New York State (NY) Poll * May 17, 2006 * State Government Broken And On - Quinnipiac University

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May 17, 2006 - State Government Broken And Only Spitzer Can Fix It, New York Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; Faso Ahead Of Weld Among Republicans

New York State government is broken and needs to be fixed, voters say 72 - 20 percent, and State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is the only candidate for Governor who can fix it, voters say in a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Asked by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll which candidate can fix New York State government, voters who agree that it is broken say:
54 - 27 percent, including 46 - 39 percent among Republicans, that Spitzer can fix it; 22 - 37 percent, with 41 percent undecided, that Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi can fix it; 13 - 39 percent, with 48 percent undecided, that Republican candidate John Faso can fix it; 13 - 41 percent, with 46 percent undecided, that Republican William Weld can fix it.
Among New York State Democrats, Spitzer leads Suozzi 73 - 13 percent, compared to 69 - 14 percent in a March 29 Quinnipiac University poll. "'Eliot Spitzer is our handy man,' New York State voters say. Even Republicans think he's the guy who can fix our broken government," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"In this and every other measure, Spitzer dominates the field while Democrat Thomas Suozzi and Republicans John Faso and William Weld are struggling for some name recognition, just a few weeks before the party conventions."
New York State Republican voters back Faso over Weld 30 - 21 percent, with 42 percent undecided.
John Faso has a narrow lead among voters for the Republican nomination for Governor. William Weld has much of the establishment. The cliché is that Republicans pick conservatives. What will party leaders do at the convention?" Carroll said.
But both Spitzer and Suozzi have substantial leads over the likely Republican contenders. Spitzer-Republican matchups show:
66 - 17 percent over William Weld, virtually unchanged from March 29; 67 - 16 percent over John Faso, also unchanged.
Suozzi-Republican matchups show:
46 - 20 percent over William Weld, with 28 percent undecided, unchanged. 46 - 19 percent over John Faso, with 28 percent undecided, unchanged.
Gov. George Pataki gets a negative 33 - 55 percent approval rating, his lowest ever. Republican voters split 45 - 44 percent on Pataki's approval. By a 71 - 19 percent margin, Republican do not want the Republican Party to nominate Pataki to run for President in 2008. Republicans say 49 - 43 percent they do not want Pataki to run for Vice President.
A total of 39 percent of New York State voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the way things are going in the state today, with 61 percent who are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied."
"Who was that guy who vetoed all the budget stuff? New York voters are beginning to dismiss George Pataki, both as Governor and as a presidential candidate. Veep? Maybe," Carroll said.
From May 8 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,154 New York State registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. The survey includes 357 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 5.2 percent, and 499 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percent.
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 George Pataki is handling his job as Governor?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 33% 45% 29% 31% 38% 29% Disapprove 55 44 60 57 56 54 DK/NA 12 11 11 12 7 17 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 25% 31% 30% 35% 37% Disapprove 64 57 58 53 50 DK/NA 10 13 12 11 13
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Pataki is handling his job as Governor?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve May 17 Mar 29 Jan 20 Dec 14 Oct 4 Oct 2 May 17 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2001 2006 Approve 33 45 43 49 46 81 33 Disapprove 55 44 40 38 40 12 55 DK/NA 12 12 17 14 14 7 12
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 31% 33% 32% 30% 29% 32% Disapprove 53 52 49 56 56 50 DK/NA 17 16 19 14 15 18 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 23% 27% 26% 35% 32% Disapprove 57 61 61 46 49 DK/NA 20 12 14 19 19
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 20 Dec 20 Dec 8 Sep 14 Aug 11 2006 2006 2006 2005 2004 2004 2004 Approve 31 31 31 33 29 31 26 Disapprove 53 51 50 47 54 54 57 DK/NA 17 18 20 20 17 15 16
6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling his job as State Attorney General?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 66% 61% 69% 70% 67% 64% Disapprove 21 27 16 19 23 19 DK/NA 14 12 15 11 9 18 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 69% 64% 65% 62% 73% Disapprove 16 22 21 22 19 DK/NA 15 14 14 16 9
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Eliot Spitzer is handling his job as State Attorney General?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 Dec 14 Oct 4 Dec 14 Apr 6 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2000 Approve 66 66 64 68 60 68 51 Disapprove 21 18 18 13 17 13 14 DK/NA 14 16 18 19 23 19 35
7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Alan Hevesi is handling his job as State Comptroller?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 46% 43% 47% 51% 49% 45% Disapprove 17 19 16 15 20 15 DK/NA 36 37 37 34 32 40 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 39% 37% 38% 56% 49% Disapprove 14 17 17 18 18 DK/NA 47 45 46 27 33
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Alan Hevesi is handling his job as State Comptroller? * also hit 39% 4/23/2003
Highest Lowest Approve Approve May 17 Mar 29 Dec 8 Sep 14 Aug 11 Mar 29 Aug 11 2006 2006 2004 2004 2004 2006 2004 * Approve 46 47 41 42 39 47 39 Disapprove 17 15 17 18 19 15 19 DK/NA 36 38 42 39 42 38 42
8. 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 30% 30% 33% 26% 30% 29% Disapprove 37 43 31 39 46 29 DK/NA 33 27 36 35 24 42 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 23% 26% 26% 36% 28% Disapprove 44 44 44 31 32 DK/NA 33 30 30 33 40
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sheldon Silver is handling his job as State Assembly Speaker?
