New York State (NY) Poll * October 5, 2006 * Cuomo Tops Pirro By 19 Pts. Am - Quinnipiac University

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October 5, 2006 - Cuomo Tops Pirro By 19 Pts. Among Likely Voters, Quinnipiac University New York State Poll Finds; Clinton Has High Approval And 35-Pt. Lead

In the race for New York State Attorney General, former Federal Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, the Democrat, leads former Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the Republican, 56 - 37 percent among likely voters including leaners, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Among registered voters, Cuomo leads 50 - 31 percent, compared to a 52 - 29 percent Cuomo lead in an August 23 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe- ack) University.
In today's survey, Cuomo leads 53 - 27 percent among women voters, compared to 54 - 25 percent August 23, and 48 - 37 percent among men, compared to 50 - 33 percent.
Albert Pirro, Jeanine Pirro's husband, has no effect on how they will vote in this race, 78 percent of New York State voters say.
By a 76 - 16 percent margin, voters want the next Attorney General to continue the Wall Street investigations for which incumbent Eliot Spitzer became famous.
"All the ink and all the airtime devoted to Jeanine Pirro's problems seem to have little effect on this race, where Andrew Cuomo still has a comfortable lead and Pirro can't get past the standard Republican one-third of the vote," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Pirro had no where to go but up, and she didn't."
New York State voters give Cuomo a 27 - 22 percent favorability, with 27 percent mixed and 25 percent who don't know enough to form an opinion.
Pirro gets a 23 - 19 percent favorability, with 17 percent mixed and 40 percent who don't know enough to form an opinion.
Senate Race
Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton leads Republican challenger John Spencer 66 - 31 percent among likely voters. Among registered voters, Sen. Clinton leads 64 - 27 percent, compared to 62 - 26 percent in an August 24 Quinnipiac University poll.
New York State voters approve 65 - 30 percent of the job Clinton is doing, matching her all-time high approval of 65 - 27 percent February 9, 2005. Clinton gets a 56 - 27 percent favorability, with 15 percent mixed.
For Spencer, 79 percent of voters don't know enough about him to form an opinion.
Only 36 percent of voters are concerned that if Clinton runs for President in 2008 she will be less effective as a Senator for New York, while 60 percent are not concerned.
Voters split 40 - 43 percent on whether Clinton's support in upstate New York suggests she could run well in rural Republican areas of the country in 2008.
"Assuming - as just about every politician does - that Sen. Clinton's 2006 run is a warm-up for a 2008 presidential campaign, New Yorkers are politically split on how she'll play on the national scene. Republicans doubt that her political success upstate will translate into the red states. Democrats think it will," Carroll said.
"Will a 2008 campaign make her overlook the state she represents? Overwhelmingly, Democrats say no. Republicans are split."
From September 26 - October 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,627 New York State registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. The survey includes 1,263 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 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 additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Rodham Clinton is handling her job as United States Senator?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 65% 38% 85% 61% 58% 71% Disapprove 30 58 11 32 37 24 DK/NA 5 4 4 7 5 5 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 76% 62% 64% 72% 56% Disapprove 20 33 31 23 39 DK/NA 4 5 5 5 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Rodham Clinton is handling her job as United States Senator? (* Also 65% on 2/9/05)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 5 Aug 24 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Oct 5 Feb 14 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 * 2001 Approve 65 58 58 61 57 65 38 Disapprove 30 34 35 33 35 30 30 DK/NA 5 8 7 7 8 5 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 59% 42% 72% 56% 58% 59% Disapprove 25 42 14 26 29 22 DK/NA 16 17 14 18 12 19 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 52% 52% 52% 62% 66% Disapprove 32 27 28 24 22 DK/NA 16 21 20 14 12
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 5 Aug 24 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Dec 8 Apr 15 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2004 * 1999 Approve 59 59 62 61 63 69 51 Disapprove 25 23 23 25 21 16 22 DK/NA 16 18 14 14 16 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% 65% 8% 27% 33% 25% Disapprove 67 30 89 68 64 70 DK/NA 4 5 3 5 4 5 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 21% 31% 29% 22% 37% Disapprove 75 66 67 75 55 DK/NA 4 3 3 3 7
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President? (* Also 82% on 10/2/01)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Oct 5 Aug 24 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Nov 14 May 18 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2001 * 2006 Approve 28 27 28 22 28 82 22 Disapprove 67 69 68 75 69 15 75 DK/NA 4 4 4 3 3 3 3
9. Is your opinion of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Likely Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Voters Favorable 56% 26% 80% 49% 50% 61% 58% Unfavorable 27 55 8 29 35 20 27 Mixed 15 16 11 19 13 17 13 Hvn't hrd enough 2 2 1 3 2 2 1 REFUSED - 1 - - - - - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 65% 52% 54% 66% 44% Unfavorable 16 31 28 18 39 Mixed 17 16 16 13 15 Hvn't hrd enough 2 1 1 2 2 REFUSED - - - 1 -
TREND: Is your opinion of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Oct 5 Aug 24 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 May 5 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 Favorable 56 50 48 51 48 51 53 Unfavorable 27 29 33 28 29 28 22 Mixed 15 19 16 17 18 17 19 Hvn't heard enough 2 3 3 4 3 4 5 REFUSED - - - 1 1 - -
10. Is your opinion of former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Likely Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Voters Favorable 6% 9% 6% 4% 7% 5% 7% Unfavorable 5 6 6 4 6 5 5 Mixed 9 7 8 10 7 11 8 Hvn't hrd enough 79 76 79 81 78 79 79 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 15% 5% 7% 4% 7% Unfavorable 2 4 3 7 7 Mixed 9 8 8 11 8 Hvn't hrd enough 73 82 81 77 77 REFUSED 2 1 1 1 0
TREND: Is your opinion of former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Oct 5 Aug 24 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 Favorable 6 5 7 5 8 4 Unfavorable 5 6 6 6 5 4 Mixed 9 8 8 8 5 7 Hvn't heard enough 79 80 78 80 81 84 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1
11. If the 2006 election for 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 64% 25% 89% 62% 57% 70% Spencer 27 63 6 28 32 23 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - - 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 2 3 3 2 DK/NA 6 10 2 7 7 5 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Clinton 74% 58% 61% 74% 54% Spencer 17 31 29 18 39 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 - 0 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 3 3 3 1 DK/NA 3 8 7 5 6
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?
