New York State (NY) Poll * June 22, 2006 * Cuomo Widens Dem Lead In Attor - Quinnipiac University

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June 22, 2006 - Cuomo Widens Dem Lead In Attorney General Race, Quinnipiac University New York State Poll Finds; Bush Approval Rebounds From Lowest Ever

Former Federal Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo leads former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green among New York State Democrats in the race for State Attorney General 45 - 27 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. No other candidate gets more than 5 percent and 20 percent of Democrats are undecided.
This compares to a 34 - 26 percent Cuomo lead among Democrats in a May 18 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
Either Democrat leads former Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the Republican candidate, in a general election matchup:
Cuomo leads Pirro 51 - 31 percent; Green leads Pirro 46 - 32 percent.
"Andrew Cuomo is pulling away from Mark Green in the Democratic primary for Attorney General. Charlie King and Sean Maloney simply don't register. No doubt, that will change if they succeed in getting petition signatures," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Republicans are hoping Jeanine Pirro can climb back from her embarrassing brief run for Senator. The current numbers say she's got a long way to go."
By a 27 - 19 percent margin, New York voters have a favorable opinion of Cuomo, with 24 percent mixed and 30 percent who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.
Green gets a 22 - 12 percent favorability, with 19 percent mixed and 47 percent who haven't formed an opinion.
Pirro has a split 18 - 17 percent favorability, with 13 percent mixed and 52 percent who haven't formed an opinion.
The Republican Primary to challenge U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton is a virtual tie, with 27 percent for former Pentagon official Kathleen McFarland, 24 percent for former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer and 43 percent undecided.
Sen. Clinton has a substantial lead over either challenger:
58 - 31 percent over McFarland; 57 - 33 percent over Spencer.
Clinton has a 58 - 35 percent job approval. By a 48 - 33 percent margin, voters have a favorable opinion of her, with 16 percent mixed and 3 percent who haven't heard enough to form an opinion. For McFarland and Spencer, at least 74 percent of voters haven't heard enough to form an opinion.
"It's a stand-off for the Republican right to lose to Sen. Clinton. Almost half of GOP voters don't choose between John Spencer and Kathleen McFarland. Would it be fair to wonder if they really care?" Carroll said. Bush Approval
New York State voters disapprove 68 - 28 percent of the job President George W. Bush is doing, compared to a 75 - 22 percent disapproval May 18, his lowest ever in any Quinnipiac University poll.
From June 12 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,204 New York State registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. The survey includes 382 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 5 percent, and 517 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.3 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
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Rodham Clinton is handling herjob as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 58% 31% 80% 54% 51% 65% Disapprove 35 65 15 35 42 28 DK/NA 7 4 5 11 7 7 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 62% 52% 54% 65% 55% Disapprove 30 41 39 28 37 DK/NA 8 7 7 7 7
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Rodham Clinton is handling her job as United States Senator?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Dec 14 Feb 9 Feb 14 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2001 Approve 58 61 57 60 62 65 38 Disapprove 35 33 35 32 32 27 30 DK/NA 7 7 8 8 6 8 33
3. 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 62% 44% 73% 63% 60% 64% Disapprove 23 40 14 23 28 19 DK/NA 14 16 13 14 12 16 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 54% 56% 56% 68% 67% Disapprove 24 25 25 21 24 DK/NA 22 19 20 10 9
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charles Schumer is handling his job as United States Senator? (* = Also hit 69% on 10/02/01)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Dec 14 Dec 8 Apr 15 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2004 * 1999 Approve 62 61 63 58 61 69 51 Disapprove 23 25 21 28 25 16 22 DK/NA 14 14 16 14 14 15 28
4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 28% 63% 10% 24% 30% 26% Disapprove 68 33 88 71 65 71 DK/NA 4 4 2 5 5 3 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 24% 34% 32% 23% 30% Disapprove 74 64 66 72 64 DK/NA 2 2 2 5 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President? (* = Also 82% on 10/2/2001)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Dec 14 Nov 14 May 18 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2001 * 2006 Approve 28 22 28 33 31 82 22 Disapprove 68 75 69 62 65 15 75 DK/NA 4 3 3 5 4 3 3