May 17 Mar 29 Dec 8 Sep 14 Aug 11 Jun 17 Nov 6 2006 2006 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 Approve 30 33 31 29 26 30 32 Disapprove 37 33 31 33 33 31 29 DK/NA 33 34 38 38 41 38 39
9. 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% 36% 25% 30% 30% 30% Disapprove 38 34 40 38 43 33 DK/NA 33 30 35 32 27 38 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 25% 33% 32% 29% 27% Disapprove 42 40 41 39 30 DK/NA 33 26 28 33 43
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joseph Bruno is handling his job as State Senate Majority Leader?
May 17 Mar 29 Dec 8 Sep 14 Aug 11 Jun 17 Nov 6 2006 2006 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 Approve 30 31 26 30 27 29 33 Disapprove 38 35 32 30 32 32 25 DK/NA 33 35 41 40 41 40 42
10. Is your opinion of State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 51% 45% 54% 54% 55% 46% Unfavorable 11 14 6 12 15 7 Mixed 17 21 17 14 14 19 Hvn't hrd enough 21 20 23 18 16 26 REFUSED 1 - - 1 - 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 55% 49% 50% 46% 59% Unfavorable 12 14 14 7 13 Mixed 13 18 17 21 10 Hvn't hrd enough 19 18 18 27 18 REFUSED 2 1 1 - -
TREND: Is your opinion of State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? (* did not include title "State Attorney General")
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 May 5 Jan 20 Oct 28 Oct 15 2006 2006 2006 2005 2000 1998 * 1998 * Favorable 51 51 52 41 26 10 10 Unfavorable 11 11 10 8 7 8 7 Mixed 17 16 16 20 19 15 15 Hvn't heard enough 21 22 21 30 46 66 67 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 2 1 1
11. Is your opinion of former Massachusetts Governor William Weld favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 7% 13% 5% 5% 9% 4% Unfavorable 9 8 11 8 12 7 Mixed 8 7 8 8 9 7 Hvn't hrd enough 75 71 75 79 68 82 REFUSED 1 2 1 - 2 - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 8% 5% 6% 7% 7% Unfavorable 10 9 9 9 9 Mixed 4 10 9 6 10 Hvn't hrd enough 77 74 75 76 73 REFUSED - 1 1 1 1
TREND: Is your opinion of former Massachusetts Governor William Weld favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 May 5 2006 2006 2006 2005 Favorable 7 7 8 8 Unfavorable 9 9 9 7 Mixed 8 6 7 11 Hvn't heard enough 75 77 75 73 REFUSED 1 1 1 1
12. Is your opinion of former state Assembly Minority Leader John Faso favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 6% 8% 6% 5% 5% 7% Unfavorable 6 4 7 5 7 5 Mixed 13 13 13 13 14 11 Hvn't hrd enough 74 74 73 75 71 77 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 2 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 9% 7% 8% 6% 4% Unfavorable 7 6 6 6 4 Mixed 11 13 13 11 15 Hvn't hrd enough 72 72 72 77 74 REFUSED - 2 2 - 4
TREND: Is your opinion of former state Assembly Minority Leader John Faso favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 2006 2006 2006 Favorable 6 6 7 Unfavorable 6 4 6 Mixed 13 10 10 Hvn't heard enough 74 78 76 REFUSED 2 1 1
13. Is your opinion of Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 15% 19% 13% 17% 17% 13% Unfavorable 10 9 11 8 12 9 Mixed 12 10 12 13 12 11 Hvn't hrd enough 62 60 63 61 58 66 REFUSED 1 2 1 1 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 7% 5% 6% 12% 36% Unfavorable 1 6 5 11 18 Mixed 7 9 8 10 20 Hvn't hrd enough 83 78 79 65 24 REFUSED 1 2 2 1 1
TREND: Is your opinion of Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 2006 2006 2006 Favorable 15 19 11 Unfavorable 10 7 6 Mixed 12 12 8 Hvn't heard enough 62 61 73 REFUSED 1 1 1
14. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Eliot Spitzer the Democrat and John Faso the Republican for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Spitzer 67% 40% 87% 66% 64% 70% Faso 16 42 5 13 20 13 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 - 2 3 1 DK/NA 14 16 7 19 12 15 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Spitzer 74% 60% 63% 72% 68% Faso 13 23 21 11 14 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 2 2 1 DK/NA 10 14 13 13 16
TREND: If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Eliot Spitzer the Democrat and John Faso the Republican, for whom would you vote?