Oct 5 Aug 24 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 Clinton 64 62 57 63 60 60 Spencer 27 26 33 27 30 30 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 - - 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 2 2 2 2 2 DK/NA 6 9 7 7 7 7
11. If the 2006 election for senator were being held today and the candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton the Democrat and John Spencer the Republican, for whom would you vote?(If undecided q11) As of today, do you lean more toward Clinton or Spencer? This table includes Leaners.
LIKELY VOTERS............................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Clinton 66% 27% 91% 65% 61% 70% Spencer 31 68 7 32 35 27 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - - DK/NA 3 5 1 2 3 3 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Clinton 75% 62% 64% 76% 53% Spencer 21 35 33 20 43 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - DK/NA 3 2 2 2 4
11b. (If candidate choice q11) Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election?
LIKELY CHOOSING CAND Q11.. CAND OF CHOICE Q11 Tot HC JS Made up 85% 85% 85% Might change 14 14 14 DK/NA 1 1 1
12. Is your opinion of former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about her?
Likely Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Voters Favorable 23% 37% 15% 22% 25% 21% 26% Unfavorable 19 11 26 19 21 18 23 Mixed 17 12 19 19 15 19 18 Hvn't hrd enough 40 39 40 39 38 41 32 REFUSED 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 10% 18% 17% 27% 31% Unfavorable 16 17 17 23 19 Mixed 11 12 12 20 24 Hvn't hrd enough 63 52 54 31 26 REFUSED - 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")
Oct 5 Aug 23 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 May 5 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006* 2006* 2005* Favorable 23 19 18 15 16 18 17 Unfavorable 19 18 17 17 18 17 4 Mixed 17 16 13 13 14 16 10 Hvn't heard enough 40 47 52 53 52 48 68 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
13. Is your opinion of former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo favorable, unfavorable, mixed, or haven't you heard enough about him?
Likely Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Voters Favorable 27% 16% 36% 23% 25% 28% 29% Unfavorable 22 37 12 21 26 18 25 Mixed 27 18 28 33 24 29 28 Hvn't hrd enough 25 28 23 23 25 25 18 REFUSED - - - - - - - UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Favorable 25% 26% 26% 29% 25% Unfavorable 16 24 23 19 25 Mixed 25 24 24 31 26 Hvn't hrd enough 34 26 28 22 24 REFUSED - - - - -
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?
Oct 5 Aug 24 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Jul 2 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2002 Favorable 27 32 27 27 24 24 16 Unfavorable 22 19 19 20 18 21 24 Mixed 27 26 24 23 23 26 22 Hvn't heard enough 25 23 30 30 34 28 37 REFUSED - 1 1 - 1 1 1
14. 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 50% 21% 76% 45% 48% 53% Pirro 31 59 12 34 37 27 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 - 2 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 3 3 4 3 3 DK/NA 14 14 9 16 11 16 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Cuomo 52% 48% 49% 58% 43% Pirro 23 33 31 27 40 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 5 4 4 3 2 DK/NA 19 14 15 11 15
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?
Oct 5 Aug 23 Jun 22 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Dec 14 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 Cuomo 50 52 51 49 51 48 49 Pirro 31 29 31 33 31 33 32 SMONE ELSE 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE 3 3 4 2 2 3 2 DK/NA 14 15 13 14 14 13 16
14. 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? (If undecided q14) As of today, do you lean more toward Cuomo or Pirro? This table includes Leaners.
