Senate Circus Turns Off NY Voters: Poll
Paterson sees first rise in popularity in months
Monday, Jun 22, 2009 | Updated 10:15 AM EST
AP
The debacle in Albany is turning off New York voters, which isn't surprising. But what might be considered news is that David Paterson has actually earned a slight bump in popularity.
The power struggle that has paralyzed New York's Senate for two weeks has hurt the senior house in the view of New Yorkers, who at a record level now see the state headed in the wrong direction, according to a new poll out today.
The Siena College poll also found Democratic Gov. David Paterson getting a favorable rating from 31 percent of New Yorkers, while 57 percent still consider him unfavorably. Those are his best numbers in the Siena poll since February.
Paterson on Sunday ordered the Senate into a special session beginning Tuesday, adding that he'll compel senators to stay in Albany indefinitely until they act.
"I will convene a special session every day until they do," Paterson said. "That means Saturdays, Sundays, that includes July 4, there will be no excuses and there will be no tolerance to noncompliance with this order."
Overall, the poll found 63 percent of New Yorkers think the state is headed in the wrong direction. For the first time, that feeling is shared by every political party, region and age group.
Siena surveyed 626 voters for four days last week.