15. Is your opinion of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 48% 16% 74% 39% 39% 56% Unfavorable 33 67 10 36 40 27 Mixed 16 15 12 22 19 14 Hvn't hrd enough 3 3 4 3 3 3 REFUSED - - - 1 - - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 53% 39% 42% 56% 44% Unfavorable 28 40 37 24 40 Mixed 13 17 16 17 15 Hvn't hrd enough 7 4 4 3 1 REFUSED - - - - 1
TREND: Is your opinion of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 May 5 Nov 14 Oct 2 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2001 2001 Favorable 48 51 48 51 53 37 43 Unfavorable 33 28 29 28 22 29 27 Mixed 16 17 18 17 19 17 16 Hvn't heard enough 3 4 3 4 5 15 14 REFUSED - 1 1 - - 1 1
16. Is your opinion of former Pentagon official Kathleen McFarland favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 8% 10% 9% 6% 8% 9% Unfavorable 7 4 8 8 10 4 Mixed 10 12 9 8 8 11 Hvn't hrd enough 74 73 73 76 72 75 REFUSED 2 2 1 2 2 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 10% 9% 9% 8% 7% Unfavorable 6 5 5 7 9 Mixed 10 8 9 10 11 Hvn't hrd enough 73 77 76 71 73 REFUSED 1 1 1 3 -
TREND: Is your opinion of former Pentagon official Kathleen McFarland favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Jun 22 May 18 2006 2006 Favorable 8 7 Unfavorable 7 7 Mixed 10 9 Hvn't hrd enough 74 76 REFUSED 2 1
17. Is your opinion of former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 7% 8% 9% 4% 10% 5% Unfavorable 6 6 7 5 7 5 Mixed 8 8 8 8 6 10 Hvn't hrd enough 78 78 74 82 77 79 REFUSED 1 - 1 - - 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 8% 8% 8% 7% 7% Unfavorable 2 2 2 7 12 Mixed 8 8 8 8 10 Hvn't hrd enough 83 82 82 77 70 REFUSED - - - 1 1
TREND: Is your opinion of former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 2006 2006 2006 2006 Favorable 7 5 8 4 Unfavorable 6 6 5 4 Mixed 8 8 5 7 Hvn't heard enough 78 80 81 84 REFUSED 1 1 1 1
18. If the 2006 election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democrat and Kathleen McFarland the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Clinton 58% 19% 88% 53% 52% 64% McFarland 31 68 8 34 37 26 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 - 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 3 1 2 2 1 DK/NA 7 8 4 9 8 7 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Clinton 65% 51% 55% 69% 47% McFarland 25 38 35 20 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 1 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 2 2 1 DK/NA 7 7 7 7 8
TREND: If the 2006 election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democrat and Kathleen McFarland the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 2006 2006 2006 Clinton 58 64 60 McFarland 31 27 29 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 2 DK/NA 7 7 7
19. If the 2006 election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democrat and John Spencer the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Clinton 57% 16% 87% 53% 51% 63% Spencer 33 73 8 36 41 27 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - - - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 1 3 2 2 DK/NA 7 9 4 8 6 8 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Clinton 65% 50% 53% 67% 48% Spencer 26 41 38 22 44 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 2 3 - DK/NA 6 7 7 8 7
TREND: If the 2006 election for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democrat and John Spencer the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 2006 2006 2006 2006 Clinton 57 63 60 60 Spencer 33 27 30 30 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 2 2 DK/NA 7 7 7 7
20. How would you rate Hillary Rodham Clinton as a United States Senator -- Has she been a great Senator, a good Senator, a so so Senator or a bad Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Great 16% 3% 28% 12% 11% 21% Good 40 22 53 39 36 44 So so 29 42 14 35 33 25 Bad 14 31 4 13 18 10 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Great 17% 9% 11% 25% 11% Good 42 39 40 39 43 So so 26 32 31 27 28 Bad 13 18 17 8 18 DK/NA 1 2 2 2 -
TREND: How would you rate Hillary Rodham Clinton as a United States Senator? Has she been a great Senator, a good Senator, a so-so Senator or a bad Senator?
Jun 22 Jan 20 Dec 14 2006 2006 2005 Great 16 15 15 Good 40 44 46 So-so 29 24 25 Bad 14 14 12 DK/NA 1 2 2
21. Regardless of how you would vote, do you think Hillary Rodham Clinton will or will not run for President in 2008?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Will 61% 66% 59% 58% 59% 62% Will not 30 29 29 34 31 28 DK/NA 9 5 12 8 9 10 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Will 58% 59% 58% 62% 63% Will not 37 33 34 26 28 DK/NA 6 8 8 12 9
TREND: Regardless of how you would vote, do you think Hillary Rodham Clinton will or will not run for President in 2008?
