New York State (NY) Poll * October 2, 2007 * Spitzer Knew About Troopergate - Quinnipiac University

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October 2, 2007 - Spitzer Knew About Troopergate And Should Testify, New York State Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Comptroller Should Share Pension Decisions, Voters Say

Word format New York State voters say 78 - 17 percent that Gov. Eliot Spitzer should testify under oath about what he knew of the so-called Troopergate scandal, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters believe 56 - 25 percent that Gov. Spitzer knew what his aides were doing when they arranged for State Police records of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's travels to be leaked to the media.
Gov. Spitzer's approval rating is 47 - 34 percent, compared to 48 - 28 percent in a July 31 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
Corruption in New York State is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem, 77 percent of voters say. And by a 35 - 25 percent margin, voters associate Republicans more than Democrats with the problem of corruption.
Voters disapprove 39 - 30 percent of the job Sen. Bruno, the state's top Republican, is doing, with 32 percent undecided.
Voters say 57 - 26 percent that Spitzer is "honest and trustworthy," while they say 34 - 26 percent, with 41 percent undecided, that Sen. Bruno is not "honest and trustworthy."
"Troopergate is still bad news for Gov. Eliot Spitzer, but the good news is that his job approval plunge has leveled off. His approval sagged in July but hasn't changed since," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"What did he know and when did he know it. President Nixon? Three quarters of New Yorkers say Spitzer should testify under oath. More than half don't believe the Governor's statement that he didn't know what his aides were up to."
"Most New Yorkers think corruption is a big problem here, but they also believe that New
York officials have as much honesty and integrity as officials in other states," Carroll said. New York State voters say 45 - 31 percent that Spitzer is a "steamroller," down from 50 - 29 percent July 31. But only 16 percent say this tactic is working, while 51 percent say it contributes to legislative gridlock.
Voters approve 62 - 17 percent of the way State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is handling his job.
Reform Comptroller's Office
By a 79 - 14 percent margin, New York State voters say the State Comptroller should share responsibility with a larger body when deciding how billions in state pension funds are invested. Support for the change is consistent among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters.
Companies that provide advice on how public employee pension funds are invested should be banned from making political contributions, voters say 62 - 29 percent. Republicans support a ban 63 - 26 percent, while Democrats back a ban 54 - 35 percent and independent voters support a ban 72 - 24 percent.
A total of 76 percent of voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that former State Comptroller Alan Hevesi and Hank Morris, a friend and advisor to Hevesi, did something wrong when Morris allegedly earned more than $25 million for assisting with state pension fund work.
"How about that other investigation - into Alan Hevesi's investments as State Comptroller and fees collected by his campaign manager? Most New Yorkers don't know much about it but they believe there was some sort of wrongdoing," Carroll said.
From September 24 - 30, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,504 New York State voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percent.
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/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling his job as Governor of New York?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 47% 33% 57% 45% 49% 45% Disapprove 34 50 25 32 34 33 DK/NA 20 17 18 22 17 22 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 52% 43% 44% 51% 45% Disapprove 25 39 37 29 34 DK/NA 23 18 19 20 21
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling his job as Governor of New York?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Feb 13 Feb 13 Oct 2 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 Approve 47 48 60 48 61 61 47 Disapprove 34 28 22 27 11 11 34 DK/NA 20 25 19 25 28 28 20
28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Clinton is handling her job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 65% 32% 89% 64% 59% 70% Disapprove 30 63 8 29 36 24 DK/NA 5 5 3 6 5 6 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 70% 59% 60% 74% 60% Disapprove 28 36 35 21 33 DK/NA 2 5 5 4 8
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Rodham Clinton is handling her job as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 20 Apr 5 Feb 13 Dec 14 Feb 14 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2006 2001 Approve 65 63 67 68 69 72 38 Disapprove 30 30 27 26 26 23 30 DK/NA 5 7 5 6 5 5 33
29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 63% 45% 78% 62% 64% 63% Disapprove 20 38 8 19 24 16 DK/NA 17 17 14 19 12 21 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 74% 56% 58% 69% 66% Disapprove 7 24 22 16 21 DK/NA 19 20 20 15 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator? (* = Also 69% on 10/02/01)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 20 Apr 4 Feb 13 Dec 8 Apr 15 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2004 * 1999 Approve 63 63 64 63 65 69 51 Disapprove 20 21 21 19 20 16 22 DK/NA 17 16 15 19 15 15 28
30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 30% 33% 32% 28% 30% 31% Disapprove 52 49 49 58 56 48 DK/NA 18 18 19 14 14 21 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 23% 28% 27% 32% 34% Disapprove 50 58 57 50 45 DK/NA 28 15 16 19 21
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Feb 13 Apr 4 Aug 11 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2004 Approve 30 32 31 34 31 34 26 Disapprove 52 49 49 43 48 43 57 DK/NA 18 19 20 23 21 23 16
31. Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling his job as Lieutenant Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 23% 20% 29% 22% 26% 21% Disapprove 12 17 10 10 12 12 DK/NA 65 64 61 68 63 67 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 22% 24% 24% 28% 16% Disapprove 5 12 11 14 9 DK/NA 72 64 65 58 76
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way David Paterson is handling his job as Lieutenant Governor?
Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 2007 2007 2007 2007 Approve 23 30 23 25 Disapprove 12 12 12 10 DK/NA 65 58 65 65
32. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as State Comptroller?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 30% 34% 29% 30% 37% 24% Disapprove 12 12 15 7 11 13 DK/NA 58 54 56 63 53 63 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 18% 32% 31% 28% 32% Disapprove 11 12 12 12 12 DK/NA 70 56 57 60 56
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Thomas DiNapoli is handling his job as State Comptroller?
Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 2007 2007 2007 2007 Approve 30 34 25 24 Disapprove 12 15 14 13 DK/NA 58 51 61 63
33. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as State Attorney General?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 62% 52% 70% 61% 65% 60% Disapprove 17 29 13 14 16 19 DK/NA 21 19 17 24 19 22 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 76% 60% 61% 64% 60% Disapprove 4 20 18 17 17 DK/NA 20 21 21 19 24
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as State Attorney General?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Feb 13 Jul 31 Feb 13 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 Approve 62 68 59 53 42 68 42 Disapprove 17 19 18 17 16 19 16 DK/NA 21 14 23 30 42 14 42
34. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 29% 26% 33% 27% 30% 27% Disapprove 35 41 28 38 47 25 DK/NA 36 33 38 35 23 48 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 31% 28% 29% 32% 24% Disapprove 24 39 38 35 29 DK/NA 45 32 34 32 47
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Feb 13 Oct 2 Aug 11 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2003 2004 Approve 29 33 29 30 28 35 26 Disapprove 35 35 33 30 37 26 33 DK/NA 36 32 37 40 35 39 41
35. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Bruno is handling his job as State Senate Majority Leader?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 30% 40% 26% 28% 34% 26% Disapprove 39 29 41 41 45 33 DK/NA 32 30 33 31 20 41 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 37% 33% 33% 27% 27% Disapprove 31 38 37 44 33 DK/NA 32 29 29 29 40
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Bruno is handling his job as State Senate Majority Leader?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Feb 13 Oct 2 Feb 13 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2003 2007 Approve 30 33 26 27 25 36 25 Disapprove 39 40 34 34 39 25 39 DK/NA 32 27 40 39 36 39 36
36. How much of a problem, if at all, is government corruption in New York State today? Is it a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very serious 30% 31% 27% 31% 29% 31% Smwht serious 47 44 49 48 45 48 Not too serious 16 15 18 16 20 13 Not a problem at all 2 2 3 1 2 2 DK/NA 5 6 4 4 4 6 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Very serious 22% 32% 31% 29% 30% Smwht serious 55 45 46 48 47 Not too serious 11 16 15 17 17 Not a problem at all 7 1 2 2 2 DK/NA 5 6 6 5 4
TREND: How much of a problem, if at all, is government corruption in New York State today? Is it a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Oct 2 Nov 6 2007 2003 Very serious 30 28 Smwht serious 47 44 Not too serious 16 19 Not a problem at all 2 3 DK/NA 5 5
37. Compared to other states, do you think there is more government corruption than in other states, Less government corruption or about as much government corruption?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More 17% 21% 15% 17% 17% 17% Less 13 11 16 10 16 11 About as much 60 59 61 63 58 63 DK/NA 9 8 8 10 9 9 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub More 21% 21% 21% 15% 14% Less 9 8 8 19 14 About as much 58 62 62 59 61 DK/NA 12 10 10 7 11
38. In general, which party do you associate more with political corruption in New York - the Republican party or the Democratic party?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Republican 35% 12% 57% 28% 33% 37% Democratic 25 51 13 20 29 21 DK/NA 40 36 30 52 38 42 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Republican 41% 30% 31% 41% 33% Democratic 16 26 25 26 23 DK/NA 43 44 44 34 43
39. Compared to elected officials in other states, do you think that New York's elected officials have more honesty and integrity, less honesty and integrity, or about as much honesty and integrity?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More 9% 5% 16% 6% 10% 9% Less 11 18 8 8 13 9 About as much 75 72 71 82 74 76 DK/NA 5 4 5 4 4 6 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub More 4% 7% 6% 13% 9% Less 15 13 13 11 7 About as much 79 76 76 70 79 DK/NA 3 4 4 6 6
TREND: Compared to elected officials in other states, do you think that New York State's elected officials have more honesty and integrity, less honesty and integrity, or about as much honesty and integrity?
