With Polls Still Shrinking, Dems May Squeeze Paterson Out

Photo Courtesy AP/Mike Groll

Every time Governor Paterson hopes that his approval rating has dipped as low it possibly could and will inevitably start turning around, a new poll proves him wrong. The newest Qunnipiac poll released today finds their lowest approval ever for a sitting governor in New York at 28%. That's even a dramatic drop from mid-February when Paterson seemed bombarded with bad press and yet still maintained a 45% approval rating. The manager of the poll summed up its results by saying, "There's nothing good for Paterson in this poll."

Naturally the Q poll shows the numbers widening in potential 2010 match-ups between either Rudy Giuliani or Andrew Cuomo. What's worse is that now a majority of New Yorkers are saying that they'd prefer it if Paterson simply packed up his things and didn't run at all next year—even 49% of Democrats encouraging him to do so. The Quinnipiac pollster summed it up, "'Don't wait for 2010, Governor,' New Yorkers say, 'Announce now that you won't run.'"

The Daily News reports that such a sentiment isn't just coming from voters—Democratic leaders are beginning to talk about a deadline of this November for Paterson to shape up his numbers or ship out. The only problem with that as one donor puts it, "Nobody really wants to go to a sitting Democratic governor who's African-American and say, 'Hey. You're a disgrace. Get out.'"

Paterson himself hopes that the low numbers are mostly a bi-product of the difficult spot that the economy has put us in. He said, "Right now we have an historically high budget deficit. So it would follow that whoever is supervising it would have historically low poll numbers." And luckily, despite a rough stretch for the governor, he still has some allies. Assemblyman Keith Wright told the News, "This is a very savvy, astute student of politics and political trends... Did he need a minute to get his sea legs? Yes. But he'll be there."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Billy Parker in News on April 6, 2009 4:35 PM

Comments [rss]

leftylib

How in the hell could he dip below Pataki? People are assholes.

Brooklynbobby

"Nobody really wants to go to a sitting Democratic governor who's African-American and say, 'Hey. You're a disgrace. Get out.'"

Why not? It is what it is.

starrygordon

Thanks, '76. I'm learning from the media. Babble a bunch and pretty soon others start to babble right along with you and you can retire.

felixthecat2

Paterson, if he really wants to leave with a bang the he should pass bill that would stop bloomberg 3rd term. Paterson need to see that he is done. And the bright side when you are done is you don't have anything to lose and should take you frenemies with you. Paterson needs to grow a pair. take control of the media and get stop bloomberg 3rd term.

Spirit of 76

It's all a hatchet job by the Kennedy-loving media! Thought I'd say that for starrygordon, who will surely be by to say that exact thing. If Paterson runs, he will crash and burn in the biggest landslide in NYS history. Sounds like fun. I hope he goes for it.

"Bi-product"?

felixthecat2

wholiani already made million of 9/11. I resent those who profited from this tragedy. wholiani can pedal his books and consulting firms elsewhere.

fauxsella

Paterson won't win in the primary, and Gillebrand might not either.... but I'm an optimist.

fugothamist

Giuliani for Governor !

May every day be 9/11 !

2101 should be an interesting year for NYS politics - gov, and both senate seats

i predict Governor Cuomo and Senator Pataki

felixthecat2

BaDumChing

Brainwash

If only he could see what's coming.

felixthecat2

BaDumRimshot

hotstepper

what's the problem? paterson is awesome. a bit of a political putz but he's a straight-talker who's willing to buck the establishment because he's got nothing to lose. that's exactly why they are orchestrating his crash and burn.

thefacts

"Paterson's...willing to buck the establishment" LOL LOL

Paterson is THE establishment. His grandmother was Marcus Garvey's personal secretary. His father is part of the Harlem Clubhouse, receiving many political plums since he was a state senator in the 60s. Since that one election, Paterson Sr. has been appointed to many key posts but elected to no others.

David used this nepotism to get to where he is. No one elected him Gov, but he got the sop of Lt-Gov to "balance the ticket". No one imagined Ashley Dupree.

Stevie Wonder has a hell of a lot more talent than David Paterson, and he got where he is on his own, not on his familial connections.

Jen Chung

A lot can change between now and November 2010. In April 2007, didn't everyone think Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani would be duking it out for the presidency?