest grade in four years of polling on this question and compares to a 44 - 47 percent split in an April 12 Quinnipiac University poll.
The families of 9/11 victims have the right amount of input in the development of plans for the Ground Zero memorial, 41 percent of New York City voters say, while 21 percent say they have too little input and 28 percent say the families have too much input.
"New Yorkers agree more and more with claims by media and politicians that the pace of Ground Zero redevelopment is sluggish. But most voters like the new plans for the Freedom Tower and the memorial," Carroll said.
"New Yorkers disagree with claims the 9/11 widows have too much to say about rebuilding Ground Zero. Most say the families have too little input or the right amount."
In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, 19 percent of voters list education as the most important problem facing the city today, with 12 percent each for crime and housing, 11 percent for the economy and 10 percent for terrorism. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein gets a negative 37 - 40 percent approval rating, with 22 percent undecided, his worst score ever. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly gets a 66 - 20 percent approval rating, including 56 - 32 percent among black voters.
From July 5 - 10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,041 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and nationwide as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu 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 72% 76% 71% 70% 77% 66% 62% Disapprove 19 18 21 17 15 23 28 DK/NA 9 6 8 13 8 12 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 55% 71% 76% 76% 79% 74% 69% Disapprove 29 19 15 17 17 19 20 DK/NA 16 10 8 7 4 7 11
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his job as Mayor?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 12 Apr 12 Mar 8 Feb 2 Aug 18 Nov 17 Jul 2 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2003 Approve 72 69 73 72 64 75 31 Disapprove 19 20 19 19 26 17 60 DK/NA 9 11 8 8 10 7 8
2. 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 66% 80% 64% 65% 74% 56% 62% Disapprove 20 14 20 21 12 32 21 DK/NA 14 5 16 14 14 11 17 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 61% 65% 68% 66% 78% 71% 62% Disapprove 27 20 14 22 13 16 22 DK/NA 12 15 19 12 9 13 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ray Kelly is handling his job as Police Commissioner? * - also hit 70% on 2/3/06
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jul 12 Apr 13 Mar 9 Feb 3 Jul 20 Mar 9 Jul 20 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006 * 2004 Approve 66 68 70 70 67 70 61 Disapprove 20 18 17 16 16 17 21 DK/NA 14 14 13 14 16 13 18
3. 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 37% 46% 36% 38% 39% 38% 33% Disapprove 40 32 43 39 36 48 47 DK/NA 22 22 21 23 25 14 20 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 38% 34% 41% 38% 36% 41% 35% Disapprove 42 46 32 40 45 36 44 DK/NA 21 20 27 22 18 23 21
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 Jul 12 Apr 12 Mar 8 Feb 2 Sep 22 Feb 26 Nov 25 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2003 2003 Approve 37 38 38 40 40 46 35 Disapprove 40 39 40 37 33 27 33 DK/NA 22 23 22 23 27 28 33
4. 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 16% 24% 15% 14% 21% 8% 12% Smwht satisfied 51 51 51 55 57 47 43 Smwht dissatisfied 22 16 23 21 15 30 30 Very dissatisfied 10 10 10 9 6 15 13 DK/NA 1 - 1 - - 1 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very satisfied 13% 12% 24% 14% 20% 20% 13% Smwht satisfied 47 49 54 54 54 54 49 Smwht dissatisfied 25 26 17 19 18 17 25 Very dissatisfied 14 12 6 11 7 9 12 DK/NA 2 1 - 1 - 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?
Jul 12 Apr 12 Mar 8 Feb 2 Nov 17 Sep 22 Jul 19 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 Very satisfied 16 12 14 13 19 12 11 Smwht satisfied 51 56 54 59 56 51 55 Smwht dissatisfied 22 22 20 19 16 22 22 Very dissatisfied 10 9 12 7 8 13 10 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 2 2
5. What do you think is the most important problem facing New York City today?
Tot Education Total 19% Education general 15 Teachers 1 Funding education 2 School choice/Vouchers 1 Crime Total 12% Crime/Violence general 10 Gangs/Youth crime 1 Drugs 1 Housing Total 12% Housing general 1 Housing Costs/ Availability 11 Economy Total 11% Economy general 3 Unemployment/jobs 4 Cost of living 4 Terrorism Total 10% Terrorism general 6 Security/Safety 4 Budget Total 2% Budget general 1 Budget cuts/Cuts in services 1 Politicians Total 2% Political corruption 1 Mayor/City leadership 1 Overcrowding/Over population 2 Taxes general 2 Quality mass transit/ Public transportation 2 Immigration 2 Children's issues 1 Class inequality 1 Environment/Pollution 1 Gun control 1 Gas prices 1 Healthcare/Costs/ Ins/HMO's 1 Poverty/Homeless 1 Police general 1 War (Iraq) 1 Other 5 DK/NA 4
6. What is your impression of how well the redevelopment of lower Manhattan is going? Would you say very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very well 9% 11% 8% 8% 7% 7% 9% Somewhat well 31 32 30 32 26 36 39 Somewhat badly 30 32 31 26 34 22 29 Very badly 22 16 22 26 26 21 16 DK/NA 9 8 10 9 8 15 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very well 17% 8% 5% 8% 10% 9% 8% Somewhat well 31 34 23 34 31 26 35 Somewhat badly 23 32 34 26 30 29 30 Very badly 17 14 33 23 25 30 16 DK/NA 13 12 6 9 4 7 12
TREND: What is your impression of how well the redevelopment of lower Manhattan is going? Would you say very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly?
