A new Quinnipiac poll in New York finds a sharp increase in the number of people who think that Gov. David Paterson (D) should resign –Â and this increase has happened in only the past two days, as more and more scandals have been reported in the press.
Registered voters were asked: “Do you think Governor Paterson should serve his full term until December 31 or should he resign?” The numbers are only 46% for serving his full term, to 42% saying he should resign, with a ±2.7% margin of error. Just two days ago, that number stood at 61%-31% in Paterson’s favor.
From the pollster’s analysis: “Support for Gov. David Paterson erodes with every new headline. New York State voters started the week giving the Governor the benefit of the doubt 2-1. Now, there is more doubt and less benefit as he clings to a bare plurality of support.”
Respondents were also asked about Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, who was controversially appointed to office by Paterson last year in a move that withstood a legal challenge at the state’s highest court. In the poll from two days ago, there was some reason to believe that a reluctance to see an unknown face take over the governorship — after Paterson himself had succeeded to the office two years ago — might have been a factor in giving Paterson the benefit of the doubt.
The poll asked: “Who do you think would more effectively govern New York state until December 31 – David Paterson or Richard Ravitch?” The answer today is Paterson 37%, Ravitch 32%, undecided 31%, compared to a much better number for Paterson of 47%-29%-23% two days ago.