Oct 2 Nov 6 2007 2003 More 9 9 Less 11 17 About as much 75 70 DK/NA 5 5
40. Would you say that Eliot Spitzer is honest and trustworthy or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 57% 43% 66% 58% 62% 52% No 26 38 20 24 26 26 DK/NA 17 19 15 18 12 22 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 59% 56% 56% 58% 56% No 16 28 27 24 27 DK/NA 25 16 17 17 17
TREND: Would you say that Eliot Spitzer is honest and trustworthy or not?
Oct 2 Jul 31 2007 2007 Yes 57 58 No 26 26 DK/NA 17 17
41. Would you say that Joseph Bruno is honest and trustworthy or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 26% 35% 20% 26% 31% 21% No 34 28 38 34 40 29 DK/NA 41 37 43 39 30 50 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 29% 26% 27% 24% 25% No 25 35 34 37 29 DK/NA 46 39 39 39 46
TREND: Would you say that Joseph Bruno is honest and trustworthy or not?
Oct 2 Jul 31 2007 2007 Yes 26 29 No 34 36 DK/NA 41 35
42. Do you think that Governor Spitzer and the state legislature will be able to work together to get things done for the people of New York State?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 56% 49% 67% 48% 51% 60% No 32 39 21 38 39 25 DK/NA 13 12 11 14 10 15 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 66% 49% 51% 64% 53% No 22 40 39 25 30 DK/NA 12 11 11 12 18
TREND: Do you think that Governor Spitzer and the state legislature will be able to work together to get things done for the people of New York State?
Oct 2 Jul 31 Feb 13 2007 2007 2007 Yes 56 54 63 No 32 34 24 DK/NA 13 12 13
43. How much have you heard or read about the recent controversy involving an investigation into top aides to the governor using the state police to track the travels of Senate majority leader Joseph Bruno - A lot, some, only a little, or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 35% 36% 32% 37% 42% 28% Some 29 26 29 31 28 30 Only a little 17 17 19 17 13 21 Nothing at all 17 19 20 13 15 19 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 2 2 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub A lot 42% 36% 36% 36% 30% Some 22 29 28 28 31 Only a little 19 19 19 17 15 Nothing at all 16 15 15 17 23 DK/NA 1 2 1 3 1
TREND: How much have you heard or read about the recent controversy involving an investigation into top aides to the governor using the state police to track the travels of State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno - a lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?
Oct 2 Jul 31 2007 2007 A lot 35 31 Some 29 31 Only a little 17 23 None at all 17 15 DK/NA 2 1
44. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recently released results of an investigation concluding that the governor's top aids used State Police to create travel reports of Joseph Bruno and then release them to a newspaper. Do you approve or disapprove of Andrew Cuomo's handling of this investigation?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 52% 47% 55% 55% 59% 46% Disapprove 31 39 27 31 30 32 DK/NA 16 14 18 15 10 21 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 49% 52% 52% 53% 53% Disapprove 27 33 32 32 29 DK/NA 24 15 16 16 18
TREND: Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recently released results of an investigation concluding that the governor's top aides used State Police to recreate travel reports of Joseph Bruno and then release them to a newspaper. Do you approve or disapprove of Andrew Cuomo's handling of this investigation?
Oct 2 Jul 31 2007 2007 Approve 52 54 Disapprove 31 32 DK/NA 16 14
45. Governor Spitzer has stated that he had no knowledge of what his aides had done. Do you think that the Governor knew what his aides were doing or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 56% 68% 48% 58% 58% 54% No 25 20 32 22 27 24 KNEW SOME/NOT ALL(VOL) 4 2 5 4 4 4 DK/NA 15 11 16 16 11 18 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 46% 58% 57% 54% 58% No 24 25 25 27 24 KNEW SOME/NOT ALL(VOL) 8 3 4 2 6 DK/NA 22 14 14 17 12
TREND: Governor Spitzer has stated that he had no knowledge of what his aides had done. Do you think that the Governor knew what his aides were doing or not?