LIKELY VOTERS............................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Cuomo 56% 24% 81% 50% 51% 60% Pirro 37 68 15 41 42 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 2 - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - - DK/NA 6 8 5 6 7 6 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Cuomo 58% 55% 55% 63% 46% Pirro 33 39 38 30 47 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - - - - - DK/NA 7 6 6 7 7
14b. (If candidate choice q14) Is your mind made up, or do you think you might change your mind before the election?
LIKELY CHOOSING CAND Q14.. CAND OF CHOICE Q14 Tot AC JP Made up 74% 74% 74% Might change 25 25 26 DK/NA 1 1 -
19. Do you think that Hillary Clinton's support in upstate New York suggests that she might do well in rural, traditionally republican areas of the country if she runs for president in 2008?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 40% 26% 53% 33% 33% 46% No 43 59 29 48 52 36 DK/NA 17 15 18 18 16 19 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 51% 39% 41% 46% 28% No 31 46 44 35 54 DK/NA 18 15 15 19 17
20. Are you concerned that if Hillary Clinton runs for president in 2008 she will be less effective in her role as United States Senator for New York, or aren't you concerned about that?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Concerned 36% 47% 28% 37% 37% 35% No/Not concerned 60 47 69 59 59 61 DK/NA 4 6 3 3 4 4 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes/Concerned 25% 37% 35% 34% 41% No/Not concerned 73 59 62 61 55 DK/NA 3 4 4 5 4
21. Regardless of how you intend to vote for State Attorney General this year, would you like to see the investigations of Wall Street activities that Spitzer started continued by the new Attorney General or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 76% 71% 77% 82% 78% 74% No 16 21 14 12 16 16 DK/NA 8 8 9 5 5 10 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Yes 67% 75% 74% 73% 83% No 24 16 18 18 11 DK/NA 8 8 8 9 6
22. Does the fact that Albert Pirro is Jeanine Pirro's husband make you more likely to vote for Jeanine Pirro for Attorney General, less likely to vote for her for Attorney General, or doesn't it make a difference?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely 2% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% Less likely 17 15 18 17 18 15 Doesn't make dif 78 78 76 79 77 79 DK/NA 4 4 4 3 3 4 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub More likely 9% 1% 2% 2% 1% Less likely 9 13 13 17 24 Doesn't make dif 76 83 81 78 71 DK/NA 6 3 4 3 4
23. Have you heard or read anything recently about a federal investigation of former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 65% 67% 61% 73% 62% 67% No 33 33 37 26 36 31 DK/NA 2 - 3 1 1 2
24. (If heard or read q23) Does this investigation of Jeanine Pirro make you more likely to vote for her, less likely to vote for her, or doesn't it make a difference?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom More likely 7% 10% 3% 5% 9% 6% Less likely 27 19 34 27 29 25 Doesn't make dif 64 69 62 64 60 67 DK/NA 2 2 2 4 2 3
25. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 26% 60% 8% 23% 29% 23% Disapprove 70 34 89 73 67 73 DK/NA 4 6 2 4 4 4 UpState..... UpState Urban Othr Total NYC Sub Approve 23% 28% 27% 20% 32% Disapprove 76 68 69 77 63 DK/NA 1 4 4 3 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq?
Oct 5 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 2006 2006 2006 2006 Approve 26 22 27 32 Disapprove 70 74 69 63 DK/NA 4 4 3 5
26. Do you think going to war with Iraq was the right thing for the United States to do or the wrong thing?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Right thing 30% 65% 12% 28% 36% 25% Wrong thing 63 27 83 63 58 67 DK/NA 7 8 5 9 6 8
TREND: Do you think going to war with Iraq was the right thing for the United States to do or the wrong thing?
Oct 5 May 18 Mar 30 Jan 20 Dec 14 Oct 5 Sep 15 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2004 Right thing 30 27 34 34 34 31 42 Wrong thing 63 67 61 57 61 64 52 DK/NA 7 6 6 9 6 5 6
27. From what you have seen or heard about the situation in Iraq, what should the United States do? Should the U.S. -- - increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, - keep the same number of U.S. troops in Iraq as there are now, - decrease the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, - or remove all its troops from Iraq?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Increase troops 19% 29% 13% 19% 28% 11% Keep same amount 13 26 6 14 14 13 Decrease troops 24 19 27 26 21 27 Remove all troops 36 18 47 34 31 40 DK/NA 8 7 8 7 7 9
TREND: From what you have seen or heard about the situation in Iraq, what should the United States do? Should the U.S. -- - increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, - keep the same number of U.S. troops in Iraq as there are now, - decrease the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, or - remove all its troops from Iraq?
Oct 5 May 18 2006 2006 Increase troops 19 12 Keep same amount 13 17 Decrease troops 24 25 Remove all troops 36 39 DK/NA 8 8
28. Is the United States winning or losing the war in Iraq?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Winning 23% 52% 8% 22% 29% 18% Losing 60 28 78 63 55 64 DK/NA 17 20 14 15 16 18
29. Is the United States winning or losing the war on worldwide terrorism?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Winning 37% 63% 24% 36% 46% 30% Losing 46 22 59 47 40 51 DK/NA 17 15 16 17 14 19