Jun 22 Dec 14 Oct 4 Aug 3 2006 2005 2005 2005 Will 61 60 57 56 Will Not 30 28 29 32 DK/NA 9 12 14 12
22. Does the possibility that Hillary Rodham Clinton will run for President in 2008 make you more likely to vote for her for United States Senator in 2006, less likely to vote for her for United States Senator in 2006, or doesn't it make a difference?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely 18% 6% 33% 11% 13% 23% Less likely 14 27 5 15 17 12 Doesn't make a dif 66 65 60 73 69 63 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 1 2 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub More likely 22% 9% 12% 28% 14% Less likely 9 17 15 11 19 Doesn't make a dif 70 74 73 59 64 DK/NA - - - 3 3
TREND: Does the possibility that Hillary Rodham Clinton will run for President in 2008 make you more likely to vote for her for United States Senator in 2006, less likely to vote for her for United States Senator in 2006, or doesn't it make a difference?
Jun 22 May 18 2006 2006 More likely 18 18 Less likely 14 16 Doesn't make a diff 66 62 DK/NA 2 4
23. Do you think of Hillary Rodham Clinton more as a liberal, moderate or conservative?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Liberal 47% 69% 39% 41% 52% 43% Moderate 34 20 40 37 33 35 Conservative 11 4 16 12 8 13 DK/NA 7 7 5 9 6 9 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Liberal 43% 48% 47% 44% 53% Moderate 29 32 31 38 36 Conservative 20 10 12 12 6 DK/NA 8 10 10 6 4
TREND: Do you think of Hillary Rodham Clinton more as a liberal, moderate, or conservative?
Jun 22 Mar 30 Dec 14 Oct 4 Aug 3 May 5 Feb 9 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 Liberal 47 43 41 42 46 52 52 Moderate 34 38 40 34 37 29 31 Conservative 11 10 9 13 10 10 8 DK/NA 7 8 9 11 8 8 9
24. Is your opinion of former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 27% 18% 37% 23% 28% 26% Unfavorable 19 26 16 19 24 15 Mixed 24 26 20 26 22 25 Hvn't hrd enough 30 29 27 30 25 34 REFUSED 1 1 - 1 1 - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 26% 22% 23% 36% 20% Unfavorable 15 16 16 19 24 Mixed 22 24 23 21 28 Hvn't hrd enough 35 38 37 23 28 REFUSED 2 - 1 - -
TREND: Is your opinion of former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Jul 2 May 1 Apr 18 2006 2006 2006 2006 2002 2002 2002 Favorable 27 27 24 24 16 15 20 Unfavorable 19 20 18 21 24 28 18 Mixed 24 23 23 26 22 17 17 Hvn't heard enough 30 30 34 28 37 39 44 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 1 1
25. Is your opinion of former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 22% 14% 29% 18% 22% 21% Unfavorable 12 19 8 11 17 7 Mixed 19 17 20 18 16 21 Hvn't hrd enough 47 49 43 52 43 50 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 8% 9% 9% 37% 23% Unfavorable 3 6 5 16 18 Mixed 10 10 10 26 25 Hvn't hrd enough 79 75 76 19 34 REFUSED - - - 2 -
TREND: Is your opinion of former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him? (* did not include "former")
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Jun 18 Mar 26 Feb 26 2006 2006 2006 2006 1998* 1998* 1998* Favorable 22 21 22 21 28 29 30 Unfavorable 12 12 11 12 6 7 8 Mixed 19 18 16 19 14 9 9 Hvn't heard enough 47 48 51 47 51 54 53 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 - 1 -
26. Is your opinion of former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 18% 29% 10% 17% 18% 17% Unfavorable 17 8 23 18 20 14 Mixed 13 14 13 12 12 14 Hvn't hrd enough 52 49 53 52 48 55 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 1 - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 12% 10% 11% 18% 30% Unfavorable 9 10 10 22 23 Mixed 11 10 10 16 14 Hvn't hrd enough 65 69 68 43 32 REFUSED 3 - 1 1 1
TREND: Is your opinion of former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her? (* did not include "former")
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 May 5 2006 2006 2006* 2006* 2005* Favorable 18 15 16 18 17 Unfavorable 17 17 18 17 4 Mixed 13 13 14 16 10 Hvn't heard enough 52 53 52 48 68 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1
27. If the election for State Attorney General were being held today and the candidates were Andrew Cuomo the Democrat and Jeanine Pirro the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Cuomo 51% 22% 77% 45% 50% 52% Pirro 31 58 12 33 34 27 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 4 3 3 5 3 DK/NA 13 15 7 18 10 16 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Cuomo 58% 45% 48% 59% 44% Pirro 19 32 29 24 45 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 1 2 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 3 4 4 4 DK/NA 18 19 19 11 7