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 Dec 14 Oct 4 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 Spitzer 67 66 61 64 60 Faso 16 18 19 14 14 SMONE ELSE 1 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE 2 2 2 1 1 DK/NA 14 13 18 21 23
15. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Eliot Spitzer the Democrat and William Weld the Republican for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Spitzer 66% 35% 86% 66% 64% 67% Weld 17 46 4 13 21 13 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - - 4 2 2 DK/NA 14 17 8 16 12 16 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Spitzer 66% 59% 60% 72% 67% Weld 18 24 23 10 16 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 2 1 2 DK/NA 16 15 15 15 12
TREND: If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Eliot Spitzer the Democrat and William Weld the Republican, for whom would you vote?
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 Dec 14 Oct 4 Aug 3 May 4 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2005 Spitzer 66 66 62 63 60 60 60 Weld 17 18 19 16 16 16 16 SMONE ELSE 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 DK/NA 14 14 17 19 21 21 22
16. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Thomas Suozzi the Democrat and John Faso the Republican for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Suozzi 46% 15% 70% 40% 45% 47% Faso 19 53 5 12 21 16 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 3 3 2 4 4 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 4 3 6 4 5 DK/NA 28 26 20 38 27 29 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Suozzi 43% 35% 36% 51% 56% Faso 21 27 26 11 17 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 3 2 3 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 5 5 6 3 DK/NA 32 30 30 30 21
TREND: If the 2006 election for governor were being held today and the candidates were Thomas Suozzi and the Democrat and John Faso the Republican, for whom would you vote?
May 17 Mar 29 2006 2006 Suozzi 46 47 Faso 19 19 SMONE ELSE 3 3 WLDN'T VOTE 5 4 DK/NA 28 27
17. If the 2006 election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Thomas Suozzi the Democrat and William Weld the Republican for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Suozzi 46% 19% 68% 41% 44% 48% Weld 20 52 6 15 24 16 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 1 5 3 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 2 3 5 4 4 DK/NA 28 27 21 35 25 30 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Suozzi 38% 33% 34% 53% 57% Weld 21 29 28 12 17 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 5 2 3 2 3 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 5 4 5 2 DK/NA 33 31 31 28 21
TREND: If the 2006 election for governor were being held today and the candidates were Thomas Suozzi and the Democrat and William Weld the Republican, for whom would you vote?
May 17 Mar 29 2006 2006 Suozzi 46 47 Weld 20 20 SMONE ELSE 2 3 WLDN'T VOTE 4 3 DK/NA 28 27
18. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 3% 3% 2% 3% 4% 1% Smwht satisfied 36 31 42 33 34 38 Smwht dissatisfied 35 41 31 36 38 33 Very dissatisfied 26 24 24 29 24 28 DK/NA - - - - - - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Very satisfied 2% 2% 2% 4% 2% Smwht satisfied 21 24 23 45 45 Smwht dissatisfied 42 38 39 29 38 Very dissatisfied 35 35 35 22 14 DK/NA - - - - 1
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
May 17 Mar 29 Jan 20 Dec 20 Oct 5 Aug 3 May 4 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2005 Very satisfied 3 3 5 4 4 4 2 Somewhat satisfied 36 42 41 47 44 44 36 Somewhat dissatisfied 35 34 32 32 32 31 35 Very dissatisfied 26 20 21 16 19 20 26 DK/NA - 1 1 2 1 1 1
19. What do you think is the most important problem facing New York State today? Tot
Taxes Total 28% Taxes general 19 Property tax 7 Gas tax 1 Income Tax 1 Economy Total 16% Economy general 6 Unemployment/jobs 6 Cost of living 3 Business leaving/ Outsourcing 1 Education Total 11% Education general 8 Funding education 3 Healthcare/Costs/ Ins/HMO's 5% Budget Total 4% Budget general 2 Budget deficits 1 Budget priorities 1 Energy Total 4% Energy costs general 1 Gas prices 3 Crime Total 3% Crime/Violence general 2 Drugs 1 Politicians Total 3% Politicians/ Campaigns general 1 Political corruption 1 Governor/State leaders 1 Immigration 3% Terrorism Total 3% Terrorism general 1 Security/Safety 2 Housing Total 2% Housing Costs/Avlblty 1 Rent control/ Stabilization 1 Environment/Pollution 1 Poverty/Homeless 1 Racism/Race relations 1 War (Iraq) 1 Other 4 DK/NA 4
34. (If registered republican) If the 2006 Republican primary for governor were being held today and the candidates were John Faso and William Weld for whom would you vote?
