Pataki's Rating Declines Sharply in Poll of State
Interesting New York Times article reporting that Pataki's rating in polls corresponds with the public's shifting stance on the death penalty.
Public support for Gov. George E. Pataki has dropped to its lowest level since his first year as governor a decade ago, with fewer than half of all New Yorkers approving of the way he does his job, according to a poll by The New York Times.In general, the poll paints a bleak picture for Mr. Pataki, a Republican, as he considers running for a fourth term and faces a challenge from Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who has announced his plan to run for governor in 2006. Those interviewed said Mr. Pataki had made little progress in lowering taxes, improving schools, shepherding the economy or creating new jobs. In general, Mr. Pataki appears to take the blame for much that ails the state.
The poll also showed attitudes shifting against the death penalty, whose fate the Legislature is debating since the courts struck down New York's capital punishment law last year.
Fifty-six percent of registered voters surveyed said they preferred either life in prison without parole or life in prison with the possibility of parole over the death penalty for people convicted of murder. Only 34 percent said they supported the death penalty, a significant drop from the 47 percent who supported it in 1994, when Mr. Pataki made instituting the death penalty a critical component of his successful drive to unseat Gov. Mario M. Cuomo.
Posted by beth at 06:01 PM