TREND: If the election for State Attorney General were being held today and the candidates were Andrew Cuomo the Democrat and Jeanine Pirro the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Dec 14 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 Cuomo 51 49 51 48 49 Pirro 31 33 31 33 32 SMONE ELSE 1 2 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE 4 2 2 3 2 DK/NA 13 14 14 13 16
28. If the election for State Attorney General were being held today and the candidates were Mark Green the Democrat and Jeanine Pirro the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Green 46% 18% 73% 39% 43% 49% Pirro 32 60 13 33 35 28 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - 3 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 4 4 3 3 4 3 DK/NA 17 18 9 23 15 20 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Green 52% 35% 39% 58% 40% Pirro 20 34 31 26 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 1 3 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 6 4 4 3 3 DK/NA 22 26 25 10 14
TREND: If the election for State Attorney General were being held today and the candidates were Mark Green the Democrat and Jeanine Pirro the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Dec 14 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 Green 46 46 47 42 43 Pirro 32 33 31 35 35 SMONE ELSE 2 1 1 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE 4 2 3 3 2 DK/NA 17 18 18 19 18
29. (If registered Republican) If the 2006 Republican primary for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were John Spencer and Kathleen McFarland, for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Tot Men Wom Spencer 24% 32% 16% McFarland 27 25 29 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 6 9 2 DK/NA 43 34 53
TREND: (If registered Republican) If the 2006 Republican primary for United States Senator were being held today and the candidates were John Spencer and Kathleen McFarland, for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 2006 2006 2006 Spencer 24 25 22 McFarland 27 35 35 SMONE ELSE - 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE 6 3 5 DK/NA 43 36 37
30. (If registered Republican) When the Republican party nominates its candidate for United States Senator, which quality do you think should be more important - the candidate's ability to win the general election or the candidate's views on the issues?
REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Tot Men Wom Ability to win 10% 12% 8% Views on issues 87 87 88 DK/NA 3 1 4
TREND: (If registered Republican) When the Republican party nominates its candidate for United States Senator, which quality do you think should be more important - the candidate's ability to win the general election, or the candidate's views on the issues?
REGISTERED REPUBLICANS Jun 22 May 18 2006 2006 Ability to win 10 12 Views on issues 87 86 DK/NA 3 2
31. (If registered Democrat) If the 2006 Democratic primary for State Attorney General were being held today and the candidates were Mark Green, Andrew Cuomo, Charlie King and Sean Patrick Maloney, for whom would you vote?
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS Tot Men Wom Green 27% 22% 31% Cuomo 45 50 41 King 1 2 1 Maloney 5 8 2 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 3 DK/NA 20 17 22
TREND: (If registered Democrat) If the 2006 Democratic primary for State Attorney General were being held today and the candidates were Mark Green, Andrew Cuomo, Charlie King, Denise O'Donnell, Richard Brodsky and Sean Patrick Maloney, for whom would you vote? (na = not asked)
REGISTERED DEMOCRATS Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 2006 2006 2006 Green 27 26 25 Cuomo 45 34 37 King 1 2 1 O'Donnell na 2 3 Brodsky na 2 2 Maloney 5 3 3 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 1 DK/NA 20 28 26
35. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Legal - all 28% 16% 33% 29% 29% 26% Legal - most 41 38 43 43 39 42 Illegal - most 18 31 12 16 17 19 Illegal - all 7 11 6 4 7 7 DK/NA 7 4 6 8 8 6 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Legal - all 25% 23% 24% 31% 29% Legal - most 40 40 40 43 38 Illegal - most 19 20 20 15 19 Illegal - all 9 10 10 5 5 DK/NA 8 7 7 6 8
TREND: Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?
Jun 22 Feb 9 Mar 18 2006 2005 2003 Legal All 28 25 32 Legal Most 41 37 34 Illegal Most 18 20 16 Illegal All 7 11 13 DK/NA 7 8 5