REG REPUBLICANS.... Tot Men Wom Faso 30% 33% 28% Weld 21 30 13 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 6 3 DK/NA 42 30 54
TREND: (If registered Republican) If the 2006 Republican primary for governor were being held today and the candidates were John Faso and William Weld for whom would you vote? (na = not asked)
REGISTERED REPUBLICANS............... May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 Dec 14 Oct 4 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 Daniels na 8 5 3 7 Faso 30 22 8 9 8 Weld 21 16 9 8 6 Golisano na na 34 36 33 SMONE ELSE 2 - 1 1 3 WLDN'T VOTE 4 5 1 1 4 DK/NA 42 48 42 42 39
35. (If registered republican) When the Republican party nominates its candidate for governor, which quality do you think should be more important? A) the candidate's ability to win the general election, or B) the candidate's views on the issues?
REG REPUBLICANS.... Tot Men Wom A) Ability to win 10% 16% 5% B) Views on issues 87 83 91 DK/NA 3 2 4
38. (If registered republican) Would you like to see the Republican party nominate George Pataki for - President or not?
REG REPUBLICANS.... Tot Men Wom Yes 19% 18% 19% No 71 72 70 DK/NA 10 10 11
39. (If registered republican) Would you like to see the Republican party nominate George Pataki for - Vice President or not?
REG REPUBLICANS.... Tot Men Wom Yes 43% 51% 35% No 49 44 54 DK/NA 8 5 10
41. (If registered democrat) If the 2006 Democratic primary for governor were being held today and the candidates were Thomas Suozzi and Eliot Spitzer for whom would you vote?
REG DEMOCRATS...... Tot Men Wom Suozzi 13% 13% 13% Spitzer 73 76 71 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - DK/NA 13 10 16
TREND: (If registered Democrat) If the 2006 Democratic primary for governor were being held today and the candidates were Tom Suozzi and Eliot Spitzer, for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS.......... May 17 Mar 29 Jan 19 Dec 14 2006 2006 2006 2005 Suozzi 13 14 8 11 Spitzer 73 69 72 69 SMONE ELSE - 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE - 1 3 1 DK/NA 13 15 16 19
42. (If registered democrat) When the Democratic party nominates its candidate for governor, which quality do you think should be more important? A) the candidate's ability to win the general election, or B) the candidate's views on the issues?
REG DEMOCRATS...... Tot Men Wom A) Ability to win 9% 7% 11% B) Views on issues 88 90 86 DK/NA 3 3 3
43. Some people say that state government in New York state is broken and needs to be fixed. Do you agree or disagree?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Agree 72% 76% 73% 70% 72% 73% Disagree 20 21 20 20 21 19 DK/NA 8 4 7 10 8 8 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Agree 78% 80% 80% 69% 64% Disagree 16 15 15 22 25 DK/NA 5 5 5 9 11
44. (If agree q43) Do you think as governor - Eliot Spitzer would fix New York State government or not?
AGREE NY GOV IS BROKEN Q43................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 54% 46% 63% 54% 55% 53% No 27 39 19 28 33 23 DK/NA 18 15 18 18 12 24 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 54% 49% 50% 61% 53% No 26 31 30 22 32 DK/NA 20 20 20 18 16
45. (If agree q43) Do you think as governor - Thomas Suozzi would fix New York State government or not?
AGREE NY GOV IS BROKEN Q43................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 22% 20% 23% 25% 21% 22% No 37 41 33 36 45 30 DK/NA 41 39 43 40 34 48 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 16% 13% 14% 25% 36% No 26 38 36 37 42 DK/NA 58 49 51 39 22
46. (If agree q43) Do you think as governor - William Weld would fix New York State government or not?
AGREE NY GOV IS BROKEN Q43................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 13% 24% 7% 13% 17% 9% No 41 30 49 41 47 36 DK/NA 46 46 44 46 36 54 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 6% 12% 11% 12% 18% No 42 41 41 43 39 DK/NA 52 47 48 45 43
47. (If agree q43)Do you think as governor - John Faso would fix New York State government or not?
AGREE NY GOV IS BROKEN Q43................. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 13% 23% 11% 9% 11% 15% No 39 34 43 38 47 32 DK/NA 48 43 46 52 41 53 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 11% 11% 11% 16% 13% No 34 40 39 41 39 DK/NA 56 49 50 44 48