Poll: New Yorkers prefer Cuomo

Posted: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:17 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The latest poll out on the subject, shows New Yorkers prefer state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Clinton, who is likely to be confirmed as Secretary of State -- perhaps this week.

Quinnipiac found Cuomo leading Kennedy 31%-24%. Despite their preference, New Yorkers believe New York Gov. David Paterson will still pick Kennedy, 38%-33%. Perhaps more troubling for Kennedy is that by a margin of 48%-37%, Empire Staters do not think she is qualified. (Democrats, however, give her the benefit of the doubt and say she is qualified, 47%-35%.

Cuomo is the son of former popular Gov. Mario Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo is also the ex-husband of Caroline Kennedy's sister, Kerry Kennedy. Some reports indicated as well that Cuomo has stirred an anti-Caroline Upstate backlash.

Both candidates have their pros and cons. Though Cuomo has more elective experience and name recognition, his sometimes prickly nature has made him not as well liked as his thoughtful, well-versed father with the patient public persona.

Kennedy, on the other hand, obviously also has name recognition and ties to President-elect Obama, but her legislative experience is nil. Though she has done some work for Mayor Bloomberg with New York City Public Schools, the reserved Kennedy, has largely been out of the spotlight. And her rollout in campaigning for the seat has been bumpy to say the least.

What a tangled Web.

Cuomo and Kennedy are not the only two names under consideration by Paterson, though they both have met privately with the governor.

Also receiving votes, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (6%), Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (5%), Rep. Steve Israel (2%).

Paterson is said not to be someone who goes along with conventional wisdom, but it will be interesting to seee how any of this might this affect the governor's thinking?

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Comments

Kerry Kennedy is Caroline's cousin, not her sister.

Jim, Maywood, NJ (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:31 PM)

Kerry Kennedy is Caroline's sister????? Oops!

Don - Dayton, OH (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:32 PM)

Let me tell you what will impact the Governor's thinking. Caroline can get Obama to campaing for the governor. Now that is worth something...ala Blago

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:32 PM)

Why not Cuomo? Either he or Caroline would do a good job. Picking Cuomo, if nothing else, would give ubercons something else to whine about. Lord knows they have whined enough about Caroline.

eagle1776 (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:34 PM)

So much for THE GIFT's claim that Caroline's being treated with kid gloves. Looks like the people and the media have spoken. Meanwhile, THE GIFT just makes her self look more and more childish with her ranting. I hope she just keeps on talking so that America can see how silly she really is.

(and where are all of the comments anyway?)

6 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:37 PM)

Caroline's bid is officially on life support. You know she's desperate when she tries to bribe Paterson and NY Dems by promising to get Obama to pall around with her and the rest of the Dem state candidates. She can't deliver on that kind of promise...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:43 PM)

Cuomo with his sometimes prickly nature has made him not as well liked as his thoughtful, well-versed father with the patient public persona.

He'd be an excellent complement to Senator Schumer whose rosey personality brings us a ray of sunshine everytime he speaks.

NY Willie (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 1:50 PM)

Let me tell you what will impact the Governor's thinking. Caroline can get Obama to campaing for the governor. Now that is worth something...ala Blago

Ron Indiana

So, it's not important what a person knows, what experience they bring, their background or education, but it is about whether they can bring attention to future races? Why not just appoint some American Idol contestants to do the jobs?

Kalie H. (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:12 PM)

No -- the person people in NY prefer is the "son of Mario Cuomo," being under the very false assumption that the son is like the father. He is NOT!! ------- Look at what he has done with his time in public office and, more importantly, HOW he has done it and you'll know that it would be a huge embarrassment if he were to become our Senator. There are many serious ethics issues that have been raised and more that could have/should have ... and maybe will before long. Appointing Mario Cuomo would make a lot of sense (if he were willing). Appointing Mario Cuomo would NOT. Caroline Kennedy is much truer to the legacy from her parents that AC is and she would make a far superior senator. ---- Look being "in office" doesn't mean you are competent, smart or even sane (think Palin, Blago___). The fact that Andrew Cuomo is "in office" means nothing, and what he's doing with that office is a scandal waiting to happen.

E, NY (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:40 PM)

To Kalie H:

Didn't mean to offend. Caroline has the experience, education, and background to be an excellent Senator.

My comment was a bit cynical...but true.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:45 PM)

Judy, Rochester, NY (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:48 PM)

This is a two year appointment. Nothing more. I just don't understand why everyone is going nuts about this. In two years, the people can elect whoever they want. My god, the way people are running around like the sky was falling, you would think this was a lifetime appointment.

Whoever doesn't get the nomination can run in two years.

Geez!

Get over it already! (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:53 PM)

WHO does Chuck Shumer want????????

Laurie, Montrose, CA (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:53 PM)

It may be that Cuomo is asked to continue to be AG and he lets Caroline go to the Senate for the simple reason that he NEEDS Cuomo right now and needs to not disrupt the AG office. There is a huge matter with the Maddoff scandal, troubling times in the financial sector which may give way or reveal other nefarious goings-on in the Wall St. sector, and who knows what the first 2 years of the Obama Administration might bring. He may need Cuomo to remain in his current spot.

Alternatively, Caroline could "hold the seat" for the next 2 years, see what kind of influence and education she has on matters of the State and US Gov, and if she remains, she has to run for elections in 2010. If she doesn't prove herself, Cuomo runs and gets elected in 2010.

