Quinnipiac Poll: NYers "Semi-Sweet" On Caroline
A Quinnipiac University survey out today shows that NYers are split, 40% – 41%, on whether Caroline Kennedy is qualified to be a U.S. Senator. Offered a choice between Kennedy and NY AG Andrew Cuomo, 33% of voters opt for the former first daughter and 29% say the state's top legal officer deserves the opportunity to fill the Senate seat that will be vacated by Hillary Clinton if she is confirmed as Secretary of State.
Voters largely expect Gov. David Paterson to name Kennedy, however, with 48% - 25% suggesting she'll win out.
Just 4% of voters say they would back Albany-area U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand over Kennedy and Cuomo, while 24% say want someone else and 10% are undecided, according to the independent survey.
There is a notable geographic differential in support for the two scions of political families. Kennedy leads Cuomo 42% – 27% among NYC voters and ties Cuomo at 30% among suburban voters, while Cuomo leads 31% – 27% among upstate voters.
Republicans prefer Cuomo, 33% - 20%, while Democrats back Kennedy, 41% – 27%, and ind voters support Cuomo 33% – 30%.
(JS)