New York City (NYC) Poll * July 13, 2006 * Don't Keep White Candidate Out - Quinnipiac University

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July 13, 2006 - Don't Keep White Candidate Out Of Black District, New Yorkers Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Voters Say Ban Soda, Junk Food In Schools, Not Stores

By a 61 - 23 percent margin, New York City voters oppose a move by black politicians to prevent a white candidate from winning a Congressional race in a Brooklyn district that has been represented by black members of Congress since 1968, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. White voters oppose this move 68 - 16 percent while black voters oppose it 53 - 31 percent and Hispanic voters oppose it 54 - 28 percent.
By an even larger 77 - 12 percent margin, voters would oppose a group of white politicians trying to prevent a black candidate from winning in a historically white legislative district. There is little difference among white, black or Hispanic voters, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
When asked if they prefer having a candidate of their own race, New York City voters say no 54 - 19 percent. White voters say no 59 - 10 percent, while black voters say no 45 - 30 percent and Hispanic voters say no 56 - 25 percent.
"Is it okay for black politicians to oppose a candidate because he's white? Both black and white voters say no. Is it okay for white politicians to oppose a candidate because he's black? Another solid no," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Voters, whites more than blacks, say they personally don't mind if their elected leaders look different."
Black and Hispanic New York City voters are much more likely than white voters to stress the importance of having a candidate's race match the racial makeup of the election district he or she would represent. When asked how important it is to have a candidate's race match the racial makeup of the district:
14 percent say "very important," including 6 percent of white voters, 28 percent of black voters and 20 percent of Hispanic voters;

32 percent say "somewhat important," including 30 percent of white voters, 40 percent of black voters and 30 percent of Hispanic voters;

19 percent say "not too important," including 25 percent of white voters, 10 percent of black voters and 17 percent of Hispanic voters;