Mike B., New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:59 PM)

Just a little correction. Caroline Kennedy doesn't have a sister. Kerry kennedy is her cousin--RFK's daughter.
Re the content of this article--as a New Yorker and a Democrat, I can say that I would feel alot more comfortable with Andrew Cuomo sitting in that Senate seat. As a Western NYer, I am especially bothered by the fact that Caroline knows next to little about the issues that concern those of us pretty far from the Big Apple.
Judy, Rochester, NY (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:48 PM)

____________

Funny how this Western NY'er thing was never a problem when you were all voting for Hillary (twice!). Why is it suddenly an issue now?

(not meant confrontationally, just curiously)

Jackson, Seattle (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:36 PM)

Actually the word is that Paterson could shock everyone and pick Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, an actual working lawyer (partner for David Boies law firm)and someone who has been elected twice, serves on the Armed Services Committee; a powerhouse fundraiser, working mother of two young children, worked in President Clinton's administration, magna cum laude graduate of Dartmouth.

Take that, Caroline ! Gillibrand's resume blows you out of the wate.

Kelly, New York City (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:47 PM)

Ron Indiana: Just what experience does Kennedy have? She's never had a job as an adult. Never practised law and actually let her law license expire.

Most importantly, she has MISSED VOTING IN MANY IMPORTANT ELECTIONS, including the election for Mayor David Dinkins and Carl McCall. Take a look at Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand's resume - a former law partner, who has been elected twice to office, worked for PResident Clinton,huge fundraiser... magna cum laude of Dartmouth, and you will see a really experienced woman.

Kelly, New York City (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:50 PM)

shows you its not what the people want its what the party wants to continue there control...Its still not bipartisism its party control, and whos going to play ball...Who cares what Schumer thinks, hes nothing but a glorified senator looking for attention and media....Its still politics as usual....

Russell Wells, Me (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:54 PM)

Russell Wells, Me (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:55 PM)

Washington Post today: Gillibrand is Under Serious Consideration by Paterson

Excerpt:
We all know about Caroline Kennedy and her, you know, interest in succeeding Clinton. Despite her rocky few weeks, Kennedy is still under serious consideration very serious. But also getting a serious look is Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand. Despite her low standing in the latest Quinnipiac Poll (state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is tops with those surveyed), Gillibrand's a big blip on Paterson's radar screen.

Gillibrand is now serving her second term representing New York's 20th Congressional District (which stretches across 10 upstate counties, including Saratoga and Dutchess). She sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. And she has made openness a hallmark of her tenure by putting her public schedule on the web most days and disclosing earmarks for her district that have accrued to its benefit. If Paterson selects Gillibrand, he gets a young upstater on a ticket currently dominated by downstate pols. But there are some downsides to choosing her.

Dan, Poughkeepsie, NY (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 4:59 PM)

And sometimes people in NYC don't know much about what is going on upstate -- Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand is nice enough, but she also owes her political prominence to 'who she's related to' and her Congressional seat to a well-entrenched Republican incumbent who managed to royally shoot himself in the foot. She has not been a bad Representative but not particularly outstanding one either. As a New Yorker, I would opt for the clout that Caroline Kennedy would undoubtedly have and the excellence that she might well show as a Senator. We know Gillibrand would be a competent but not exceptional Senator and many of us know that Cuomo would be an embarrassing disaster. Caroline Kennedy has succeeded exceptionally well at everything she has undertaken (including raising her children in privacy, a huge task for a Kennedy), so why wouldn't she succeed exceptionally well at being a Senator? Hillary was just as big a gamble, perhaps more so and she turned out to be a pretty good Senator.

E, NY (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:02 PM)

No surprise after her media stumbles and the concerted sliming effort coming out of the Cuomo Camelot of Queens. The question is really who will be able to produce for NYS during a two-year appointment. Given her connection with the President and her wide political network, I think she's in a good position to produce results quickly. If she doesn't, the voters will have their say in 2010.

Brooklyn Democrat (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:20 PM)

Caroline Kennedy believes she is "entitled" to have the Senate seat "handed" to her. She who has had no political aspirations in the past. The "opportunity" just presented itself to her out of thin air or with Uncle Ted's persuasion. She admitted that if it came down to an election, she wouldn't run... hmmm....There's a reason for everything.

Elizabeth, Cape Cod, MA (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 9:54 PM)

And, with all the mysognistic rhetoric that came out in Campaign 2008, do you really think the Dems will replace a female Senator with a male candidate?

Women are under represented in the Senate. There are currently 17 female Senators, minus Senator Hillary Clinton, that makes 16.

Gillibrand or Kennedy? It's up to Governor Patterson.

All the 'whoopla' here is politics as usual. The Grand Old Party want to put up Guilanni & King, two old white men & they know the KENNEDY name will be a fearsome battle to overcome in New York State.

GO CAROLINE!

dianne (Sent Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:35 AM)

Clarification on my previous post about the two old white men in the 2010 race. That would be the Grand OLD Party candidates Guilianni for Governor and King for Senator versus Patterson for Governor and Kennedy for Senator.

Dianne (Sent Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:42 AM)

The Village Voice takes a look at Kennedy's work history(non-existent); financial contributions to NYC schools(unlike other millionaires, non-existent)and voting history, among many other things. Here's an excerpt:
She has repeatedly referred to herself as a lawyer in her recent appearances, though she's never practiced law and even let her registration with the Bar Association lapse for years.

Though she wrote in A Patriot's Handbook that "the day I feel most proud to be an American is not the Fourth of July, but Election Day," she's missed half of the elections since 1988. She even failed to vote in 1994 for her in-law Mario Cuomo, when at least four other Kennedys campaigned for Cuomo in the race of his life. She skipped the Democratic primary in 1989, when David Dinkins was the first black person nominated for mayor, and the general election in 2002, when Carl McCall was the first black person ever to appear on the statewide gubernatorial ballot as the candidate of a major party

Madeline, Buffalo, New York (Sent Thursday, January 15, 2009 7:10 AM)

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