Jul 12 Apr 12 Mar 9 Oct 13 May 12 Sep 10 May 8 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2003 2003 Very well 9 8 10 9 13 12 12 Somewhat well 31 36 33 38 41 50 50 Somewhat badly 30 27 28 27 23 18 20 Very badly 22 20 19 15 13 8 8 DK/NA 9 9 10 12 10 11 10
7. How important is it to you that there be visible progress in the development of Ground Zero this year - Very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very important 40% 53% 36% 41% 39% 38% 43% Smwht important 31 28 35 26 32 31 28 Not too important 18 12 18 18 18 16 22 Not important at all 10 5 9 14 10 13 5 DK/NA 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very important 39% 40% 34% 42% 48% 42% 38% Smwht important 34 29 32 30 33 27 34 Not too important 14 19 21 18 11 18 18 Not important at all 10 10 12 8 8 12 8 DK/NA 3 2 1 2 1 1 2
TREND: How important is it to you that there be visible progress in the development of Ground Zero this year - Very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?
Jul 12 Apr 12 Mar 9 2006 2006 2006 Very important 40 43 42 Smwht important 31 31 36 Not too important 18 15 14 Not important at all 10 9 6 DK/NA 2 2 2
8. Do you approve or disapprove of the new plans for the memorial at Ground Zero?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 52% 70% 50% 48% 48% 55% 62% Disapprove 24 13 26 24 23 21 25 DK/NA 24 17 24 28 29 24 13 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 57% 54% 46% 53% 54% 53% 52% Disapprove 28 22 22 24 17 25 22 DK/NA 15 23 32 22 29 22 26
9. Do you approve or disapprove of the new plans for the Freedom Tower at Ground Zero?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Approve 53% 72% 51% 50% 50% 55% 61% Disapprove 26 17 28 28 29 22 23 DK/NA 21 11 21 22 21 24 16 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Approve 54% 57% 45% 56% 57% 55% 52% Disapprove 31 23 30 23 20 27 25 DK/NA 15 19 25 22 24 18 23
10. Do you think the families of the 9/11 victims have had too much input in the development of the plans for the memorial at Ground Zero, too little, or the right amount of input?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Too much 28% 32% 27% 30% 33% 24% 22% Too little 21 15 23 19 16 25 28 Right amount 41 46 41 37 41 42 40 DK/NA 10 7 9 14 10 9 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Too much 21% 23% 35% 31% 38% 33% 25% Too little 20 20 18 23 21 14 26 Right amount 47 44 39 37 36 44 39 DK/NA 12 13 8 9 5 10 10
11. Does the pace of development at Ground Zero make you feel proud to be a New Yorker, ashamed to be a New Yorker, or don't you feel either of these ways?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Proud 21% 28% 21% 19% 15% 21% 32% Ashamed 16 22 14 18 21 12 14 Not either 60 49 62 61 62 64 50 DK/NA 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Proud 31% 24% 10% 22% 26% 20% 23% Ashamed 12 14 20 16 20 17 16 Not either 56 59 67 58 52 61 59 DK/NA 2 3 4 3 3 3 3
TREND: Does the pace of development at Ground Zero make you feel proud to be a New Yorker, ashamed to be a New Yorker, or don't you feel either of these ways?
Jul 12 Apr 12 2006 2006 Proud 21 20 Ashamed 16 17 Not either 60 59 DK/NA 3 3
12. In recent weeks Mayor Bloomberg has spoken out on a number of national issues. Do you think this is good for New York City or don't you think so?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Good 70% 68% 72% 72% 75% 65% 68% Not good 16 20 15 16 14 23 12 DK/NA 13 12 14 12 11 12 19 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Good 66% 69% 77% 68% 72% 72% 69% Not good 14 17 14 20 16 18 15 DK/NA 20 14 9 13 12 10 16
13. There has been a lot of talk about the possibility that Mayor Bloomberg might run for President. How likely do you think it is that he will run for President? Very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very likely 11% 12% 10% 11% 7% 13% 14% Smwht likely 25 34 22 25 23 25 28 Not too likely 35 30 38 36 38 34 33 Not likely at all 27 24 28 25 29 25 24 DK/NA 2 - 2 3 3 2 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very likely 19% 10% 5% 10% 15% 10% 11% Smwht likely 24 30 20 24 22 20 28 Not too likely 32 35 40 34 35 35 36 Not likely at all 23 23 31 31 26 32 22 DK/NA 1 3 4 1 2 3 2
14. If Mayor Bloomberg ran for President, how likely is it that you would vote for him? Would you definitely vote for him, probably vote for him, probably not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Definitely 12% 15% 10% 12% 11% 11% 11% Probably 28 39 28 26 32 25 28 Probably not 22 19 22 25 25 23 19 Definitely not 26 20 29 25 20 32 34 DK/NA 11 7 10 13 13 8 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Definitely 17% 9% 9% 14% 14% 11% 13% Probably 29 29 31 25 28 30 28 Probably not 13 26 24 24 18 24 21 Definitely not 33 26 24 26 21 26 27 DK/NA 8 10 12 12 19 10 12