NY-GOV

Paterson Numbers Improve...To Awful

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 21, 2009, 8:58AM

Gov. David Paterson's (D) terrible, horrible, no good, very bad job approval numbers have moved bit, according to a new poll. Now they're just awful. A new Quinnipiac University poll out today shows the embattled New York governor's disapproval rating creeping down to 57%, a 3 point drop from August. His bottom-of-the-barrel 30% approval rating remained steady, however.

Other results from the Q poll show echo numbers we reported yesterday. Paterson is crushed 54-32 in a potential gubernatorial matchup with former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani (R). But there's another bit of not-so-terrible news for Paterson, too: He ties a potential matchup with former Rep. Rick Lazio (R) 38-38.

NY-GOV

Giuliani Has His Pick Of Incumbents, NY Voters Say

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 20, 2009, 10:43AM

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R)

New Yorkers are ready to let Rudy Giuliani throw the bums out, according to a new poll from Siena University. The former New York City mayor leads the current Democratic incumbents in a potential governors race or U.S. Senate bid according to the survey of 624 registered voters, which was Oct. 14-18. Giuliani has not declared his intentions to run for either race, but observers expect him to mount a gubernatorial bid.

Giuliani beats Gov. David Paterson 56-33 in potential 2010 matchup. Paterson has been suffering under very low approval ratings for months and national Democrats have made it clear they hope he won't run. The new poll again justifies their pressure on Paterson, as Democrats beat Giuliani with popular state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as their nominee. Like Giuliani, Cuomo has not declared his intentions in the race.

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David Paterson

Schumer And Gillibrand Dodge Questions On Paterson Endorsement

Rachel Slajda | October 7, 2009, 11:50AM

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

At an event endorsing New York City mayoral candidate Bill Thompson on Monday, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand would not say whether they'll endorse Gov. David Paterson in next year's gubernatorial election.

Asked about an endorsement, Schumer said: "You know, these are very, very difficult times for a governor, any governor, giving the economy and everything else. I'm doing everything I can to help David Paterson work together and maximize New York's help from Washington."

"As for elections, let's stick to this one today. One election today," he added, according to the Daily News.

As for Gillibrand, she said, "Well, I support the governor and, you know, he said he's going to run and we are all focused right now on this election cycle."

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David Paterson

Paterson: My 'Phantom' Opponents Better Put Up Or Shut Up

Rachel Slajda | October 5, 2009, 2:14PM

Gov. David Paterson (D-NY)

Gov. David Paterson (D-NY), trying to salvage his chances in next year's election after it leaked that the White House asked him to step aside, told his gubernatorial opponents -- none of whom have officially announced -- to have "courage" and "get up and say what you'd do now."

"When all these phantom people who say they're running for office get into this race, they are gonna have to answer the same questions I've been answering for 18 months," he said on CNBC this morning. "And, by the way, if they wanted to show they were different and they were exciting and they were gonna make Albany a different place, why don't they answer those questions now?"

Paterson wouldn't say whether he was talking about former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, or Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat.

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