Obama Wallops All GOP Contenders in New York;
Cuomo, Schumer, Gillibrand Have High Approval Numbers
A new poll conducted by Utica-based JZ Analytics of 800 likely voters in New York State shows President Barack Obama handily defeating all four of his major Republican challengers. The online survey was conducted March 10-11 and has a margin of sampling error of +/-3.5 percentage points.
In each case, Mr. Obama leads by at least two to one over his challenger. In the race between Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the margin is 52% to 25%, with 12% selecting another candidate, and 12% undecided. Obama leads among Democrats (78%-10%) and independents 40% to 20%, all age groups, men and women, all regions (including a 14 point margin Upstate), all income groups, armed forces households, NASCAR fans, members of the investor class, weekly Wal-Mart shoppers, Occupy Wall Street sympathizers, African Americans and Hispanics, Catholics and Protestants. Obama leads among Jewish voters 51% to 32% -- respectable, but not the usual split for a Democratic candidate.
Obama leads former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum 52% to 24%, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich 56% to 20%, and Representative Ron Paul 52% to 21%
Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to receive high marks from voters with a 64% approval rating, with only 21% posting disapproval. The Governor gets high marks from Democrats (71% to 15%), Republicans (57% to 28%), and independents (58% to 25%). His positive ratings are 60% in Upstate, 61% in New York City, and 73% in the Suburbs.
Veteran U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer holds the approval of 59% of New York's voters, with only 29% offering disapproval.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who is running for re-election in November 2012, also does well. Her overall rating is 52% approval and 22% disapproval, with 27% not sure. She hits 50% in all three regions.
Pollster John Zogby: "Confidence in government and politics is at a low point and Washington DC and Albany are hardly terms of endearment for many voters. In fact, only 39% feel that things in New York are on the right track, while 40% say they are off on the wrong track. But New Yorkers still have high expectation. They have always expected their government officials to act on behalf of their own interests - expanding government to meet public needs and now contracting government when it becomes too bloated. While Governors and legislatures are taking a pounding from voters all over the US, our leading officials seem to be doing very well."