Oct 2 Jul 31 2007 2007 Yes 56 53 No 25 27 KNEW SOME/NOT ALL(VOL) 4 3 DK/NA 15 16
46. Do you think Governor Spitzer should be required to testify under oath about what he knew and when he knew it?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 78% 84% 74% 77% 74% 81% No 17 12 21 17 21 13 DK/NA 5 4 5 6 5 6 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 60% 81% 79% 75% 80% No 28 15 16 20 14 DK/NA 12 4 5 6 5
47. Do you think that this matter has been investigated enough or do you think that there is more that needs to be investigated?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Enough 39% 26% 41% 46% 43% 36% More 47 61 43 43 46 49 DK/NA 14 13 15 11 11 16 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Enough 53% 41% 42% 38% 35% More 31 45 44 49 50 DK/NA 17 13 14 13 15
TREND: Do you think that this matter has been investigated enough or -- do you think that there is more that needs to be investigated?
Oct 2 Jul 31 2007 2007 Enough 39 36 More 47 52 DK/NA 14 12
48. Currently, the Comptroller has sole discretion over how billions of dollars in state pension funds are invested. Should that be the responsibility of the Comptroller alone or should decisions like this be made by a larger body?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Alone 14% 16% 12% 16% 21% 8% Larger body 79 78 80 79 73 83 DK/NA 7 5 8 5 6 8 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Alone 20% 15% 16% 13% 14% Larger body 74 78 77 80 80 DK/NA 6 7 7 7 7
49. Do you think companies that provide advice to public employee pension funds should be banned from making campaign contributions or allowed to make campaign contributions?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Banned 62% 63% 54% 72% 64% 60% Allowed 29 26 35 24 29 29 DK/NA 9 11 11 4 7 11 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Banned 62% 65% 65% 57% 65% Allowed 27 27 27 33 27 DK/NA 11 8 8 10 8
50. How much have you heard or read about an investigation by Attorney General Cuomo into the comptroller office's management of The New York State Pension Fund, worth about $154 billion dollars - A lot, some, only a little, or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom A lot 5% 6% 6% 4% 7% 4% Some 19 19 20 18 19 18 Only a little 34 33 34 37 33 35 Nothing at all 40 40 38 40 38 41 DK/NA 2 3 2 2 2 2 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub A lot 3% 5% 4% 8% 3% Some 12 16 16 22 19 Only a little 35 34 34 34 35 Nothing at all 49 44 44 33 42 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 1
51. State investigators believe that during Alan Hevesi's term as State Comptroller, his friend Hank Morris earned over 25 million dollars in fees for assisting with pension fund work. Hevesi denies any wrong doing. How likely do you think it is that Hevesi and Morris did something wrong - Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not likely at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very likely 35% 40% 30% 35% 37% 33% Somewhat likely 41 38 41 46 40 42 Not very likely 6 5 7 6 6 6 Not likely at all 4 4 5 1 5 3 DK/NA 15 13 18 12 13 17 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Very likely 42% 36% 37% 32% 35% Somewhat likely 32 45 43 39 38 Not very likely 5 5 5 7 6 Not likely at all 6 1 2 4 6 DK/NA 15 13 13 17 15
52. Do you agree or disagree that Eliot Spitzer is a steamroller?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Agree 45% 53% 42% 44% 50% 41% Disagree 31 24 34 32 33 29 DK/NA 24 23 24 24 17 30 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Agree 35% 46% 45% 43% 50% Disagree 36 32 32 33 24 DK/NA 29 22 22 25 26
TREND: Do you agree or disagree that Eliot Spitzer is a steamroller?
Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 Feb 13 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 Agree 45 50 39 49 53 Disagree 31 29 36 28 22 DK/NA 24 21 25 23 25
53. Is it your sense that the governor's "steamroller" tactic is working or do you think it contributes to legislative gridlock?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Working 16% 12% 17% 18% 18% 14% Gridlock 51 62 48 51 57 47 DK/NA 33 26 36 32 25 39 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Working 17% 15% 15% 16% 17% Gridlock 43 55 54 49 50 DK/NA 40 30 31 34 33
TREND: Is it your sense that the governor's "steamroller" tactic is working or do you think it contributes to legislative gridlock?
Oct 2 Jul 31 Jun 19 Apr 4 2007 2007 2007 2007 Tactic working 16 18 22 23 Cont to gridlock 51 53 42 47 DK/NA 33 29 36 30