32 percent say "not important at all," including 37 percent of white voters, 20 percent of black voters and 32 percent of Hispanic voters.
"There's a huge split between black and white New Yorkers on the importance of racial representation in Congress, the State Legislature or City Council," Carroll said.
Childhood Obesity
Obesity is a "very serious" problem among New York City children and teens, 60 percent of voters say, while 33 percent say "somewhat serious."
By a 69 - 29 percent margin, voters say the city should ban the sale of junk food in public schools. Ban soda in schools also, voters say 62 - 34 percent.
But voters oppose 71 - 26 percent efforts to ban soda and junk food in stores near schools and oppose 83 - 15 percent attempts to ban soda and junk food in all stores.
"Our kids are too fat, New Yorkers think. So they'd ban the sale of soda and junk food in public schools," Carroll said.
"How about discouraging soda and junk food sales in stores near schools? Even in a city that usually applauds Government as Mommy, that idea gets a big negative."
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
15. A group of black politicians is seeking to prevent a white candidate from winning a Congressional seat in a mostly black Brooklyn district. How much have you heard or read about this? A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp A lot 9% 9% 9% 10% 11% 9% 6% Some 15 12 16 13 16 15 13 Only a little 19 16 21 16 17 24 21 None at all 57 63 53 61 55 52 60 DK/NA - - 1 - 1 - - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom A lot 6% 11% 11% 7% 6% 14% 5% Some 10 12 19 16 18 14 15 Only a little 20 21 22 16 12 20 18 None at all 64 55 48 61 64 51 61 DK/NA - 1 - - - - -
16. The black politicians say that this district is mostly black, has been represented by a black member of congress since 1968, and should therefore continue to be represented by a black member of congress. Do you support or oppose the black politicians seeking to prevent a white candidate from winning this Congressional seat?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Support 23% 22% 27% 18% 16% 31% 28% Oppose 61 71 55 68 68 53 54 DK/NA 16 7 19 14 16 16 17 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Support 25% 24% 18% 25% 29% 19% 26% Oppose 58 60 66 59 54 65 57 DK/NA 16 16 17 16 17 15 17
17. Would you support or oppose a group of white politicians trying to prevent the election of a black candidate in a legislative district which is mostly white and has previously been represented by white members of congress?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Support 12% 15% 13% 10% 10% 15% 16% Oppose 77 79 76 77 81 73 74 DK/NA 11 6 11 13 9 12 9 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Support 14% 13% 9% 10% 23% 10% 14% Oppose 78 77 82 77 61 80 75 DK/NA 8 10 9 13 16 11 10
18. How important do you think it is that a candidate's race match the racial makeup of the legislative district he or she represents - Very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very important 14% 10% 17% 10% 6% 28% 20% Smwht important 32 27 33 33 30 40 30 Not too imprtant 19 24 19 19 25 10 17 Not important at all 32 37 29 37 37 20 32 DK/NA 3 1 3 2 3 3 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very important 16% 17% 12% 11% 16% 12% 16% Smwht important 41 32 29 29 32 27 36 Not too imprtant 10 20 23 21 15 19 20 Not important at all 30 27 33 36 36 40 25 DK/NA 3 3 3 2 - 2 3
19. As a voter, would you prefer a candidate for Congress who is of your race or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 19% 16% 20% 15% 10% 30% 25% No 54 59 53 57 59 45 56 DK/NA 27 25 27 28 31 25 19 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 26% 18% 15% 18% 16% 19% 19% No 55 53 52 57 55 53 55 DK/NA 19 28 33 25 30 28 26
20. Do you think New York City should ban the sale of soda in public schools or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 62% 58% 64% 59% 60% 61% 65% No 34 40 32 36 35 37 34 DK/NA 4 2 4 5 5 1 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 62% 62% 66% 61% 52% 63% 62% No 36 34 32 33 43 33 35 DK/NA 2 4 2 5 5 4 3
21. Do you think New York City should ban the sale of junk food in public schools or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 69% 68% 70% 67% 67% 72% 70% No 29 32 27 31 30 27 28 DK/NA 2 - 3 2 3 1 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 71% 69% 70% 68% 61% 68% 70% No 26 28 28 31 38 30 28 DK/NA 3 2 1 2 1 2 2
22. Do you think New York City should take steps to discourage the sale of soda and junk food in all stores or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 15% 18% 14% 15% 11% 16% 15% No 83 82 84 84 87 82 85 DK/NA 1 - 2 1 2 1 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 14% 15% 15% 18% 11% 15% 15% No 84 84 85 80 87 83 84 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 2 2 1
23. Do you think New York City should take steps to discourage the sale of soda and junk food in stores which are near schools or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Yes 26% 28% 26% 22% 22% 28% 32% No 71 72 71 75 75 70 66 DK/NA 3 - 3 2 3 2 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Yes 29% 29% 25% 23% 14% 23% 28% No 68 68 72 73 84 74 70 DK/NA 2 2 3 4 2 3 2
24. Thinking about the problem of obesity, that is people being seriously overweight, how serious is the problem of obesity among children and teens in New York City today? Very serious, somewhat serious, or not serious?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very serious 60% 52% 62% 58% 51% 65% 71% Smwht serious 33 40 31 36 41 28 26 Not serious 4 6 4 3 5 5 3 DK/NA 3 3 3 4 4 2 - Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very serious 69% 61% 57% 59% 44% 54% 65% Smwht serious 26 33 35 33 49 38 30 Not serious 5 3 4 5 6 5 4 DK/NA - 3 4 3 1 4 2
25. How much do you think banning the sale of soda in public schools will do to reduce the problem of obesity in children - a lot, a little, or not at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp A lot 30% 31% 32% 24% 19% 39% 41% A little 47 44 46 49 53 41 42 Not at all 22 25 20 26 26 20 16 DK/NA 2 - 2 2 2 1 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom A lot 37% 27% 29% 31% 25% 27% 32% A little 42 48 51 44 44 48 46 Not at all 20 23 17 23 31 24 20 DK/NA - 2 3 2 - 2 2