Posted on 09/25/2002 8:11:36 AM PDT by BlackRazor
Pataki tops Mccall 46 35 among likely voters; Golisano takes equal bite out of both candidates
Republican Gov. George Pataki holds a 46 35 percent lead over State Comptroller H. Carl McCall among New York State likely voters, with 14 percent for Independence Party candidate Thomas Golisano, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. This is the first look at likely voters, including those leaning towards a candidate, considered a more accurate measure than registered voters in the final weeks of a campaign.
Among New York State registered voters, Gov. Pataki tops McCall 47 30 percent with 13 percent for Golisano.
This compares to a July 2 poll of registered voters by the independent Quinnipiac University, where Pataki beat McCall 53 26 percent, with 7 percent for Golisano.
Its a solid double-digit lead for Gov. Pataki among likely voters, the first time weve looked at this select group. To compare apples to apples, Comptroller McCall has gained some ground among registered voters compared to the July 2 poll of this group, said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
In a theoretical matchup of just Pataki and McCall, without Golisano, Pataki wins 52 36 percent, showing Golisano is drawing support equally from both candidates.
The pundits said Golisano would hurt Pataki, but both Pataki and McCall lose about the same when the Rochester billionaire is in the mix, Carroll said.
Among registered voters, McCall has gained among Democrats, who back him 54 25 percent, and black voters, who back him 75 18 percent.
Pataki leads 79 6 percent among Republicans and 47 21 percent among independent voters, with 22 percent for Golisano. Upstate non-urban registered voters back Pataki 48 20 percent, with 21 percent for Golisano. In upstate cities, Pataki leads McCall 36 32 percent, with 20 percent for Golisano.
In Democratic New York City, Pataki tops McCall 45 39 percent, with 8 percent for Golisano.
By a 62 - 26 percent margin, New York State registered voters approve of the job Pataki is doing as Governor, compared to his 66 18 percent approval July 2.
Pataki has a 47 18 percent favorability rating among registered voters, with 27 percent mixed and 7 percent who dont know enough to form an opinion. This is little changed from July 2.
McCalls 30 - 8 percent favorability rating, with 19 percent mixed and 42 percent who havent heard enough, is up from his 23 6 percent favorability July 2, when 54 percent said they hadnt heard enough to form an opinion.
Golisano has a negative 15 18 percent favorability, with 18 percent mixed and 48 percent who havent heard enough to form an opinion.
Since Pataki became Governor in 1995, things in New York State have gotten better, 36 percent of registered voters say, while 20 percent say theyve gotten worse and 40 percent say theyve stayed the same.
From September 17 - 23, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,298 New York State registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percent. The survey includes 936 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percent.
If you want on or off my poll ping list, let me know!
Doesn't sound like this fella's support is particularly strong. I'm guessing he'll pull about 4-5% (a little from Pataki and McCall) when all is said and done.
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